#Survial

[2001hz]

SILENT HILL 2 (2001)

[knightindestress]

Who Am I?

After spending a lifetime pondering over this question, I now find it to be pointless.

Why? You ask? Let me pose a counter question. Can you ever accurately answer this? At best the answer can be incomplete. For example, I am a human, a man, a son, a father a husband, and the list goes on. I am an Asian, an Indian, but if I take the citizenship of the US of A, I will be an American?

 So, does a piece of paper stamped by someone who doesn’t even know me define my identity more than my DNA?

Considering that DNA is used to identify criminals, paternity and even the deceased, reconsider whether I will be an Indian or an American. Talking about DNA, it will still be there when I die, but it will not be me. DNA is in every cell of my body. So, when a large part of my jaw is removed, which of the two pieces is me? One may say that the larger piece is me, and I would get it if it was not for the following mystery-

None of the cells in my body today are the ones that I was born with and if I believe the scientists, all cells currently in my body will be replaced by other ones in next 7 to 8 years. So which combinations of cell am I really? To complicate it if the knees and liver and the heart all get transplanted, do I still remain me? On the flip side if my brain gets damaged and I lose all my memory do I still remain me?

With every breath and supper, I am taking in atoms and molecules that are not me and become me though the metabolic processes and then equally stop being me as they escape back to the environment. I am quite convinced that defining anything physical as me will at best give me an incomplete answer.

Similarly, everything mental and psychological, also keep changing over time with my experiences. My thoughts change over time and sometimes I let go of some thoughts and also forget some things. If I define myself as my mind, that too is incomplete.

So, Who am I?

My identity is a concept that is a blip in the fabric of time. Quite like a drop that gets formed when I throw a pebble in a ditch, only to fall back in the pond and disappear, I am just a temporary and random combination of matter and energy (or maybe only energy if E=mC^2).

Why then, has the identity become so important that it is the single biggest driving force in all our decisions? My bet is on the survival of life.

In my research on the mechanisms of life, when the chemicals keep creating more energy than they dissipate, they can start replicating and life happens. The ability of this system of chemicals to detect and respond to unfavorable changes in the environment keeps life going. Under the influence of environment, these chemical systems undergo some predictable and some random changes. Those changes that are unable to guard the chemical balance cannot replicate anymore and go extinct. This is what I guess leads to evolution of complexity in life.

Our DNA is a record of all the favorable changes that keep our replication going on. Protecting the entire life at the same time seems impossible, so the mechanism favors sensing threats to a limited cluster that can be realistically defended. As an example, a soldier who identifies with his nation, and a terrorist who identifies with his religion more than his individual body would readily die to protect the identity they hold dear.

Through a set of chemical (feelings) and electrical (thoughts) manipulations, our identity tries to protect us from all threats- real or perceived. Being the main motivator of our actions, it is also the main source of control over us by those seeking to harness our power. More about is some other day.

For now, I am just a concept trying to defend myself in order to increase my chances of survival.

So "Who" are You?

[myunspoken-illusions]

Camping in 22 degree weather and this is my tent 🥱 good night.

[quotestomorals]

I have survived. I am here. Confused, screwed up, but here.

― Laurie Halse Anderson, Speak

[1watchhour]

🧟‍♂️ Daryl Dixon is back and taking on new challenges in an exciting spin-off series! Discover his thrilling journey in a post-apocalyptic France. Click the link to dive into the action! 📺🔥

[itsmymeaningoflife]

When the world descends into chaos, and everything you know has changed, you must change with it.

Ada, Zoe and, Layla must abandon their teenage dream and adapt to a life where the dead don’t stay that way, and each day their only goal becomes survival.

[inlovewithquotes]

"Afi," she whispered, "the land is lovely. I thought it must surely be an ugly place."

"Yes, it is beautiful to look at. Remember that when the ugliness overtakes you," Afi told her. "Find beauty wherever you can, child. It will keep you alive."

"I could not have survived without you, Afi," Amari told her, giving the older woman a clumsy hug.

"And you have been a gift to me as well."

-Copper Sun

[ggstargetedlife]

[xelliusvt]

Big mistakes have been made! Night of the Dead

[bloodstainedmuzzle]

Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II (2022) Experience Inc.

[swan2swan]

[yoiku]

I am getting so tired of having to check everything new for AI shit. Sometimes its hard to notice or find out (if it's not just art) and so often I dont even think to check. A new game comes out and seems fun, you buy it and learn a few days later that the main dev/devs are apparently advocates for using AI for just about anything. I'm tired. I don't want to have to go through this shit so often.

[sensible-tips]

Savvy Saturday

Here are 14 items to consider including in your car’s emergency kit. It’s better to be over prepared than under in any emergency situation. Add a reliable roadside assistance service and you’re all set for some wanderlust this summer!

[change-the-rules]

I have made that physical appt.

next up therapy

[batshikns]

when i think of Chuuya, I can't decide if I think of the elegant, lovely(?), dangerous, sharp mafia executive or the (tiny) himbo who wears baseball caps and baggy tank tops while sharpening rock into a dagger

[mooncalf87]

When my blorbo has chronic knee pain just like me <3