The Passion of the Chimp
Good Evening!
As I stare at my Netbook's expansive 8-inch screen, I feel like a wildebeest using the fundamental theorem of calculus to find the derivative of an integral. To be honest, I'm feeling a bit rusty. It has been 9 months since my last Cubicle Chronicle posting, and I've decided that it's time for (yet another) rebirth. For the two or three of you who have participated in the chronicles of past, welcome back! For those who are reading for the first time, a little context: The Cubicle Chronicles is my sounding board on philosophy, politics, and other random bits of obsessive thought. The writing and opinions may occasionally dance upon the fringe of acceptable dinner table conversation, but I attempt to select topics that are at least moderately thought-provoking.
Originally, all postings were conceived, birthed, and raised from the confines of my cubicle at work; thus, the name. I encouraged other professionals to break up the monotony of filing TPS reports, and engage in online banter from the bounds of their own fabric-lined cages. Although I'm no longer in a position where I can afford to take a couple hours to craft a chronicle at work (and no longer have a cube...), I am committing myself to publishing chronicles on a bi-weekly basis from this point forward. My cubicle has transformed from its organizational diorama origins to that of the caffeine-peddling establishments across the DC area.
The Cubicle Chronicles is but one spicket from which I attempt to quench my creative thirst; and over the past 9 months, I've grown pretty damn parched! I hope that you'll not only enjoy what you read here, but participate in the banter by leaving your comments. With all of the cordialities out of the way, let's talk about passion!
Passion
It’s what you crave more than gut-rotting White Castle burgers. The most successful people in the world could not have reached the summit of their success without it. It’s the wind that fills your sails and gets you moving across the ocean of life. It’s the commitment that has yielded industrial and scientific breakthroughs throughout history. It expresses itself in many ways, but regardless of its origin or target, it’s the fuel that keeps one's spirit from slipping into cold grey rigor mortis. If you've ever experienced passion for something, or somebody, you know exactly what I mean.
To be, or not to be?
I’ve recently found myself questioning my own passion.
What fills my sails and gives me a sense of purpose?
What is it that invigorates me into a manic state of excitement?
What is it that I am passionate about?
I struggled with these questions, and found myself at a near panic when I could not find the answers. Am I without passion? Am I an empty shell of a human being who schleps through life, simply converting oxygen into carbon dioxide?
After some reflection, I realized that it was true: I have no wind of passion. I am passionless. It was after some reflection, that I realized: passion is bullshit. Passion is bullshit, because it doesn’t exist.
“Okay Don, you’ve gone too far; you’re talking crazy talk!”
Really, what is passion anyway? My quick $0.25 theory is that passion is an emotionally-based psychological energy that may drive people to take action. Sound familiar? Well, that’s because I just described motivation. In psychology, motivation is always based upon reward or punishment. The reward/punishment can come in two flavors; either emotional satisfaction/turmoil (intrinsic), or material or tangible reward/punishment (extrinsic). The psychological explanation of motivation is not as romantic or inspirational as its perverted business/sport pop-psychology cousin, but it serves as a much better alternative explanation. Passion is best left to big-toothed motivational speaker fodder, because it serves no practical or legitimate purpose in reality.
Questions for the masses…
Do you believe in the existence of “passion?” If so, what’s the difference between “passion” and “motivation?”
Do you feel that passion is merely enough to manifest action and accomplishment?
I look forward to hearing from you; for it fuels MY passion. Oh, and welcome to The Cubicle Chronicles!
All right, click the "comments" link below to read the responses of others, as well as share your own responses. "NO" you don't have to be a member of Blogger to put in your $0.02; Just select "Name/URL," type in your name, and publish your comments... that's it.... it's as easy as pie!
As I stare at my Netbook's expansive 8-inch screen, I feel like a wildebeest using the fundamental theorem of calculus to find the derivative of an integral. To be honest, I'm feeling a bit rusty. It has been 9 months since my last Cubicle Chronicle posting, and I've decided that it's time for (yet another) rebirth. For the two or three of you who have participated in the chronicles of past, welcome back! For those who are reading for the first time, a little context: The Cubicle Chronicles is my sounding board on philosophy, politics, and other random bits of obsessive thought. The writing and opinions may occasionally dance upon the fringe of acceptable dinner table conversation, but I attempt to select topics that are at least moderately thought-provoking.
Originally, all postings were conceived, birthed, and raised from the confines of my cubicle at work; thus, the name. I encouraged other professionals to break up the monotony of filing TPS reports, and engage in online banter from the bounds of their own fabric-lined cages. Although I'm no longer in a position where I can afford to take a couple hours to craft a chronicle at work (and no longer have a cube...), I am committing myself to publishing chronicles on a bi-weekly basis from this point forward. My cubicle has transformed from its organizational diorama origins to that of the caffeine-peddling establishments across the DC area.
The Cubicle Chronicles is but one spicket from which I attempt to quench my creative thirst; and over the past 9 months, I've grown pretty damn parched! I hope that you'll not only enjoy what you read here, but participate in the banter by leaving your comments. With all of the cordialities out of the way, let's talk about passion!
Passion
It’s what you crave more than gut-rotting White Castle burgers. The most successful people in the world could not have reached the summit of their success without it. It’s the wind that fills your sails and gets you moving across the ocean of life. It’s the commitment that has yielded industrial and scientific breakthroughs throughout history. It expresses itself in many ways, but regardless of its origin or target, it’s the fuel that keeps one's spirit from slipping into cold grey rigor mortis. If you've ever experienced passion for something, or somebody, you know exactly what I mean.
To be, or not to be?
I’ve recently found myself questioning my own passion.
What fills my sails and gives me a sense of purpose?
What is it that invigorates me into a manic state of excitement?
What is it that I am passionate about?
I struggled with these questions, and found myself at a near panic when I could not find the answers. Am I without passion? Am I an empty shell of a human being who schleps through life, simply converting oxygen into carbon dioxide?
After some reflection, I realized that it was true: I have no wind of passion. I am passionless. It was after some reflection, that I realized: passion is bullshit. Passion is bullshit, because it doesn’t exist.
“Okay Don, you’ve gone too far; you’re talking crazy talk!”
Really, what is passion anyway? My quick $0.25 theory is that passion is an emotionally-based psychological energy that may drive people to take action. Sound familiar? Well, that’s because I just described motivation. In psychology, motivation is always based upon reward or punishment. The reward/punishment can come in two flavors; either emotional satisfaction/turmoil (intrinsic), or material or tangible reward/punishment (extrinsic). The psychological explanation of motivation is not as romantic or inspirational as its perverted business/sport pop-psychology cousin, but it serves as a much better alternative explanation. Passion is best left to big-toothed motivational speaker fodder, because it serves no practical or legitimate purpose in reality.
Questions for the masses…
Do you believe in the existence of “passion?” If so, what’s the difference between “passion” and “motivation?”
Do you feel that passion is merely enough to manifest action and accomplishment?
I look forward to hearing from you; for it fuels MY passion. Oh, and welcome to The Cubicle Chronicles!
All right, click the "comments" link below to read the responses of others, as well as share your own responses. "NO" you don't have to be a member of Blogger to put in your $0.02; Just select "Name/URL," type in your name, and publish your comments... that's it.... it's as easy as pie!
posted by Don the "Head Chimp" at
9:37 PM
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5 comments
