Lost Questions
At this point, I miss boylikegirl.club’s contest. I enjoy their questions – they may not always be profound but they’re real and good questions. Sometimes they make me laugh (not in a condescending way, of course; it’s just that they’re quite unexpected) and other times they make me angry (not the question itself, but the idea or implications it presents). Nevertheless, they make me write my heart out, and that’s good enough. I probably wouldn’t have it any other way.
Their questions are not difficult to state or understand, but the moment you get down to it and start writing your thoughts, you’ll experience conflicting feelings as you find that not only is the question engaging, but it also allows you to examine your own perspective and recognize how little you’ve actually thought seriously about the subject. And this is where it gets very interesting, because writing is actually discovering what you believe in: your biases, hopes, values, and inklings. You’d be surprised by the revelations that unfold before you.
Another thing that I like about their questions is that, since they’re all philosophical, there’s no document to review, no historical data to check - there is nothing to do but think and reflect. And it’s not thinking that is divorced from experience, either. You do not need to be a philosopher to answer those questions, of course; you base your answers on the experiences that you already have because you’re a human being, not a philosopher.
Moreover, what I really appreciate about this community (and all others I’ve subscribed to) is that they’re one of the few whose contests don’t require much from participants: no resteeming of the contest post, no following of the host’s account, no inviting friends, no club status - all of which feel like overkill to me. Too many hurdles. It’s far easier to write than to comply with all these rules.
Lastly, I find it very helpful – liberating even, to answer their questions, write my thoughts, and share them with others. As C.S. Lewis wrote, ‘It is impossible to write one’s best if nobody else ever has a look at the result.’ That’s true. If you never share your writing with others, you risk becoming trapped in your own perspective. Also, being proven wrong isn’t always a bad thing, as it refines one’s perspective and deepens understanding.
So I wonder what has gone wrong or if there’s anything that needs to be done. Whatever the case may be, I hope this doesn’t stay like this for long.
