by Chaos Angel » Mon Dec 09, 2002 1:23 am
Think of it this way: Those people in the anime having exciting adventures are, being optimistic, .05% of humanity. The rest of the world is living boring, normal lives. ^_^
Seriously, it's a matter of fantasy vs reality. People create elaborate stories and tales of grand adventures and sweeping dramas as a means of living out the dreams they cannot live out in reality. Many people would jump at the chance to go on an adventure like Gene Starwind or Luke Skywalker, but that's fantasy. It's something you indulge yourself in because reality isn't always as exciting or as desirable as we would wish it to be. Nothing wrong with retreating into fantasy every once in awhile (frankly, it keeps me sane), but the difference between those who kick back and relax with a good series or novel and those who spend all of their time absorbed in that same series or novel dreaming about being the characters is that person A admits the excitement and allure of the fantasy world and indulges in it every so often while acknowledging the truth of reality and the necessity of facing it while person B has forsaken reality altogether and lives in a fantasy world, ignoring the responsibilities and concerns of reality. Fantasy is good for exercising your imagination, one of the most valuable things a human can possess along with free will and individuality, but living in it constantly at the expense of reality is unhealthy. You'll waste away without a job to get you money for food, housing, etc.
As for life having a purpose, well, that's different for everyone. Different people feel differently about their purpose on this planet. It's something you have to find for yourself. But the odds are you won't find it by living in fantasy. One's purpose exists in reality. You won't find meaning for your existence in fiction, as entertaining and inspiring as it may be.