[nemo44x]

> life is boring and unfulfilling for many people, so they are attracted to the notion that some spectacular event is going to suddenly upend their lives and make life more interesting

Mainly agree. As I was watching the Taliban take over region by region I wondered how many people were watching it in their comfortable home with nice things and climate control and couldn't help but feel envy in that these people (Taliban fighters) are doing something impactful and meaningful in their lives; creating the change they wanted. That while living in poverty relative to the person watching at home, they have real purpose.

Would the unfulfilled and bored person ever be able to put it all on the line for something they are certain is theirs and do their part in a collective of idealists with the same courage of their convictions? That the work to get there doesn't happen in a day or a month or a year but over decades, much like building a meaningful career and family that gives you fulfillment.

[Karrot_Kream]

If you feel this way, I encourage you to go volunteer in one of the many poverty and conflict-stricken regions of this world. The US Peace Corps does a lot of this kind of work. It's needed and fulfilling work.

[nemo44x]

Would love to in another life, but have too many responsibilities and obligations (e.g. things I love and cherish) here to do anything like that in good faith at this point. I have a friend who did when he was young (probably best time to do these types of things) and it's a thing that has a lot of meaning to him to this day and rightfully so I imagine.

[lazyasciiart]

If you're at the point where you envy Taliban soldiers for having a purpose in life, it might be good for the people you cherish to have you go figure some stuff out.

[nemo44x]

When did I say I envy them? Or that those that may envy their purposeful lives would agree with their politics and beliefs they fight for. Only that I could imagine a person with feelings of no purpose could look at them and envy that particular attribute.

[lazyasciiart]

Where you responded to someone who said "if you feel this way do it" not with "I wasn't talking about myself!!" but with "I can't"

[nemo44x]

I mean, I guess you missed the point of my original comment. I juxtaposed Taliban fighters in an impoverished and apparently hopeless place with wealthy and prosperous western civilization and how the man sitting in his home with creature comforts but yet feeling without purpose actually has it right in front of him if only he’s willing to work at it for decades and dedicate himself to something meaningful. That it must fill them with envy that these fighters managed to find a way to make their life meaningful within the context of their situation but yet the man who is in a far more prosperous and peaceful place somehow can’t and spends his days in a fantasy about the collapse of civilization much like the situation in Afghanistan actually has been for 40 years.