Bill Hicks' tribute night in Tartu, Estonia. "What's the point?"

'Bill Hicks' tribute night in Tartu, Estonia

In Tartu, I enjoyed the Bill Hicks' Movie night hosted by 'Comedy Estonia'. In addition I was able to spend some time with co-founder Louis Zezeran after the gig as I had met him through mutual Comedy friends prior to my yearlong trip. We discussed the importance of "finding purpose", as it informed his decision to unexpectedly make a life in the country after Eurotripping in 2006.

A recurring theme of my time in Estonia has been "What's your point?".
Even before setting foot in the country, I was questioned by an Estonian "You're constantly meeting people, half you won't ever see again. What's the point?". After meeting many travelers in Tallinn who've been on the road indefinitely, some for as long as 16 years it's a question I've been pondering. Also due to my circular way of thinking and meandering way of speaking, people often interject, "Uhh, What's your point?".

Bill Hicks offers his take.

VIDEO: Bill Hicks - The Ride

Bill Hicks Lines, Revelations (1993)
Is there a point to all of this ? Let's find a point. Is there a point to my act? I would say there is. I have to.

The world is like a ride at an amusement park. And when you choose to go on it, you think that it's real because that's how powerful our minds are. And the ride goes up and down and round and round. It has thrills and chills, and it's very brightly coloured, and it's very loud and it's fun, for a while.

Some people have been on the ride for a long time, and they begin to question - is this real, or is this just a ride? And other people have remembered, and they come back to us. They say 'Hey! Don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because, this is just a ride.' And we...kill those people. Ha ha ha. 'Shut him up! We have a lot invested in this ride. SHUT HIM UP! Look at my furrows of worry. Look at my big bank account and family. This just has to be real.'

It's just a ride. But we always kill those good guys who try and tell us that, you ever notice that? And let the demons run amok. But it doesn't matter because: it's just a ride. And we can change it anytime we want. It's only a choice. No effort, no work, no job, no savings, and money. A choice, right now, between fear and love. The eyes of fear want you to put bigger locks on your doors, buy guns, close yourselves off.

The eyes of love, instead, see all of us as one. Here's what you can do to change the world, right now, to a better ride. Take all that money that we spend on weapons and defence each year, and instead spend it feeding, clothing and educating the poor of the world, which it would many times over, not one human being excluded, and we could explore space, together, both inner and outer, forever, in peace.