Is There a Stop Button for Life? Without relying on any external forces.

On a Saturday evening, I was strolling down the street with my partner when I received a call from my dad: “Your grandmother isn’t doing well. I’m taking leave tomorrow to visit her.” Later that night, my mom also tried to video call me. My phone was on silent, and by the time I noticed the missed call, it was almost 11 PM. When I called back, she didn’t answer.

I dread those few seconds of silence before my parents speak when they call me—it often signals that they’re about to share some unwelcome news. The weight of those moments is palpable, and I’ve received several such calls before. Each time, I’m left at a loss for how to respond.

This time, it was about my grandmother. Strangely, my heart didn’t churn with the usual turmoil, mainly for two reasons: first, my grandmother had been ill for a long time and was already 89 years old; second, I’ve experienced far more sorrowful events, and my interactions with her had been limited.

If the World Were an Animal

I once compared our lives to the process of digestion, with the world as the animal. Whether we’re apples, rice, eggs, beef, water, or anything else, our birth is like entering the mouth of society. We’re broken down, absorbed, and our inherent value is extracted. When we’re deemed worthless, we’re expelled from this societal body.

And just like that, our lives come to an end. But what choices do we have in this process? Upon reflection, quite a few. From the moment we enter the mouth, we can choose to cling to society’s front teeth, or become a fishbone stuck in its gums. Once in the stomach, if it’s unbearable, we might turn into watermelon or scalding hotpot oil to hasten the end of this painful ordeal. Or, adopting a sacrificial approach, we could become sickly sweet beverages, giving our all to inflict ailments like diabetes upon this societal organism…

Of course, these are just fantasies. More often than not, we have no say in what we become. Sometimes, society might not even want to consume us—most “food” is stripped of nutrients and expelled without exception. The silver lining is that whatever consumes us has its own life cycle—it too will fall ill, die, decompose, and be absorbed. After we’re expelled, though our nutrients are gone (nutrients being relative to the society that digested us), we’re actually returning to—or entering—a vaster world, where life continues endlessly.

If this is the truth of life, how should we choose to live? Different people will offer different answers, some of which may work temporarily. Transforming ourselves into toxins might seem impactful, but from the perspective of our ecosystem, the effect is often negligible.

Perhaps the most optimistic attitude is to view this digestive process as a journey. Actively explore, observe, and marvel at the exquisite world our lives create and sustain. Alternatively, quietly completing this journey without overthinking is also a perfectly valid choice.

The Love of Parents

This article has taken so long to finish that I’ve forgotten what this subheading was meant to convey.

Alas!

The cries of these cats are utterly terrifying. Sometimes they sound like the wailing of a baby being scolded by its parents, and other times like the hysterical cries of a schoolchild who has committed some grave mistake. Hearing these sounds alone at night is quite horrifying, not to mention how they disturb one’s peaceful sleep. It always makes me pause and try to discern whether it’s really a cat or a person making those noises.

Several times, I’ve been tempted to rush downstairs and storm into the neighboring building to give those cats a piece of my mind. But then I hold back when I hear someone from next door already starting to curse at them loudly.

I never had strong feelings about cats before. I only knew that they tend to defecate and hide it everywhere. I used to think this was their way of being clean. That was until I realized they would defecate and urinate in anything resembling sand or dirt, then use their hind legs to cover it up with nearby material. So, finding their feces in sand, cement, or even rice and flour is not unusual.

Another thing is that cats always give off a vibe of being overly suspicious, which makes interacting with them somewhat uncomfortable—perhaps in contrast to dogs.

In any case, after these past few nights, I’ve grown to dislike cats more and more.

First, let me state my viewpoint. This question arises from observations of internet blogs, and personally, I hold a positive stance.

Before the advent of AI, many people would document their learning processes and outcomes when they acquired new knowledge, publishing these on their technical blogs. With the help of search engine SEO, we could easily find out if others had encountered the same problems we faced. More often than not, we relied on this process to seek solutions to our issues.

The emergence of AI has made solving some simple problems much less laborious. Here, “simple” is not meant in the literal sense but rather in comparison to the high intelligence of AI. After all, these are problems that often leave us racking our brains without finding a solution.

Thanks to AI, understanding and solving problems has become much more convenient, and the process has been simplified. It might even help us save a few strands of hair. Many times, we don’t even realize that a problem is worth documenting, let alone publishing it on a personal blog.

