I don’t think anyone can truly say they haven’t wished to be different, I know I have many times, just to be born on a different day would be top of my list - being a Gemini is hard work, all that indecision! But to actually wish to be someone else? I don’t think I have ever wanted that wholly, just certain parts of me…
Feeling others pain, physically less so but emotionally… talk to my husband! It is the cause of many a late meal in this house… I simply cannot leave anyone in distress, be they animal or human if they they need help, love, care, whatever, I’m there.
And I’m not sure I can answer the last question… Empathy makes me feel connected, that’s all.
Ben I loved this, my father often used to say to me and my two sisters, ‘be careful what you wish for’ it took me years to understand why!
Thanks for reading and for sharing your experience with empathy, Susie. I tend to be a caretaker and a peacemaker too, so I know where you're coming from.
Great storytelling, I was right there and even smelled the roses. I love having the questions at the end to make it more a personal experience.
I don't believe I've ever wanted to be someone else. I've wished for some circumstances to be different however. Kind of like "moving somewhere else won't solve your problems".
I feel other's emotional pain. Usually I don't bring it into my body, more of a knowing.
Slowing down and truly listening helps me connect more with others. Compassion definitely plays a big part. And I've learned (finally at 62) the importance of being authentic and true to self so you connect with people you want to be connected to 😊
'What I love most about publishing my work in this way is the possibility for it to be a conversation between us.' - I love this! As an aspiring fiction author myself I love the idea of being able to have conversations about the stories with readers. Writing can feel lonely sometimes and I love how we can create community around our writing and stories here in substack.
What a cool story. Imagine if VA goggles and AI could create “empathy experiences” for people… maybe if isn’t the right word, it’s only a matter of when.
I don’t think I’ve ever had the actual thought “I want to be someone else” but I do fantasize about being invisible, to be able to step inside other people’s lives and observe silently. It’s what a great movie does in a way, the acute observation in and of itself builds a bridge between hearts.
Yes, all the technology is there at this point. There are quite a few really powerful VR experiences. A favorite I saw a couple of years ago was all about simulating what it’s like to be blind. It was gorgeously executed. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts on this one.
This was very clever, Ben. I enjoyed it a lot. Took me a moment to settle in and realise the style, but then I really sank into it and found myself smiling at some of the quirks and then the major shift to someone else.
I think that like most people it took me quite some years to settle into who I am and to be comfortable with that. Actually, OK, it took a lot of years, a lot of plasticity and introspection. But, through all of that, I never actively found myself wanting to be someone else. It was more about trying to find out who *I* was.
I struggle immensely when I know others are in pain, physical or mental. I could never be a paramedic. Despite knowing I was helping people, I just wouldn't be able to cope with the amount of suffering/distress I'd witness.
Thanks, Nathan. I'm glad you liked it. I think there's a universality to what you're saying here. It takes most of us a very long time to figure out who we are and even longer to accept and love that person.
I've got a question of my own: Is envy an indication that you want to be the person you envy? If you envy reach people, does that mean you want to BE rich, and live a rich people lifestyle? If you envy a famous celebrity and their life, would you want to LIVE it?
As far as being connected to others, it's strange irony but I feel connected to people who are independent. I am repelled by people who expect others to conform to their beliefs and attitudes. It's a rite of passage in grade school to attempt to 'fit in'.
Even as I type this, I suddenly recall the 'reject' kids who didn't even try to fit in. They did their own thing and had no need of conformity or of playing the 'game'. I learned from them.
I think we all suffer at some point of the envy spectrum in this world where we have so many opportunities to compare ourselves to others every minute of the day. But I don't think many people would truly want to give up themselves to have whatever it is they covet. Even if you don't love yourself all the time, it's the devil you know. Thanks for reading and for sharing, Chip.
I don’t think anyone can truly say they haven’t wished to be different, I know I have many times, just to be born on a different day would be top of my list - being a Gemini is hard work, all that indecision! But to actually wish to be someone else? I don’t think I have ever wanted that wholly, just certain parts of me…
Feeling others pain, physically less so but emotionally… talk to my husband! It is the cause of many a late meal in this house… I simply cannot leave anyone in distress, be they animal or human if they they need help, love, care, whatever, I’m there.
