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The "three natures" of Homo sapiens
Our first nature consists of innate feelings, reactions, and...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 28, 2019:
I wonder if it would be presumptuous to elaborate on that third nature a bit, the one of conscious awareness and analysis. That is the part of humanity that created art, science, religion, philosophy and technology. The first nature might give us contentment and happiness such as a cow out on a pasture might enjoy. The third nature potentially brings deep awareness, reverence, joy and ecstasy.
The third nature also gives us the mental tools needed to create depression and despair, but we have a choice of not using those tools. Fire can burn you, but with care you can be warmed without being burned.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 28, 2019:
I wonder if it would be presumptuous to elaborate on that third nature a bit, the one of conscious awareness and analysis. That is the part of humanity that created art, science, religion, philosophy and technology. The first nature might give us contentment and happiness such as a cow out on a pasture might enjoy. The third nature potentially brings deep awareness, reverence, joy and ecstasy.
The third nature also gives us the mental tools needed to create depression and despair, but we have a choice of not using those tools. Fire can burn you, but with care you can be warmed without being burned.
What is agnosticism?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 28, 2019:
I agree when you say that there’s no absolute certainty for mere human intelligence. By disbelief, do you mean belief that an assertion is false, or do just mean that you are not convinced by the evidence you’ve seen so far?
“And there isn’t”? Which assertion are you referring to? There’s all kind of evidence for some kind of a God concept. You might not be persuaded by that evidence, but evidence there is.
If I want to persuade someone of something, then yes, it is up to me to point to evidence and logic, but in general there is no “burden of proof”. That pseudo-legal term has no place in ordinary discourse. Whether or not an assertion is couched in positive or negative terms has nothing to do with it.
What is wrong with saying that you don’t know—that you are agnostic? You yourself said that there’s no absolute certainty. Now you are saying that there IS absolute certainty—that there’s only one conclusion that fits the evidence, and that that evidence is universal for everyone.
I don’t think it’s as cut and dried as you suggest. Some of those web sites will lead you astray.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 28, 2019:
I agree when you say that there’s no absolute certainty for mere human intelligence. By disbelief, do you mean belief that an assertion is false, or do just mean that you are not convinced by the evidence you’ve seen so far?
“And there isn’t”? Which assertion are you referring to? There’s all kind of evidence for some kind of a God concept. You might not be persuaded by that evidence, but evidence there is.
If I want to persuade someone of something, then yes, it is up to me to point to evidence and logic, but in general there is no “burden of proof”. That pseudo-legal term has no place in ordinary discourse. Whether or not an assertion is couched in positive or negative terms has nothing to do with it.
What is wrong with saying that you don’t know—that you are agnostic? You yourself said that there’s no absolute certainty. Now you are saying that there IS absolute certainty—that there’s only one conclusion that fits the evidence, and that that evidence is universal for everyone.
I don’t think it’s as cut and dried as you suggest. Some of those web sites will lead you astray.
The Sin Scam
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 28, 2019:
IMO there’s no such thing as a sin. There are only mistakes.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 28, 2019:
IMO there’s no such thing as a sin. There are only mistakes.
No gods/no kings?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 28, 2019:
A person almost has to defer to government authority to avoid punishment.
A religious person might feel a sense of profound gratitude and reverence and feel no fear at all. On the other hand many church leaders utilize fear and guilt to control people, and that amounts to governance.
Hopefully we can avoid such churches. We can not avoid the government. Neither can we avoid true awe and reverence—those spring up spontaneously through deep awareness. They are subjective and don’t depend on a group.
If you are a member of any group, some of your individual freedom will be sacrificed by necessity.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 28, 2019:
A person almost has to defer to government authority to avoid punishment.
A religious person might feel a sense of profound gratitude and reverence and feel no fear at all. On the other hand many church leaders utilize fear and guilt to control people, and that amounts to governance.
Hopefully we can avoid such churches. We can not avoid the government. Neither can we avoid true awe and reverence—those spring up spontaneously through deep awareness. They are subjective and don’t depend on a group.
If you are a member of any group, some of your individual freedom will be sacrificed by necessity.
So how good is your eyesight?
And when compared to a digital camera?
[youtu.be]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 28, 2019:
Very interesting! Thanks.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 28, 2019:
Very interesting! Thanks.
Do you give to folks asking for money, holding up signs on the corner?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 28, 2019:
I would hardly notice if they said that horrible g-word. Occasionally I contribute to someone, but only if we’ve had a conversation and they ask personally. Standing with a sign seems too commercial, like a racket.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 28, 2019:
I would hardly notice if they said that horrible g-word. Occasionally I contribute to someone, but only if we’ve had a conversation and they ask personally. Standing with a sign seems too commercial, like a racket.
Who likes guitars? I do...
[sixkillerguitars.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
I like’em if somebody else is doing the picking.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
I like’em if somebody else is doing the picking.
Sex on the brain - Aeon Essays
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
I don’t understand how anyone could think for one minute that male and female bodies are not innately very different. This article dances around the issue and pretends that it is an open question. One is not better than the other—each excels in its area of specialty, but they are definitely different.
Our bodies are animal bodies, but we are not our bodies. Our higher selves are neither male nor female but consist of pure conscious awareness. That is nothing but my opinion, based on intuitive insights, so please don’t ask for proof.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
I don’t understand how anyone could think for one minute that male and female bodies are not innately very different. This article dances around the issue and pretends that it is an open question. One is not better than the other—each excels in its area of specialty, but they are definitely different.
Our bodies are animal bodies, but we are not our bodies. Our higher selves are neither male nor female but consist of pure conscious awareness. That is nothing but my opinion, based on intuitive insights, so please don’t ask for proof.
Suppose you were to try to convince someone of your non-belief in the existence of God, what (in ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
There should be no argument about your lack of belief. That is your personal value judgment that requires no proof.
If you want to prove that God does not exist you are taking on a formidable project. There are various concepts of God and I don’t think any of them offer much of a definition. God simply can not be defined in human terms. You can argue about the biblical portrayal of God, but because something is wrongly described does not prove that it doesn’t exist.
In our everyday lives we think we know the meaning of the word “exist”, but if you read physics you’ll learn that our understanding is superficial and illusory. Also, nobody understands conscious awareness, without which the entire question is meaningless because there would be no “I” to begin with. We really don’t know what we are, and are not in a position to argue over ultimate reality.
For me, belief and disbelief are inappropriate responses. Abject bewilderment seems about right.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
There should be no argument about your lack of belief. That is your personal value judgment that requires no proof.
If you want to prove that God does not exist you are taking on a formidable project. There are various concepts of God and I don’t think any of them offer much of a definition. God simply can not be defined in human terms. You can argue about the biblical portrayal of God, but because something is wrongly described does not prove that it doesn’t exist.
In our everyday lives we think we know the meaning of the word “exist”, but if you read physics you’ll learn that our understanding is superficial and illusory. Also, nobody understands conscious awareness, without which the entire question is meaningless because there would be no “I” to begin with. We really don’t know what we are, and are not in a position to argue over ultimate reality.
For me, belief and disbelief are inappropriate responses. Abject bewilderment seems about right.
Trump and Christianity !!!! Is there nothing else happening in the agnostic /atheist world.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Good point! Less politics—more religion.
It makes sense to me to say that you are not convinced about the God idea. It is nothing but a personal statement about yourself that requires no proof or argument and should be of little interest or significance to other people.
