The Meaning Of Life

Sturken & Cartwright "Viewers Make Meaning"

This chapter was summed up well in the first paragraph when it stated that apart from the image and its producer, meaning is constructed in three ways:

• by codes and conventions that structure the image and cannot be separated from the content of the image
• by how the viewers interpret or experience the image

• by the contexts in which an image is exhibited and viewed

As the chapter continues and further illustrates these points through art and advertising, I could not help but not apply these very same principles to a much bigger concept: the meaning of life.

The age old question, what is the meaning of life?  Why do we exist?  In a universe so vast, what makes us so special that not only does our planet contain life, but we have rational thought and the mental capacity to even consider such a question? 

While science has not figured that out yet, religion will have to do in the mean time.  Many people find their meaning through religion and the idea that (blank) higher power has put us here for (blank) reasons.  It is a compelling concept considering the complexity of almost any aspect of our universe. 

Think about the magnificence of the macro or the micro in physics or what goes on in the human body or how life started on Earth.  Any of these incredible areas will make you wonder how it ever could have happened by chance. 

Let's assume for a minute that it couldn't have happened by chance and that, for the sake of argument, Christianity is accurate.  Our purpose then, would be to live by the ten commandments and spread the word of God to others, to oversimplify. 

This would be God's "preferred message" to us.  As the "author" of the universe, it would be how he intended us to find meaning in our lives.  However, nothing compels me to follow this preferred message.  So, if you were to create a religion, how would you address that problem?  The afterlife!

To me, the idea of an afterlife in religion says that if you live your life in this way, you get to experience the everlasting glory of spending eternity in this perfect place....or in the worst place you could ever imagine if you don't live in this way, a glass half full/empty kind of thing I suppose. 

Anyway, the purpose of this is not for me to push anti-religious views.  But wouldn't it be a little boring if we really did have one true purpose?  Isn't the idea of creating your own meaning in the world just a little more interesting? 

The same ideas can be applied to a world in which there is no God.  Many particle physicists and cosmologists think that "the answer" to the universe can be found within the tiniest of particles that make up matter, or anti-matter, or whatever or out in the farthest reaches of the cosmos. 

Once again, let's assume that they are right and that one day, "the answer" is found.  Hallelujay! Praise science! We have meaning and purpose now! Right? I say nothing changes.  I would say we have done pretty well so far by finding our own meaning. 

Does why we exist matter?  All I know is that I do exist and I can pretty much do whatever I want, so I'm not going to waste my time abiding by some idea that really doesn't affect me, as far as I'm concerned.

Of course, if God does exist and there is an afterlife, then I'm probably going to hell because I would simply call myself spiritual, and then everything I have said here loses A LOT of its merit.  But I have the rest of my life to figure that out.  When I retire, I'll have plenty of time to ponder these great questions.