The Year of Living Logically.

[V'Jennis]

In 2008, A. J. Jacobs released a book called The Year of Living Biblically in which he describes his light-hearted attempt to live his life as literally as possible according to what the Bible says.

http://www.ajjacobs.com/books/yolb.asp?id=rules

This has made me wonder if anyone has ever tried living a year logically, that is, like a Vulcan?  I'm interested in trying.

[X'Zarreth T'Kon: ETERNAL EMPRESS]

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[Q]

Thank you for your further thoughts, V'Jennis.  Surely balance is logical, and therefore humor in moderation allowed?  For a Vulcan to live as dreary an existence as a Borg would be such a shame, and rather ironic, if done in the name of fitting in with a group.  For what then becomes of accepting personal differences and the worth of each unique individual in the name of IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations)?

[V'Jennis]

Q does seem to be right about letting a sense of humor shine through.  Already I have found myself wanting to post something funny about Star Trek and suddenly realizing that a Vulcan would not laugh at that.

So perhaps a balance approach is better?  I'm sure most of you live that way already.  Balancing fun, humor, friendship with rational thought that helps a person make good choices in life.

[Q]

Good luck to you on your quest to live logically for a year, V'Jennis.  Been there, tried that, bought the tlor thakal ... * mischievous grin * ... Maybe not an entire year straight, but close enough. Am far more comfortable with showing a sense of humor and being my zany, imaginative, creative, Q self.  Count me in as another one interested to see how this year goes for you.

[Holo-Girl]

I can see how such an encounter would lead you to change your mind.  

When you mentioned "logic, emotional balance, rational thought, and political moderation", Buddhism popped into my head, as well as a few other religions/beliefs/philosophies. It seems that attempting to live as a Vulcan is, in many ways, practicing belief systems that have been around for a long time. I wonder, would living this Vulcan lifestyle look any different from those systems that are already here?   

This is such an interesting idea. If you do this, I'll be sure to read everything you write about it.  

[V'Jennis]

I considered whether or not I want to undertake this project for several days after the New Year and decided that I do not, but a few days ago I argued on Facebook with a conspiracy theorist that believes that the Newtown shooting was a hoax and that no children really died. This encounter convinced me that a great number of my fellow Americans desperately need more of the positive influence that Star Trek provides.

We need more logic, emotional balance, rational thought, and political moderation. With that idea in mind, I am indeed going to attempt to live like a Vulcan.

I will study the values presented in Star Trek, read about the Vulcan culture as presented in the television show, and write about it as I present it to society by living it. Teach by example!

[V'Jennis]

I think you both make good points in regards to the benefits and possible hazards of living like a Vulcan.

If I act too cold and detached such as Spock, it will cause problems in my personal relationships and even in the workplace.  Perhaps a balance can be found.  A Vulcan would not engage in gossip and petty talk, but we also need to be considerate of others feelings.  It's funny to see Spock or Tuvac act confused by humor, but in this society, a certain amount of empathy must be shown.

On the other hand, purging some emotions may be beneficial.  I have the bad habit of making sarcastic comments on the Facebook comments of my friends and relatives.  A Vulcan would not do that, and I need to break that bad habit. 

I suspect most of living like a Vulcan involves making changes that others do not directly see.  Reading books on logic, philosophy, science are some activities that I can undertake.  Also, I currently meditate about 15 minutes a day.  This Vulcan experiment is a good excuse to increase that to 30 minutes per day.

[Holo-Girl]

That's an interesting idea.

I think that would be difficult seeing as how Vulcans are logical due in large part to the suppression/control of their emotions. One would have to suppress or control their emotion for a year -- that's not easy to do. That could, in fact, be harmful. It also seems that it would be difficult for one to know if they are truly being logical or if they are just being cold, which people do tend to mix up. 

On the other hand, making an effort to be more logical and attempting to control one's emotions could be a good thing. 

I would certainly be interested in see how such a year would turn out. 

 

[Renda C./ Admiral T'Moya]

I live my life daily by biblical teachings, I also live my life in as logical a manner as I can.  If you look at persons who lived in the Bible or Tora days, you see they were all Human, flawed and need of kindness, love and forgiveness.  If you look at Vulcan teachings, they also, lived their lives similar to the Humans of Bible/Tora times; they had family, they debated many things like laying down the sword in order to follow the teachings of Surak.  Some even stated that Surak did not mean to purge all emotions that he meant for Vulcans to live a orderly logical balanced life...  Whether one is a fictional Vulcan or Human based life form one thing is relevant for all species be they fictional or real..  We live better with order and peace in our life.  :)