Like most people, I want to give something back to this world, making it a better place for future generations. But, at the same time, I have another dream, which would really only benefit me. I can't really do them both, either. They would basically consume the rest of my time on this Earth. And now is the time for me to make my decision because I am ready to head to college, down the path that I choose.
Initially, I wanted to enter the gaming industry - possibly even own a company that designs video games. Of course, such a thing is very time consuming. I will be spending at least 4 years in college learning a myriad of different things required to work in this field. And before that, I have to spend a year or two learning computer operations and becoming A+ Certified so I can repair computers in the meantime. (To help pay for the student loans needed to persue my real deam.) This dream of mine is what I really want the most. I've wanted to do this since I was 16 years old. But I would feel bad if I did this... I wouldn't really be giving anything back to the world. I mean, sure, I could do charity work or something like that in the meantime, but that isn't fullfilling enough. I want to contribute to something bigger.
Recently I have developed an interest in neuro-technology and robotics. I believe that technology is the future...or, at least, it can make the future better. Which is why I want to become a researcher in this field. Ultimately, I want to advance human knowledge in the field of robotics, which may open the path to bio-technology. (Technology fused with organics.) In the end, I want us to be knowledgable enough to shed our organic composition and adapt to using totally mechanical bodies. If that's not a positive contribution to humanity, then I do not know what is... To me, that would be the greatest thing I could ever achieve.
The possibilities with bio-technology are endless. With a bio-mechanical mind, we could think a decade's worth of thoughts in under a nano second. We could posess meta-kinetic abilities. (Moving objects without touching them...that sort of thing.) The same invisible microwaves used to transmit signals to radios and TV's can be harnessed in other ways. Such as those which effect reality in general. Or how about telepathy? No need to speak anymore... Just transmit a private signal to another mind. It could be an image, a sentence, a thought. Either way, it would eliminate all language barriers. With the ability to think so quickly, we could easily discover new technology at an alarming rate...
But...it seems like I would be spending too much time researching all of this stuff, and what if I don't make the change I was hoping for? I don't know what to do with my life. There is a lot of pressure on me now as I prepare to enter college. What do I want to do with my life? I ask myself that question all-too-often. I need to make up my mind and stop procrastinating...
One dream vs. another - Am I so selfish in my decision?
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by Michael Lank » Fri Jun 25, 2004 10:20 am
Hi Taran,
Your post raises some interesting points, some of which dovetail nicely with Roger's thread on Limiting Beliefs.
You say that you can't both follow your dream and give something back to this world. Why not do both?
It seems as if what you want to do in neuro-technology would satisfy both -it's what you want to do and in your words 'a positive contribution to humanity'.
You ask what if you don't make the change - well would it be enough to have started the journey so that other's could take it over, so that what you have researched and learnt would be your legacy for future generations?
I think that asking what we want to do with our lives is a question that many of us keep coming backing to, and is a good question to ask, to prevent us drifting like a boat without a rudder.
I know I've made decisions about what to do with my life, which I think were right at the time, but then as I've changed it became right to decide to do something else, and I'm sure I'll continue to do that for a while longer!
Your post raises some interesting points, some of which dovetail nicely with Roger's thread on Limiting Beliefs.
You say that you can't both follow your dream and give something back to this world. Why not do both?
It seems as if what you want to do in neuro-technology would satisfy both -it's what you want to do and in your words 'a positive contribution to humanity'.
You ask what if you don't make the change - well would it be enough to have started the journey so that other's could take it over, so that what you have researched and learnt would be your legacy for future generations?
I think that asking what we want to do with our lives is a question that many of us keep coming backing to, and is a good question to ask, to prevent us drifting like a boat without a rudder.
I know I've made decisions about what to do with my life, which I think were right at the time, but then as I've changed it became right to decide to do something else, and I'm sure I'll continue to do that for a while longer!
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by Mark Tyrrell » Fri Jun 25, 2004 10:26 am
Hi Taran
Thanks for your post
It seems that your dilema is whether to be an entrepeneur or a researcher. Is it possible to be both? I don't know. You are presumably young. Maybe the time to enter research will be in ten years when (possibly) more research and information will be available making your foothold on the mountain of knowledge that much higher to start with (excuse the clumsy metaphor 
).
Perhaps game technology will become so sophisticated that the research required will overlap and blend with the kind of nano-psychology/technology you were describing.
Deciding what you want to do in life seems to be more about trying things for a while to see what 'fits' rather than attempting to make a purely logical decision.
Hope this helps in some way
Mark.
Thanks for your post
It seems that your dilema is whether to be an entrepeneur or a researcher. Is it possible to be both? I don't know. You are presumably young. Maybe the time to enter research will be in ten years when (possibly) more research and information will be available making your foothold on the mountain of knowledge that much higher to start with (excuse the clumsy metaphor ).
Perhaps game technology will become so sophisticated that the research required will overlap and blend with the kind of nano-psychology/technology you were describing.
Deciding what you want to do in life seems to be more about trying things for a while to see what 'fits' rather than attempting to make a purely logical decision.
Hope this helps in some way
Mark.
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by Roger Elliott » Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:56 am
I would add to Mark's post that when choosing a long-term pursuit, it has to be something that gets your juices going, otherwise you will simply run out of motivation. There are the Mother Teresa's of this world that seem to be motivated purely by helping others, but most of us need a blend - something that fascinates us, and through the energy we gain from this, we are able to do good along the way.
And who is to say that your urge to build a games company is not in some way 'what the world needs'? What if it became hugely successful and you were able to be a philanthropist, donating huge sums of money to worthy causes? Who knows Taran - maybe you just have to get going on it and find out! If in 15 years time you want to do something else then do something else!
Personally, I think the question "What do I want to do with my life" is one of those 'wrong questions' that are sent to confuse us. I much prefer "What do I want to do with the next year, or next 5 years (at a stretch)", but then maybe I'm just a short-term kinda guy
And who is to say that your urge to build a games company is not in some way 'what the world needs'? What if it became hugely successful and you were able to be a philanthropist, donating huge sums of money to worthy causes? Who knows Taran - maybe you just have to get going on it and find out!
If in 15 years time you want to do something else then do something else!
Personally, I think the question "What do I want to do with my life" is one of those 'wrong questions' that are sent to confuse us. I much prefer "What do I want to do with the next year, or next 5 years (at a stretch)", but then maybe I'm just a short-term kinda guy
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