Hi, I mentioned this in my introduction post in the other forum, but wanted to go more in-depth on this issue because it's one that really troubles me.
I'm definitely a Pantheist at heart, I love the natural world and am sad to see what is becoming of it. At the same time, I also have several
hobbies/interests that can sometimes conflict with what I see should be core values.
I love reading comic books, especially X-Men. Many of my strongest beliefs about how we should treat each other were actually influenced by its stories when I was young. I knew of the values of Professor Xavier before I knew of Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, or the Dalai Lama. However the comics industry as it stands right now is incredibly wasteful. Individual issues are often seen as disposable to most retailers. As far as I know, most all comics are printed on virgin fiber and use petrol based inks, and digital options have been awkward at best.
I'm also into computers and video games. The great outdoors is best, but sometimes a little fantastic digital diversion can be just the thing when you're snowed/rained in. But here again, I run into a similar, if not worse problem. The amount of environmental damage done by the consumer electronics industry, in manufacturing, and power consumption, is phenomenal, and lately I feel guilty just for sitting down to play a little Mario at the end of the day. Yeah I do other things, like go out and look up at the stars (hard to do tho when your house is right across the road from a streetlight), and other more natural pursuits, but I find this particular hobby more than just a diversion, but an interactive exploration into the depths of human creativity.
These are just a couple of examples here, but I deal with depression (declared disabled and living with family), and can sometimes have quite a guilt complex and so it's really been weighing on my mind badly lately. Am I a hypocrite? Part of the problem rather than the solution? Should I have to give up my hobbies to soothe my conscience? It's a frustrating spot I find myself in. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Crystal
http://sbhan.wordpress.com
I love reading comic books, especially X-Men. Many of my strongest beliefs about how we should treat each other were actually influenced by its stories when I was young. I knew of the values of Professor Xavier before I knew of Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, or the Dalai Lama. However the comics industry as it stands right now is incredibly wasteful. Individual issues are often seen as disposable to most retailers. As far as I know, most all comics are printed on virgin fiber and use petrol based inks, and digital options have been awkward at best.
I'm also into computers and video games. The great outdoors is best, but sometimes a little fantastic digital diversion can be just the thing when you're snowed/rained in. But here again, I run into a similar, if not worse problem. The amount of environmental damage done by the consumer electronics industry, in manufacturing, and power consumption, is phenomenal, and lately I feel guilty just for sitting down to play a little Mario at the end of the day. Yeah I do other things, like go out and look up at the stars (hard to do tho when your house is right across the road from a streetlight), and other more natural pursuits, but I find this particular hobby more than just a diversion, but an interactive exploration into the depths of human creativity.
These are just a couple of examples here, but I deal with depression (declared disabled and living with family), and can sometimes have quite a guilt complex and so it's really been weighing on my mind badly lately. Am I a hypocrite? Part of the problem rather than the solution? Should I have to give up my hobbies to soothe my conscience? It's a frustrating spot I find myself in. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Crystal
http://sbhan.wordpress.com