To turn that lack of being convinced into your personal identity, to wage war against the “others”—that takes the thing to another dimension, a questionable dimension IMO.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Good point! Less politics—more religion.
It makes sense to me to say that you are not convinced about the God idea. It is nothing but a personal statement about yourself that requires no proof or argument and should be of little interest or significance to other people.
To turn that lack of being convinced into your personal identity, to wage war against the “others”—that takes the thing to another dimension, a questionable dimension IMO.
Do you believe parallel universes?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
I don’t know enough to have a legitimate opinion, but the idea seems preposterous. The sheer number of splits is mind boggling.
Perhaps all those other universes exist only as virtual possibilities but ours is the one being watched by universal consciousness.
Belief is a personal emotion of little significance.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
I don’t know enough to have a legitimate opinion, but the idea seems preposterous. The sheer number of splits is mind boggling.
Perhaps all those other universes exist only as virtual possibilities but ours is the one being watched by universal consciousness.
Belief is a personal emotion of little significance.
Researchers transmit energy with laser in ‘historic’ power-beaming demonstration
...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Very interesting!
Someday power plants might be replaced with laser beam receivers that capture power beamed from orbiting satellites.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Very interesting!
Someday power plants might be replaced with laser beam receivers that capture power beamed from orbiting satellites.
It's been quite a disastrous weekend so far.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Windstorm?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Windstorm?
Good day all u people.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Thanks for your post young feller.
I thing all religions have some things right and they all are corrupted with knee jerk dogma.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Thanks for your post young feller.
I thing all religions have some things right and they all are corrupted with knee jerk dogma.
Scandal brings election risk for rising Democratic star
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Would you say the same if it were a male Republican who had had an affair with an aide?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Would you say the same if it were a male Republican who had had an affair with an aide?
Thought about this?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
I like your first paragraph very much but can’t seem to force myself to read the whole thing.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
I like your first paragraph very much but can’t seem to force myself to read the whole thing.
Sex, Drugs and Sickness: Susan Smith's Life in Prison, 25 Years After Drowning Her Sons
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Yet in the two year old picture she looks ok.
I’m trying not to judge her harshly, but it would be hard to trust her.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Yet in the two year old picture she looks ok.
I’m trying not to judge her harshly, but it would be hard to trust her.
One for the "Me tooers" and "elephant in the room deniers" - Domestic violence and the The ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Some strong stuff there, and it smacks of truth.
Thanks.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Some strong stuff there, and it smacks of truth.
Thanks.
Well, looks like I kinda jumped right in my first day here.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Welcome.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 27, 2019:
Welcome.
Satellite captures rare images of atmospheric gravity waves
[edition.cnn.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 26, 2019:
Fascinating! But why are they called gravity waves? They seem more like just pressure waves.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 26, 2019:
Fascinating! But why are they called gravity waves? They seem more like just pressure waves.
Painfully true
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 26, 2019:
There is truth in this cartoon, but I will not feel much pain. Recently I was reading about Aztec culture. They would hold religious ceremonies where they gave both human and animal sacrifices to appease the gods. Sometimes there would be hundreds of victims. Most were prisoners of war but some were from their own group. They even sacrificed their own children.
Maybe it was a way of keeping the population within bounds.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 26, 2019:
There is truth in this cartoon, but I will not feel much pain. Recently I was reading about Aztec culture. They would hold religious ceremonies where they gave both human and animal sacrifices to appease the gods. Sometimes there would be hundreds of victims. Most were prisoners of war but some were from their own group. They even sacrificed their own children.
Maybe it was a way of keeping the population within bounds.
Here's Why Ants Are Practically Immune to Traffic Jams, Even on Crowded Roads
[sciencealert.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 26, 2019:
The article makes some good points. Very interesting, and thanks for posting.
“When humans are walking or driving, the flow of traffic usually begins to slow when occupancy reaches 40 percent. Argentine ants, on the other hand, show no signs of slowing, even when the bridge occupancy reached 80 percent.”
The trouble with motor vehicles is that we have to maintain a safe following distance. When traffic is light vehicles are spread out and they can safely travel at high speeds. As more cars enter the road there is less room so cars slow down to maintain a safe distance.
Many people don’t realize it, but a roadway is at its maximum capacity in cars per hour at a fairly low speed—40 mph or so. When you are caught in slow traffic console yourself with the knowledge that the maximum number of people are getting to their destination.
On bicycles a lot more would be able to get through in an hour.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 26, 2019:
The article makes some good points. Very interesting, and thanks for posting.
“When humans are walking or driving, the flow of traffic usually begins to slow when occupancy reaches 40 percent. Argentine ants, on the other hand, show no signs of slowing, even when the bridge occupancy reached 80 percent.”
The trouble with motor vehicles is that we have to maintain a safe following distance. When traffic is light vehicles are spread out and they can safely travel at high speeds. As more cars enter the road there is less room so cars slow down to maintain a safe distance.
Many people don’t realize it, but a roadway is at its maximum capacity in cars per hour at a fairly low speed—40 mph or so. When you are caught in slow traffic console yourself with the knowledge that the maximum number of people are getting to their destination.
On bicycles a lot more would be able to get through in an hour.
Okay, we've been hacked.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 26, 2019:
I guess if the recipients of those emails know they’re faked those messages won’t have much effect.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 26, 2019:
I guess if the recipients of those emails know they’re faked those messages won’t have much effect.
The world seems like a dangerously divided place right now.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 26, 2019:
What is keeping us hostile and divided is our ego-based, untrue thoughts about each other. The tendency to create mental false narratives must have had some survival value as we evolved but if we are going to live together in peace we need to examine those narratives. By shining the light of conscious awareness on them they will be seen to be false and they will melt away.
Pointing out untrue thoughts in other people probably won’t accomplish much. Each person has to police her own thoughts. She can then set an example.
“Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.” —St. Francis of Assisi
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 26, 2019:
What is keeping us hostile and divided is our ego-based, untrue thoughts about each other. The tendency to create mental false narratives must have had some survival value as we evolved but if we are going to live together in peace we need to examine those narratives. By shining the light of conscious awareness on them they will be seen to be false and they will melt away.
Pointing out untrue thoughts in other people probably won’t accomplish much. Each person has to police her own thoughts. She can then set an example.
“Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.” —St. Francis of Assisi
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
Land of the free.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
Apparently not now.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/17/amy-goodman-north-dakota-oil-access-pipeline-protest-arrest-riot
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
Apparently not now.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/17/amy-goodman-north-dakota-oil-access-pipeline-protest-arrest-riot
I see posts here saying "are Atheists this?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
I don’t know why belief or disbelief is of any significance in the first place.
IMO truly religious people are not religious because of belief—it is because of direct experience. If you go to a museum, you do not come away saying “Yes, I believe”.
If churches would stop telling people to believe stuff there’d be no atheists.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
I don’t know why belief or disbelief is of any significance in the first place.
IMO truly religious people are not religious because of belief—it is because of direct experience. If you go to a museum, you do not come away saying “Yes, I believe”.
If churches would stop telling people to believe stuff there’d be no atheists.
