[WalterBright]

> especially when your old friends mock and ridicule you for caring about something absolutely pointless.

My dad flew 32 missions over Germany. He watched men die. 80% of his cohort did not return. He expected to die and made his peace with it. He told me once that when he returned home, he was struck by the trivial problems people had and obsessed over. After all, they weren't flying a mission tomorrow with near certain death.

He said whenever he felt down, he'd recall the men that never had a chance to grow old, and his problems would melt away.

[abc123abc123]

I always feel like this is elitist (oh, look at your silly little problem, I risked death, and you are complaining about rent.

And I always respond with, yes, not everyone risked death, and they do have a right to complain about rent. You did it because of your own free choice.

Another aspect of this silly stance is that if we always compare with death, nothing ever gets done. It is perfectly reasonable to have everything, and still aim towards other goals. If one is not risking life, you are well justified in complaining about the traffic jam.

[baubino]

It’s less “look at your silly problem” and more “how can I fully appreciate life.” I see that perspective as grounding, not elitist. The previous commenter’s dad is not telling others what to do or how to live; he’s deciding for himself how he wants to live.

[mettamage]

Well yea sure. But also look at death though. What does any uncomfortable thing mean in the face of death?

Not much. And this is coming from someone who hasn’t voluntarily faced death or consciously experienced the threat of it.

I respect both views. I guess it takes some Janusian thinking skills [1], for me at least, but both perspectives are worth it.

[1] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/creative-exploration...

[WalterBright]

Anytime you wake up in the morning and are able to get out of bed and stand up is a beautiful day.

I've never wanted to transfer my brain into a machine. Isn't it wonderful to feel the floor under your feet? To smell the air? To taste a steak? To hear the bees? To see the leaves? To hold your partner?

Every day is an opportunity to enjoy your life.

I don't really know what kind of a man I am, because I have never volunteered to face death.

[jacquesm]

What a wonderful comment. Thanks.

[throwup238]

> You did it because of your own free choice.

Since when is getting drafted a free choice? Over 60% of US soldiers in WWWI had no choice whatsoever.

[WalterBright]

My dad had a draft exemption because he was a mechanic at Lockheed building airplanes. He volunteered.

All the B-17 crews were volunteers.

[richardfulop]

Over 6,000 Americans were imprisoned during WWII for refusing induction without recognized objection status.

[LanceH]

> He told me once that when he returned home, he was struck by the trivial problems people had and obsessed over.

I always feel put in a position when I'm in an interview and they ask about handling pressure in the workplace.

[WalterBright]

I sometimes wonder what my widower grandfather thought, sending his only son off to war.

[BrandoElFollito]

I wondered about that as well. I would do whatever I can to avoid my sons going to war because these wars are fought for interests that are completely remote.

I can imagine resistance when you are invaded (and still, you need to weigh your real chances). Sending someone to Africa from France to protect some interests there, well not that much.

[WalterBright]

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hitler declared war on the US, Hitler was allied with Japan, and Hitler was sinking American shipping.

[BrandoElFollito]

Yes, in the case of WW2 this is a "defense" war. But the next ones were not.

My comment was general - I am French and we send our army mostly to Africa to secure our sources of various minerals. Or to Asia in the 70s. We did not go to Iraq but that would have been another fight for oil (this time).

Western countries have not been attacked since WW2, but it also have been busy (same as the US)

[nickpp]

> Western countries have not been attacked since WW2

Mostly because they've sold out, at Yalta, the Eastern countries as a "buffer zone" to protect them from the orcs. Even today, Ukraine's heroic people are dying daily so that Westerners can enjoy their morning Starbucks PSLs.

The few sacrifices you made were also in your own long-term interest. Imagine the blood-thirsty Russia using Africa's people and its resources for war: life in the west wouldn't be that peaceful and comfortable anymore.

[Balgair]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx-fnR5G1cs

The cereal aisle scene from Hurt Locker always did it for me

[nikhizzle]

Thanks for sharing this. Needed something meaningful this morning.

[WalterBright]

You're welcome. He also remained in contact with his crew until their deaths.