When eyes see any object, the actual process is far more complicated than one would expect. Light waves within the visible spectrum move from a source toward the object. Some of them then reflect into our eyes. The lenses in our eyes cause the image registered on our retinas to be upside-down, but the brain then reverses it once more to obtain the image of the object in our mind. In order for us to see anything, light must move from the source to an object and then to our eyes.
For example, when a supernova blows up, it takes several years for the light to reach our eyes. By the time we see the star, it may not actually exist at that point in time. Therefore, what is seen is not what is.
The other possible explanation for this is that time does not actually exist at all, and the light from the explosion means that there is a star, just not at this point in time, which does not exist. After a while, the rest of the light passes Earth and the star is gone from our sight, so it is truly gone to us. However, the light continues forever past the Earth, steadily becoming weaker until it fades away.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Dreaming of a Perfect Universe
When we dream, it’s seems as if we are in an alternate world with the monsters/people/animals/clouds/etcetera in it. I sometimes wonder if the characters within our dream have consciousness, or if they actually think. After all, some of them express ideas, desires, and they move around. All of this implies thought and sentience. Therefore, it could theoretically be true that we are all part of an enormous dream.
Since we’re so complex, it would have to be an incredibly spacious mind, but it is definitely possible. In addition, if God created the universe this becomes much easier to explain, for the universe could be God’s dream. Thus he would be omnipotent and omniscient, regarding this dream, his universe. There wouldn’t have to be any explanation for the beginning of the universe or the stars because God simply dreamed that it was so.
Since we’re so complex, it would have to be an incredibly spacious mind, but it is definitely possible. In addition, if God created the universe this becomes much easier to explain, for the universe could be God’s dream. Thus he would be omnipotent and omniscient, regarding this dream, his universe. There wouldn’t have to be any explanation for the beginning of the universe or the stars because God simply dreamed that it was so.
People are a Virus
People are a virus, not a mammal. Mammals steadily come to an equilibrium in their surroundings, no matter what they are, and thus coexist with everything else in stable harmony, even if it includes one eating the other organisms in those surroundings. Humans, on the other hand, move into an environment, never assimilate into it, and then destroy their surroundings. Then they reproduce and move on to somewhere else after exhausting the former place’s resources. A virus acts in a similar way. They move into a host, reproduce, destroy the host, and are spread elsewhere.
-inspired by the Matrix
-inspired by the Matrix
Variety is the Spice of Life
The spicy flavour of food actually comes from pain sensors on our taste buds. Yet many people season blander foods with spices in order to enhance their flavour. Since variety is the spice of life, variety must be pain in our life while also making it more enjoyable.
Variety breeds large amounts of pain in our lives. Differences in thought cause arguments which then grow into global wars between countries and nations. Different foods and tastes may appeal to different people. Although variety induces pain and suffering, it also propogates innovation and progress, which in turn augment the prosperity of any given group of people. Animals cannot think at the level of people, so while different species remain the same and eventually die out because of changes in their environment, humans adapt and invent to ease our lives without the aid of claws, wings, or fangs. However, all this innovation is only possible with the presence of natural variety. If there were no variety, everyone would agree all the time and like to do the same things, and a utopian civilization might even be feasible. Unfortunately, all progress would come to an abrupt halt as well, and we would probably live our lives like lower animals without differences in choice and opinion.
Variety breeds large amounts of pain in our lives. Differences in thought cause arguments which then grow into global wars between countries and nations. Different foods and tastes may appeal to different people. Although variety induces pain and suffering, it also propogates innovation and progress, which in turn augment the prosperity of any given group of people. Animals cannot think at the level of people, so while different species remain the same and eventually die out because of changes in their environment, humans adapt and invent to ease our lives without the aid of claws, wings, or fangs. However, all this innovation is only possible with the presence of natural variety. If there were no variety, everyone would agree all the time and like to do the same things, and a utopian civilization might even be feasible. Unfortunately, all progress would come to an abrupt halt as well, and we would probably live our lives like lower animals without differences in choice and opinion.
Happiness
We do everything we do in order to make ourselves happier. Asking ourselves why we do a given action, and then why we do that cause, always eventually leads to a quest for happiness.
For example, I don't want to do my homework, but I do it. I do my homework to be accepted in a good college and then in a good job. I want a good job for more money, which then provides food, clothing, shelter, and entertainment. All of these things will make me happier.
I don't want to wash the dishes, but I do. Washing them prevents my parents scolding me , which preemptively makes both them and me happier.
I donate to charity and help others although these actions show no tangible benefits to myself. This is because helping people in need makes me feel good because I was raised with a high standard for compassion and respect. Thus altruism makes me happy.
For example, I don't want to do my homework, but I do it. I do my homework to be accepted in a good college and then in a good job. I want a good job for more money, which then provides food, clothing, shelter, and entertainment. All of these things will make me happier.
I don't want to wash the dishes, but I do. Washing them prevents my parents scolding me , which preemptively makes both them and me happier.
I donate to charity and help others although these actions show no tangible benefits to myself. This is because helping people in need makes me feel good because I was raised with a high standard for compassion and respect. Thus altruism makes me happy.
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