Deep Thoughts (shower thoughts ok too but no Pit stuff)

[Pete]

Assume that for some reason, long dexterous toes were perceived as highly desirable in a mate.  Though state sponsored compelled breeding works for this thought exercise.

Let's further assume that one generation is 25 years. 

[Cartierfor3]

at least 2000 years.

[Cartierfor3]

And it might not ever happen, even if we all tried our best.

[Pete]

And it might not ever happen, even if we all tried our best.

Yeah, it's important to manage expectations.

[BIG APPLE CAT]

i think with state sponsored selective breeding - and more importantly a positive attitude - we could see meaningful changes in 300 years. but probably wouldn't get all the way there for a couple thou

[BIG APPLE CAT]

i wonder - either because i lack the higher cognitive function or because someone is intentionally keeping it secret - but like, how many things are out there that like, if i was aware of it I would be terrified? I mentioned in that balloon thread in the pit i referenced that scene from the 1996 filme Men In Black where TLJ says "there's always an arquillian battle cruiser or corillian death ray about to wipe out life on this miserable planet..." (i'm sure you know the scene i'm referring to) and it just kinda got me thinking like i wonder how frequently i am in grave danger or should be absolutely terrified but i have no idea.

Another example related to film (because for me that can be one of the easier ways to explain nebulous concepts when i don't have the necessary vocabulary) is if any of you guys saw that not-so-critically-acclaimed movie w/ Tony Shaloub and the girl from American Pie and also the lady that played Miss Honey in the original Matilda, yes i'm talking about 13 Ghosts. So like, it seemed like there lots of scenarios in that movie where if the character wasn't wearing the special glasses they weren't able to see the horror in front of them. And it seemed like in most of those cases, if you weren't aware that there was a homicidal ghost right in front of you then nothing happened, it was only for like when the people knew there was some supernatural danger around them.

So that would be like the other category of stuff that im like, man i wonder if there are just a bunch of angry ghosts in my vicinity and i walk right past them every day and if only i could see i would be reduced to a crying pile of mush until they decided to kill me in a super gruesome way.

tldr: ignorance is bliss, i suppose

[star seed 7]

Ghosts aren't real so that should make you feel better

[OK_Cat]

I think people want ghosts and aliens to exist so that we don't feel so all alone, but I think we're probably all alone and that's frightening.

[Spracne]

I think people want ghosts and aliens to exist so that we don't feel so all alone, but I think we're probably all alone and that's frightening.

Yeah, like, how do you wrap your mind around just ceasing to exist? You can't, because you won't be around to think about it.

[star seed 7]

Although I guess if you subscribe to the "anything that can happen will happen" philosophy of infinite universes maybe ghosts can be real

[star seed 7]

I think people want ghosts and aliens to exist so that we don't feel so all alone, but I think we're probably all alone and that's frightening.

Yeah, like, how do you wrap your mind around just ceasing to exist? You can't, because you won't be around to think about it.

You obviously can't know the experience, but the concept seems fairly simple.

[Pete]

I think people want ghosts and aliens to exist so that we don't feel so all alone, but I think we're probably all alone and that's frightening.

Man, ghosts and aliens being real would be awesome.

[BIG APPLE CAT]

Although I guess if you subscribe to the "anything that can happen will happen" philosophy of infinite universes maybe ghosts can be real

If you want to take it the other direction…rather than infinite outcomes, what do you think about fate? When considering it I think about it in a couple of ways:
1. Free will is an illusion. No matter how spontaneous you think you’re being, every move, every thought, every possible outcome was already pre-ordained
2. Thinking of fate as more of a “lane” or a “channel”. And that lane is going to lead you to several eventualities along the way. And there’s some wiggle room for the hundreds of millions of inconsequential things…if I scratch my nose now, if I shave tomorrow…all meaningless stuff bc it doesn’t take you out of your lane

I’m not sure I believe in fate, but I dunno maybe

[mocat]

why would ghosts fall under the "can happen" category?

[star seed 7]

why would ghosts fall under the "can happen" category?

Why wouldn't they?

[OK_Cat]

fate is a made-up idea that gives people an excuse for behavior, imo. 

[Pete]

I am a big believer in free will.  My belief is that the “gift” of free will is the explanation for most suffering in the world (maybe all suffering?).

[Pete]

fate is a made-up idea that gives people an excuse for behavior, imo.

Agree

[Pete]

I’m a talking monkey tho.  I can’t possibly understand the infinite, etc.

[mocat]

why would ghosts fall under the "can happen" category?

Why wouldn't they?

there is no evidence to suggest there can be existence after death.

unlike aliens for example (life on earth is evidence that there can be existence on a planet)

[star seed 7]

That's a weird standard, was there evidence of radio waves in 1500?

[mocat]

That's a weird standard, was there evidence of radio waves in 1500?

ok sure, so "anything that can happen" just means "anything"

[OK_Cat]

to go with my earlier post, i think people throughout time have created the idea of gods, ghosts, aliens, etc as a way of trying to make sense of our existance.

The truth is probably that a puddle of ooze happened to have all of the exact requirements to build us and when we die, that's it.  game over.  no purpose of life, no higher power or greater meaning.  just born, live, die, the end.

it really makes us so much more insignificant when you think about it that way.

[Trim]

fate is a made-up idea that gives people an excuse for behavior, imo. 

Exception: if the behavior is coaching basketball at a non-KSU school

[BIG APPLE CAT]

why would ghosts fall under the "can happen" category?

Why wouldn't they?

there is no evidence to suggest there can be existence after death.

unlike aliens for example (life on earth is evidence that there can be existence on a planet)

counterpoint: there are times/areas in New Orleans where you CANNOT get a taxi. Not because its dangerous, but because there have been such a high incidence of the passengers ending up being ghosts who dont pay the fare. The same thing happened in Japan after the nuclear plant accident in 2011 and i guess the Japanese cab drivers consider it more of an honor whereas the NOLA taxi drivers are like "hey that guy didn't pay!"