Imho, it's a question of whether or not "ignorance is bliss." The price of knowledge and self-awareness is high, but without it we are completely subject to the whims of nature.

Is it better to eat the fruit and the knowledge of good and evil (the myth was on point with that part imho) or remain in the garden?

And for that matter, what is the ultimate difference between a human and an ape? We like to talk about souls and reincarnation and stuff here. Does an ape have the same experience? And if so, what about when it is alive? Can an ape be a psychonaut or a Buddha? Do they have this spirituality about them, or is somethimg that only us humans can experience in life?

The thing is, one can choose to experience this modern life of ours as suffering. However, one can also choose to love many things about it - the sexual freedom, the drinks and smokes and fascinating foods, and the access to vast stores of information and communication with humans all over the whole planet.

Yeah that's true too. I call civilization a zoo because it disconnected us from the deep animalistic rhythms that come from being immersed in the outside world and being connected more intimately to the surrounding web of life. For example, spend a month or so sleeping under the stars, and interacting with wild animals during the day, and it really changes your perception.

We live indoors, where most of us end up very disconnected with this primal part of ourselves, and become much more stuck in our human Intellectual center, which in many ways can inhibit connection to the environment or even deeper "spiritual" influences as some would put it.

I get critical of it because it is like a societal addiction. The human species goes for more, more, more. The destruction we have caused by mindlessly playing in our civilizations is massive. There is something in us that strives too hard. And it very well may be the end of our species if we are not careful.

But I also see it like you see it too, in the fact that I am only alive a short time and all the happiness/love/experience I will ever know in this lifetime comes from what I do here. There is definitely a lot to enjoy, and I do like to enjoy it. You gotta enjoy the ride.