Stephen Johns speaks out about his depression, will rollerblade across the country

[WarriorofTime]

Maybe one day we will stop asking people "what do you do?" and ask them "are you happy / what do you like to do?", not likely though. Stupid capitalism.

A more polite question is "what's keeping you busy these days?", a lot of people will just respond with their job but it also gives a window for people to talk about a hobby or something other than work.

 

[Machinehead]

So a thread about a positive thing has turned into a capitalism/socialism debate? The most HF thing ever, give your head a shake!

Well, I think part of this individual's struggle is that his entire identity was his profession.

Granted, hockey is a little bit different because it's a literal competition that requires dedicated hours and you're compensated for dedicating your life to it if you go pro and stick. And they can retire early too.

A lot of people feel this way and don't play hockey or get any of the benefits from playing hockey. It's a legitimate problem.

 

[Spotty 2 Hotty]

Johns is a great guy, so I hope this helps him find a way to move forward. Was hoping he'd come back last season and be a great partner for Miro, but I'm happy he didn't further risk his health like some might be tempted to do.

Isn't that counterintuitive to the idea that all corporations are money hungry satanists?

What the f*** did we do to get dragged into this?

 

[WarriorofTime]

Hockey is just a job for a lot of players. I'm not saying they don't get enjoyment when they score a goal or win a big game or whatever, but I think people overrate how "passionate" NHL players are about hockey. It's unlikely they hate it and they probably liked it a lot when they first started, but the "live and breathe 24/7 hockey junkies" are probably a bit rarer than people expect.

 

[SwedishFire]

Maybe one day we will stop asking people "what do you do?" and ask them "are you happy / what do you like to do?", not likely though. Stupid capitalism.

Life aint easy.
There are A LOT of people depressed, esp in the well living countries. Im sure something is up with that. But yes I agree with you. Its not that important with what your job is. More impportant question is ; what can we do?

Overall I think that we think to much, much because we have to aquire that abillity to analyze to surcive in the social room, on the job market

 

[golfortennis]

Hockey is just a job for a lot of players. I'm not saying they don't get enjoyment when they score a goal or win a big game or whatever, but I think people overrate how "passionate" NHL players are about hockey. It's unlikely they hate it and they probably liked it a lot when they first started, but the "live and breathe 24/7 hockey junkies" are probably a bit rarer than people expect.

Yep. Posted it in another thread, but there's a movie called Fever Pitch, where these guys, who are massive Red Sox fans, are all depressed in a restaurant cause the Red Sox lost and are about to be eliminated, I believe. Then they look over and they see some of the players eating, and they're laughing and carrying on...it finally hits the guys how stupid it is to be so down about a result when the players themselves have let it go. It's a job. A good paying job that they put in the work to maintain, but you are correct, while the soundbites play well, they forget about hockey a good bit of the time. It's probably unhealthy to be otherwise.

 

[golfortennis]

“Where are you from” is another dumb one.

Why is that? Seems like a nice ice breaker. Usually can create some pretty good conversation topics as well.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

A more polite question is "what's keeping you busy these days?", a lot of people will just respond with their job but it also gives a window for people to talk about a hobby or something other than work.

This can also be shortened to “what’s shakin bacon?” in work settings. Your colleagues will appreciate your brevity. “What it do, tofu?” for vegetarians, of course.

Nah but that’s a cool thing to do, I’m sure it’ll help some people deal with stuff so.. sweet! And he can work on his own mental health while blading and seeing the country, good idea.

 

[joestevens29]

Was reading a lot of the comments on instagram and was quite pleased to see how many positive comments there were.

Lots of people thanking him for speaking out as it made them feel good that they aren't the only one dealing with it.

Hopefully this helps him out and bring the awareness that is needed. Seems that we have one month of awareness for this and then it goes quiet for a year. Should be something that is talked about year round.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Maybe one day we will stop asking people "what do you do?" and ask them "are you happy / what do you like to do?", not likely though. Stupid capitalism.

Cervantes said “One man is not more than another, unless he does more than another.”

I look at a guy who had an NHL career, then battled through mental illness to re-invent himself as an advocate/philanthropist, and I see a guy who is being more of a man than just about anyone else I could name.

Does it make him deeply happy? I don’t know. But he’s living his life to its fullest potential, and that seems like a good thing to aspire to.

 

[ruaware41]

So a thread about a positive thing has turned into a capitalism/socialism debate? The most HF thing ever, give your head a shake!

Honestly. The guy who started it off has to take this one on the chin.

 

[ruaware41]

Why is that? Seems like a nice ice breaker. Usually can create some pretty good conversation topics as well.

The reason I take issue with it is because people seem hell bent on forming a judgement of your character based off of it. Tbf this isn’t really an issue I primarily encountered with the predominant races in North America but others. Especially South Asians. If you find the need to prod after I say “Canada” I take issue with you. I’ve literally had back and forth with total strangers going “but where are your parents from.” And they just don’t let it go.

