So would you consider this undertaking, the undertaking being this website, as your foray into philosophy?
I suppose that you could consider me a philosopher by default. I never entered into this with the intention of viewing myself as a philosopher, or becoming philosophical. It's more a situation where I just think about things a lot, and proceed to rant on and on about them - even though overall I really don't talk much.
Maybe that's why you've opted for doing this web site: Kind of like a way to rant without actually ranting.
That's probably very true. I mean, people who know me really well know that I have a tendancy of venting when I get started on something, but at the same time I'm not as expressive verbally as I would be if I were writing something. I guess that writing makes me feel a bit more secure.
And the reason being...?
It's the crooked tooth that I have. I'm trying to hide it.
This entire site is based upon your unusually high level of misanthropy. What exactly has led you to hate people so much?
Well, first off, there are really only a few people who I personally hate. With that said, however, I hold contempt for the human race as a whole because people in general have routinely shown their stupidity. By stupidity, though, I'm not referring to one or two instances of brain fade, where a person might make a mistake here or there. I'm talking about people who have made it a lifestyle to act like idiots.
Anything in particular?
I think that it's sad to see how many people are constantly sacrificing what they want most in life for what they want at that moment. It's as if no one cares about tomorrow, and their only concern is the immediate present. Then when something happens where they have to take responsibility in the future, they don't want to. They still want to have their present and present-only attitude. If you tell them that they must take responsibility, they think that you're forcing your values upon them, and that's become the worst thing in the world today.
Do you care about forcing your values upon others?
I have no problem with forcing my values or opinions upon others. I'm judgemental and I'll be the first to admit it. I'm not living my life to try to have others like me. Student council in high school is a popularity contest - the rest of life isn't.
With all this anger directed at people, has it ever caused a problem with relationships?
I'm probably the last person who should answer that question about myself, only because I wouldn't be aware if it were a problem. My last girlfriend and I broke up because she was developing a habit a letting me know that she could do better than me. So on one hand maybe my misanthropic views were subconsciously affecting the relationship, but on the other hand maybe she was actually an arrogant, selfish bitch.
That seems a bit mean, doesn't it?
This is all about mean! That's the nature of misanthropy! Seriously, though, I think that it's a valid description. I mean, after she told me how I was second-best, she also informed me that there were two other guys to whom she was attracted. She also made a few comments that made me wonder if infidelity was going to creep into the picture. So I told her that I couldn't continue the relationship anymore.
And that was that?
Well, yeah in a way. But she told people that I dumped her for no reason, and I looked like the bad guy. It's over now and she's a lot happier with another guy, so I suppose that it's time to move on. But I hate that cliche...I really do.
Speaking of relationships, what do you suppose is the reason that so many relationships, and more appropriately marriages, fail nowadays?
I have a cousin who I think has the best answer for this question. I was discussing this very thing with him awhile ago, and it's because there are so few couples who view their relationships in terms of them being a pair. With so many couples today, there's no concept of "we" or "us". There's too much "I" and "me". Even my past relationship had elements of this. There were many a time where it seemed like the relationship had to be based upon her - her wants, her feelings, her needs. The concept of "our needs" or "our feelings" was absent quite a bit. I'm just hoping that my next relationship doesn't end up being the same thing.
Does any of this carry over to the children of these couples, if they have any?
Oh, there's no doubt. I think that it's just like a big cycle that goes from generation to generation. The parents are selfish so the kids, in turn, are selfish. They think that it's how it's supposed to be. It'll continue to be that way until people start viewing things less selfishly.
Do you think that people will change?
Hell no.
With all this negativity, is there anything that you feel positively about, or is there anything that makes you happy?
Yeah, I don't want it to sound like I just hate everything and everybody. I've found salvation in writing, for one thing. Originally it was writing music and song lyrics, and now I've branched out into short stories and screen plays. They probably won't ever see the light of day, but mentally it helps a hell of a lot. I'm also into sports, mainly baseball and hockey with the occasional Formula One race. Really, music, sports, and politics are things that I'll freely speak at length about.
Interview continued on Page Two.