How many of you feel that birthdays are over rated?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the significance of birthdays, exploring personal feelings about their importance as one ages. Participants reflect on the cultural and social implications of celebrating birthdays, comparing them to other life events and milestones.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express that birthdays feel less significant as they age, suggesting that life should be celebrated continuously rather than focusing on specific dates.
  • Others argue that birthdays serve as important milestones, particularly for children, who derive a sense of identity and specialness from them.
  • A participant mentions that societal expectations around forgiveness on birthdays seem irrational, questioning the logic behind such customs.
  • Another participant counters that doing something nice for a friend on their birthday is a sign of friendship, not sycophancy.
  • Some participants note that while birthdays are celebrated, other events like promotions or anniversaries might not warrant the same level of celebration over time.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of significance in the cosmic scheme, with some participants challenging the idea that any event holds inherent importance.
  • A humorous anecdote is shared about a couple celebrating their divorce anniversary, illustrating the varied perspectives on what constitutes a celebration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express differing views on the significance of birthdays, with no clear consensus reached. Some find them increasingly irrelevant, while others uphold their importance, especially for children.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference personal experiences and societal norms, indicating that the discussion is influenced by individual backgrounds and cultural contexts. The logic behind certain social customs remains a point of contention.

  • #31
jarednjames said:
What could be more important than surviving another year? Virtually every other ambition you can have hinges on your survival.


Bravo!
 
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  • #32
jarednjames said:
We've had this exact discussion before (this thread I believe).

Birthdays are a milestone. Each one means you've survived another 365 days. Same for anniversaries.

Right, but as I alluded to, the milestone concept doesn't make sense to me. I can pick any arbitrary set of 365 consecutive days and that will also mean I've survived another 365 days. The arbitrary set starting on the day of my birth then has the same exact meaning as every other day of the year.

Today, I've survived an additional 365 days since last February 21st. Tomorrow, I will have survived 365 days since last February 22nd. I don't begrudge anybody who does pay attention to such things, I just find the concept alien.
 
  • #33
Jack21222 said:
Right, but as I alluded to, the milestone concept doesn't make sense to me. I can pick any arbitrary set of 365 consecutive days and that will also mean I've survived another 365 days. The arbitrary set starting on the day of my birth then has the same exact meaning as every other day of the year.

Today, I've survived an additional 365 days since last February 21st. Tomorrow, I will have survived 365 days since last February 22nd. I don't begrudge anybody who does pay attention to such things, I just find the concept alien.

So you find the concept of facebook celebrating each 100 million members weird? Because "each member is just like the one before them"? Because "member 101 million is 100 million from member 1" and so it's just another arbitrary milestone?

It's the fact it's a year plus the fact it's on the day you were born. It makes that particular combination different from any other, it's a "round number" if you will.
 
  • #34
yeah, feel like its overrated. don't get presents anymore, don't want to get older without getting wiser, and don't have the pressure of dying to appreciate being alive. truly wasted on me huh.
 
  • #35
hypatia said:
I'm thinking most people here have not seen as much death as me. How precious some people believe another year of life is.

I really respect your thoughts on this and living in a country were suicide bombs and terrorist attacks are so common i understand what you mean every second of your existence is a gift of GOD and even though you life has not gone the way you want it is still worth being thankful for(mind my English) but celebration are made on achievements and being in this life for a sufficient time is just mere existence not an achievement really however i do respect your view on this.
 
  • #36
Hello;

For me, birthdays reminds me that my life is frighteningly finite and that I should not waste it. Whilst they can be fun, they are also worrying in a sense.
 
  • #37
jarednjames said:
So you find the concept of facebook celebrating each 100 million members weird? Because "each member is just like the one before them"? Because "member 101 million is 100 million from member 1" and so it's just another arbitrary milestone?

101 million is 100.999999 million from member 1, otherwise that's correct.

It's the fact it's a year plus the fact it's on the day you were born. It makes that particular combination different from any other, it's a "round number" if you will.

I still don't really see it. I mean, I get what makes it different, I just don't see why that difference is significant beyond a bit of trivia.
 
  • #38
FeDeX_LaTeX said:
Hello;

For me, birthdays reminds me that my life is frighteningly finite and that I should not waste it. Whilst they can be fun, they are also worrying in a sense.

:approve: See my signature.
 
  • #39
Jack21222 said:
101 million is 100.999999 million from member 1, otherwise that's correct.

Last time I checked you don't get 0.999999 of a human (although that feel good thread may disagree). So I'm happy with my 100 million count. :wink:
 
  • #40
jarednjames said:
last time i checked you don't get 0.999999 of a human (although that feel good thread may disagree). So I'm happy with my 100 million count. :wink:

100,000,000 + 1 =/= 101,000,000

100,000,000 + 1 = 100,000,001
 
  • #41
Jack21222 said:
100,000,000 + 1 =/= 101,000,000

100,000,000 + 1 = 100,000,001

Oh dear, I do see what you are saying.

Not good, two mistakes in a day - within minutes of each other. One feels now would be a good time to retire for the night.

For that I'll let yours go, pretend the edit never happened. :wink:
 

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