RobBob Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 Through my adult life, I've often had a vague notion that there is a mathematical constant, a fixed sum, regarding the total of man's subconscious drives, urges, and vices. I've never fleshed this theory out until now, but it's popped into my head from time to time, either during those rare moments of self-assessment, or more likely when observing others achieve grand things or flame out. Here's the basic idea: The sum of the degree to which you succumb to these activities, as a function of your level of desire, is roughly a constant--- -eating -sexual activity -exertion sports -thrill sports -drinking alcohol -drugs Did I miss any? Can anyone refine this theory or help to make it quantitative? The constant is an individual trait; it runs higher in some of us than in others. I am convinced, however, that there is a relationship that exists between these activities, and if you over-regulate one of them, you vastly increase the likelihood that you will get extreme behavior in another. In my own case, I'm old enough to be past the drug phase and I'm a good husband. But since the constant runs courses mightily in my veins, this also means that I love to eat and drink well and my wife agrees I'll probably never need viagra. Vanity (and the desire to live long and be healthy) allow me to keep food and drink in check. The other key to balancing this whole house of cards is to constantly indulge in sports that require endurance and the occasional scare-the-hell-out-of-you thrill. Thats where being in the mountains fits in, although running and other aerobic work provide the major outlet (God forbid if I get sidelined with a major injury). Somehow it all works. Have any of you had a similar notion? Or should I see a doctor about all this? How do you strike your balance with the constant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 is that anything like the Prime Directive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjd Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 The life force constant is equal to e^golden ratio. As you get older, you approach this constant. The ratio of one activity to another is implict in the golden ratio, as the number of Fibonacci numbers increases, you approach the golden ratio. Now consider the fact that e^(pi*i) + 1=0. You can see that as you get older, balance between these "subconscious drives" as you put them becomes stabilized. This perfect balance is, of course, unattainable in practice because you would have to live forever in order for the golden ratio to be reached. Thus, life is merely an inevitable march toward failure as none of us will ever reach the golden ratio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuMR Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 Through my adult life, I've often had a vague notion that there is a mathematical constant, a fixed sum, regarding the total of man's subconscious drives, urges, and vices. I've never fleshed this theory out until now, but it's popped into my head from time to time, either during those rare moments of self-assessment, or more likely when observing others achieve grand things or flame out. Here's the basic idea: The sum of the degree to which you succumb to these activities, as a function of your level of desire, is roughly a constant--- -eating -sexual activity -exertion sports -thrill sports -drinking alcohol -drugs Did I miss any? Can anyone refine this theory or help to make it quantitative? The constant is an individual trait; it runs higher in some of us than in others. I am convinced, however, that there is a relationship that exists between these activities, and if you over-regulate one of them, you vastly increase the likelihood that you will get extreme behavior in another. In my own case, I'm old enough to be past the drug phase and I'm a good husband. But since the constant runs courses mightily in my veins, this also means that I love to eat and drink well and my wife agrees I'll probably never need viagra. Vanity (and the desire to live long and be healthy) allow me to keep food and drink in check. The other key to balancing this whole house of cards is to constantly indulge in sports that require endurance and the occasional scare-the-hell-out-of-you thrill. Thats where being in the mountains fits in, although running and other aerobic work provide the major outlet (God forbid if I get sidelined with a major injury). Somehow it all works. Have any of you had a similar notion? Or should I see a doctor about all this? How do you strike your balance with the constant? I know i turn into a major jerk if some of those things are lacking...you may be onto something... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 I think the Life Force Constant is like the primal engram you are regressed to in Scientology just before they hook up the vacuum cleaners and remove your wallet and brain... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancegranite Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 The final activity is...war. The dark side of every human is the desire to destroy. "Extreme sports" have taken the place of war in our bored society. Since nobody is tring to kill us, we now try to scare the life out of ourselves, and thus, can come home triumphant from our self-imposed battles. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracked Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 I have a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancegranite Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 mmmm....shrooms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuMR Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 I have a thought. I M P O S S I B L E !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylou Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 Some people would add work to that list. I know, it's sick, but, well, it feeds the soul of some people. For me not so much work, but a highly creative activity, like painting, is needed on the list. Interesting concept for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracked Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 I have a thought. I M P O S S I B L E !!!! Rudy, you seriously need to work on encouraging, not discouraging, the new generation of gapers. Go pick on someone your own height. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuMR Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 can't find someone that short Paul, i know its difficult for you to think, but u can do it!! Is that better??? Hey, heard you are skiing on adams this weekend!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracked Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 I already thought too much today. Here is the result. Adams? I'm gonna sit at my computer and spray. Who said anything about Adams? Skiing is overrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoboy Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 Well, too much leads to less ... maybe you are on to something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mer Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 a fixed sum, regarding the total of man's subconscious drives, urges, and vices. Are you talking men here or mankind? Would a women's list of forces be different? If we don't get enough cuddling we'll be overwhelmed with the need to buy shoes perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylou Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 Oh, Mer, you are right....the women's version probably has to have both cuddling and retail therapy on it....I guess it's either newspapers or udon noodles, no matter how you slice it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
selkirk Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 Cracked... Do you actually work in that lab? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracked Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 More or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
selkirk Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 My Apologies...........I'm stuck in the same dept. Boy does thinking hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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