Just a thought that crossed my mind today.
If I was to ask everyone that you’ve ever interacted with (IRL) what their general opinion of you is, what do you hope the most common answer would be?
Would you hope they consider you a successful person, physically attractive, smart, the best in your field, etc?
Personally, my answer is “A good, kind person. Friendly and helpful.”
Just wondering what the rest of feel.
EDIT: Based on the first few responses, I’m thinking I should have clarified better.
I’m not talking about your legacy after you’re dead, I just mean right here, right now. You have left an impression on people. That is inevitable. Surely there aren’t that many people that don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks, but I must admit, it is a valid answer. Maybe you are the person who doesn’t give a fuck what anyone thinks. 🤷🏻♂️
I doubt I will be remembered at all.
Not afraid of death, not afraid of being forgotten, not afraid of some spiritual afterlife or lack thereof.
I spent a long time religious with such a heavy focus on what happens after death, being free of that burden makes it possible to live in the only moment we can ever control in all of eternity, now.
I have no need to be remembered by anyone. Memories and legacies are fake human constructs that we’ve made up. We live approx 60ish years and then die. Only kids and or some relatives/spouses will remember you for another few decades before they die too and you’re completely forgotten.
To hang onto the idea that you must leave a legacy behind and be remembered by other people just adds unnecessary stress to one’s life. Not a single person cares about anyone except for themselves (save for some people who may care in some manner about their significant others, kids, maybe a best friend).
I refuse your opinion. There might be a time, a place, a random conversation where I’m remembered. I want people to take my name in a good way, not like Hitler.
It’s not illegal to care about others, you will get something back in life if you help others. Build favours.
To be honest, your comment seems like a huge cry for help.
That’s okay it’s not your opinion so you’re allowed to refuse it. I don’t understand what you mean when you say it seems like a huge cry for help. Could you elaborate?
My guess is that it sounds depressing.
I suppose under a certain lens realism can be viewed as depressing. But when you remember we are all stardust, born from explosions, a rare occurrence in and of itself that resulted in our lives, one doesn’t need remembrance to feel special about themselves. That becomes somewhat trivial in the grand scheme of the universe.
In fact it almost seems like a cry for help to want to be remembered, like as if you are so fearful of death that you’d waste the time you were given making others think you’re somehow better than the rest, when the truth is we are all more alike than we are different.
Anywho, that’s just my perspective on things, cheers
Ya the way you described it is how I feel. The human need for being remembered suggests eternal permanence, which is not compatible with the way we understand physics and how the universe works. Nothing is permanent.
vaguely
I agree. I hope that one day I will be remembered as a decent person. If that’s the case, I think I’ve lived my life well.
“I don’t want to be remembered, I want to live” (paraphrased)
-CGP Grey
I don’t need people to remember me, personally by name or what I looked like, but I would be happy if others would be positively affected by whatever I manage to accomplish in this life.
The one after Luigi.
I have no great desire to be remembered. It is neither here nor there from my point of view. As to how people are likely to remember me, ‘quiet’ and ‘intelligent’ are two words that crop up a lot from people who I interact with casually or occasionally. Those who know be better would probably focus on my environmental and conservation work etc.
Related to that, due to the role that I played in stopping an area being sold for development and instead becoming designated as a nature reserve on one occasion, there is a meadow that is casually called after me by some people that I worked with. I suppose that I would be happy to be remembered as a meadow.
I hope friends will occasionally remember having fun with me and smile.
Right now, knowing my public execution won’t be cause for national celebration is a weirdly comforting bit of knowledge.
“Drowned in the Caspian Sea.”
Actually I really like the idea that I will die and join the legions of humans who lived interesting lives and disappeared in the sands of time.
Someone who worked an honest life. Not someone who took advantage of others directly or indirectly (working for a scummy company). I observed many places abusing uninformed customers for work. It was sickening seeing these guys tack on random shit to the bill since they knew they could trick the customer.
For the women reading, you are often targeted and scammed this way. Learn about what you are getting fixed so you know if the bill is bullshit. Ive seen places press a couple buttons on a computer and charge for replacing the OS, updating drivers and other nonsense.
Contractors and service places (repair and automotive shops) are prime examples. I know good contractors who don’t like being watched, but you as the paying customer deserve and have the right to watch. Once a plumber stole 600$ from my grandpa’s wallet, money he was going to give to his grandkids. I worked for an honest computer shop I was proud of, but it was constantly on the verge. It was extremely depressing.
Now after a career change (woodworking) I hope to provide decent products for an honest price. Materials and equipment + labour (with an hourly rate of a livable wage).
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