I Am Unapologetically Raising My Daughter Without Religion
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
Children are not empty hard drives, waiting to be filled with information. No way was I going to expose my children to the fear and guilt of religious indoctrination that I experienced. On the other hand, I figured that indoctrination into scientism and materialism would be even worse, killing their natural innate awe and reverence for life. What I did was ask them questions in an attempt to gain insight for myself. They taught me a good bit.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
Children are not empty hard drives, waiting to be filled with information. No way was I going to expose my children to the fear and guilt of religious indoctrination that I experienced. On the other hand, I figured that indoctrination into scientism and materialism would be even worse, killing their natural innate awe and reverence for life. What I did was ask them questions in an attempt to gain insight for myself. They taught me a good bit.
so climate change doesn't exist, isn't happening etc.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
I see that the military commissioned a report. But I didn’t read where the military is actually taking steps to deal with the anticipated warming. Reports are a dime a dozen.
Actually very few people say that climate change doesn’t exist. Large numbers of scientists say that drastic action is not needed and that such action might cause more harm than good.
The article makes a big whoop-de-doo about wildfires in California. Here is a government report that puts those fires into perspective:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4874420/
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
I see that the military commissioned a report. But I didn’t read where the military is actually taking steps to deal with the anticipated warming. Reports are a dime a dozen.
Actually very few people say that climate change doesn’t exist. Large numbers of scientists say that drastic action is not needed and that such action might cause more harm than good.
The article makes a big whoop-de-doo about wildfires in California. Here is a government report that puts those fires into perspective:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4874420/
So this is a poll... do atheists believe in capital in capital punishment?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
I have finally, after many years, decided to be against the death penalty. I have no strong feelings—it just seems a rather unsociable thing to kill people.
Actually I don’t identify as an atheist or agnostic. If you are taking a poll strike me out.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
I have finally, after many years, decided to be against the death penalty. I have no strong feelings—it just seems a rather unsociable thing to kill people.
Actually I don’t identify as an atheist or agnostic. If you are taking a poll strike me out.
Stephen Hawking famously said that "Philosophy is dead." What do you think?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
Hawking himself must have engaged in metaphysical speculation in connection with his scientific endeavors.
No, philosophy is not dead.
James Clerk Maxwell:
“It has been asserted that metaphysical speculation is a thing of the past, and that physical science has extirpated it. The discussion of the categories of existence, however, does not appear to be in danger of coming to an end in our time, and the exercise of speculation continues as fascinating to every fresh mind as it was in the days of Thales.”
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
Hawking himself must have engaged in metaphysical speculation in connection with his scientific endeavors.
No, philosophy is not dead.
James Clerk Maxwell:
“It has been asserted that metaphysical speculation is a thing of the past, and that physical science has extirpated it. The discussion of the categories of existence, however, does not appear to be in danger of coming to an end in our time, and the exercise of speculation continues as fascinating to every fresh mind as it was in the days of Thales.”
America's evangelical community is a threat to religious freedom and other religious groups.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
According to one Pew poll I saw, only about 11% of so called evangelicals are “Christian Conservatives”. The largest evangelical group is the Southern Baptist Convention, and that group has passed some decidedly liberal resolutions about separation of church and state, about racism, about immigration. They oppose gay marriage. That doesn’t make them dangerous fiends. Obama ran in opposition to gay marriage first time.
There are some church people, both Catholic and Protestant who would put their church ahead of their country, but there’s not enough of them to be much of a threat. And church membership is in steep decline.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
According to one Pew poll I saw, only about 11% of so called evangelicals are “Christian Conservatives”. The largest evangelical group is the Southern Baptist Convention, and that group has passed some decidedly liberal resolutions about separation of church and state, about racism, about immigration. They oppose gay marriage. That doesn’t make them dangerous fiends. Obama ran in opposition to gay marriage first time.
There are some church people, both Catholic and Protestant who would put their church ahead of their country, but there’s not enough of them to be much of a threat. And church membership is in steep decline.
Street Epistemology: Maritza (1) | Truth Valuation (Co-ed Demands the Truth) - YouTube
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
This “Street “Epistemology” process seems rather arrogant and intrusive to me. Most of these professional skeptics have their own set of irrational beliefs and assumptions, of which they are totally unaware.
One can’t help but wonder what could possibly motivate them to go around proselytizing to complete strangers in an effort to convert them to radical skepticism. It must be something like Jehova’s Witnesses.
If a person’s world view is based on faith in materialism, physicalism, reductionism and scientism, then perhaps they feel very insecure. They ought to because their assumptions and beliefs are resting on quicksand. Generally they lash out if they hear someone discussing metaphysical ideas. In the case of this interviewer, he has been trained to use subterfuge and deceit rather than the usual domineering, swaggering bluster.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 25, 2019:
This “Street “Epistemology” process seems rather arrogant and intrusive to me. Most of these professional skeptics have their own set of irrational beliefs and assumptions, of which they are totally unaware.
One can’t help but wonder what could possibly motivate them to go around proselytizing to complete strangers in an effort to convert them to radical skepticism. It must be something like Jehova’s Witnesses.
If a person’s world view is based on faith in materialism, physicalism, reductionism and scientism, then perhaps they feel very insecure. They ought to because their assumptions and beliefs are resting on quicksand. Generally they lash out if they hear someone discussing metaphysical ideas. In the case of this interviewer, he has been trained to use subterfuge and deceit rather than the usual domineering, swaggering bluster.
Hi crowd!
61-year-old guy here, walks with a cane.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Welcome. We just won’t talk about old DT. :-)
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Welcome. We just won’t talk about old DT. :-)
The Universe Is Made of Tiny Bubbles Containing Mini-Universes, Scientists Say
[vice.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Very interesting—wish I could understand it better.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Very interesting—wish I could understand it better.
Another fall picture from West Virginia.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Very beautiful picture! Thanks.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Very beautiful picture! Thanks.
so we could fix the planet with what we spend on the military in 6 weeks... [bloomberg.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
We spend an obscene amount on defense and it’s not really necessary. It needs to stop, and at some point it’ll have to.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
We spend an obscene amount on defense and it’s not really necessary. It needs to stop, and at some point it’ll have to.
Some of the replies to my posts have led me to ask this question. Is this a religious hate group?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Only a few are like that. Don’t let them bother you.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Only a few are like that. Don’t let them bother you.
The window seat in my basement is now complete. Picked up the cushions today.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Very nice!
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Very nice!
I hate the “Karl Marx was racist so we shouldn’t use Marxist methodology”.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Good point. Racism has been almost totally pervasive so that it makes little sense to judge and demonize historical figures. It makes no sense to judge and demonize period!
The only thing that makes sense to me is to move forward as best we can with a spirit of mutual love and respect.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Good point. Racism has been almost totally pervasive so that it makes little sense to judge and demonize historical figures. It makes no sense to judge and demonize period!
The only thing that makes sense to me is to move forward as best we can with a spirit of mutual love and respect.
What is systemic racism like where you live? [facebook.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
It is a good video, not divisive, not judgmental.
As a person who grew up during the days of segregation, I think it impossible not to have thought that being White was better. It is a long process to grow out of the implicit lessons of early childhood, and there might always be some vestiges.
By consciously focusing on truth our thinking is corrected—feelings and behavior ensue. We set good examples for our children and grandchildren. We come to love and appreciate our Black neighbors and to realize that our country benefits greatly by their presence.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
It is a good video, not divisive, not judgmental.
As a person who grew up during the days of segregation, I think it impossible not to have thought that being White was better. It is a long process to grow out of the implicit lessons of early childhood, and there might always be some vestiges.
By consciously focusing on truth our thinking is corrected—feelings and behavior ensue. We set good examples for our children and grandchildren. We come to love and appreciate our Black neighbors and to realize that our country benefits greatly by their presence.
