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Descartes once said, "I think, therefore I am."

In this sentence, "thinking" is given a lofty position. Words like contemplation, reflection, and meditation have already shown us the different types of "thinking." "Thought" is similar to "thinking," and the word "thought" is evidence of this synonym. Daydreaming, thinking, ideals, dreams, fantasies, and whims... this group of words seems to indicate that the ancient and modern Chinese people who cultivate the language have a highly emotional evaluation of this infinitely lofty activity of "thinking."

Comparison of Various "Thinking" and "Thoughts"#

"The XXX Thought" seems to be a neutral term, but it is still difficult to conceal the praise and pride within it. These "thoughts" seem to be prophetic sayings, carrying their own halo. "Ideal" also carries its own halo: "Strive for the ideal of communism for a lifetime!" "Apply ideals to real things, and civilization is born - Hugo." "Ideal" can be achieved and should be achieved. On the other hand, "dreams" lack a certain possibility and necessity of realization, but they have an added personal hope for something beautiful. Just like, what I want to be when I grow up... that's a dream. "If a person has no dreams, what's the difference between them and a salted fish?" as said in "Kung Fu".

"Thinking," "ideals," and "dreams," after we have mentioned all these good words, except for those neutral ones, there are some very abrupt existences left - "fantasy," "delusion," "whimsy"... These abrupt existences are the protagonists of this article.

All words are invented and created by people who use this language, hiding the collective cognition of the users of the same language. Why is "ideal" better than "dream"? Because ideals lean more towards the interests of the collective. In order for the collective to continue, it will inevitably encourage individuals to behave in this way and then endow this idea with "ideals." "Study for the rise of China!" How inspiring is this declarative expression? This is an ideal. Although "dreams" are beautiful, they are difficult to achieve. However, compared to "fantasies" and the like, "dreams" still seem good. In other words, this goodness is beneficial to the collective.

At this point, the possibility and benefit of "dreams" have reached a balance. With unchanged benefits, one step forward is "ideal"; with unchanged possibilities, one step back is "fantasy."

Compared to the harmful "thoughts" such as "whimsy" and "delusion," "fantasy" is undoubtedly the most special. Because if a "thought" is harmful to the collective, it must have a high possibility of realization, otherwise, how can an illusory thing harm the collective? However, the role of "fantasy" lies not in its content, but in its own role. For example, although I daydream all day long and do not harm the collective, the fact that I have not contributed to the collective because of my inability is also a negative consequence. Similarly, if we change it to "daydreaming," "fantasy" may also have a hint of other benefits. Although "fantasy" can be transformed into "dreams" or "whimsy," we should extract its most essential definition, which is impossible things and things that are not beneficial to the collective. From this perspective, because its possibility of realization is low, it also achieves a balance of benefits to the collective.

Once an idea has the possibility of realization, it will have an impact on the collective. Those words that extremely belittle "thinking" are all highly feasible. However, the discussion of this kind of "thinking" is another story.

The Impossible#

Fantasy is the impossible.

Many people ridicule fantasy because of its "impossibility." Since it is impossible to achieve in reality, isn't it ridiculous to create illusions in one's mind alone?

But fantasy is not transcendently objective, [[transcendently objective]] has nothing to do with the objective world, and fantasy itself is part of the objective world.

"The impossible" does not mean "meaningless." On the contrary, because it is "impossible," it is "meaningful."

For a hungry person, not being able to eat a full meal, a feast is their fantasy; for a patient with little time left, a miraculous cure is their fantasy; for a eunuch who cannot have an erection, sexual activity is their fantasy.

We may think that having a feast should not be a fantasy, especially for those who frequently attend banquets, feasts are not rare. However, this is still a problem of the standard of "fantasy." I tend to subjectively say that it is based on my own judgment of impossible things. Fantasy is a personal matter, even if objectively I can find a feast, as long as there are subjective obstacles, it is still considered a fantasy.

However, people change. With the increase of experience, they will gradually become rational individuals. At this time, individuals will judge whether something is possible based on the situation. Before this, fantasy is still in a hazy state and has a sense of guilt. Because if having a feast is possible, but I can only fantasize about the deliciousness of the feast because of my incompetence, it is too entangled. So at this time, there is often no real fantasy. Or it can be said that I cannot truly experience the true joy of fantasy.

At a certain moment, this hungry person awakens completely. After rational thinking and various experiences, he finally realizes that he cannot have a feast with his abilities and status. Or even if he can have a feast, it will come at an unbearable cost. He fully understands that it is impossible to change his fate, and at this moment, true fantasy is truly born.

The impossible is fantasy. The more one understands and believes that something is impossible, the more it is a true fantasy.

Since it is impossible, I can only satisfy myself through fantasy. At this time, fantasy is no longer a shield for escapism or spiritual impotence, but genuine pleasure.

"Escapist" is a hallucinogen that numbs the lower class, but why can't it numb the higher class? Because the higher class does not need escapism, they have more. For those struggling between the lower class and the higher class, they are always in pain because they can have more but cannot experience it. Even if they bite the nipple, they are still worried and think that this is an impossible thing. But for the lower class who cannot turn the tide, if there is escapism, they can enjoy it secretly! At this time, there is no guilt at all, and the brain enjoys the self-pleasure of the nipple as if it were real.

However, fantasy is not a hierarchical thing, it is universal.

There are always things that people cannot obtain, desires that cannot be satisfied... For example, I really want to see an alien now, but humans cannot even conquer the solar system. In my lifetime, I will definitely not be able to see it. Isn't that very sad? But take a look at science fiction works like "The Three-Body Problem," and maybe I'll feel better.

Therefore, in the face of the impossible, rationally measure its possibility and pros and cons. Either achieve it or fantasize about it, in order to obtain happiness. Hesitation can only lead to defeat. However, when the heart dies, the willow begins to brighten. Possibility dies, fantasy lives on!

The Foundation of Fantasy#

There are many things in life that are not as desired, most of them occur in childhood, and then more and more as time goes on. Some things that are possible will gradually be found to be impossible and gradually become extravagant hopes. At this time, only fantasy can make up for it.

After all, humans are individualistic beings. Regardless of whether the world gives us the truth, it is presented by individuals. Even if we obtain great pleasure, it is produced by the body. So the things we want are within ourselves, but the body has underlying rules that constrain everything. When things become extreme, they will reverse. When the impossible happens and fantasy becomes the only feasible way to obtain motivation, it will absolutely satisfy the individual.

Just like what I described in My First Love, Sex Addiction, and Castration, if you find that the emotions and people you want to pursue do not exist, then they will truly appear in your mind, vividly. They do not exist in the world, only in the mind.

This is true fantasy and the secret to happiness. Of course, it is self-pleasure, but when self-pleasure becomes the only way, it surpasses self-pleasure.