Random header image... Refresh for more!

Missing Almost Everything

Modern Mrs. Darcy linked to an old 2011 NPR essay (that I feel I read once upon a time, but maybe not) about how we need to be okay with all the things we’re never going to do because it is the fate of every single human on earth. We will not get to read all the books, see all the movies, travel to all the places, meet all the people, have all of the experiences.

She writes: “We could do the same calculus with film or music or, increasingly, television – you simply have no chance of seeing even most of what exists. Statistically speaking, you will die having missed almost everything.”

Missed almost everything! That phrasing. No matter how many books I read, it’s a small drop in the bucket of what’s out there. No matter how many people I meet, they’re a tiny fraction of the billions of people on earth. Many of whom would have possibly been good friends. (Though perhaps it is a small joy to know that I inadvertently avoided others.)

She tries to bring you to a place of peace by the end of the essay, but I’m afraid I got too hung up on the facts; the sheer amount of knowledge and art and humans out there and how little I’ll get to encounter during my time on earth.

Nothing like your own mortality to get you into the Halloween spirit.

4 comments

1 Sharon { 10.27.21 at 1:46 pm }

It is a bit depressing when framed that way. I came to this realization a long time ago about international travel. There are so many beautiful and interesting places in the world, and unless I want to significantly shift the focus of my life, I will likely never see most of them in person.

2 Beth { 10.27.21 at 5:03 pm }

This feels especially pointed right now, when we are still missing out on so many activities and opportunities due to the pandemic. My kids aren’t trick or treating again this year because our area has rising numbers. How many years do we really get with little kids trick or treating? And now we are missing our second.

3 Mali { 10.29.21 at 1:45 am }

Will Cheerful Mel return soon please? lol

I like the talk of surrender, as I’ve felt that over the years, and in coming to terms with childlessness. My husband and I have been doing this since the pandemic started – acknowledging that there are places we’ll never visit, even if we’d like to, given that the pandemic is shortening our available travel time, and is going to restrict destinations too. I also look at my Goodreads “to-read” list and it is as long as my “Read” list, so I know there are books on it that I just won’t ever get to. Doesn’t mean that I like having to surrender to time. But it means it is easier to accept.

4 Candice { 10.30.21 at 7:36 am }

I see it as relieving. Since I cannot possibly consume every tv show, movie, book, etc, I do not have to spend time with content that is not important to me. Sometimes I think, I should really watch the pop culture “thing” of the moment – handmaid’s tale, squid game, james bond movie…on and on. I like to keep up with discussions with other people. But life is short, I don’t want to watch squid game. I have been told IT’S SO GOOD. The premise is intriguing. I don’t love violence and gore. Eventually, the fad passes and we’re on to the next thing. I sometimes think “I’ll get around to it,” but I never do. I found old episodes of Designing Women on Hulu. A better use of my time I think 😉 This article reminds me to be very mindful of my time and media consumption. Do I really want to use up my precious time and attention on (fill in the blank)? Applying this to books is depressing…so much good stuff, not enough time. In the movie About Time, the characters can go back in time and one uses this ability to read. And read. And read. I think I would do the same 🙂

(c) 2006 Melissa S. Ford
The contents of this website are protected by applicable copyright laws. All rights are reserved by the author