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The speed of life / Lucy's Help Desk

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The "speed of life" (David Bowie probably coined this term) is a recurring issue that is usually swept under the carpet but costs countless number of "sick days" and ten-thousands human casualties each year, just in in my home country.

It is, most likely, also a major cause for "depression".

And well, I'm affected by this and say "f*ck that shit, let's talk about it":

The most likely reason for addictive behaviour / depression is a mismatch between reasonable expectation ("how the world should work") between actual reality ("what they actually (expect you to) do").

The technology-accelerated speed-of-life demands more of us every day. We like computers but we certainly still are just blobs of (mostly, 60%) water.

I work for a company that is quite "social" and does not pressure me in any (significant) way. But I do pressure myself a lot, and I suspect that at least some of you, creating things in your spare time, can relate to this.

I know this is a sensitive topic (admitting "weaknesses" -- but in my book, this is not a sign of weakness at all)

Would love to hear your thoughts and insights !
added on the 2024-03-05 19:12:31 by bsp bsp
no takers ?

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John Eccles (a neurophysiologist) once said: "The study of consciousness is not just a scientific endeavor, but a philosophical and existential quest."

He also mentioned (quoted in a University of Salzburg (2022) master thesis about "stress") that "each year, the average citizen is confronted with a whole scholar life time worth of ideology, entertainment, and persuasion."

I mean, this is utterly fascinating. And the deeper you look, the more questions arise.

And there is no need to be afraid. One recipe for dealing with all of this is: always keep up your good humour.
added on the 2024-03-06 03:13:26 by bsp bsp
but to show you "the dark side" (and I am speaking of experience, and am dead serious about this)

if you suddenly feel the urge, like the urge to take a leak, to go the bath tub and cut / kill yourself: Don't. Seek professional help. Even an "ananmese" talk / scan can do wonders.

You (and I, since it sounds so ridiculous) may laugh about this but this is no laughing matter.

And yes, I've seen "dead people" (once). Crazy, right. It was quite peaceful, though (judging by their looks they were from the 1930's, I guess). Ghostly!

Similar matter is slowly killing yourself with drugs (nicotin, alcohol).

You are not alone here but it is a "taboo" that hardly anyone dares to talk about but we should. Too many here have quietly succumbed to these complications already.
added on the 2024-03-06 04:03:17 by bsp bsp
My late friend and mentor Dr. Uwe Rohr had the opinion that psychological stress was the same as cellular stress and immunological stress. So if you feel stressed because of your lifestyle, this also affects the working of your organism.

He scientifically investigated pythoestrogens as they seemed to have a positive effect upon stress-relief.
added on the 2024-03-06 07:46:18 by Adok Adok
His publications can be found here: http://www.21stcenturyheadlines.com/uwerohr/
added on the 2024-03-06 07:46:52 by Adok Adok
Is that how you got so destressed that you confused Maali for me, Adok?
added on the 2024-03-06 11:04:53 by havoc havoc
about this "I've seen dead people" thing: (and before you think I am a complete looney): I have not actually "seen" anything, of course. This was after a few days of alcohol abuse and sleep deprivation. Each time I closed my eyes, my brain fed me vivid images that looked just like the real thing. Just imagine you are both wide awake and also dreaming / hallucinating at the same time.

This "episode" started with me "seeing" basic geometric shapes that evolved into (many and detailed!) images of people (whom I had never seen before -- but then again, who knows what else our subconsciousness holds in store).

So, in the (unlikely) case that this ever happens to you, too: Don't panic.

Another anecdote: Last year, when I was sick for about a week, I was in the rest room (brewing up a fresh batch of virgin moonshine:D) and the sound of the ventilation turned into music(!) (auditory hallucination). I just listened and smiled. Later I read that a particular, by that time current, strain of the Corona virus causes this in about a third of its hosts.

Regarding stress: This was a major issue around ten years ago. I talked to a professional about this but had the feeling that this fell on deaf ears (it probably was not the :right_ professional). My solution was to (permanently) reduce my working hours and I also stopped smoking and drinking for ~3 years (don't ask why I started again. it' a rather stupid way to fill the void, I guess).

@havoc: what you recently wrote really got me worried. I hope you are better now !
added on the 2024-03-06 12:00:09 by bsp bsp
Yeah, I think we've all encountered that at demoparties being awake for 48 to 72 hours. Did enhance boring demo compos quite a bit having shadow shapes in the corners of your eyes.
added on the 2024-03-06 12:41:52 by okkie okkie
I have seen things you people wouldn't believe.
added on the 2024-03-06 12:47:33 by SiR SiR
..like C-beams glittering in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate ?
added on the 2024-03-06 13:37:59 by bsp bsp
bsp: yeah, i'm still in recovery, but feeling better every day. today was my first full day without using/needing the rollator! and i spent it brokering a deal with a moving company who will help me refurnish my house, and drinking tea with a group of ladies from my neighbourhood and tell them about my time in hospital and progress with recovery so far and in the near future.

as for the topic of this thread, i too had some hallucinations while in hospital, and i just had influenza a (plus a bunch more crap), not even covid... so yeah that shit is real, and it can happen to anyone. not sure what to do about it though, but if anyone would want my advice for future health and happiness and slowing down the speed of life- it would definitely be to move to someplace that resembles a countryside/village environment. that's where and how i live since 11 years, and returning home as i'm in progress of doing now is so much better than returning to the city i used to live in when i had a previous health scare ~14 years ago. not just because of tea with the ladies, it's literally the whole street dropping by to voice their support and pressing me to give them a shout or call if i ever need help with anything. probably to younger people this sounds kinda stupid but as you get older and weaker it starts to make more sense for sure. so yeah, when life gets too fast, move where people take life a little slower :)
added on the 2024-03-06 17:10:13 by havoc havoc
oh man, havoc, let me give you a "virtual hug" and I wish you the absolute best and a speedy recovery !

Healthy boundaries are so very important and hey, even car races are not won by a "pedal to the metal and ignoring the brake" approach.

Hopefully you have identified the root cause of your situation so you can avoid it in the future.

Have a nice chilled evening and take it easy !
added on the 2024-03-06 18:18:32 by bsp bsp
Quote:
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That is not Lucy btw.
added on the 2024-03-06 22:18:19 by SiR SiR
the whole thread is a "mind f*ck" and I found it apt to incorporate that into the image selection: Lucy is not a real doctor, and Snoopy taking over her stand, it's .. inception!
added on the 2024-03-06 22:31:08 by bsp bsp
And while I may appear as a light-hearted joker, the truth is far more grim.

And this, btw, is the issue at hand: "we never thought he'd have..". Is not a phrase that helps _after_ the fact.

So, help desk is still open, better be safe than sorry !
added on the 2024-03-06 22:54:49 by bsp bsp
Laberflash?
added on the 2024-03-09 18:56:52 by xeNusion xeNusion
yes. but sometimes it helps to write things down. but agreed, maybe not here.
added on the 2024-03-09 20:00:59 by bsp bsp

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