Do you think it's possible that intelligence, consciousness could be transfigured into code? That we could exist in virtual realities of our own design? I think it's not only possible, but that it's possible within my lifetime, and probably most of yours. I think it's possible that this will mean we can live as long as we want, secure as files stored in quantum computers, able to filter and tailor the experiences of our existence, like super-powered parental controls. We'll be our own Gods,…

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For some of you who get tripped up on the logic of why choice is impossible, here are some very straightforward studies of free will, the results of which will hopefully stifle some of your righteous indignation. Take a look:

Here's an article about a study at the Max Planck Institute, in which... "Test subjects chose whether to push a button with their right or left hand; seven seconds before they experienced making the choice, their brain activity already predicted their final…

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I am a science nerd extraordinare, and am somewhat of a compulsive teacher, so for anyone who has any curiosities whatsoever - how does something work, what does a scientific concept really mean, what the hell is a dimension, that kind of stuff, or anything really. I study everything, and I enjoy flexing the curiosity muscle as much as possible, so consider me your Q&A guru forever more. No question too big, no question too small.

Today a new type of cancer detection was annouced by several news sources - one that is sensetive enough to detect one cancer cell, out of bilions. The device is the size of a credit card and is a fairly simple design which could be easily and cheaply mass-produced, but will assuredly be an expensive test for quite some time. The reason is greed and egotism: evolutionary 'tailbones' which should be eliminated from our species.

 

Humans have entered an era of information…

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I perceive sad aspects of life that I do not like to admit to myself. In the face of death, we will do anything to survive. Our morals fall apart at the threat of non-existence. There is no such thing as truth or knowledge or progress. We are slaves to causality; to chemical compulsions that feel like our own doing. We will never understand our origins, our purpose, or our ends. Such questions are pointless, and decisions that would be motivated by their answers are…

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If it is not possible to hold one's breath until one expires, then the "will" to live is not willful at all, but is a bodily reaction (at least in that isolated case). Furthermore, the emotions and thoughts accompanying such a reaction cannot be called willful either. A person will innevitably feel that they want to live, and will have thoughts about trying to stay alive, once their body has begun to struggle for air.

So, this is an example of a motive to stay alive, and…

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If I am correct, then you are about to read philosophical history. It's a little dense, but it's short, so focus...

This is actually an old philosophy. I cannot remember which old Greek proposed it, but I remember hearing the idea in a philosophy class years ago. It was a dualistic argument against free will asserting that the human mind and body…

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