Aren't derelicts really intellectuals who know the futility and emptiness of an ego life?

Question

Aren't derelicts really intellectuals who know the futility and emptiness of an ego life?

Answer 1

Nah.  If they were intellectuals they'd have figured out that feeling futile about futility is also futile.

Philosophically speaking it's much better to be futile in a warm bed having a futile relationship with a beautiful woman who's either too smart or too dumb to be hung up about her own futility.

But hey, if dumpsters & the smell of urine are your thing - knock yourself out.

Me, I'm down with the ego thing.

Answer 2

No. Those two conditions contradict each other.  Intellectuals often embrace an ego life. Derelicts are people who are seriously down on their luck, and who usually have substance abuse or mental health issues.

Answer 3

It's possible.

More often than not, though, they're just lazy drunkards.

Answer 4

This one once assisted in a soup kitchen for the homeless.

The same individuals would come in a for several weeks before they moved on in their seemingly endless journey to no place in particular.

One day, this one noticed that one of the men was reading a paperback edition of a physics textbook that this one has used during his undergraduate work.

As was the custom, after everyone had been served, those serving would also have lunch of what had been served and we would eat with our respected guest.

This one chose to sit with the man reading the physics tome.

This mans knowledge was excellent and he had the ability to sees manners and ways in which specifics could be applied.

This one asked to look at the text and noticed that the authors picture and name was one the back cover.

This one, in one of life's lessons in humility, quickly realized he was speaking with the author of the book who has simply chosen to walk away from his tenured position as well as his family whom he left well off and financially secure.

Sadly yet understandably, he did not return again to the kitchen choosing to move on once he had been recognized.

Be well.

Answer 5

I work at a scrap metal yard where I see all kinds of people who live on the street.  Some are non recovering alcoholics and druggies who have lost everything.  Some are the nicest people you'll ever meet.  They just got in a situation most people get into, but didn't have a rich family to stick them in rehab.  They have to work for their food, put up with violence, get in line to have a place to sleep on a cold or rainy night.  It's not easy for them and a lot of them are not lazy!  I help them out when I can, and they are very appreciative when you talk to them like a human and not like some scary eye sore.

Answer 6

Their actions presume as much.

They might just "passively" know it.