And I’m not sure I can answer the last question… Empathy makes me feel connected, that’s all.
Ben I loved this, my father often used to say to me and my two sisters, ‘be careful what you wish for’ it took me years to understand why!
Thanks for reading and for sharing your experience with empathy, Susie. I tend to be a caretaker and a peacemaker too, so I know where you're coming from.
That is so very clear in your writing Ben..!
Really enjoyed the story-- and the voiceover!
Thanks so much Stephanie!
Great storytelling, I was right there and even smelled the roses. I love having the questions at the end to make it more a personal experience.
I don't believe I've ever wanted to be someone else. I've wished for some circumstances to be different however. Kind of like "moving somewhere else won't solve your problems".
I feel other's emotional pain. Usually I don't bring it into my body, more of a knowing.
Slowing down and truly listening helps me connect more with others. Compassion definitely plays a big part. And I've learned (finally at 62) the importance of being authentic and true to self so you connect with people you want to be connected to 😊
Hi Tanya, thanks for reading and for sharing your experience. I think a certain amount of wisdom does come with age if you pay attention.
'What I love most about publishing my work in this way is the possibility for it to be a conversation between us.' - I love this! As an aspiring fiction author myself I love the idea of being able to have conversations about the stories with readers. Writing can feel lonely sometimes and I love how we can create community around our writing and stories here in substack.
It is the single best part about publishing fiction on the platform besides the insane amount of cash you rake in. 😉 Thanks for reading the story.
What a cool story. Imagine if VA goggles and AI could create “empathy experiences” for people… maybe if isn’t the right word, it’s only a matter of when.
I don’t think I’ve ever had the actual thought “I want to be someone else” but I do fantasize about being invisible, to be able to step inside other people’s lives and observe silently. It’s what a great movie does in a way, the acute observation in and of itself builds a bridge between hearts.
Yes, all the technology is there at this point. There are quite a few really powerful VR experiences. A favorite I saw a couple of years ago was all about simulating what it’s like to be blind. It was gorgeously executed. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts on this one.
I remember this story! And the "customers" in the bird bath, and the garden - it was all so charming, still is. Reads like a parable - thanks Ben!
This was very clever, Ben. I enjoyed it a lot. Took me a moment to settle in and realise the style, but then I really sank into it and found myself smiling at some of the quirks and then the major shift to someone else.
I think that like most people it took me quite some years to settle into who I am and to be comfortable with that. Actually, OK, it took a lot of years, a lot of plasticity and introspection. But, through all of that, I never actively found myself wanting to be someone else. It was more about trying to find out who *I* was.
I struggle immensely when I know others are in pain, physical or mental. I could never be a paramedic. Despite knowing I was helping people, I just wouldn't be able to cope with the amount of suffering/distress I'd witness.
Thanks, Nathan. I'm glad you liked it. I think there's a universality to what you're saying here. It takes most of us a very long time to figure out who we are and even longer to accept and love that person.
Great story. Great questions.
I've got a question of my own: Is envy an indication that you want to be the person you envy? If you envy reach people, does that mean you want to BE rich, and live a rich people lifestyle? If you envy a famous celebrity and their life, would you want to LIVE it?
As far as being connected to others, it's strange irony but I feel connected to people who are independent. I am repelled by people who expect others to conform to their beliefs and attitudes. It's a rite of passage in grade school to attempt to 'fit in'.
Even as I type this, I suddenly recall the 'reject' kids who didn't even try to fit in. They did their own thing and had no need of conformity or of playing the 'game'. I learned from them.
I think we all suffer at some point of the envy spectrum in this world where we have so many opportunities to compare ourselves to others every minute of the day. But I don't think many people would truly want to give up themselves to have whatever it is they covet. Even if you don't love yourself all the time, it's the devil you know. Thanks for reading and for sharing, Chip.