Why do we restrict ourselves?

[Nigh Eve]

For some reason, a whole bunch of people figure that restriction is better then human. Is restriction human?

Why do we restrict our instincts? Do we fear ourselves?

Why do we obey? Do we fear others?

Why do we restrict our physical selves from sight? This does not refer to protection from the elements but the actual fear of our unclothed appearance. Does the phrase, "I'm not decent" make that any clearer? Public nudity is a crime?! It's wrong to look at certain features of someone?

And why are these, among many examples of restriction, seen as a "better" nature?

Is it simply learned behavior? If so...why does it stick after that realization (if, at all, that happens) and why did it start?

Is the populace so illogical over so many years?

[Jack]

Things we learn as children, not necessarily taught but learn, stay with us all our lives and often color our perceptions at a deep level of our reasoning. Most people dismiss superstition as nonsense, but watch when they "knock on wood" or "cross their fingers". The belief in luck and fortune is learned early on, and it's very difficult to erase those perceptions as we get older. A person has to want to lose those beliefs, and in reality most people simply take the easiest route of not actively believing in them but never succeed in fully erasing them.
I use superstitions as one example of the topic you raise.

[ibm]

in a civilization humans don't exist as individuals. we have long become social animals. society has its set of rules. most humans as individuals just HAVE TO follow the rules, no matter how and when we learned these rules when we were little. some rules we learn along the way of growing up and even after we became adults.

[grandpa]

Quote by: ibm in a civilization humans don't exist as individuals. we have long become social animals.

First, people do exist as individuals.

Second, many rules have made humans into anti-social animals.

Grandpa h.

[ZNFYRH]

Intelligence + Communal Living in Societies = Restriction

We need to restrict ourselves in order to survive in the world in which we live.

[LordArchaleon]

I've got the answer to this topic.

When you were 5, you learned not to pick your nose because others thought it was gross. Now, maybe you're one of these wierdos who still picks it when no one is looking, but that's besides the point. The point is that you eventually turned 13, and your horomones made you into a carnivorous heteroseximus maximus.

So what does CHM do? First, he gives up television and picks up weight lifting. Next he gives up gossip and mindless ranting, picking up class, etiquette, and charm. The result is the potential to date lots of gorgeous women.

Unfortunately, some people -- no matter how much you shake them by the throat -- do not understand this simple concept. It is way too late to wonder why it's not okay to pick your nose. It's too late to wonder why nobody wants to see fat people naked in public. If you can't it figure out, then there really is no hope for you. Of course it's a crime!

Read the three words at the top of your browser...the ones that say help Volconvo grow. Now ask yourself why would hot babes with any intelligence come here with you wondering why it's not okay to stare at their features.

Now do you understand why I want to choke you?

[Nigh Eve]

Quote by: Isherwood Things we learn as children, not necessarily taught but learn, stay with us all our lives and often color our perceptions at a deep level of our reasoning. Most people dismiss superstition as nonsense, but watch when they "knock on wood" or "cross their fingers". The belief in luck and fortune is learned early on, and it's very difficult to erase those perceptions as we get older. A person has to want to lose those beliefs, and in reality most people simply take the easiest route of not actively believing in them but never succeed in fully erasing them. I use superstitions as one example of the topic you raise.

A good example. It clearly shows how easy our minds are to mould from the get go as our interpretations of reality commence and consequently how difficult it is to erase these habits and interpretations, whether you really believe or not. Where does this leave an individual? I mean, how is a race so adamantly proud of their ability to think left with so many logical mistakes. Perhaps we are not so keen on logic as a race. Does the populace not realize this? Then again, you said it already. We'd rather the easy streak. Is it really so easy in the end? It seems to have negative effects as far as I can tell.

Quote by: ibm in a civilization humans don't exist as individuals. we have long become social animals. society has its set of rules. most humans as individuals just HAVE TO follow the rules, no matter how and when we learned these rules when we were little.

Why can't social animals live without so many restrictions? I understand the 'have to' to a degree...but why don't we change? I've deviated.

Quote by: grandpa First, people do exist as individuals. Second, many rules have made humans into anti-social animals.

These are true.

Quote by: ZNFYRH Intelligence + Communal Living in Societies = Restriction We need to restrict ourselves in order to survive in the world in which we live.

I don't think that formula applies to everything brought up. There are more restrictions then necessary for one.

There is no need to restrict myself to the degrees that I have mentioned in the OP in order to live in the world today. Perhaps this is another reason why we restrict ourselves. It's seen as a supernatural law for living well. Superstition might be a good label for this.

Does somebody need to go out there and show everyone how it's done? Honestly.


@ LordArchaleon

Blowing my nose is more effective then picking. It can be done without a tissue too. What's the difference? Snot is coming out of your nose. Not like the tissue prevents me from understanding what's being done.

Quote by: LordArchaleon First, he gives up television and picks up weight lifting. Next he gives up gossip and mindless ranting, picking up class, etiquette, and charm. The result is the potential to date lots of gorgeous women.

Is this supposed to apply to every person? I can tell you now that class, etiquette and charm are 1) Subjective and 2) Unnecessary.

Unfortunately, some people -- no matter how much you shake them by the throat -- do not understand this simple concept. It is way too late to wonder why it's not okay to pick your nose. It's too late to wonder why nobody wants to see fat people naked in public. If you can't it figure out, then there really is no hope for you. Of course it's a crime!

The concept is faulty. It is never too late. It's not a crime because people have the potential to be unattractive in some's opinion.

The question was focused more along the lines of the fact that we've created an interpretation that being naked is wrong or that seeing naked is wrong and hence restriction is somehow right or better. What gives?

Quote by: LordA Read the three words at the top of your browser...the ones that say help Volconvo grow. Now ask yourself why would hot babes with any intelligence come here with you wondering why it's not okay to stare at their features.

It's as if I'm some kind of freak?

1) You just called them hot babes so it seems you contradict yourself given your argument.

2) Males and females. Breasts are just breasts. Broad shoulders are just broad shoulder. Butts are just butts. Tummies and abs are just tummies and abs. Legs are just legs. Hair is just hair. Get over it. They are all physical features we can see. We are what we are.