 

[golfortennis]

The reason I take issue with it is because people seem hell bent on forming a judgement of your character based off of it. Tbf this isn’t really an issue I primarily encountered with the predominant races in North America but others. Especially South Asians. If you find the need to prod after I say “Canada” I take issue with you. I’ve literally had back and forth with total strangers going “but where are your parents from.” And they just don’t let it go.

Gotcha. I always find it to be a good way to either talk about having been there if it's somewhere I've been, or learn something about a place. Of course, I usually have these conversations on a golf course, so that could be a factor.

I would prod with whereabouts in Canada, not where your parents are from. Also helps establish any sports discussions. "Calgary? Flames fan?" That type of stuff.

 

[WarriorofTime]

The reason I take issue with it is because people seem hell bent on forming a judgement of your character based off of it. Tbf this isn’t really an issue I primarily encountered with the predominant races in North America but others. Especially South Asians. If you find the need to prod after I say “Canada” I take issue with you. I’ve literally had back and forth with total strangers going “but where are your parents from.” And they just don’t let it go.

I think there is a difference between "where are you from?" "I'm from Belleville, Ontario" "oh nice, my cousin is from there..." and someone who prods a person who is a minority or an immigrant on where they are "REALLY from" or where their parents are from. The first seems like a pretty harmless conversation topic, the second can be a microaggression.

 

[Lindberg]

You understand why patents exist, right?

Nah I have no idea. I seriously considered going to law school to be a patent attorney and then saw how ridiculous the profession overall was. So people like Edison can make money off Telsa and others' ideas? There's also a ton of patents that exist only out of obtuseness etc. One industry (paintball) was essentially ruined because Smart Parts unfortunately somehow convinced the patent office their claim was legitimate for putting an electronic solenoid on the marker. The world would be far better served if almost everything was open source.

Anyways people are groomed from an early age to have an identity tied towards their profession.

 

[BlueOil]

"roller blade and road-trip" across the country for all those thinking he's roller blading only

good for johns, an journey to start a new beginning is the way to do it, just bonus points he's trying to raise awareness and model how to deal with change

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Nah I have no idea. . . . The world would be far better served if almost everything was open source.

You're right, you don't know why patents exist.

 

[ruaware41]

I think there is a difference between "where are you from?" "I'm from Belleville, Ontario" "oh nice, my cousin is from there..." and someone who prods a person who is a minority or an immigrant on where they are "REALLY from" or where their parents are from. The first seems like a pretty harmless conversation topic, the second can be a microaggression.

Haha yea the “really” part cracks me up.

 

[Punished ROR]

"What do you do?" is an open ended question. You could answer with your job, hobby, passion, literally whatever you do. How you answer that question reveals what is personally important to you, and thus hints at your deeper character.

So if I ask someone what they do, and they retort with some goony "f*** CAPITALISM" screed, I know to stay far, far away from that loser.

 

[Lindberg]

You're right, you don't know why patents exist.

Sure dude, keep stroking that "Is this good for the company?"

You really should educate yourself on what most patents consist of.

 

[ruaware41]

Sure dude, keep stroking that "Is this good for the company?"

You really should educate yourself on what most patents consist of.

Have you heard of the word incentive? Not everything is as black-and-white as people on either side of the opinion act like

 

[Lindberg]

"What do you do?" is an open ended question. You could answer with your job, hobby, passion, literally whatever you do. How you answer that question reveals what is personally important to you, and thus hints at your deeper character.

So if I ask someone what they do, and they retort with some goony "f*** CAPITALISM" screed, I know to stay far, far away from that loser.

Yeah because the thought process of that question isn't at all tied to how most people spend a majority of their time. Some fine mental gymastics.

I'm guessing you just consider most people shallow then when they don't give you their life story and answer "doctor, engineer, etc"

 

[WarriorofTime]

Yeah because the thought process of that question isn't at all tied to how most people spend a majority of their time. Some fine mental gymastics.

I'm guessing you just consider most people shallow then when they don't give you their life story and answer "doctor, engineer, etc"

Any reasonable person is going to take "what do you do?" to mean "what is your occupation?" The guy you quoted is off on a different planet...

 

[Punished ROR]

Yeah because the thought process of that question isn't at all tied to how most people spend a majority of their time. Some fine mental gymastics.

Obviously. But some people have lives outside of work. If you’re the kind of person whose identity is tied to their job and has few or no outside interests, I can see why the prompt might be triggering to you.

Good on Stephen Johns for deciding to do something with his free time!

 

[Lindberg]

Obviously. But some people have lives outside of work. If you’re the kind of person whose identity is tied to their job and has few or no outside interests, I can see why the prompt might be triggering to you.

Good on Stephen Johns for deciding to do something with his free time!

You got called out because what you said was ridiculous and you're changing your story now.

You do realize lots of people are depressed due to their jobs right? We've built a society where most people are handcuff to their jobs and can't afford to change careers. Stephen Johns was the opposite of the norm, a guy who is depressed that his career is over but fortunately has the money to pivot in life.