Another idea to contemplate is that Buddhism tries to gently steer you away from becoming too overly attached to one thing (like a TV show) because then you feel sad and disappointed when it's gone. If instead you cultivate a general love of life, and of the myriad of things that can happen in life, then you are always happy and joyful with the surprises each new day brings.

Dear Carl -

We got the Netflix in and we've seen the episode twice now! Thank you so much for encouraging us to rent that. It was a fascinating episode!

I'm going to start a whole thread about it because it was fascinating that this was shown to a very religious United States.

I'll look for that thread, Lisa. You're welcome. And thank you for your input.

The Star Trek thing was in the 90s. I think it's fair to say I am over it now, and a little more grown-up.

I really liked having that kind of community activity though. Everyone at college would get together each ST:TNG night and watch it together. We'd discuss the implications of society and psychology over the commercials. It was wonderfully fun.

You have to admit that sounds appealing.

Makes more sense than Monday Night Football (although I have watched many of those, also).

I do agree completely that having a topic that a group of people can discuss in depth, that allows them to look into the deeper meanings of the purpose of life and the goals we aspire to, is a grand thing!

My hope would be that we can find this sort of discussion every day!

For me, if it had science fiction and fantasy trappings, it would be perfect. I'd like to discuss, for example, the sadness of the Elves and the Gift of Men (being death), as proposed by Tolkien.

Hard to find other geeks these days, except online. I think that must be why my mate and I stay together in spite of everything else we don't have in common. We can talk about how Ferengi are the Ego, the Klingons are the Id, and the Vulcans are the Superego...

I used to live near where Tolkein lived ~ and I was employed to teach a course about him.

And I'm a bit of a Star Trek fan ~ nothing extreme!

I surely can't qualify as a geek, Jilly, as I can't discuss the elements like you and your mate can. Yet, I can, and do discuss the concepts.

Marge and I often discuss excerpts from books we are reading (mostly fiction, but fiction is, I think, a good way to immerse oneself in the "mood" of a subject). And we enjoy analyzing other media offerings, as well.

In addition, we both recognize associational humor. I think that's good, as a leavening of humor can lessen the stress of everyday life - as well as warnings of doom.

Carl, humor shared between couples is crucial, i think. The best way to keep your heads in the game betwist life's issues.