Science vs religion
Atheist historical nogodexists aincentphilosophy Agonostic
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Evil is purely subjective—evil is just behavior that we don’t like. The concept of evil has nothing to do with the nature of ultimate reality.
But if Epicurus or whoever prefers that we not use the God label, then maybe we should humor them.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Evil is purely subjective—evil is just behavior that we don’t like. The concept of evil has nothing to do with the nature of ultimate reality.
But if Epicurus or whoever prefers that we not use the God label, then maybe we should humor them.
October in central NY
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Beautiful!
New York is a fantastic state.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
Beautiful!
New York is a fantastic state.
Newest Consciousness theory
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
I think I follow what you are saying, and the idea resonates. Consciousness is universal but we do not know that as long as we cling to the illusion of time.
As an analogy, think of a film reel. While viewing the movie we see one frame at a time, in a prescribed sequence, and that gives us our illusory reality. Look at the film all rolled up on its reel and we realize that what we thought was time was only the prescribed sequence.
This is not some fanciful idea—even physicists are saying that time is an illusion.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
I think I follow what you are saying, and the idea resonates. Consciousness is universal but we do not know that as long as we cling to the illusion of time.
As an analogy, think of a film reel. While viewing the movie we see one frame at a time, in a prescribed sequence, and that gives us our illusory reality. Look at the film all rolled up on its reel and we realize that what we thought was time was only the prescribed sequence.
This is not some fanciful idea—even physicists are saying that time is an illusion.
Some parts of the bible are nice and some are nasty.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
I see the Bible as an assortment of history, legend, myth, metaphor, allegory, and fantasy. In the final analysis it is nothing but a human creation and has no more authority than any other book. The Bible, unlike Hindu scriptures, does not even address the deep questions of existence.
There are many meaningful passages in the Bible, but words are only meaningful if they resonate on a subjective level. So far as being expected to “believe”—that is ridiculous. Christianity is fundamentally flawed by this belief requirement for getting into heaven.
We are in heaven right now and all the time.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 24, 2019:
I see the Bible as an assortment of history, legend, myth, metaphor, allegory, and fantasy. In the final analysis it is nothing but a human creation and has no more authority than any other book. The Bible, unlike Hindu scriptures, does not even address the deep questions of existence.
There are many meaningful passages in the Bible, but words are only meaningful if they resonate on a subjective level. So far as being expected to “believe”—that is ridiculous. Christianity is fundamentally flawed by this belief requirement for getting into heaven.
We are in heaven right now and all the time.
Just joined the site, and I wanted to say Hi to everyone! I'm an 18 year old from Ontario Canada.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
Welcome and best wishes!
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
Welcome and best wishes!
Sex and the religious.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
With a correlation coefficient (r^2) of 0.163, this is a very weak association. This is a classic example of how a supposedly scientific study can be distorted, twisted, and misinterpreted in order to hawk some stupid political point of view.
It is also a crystal clear demonstration of the flagrant lack of critical thinking among some of those who claim as “liberals” to be intellectually and morally superior. Some of us are not fooled.
The logic goes like this: 1. Southern states are a few percentage points more religious than other states. (Actually about half of southerners never attend church and the Midwest is just about tied for religiosity) 2. A tiny fraction more porn searches emanate from the South than from other regions. 3. The South is more politically conservative than some other regions.
Conclusion: “Religious conservatives lead the nation in search for porn”. Since it is known that some religions preach against pornography I suppose we are to conclude that all religious conservatives are disgusting hypocrites,
Has anybody stopped to ask WHICH southerners it is who are searching for porn? The South is a vast region of over 120 million people, containing every personality type under the sun.
Has anyone stopped to consider REASONS why this minuscule difference shows up? Could it be that the median age in that paragon of virtue, New Hampshire being 42.4 while in slutty lustful Texas the median age is 33.9 has anything to do with it?
Finally, who the hell cares and what does it matter? Is there something dirty about human sexuality? Is anyone actually harmed by the watching of pornography?
BTW, I recommend the Japanese version.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
With a correlation coefficient (r^2) of 0.163, this is a very weak association. This is a classic example of how a supposedly scientific study can be distorted, twisted, and misinterpreted in order to hawk some stupid political point of view.
It is also a crystal clear demonstration of the flagrant lack of critical thinking among some of those who claim as “liberals” to be intellectually and morally superior. Some of us are not fooled.
The logic goes like this: 1. Southern states are a few percentage points more religious than other states. (Actually about half of southerners never attend church and the Midwest is just about tied for religiosity) 2. A tiny fraction more porn searches emanate from the South than from other regions. 3. The South is more politically conservative than some other regions.
Conclusion: “Religious conservatives lead the nation in search for porn”. Since it is known that some religions preach against pornography I suppose we are to conclude that all religious conservatives are disgusting hypocrites,
Has anybody stopped to ask WHICH southerners it is who are searching for porn? The South is a vast region of over 120 million people, containing every personality type under the sun.
Has anyone stopped to consider REASONS why this minuscule difference shows up? Could it be that the median age in that paragon of virtue, New Hampshire being 42.4 while in slutty lustful Texas the median age is 33.9 has anything to do with it?
Finally, who the hell cares and what does it matter? Is there something dirty about human sexuality? Is anyone actually harmed by the watching of pornography?
BTW, I recommend the Japanese version.
Sex and the religious.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
What is your source? Just because a particular region is higher in porn searches doesn’t mean that it’s religious conservatives doing the searching.
I suspect there is some major stereotyping going on here.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
What is your source? Just because a particular region is higher in porn searches doesn’t mean that it’s religious conservatives doing the searching.
I suspect there is some major stereotyping going on here.
HOLY TRIGGERED, BATMAN!
I cannot believe how outraged some atheists get when they see someone ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
Ha! I am thoroughly and unabashedly spiritual!
What of it?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
Ha! I am thoroughly and unabashedly spiritual!
What of it?
Your theory in living life
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
No special goal. Stay aware and savor the miracle of each moment of conscious awareness.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
No special goal. Stay aware and savor the miracle of each moment of conscious awareness.
What do you do when people insist they have seen a "ghost"?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
Some people claim to have had ghostly experiences without actually having seen a ghost. It seems impossible to refute some of those accounts. IMO a rational person should maintain an open mind to the possibility of ghosts.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
Some people claim to have had ghostly experiences without actually having seen a ghost. It seems impossible to refute some of those accounts. IMO a rational person should maintain an open mind to the possibility of ghosts.
Anyone here think that consciousness is a fundamental entity that exists both inside and outside ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
I lean toward the idea of universal consciousness. Many very prominent scientists have made such conjectures in one form or another, among them cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman. Several of the founders of modern physics advocated such an idea.
Here’s an interesting article on the subject.
https://www.ecstadelic.net/top-stories/the-unified-field-and-the-quantum-nature-of-consciousness
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 23, 2019:
I lean toward the idea of universal consciousness. Many very prominent scientists have made such conjectures in one form or another, among them cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman. Several of the founders of modern physics advocated such an idea.
Here’s an interesting article on the subject.
https://www.ecstadelic.net/top-stories/the-unified-field-and-the-quantum-nature-of-consciousness
JOHN PAVLOVITZ, a religious man who is nonetheless, right, on the right side, and righteous, even to...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 22, 2019:
A divisive and hateful rant if I’ve ever seen one, it exemplifies what is wrong with our political climate. One side has set itself up as paragons of intellectual and moral superiority, and it proceeds to demonize and stereotype and to dehumanize anyone not in its camp.
