For the percentage, I have no idea. I don't go around asking people that question and if I do talk about it, I am usually with people that think the same way I do so generalizing the whole college population of that would be extremely biased.

I personally do think life is meaningless but I am not depressed or suicidal about it. I know in 100 years I will be forgotten and besides my direct descendants, my life will mean nothing to everyone living at that time.

I know more or less how to be happy and I try to live that way. Even though I do try to make the world a better place (not to be cliché), I do not expect to be remembered for it. I just want the people that are around me to be happy and that will usually keep me satisfied.

Great outlook. Life really is meaningless, except to those who depend upon you for there life. Then it takes on a new meaning.

Is that sarcasm?

I think we are talking about two different things. Meaning of life has such a broad definition it can be taken so many different ways. I am talking about in a much wider view than you.

I think you are talking on a more personal level, which I agree with you 100%.

If I died today, yes many people would be hurt, but that pain will go down and in 200 years it would usually not have mattered whether I died or not. Even though the path resulting from me can be drastically different, life will move on with or without me. The ending is the same no matter what path you take. To get down to my point, the universe does not care whether I live or die making my life meaningless.

I'm reminded of that famous quote, I believe by Mark Twain:

"There are 3 kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and statistics."

93.856% of statistics are made up on the spot to support an argument.

"[Statistics] are meaningless--you can use them to prove anything." (variation on Homer Simpson quote)

Besides, I thought this was a rhetorical question.

Lincoln said it best: Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

"To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if stupidity is lacking, all is lost."

--Flaubert

(I've quoted it before but it seemed to fit here.)

No, I was agreeing with you. And I continue to agree.

Even your direct descendants won't remember you in 100 years. They can look you up, but why bother.

You could make millions and have a hospital wing, college library, or little league field named after you, but a couple years later they would sell naming rights to a bank or energy company.

You could find a cure for some disease, but they'd be cursing you, when they found it caused another problem.

You could write literary classics but students everywhere would be cursing you for having to read and memorize the crap.

Make great paintings and your name will be remembered.... but not you. Descendants with the same name, who reap no financial gain, will curse you when they are harassed by art teachers and become the butt of the other students jokes.

No, better to do what makes you happy, then slip beneath the waves without a ripple, than to be famous.

Life isn't meaningless when you had a positive impact on someone.

Some insignificant gesture in your mind could just make someones day.
Make them look at the world in a better way.

Sure it could. I'd be interested to pick apart some of the categories. Why college students? Do non-college students give the same answers? Do females? Why or why not?

In The Optimistic Child, psychologist Martin Seligman argues that the epidemic of childhood depression is a direct result of the self-esteem movement.

...i thought it was like in the upper 93's or lower 94's....

And did they ask during finals week? They're also in college where their belief systems maybe are being challenged for the first time.

I think that this is right. If I'd been presented with this survey option as a student, I'd have picked it for fun and then chuckled at myself all day for being soooo clever. :rolleyes:

Depending on the survey target group, I doubt that 27% of students would have even known what "existentialism" was.

near as I see it.. life is what you make of it. what you believe is what you do. and where (if anywhere) you go after death is kinda pointless, a person ought to try to be a decent person for the sake of being a decent person, no intangible rewards or punishments for not doing so. all you have is who you are and your honor. 2 cents inserted...

geez bruce.. you feeling alright? most of your last posts have been rather bitter or spiteful.. just curious. not that it's any of my business.