Status Updates From Beginning to Live: The Art ...

Still reading this! Still enjoying it. Emmy is asking a lot of the same questions I ask myself about identity, and our relationship between our mind and our physical form. She approaches things from a different perspective, and I don't agree with her on everything. I am find it immensely interesting though.

I actually saw her You Tube video recently. So now I’m hearing her distinctive voice in my head as I read. Interesting story about the twins Fiona and Tamsin.

"It can easily become oppressive. Think, for instance, about the way in which organizations require their members to wear specific costumes, colours or ties, using the same mottos and logos. Think about nations requiring you to salute a particular flag and honour the state leader or sing the national anthem, even though the words may seem tasteles."

I’m on chapter 2. She’s talking about freedom. Freedom of your body or physicality. She uses lots of examples, but one resonates. She refers to a man who suffered a horrific motorcycle accident and ended up paralysed from the waist down. After rehabilitation, he underwent therapy and in time learned acceptance. People may chide me for saying it, but I suspect if I was in that circumstance, I’d choose death.

Wife got this - birthday gift. Started reading with some skepticism. However, I find myself aligned philosophically with Emmy’s ideas. I’m familiar with Plato’s cave dwellers and agree with her comments on the folly of pursuing happiness. I’ve not read Sartre in depth but her reference to French waiter and the customer in terms of societal roles is highly congruent with my concept of ‘The Great Play’.