Escaping reality

Warspite · Post by **Warspite** » 2003-08-22 12:04pm

Why is there a need for us (at least for the human mind) to escape reality?

(and could we have at least a serious discussion, please?)

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-08-22 12:07pm

Because reality sucks ass.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2003-08-22 12:09pm

Because not everyone lives a reality they would dream of having in an ideal world. Escapism helps people who are tired or unhappy with their real-lives to shape a new world for themselves or delve into other peoples. That's why films, games, books, magazines etc. are popular amongst the masses.

I don't need it though, my life is perfect and everyone wishes they were me.

Montcalm · Post by **Montcalm** » 2003-08-22 12:11pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote: I don't need it though, my life is perfect and everyone wishes they were me.

Yeah we believe you,your life is sooooooo perfect.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2003-08-22 12:45pm

Montcalm wrote:
Admiral Valdemar wrote: I don't need it though, my life is perfect and everyone wishes they were me.

Yeah we believe you,your life is sooooooo perfect.

Yeah, you escaped reality with that statement by using me as a go between, therefore, my life is perfect.

NapoleonGH · Post by **NapoleonGH** » 2003-08-22 12:58pm

I like to escape reality because "reality" as in the sober real physical world is quite boring and depressing (At least for me then again ive always been a borderline depressive). That being the case I enjoy escaping from reality by altering my perceptions of the real world or using agents to literlaly make me percieve things that dont actually exist in the real world

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-08-22 01:24pm

Are you talking about escaping reality with escapist entertainment, or are you talking about escaping reality with drugs?

Zoink · Post by **Zoink** » 2003-08-22 01:31pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:Because not everyone lives a reality they would dream of having in an ideal world. Escapism helps people who are tired or unhappy with their real-lives to shape a new world for themselves or delve into other peoples. That's why films, games, books, magazines etc. are popular amongst the masses.

I don't need it though, my life is perfect and everyone wishes they were me.

I agree with everything Mr.Valdemar said, except the last part. If his life were perfect he wouldn't have time to write posts. He'd be too busy satisfying Jennifer Aniston or popping those bubbles in plastic bubblewrap.

NapoleonGH · Post by **NapoleonGH** » 2003-08-22 01:44pm

RedImperator wrote:Are you talking about escaping reality with escapist entertainment, or are you talking about escaping reality with drugs?

im talking about escaping reality in general, not giving the specifics.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2003-08-22 01:46pm

Zoink wrote:
Admiral Valdemar wrote:Because not everyone lives a reality they would dream of having in an ideal world. Escapism helps people who are tired or unhappy with their real-lives to shape a new world for themselves or delve into other peoples. That's why films, games, books, magazines etc. are popular amongst the masses.

I don't need it though, my life is perfect and everyone wishes they were me.

I agree with everything Mr.Valdemar said, except the last part. If his life were perfect he wouldn't have time to write posts. He'd be too busy satisfying Jennifer Aniston or popping those bubbles in plastic bubblewrap.

It's an off day.

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-08-22 02:24pm

Sometimes your mind needs to decompress and put things in order. Also, getting away for a while from reality keeps you sane.

ie) Mortgage, property taxes, and HOA fees are 2,000 dollars. Current job income, zero. Job outlook poor, California future dim. Answer: Fire up Sim City 4 for a little bit.

Warspite · Post by **Warspite** » 2003-08-22 03:50pm

RedImperator wrote:Are you talking about escaping reality with escapist entertainment, or are you talking about escaping reality with drugs?

Either, I'm not talking about why do we take drugs, or why do we like to skydive on weekends.
The question is more general than that, it's about why the NEED to escape reality.

NapoleonGH · Post by **NapoleonGH** » 2003-08-22 06:03pm

I still claim it is because sometimes reality is just depressing or boring or both and we need a change of pace. This can come in the form of movies, TV shows, reading, games for some. Others it can come in the form of psychodelic drug use to literally make reality more interesting by adding another layer, or euphoric drug use (the heavy stimulants (coke, speed of all types) the depressants (opiates, opioids, and some sedatives like valium) and the canniboids (well weed and its derivatives)) that literally makes life less depressing by at least temporarily improving your mood and making you feel at peace with the world/happy. Some people worry alot and sometimes just want a few minutes where they dont really think all that hard or at all, they turn to the sedatives and depressants (and canniboids in high doses). Others like to think at a higher speed/level while being made happier so they turn to stimulants like coke and speed and MDMA/MDBD, as well as canniboids in low doses and to a degree psychodelics (Psilocybin, LSD, LSA, DMT, DPT, other Trypamines, ect)

Basically as far as the drug side goes people use them from what I can tell of my knowledge of drug users drugs when being used in escapist manners generally are all about the opposite of what you normally are like. If you normally worry alot and think hard, etc. you will prefer those which reduce brain activity, if you normally dont think very philisophically you will prefer those which increase brain activity, ect. If you are generally without energy you will prefer stimulants (this sometimes makes for a dangerous thing becuase some are generally without energy/physically inactive and think alot and worry alot and dont want to have to, these are the types who tend to "speedball" or mix a stimulant like coke with a depressant like heroin and have the two play off each other in synergistic effects)

Not talking about drugs its the same for gaming/tv/ and the like I think, that people want to be somewhere that they personally find more interesting or comforting. This is why I like Scifi, it is just more interesting and presents more opportunity for adventure than modern day life.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-08-22 06:08pm

Napoleon, I'm a hyperfuck and I wanna be MORE hyper. I think youre wrong about saying that people who lack energy like stims, and vice versa. I think its the opposite, I think alit of times people go after the thing that is similar to what their bodies already do.

NapoleonGH · Post by **NapoleonGH** » 2003-08-22 06:49pm

Koj, i meant when people wish to escape, there are plenty of other reasons to do drugs and generally i would agree when you arent using them for escapeism people do seem to prefer to just increase their natural qualities. but those who i know who like to escape, seem to want to be the opposite of normal. Maybe it is just me, i dunno.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-08-22 07:07pm

NapoleonGH wrote:Koj, i meant when people wish to escape, there are plenty of other reasons to do drugs and generally i would agree when you arent using them for escapeism people do seem to prefer to just increase their natural qualities. but those who i know who like to escape, seem to want to be the opposite of normal. Maybe it is just me, i dunno.

Well, I think people who are looking to escape will take anything. Depressed people take uppers and downers all the same. It depends on the availability of the drug.

Chardok · Post by **Chardok** » 2003-08-22 07:39pm

Personally, I like painkillers....makes me......sociable...but fucks up my typing.
Oh, And I have chronic knee pain....there's a good reason to escape reality. You know, you take things like knees for granted...until you permanently fuck one up trying to be gung-ho.

Post by **Colonel Olrik** » 2003-08-22 08:02pm

Be careful with the direction of this thread, people.. No talking about your drug experiences here.

On topic, I don't think that practicing a radical sport is a valid example of the need to escape reality. It's more an example of how you can make your reality pleasant in ways you've never imagined before. There's nothing like going 70 Km/h down a rocky mountain trail using lycra and a helmet, secure of the fact that the only thing between you and certain death is a bit of luck and your l33t downhill skills. But I digress..
It does clear your mind, though.

To me, one of the most spectacular examples of the human need to escape reality is how we must dream, and the dreams we have. And the effort our brain makes to lead us to believe they're real.

Dark Hellion · Post by **Dark Hellion** » 2003-08-22 09:46pm

Reality is defined by physical laws, but sometimes you just wanna say fuck you physics. That is why you escape.