Christopher McNulty
I was thrown into the world on May, 26, 1986, after my mother’s water broke in the middle of Hands Across America. I do not know if my ontological anxiety has to do with the fact that I was pulled into existence by a line of seven million activists or not, but as far back as I can remember I have always felt that there is something missing. This is not to say that there is necessarily something missing in the world, but there is definitely something missing in my world. The void that I feel at any given moment is a lack of authentic and genuine interaction. The way our world is constructed, I find that human beings are separated from each other, not only physically, but also mentally. The definitions and statuses that we spend great amounts of energy in accumulating (job descriptions, titles of ownership, academic degrees, etc.) serve as a means of determining who we are as individuals, but also create various chasms between us and other people based on how our personal categories and descriptions interact with those developed by others.
So what? I do not know how many other people share in my sentiment, but I do know that some people do (I have discussed this topic with many friends and acquaintances). As long as I am not the only one who feels that there is an inherent lack of connection between people, I know that it is a problem worth fixing. I am not sure what the overarching solution might be at this point in time; the only action I can take is to change the world that I have built around me to mirror my desire to meet and help people authentically and without personal gain or profit (for profit is something that I believe is a major source of interpersonal separation). Along with Andrew and Katie, I want to see what it means to live my life according to the universal ideals of peace, hope, and love that have never managed to fully take root in our global society.
We’re going to help people any way that we can, without profit or gain (aside from the enrichment of experience). I want to see if authenticity is a possibility in our modern time.
“The possible ranks higher than the actual” – Martin Heidegger
August 26th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Hey. I’m at school and my teacher isnt here so we are allowed to be on the computer. i wanted ot check your website. and see how things are doing. so far the day is good. the new building is open and im a little confused. ha lot of running around. I’ll call you later. just wanted to tell you hi. and talk you soon. love you.
Your fav little sis!