Hyoseo Lee
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brain-dumps

a story of a carpenter

Topic The existential tension between ambition and lifestyle choice, explored through the anxiety of over-preparing for the future versus living in the present.
Area Personal Philosophy
Summary
Through a short parable about a carpenter who tortures himself building fences against wolves he has never seen, the author reflects on their own relentless drive for academic and career development. By confronting the contrast between their anxiety-driven work ethic and those who live freely in the present, the author explores the pain of comparison through a mathematical lens of projecting life 'vectors.' Ultimately, the post accepts that while the question of being on the 'right track' will permanently linger, choosing to maintain one's structured path is a conscious, valid way to live.

A story of a carpenter

here is a carpenter. he spend his all day making a fence, that will keep him safe from wolves. but actually, he never even seen wolves in this field. his parent just told him there is wolves out there and they are dangerous. he hate building fences but he sees his fence gets bigger, stronger and harder. but he think, what if bigger wolf attack me? he keep building his fence, even he don’t like it. But wolf never comes. He didn’t even seen someone who got attacked by a wolf. But he says that doesn’t means wolf don’t exist, and keep work on his job.

ironically, the carpenter is torturing himself becuase of wolves he never seen. And the carpenter get used to that pain. He think doing something they hate is natrual for everyone, and somehow, he starts to think he likes making fences.

The only way to make this carpenter rest is not giving him better fence, show him the wolves don’t attack. Even they do, does torturing himself is worth it?

1. How this thought came to me

I thought about it at the middle of a shower. I thought this can be really interesting story and many people in modern society will resonate.

2. Where it led me first

I always work hard in academics, career, and self-development. However, I see people who don’t even care about them, and enjoy their life, people, and himself. I won’t even stand a second if I live like him because of concerns and worries about future.

3. How it became more complicated

It becomes complicated because, They are not wrong. at the same time, that means I am the one who is wrong.

well, it is not a yes or no question, but I cannot think of thoughts “what if I was wrong? What if I just wasted my whole life for building meaningless fences?“

4. What I’m trying to figure out

As I said, this is not a yes or no, right or wrong question. everyone has their own direction, and people are just following their owns. if you start comparing directions and magnitude each other, that is just pain and depression because projection of your vector on different vector, just reduce the magnitude.

5. My current position

I said like that on 4, but I still have question about “Am I right?” and “Am I on the right track?”. I think those are the question that follows me utill I die, so I have to handle them.

6. What this thought means to me

Actually, nothing.

I’m going to live just like I did till now, and I’m happy with that (I guess)