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Veritas

Registered: 04/15/05
Posts: 11,089
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Nature is not random. True randomness would require an absence of environmental pressures & opposite "paths of least resistance." Nature does what it can do, and this is determined by the presence of favorable/unfavorable factors. These factors change constantly, and are different in different parts of the world, so the effects produced may appear to be random.
Nature is somewhat random in the sense of being difficult to accurately predict, however. In the case of the evolutionary process, we could hazard guesses as to the potential genetic future of humans, but would likely be wrong.
As far as our thirst for knowledge is concerned, IMO it is stimulated by the tenuous connection between our "old" brain & our "new" brain. We have emotional and instinctual drives which do not necessarily mesh with our intellectual understanding, so we desperately pursue solutions and answers in an attempt to reconcile the internal conflict.
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Cognitive_Shift
CS actual




Registered: 12/11/07
Posts: 29,591
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Re: What does it all mean? [Re: Veritas]
#9259927 - 11/17/08 12:25 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Good analysis.
What makes this "new" brain so different?
And what is this conflict you speak of?
I'm just curious, you have some very logical and convincing points
-------------------- L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés et désirs
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downhill
Stranger

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Re: What does it all mean? [Re: Veritas]
#9259928 - 11/17/08 12:26 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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this is a theory that i got. humans have a gene for exploration, and a drive for gaining knowledge. this would benefit the early humans who needed to explore their environment to find food sources and shelter that they could rely on.
if this doesnt make sense im sorry.
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Veritas

Registered: 04/15/05
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Cognitive_Shift
CS actual




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Re: What does it all mean? [Re: Veritas]
#9259980 - 11/17/08 12:36 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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First line i read
"The neurologist Paul MacLean has proposed that our skull holds not one brain, but three, each representing a distinct evolutionary stratum that has formed upon the older layer before it, like an archaeological site."
This should be an awesome read
Thanks V
-------------------- L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés et désirs
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fantasylndvictm
yup



Registered: 03/19/07
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Maybe our constant drive for knowledge and understanding things and our ability to think logicaly about whatever ideas or conclusions we come to and put them into action, is just our survival technique. Every animal in nature has a technique a certain quality that helps them to survive.
If you look at it from the begining humans as a species has drastically moved to the top of the food chain so to speak. We have adapted to just about every enviroment around us humans can live and survive almost anywhere we go. We can even survive for a period of time in space where there is nothing that aids in our survival ie oxygen and water.
So maybe trying to find the meaning of life is the only thing we really have left to do and that's why it's so important because it's one of the few things we haven't conquered, and isn't answered simply because the meaning of life and why we are living is different in every being. When your simply living and trying to survive to the next day such as animals in their natural habitat then things like what does life mean really doesn't cross ur mind. Survival is our basic instinct.
And we have protected our survival in drastic circumstances, simply that compared to other species and creatures on this earth, by logical means we should be low on the food chain. But I suppose our brains have evolved and adapted more quickly than other species.
This is just a theory, throwing some ideas out there. Just my thoughts on the subject. I hope it makes sense sorry if it doesn't.
-------------------- "How do we know whether the life of any creature has fulfilled its destiny? I have known the very old to die in bitterness and despair. I have seen young children die before their time but leave behind such a legacy of love and joy that grief for their passing was tempered by the knowledge that their brief lives had given much to others." "You have answered your own question,Tanis Half-Elven, far better than I could," the Forestmaster said gravely. "Say that that our lives are measured not by gain but by giving." -Dragonlance "Dragons of Autumn Twilight" If we lived in luxury we would grow soft. No human being truely knows their full capacity to love until they become a parent.
Edited by fantasylndvictm (11/17/08 12:56 PM)
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deCypher



Registered: 02/10/08
Posts: 56,232
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Quote:
Cognitive_Shift said: Is there a meaning to the whole human/life experience? or Is it just the probabilistic play out of interactions between molecules and elements, and there is no meaning behind it all, its just the result of probability.
Both. It's true that everything's just probabilistic, but at the same time we have a mental experience and a seemingly immaterial consciousness; something that allows us to ascribe our own meaning onto our existence.
-------------------- We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
 
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Grapefruit
Freak in the forest