The guy says he’s been trying mightily to educate the ignorant, racist, conservatives. I guess there are just too many of us and he has given up. With such an ego driven attitude I can see why he has been ignored.
What is needed is a true leader who knows there is not just one correct side, who has both liberal and conservative values, and who is motivated by a desire to serve, a leader who is respectful of everyone.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 22, 2019:
A divisive and hateful rant if I’ve ever seen one, it exemplifies what is wrong with our political climate. One side has set itself up as paragons of intellectual and moral superiority, and it proceeds to demonize and stereotype and to dehumanize anyone not in its camp.
The guy says he’s been trying mightily to educate the ignorant, racist, conservatives. I guess there are just too many of us and he has given up. With such an ego driven attitude I can see why he has been ignored.
What is needed is a true leader who knows there is not just one correct side, who has both liberal and conservative values, and who is motivated by a desire to serve, a leader who is respectful of everyone.
Does democracy need capitalism?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 22, 2019:
Thinking in basic terms and without labels, if someone has something she doesn’t want it seems that she should be able to trade for something she does want. If I create some desirable and needed merchandise I should be able to trade off that merchandise if I want to. Trading is deeply ingrained human behavior. Capitalism is basically about private ownership and trading, so I can see where capitalism and democracy would go hand in hand.
If government is going to own everything and control production by force of arms, then I would see that as authoritarian and dictatorial by necessity.
Many people have come to think that they deserve and have a right to a comfortable lifestyle, and lacking that lifestyle they are dissatisfied and aggrieved and seek societal reforms through government action. They would get better results by directing their efforts toward creating goods and services and joining in the market.
Some unfortunate people have nothing to trade and, because of some problem, are unable to produce. Certainly well-managed social programs are needed, but in an ultimate sense, those programs are supported by the productivity of individuals.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 22, 2019:
Thinking in basic terms and without labels, if someone has something she doesn’t want it seems that she should be able to trade for something she does want. If I create some desirable and needed merchandise I should be able to trade off that merchandise if I want to. Trading is deeply ingrained human behavior. Capitalism is basically about private ownership and trading, so I can see where capitalism and democracy would go hand in hand.
If government is going to own everything and control production by force of arms, then I would see that as authoritarian and dictatorial by necessity.
Many people have come to think that they deserve and have a right to a comfortable lifestyle, and lacking that lifestyle they are dissatisfied and aggrieved and seek societal reforms through government action. They would get better results by directing their efforts toward creating goods and services and joining in the market.
Some unfortunate people have nothing to trade and, because of some problem, are unable to produce. Certainly well-managed social programs are needed, but in an ultimate sense, those programs are supported by the productivity of individuals.
Who is this idiot! I have heard less offensive comments from the religious peanut brains!
I ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 22, 2019:
https://www.livescience.com/33992-gay-women.html
“Unlike men, who are usually sexually oriented solely toward men or women, and whose sexuality is essentially fixed from puberty on, a decade of research by the University of Utah psychologist Lisa Diamond and others demonstrates that women have greater "erotic plasticity." Their sexual orientation can be shaped by cultural influences, altered by positive or negative experiences and intensified by feelings of love or attachment. Women are far more likely than men to "report remarkably late and abrupt onset of same-sex sexuality, often after heterosexual marriage," Diamond wrote in January in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.”
It doesn’t sound like such a horrible thing to say—that you can find a good man who wants you—you don’t have to become a lesbian.
Of course with her good looks it’s easy for her to say. :-)
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 22, 2019:
https://www.livescience.com/33992-gay-women.html
“Unlike men, who are usually sexually oriented solely toward men or women, and whose sexuality is essentially fixed from puberty on, a decade of research by the University of Utah psychologist Lisa Diamond and others demonstrates that women have greater "erotic plasticity." Their sexual orientation can be shaped by cultural influences, altered by positive or negative experiences and intensified by feelings of love or attachment. Women are far more likely than men to "report remarkably late and abrupt onset of same-sex sexuality, often after heterosexual marriage," Diamond wrote in January in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.”
It doesn’t sound like such a horrible thing to say—that you can find a good man who wants you—you don’t have to become a lesbian.
Of course with her good looks it’s easy for her to say. :-)
Ex-Navy officer turned inventor signs a multi-million deal to produce his electric car battery that ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 22, 2019:
Fantastic!
This kind of thing is just what the world needs. Hurray for inventors and entrepreneurs like Jackson.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 22, 2019:
Fantastic!
This kind of thing is just what the world needs. Hurray for inventors and entrepreneurs like Jackson.
Inequity of society horrendous
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 22, 2019:
The VA might try to help in some ways.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 22, 2019:
The VA might try to help in some ways.
Nothing really matters.
Change my mind. ;P
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 22, 2019:
If nothing matters ever you might as well rob a bank and fly to Tahiti. It wouldn’t matter.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 22, 2019:
If nothing matters ever you might as well rob a bank and fly to Tahiti. It wouldn’t matter.
One of the posts I read indicated that being an atheist or an agnostic is a choice we make.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 21, 2019:
I really don’t think we can control what we believe or disbelieve. If an assertion seems reasonable to us we will lean toward belief. Belief will arise spontaneously.
But why is it thought important to believe or disbelieve? To emphasize belief, to expect belief in some assertion—that kills belief right there. Belief has to come on its own. That’s one of my main objections to Christianity: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved”—that statement immediately guarantees disbelief by naturally skeptical people.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 21, 2019:
I really don’t think we can control what we believe or disbelieve. If an assertion seems reasonable to us we will lean toward belief. Belief will arise spontaneously.
But why is it thought important to believe or disbelieve? To emphasize belief, to expect belief in some assertion—that kills belief right there. Belief has to come on its own. That’s one of my main objections to Christianity: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved”—that statement immediately guarantees disbelief by naturally skeptical people.
Life is constantly throwing bad news at us.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 21, 2019:
I practice Rational Behavior Therapy, a creation of Dr. Maxie Maultsby Jr. In a nutshell, it’s not bad news that causes mental pain—it’s what we THINK ABOUT the bad news that hurts us. Emotions follow thoughts. That is because our subconscious minds have no discrimination, taking input information to be valid and true. If you continually feed lies into your subconscious mind you are in for a life of fear, anger, pain, loneliness, depression, poor health and early death.
Our default state is joyous bliss and ecstasy. You really have to work hard to screw things up.
Rating 10!
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 21, 2019:
I practice Rational Behavior Therapy, a creation of Dr. Maxie Maultsby Jr. In a nutshell, it’s not bad news that causes mental pain—it’s what we THINK ABOUT the bad news that hurts us. Emotions follow thoughts. That is because our subconscious minds have no discrimination, taking input information to be valid and true. If you continually feed lies into your subconscious mind you are in for a life of fear, anger, pain, loneliness, depression, poor health and early death.
Our default state is joyous bliss and ecstasy. You really have to work hard to screw things up.
Rating 10!
You know why are you so interested in sex?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 21, 2019:
Sex is life’s second greatest pleasure. Life’s greatest pleasure is to love your children.
In a totally different category is the ecstasy arising from conscious knowledge of the implications of existence.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 21, 2019:
Sex is life’s second greatest pleasure. Life’s greatest pleasure is to love your children.
In a totally different category is the ecstasy arising from conscious knowledge of the implications of existence.
