I have always wondered this since I was young

[jonnyg]

Why do I exist? to become more
What is the purpose of my being? see above
Does everyone else have a mind like mine? No...highly unlikely
Is everyone else just a simple entity like me? there is nothing simple about it
Or am I the only one that thinks or matters? everything matters....to an extent
Perhaps this existence is meant solely for me...Nope...sorry
And I’m in some kind of experiment....Damn Right...one you get to define
Where everyone else is just some kind of insignificant, non-rational being...nope, thats ego talking
With the one purpose of testing me....though this is one way to look at it
To see how long it takes me to realize what is actually going on.Bingo



Now that you realize your insignificant nature of existance....whatcha gonna do with it?


therein lies the secret of life

[Willravel]

That's philosophy more than paranoia, imho.

[Redlemon]

Douglas Adams summarized this well.

"So there you have it," said Slartibartfast, making a feeble and perfunctory attempt to clear away some of the appalling mess of his study. He picked up a paper from the top of a pile, but then couldn't think of anywhere else to put it, so he but it back on top of the original pile which promptly fell over. "Deep Thought designed the Earth, we built it and you lived on it."

...

"You know," said Arthur thoughtfully, "all this explains a lot of things. All through my life I've had this strange unaccountable feeling that something was going on in the world, something big, even sinister, and no one would tell me what it was."

"No," said the old man, "that's just perfectly normal paranoia. Everyone in the Universe has that."

"Everyone?" said Arthur. "Well, if everyone has that perhaps it means something! Perhaps somewhere outside the Universe we know ..."

"Maybe. Who cares?" said Slartibartfast before Arthur got too excited. "Perhaps I'm old and tired," he continued, "but I always think that the chances of finding out what really is going on are so absurdly remote that the only thing to do is to say hang the sense of it and just keep yourself occupied."

[Charlatan]

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

I always think that the chances of finding out what really is going on are so absurdly remote that the only thing to do is to say hang the sense of it and just keep yourself occupied.

Redlemon... since I first read that (years ago) I have believed it to be so...

[longbough]

Originally Posted by jonnyg

Why do I exist?
What is the purpose of my being?

I'd advise you to release yourself from the mandate of "meaning." Watch the road and not the horizon - you'll be safer and happier and won't miss the scenery.

Originally Posted by jonnyg

Does everyone else have a mind like mine?
Is everyone else just a simple entity like me?

Maybe everyone is different - including yourself. Or maybe they're wondering the same thing. The only way to know that is to get to know other people.

Originally Posted by jonnyg

Or am I the only one that thinks or matters?

I'm not sure that "others" can help you with this question - but thanks for sharing it anyway.

Originally Posted by jonnyg

Perhaps this existence is meant solely for me and I’m in some kind of experiment
Where everyone else is just some kind of insignificant, non-rational being
With the one purpose of testing me to see how long it takes me to realize what is actually going on.

I had similar thoughts when I was young. I later realized how those questions sprang from the egocentric perceptions of adolescence. I later realized that the universe doesn't revolve around me - and I learned to invest myself in the understanding of others - e.g. friendship and intimacy. Then it wasn't a question for me anymore.

[jonnyg]

Well longbough, I actually do have many close, intimate, open relationships with a lot of people so I don't think that's my problem.

This was a poem I just wrote and it is something I seriously thought about when I was younger.

I just thought I'd throw it out there

[longbough]

Originally Posted by jonnyg

Well longbough, I actually do have many close, intimate, open relationships with a lot of people so I don't think that's my problem.

This was a poem I just wrote and it is something I seriously thought about when I was younger.

I just thought I'd throw it out there

oh nm then

[jbw97361]

At least for me, I imagine my purpose for living is to better the lives of the people around me. Not being a deep theologian, I don't know if you'd call it carma or anything else; I just think that the purpose of life is for self improvement and charity.

[Naked Communist]

When I hear a question like that I always think of Douglas Adams. 42 says it all. (...how many roads must a man walk down?...what is 6 x 7?...)

[barenakedladies]

if it is true and exists in your mind... that it is in fac true.

I have never been to antarctica... i am convinced that it doesnt exist. I have seen pictures sure... but how do i know that it is there. I have never seen it so it does not exist. I exist... i know what im thinking and feeling, therefore your statement is true... Everyone has their own world and they are the only ones in it. The others around them are simply supporting players.

[longbough]

Originally Posted by barenakedladies

if it is true and exists in your mind... that it is in fac true.

I have never been to antarctica... i am convinced that it doesnt exist. I have seen pictures sure... but how do i know that it is there. I have never seen it so it does not exist. I exist... i know what im thinking and feeling, therefore your statement is true... Everyone has their own world and they are the only ones in it. The others around them are simply supporting players.

Then you should take that idea to its natural limit - How do you know that the world behind your head and eyes exist? How do you know that yesterday (or one second ago) existed and you weren't just created with memories.

[rlbond86]

Originally Posted by jonnyg

Why do I exist?

You exist because your mother and father had sex.

Stop thinking so hard. If you spend your life wondering, you're missing it.

[tecoyah]

Originally Posted by jonnyg

Why do I exist?
What is the purpose of my being?
Does everyone else have a mind like mine?
Is everyone else just a simple entity like me?
Or am I the only one that thinks or matters?
Perhaps this existence is meant solely for me
And I’m in some kind of experiment
Where everyone else is just some kind of insignificant, non-rational being
With the one purpose of testing me
To see how long it takes me to realize what is actually going on.

You exist to become more than you are right now. If you indeed accomplish this....in time you may very well answer the other questions for yourself. I recommend you read up a bit on Buddah.....might shed some light on your lifes meaning.

*note- Buddhism is not a religion, it is philosophy*

[dazzassj6]

omg jonnyg i had EXACTLY the same questions as you did when i was young. When i was about 10 years old. I wondered is this world revolving around me. Are they trying to test me or something. At one point i thought my whole family was some sort of people that wanted to test me and they are evil. Once when i was looking down from a high cliff, in the back of my head i was thinking i dont trust my sister because she will push me down. But then i snap out of it and say thats impossible i should trust my family.

[ManWithAPlan]

I'm quite sure that everyone else around me is irrational some days... hehe

[GoldenOuroboros]

I've wondered the same things at stages of life, the come and go, so don't worry yourself about it, you'll eventually find your niche