One of the most liberating and
terrifying purposes to life...

Blazing Reader,

In my interview this week on Just Right Media I said:

"I love the theme behind [the novel], The Life of Pi. The argument there was [that] there might not be a point to anything, there might not be any intelligence to anything... but we might as well act like there is because there's a good chance it could be true and you'll be happier... If it's only going to make your life better to think there is a purpose to everything, then why not go for it?"

That's when host Robert Vaughan responded:

"I do believe... and this is a personal belief — but I think that you may believe it, too — tell me if you don't... Ayn Rand did give a purpose to life: And it's your own happiness."

I tried that. Happiness. It felt good for a while. But then I got bored.

Just joking. I agree 100% with Robert Vaughan and Ayn Rand. Of course, what brings happiness is a whole other discussion. But admitting that we want to be happy... that must be one of the most liberating and terrifying purposes to life that we could ever dare to contemplate, no less pursue.

The fact it is so scary probably means it's true.

Of course, it's much easier to forget about our own happiness.

But that's probably not you, Blazing Reader. So, if you think it would add to your own happiness to hear us philosophize about the human condition, you can watch the video recording of our conversation over at JustRightMedia.org.

Or you can listen to the abridged audio-only version (with a few sound bites from The Matrix and Max Headroom) in this week's episode of the Just Right podcast.

—John C.A. Manley

John C. A. Manley is the author of Much Ado About Corona, All The Humans Are Sleeping and other works of philosophical fiction that are "so completely engaging that you find yourself alternately laughing, gasping, hanging on for dear life." Get free samples of his stories by becoming a Blazing Pine Cone email subscriber.