So is anyone else agnostic about life?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 21, 2019:
“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science."
“My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind."
Albert Einstein
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 21, 2019:
“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science."
“My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind."
Albert Einstein
Pathetic bullies
Florida police
[google.com.au]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 20, 2019:
I am also disturbed by the guy being tased after he was on the ground. The fact that he offered to surrender and was mistreated—yes, that is shameful. He could have been seriously injured for no reason.
I was faced with a similar situation once. Someone had appropriated my vehicle after being allowed to use it. The police would not help, saying that it was a private matter and that no law had been broken. Florida law might be different, but even so, such a drastic response was inappropriate.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 20, 2019:
I am also disturbed by the guy being tased after he was on the ground. The fact that he offered to surrender and was mistreated—yes, that is shameful. He could have been seriously injured for no reason.
I was faced with a similar situation once. Someone had appropriated my vehicle after being allowed to use it. The police would not help, saying that it was a private matter and that no law had been broken. Florida law might be different, but even so, such a drastic response was inappropriate.
Wolfgang Streeck wrote in his book "How will Capitalism end?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 20, 2019:
Without reading the book it’s hard to give an opinion. In a free and open society there is constant change, constant shuffling of business formations.
There’s plenty of room for improvement—for reform, but that doesn’t mean that capitalism needs to be brought down and replaced with Marxism.
I’d say that in the US, private enterprise is failing miserably in the area of health care. IMO that’s because the normal forces of supply and demand that regulate free enterprise have been circumvented, and government policies have abetted that circumvention in some cases. It could also be that private enterprise is simply not capable of meeting our needs and that some level of government participation is needed. We should look at what works in other countries.
I really like the idea of State Capitalism as is practiced in China, Norway and other countries, even Canada to some degree.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 20, 2019:
Without reading the book it’s hard to give an opinion. In a free and open society there is constant change, constant shuffling of business formations.
There’s plenty of room for improvement—for reform, but that doesn’t mean that capitalism needs to be brought down and replaced with Marxism.
I’d say that in the US, private enterprise is failing miserably in the area of health care. IMO that’s because the normal forces of supply and demand that regulate free enterprise have been circumvented, and government policies have abetted that circumvention in some cases. It could also be that private enterprise is simply not capable of meeting our needs and that some level of government participation is needed. We should look at what works in other countries.
I really like the idea of State Capitalism as is practiced in China, Norway and other countries, even Canada to some degree.
Pathetic bullies
Florida police
[google.com.au]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 19, 2019:
The link doesn’t work for me.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 19, 2019:
The link doesn’t work for me.
Thoughts on the ‘Self-Transforming’ Mind - RSA
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 19, 2019:
I am turning this over in my mind. Offhand though I have a conflict with the conclusion. Looking back on history, it has generally been young adults who are vibrant and creative and who make ingenious discoveries and inventions. I can see that an older population with this claimed higher level of development might lend stability and purpose to humanity. I don’t see though how the older generations can do much to solve any dire problems that threaten us. The worst of the problems have been brought about by overpopulation itself, and longer lives contribute to overpopulation.
Maybe someday when I mature I’ll understand it better.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 19, 2019:
I am turning this over in my mind. Offhand though I have a conflict with the conclusion. Looking back on history, it has generally been young adults who are vibrant and creative and who make ingenious discoveries and inventions. I can see that an older population with this claimed higher level of development might lend stability and purpose to humanity. I don’t see though how the older generations can do much to solve any dire problems that threaten us. The worst of the problems have been brought about by overpopulation itself, and longer lives contribute to overpopulation.
Maybe someday when I mature I’ll understand it better.
True just distorted by evangelicals who want a religious state their religion
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 18, 2019:
Good post, thank you.
Very few evangelicals are calling for a religious state. Practically none I would say.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 18, 2019:
Good post, thank you.
Very few evangelicals are calling for a religious state. Practically none I would say.
Video: Shinzen Young: Is Enlightenment a Myth?
[stillnessspeaks.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 18, 2019:
It’s a great video. Thanks.I have often had that same question.
“Enlightenment” has been so hyped and embellished and has acquired such an aura of greatness and perfection that it seems attainable by only an elite few, maybe one person in ten thousand. Humanity is thus divided into two groups: the special elite ones who have achieved the ultimate achievement, and the other lesser ones, living in darkness.
Of course in common English the word can also be used in other ways. This video brings the concept of enlightenment down to earth, gives it some earthiness and makes it seem more attainable. If enlightenment grows over time, then there must be degrees of enlightenment. Maybe we are all enlightened at heart, and as we remove the obstructing clouds we gradually see that we have been living under an illusion and that our true Self is of immense significance and value.
By that definition I think that I am somewhat enlightened but certainly not like in satori. I can see and understand certain things from an intellectual perspective but I have never been able to let go physical attachment and dwell in what is beyond.
Maybe that’s why I still go hunting, deny climate change and vote Libertarian rather than being a vegetarian Democrat. :-)
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 18, 2019:
It’s a great video. Thanks.I have often had that same question.
“Enlightenment” has been so hyped and embellished and has acquired such an aura of greatness and perfection that it seems attainable by only an elite few, maybe one person in ten thousand. Humanity is thus divided into two groups: the special elite ones who have achieved the ultimate achievement, and the other lesser ones, living in darkness.
Of course in common English the word can also be used in other ways. This video brings the concept of enlightenment down to earth, gives it some earthiness and makes it seem more attainable. If enlightenment grows over time, then there must be degrees of enlightenment. Maybe we are all enlightened at heart, and as we remove the obstructing clouds we gradually see that we have been living under an illusion and that our true Self is of immense significance and value.
By that definition I think that I am somewhat enlightened but certainly not like in satori. I can see and understand certain things from an intellectual perspective but I have never been able to let go physical attachment and dwell in what is beyond.
Maybe that’s why I still go hunting, deny climate change and vote Libertarian rather than being a vegetarian Democrat. :-)
On the menu today...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 18, 2019:
I don’t think that one trend causes the other, however there could be something more general going on that is causing both the trends.
Whatever it is, there are undoubtably good effects as well as bad. We will adapt and move forward.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 18, 2019:
I don’t think that one trend causes the other, however there could be something more general going on that is causing both the trends.
Whatever it is, there are undoubtably good effects as well as bad. We will adapt and move forward.
Good news, Agnostics!
[pewforum.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 17, 2019:
Great article—thanks!
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 17, 2019:
Great article—thanks!
Question.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 17, 2019:
An organized group can do all sorts of things that isolated individuals can not. If individuals come together and pool their resources in order to influence public opinion, isn’t that their right whether needed or not?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 17, 2019:
An organized group can do all sorts of things that isolated individuals can not. If individuals come together and pool their resources in order to influence public opinion, isn’t that their right whether needed or not?
Is physical causality incomplete?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 17, 2019:
Whether intentionality is emergent or not, I believe that Ellis makes a good point. There is no scientific understanding of conscious awareness or intentionality, and there will never be as long as science continues with its “self-referential incompleteness”.
A robot can be set up to make decisions. If equipped with enough information and the right programming a robot can appear to exhibit intention. But we know that a robot’s decisions are determined by its memories, its software, and possibly by a random number generator and that it has no conscious awareness of self. In fact, it has no “self”. A robot is nothing but an assemblage of parts, no more aware than a rock. In the same way, organic bodies appear to make decisions, but in the case of organisms those decisions might sometimes be guided by conscious awareness, something that no one understands.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 17, 2019:
Whether intentionality is emergent or not, I believe that Ellis makes a good point. There is no scientific understanding of conscious awareness or intentionality, and there will never be as long as science continues with its “self-referential incompleteness”.
