Just a thought that crossed my mind today.
If I was to ask everyone that you’ve ever interacted with (IRL) what their general opinion of you is, what do you hope the most common answer would be?
Would you hope they consider you a successful person, physically attractive, smart, the best in your field, etc?
Personally, my answer is “A good, kind person. Friendly and helpful.”
Just wondering what the rest of feel.
EDIT: Based on the first few responses, I’m thinking I should have clarified better.
I’m not talking about your legacy after you’re dead, I just mean right here, right now. You have left an impression on people. That is inevitable. Surely there aren’t that many people that don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks, but I must admit, it is a valid answer. Maybe you are the person who doesn’t give a fuck what anyone thinks. 🤷🏻♂️
I want to be remembered for my so-far meager and obscure contributions to the field of mathematics.
Most likely I’ll be remembered as intelligent, kind and sarcastic by a few friends.
i grew up in a BIG mormon family.
a decade or so ago, a group of 20-ish cousins and i were sitting round the campfire at the reunion. they all discussed among themselves and decided that i am the original black-sheep of the family and they thanked me for being a strong role model for their own journey out of the truly awful mormon religion.
i am very proud of that.
That may be one of the most inspirational stories I’ve heard yet! Proud of you! Fight the power!
Is it weird that i dont want to be remembered? I just want to fade into nothingness. None of it matters anyway
I hope I am one day a sort of Patronus Charm that my kids can utilize to ward off crippling thoughts.
I want to be remembered as that guy that once threw his socks in the hamper and BOTH went in.
Woah there buddy, let’s be realistic here!
Right now, knowing my public execution won’t be cause for national celebration is a weirdly comforting bit of knowledge.
I have no need to be remembered by anyone. Memories and legacies are fake human constructs that we’ve made up. We live approx 60ish years and then die. Only kids and or some relatives/spouses will remember you for another few decades before they die too and you’re completely forgotten.
To hang onto the idea that you must leave a legacy behind and be remembered by other people just adds unnecessary stress to one’s life. Not a single person cares about anyone except for themselves (save for some people who may care in some manner about their significant others, kids, maybe a best friend).
“I don’t want to be remembered, I want to live” (paraphrased)
-CGP Grey
I hope friends will occasionally remember having fun with me and smile.
Like this:
Actually I really like the idea that I will die and join the legions of humans who lived interesting lives and disappeared in the sands of time.
I don’t need people to remember me, personally by name or what I looked like, but I would be happy if others would be positively affected by whatever I manage to accomplish in this life.
The one after Luigi.
“Drowned in the Caspian Sea.”
Not afraid of death, not afraid of being forgotten, not afraid of some spiritual afterlife or lack thereof.
I spent a long time religious with such a heavy focus on what happens after death, being free of that burden makes it possible to live in the only moment we can ever control in all of eternity, now.
