I think many feel they would like to leave a legacy, but in truth I'm not sure how much of a legacy a typical, everyday person can truly leave. If they have children they leave them of course, but two generations later does that person mean much to the children's children? Maybe, maybe not...And what about the next generations?
Normal everyday people are soon forgotten, and history shows that unless one is notable or noteworthy one soon fades away as future generations simply live their own lives...Of course, with the thought of leaving their own legacy.
140 years is a long time to a human, two average lifespans and it's a long time for people to keep someone else's legacy alive.
I've done my family tree back to 1450's England...But do any of those people have an enduring legacy, other than the fact me and my family are alive right now?
Whilst in the UK we visited many Roman ruins as well as castles, much older of course. So, it takes time for constructions to disappear, but eventually they will...Even what we build today.
Thanks for your comment.
!ENGAGE 20
I totally get that. What I mean by legacy is anything left behind by me. So even if no one knows about it, I feel there is still some of my energy “trapped” in the object. For example, those common, everyday objects from the Roman Empire — are priceless today, in a museum. To see or to understand the existence of a normal person 6000 years ago — today, would be priceless. I consider those thing legacy. No one has to know about the person per say, it’s just a remnant left behind.
How long till everything I’ve ever owned is composted, done for, lost, ground up and burned? How long till my entire existence (Aka remnants of MY generational time a lot here on earth) is in some museum somewhere?
Just my thoughts on the topic. Something I’ve been pondering. As I read your post it’s what I thought about. Yes, everything I own and build will one day turn to dust. There’s something beautiful about that in some dark way.
I understand.
It will be easy to put the sum and total of a current human life in a museum...Just put an iPhone behind the glass...It's all in there. Ok, maybe that's a little facetious however not too far from the truth.
With all of our things leaning towards being more biodegradable, the products we wear, build with, writen on...I wonder what will be left behind...Fake boobs and butt implants made of silicone I guess.
For me, the fact that I know I will be burned at death and eventually completely forgotten makes me want to live better now, for me. To have a better life, my best one, and to furnish those around me and whom I value with respect, happiness, humour, love and comfort. It's with that which I move forward through life.
Haha! I hope handwritten letters and old diaries will one day survive — and live on somewhere. I know I will be as equally happy if it is just one person from the day and era in which I lived — has something handwritten in a museum somewhere.
However, that is my personal fantasy since I love old handwritten shit, even now. I love reading old diaries that have been published — and it’s just a personal thing, I guess.
I must say that your mindset behind how things turn to dust — and why that is beneficial here and now — is beautiful. I really admire that viewpoint.
Burned on water with an fire arrow per chance? I personal would love to biodegrade under a tree? Or somehow naturally go back into the earth like compost. Slightly morbid thinking of things like that? Maybe it’s the people that don’t think about this that end up poisoning our ground water with formaldehyde from a body that they will never use again. Personal irritation.
Let's hope that is the right person huh?
I'm thinking a Viking funeral would be good...You know, someone firing a flaming arrow at my funeral pyre assembled on a longship...They can shoot the arrow, watch the flames for a bit as I slowly drift out to sea, and then get on with the party, and their own lives...After arguing over my hoard of silver. Lol.
It's either that or I insist on being taxidermied like a grizzly bear...That way they could hang coats and hats on me...I'd finally be useful.
Isn't that the truth. Goodness, I didn't realize the ignorance in some ways -- it DOES matter who, huh? That could change a lot. I love it. Great talking with you :) Loved this post, lots of great thoughts. Also loving it over here on HIVE.
When historians look into history they rely upon information and facts to corroborate others, without multiple perspectives it's difficult to do so...And of course, we all know history is written by the victor, or has in the past. It would be a sad thing to have only on one perspective recorded I think.
Anyway, have a good weekend. All the best.