{∅, {∅}, {∅, {∅}}} : Rage Against the Meat Grinder

We have figured out that it is not just our personal temperament or circumstances that have shaped our pessimistic philosophy, while the conspirators continue to chant "Life is good" or "Life is a gift".

The only conclusion we can arrive at is that many are intellectually dishonest.

While working on some math problems this morning, as is a kind of ritual for me, I wondered why I do this.   I think the reason is now quite clear to me.

It is a distraction, something to focus my attention on and an outright refusal to be bullied around by my own biological necessities.  I do not like to eat any meals first thing in the morning.  I like to isolate.   I understand that the problems I am working on do not matter at all; but for some reason I like to force my brain to concentrate on manipulating abstract symbols.

In the process I am sometimes able to detach from the demands and concerns of the creature that "I am". 

It is a way to be dead to the world. 

I like to think that I have fallen off the deep end.

The more elementary a problem is, the stupider I feel.

I must enjoy feeling stupid.  That has to be it.

Whereas some practice the mortification of the body, I practice the mortification of the intellect.