[extropy-chat] A vignette on incongruent points of view

[Jef Allbright]

Respectful of (and in agreement with) the killthread, here's an excerpt
from an offlist exchange with Lee that I thought might be of interest to
the list. 
 
Two friends went to the ocean and later talked about their day.  The
first man talked about the wonderful feeling of the wind and the spray,
exploring the fascinating tide pools, sea life and shells, and how he
felt great joy in the experience bringing him such a feeling of being
alive.  He'd felt a bit concerned though, that his friend seemed almost
as if he wasn't even there.  The second man replied that he had reveled
in the experience; that it stimulated thoughts of  the power and
immensity of the ocean in ironic contrast to the puny conceits of
humankind, the realization that this great body of water both separated
and connected the various peoples of the world, and how it provided the
catalyst not only for biological life, but for the growth of culture and
commerce.  The first man thought "wtf?" and felt great pity for his
friend.
 
Is it possible to bridge such a gap in understanding of each other's
point of view?
 
Is there some way to show the the second man that he's living only a
shallow imitation of a life?
 
Oops, I meant the first man.
 
- Jef
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