A robot can be set up to make decisions. If equipped with enough information and the right programming a robot can appear to exhibit intention. But we know that a robot’s decisions are determined by its memories, its software, and possibly by a random number generator and that it has no conscious awareness of self. In fact, it has no “self”. A robot is nothing but an assemblage of parts, no more aware than a rock. In the same way, organic bodies appear to make decisions, but in the case of organisms those decisions might sometimes be guided by conscious awareness, something that no one understands.
History has a habit of repeating.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 16, 2019:
What’s wrong with China having influence in the Pacific? China should have influence there. As China prospers the world prospers.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 16, 2019:
What’s wrong with China having influence in the Pacific? China should have influence there. As China prospers the world prospers.
Please Agnostics tell me what evidence would you need to convince you the God of the Bible exists ?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 16, 2019:
Trouble is that the Bible describes God in various conflicting and unbelievable ways. I don’t know why people are expected to believe or disbelieve things. We can simply look at the Bible and see that it is mixed up and off base and not suitable as an authority. Because some people have erroneously described something does not invalidate or disprove the existence of that thing.
But I’d say that before talking about existence we ought to find out the meaning of existence and if “we” are going to speculate, “we” ought to figure out what the hell “we” are in the first place. Being convinced of something presupposes conscious awareness, a deep and profound mystery. If “we” are going to make these grand determinations about ultimate reality shouldn’t “we” first understand the foundation of all knowing?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 16, 2019:
Trouble is that the Bible describes God in various conflicting and unbelievable ways. I don’t know why people are expected to believe or disbelieve things. We can simply look at the Bible and see that it is mixed up and off base and not suitable as an authority. Because some people have erroneously described something does not invalidate or disprove the existence of that thing.
But I’d say that before talking about existence we ought to find out the meaning of existence and if “we” are going to speculate, “we” ought to figure out what the hell “we” are in the first place. Being convinced of something presupposes conscious awareness, a deep and profound mystery. If “we” are going to make these grand determinations about ultimate reality shouldn’t “we” first understand the foundation of all knowing?
Finished a vase or bulb thing,,,,,,What is this thing?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 16, 2019:
Wow, it’s a beautiful work of art—that’s what it is. What kind of wood is that?
Here’s one of my latest:
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 16, 2019:
Wow, it’s a beautiful work of art—that’s what it is. What kind of wood is that?
Here’s one of my latest:
In a certain sense, postmodernism seems to be the last step of secularization.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 16, 2019:
What if we just refer to “The Great Unknown”? Do you think that would be another name for God, tainted with metaphysics and theology? Ultimate Reality?
As far as I’m concerned theology can be dispensed with, but I’m not so sure about metaphysics. Some of today’s science was once considered metaphysics. Creative scientists continually wrestle with new and unproven ideas.
James Clerk Maxwell:
“It has been asserted that metaphysical speculation is a thing of the past, and that physical science has extirpated it. The discussion of the categories of existence, however, does not appear to be in danger of coming to an end in our time, and the exercise of speculation continues as fascinating to every fresh mind as it was in the days of Thales.”
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 16, 2019:
What if we just refer to “The Great Unknown”? Do you think that would be another name for God, tainted with metaphysics and theology? Ultimate Reality?
As far as I’m concerned theology can be dispensed with, but I’m not so sure about metaphysics. Some of today’s science was once considered metaphysics. Creative scientists continually wrestle with new and unproven ideas.
James Clerk Maxwell:
“It has been asserted that metaphysical speculation is a thing of the past, and that physical science has extirpated it. The discussion of the categories of existence, however, does not appear to be in danger of coming to an end in our time, and the exercise of speculation continues as fascinating to every fresh mind as it was in the days of Thales.”
How will the Trump presidency end:
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 15, 2019:
My suspicion is that he will be re-elected and will serve out his second term.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 15, 2019:
My suspicion is that he will be re-elected and will serve out his second term.
Life On Mars.
Does anyone know anything more about this?
[blogs.scientificamerican.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 15, 2019:
I remember that first report that life had been detected on Mars, followed by caution that the test was not conclusive. I wondered at the time how the test could possibly be wrong. It won’t surprise me at all if life is discovered on Mars.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 15, 2019:
I remember that first report that life had been detected on Mars, followed by caution that the test was not conclusive. I wondered at the time how the test could possibly be wrong. It won’t surprise me at all if life is discovered on Mars.
This is just a question, not a moral observation or anything else, just a question that maybe the ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
I think not. Every situation is different.
Some states used to impose death for rape, but the punishment was not dealt fairly. It’s just too extreme.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
I think not. Every situation is different.
Some states used to impose death for rape, but the punishment was not dealt fairly. It’s just too extreme.
I was walking yesterday and came across a neighbor and we started talking.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
I’ve known a few of them. It is interesting that in South Carolina Bahias are the largest minority religion.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
I’ve known a few of them. It is interesting that in South Carolina Bahias are the largest minority religion.
Christmas is coming up deep sigh looking forward to Christians telling me I can’t celebrate it ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
Ah, Yule Tide.
So enjoyable!
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
Ah, Yule Tide.
So enjoyable!
Power causes brain damage! [theatlantic.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
Maybe it’s just that a leader is forced to make hard decisions based on intellect rather than emotions. They **have** to develop calloused, numb emotions in order to function in their roles. I wonder if studies have been done on the brains of EMT’s, doctors, soldiers, etc.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
Maybe it’s just that a leader is forced to make hard decisions based on intellect rather than emotions. They **have** to develop calloused, numb emotions in order to function in their roles. I wonder if studies have been done on the brains of EMT’s, doctors, soldiers, etc.
"Cultures that cannot distinguish between illusion and reality die.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that ones own opinions are absolute truth while those with opposing opinions are deluded. In particular, I don’t think the masses are stupid. From my perspective the “elites” are represented by our left leaning media outlets, and yes, they seem to have illusions.
I too admire the Chinese in a lot of ways. They have practical ideas, and they employ State Capitalism.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that ones own opinions are absolute truth while those with opposing opinions are deluded. In particular, I don’t think the masses are stupid. From my perspective the “elites” are represented by our left leaning media outlets, and yes, they seem to have illusions.
I too admire the Chinese in a lot of ways. They have practical ideas, and they employ State Capitalism.
Have all y’all heard about Buy Nothing?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
It sounds very beneficial, but I don’t do Facebook.
It sort of reminds me of our local “Christian Mission”. You can donate things you don’t want, and you can buy stuff very cheaply. Of course that’s just stuff, not services.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
It sounds very beneficial, but I don’t do Facebook.
It sort of reminds me of our local “Christian Mission”. You can donate things you don’t want, and you can buy stuff very cheaply. Of course that’s just stuff, not services.
Game theory and human behaviour.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
That last paragraph sums it up nicely and is persuasive.
“... the more we know, the more we know we do not know.”
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 14, 2019:
That last paragraph sums it up nicely and is persuasive.
“... the more we know, the more we know we do not know.”
Your veiws on Spiritual?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
Sir Arthur Eddington:
The universe is of the nature of a thought or sensation in a universal Mind... To put the conclusion crudely — the stuff of the world is mind-stuff.