Based on the above analysis, people’s motivation to create simple technical documents or basic thought pieces has diminished. Of course, this is the opposite for those who use AI to generate large amounts of low-quality content to fill the internet and monetize traffic. Those who are unaware of advanced technologies and their trends are inevitably becoming victims of AI on the internet today. A plethora of fake AI videos, voiceovers, and aimless text are being created by individuals with a bit of psychological knowledge and AI skills, flooding the internet. It’s no wonder that the internet feels both magical and boring, like the sky covered by a kaleidoscope. For me, the emergence of AI has shifted people’s focus more towards humanity itself rather than the technical issues they encounter. The questions being pondered are also more closely related to the meaning of human and societal existence and development.

There are many people in this world who possess extraordinary talents, minds, and inspirations. They often create works that strike a chord with people’s hearts. They can shape the world through their creations, or at the very least, earn a living by exchanging their works for sustenance.

A minute ago, I was also pondering what meaningful things I could do that would also keep me from starving. Based on my own growth experiences and areas of expertise, I came up with two plausible answers. One is developing software, and the other is writing. Unfortunately, neither of these has brought me any profit so far, mainly because I haven’t produced or created anything worth paying for. I haven’t soothed people’s weary bodies nor touched their souls, which is the root cause of my failure.

It’s not that I want to do these two things for money; fundamentally, I love these activities, though the extent of my passion might make you question it. This leads to comparisons. The gap between me and other successful developers lies in the fact that I haven’t invested enough time in this field. If I had been admitted to the information security major, things might have been very different. Many things I’m interested in have been abandoned due to my laziness, procrastination, and other commitments.

Comparing myself to literary giants naturally leads to a clear conclusion. I also haven’t invested enough time in this endeavor. Additionally, I’m not particularly skilled at writing, which was evident from the very beginning of my learning process. I lack the necessary sense of rendering,铺垫, and修辞 that writing requires. I write merely to express the restless thoughts in my mind, which command my mediocre body, and I have no choice but to obey her orders, thus conveying her commands through my fingertips.

I believe my mind is the same as those of literary giants; they have the same bizarre, beautiful, absurd, tragic, and ugly thoughts. But my mediocre body hasn’t been honed through socialization and technical training, which makes me compare and feel envious. I also want to become a literary giant, to captivate, shock, and touch souls with just the clatter of my fingertips.

Perhaps it’s the desperation that breeds change. My brain only gives me commands to execute, never offering any reward. The current dire situation forces me to think about how to quietly engage in a side hustle while carrying out these orders. I think, perhaps with my peculiar and whimsical ideas, I could become a comforter of souls, offering services to souls in exchange for their rewards.

To be honest, I don’t know how long an hour is. I just think the time is so short. The following is an answer from ChatGPT.

An hour consists of 60 minutes, or 3,600 seconds. It’s a standard unit of time measurement used globally, helping us organize our day into manageable segments. However, our perception of time can vary depending on what we’re doing – an hour of fun might fly by, while an hour of waiting can feel much longer!

Certainly, the scale of time depends on our perception of time. Especially depending on what we’re doing.

From another perspective, the reason why I think time flies is because what I am doing is fun. However, I haven’t found any fun in mylife.

What can we do in an hour?

There’s so much you can accomplish in an hour! Here are just a few ideas:

1. Exercise: You could go for a jog, hit the gym, or do a workout at home.
2. Learn: Spend time learning something new, whether it’s a language, a musical instrument, or a new skill.
3. Read: Dive into a good book or catch up on the news.
4. Create: Work on a creative project like writing, drawing, painting, or crafting.
5. Cook: Prepare a delicious meal or try out a new recipe.
6. Connect: Spend quality time with friends or family, either in person or through a video call.
7. Relax: Practice mindfulness, meditate, or simply take some time to unwind and recharge.
8. Organize: Tackle a small organizing or decluttering task, like cleaning out a closet or sorting through emails.
9. Explore: Take a walk in nature, visit a local museum, or explore your city.
10. Plan: Use the time to plan out your goals, schedule, or upcoming events.

These are just a few possibilities – the options are endless!

Why do I always feel like time is being wasted?

