Caption: “We can exchange ideas, but are entangled by emotions.”
I like the way Tim LeBon begins his article (cited below) – with an homage to how ancient Greek & Roman philosophers practiced stoicism. My legacy take typically is that of a “grin and bear it” type of equanimity (without despair). Not ruled by the passions (hello, Mr. Spock, live long & prosper). A well-lived life of fortitude amid life’s ups & downs, and perseverance through tough times without whining.
… in the words of Epictetus, “sick and yet happy, in peril and yet happy, dying and yet happy, in exile and happy, in disgrace and happy” … – Wiki
But LeBon casts authentic stoicism as more robust. Even Wiki notes that:
Caption: “See me, feel me, touch me, heal me” – lyric from Tommy (1975 Film) by The Who
So, well-being – beyond a feeling of happiness and a sense of meaning – is more than an end state. It’s something that remains dynamic, something contrary to complacency. It’s an ongoing state of engagement, of paying attention.
A key aspect of well-being is a perspective, a skillset which deals with the ongoing hard times in life without lapsing into despair. A balance.
This Big Think article addresses this ongoing dynamic, and why chasing happiness directly – as if seeking a magic fountain of joy – can be counterproductive.
This article (cited below) poses an interesting question: Why do some people feel unfulfilled even when they have happy (“feeling good”) and meaningful (“doing good”) lives?
[Image: Rusted hulk of a courtesy van with faded “Welcome Wagon” on the sides]
Prologue
[Image: A stasis pod with a cracked cover]
[Scene: interior of terminal @ off-world spaceport] Revival
The first thing he heard … was some tapping on alumiglas. A masked face stared down at him, a muffled voice said, “Mr Smith? Ident ending in 0823?” He tried to speak, but coughed; then tried to nod ‘yes.’ But his head was cradled and did not move.
The voice said, “Stay calm, it will take a minute. Try again. Are you Mr Joe Smith, ident ending in 0823?”
With some urgency, he replied, this time loudly, “Yes, my name is Joe Smith, 0823!”
The voice replied, “Thanks, your pod will now open.” Smith heard a loud click, his ‘bed’ vibrated, and then the cover rose to the heavens, revealing a fully garbed humanoid figure.
“You may call me Alphie, Mr Smith. … Let me help you sit up. … Great. You may feel a bit lightheaded, but that will pass quickly.” Looking at a data pad, Alphie continued, “Your biosignals look okay, the meds will help stablize your mood for a while.”
Alphie stretched out a hand and asked, “Please shake my hand, firmly.” Smith did so. “Thanks, Mr Smith. As soon as you feel able, you may get up. Just follow the blue line to the shower area.”
now the fast which be first
will find that does not last,
now the slow nearly last
will later become first,
for now turns into past,
songs of glory fade fast
when simplification equals clarity,
there always is something wiped away, erased.
some pieces near & dear or socially displaced,
whether existing far in time, other space.
hanging your hat there, linger long in that place,
will exact a price for putting doubt aside –
the ever deeper darkness you must abide
the AI app matches us so artfully,
its add-in's charm so beautifully.
is it time for us to really see
whether we're a couple, possibly,
without smiling artificially?
Episode 3
“Disarming charm ” (Beyond a shadow of doubt)
[SoCal. Midday. Large interior work area on floor of a dated office building. A casually dressed man works in his cubicle. The far side of the work area is bright, lit by a section of windows. But the worker’s cubicle is mostly in shadow, lit by task lights and computer screens.]
[draft 7-3-2025, added more notes. 7-15-2025 added another scene sketch.]
THE SHADOWSCAPE
(e)scape for free from reality
in moving from low to high, we see our pathway as true, and that we are in the right. yet forever left nearby, as if they are out of view, still the shadows of the night – the gods need not take our sight …
Here’s a rough sketch of a possible screenplay: The Shadowscape – Episode 1. A dark comedy. Homages to The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror. No peak of eternal light.
[draft 6-18-2025]
THE SHADOWSCAPE
(e)scape for free from reality
“you’re welcome to pass, but step quickly inside, you’re letting out the darkness which i hope you can abide” – step quickly inside …
Sitting at a desk, an aspiring screenwriter is working on his laptop computer, struggling with writing on the screen. (In clunkier days, he might be on a typewriter and repeatedly tearing out the page, crumpling & tossing it away, eh.) Nearby on top of the desk is a printed document. Clearly visible on its title page is printed:
