Member Questionnaire 1 (niko)
What is beauty? What is love? -Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, It is dangerous to define things like beauty. sure, when we think of beauty, we think of aesthetically or emotionally pleasing things, but the experience itself violently varies from individual to individual. It's the same thing with love.
There is, however, a fact that binds these two. Their essence can be explained rationally; both of them are results of chemical reactions happening in our bodies
What are your most important values? - My core values are being competent, successful and making a positive impact on society. That's the driving force, the engine, that pushes me forward and keeps me from giving up.
Do you have any sort of spiritual/religious beliefs, and why do you hold (or don't) those beliefs in the first place? - I was brought up in a "liberal" Muslim household, and I was religious. My understanding of it was very different from the mainstream though; I used to incorporate my own beliefs in it. But there was always a skeptic inside me. Around 12, I started leaving religion, and by 15 I was done with it. In the meantime I experimented with various other religions/beliefs, but logic won.
Currently I consider myself an agnostic.
Opinion on war and militaries? What is power to you? - I absolutely hate war and I believe that it is justified only if all other solutions have been proven inefficient. The moment people realize how absurd wars are, humanity will reach its next step.
Power to me means first and foremost having power and control over yourself. Then one can proceed to exert power over his environment. People who externally display power through violence and similar behavior are actually the least powerful ones. True power comes from the inside.
What have you had long conversations about? What are your interests? Why? - I've had long conversations about the future of mankind, future of science and technology, future of social structure, politics, morality, philosophy, business, entrepreneurship, my personal aspirations and also more popular things like sports, movies, etc. I like discussing everything as long as I can intellectualize the topic.
My interests revolve mostly around things I mentioned previously. I don't really know the reason I like them; perhaps I like science because I'm interested in how the world works, or political philosophy because I can speculate how ideologies will develop over time and impact the future of mankind.
Interested in health/medicine as a conversation topic? Are you focused on your body? - I like discussing it with people who are interested in actually understanding how our body and it's interaction with different elements works, but I hate it when people spit out random facts about health and expect me to believe it without questioning.
I'm focused on my body and I try to be healthy, however I'm not a health freak. Just the basics. I also dislike being in physically dangerous situations.
What do you think of daily chores? - I abhor them an make someone else do them, unless really necessary.
Books or films you liked? Recently read/watched or otherwise. Examples welcome. - I really lke sci-fi stuff like Star Trek and Star wars and dystopian movies like Hunger Games, 1984, V for Vendetta, etc.
I'm also a big fan of the Godfather series. Actually, I have watched tons of movies, but I really suck at remembering them. Regarding books; I would be lying if I told you that I've read a lot of them. I have a tendency to start a lot of books but I finish like a tenth of them. I'm trying to change this habit since i love reading. Currently I'm (trying my best) reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.
I should also add that I'm a BIG fan of Doctor Who
What has made you cry? What has made you smile? Why? -Mostly in privacy, intense experiences, like intense music, certain movies and powerful thoughts. I don't really cry in front of people, except a few closest ones. I can also count on one hand the times I cried outside home, most of them during childhood. Ok maybe a bit more, but you get the point
Where do you feel: at one with the environment/a sense of belonging? -When I'm in the wilderness as far as possible from civilization
When I achieve a goal
When I'm with people that stimulate me
What have people seen as your weaknesses? What do you dislike about yourself? -People have criticized me for being: too out there, impractical, anti-social (I'm not), anxious/nervous, cold, coward (I really hate being called this, but I think it's irrational to put myself in unnecessary danger, because in the end, my long term goals are more important that momentary satisfaction), stubborn, perfectionistic, scattered, indecisive
I dislike that I'm too removed from reality and my insecurity about being incapable of achieving my ideals in reality. I've had problems with being overly idealistic both regarding people and ideas. I tend to procrastinate if I have to do something I don't like. I'm too flighty and change my mind all the time. I'd also like to be more physically risk taking and less concerned about security.
What have people seen as your strengths? What do you like about yourself? -People have told me that I'm: persistent, goal oriented, individualistic, a good role model, visionary,clever, rational, very creative, perfectionstic (i think its both a good and bad thing)
What I like the most about myself if that I see myself as capable of achieving my goals despite my insecurities and make a postive impact. When I have a goal I really care about, I'd do everything to achieve it. I like being admired for being a visionary. I'm also a very enthusiastic person.
In what areas of your life would you like help? -I'd like help with daily chores (except cooking, I love that) and I'd like to be more relaxed.
Ever feel stuck in a rut? If yes, describe the causes and your reaction to it. -I'm currently stuck in what I consider a rut. I'm a senior in high school and I can't wait to go to uni and finally do something i find interesting and challenging. I try to kill boredom by reading and researching about various topics, and once in a while socializing.
I don't feel depressed currently, but just a few weeks ago I had a really down period. It was really opressing, I was really unmotivated and could not see any future possibilites, Very claustrophobic feeling. Oh, plus add the health anxiety, It was pretty bad.
What qualities do you most like and dislike in other people? What types do you get along with? -I dislike intrusive people, both physically and emotionally, closed minded, pessimistic people and people that I consider uncivilized.
I like when people have the opposite qualities of those I mentioned before.
I can get along with almost everyone, however I mostly like people that are different, individualistic.
How do you feel about romance/sex? What qualities do you want in a partner? -Never really thought about this. I've never been in a romantic relationship before and I don't really know what I look for in a partner. When I like someone, it just happens, however I think I would appreciate someone who has the qualities I lack.
I am fascinated with sex and sexuality, and I see at as almost "sacred"?
If you were to raise a child, what would be your main concerns, what measures would you take, and why? -1.Independence. That's the thing that my parents didn't give me, thikning they were doing good. This made me struggle a lot with anxiety and seriously low confidence in my younger years. Fortunately, I discovered this problem early enough to start improving myself. Reading about psychology and personality theories made me rediscover my true self. The development process hasn't stopped though and I constantly try to reach the perfect ideal I have for myself.
2.Critical thinking. I'd teach him/her to never take anything for granted and to question everything. I totally despise parents shoving children religion and ideologies down their throats from a young age and forcing them to obey.
3.Responsibility. Everyone is responsible for their actions (or inactions). this would teach him/her how to be more self reliant and think critically.
It could be said that I want to raise a scientific child
A fried makes a claim that clashes with your current beliefs. What is your inward and outward reaction? -I love discussing ideas, so most often I express my opposing views. However, I sometimes refrain from talking if that friend is being overly emotional.
Describe your relationship to society. How do you see people as a whole? What do you consider a prevalent social problem? Name one. -I have a love hate relationship with society. I hate society in it's current state, but I'm optimistic about it's future. I see people as in need of a new enlightenment.
The prevalent social problem would be tradition. While I don't think we should get completely rid of our cultural identity and tradition yet, I do think we should try to keep it in the background and focus on being decent human beings.
I also hate political correctness when exaggerated.
How do you choose your friends and how do you behave around them? -I don't actively choose them. The frienships just happen. That could be the reason I don't have any currently. It seems like I'm intruding their personal space if I initiate contact first. This used to be more pronounced when I was a kid. I also have to admit that I would really like to have more friends.
I view friendship as a deeper relationship than most people do, so I may very well seem to have friends even though I wouldn't consider them so.
When around good company I behave without inhibition, weird, fully natural and I'm frequently the funniest. Other times I'm totally quiet, listening or detached.
How do you behave around strangers? -It depends on how I perceive the stranger and the potential benefits of acting a certain way. However, most generally it would be collected, polite and distant. A few light smiles. If i feel comfortable with the stranger I'd act more naturally (weird)
Member Questionnaire (niko)
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