Stories Collected While Living in France
This randomly popped up on Facebook.
The red pill is fascinating if I could go back in time, be aware that I am back in time, and the same people are in my life. But one choice leads to another, and having knowledge or awareness at six would certainly, bring me to another point. So, I suppose it is a question of happiness, and or if one would want to change their life, or have more time to hang out on earth.
And then there is 10 million dollars. Not shabby.
Below is my expurgated version of a small portion of an interview three years ago by podcast host Steve Silverman with his old pal David Crosby of Crosby Stills Nash (and sometimes Young) fame. I’ve cleaned up a bit of Crosby’s salty language.
Episode 4: Time is the Final Currency – January 27, 2020 Freak Flag Flying
https://www.osirispod.com/podcasts/freak-flag-flying/freak-flag-flying-episode-4-time-is-the-final-currency/
[…] David Crosby: […] nobody talks about death. Everybody’s chicken to talk about it. And it caught your attention, catches everybody’s attention, because I’m not chicken to talk about it. I’m not obsessed with it. I don’t spend my time thinking about death.
Steve Silverman: Yes you do!
David: No, I do not. I brought it up with you because you’re one of the only people that I know who’s not afraid to talk about anything, So I’m willing to go there with you because you’re not a chicken. You’re willing to talk to me about anything. And that’s a gift, and I’m grateful for it. I want you to know that.
Steve: Thank you. So am I.
David: That’s [rough], man — the real [rough thing] is that we don’t have enough time. We don’t have anywhere near enough time. I didn’t start figuring out who I was until I was in my 50s, for [goodness] sakes. Yeah. And here I am, just now finally having adjusted my life to where I’m happy most of the time — and I’m gonna die. Where the is that at? It sucks. You know, it’s very tough. I got a dozen things that I still want to learn. There’s like three languages, two sections of history, at least five sciences, and I’ve got a wish list of places I want to see, experiences that I want to have, that’s as long as your arm. And no time. And it’s worse than that — I wasted years of time that I could have now to use, if I hadn’t wasted them. Regret’s a [rough thing] when it’s real. When you have regrets about stuff that doesn’t matter, it’s silly. But wasted time — boy, that’s a [rough thing]. So here I am looking at death. You have a feeling about your own mortality. Everybody does. My feeling is that it’s probably imminent. I am not likely to live too much longer. And so what does that do? Well, it makes you want to get a whole lot of done. I’m singing every day. […]
Hmmm, I’m tempted to choose the red pill. I can think of some things I’d do differently this time around. But, as you say, those choices would lead to different outcomes and I like how my life is right now. So, okay, I’ll take the $10,000,000!
The 10 million. I don’t want to go back in time…I am happy where I am right now. 🙂
How miserable and frustrating to go back in time with the knowledge we have now… Society would not have changed – not just cultural values but for example, there would be no knowledge of communication as we know it and to have just that knowledge without the available technology would have been maddening and to have made different choices in my personal life means I would have still be living with a new set of unknowns that would not promise a life more fulfilling or satisfying than my life is today.
As to B, the money, would present another set of responsibilities – even giving it away means allowing someone or group to affect society that I would have to choose who or the group that I think would make a difference that would share or be in agreement with my values – I do not see either choice as ideal nor would either make a positive change in my life.
This speculative choice brings to mind a quote from ‘Our Mutual Friend’ by Charles Dickens (1865):
“Are you thankful for not being young?”
“Yes, sir. If I was young, it would all have to be gone through again,
and the end would be a weary way off, don’t you see?…”
I’ll take the $10M.
My sister died of ALS in 2018 and my brother just died this week of Parkinson’s. If I went back to the age of six, knowing they would suffer and die of these horrible neurological diseases, what would I do? What could I do? How would their lives, my parents’ lives, be impacted by knowing this was their fate? Would people even have children if they knew this would be their fate? I think we are unable to see the future for a reason. It would, often, just be too terrible to continue. So, take the money and try to do something beneficial for humanity in the process.
I cannot believe there are not more responses to this question- i have been thinking about it since i first saw it -the day it was posted-what would i do…. the thought IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN -almost always concludes with we would make the same choices….with knowledge garnered from the years that would be reset to the age of six-speaking for myself-and having the same personality i probably would do the same thing over maybe a few tweaks-the time element isn’t that big of a motivator- because time is relative-when you are young you have lots of it or so you think and when you are middle age it seems to speed up – and having the knowledge to make other choices doesn’t necessarily make the outcomes or situation better just different….i often think to myself what if someone offered money for my cat like one million dollars- he has medical issues he has only know our hands home and love suppose someone didn’t treat him accordingly -no i couldn’t do it- how about a cherished possession-not worth anything but to me-well i cannot say with certainty i would not-but ten million dollars wow that could buy a lot of of experiences elevate financial burdens for a lot of people and aid in building something good for the world -this is a very though provoking question i think i would go with the money-
Red pill please…. With all my knowledge and time to make changes. I would make a lot more than $10 Million with investments. I would also make a lot of positive changes in my life.
I would opt for the red pill if that choice then let me change the outcome of all the people in my life. Then we would all never die.
If I could not chage any outcome, then of course I’d take the money
Sadly, money doesn’t buy health – health care yes. Having felt so good at 62 in Venice, Italy, and planning to travel the world I came home to many years of ill health with a condition that is virtually untreatable and excrutiatingly (sorry can’t spell that) painful. So – the red pill or 10,000? Age six is very tempting, but only with a kinder family, can I restart at 20? then I would learn to paint large canvases and make beautiful jewellery – a subject I am now passionate about. At 75 I have at last found out what I want to do when I grow up! Happiness and good health are far more precious than any amount of money.
Whoops 10,000,000 not 10,000. It doesn’t change what I wrote though.
That would be a challenging question.
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