Comment

Comment by booklover on June 5, 2012 at 8:00am

Lillie Fleur, thanks for that quote from Colbert.  Love it! ~ Melinda

Comment by Lillie on June 4, 2012 at 10:15am

This is one of my favorite topics.  My favorite quote is from Colbert:  "Everyone knows reality has a liberal bias."  Glad to join.

Comment by Napoleon Bonaparte on May 7, 2012 at 5:56am

Joy Division - Shadowplay

Comment by Marc Draco on May 4, 2012 at 6:03pm

Courtesy of Eugine Scott

http://www.webcitation.org/67Prx6lgG

How many of the speakers are climate change experts? I don't know, but I do note that they claim a UK MP - he's not, he's an MEP (for Europe) and does not hold anything like as much respect; and let's be honest, not many MPs do have much respect these days.

Comment by Greg LeGore on April 22, 2012 at 10:57am

@Jon T:

"Yet, I am sensing that as a function of our socialization, we gather together and around central controlling ideas driven by our nature for the good of the group and to satisfy belonging, as opposed to reason. It is as though the religious have a natural drive or compulsion to answer first to the group requirements and rationale without question."

     I think that scientific literature and artistic endeavors clearly show that humans hunger for connection and belonging to one or more groups.  Whether this predates and contributes to religion, I do not know.  I'd guess that, yes, the ancient world in which we knew nothing was a terrifying place and that these stories both helped make sense of that world while offering some sustainment from that group.  Several writers nicely make the point that if this was true, can we know let go of the initial ideas which are refuted by the facts obtained via science?

     

"I think even Academia has this kind of blind following as well."

     Not just Academia, but most if not all human institutions are at least partly has this phenomenon because it relates to humans with all of our individual and group flaws.  Even economics and investing has this, as Peter Lynch nicely describes in Chapter 2 (The Wall Street Oxymorons) of his helpful 'One up on Wall Street.'

"What I am considering is the idea that knowledge gives us our soul or identity; irregardless of how we expound upon the base of knowledge or bring things to the logical conclusion to grow our understanding, I believe our conscience is part of our acting within the body of knowledge."

     It would seem that only neuroscientists would be qualified and  have sufficient data to add to a credible discourse about mind, soul, and body.  I am not, and so I'd defer to them.  Some fascinating books offer we laypersons insights on these and related topics.  Among them, I recommend 'Incognito, the secret lives of the brain' by David Eagleman and 'The better angels of our nature, why violence has declined' by Steven Pinker.  The former explores the subconscious while the latter describes how the reduction in tribalism, combined with improved literacy and governance (among other factors) has changed our world over time somewhat in the manner to which you refer.

"In other words, we are a part of a human group conscience finding its way through space and time learning as we are kind of blown by this wind of revelation that utilizes our intellect and brain in a maturing and growing collective conscience."

    I know of no evidence which suggests that there is a collective mind or knowledge which acts upon any aspect of the universe.  Others may have some insight to help you investigate this further.

"Any ideas where I could find thought on this?"

     Not any credible sources.  Sorry.

Comment by John Jubinsky on April 22, 2012 at 7:46am

Thanks Alice - I signed it.

Comment by Jon T on April 22, 2012 at 5:07am

@Greg & @ Neil or anyone

The meme idea i will research, it sounds promising. Yet, I am sensing that as a function of our socialization, we gather together and around central controlling ideas driven by our nature for the good of the group and to satisfy belonging, as opposed to reason. It is as though the religious have a natural drive or compulsion to answer first to the group requirements and rationale without question. I think even Academia has this kind of blind following as well, although the body of academic information supports a different out look and understanding of the world. What I am considering is the idea that knowledge gives us our soul or identity; irregardless of how we expound upon the base of knowledge or bring things to the logical conclusion to grow our understanding, I believe our conscience is part of our acting within the body of knowledge. In other words, we are a part of a human group conscience finding its way through space and time learning as we are kind of blown by this wind of revelation that utilizes our intellect and brain in a maturing and growing collective conscience. This is why our morality changes and is thought anew to the next generation, such that old teachings begin to fail rather than be regurgitated throughout time, like both our nature and our practice would have as religion reflects. I think that some of our subconscious functions to manifest this collective body of thought and thinking to carry knowledge growth into the future, and is the driving force behind recording and transmitting to add to the knowledge base in the evolution of our awareness. Any ideas where I could find thought on this?

Comment by Jon T on April 22, 2012 at 4:16am

Alice, i signed the petition.

Comment by Alice on April 21, 2012 at 9:06pm

Thanks... :)

Comment by Donna Darko on April 21, 2012 at 7:32pm

I signed it a few minutes ago myself from another source, but thank you for posting this, Alice.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 15
• 16
• 17
• 18
• 19
• …
• 145
• Next ›
• Page