Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Keith Maitland on November 18, 2017, 03:00:23 PM

Title: Mourning In Paris
Post by: Keith Maitland on November 18, 2017, 03:00:23 PM
'Paris reassures you that you are in a cycle of life that will end, and that everyone before you has felt just as important and just as crucial to the cycle, and yet, they ended, too. Paris is a good place to remind yourself that everything ends. In America, we think we’ll find a cure for all of this. But Paris assures you that you are mortal, here for a blink of time, that the world will barely register your existence before you are gone. This is the existential dread of Paris, and this is also the way that Paris sets you free.'


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/travel/paris-mourning-essay.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: Shaker on November 18, 2017, 04:18:33 PM
It does reinforce what I read somewhere a long time ago about the boundlessly misplaced optimism of the American temperament, where (in a psychological context) people have 'problems' because a problem at least implies a solution (which in a general context frequently involves invasion and killing a large number of people, if history is any guide).

As for Paris I've no idea. Beer costs a fortune and lots of dog shit on the streets, apparently. Nice article though. I would go there, if I could get there in the middle of winter.
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: floo on November 18, 2017, 05:11:19 PM
I have been to Paris several times and never had the feeling of mourning!
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: Robbie on November 18, 2017, 05:52:11 PM
Evening in Paris is excellent.
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: Walter on November 18, 2017, 06:40:36 PM
Evening in Paris is excellent.
been to Paris many times , loved it .
Reading the article almost ruined my Saturday , had to go for a lie down
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: Rhiannon on November 18, 2017, 07:57:52 PM
Meh.
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: Walter on November 19, 2017, 01:31:45 PM
Meh.
Rhi, I genuinely don't know what that means?
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: Humph Warden Bennett on November 19, 2017, 01:35:18 PM
Keith must get so depressed when spring comes around.
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: Sebastian Toe on November 19, 2017, 01:55:48 PM
I'm not a city lover for residing but if I had to live in one, Paris would be my choice.
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: Rhiannon on November 19, 2017, 04:14:37 PM
Rhi, I genuinely don't know what that means?

It’s an expression of indifference. Not to the grief expressed, obviously.
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: Shaker on November 19, 2017, 04:18:40 PM
Keith must get so depressed when spring comes around.
I'm like that with summer.
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: Rhiannon on November 19, 2017, 04:19:56 PM
I'm like that with summer.

Only high summer for me. That early but when everything is blooming is gorgeous. Then it all becomes dry and dusty and slips away.
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: ippy on November 21, 2017, 03:45:39 PM
It takes us about three hours from home to Paris Nord, often go there it's yer bit o culchure innit, we go there every other year or so, I can't explain but I love the place so does my wife, find a seat anywhere and watch life go by is enough but that's not all there's so much to see, I particularly like Rodin's sculptures, it costs a few bob to get in to see them but I have to pay homage and that's only one of the so many places you can to go.

Most of the things we want to see are within easy walking distance of the centre, anywhere around that big iron thing.

And of course they, the French, don't have to suffer any of that mind numbing royal stuff, which is a bonus that cheers you up if you did have something to mourn about.

ippy   
Title: Re: Mourning In Paris
Post by: Walter on November 22, 2017, 03:45:19 PM
It takes us about three hours from home to Paris Nord, often go there it's yer bit o culchure innit, we go there every other year or so, I can't explain but I love the place so does my wife, find a seat anywhere and watch life go by is enough but that's not all there's so much to see, I particularly like Rodin's sculptures, it costs a few bob to get in to see them but I have to pay homage and that's only one of the so many places you can to go.

Most of the things we want to see are within easy walking distance of the centre, anywhere around that big iron thing.

And of course they, the French, don't have to suffer any of that mind numbing royal stuff, which is a bonus that cheers you up if you did have something to mourn about.

ippy   
id love to sit on that train a just look out the widow . 8)