I would argue a class of people implicitly recognize this and eschew with much of the advice or ideas proposed by systems and individuals on “how to live better” because they recognize it as faulty and insincere, because they are rooted in this intention of “look at me.”
Is all instruction on living really rooted in selfishness or is this class of people a hoard of cynics? Might it be wiser to cut and bind this knowledge of "look at me" on a case by basis?
how to discern information so that it serves your best interests in the conception of self and world
You look for independent sources of validation for said information. Any single source could be conflicted in a particular way, but two truly independent sources rarely are. Further you study the source hunting for other "look at me" behaviors and other conflicts that amount to indirect "look at me."
how is it that you contribute back into the well which feeds you
When you're conscious of such things you try to leave more backwash than you drink. If we're lucky the well is full when we're all parched.
How does he escape this prison?
He scales up his chicken farm to feed his friends and family. If he's ambitious, he then scales up his chicken farm to feed the world. All that matters is he provides for more than himself ... otherwise he might as well stay a chicken.
It may be that anyone who has had anything worth saying first began with the phrase "look at me." The gift is when you give something new to look at.
When you're conscious of such things you try to leave more backwash than you drink. If we're lucky the well is full when we're all parched.
I like that.
As for our chicken friend, how on earth do you scale up a chicken farm when you are, in fact, a chicken?
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It may be that anyone who has had anything worth saying first began with the phrase "look at me." The gift is when you give something new to look at.
Yes, could be!
As for our chicken friend, how on earth do you scale up a chicken farm when you are, in fact, a chicken?
Because if you-the-farmer are feeding yourself-the-chicken, you aren't just the chicken.
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