We are no longer tempted to condemn the spiritual aspects of our nature as illusory because of their lack of concreteness.
The scientific answer is relevant so far as concerns the sense-impressions... For the rest the human spirit must turn to the unseen world to which it itself belongs.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
Sir Arthur Eddington:
The universe is of the nature of a thought or sensation in a universal Mind... To put the conclusion crudely — the stuff of the world is mind-stuff.
We are no longer tempted to condemn the spiritual aspects of our nature as illusory because of their lack of concreteness.
The scientific answer is relevant so far as concerns the sense-impressions... For the rest the human spirit must turn to the unseen world to which it itself belongs.
Posing with my shirt!! Thanks!
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
Looks nice!
Also attractive is the bourbon, etc. :-) I’ve never had Knob Creek.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
Looks nice!
Also attractive is the bourbon, etc. :-) I’ve never had Knob Creek.
Jim crow election in Mississippi
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
It is extremely unlikely to happen. That provision in the state constitution, though founded on racism, has never been used in that way.
But some interesting ideas come to mind. As a parallel situation, because Blacks tend to live in large cities, it could have been claimed unlikely that a Black would ever win the US presidency under our electoral system—Yet we elected Barack Obama with strong support from the heartland. It all depends on the mindset of the voters. You can divide the electorate up in many different ways. No group will ever be equally represented in every state or voting district.
The plaintiffs have not been harmed at this point—they just see a potential for harm. I suspect this suit will be thrown out on that basis, but if that contentious provision is ever used as intended in 1890, then all hell would break loose and at that point a lawsuit would be successful.
No, it is not “back to the 1800’s again”, but this story makes for an exciting little rush of indignation among certain people.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
It is extremely unlikely to happen. That provision in the state constitution, though founded on racism, has never been used in that way.
But some interesting ideas come to mind. As a parallel situation, because Blacks tend to live in large cities, it could have been claimed unlikely that a Black would ever win the US presidency under our electoral system—Yet we elected Barack Obama with strong support from the heartland. It all depends on the mindset of the voters. You can divide the electorate up in many different ways. No group will ever be equally represented in every state or voting district.
The plaintiffs have not been harmed at this point—they just see a potential for harm. I suspect this suit will be thrown out on that basis, but if that contentious provision is ever used as intended in 1890, then all hell would break loose and at that point a lawsuit would be successful.
No, it is not “back to the 1800’s again”, but this story makes for an exciting little rush of indignation among certain people.
"What marks modernist thought above all is the belief that human existence is contingent - that it ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
Then I disagree drastically with modernist thought.
Our existence is underlain with conscious awareness, timeless and indestructible.
Individual humans are chancey things, temporary and of no import—so is the human species. The entire physical universe is ethereal and could disappear at any moment.
But IMO our true Self is not our individual bodies.
Modernist thought has no more logical basis for its metaphysical musings than does fundamentalist religion.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
Then I disagree drastically with modernist thought.
Our existence is underlain with conscious awareness, timeless and indestructible.
Individual humans are chancey things, temporary and of no import—so is the human species. The entire physical universe is ethereal and could disappear at any moment.
But IMO our true Self is not our individual bodies.
Modernist thought has no more logical basis for its metaphysical musings than does fundamentalist religion.
Your veiws on Spiritual?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
My personal definition of spirituality is to be deeply aware of the staggering implications of the mystery of existence and to live in awe, appreciation, and reverence.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
My personal definition of spirituality is to be deeply aware of the staggering implications of the mystery of existence and to live in awe, appreciation, and reverence.
An 8-year-old was barred from school photos because of 'extreme hairstyle'
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
It looks ok to me, but they do have that rule about natural color. There are too many senseless rules.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
It looks ok to me, but they do have that rule about natural color. There are too many senseless rules.
Finally less than 6000 to level 8 !
It's been a long haul ! Lol
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
Hang in there. I just made level 8. Trouble is now that level 9 is years away.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
Hang in there. I just made level 8. Trouble is now that level 9 is years away.
Should trump's mouth be washed out with soap?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
I hear those expressions a lot, and I am to the point of not even noticing. There is a sharp divide however. Those who are religious and attend churches seldom or never say naughty words. Trump is not very religious.
That “F” word, so common on this forum however, is one so disturbing to me that I will not even spell it out partially. Why? I don’t know. Childhood conditioning probably.
From a strictly rational perspective words ought not matter much. We are not rational. I think the people did not want a prissy church-mouse for their leader. They elected this boisterous guy who says naughty words and wears a baseball cap with his suit.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 13, 2019:
I hear those expressions a lot, and I am to the point of not even noticing. There is a sharp divide however. Those who are religious and attend churches seldom or never say naughty words. Trump is not very religious.
That “F” word, so common on this forum however, is one so disturbing to me that I will not even spell it out partially. Why? I don’t know. Childhood conditioning probably.
From a strictly rational perspective words ought not matter much. We are not rational. I think the people did not want a prissy church-mouse for their leader. They elected this boisterous guy who says naughty words and wears a baseball cap with his suit.
What Do You Like?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 12, 2019:
I like your beautiful photograph.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 12, 2019:
I like your beautiful photograph.
Hi all, just want to check in; didn't realise such a group existed and look forward to good times ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 12, 2019:
Welcome!
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 12, 2019:
Welcome!
"We can judge our progress by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers; our ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2019:
Sometimes you have to go with your gut feelings. There might not be time or means to do a logical analysis. Even if you do a logical analysis you can still be wrong.
Truth is not absolute.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2019:
Sometimes you have to go with your gut feelings. There might not be time or means to do a logical analysis. Even if you do a logical analysis you can still be wrong.
Truth is not absolute.
Deep South maybe but surely not Deep South Wales!
“Incestuous and vain” as Aladdin Sane ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2019:
So now we know what the Brits are up to.
Sincerely,
A Deep Southerner :-)
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2019:
So now we know what the Brits are up to.
Sincerely,
A Deep Southerner :-)
Carbon Negative SpaceX Starship Possible
Elon Musk suggested that SpaceX can make methane fuel ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2019:
Won’t whatever methane is burned while in the atmosphere go right back to CO2? While some methane might be carried off into space, it would be a minuscule amount compared to human and natural input.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2019:
Won’t whatever methane is burned while in the atmosphere go right back to CO2? While some methane might be carried off into space, it would be a minuscule amount compared to human and natural input.
Just completed vintage scale restoration . Toledo circa 1920
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2019:
Beautiful—great hobby!
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2019:
Beautiful—great hobby!
Is it too late? Has climate activism failed? Are we into damage control? [grist.org]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2019:
Please note that the article is ten years old and we are still here
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2019:
Please note that the article is ten years old and we are still here
Kansas Girl, 13, Arrested After Making Gun Symbol [msn.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2019:
It was a police decision to arrest her. I doubt this will get very far in court. It is an example of bullying and intimidation by authorities.
All the boys in my elementary school used to play cowboys and Indians during recess. We shot each other with pretend pistols all the time. The worst problem was that after being shot a person often would refuse to fall down.
Times change. I’m told there’s no longer such a thing as recess in some schools.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2019:
It was a police decision to arrest her. I doubt this will get very far in court. It is an example of bullying and intimidation by authorities.
All the boys in my elementary school used to play cowboys and Indians during recess. We shot each other with pretend pistols all the time. The worst problem was that after being shot a person often would refuse to fall down.
Times change. I’m told there’s no longer such a thing as recess in some schools.
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