OnlineBookClub.org

This is the impetus behind the Travelling Symphony. The idea that simply surviving isn't enough.

For those who are caught up on The Walking Dead (or at least caught up to a few seasons ago) there is an opposing view: JSS = Just Survive Somehow.

Which do you agree with? Do they both have a place and time? Why/why not?

I think it depends on the situation. Sometimes survival is all you have while other times what would be the point to simply survive if you have to compromise yourself or lose your essence to do so.

rssllue wrote:I think it depends on the situation. Sometimes survival is all you have while other times what would be the point to simply survive if you have to compromise yourself or lose your essence to do so.

Well put and I agree!

I'd go with Survival is Insufficient, simply because I don't think there's much to just simply existing for the sake of existing. I think there definitely has to be purpose to said survival in order for it to be worthwhile.

I completely understand the idea of "just survival" not being enough. However, I think circumstances might dictate the level of extracurricular activities. Also, what are people's goals? In a case where global population has taken a hit, reproduction and education might be high on the priority list.

gali wrote:

rssllue wrote:I think it depends on the situation. Sometimes survival is all you have while other times what would be the point to simply survive if you have to compromise yourself or lose your essence to do so.

Well put and I agree!

To what extent do you keep going for? Just surviving is just existing and not living, and how long do you go on for in hopes it would get better and you start to live and not simply survive?

As the original post references The Walking Dead, it's not looking great for the characters on that show at the moment..Post Apocalyptic is a bleak genre!

I think that that feeling of simply surviving really played strong in this season of TWD where the characters had to decide how important survival was at all costs.

It's very all or nothing situation now. Some of them have nothing left to lose, which means taking risks in the hope for a better outcome. We also saw them turn on their own, yet others put their life on the line to save others.

Surviving isn't enough, it calls for some tough decisions.

Agreed. Life is often about tough decisions which is why character is so very important. Without character, wrong/destructive decisions become easier and easier to make.

I think the answer to this largely depends on whether we are talking short or long term... "simply" surviving may be all that is possible in a short term crisis situation, but over the course of years and decades that is not sustainable. A person must have at least some periods of rest and peace in order to function.

I think that survival is one of those words that means different things to different people. Some people may say that survival is simply continuing to inhale and exhale another day while others may say that one does not survive if they have to live contrary to their core values. I am of the mind that simply surviving (in the breathing sense) is not sufficient.

That is situational. If it is complete life or death just surviving would be enough for me. Every day would be a celebration because you made it to see another sunrise. But day to day I want more out of life!

In my opinion, simple surviving isn't that hard to do. As long as you had food and water, you could lay on your back 24/7 and still survive. But no one wants a life like that. Even people with depression who find it hard to do much more than lay down for hours at a time still don't like it. Human beings need more than survival -- they need exercise, meaningful relationships, a cause or goal to devote themselves to, and more than anything, a reward for surviving. If, at the end of the day, all you can say is, "Great, I didn't die today!" then something is probably wrong...

I definitely think that the answer to this depends on the circumstances. I mean, surviving an encounter with a shark is end goal. Surviving an encounter with a serial killer needs to have more after. The person has to strive for more than simply surviving day to day.