Feeling like time is being wasted can stem from various factors, including personal expectations, goals, and how you perceive productivity. Here are some reasons why you might feel this way:

1. High Expectations: If you have high expectations for yourself or specific goals you want to achieve, you might feel like any moment not spent working towards those goals is wasted time.
2. Comparison: Comparing your productivity or use of time to others can lead to feelings of inadequacy or dissatisfaction, especially if you perceive others as more efficient or successful.
3. Lack of Direction: Not having a clear sense of purpose or direction can make it feel like time is slipping away without accomplishing anything meaningful.
4. Distractions: Constant distractions, such as social media, can make it difficult to focus on tasks or activities that you value, leading to a sense of time wasted.
5. Overcommitment: Overcommitting yourself to too many tasks or obligations can lead to feelings of overwhelm and frustration when you can’t accomplish everything you set out to do.
6. Perfectionism: Striving for perfection in everything you do can make it challenging to feel satisfied with your efforts, leading to a sense of wasted time if tasks don’t meet your high standards.

It’s essential to reflect on why you feel this way and consider whether your expectations align with your values and priorities. Finding a balance between productivity and self-care, setting realistic goals, and practicing mindfulness can help alleviate feelings of wasted time. Remember that it’s okay to take breaks, rest, and enjoy moments of leisure without guilt.

How to put time in perspective? Or what kind of changes can we make?

Putting time in perspective can involve a shift in mindset and approach to how you perceive and utilize time. Here are some changes you can consider making:

1. Set Priorities: Identify your most important goals and values, and prioritize tasks and activities that align with them. This can help you focus your time and energy on what truly matters to you.
2. Practice Mindfulness: Cultivate awareness of the present moment and appreciate the time you have right now. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, can help you stay grounded and reduce feelings of time pressure.
3. Set Realistic Expectations: Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a given amount of time. Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and set achievable goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed or disappointed.
4. Limit Distractions: Identify and minimize distractions that prevent you from using your time effectively. This might involve setting boundaries with technology, creating a dedicated workspace, or scheduling focused work periods with no interruptions.
5. Practice Gratitude: Take time to reflect on and appreciate the moments, experiences, and relationships that bring joy and fulfillment to your life. Cultivating gratitude can help you value and make the most of your time.
6. Schedule Downtime: Incorporate regular breaks and periods of rest into your schedule to recharge and prevent burnout. Recognize the importance of leisure and self-care activities in maintaining overall well-being.
7. Embrace Imperfection: Let go of perfectionism and accept that not everything will go according to plan. Allow yourself to make mistakes, learn from them, and adjust your approach as needed.
8. Focus on the Process: Shift your focus from solely outcomes to the process of engaging in meaningful activities. Enjoy the journey of learning, growing, and experiencing new things, rather than fixating on end results.

By implementing these changes, you can develop a healthier relationship with time and feel more satisfied with how you choose to spend it. Remember that it’s a continuous process, and be patient and compassionate with yourself as you navigate these adjustments.

The background is that I occasionally have a debate with Luo Huan. We always would not control the center of the topic eventually. So we have both been mad at each other. So I have to learn some necessary skills and principles on how to debate. Not to protect my opinions, only to seek the truth.

Foundation of Principles

For a valid debate and make sure the progress in orderly. There are a few principles that must be followed.

• Clarify your position, including any definitions and objections.
• Set a clear goal at the beginning of the debate.
• Focus on the results of the debate, don’t away from it.

Methods

I don’t have enough time to learn about the knowledge of debate, but I also get some summaries through my deeply thinking.

• Keep truth
• See what is you want to pursue
• Distinguish the people who whether is your friend or your opponent
• Make sure that you really understand the topic before debating

The behavior, advertisers ask some famous people like Star or UP to promote their products by paying advertising fee, as like bribery behavior.

But this is not illegal!

Bea’s Blog, March 1st

—— My friend Lin says that my life is stressful and I work too hard, but in reality, I’ve totally mastered relaxation.In fact, I schedule a full thirty minutes to relax each month!With my instructions, you too can reach maximum relaxation, all while being incredibly productive.

Spend time in nature

When I go on a peaceful hike in the woods, I set a goal of identifying at least twenty species of flowers and photographing twelve different species of birds before returning home.

I always bring a checklist so that I don’t lose track.I wouldn’t want to go home without completing my relaxation tasks!

Unplug

It’s OK to spend some of your free time looking at social media.However, I think it’s important to be away from your phone for at least sixty seconds a day.During that time, I like to stretch for fifteen seconds, meditate for fifteen seconds, and then plan what I’ll do with my phone when I start using it again.

Practice calming visualization

When feeling stressed, some people calm themselves by visualizing peaceful fields, oceans, or clouds.I, on the other hand, like to visualize my calendar.

Nothing brings me more peace than planning every day of my life, hour by hour—or even better, minute by minute!Remember, it’s important to make time to relax… but only after you’ve completed every single task on your to-do list!