Forum:
This is the first post in the Life forum. Woohoo!
But let's go ahead and dive deep into this concept of, "first."
As the title says, what does it mean to be first? Why do we humans strive to be the first in anything really? You see it on award shows, you see it in sports, you see it in the science fair at school. This.. wanting to be the best of the best. What benefit does it serve to us human beings? Does it grant you the ability to have supernatural abilities? No. Does it grant you the right to be more authoritative over those who did not accomplish as much as you did? Not necessarily.
But here's what it does grant.. The act of being the first in line, the act of being a gold medal winner, the act of being the best amongst a group of people will always grant you this invisible, non-materialistic award. Yes yes my people, I'm talking about the feeling we all come to know as... pride. Pride is the emotion that feeds our ego with a nutrition unlike any other. But just like with everything in life, too much of a good thing can turn into a bad thing.
Let me make it clear here, I am not religious. But as you may know, pride is one of the 7 deadly sins in the Christian religion. And rightfully so. It's deadly in the sense that it places a dangerous risk on the individual. If there comes a time when the individual makes the slightest mistake, that overconfidence ends up drowning them in utter embarrassment as any onlooker who witnesses the individual's mistake will laugh and point fingers at them, taking satisfaction in the fact that they look absolutely dumb by being so pretentious about their skill and then tainting themselves dirty, seconds later.
So, if you've made it this far, congratulations. I thank you very much for reading my post. But you might be wondering, "What's the takeaway here?" Well, I'll tell you...
The takeaway here is to take pride in your victories yes, but don't you dare overflow your entire being with this feeling. Because like a house of cards, you run the risk of tumbling down in complete shame due to your failure in meeting the high expectations you've scarily set for yourself.
That is all. Have a good day!
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What Does It Mean to Be First?
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30 Replies
Reply by bongwaterdrinker
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updated
Reply by eva 🛹
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Reply by ~Yaya Cat~
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Reply by ~Yaya Cat~
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Well there's typically a sense of pride along with some sort of prize that comes with being first. Tho I count beating personal bests as more of a prize because personal improvement gives me a dopamine rush. Hehehe.
Reply by Paul
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Reply by eva 🛹
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updated
Reply by mishka
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Reply by xdoomsayerx
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Reply by Kennedy
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I needed to hear that. I feel like ego is the premise of many of the problems in society, not to mention within ourselves. It denies of of peace and if we don't live up to our own expectations, it can lead to conflict with our self worth and awareness...
Reply by Ben
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Second place is the best place to be.
Reply by Shaunda
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I honestly think peeps need to be first is more instinctual drive than egotistical desire.
- Mankind was brought to near extinction and had to adapt quickly to survive. Thus, those able to adapt FIRST were more likely to survive and breed
- Breeding in itself is a competition. Even if your not looking to have children, the instinctual sexual drive and need for companionship is still there. The strongest, the wealthiest, the most attractive, the most talented or skilled, the most popular, known, or charismatic usually always have a pick of the many MANY people who desire them. So being the very best, or FIRST at something is key to obtain the better partners.
- As emotional creatures by nature, humans do nothing without reward or gains. Emotional gain (pride) social gain (bragging rights and recognition) materialistic gains (gold medal)
- To break ones instinct is very hard. Most have to rationalize with a very strong will and mindset that what they believe to be right is more needed to survive in modern day society then the instinct that has been keeping the bloodline alive thus far. Chance still the feeling of wanting first in life, only to deny yourself the satisfaction of victory in whatever the aspect be.
- I try to laugh at myself daily for my instinctual drives because we as humans should be evolved above such animalistic ways by now instead of adapting everything around us.... effectively giving myself a priority complex and thus, STILL falling into the need to be the FIRST!
Reply by Alexander RODENicanhazcheezBURGr
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being the first to know something means you have control of it over others. keep it like a secret or tell the world?
Reply by Jake
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Reply by bohreage
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Reply by zoomie
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ya know, i don't think there's anything rightfully wrong with pride or even any of the 'seven deadly sins' the only reason they're deadly is because they are worldly desires and christian's weren't allowed to have fun. if someone is strong, at heart and in spirit, they know their own limits and can freely indulge in whatever they want to without it being harmful. that's just my opinion anywho
Reply by Elohimless 🤘🇵🇷
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I honestly thought this forum topic was going to be about the idiots that write "first" in the comment section of YouTube videos.
Reply by Prudence
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love this! also love your profile picture the beatles are so hot, especially paul and george
Reply by GIRL CANVAS
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I’d love to chat more, I think you have great ideas, but I can’t quite tell what message you’re trying to send.
Reply by GIRL CANVAS
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I’d love to chat more, I think you have great ideas, but I can’t quite tell what message you’re trying to send.
Reply by Suburban Guy
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Reply by Serendipity ★
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while that is true, i've never scored first in anything. you dont have to worry about me being too proud.
Reply by Alex Daeling
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this feels like it might serve better to be on the philosophy and religion forum.
Reply by ★☆ VIRGIN_GERMS ☆★
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I'D LIKE TO FEEL MORE PRIDE IN MYSELF AND IN OTHERS!! FEELINGS R A LITTLE HARD TO EXPRESS
Reply by Jessica Snow
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Reply by Iamthewalrus
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I think it's 2 different things:
1 first like "winner". Don't make that your personality. Don't make being a "loser" your personality either. People can be ranked on stuff in competitions, sports, games etc but nobody is the best <i> person </i>.
2 first like your post here or a YouTube comment. That would be ridiculous as your personality. I'm trying to tie everything back to real life: it's like the first set of footprints in freshly fallen snow. It transforms something away from empty/pristine. So it feels transgressive.
I think sometimes if something is "first" people can worry "is it good enough to transform the space". Like when the first page of a school book had to be written in your Very Best Handwriting.
Reply by moxxie
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Reply by Panda Warrior
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Being first is great because it enables me not to go completely insane when playing Bloxy Bingo.
Reply by shark
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first is so important to people because of how we, as humans, feel the crushing need to have purpose. we need to be pioneers, we need to be leaders, and we need to be remembered among generations. though this mindset is dangerous, it runs so many people's lives. it's what drives people to create and discover.
wanting to be first never feels good. it's stressful all the way until you know you've won, where you get just that brief moment of relief and happiness before you're back to trying to win again. and when you don't win, you have to pick the husk of yourself up off of the floor and start trying again. being a winner is exhausting, and being a loser is just as well.
in our minds, there is no break or detachment from the crushing social expectations that we have been fed our whole lives. no matter how low or high the expectation may be, we must meet it, must surpass it. a modest life is often considered a waisted one, due to the fact that the expectation put on ourselves has started to engrave itself so deeply in our brains that we simply can't help but put that expectation on others.
so can this expectation be broken or altered? that is up to us, and those to come. though i will ask you to loosen your expectations of yourself, of others, will that be enough? if not, what can change your mind?
Reply by tinfoilhat
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the desire 2 be first adds to how selfish humans are. we want to be seen because even though we're told we're unique we need a definitive line to prove it.
Reply by Owari
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