Registered: 05/09/08
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Many people look to ascribe meaning to their lives. There are many personal "meaning's" but it sounds to me as if you are looking for a general meaning. I don't think you can really say whether they're is a higher power who has a greater purpose for us. The conclusion I always come to while tripping is that there is no meaning and we should just have a much fun as possible.
-------------------- Little left in the way of energy; or the way of love, yet happy to entertain myself playing mental games with the rest of you freaks until the rivers run backwards. "Chat your fraff Chat your fraff Just chat your fraff Chat your fraff"
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



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Posts: 95,368
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Re: What does it all mean? [Re: Grapefruit]
#9260674 - 11/17/08 02:50 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Yea Grapefruit.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
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Re: What does it all mean? *DELETED* [Re: Icelander]
#9260992 - 11/17/08 03:44 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Post deleted by VeritasReason for deletion: Blatantly off-topic. Please do not derail threads.
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Kojiro
Stranger
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Grapefruit
Freak in the forest



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Re: What does it all mean? [Re: Kojiro]
#9261174 - 11/17/08 04:22 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Kojiro said: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skandhas
Buddhism is way over complicated lol.
-------------------- Little left in the way of energy; or the way of love, yet happy to entertain myself playing mental games with the rest of you freaks until the rivers run backwards. "Chat your fraff Chat your fraff Just chat your fraff Chat your fraff"
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OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
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Re: What does it all mean? [Re: Grapefruit]
#9261192 - 11/17/08 04:25 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Seems that most any form of wisdom based on internal experience gets lost when others try to codify it.
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Cognitive_Shift
CS actual




Registered: 12/11/07
Posts: 29,591
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-------------------- L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés et désirs
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Recondicom
Power of four



Registered: 05/03/07
Posts: 226
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Re: What does it all mean? [Re: Kojiro]
#9261258 - 11/17/08 04:36 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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…89 kinds of consciousness; 54 related to the sense sphere. There are not enough icons in the SF mood icons.
-------------------- Wave. 'And for this reason repentance (metanoia) is an elevating means. For he who feels impatience with the circunstances in which he finds himself, devises means of escape. Now the chief thing in purification is the will. For then both deeds and words lend a helping hand. But, when the will is absent, the whole purificatory discipline of initiation is...'
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
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Loc: underbelly
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Post deleted by VeritasReason for deletion: Off-topic.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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Grapefruit
Freak in the forest



Registered: 05/09/08
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Re: What does it all mean? [Re: Icelander]
#9264201 - 11/18/08 01:17 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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I swear the buddha said wisdom is to lose all your concepts. Then humans somehow ignored their spiritual leader and went on to decide what happens after you die and a load of other shit.
I wonder, why is it that humans are always seeking meaning in their lives? Do we just need direction? Human's are always trying to achieve something or to get somewhere. Restless creatures eh?
"Be the rock consciousness" lol
-------------------- Little left in the way of energy; or the way of love, yet happy to entertain myself playing mental games with the rest of you freaks until the rivers run backwards. "Chat your fraff Chat your fraff Just chat your fraff Chat your fraff"
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Cognitive_Shift
CS actual




Registered: 12/11/07
Posts: 29,591
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Re: What does it all mean? [Re: Grapefruit]
#9264213 - 11/18/08 01:22 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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I think we as humans are just curious bastards. We find the concept of knowing all the most important thing.
-------------------- L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés et désirs
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: What does it all mean? [Re: Grapefruit]
#9265170 - 11/18/08 10:08 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Grapefruit said: I swear the buddha said wisdom is to lose all your concepts. Then humans somehow ignored their spiritual leader and went on to decide what happens after you die and a load of other shit.
I wonder, why is it that humans are always seeking meaning in their lives? Do we just need direction? lol
People have a bad case of death anxiety.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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Cognitive_Shift
CS actual




Registered: 12/11/07
Posts: 29,591
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Re: What does it all mean? [Re: Icelander]
#9265841 - 11/18/08 01:01 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Its tough tho, dieing i find is scary. Even tho it is inevitable it still makes me nervous. Cuz no one knows what happens to consciousness, will it just shut off and thats it forever?
-------------------- L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés et désirs
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