Reason.tv: Filmmaker Roger Nygard Explains 85 Mysteries of Human Existence!

What's the meaning of life? What's the best way to find happiness? Is masturbation a sin?

Filmmaker Roger Nygard traveled the world and posed 85 questions to scientists, spiritual leaders, gurus, druids, and wrestlers. The result is his new documentary, The Nature of Existence, which hits Los Angeles theaters on July 2 and promises to explain each and every mystery of human existence.

Interview by Ted Balaker, shot by Alex Manning and Paul Detrick, and edited by Alex Manning.

Approximately 10 minutes.

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Comments

[Warty]

Why does Dan T post here?

[The Gobbler]

Why does Dan T post masturbate here?

[SugarFree]

"Try looking into that place where you dare not look! You'll find me there, staring out at you!"

[MCab]

Wait, is Aha Muad Dib?

[SugarFree]

So he may masturbate.

[?]

What's the meaning of life?

Masturbation.

What's the best way to find happiness?

Masturbate on it, then turn on a black light.

Is masturbation a sin?

Sometimes I pretend it is so I can finish.

[Mark Twain]

When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.

[prolefeed]

I'm waiting for someone to call this guy's last name racist (when in fact the word means "lazy").

[The Art-P.O.G.]

I'm waiting for someone to link to that Niggar family Chappelle show skit.

This documentary looks pretty interesting, I may have to watch.

[SugarFree]

I'm pretty sure that "Nygard" is how they say that particular slur in the Scandinavian countries.

[MrGuy]

It does not mean lazy, its a country in Africa. Furthermore, Negro is the name for the color black in many languages.

[Mike G]

If you tried to pick an image to convince me the answer could not be found in this film...

Anyway, given the tenor of this talkback so far, a joke. Guy goes to the doctor, the doctor says "You need to stop masturbating." The guy says "Why?" Doctor says, "So I can examine you, goddam it!"

[Jeff P]

He looks like the result of a rodeo clown raped by that horoscope guy on Univision.

Still ,batin?

[MCab]

I just peed on the couch.

[heller]

This film looks dumb. It's for people who like spiritual bullshit. It offers nothing to skeptics and scientists.

[A is Awesome]

False, to prove spiritualism wrong, you first have to understand their viewpoints, axioms, etc.

Wait do they have axioms? Or knowledge?

[The Art-P.O.G.]

Really? I'm pretty sure that feeling useful and being happy are pretty closely correlated. And I love science and empirical naturalism, but they're not really the tools I use to answer questions that delve into epiphenomenons like happiness and beauty.

[A is Awesome]

What you're saying is, correct me if I'm wrong, that happiness has no logical meaning?

[The Art-P.O.G.]

I'd say happiness has about as much meaning as hunger and fear, so it does have meaning. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that its effects can be measured scientifically, but I'm not even sure how one would go about analyzing happiness itself by using the tools of science.

[A is Awesome]

Not necessarily measured as in "oh you have a reading of 10-happy units", but defined with a meaning behind it. A cause-effect relationship. And it's not using science per-se, but the logical deductions behind science. What I mean to say is, there is a rational point to happiness, and "happiness because your happy" is an illogical term.

At any rate, I was agreeing with the first guy that spiritualism is bullshit, because it takes the logic out of life.

[J.Macy]

Your purpose is the person next to you? Selflessness? That's some commie shit right there lol. But in all seriousness, happiness is personal. It's not from someone else, that's why it's called self-esteem. That psychologist he referenced must love the idea of collectivism. Although we are social creatures, we do not need other people to survive, just the freedom to act and to find identity and happiness in our work.

[The Art-P.O.G.]

True...but I'll put it like this. Happiness is more frequently drawn from voluntary relationships than involuntary relationships. I mean, you can find happiness in solitude (you pretty much have to), but real friendship is a mutually voluntary sort of relationship and a great source of happiness.

And from a genetic standpoint, the people that come after you, or your progeny do matter a lot.

I don't have any answers, but I think to lead a balanced life, you really have to balance self-interest and interest in others. They're both important IMHO.

[The Art-P.O.G.]

Actually, I contradicted myself. I do have an answer. Self-interest or concern for others are only bad when found out of balance. People have to be self-interested...it's a good thing. But at the same time, I don't think I could imagine a healthy person who was literally *only* concerned about himself or herself.

[The Art-P.O.G.]

Whoa, it sounds like I'm spouting banalities or new-age psychobabble, but I do really beleive what I just said.

[The Art-P.O.G.]

*believe

[Violent J]

Does he finally explain how fuckin' magnets work?

[Shaggy]

Fuckin' Miracles, shit-for-brains.

[Violent J]

Does that include the Pelican eating your phone, 'cuz I just thought that was straight up funny, yo.

[kldavis]

Horseshit. The answer is 42.

[Scarpe Nike]

is good