This little dilemma came to my mind today…
Are you Sisyphus or Prometheus?
Here’s a happy thought… putting the other details of their stories aside, would you rather push a rock up a hill for eternity with no hope at redemption, or have your liver eaten by an eagle for eternity, but have some miniscule chance for escape? Frustration with no hope, or horrible pain with a tiny hope?
I guess I’d reluctantly take the eagle because I’d still have that speck of optimism.
I’d take the eagle eating my liver and then hope wildly for hepatitis, just in case it was fatal to eagles. Or at least made me taste bad.
Not so much hoping for escape as determined to take somebody down with me. I guess I’m a vindictive sort.
Not being familiar with the myth, I just wonder why Sisyphus bothers pushing the damn boulder. I’d just say “to hell with it” and park my fanny at the bottom of the hill.
For the sake of argument, let’s just say you get an eagle picking at your genitals for eternity if you refuse to push the boulder.
Enough motivation for you?
WOW!
I’m pushin’ the rock, boss! I’m pushin’ the rock!
Then I’d pray for syphillis and/or gonorrhea. I’m telling you, the eagle has got to go.
Eagle all the way. I like birds. 
{setting self up solidly]
Give me the bird, any day.
mrblue92 said:
My, aren’t youa bundle of joy.
I don’t like pain–pain hurts, dammit–so I guess I’ll go for the rock.
Life is pain.
I’d take rolling the eagle over a hill of boulders for an eternal chance at escape.
thinksnow, you truly are an inspired person. Thank you for making that alternative available.
However, I’d prefer to roll the eagle’s gizzard over mountains of grain for eternal beer.
You know how to roll your own eagles?
If I could be marinated in a nice chianti, I’d take the eagle too–and my Hercules might rescue me some day.
And Zeus spake:
“Do you really want to roll the eagle when he’s biting you there?!? I suppose that could be arranged, but since being such smart asses is what got you guys here in the first place, I have a better idea. We’ll get the eagle to eternally roll boulders up your… and remove them out your… yea, that’ll work. No escape for you!”
Bummer.
I have a high tolerance for pain. Give me the eagle.
Plus, I’m an optimist (usually) and I can’t stand repetitive work. Ugh, boulder rolling. Feh.