"His grandmother used to beat him regularly, which explained his early penchant for playing in goal in street games: there was less scuffing of the shoes in goal, and if there was one thing that set grand-mère thrashing it was scuffed shoes. But there is something appropriate about a philosopher like Camus stationing himself between the sticks. It is a lonely calling, an individual isolated within a team ethic, one who plays to different constraints. If his team scores, the keeper knows it is nothing to do with him. If the opposition score, however, it is all his fault. Standing sentinel in goal, Camus had plenty of time to reflect on the absurdist nature of his position."
I found this excerpt from an article celebrating the 50th death anniversary of Albert Camus, one of the world's most influential philosophers (Although I find it hard to accept why such a philosopher had trouble reconciling absurdity and theism, I, nonetheless, still admire his works. But I'm not going to delve into those, am I?).
Now, I can't help but resonate with what the author had said about Camus, the goal keeper. In my current job, that's exactly what I feel. Just to give a brief background, I'm currently working in the loans department of a local bank somewhere north of Davao. It's pretty hectic right now with me trying to catch up on some backlogs and it sure feels like I'm the "goal keeper" of sorts. If clients complain about anything, it's technically my "fault" and if clients get what they want, I don't have anything to do with it because I'm not in charge of booking. It's pretty difficult to explain but that's how things work for me right now.
I think the only bright side about this experience is it has allowed me to delve into other people's experiences and to see the absurdity of the whole picture. And I can't help but be amazed at how everyone resembles Sisyphus in their own small ways, that in the midst of the inevitability of death and the doomed nature of any human enterprise, people still struggle to create a certain sense of meaning and purpose.
People apply for loans to purchase or create houses that will soon crumble to dust. People apply for loans to get money that is essentially worthless. Finally, a lone dude tries to make sense of his work by tying it to a higher mission.
The absurdity strikes me with extreme clarity. But I can't help but smile at our defiance.
I found this excerpt from an article celebrating the 50th death anniversary of Albert Camus, one of the world's most influential philosophers (Although I find it hard to accept why such a philosopher had trouble reconciling absurdity and theism, I, nonetheless, still admire his works. But I'm not going to delve into those, am I?).
Now, I can't help but resonate with what the author had said about Camus, the goal keeper. In my current job, that's exactly what I feel. Just to give a brief background, I'm currently working in the loans department of a local bank somewhere north of Davao. It's pretty hectic right now with me trying to catch up on some backlogs and it sure feels like I'm the "goal keeper" of sorts. If clients complain about anything, it's technically my "fault" and if clients get what they want, I don't have anything to do with it because I'm not in charge of booking. It's pretty difficult to explain but that's how things work for me right now.
I think the only bright side about this experience is it has allowed me to delve into other people's experiences and to see the absurdity of the whole picture. And I can't help but be amazed at how everyone resembles Sisyphus in their own small ways, that in the midst of the inevitability of death and the doomed nature of any human enterprise, people still struggle to create a certain sense of meaning and purpose.
People apply for loans to purchase or create houses that will soon crumble to dust. People apply for loans to get money that is essentially worthless. Finally, a lone dude tries to make sense of his work by tying it to a higher mission.
The absurdity strikes me with extreme clarity. But I can't help but smile at our defiance.
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