What It Means to Be Human: Unraveling Existence

Have you ever felt like your life lacks a coherent storyline? Do you sometimes struggle to put your complex emotions into words?

In his book The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, John Koenig explores what it means to be human through a collection of invented words. These new terms capture the nuanced experiences and emotions that often elude our existing vocabulary, shedding light on the paradoxes and complexities of human existence.

Join us as we unravel the essence of human experience, from the beauty in everyday moments to our shared struggles with time and mortality.

The Complex Tapestry of Human Experience

Embracing Life's Paradoxes

What it means to be human is a question that often leads us to grapple with a series of contradictions. Life is a complex tapestry of emotions, resilience, and ongoing interactions with inherent paradoxes. You're constantly balancing personal autonomy with external influences, never quite sure where one ends and the other begins. This exploration of what it means to be human reveals the intricate nature of our existence.

The concept of "nodus tollens" captures this perfectly – it's that disconcerting feeling when your life story seems to lack coherence. You make choices, but factors beyond your control also shape your path. It's like you're on a train ride, inevitably moving towards a destination, but the journey itself is full of unexpected twists and turns.

Finding Beauty in the Everyday

Despite life's complexities, there's beauty to be found in the mundane. Have you ever experienced "silience"? It's that moment when you suddenly recognize the exceptional artistry in your surroundings – the deliberate design of a building, the careful preparation of a meal, or the nuanced harmonies in background music.

These seemingly trivial intervals often enrich our existence and imbue it with profound significance. It's about finding meaning in the everyday occurrences that make up the intricate mosaic of your life.

The Shared Human Experience

You're not alone in your struggles and joys. The concept of "anthrodynia" acknowledges a widespread fatigue stemming from the relentless severity and usual obstacles inherent in our collective journey as humans. But it's precisely these shared experiences that create connections and convey the reality we all have in common.

Your complex and individual emotions aren't solitary – they're shared by others around the world. A granddaughter in Pakistan, captivated by her grandfather's distinct life experiences, or a mental health professional in Chile reflecting on her peers' lack of interest in profound comprehension – these scenarios exemplify our natural capacity for empathy and the substantial emotional rifts that can emerge in our social exchanges.

The Bittersweet Nature of Existence

Life is a constant ebb and flow, transforming the certainties of today into the memories of tomorrow. You'll find yourself confronting touching moments that highlight the profound bond between happiness and sadness. This is the bittersweet nature of existence – accepting both the joys and sorrows as integral parts of what it means to be human.

Grappling With Time and Mortality

The Relentless March of Time

As you journey through life, you'll likely find yourself struggling against the relentless advance of time. You might experience a "keyframe" moment – a significant change in the direction of your life, often concealed within the mundane aspects of daily routine.

You'll strive to grasp those ephemeral instances spent with loved ones or to recapture the peacefulness associated with your younger days. But time, inevitably, slips away. The term "future-tense" highlights the challenge of retaining these fleeting experiences, while "aftergloom" captures the solitude that ensues after the brief fervor of social encounters.

Confronting Our Mortality

Facing the certainty of our own mortality is perhaps one of the most profound aspects of being human. You might find yourself internally struggling with the idea that your existence, though transient, carries significance. The term "aponemia" conveys the unique insight that life's progression unfolds outside of your control.

As you confront the inevitability of death, you're pushed to reflect on how you use your finite time. It's a paradox – your existence is fleeting, yet simultaneously stretches over an extensive period.

The Mystery of the Cosmos

Being human also means grappling with the vast unknown. You might find yourself recoiling from the realization that the most profound mysteries of existence may always remain beyond your understanding. The term "chthonic" suggests that below life's immediate surface lie deeper, less understood realms.

You're a fleeting guest in this universe, incapable of fully grasping the historical events that occurred in your absence. It's humbling to recognize the ephemeral quality of everything, from the vast array of life experiences you accumulate to the tangible assets that outlast you.

The Power of Language and Connection

Bridging the Gap

As humans, we constantly strive to forge profound connections and bridge the gap that isolates our individual experiences from the lives of others. However, you might often find that the words at your disposal are inadequate to fully capture the breadth of human emotions.

This difficulty in comprehending and expressing the intricacy of our emotions can hinder the development of profoundly meaningful relationships. Language occasionally falls short in capturing the entirety of our emotional experiences, leaving an irreplaceable void where genuine sentiments ought to reside.

The Hidden Lives of Strangers

One fascinating aspect of being human is our curiosity about the lives of others. You might find yourself deeply intrigued by the stories and charm of strangers' lives, which ignites a profound desire to comprehend their perspectives and transcend your own life story.

New words like 'vicarious' and 'hiddled' express this longing to perceive existence through the eyes of someone else and the solitude that concealed truths can cause. Despite our clear efforts, we can never fully grasp the essence of another person's existence – some elements will invariably elude us.

The Quest for Understanding

Ultimately, being human involves a shared longing: to exchange the narratives that shape our essence, to discover underlying links, and to bridge the divides that language frequently creates. You crave acknowledgment and value for your deepest aspirations and individual musings from the people in your life.

This pursuit for a deeper, empathetic connection with others is a testament to the shared experience of our humanity. It's about recognizing that while our individual experiences may be unique, our emotions and struggles often resonate with others, creating a tapestry of shared human experience that connects us all.