consciousness and how to deal with it

[Ferre]

I wanted to share an interview with Terence McKenna, Ethno-botanicus, writer and researcher who unwillingly became labelled an "activist" because of the nature of his findings.

In my view this is the most profound and well articulated explanation possible about something that is fundamentally wrong and terribly counter-productive in our culture.

54BASgxINVg

[Atom]

Thinking...

[ewomack]

I agree with the claim that "drugs" have had a hitherto unappreciated and profound effect on human history and culture. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if much religious and "mystical" visions of days gone by were found to have arisen from "drugs." That said, how do we know which "drugs" are safe and in what quantities and which are not?

[Atom]

heh, just ask me.

[ewomack]

Ok...

[Atom]

Ok, stay away from the chin-chew leaves. That is all.

[Atom]

http://3t9.com/Atom/DEVO - Redeye Express.mp3

[Atom]

Yes, that's right, chewing the leaves numbs the mouth to the point that you end up chewing on your chin without realizing it, then when it wears off, you're minus a chin. Bad stuff, stay away from that.

[ewomack]

I've heard of those... I'm having no problem staying away from them...

[Atom]

Actually here is that video on consciousness that I was telling you about in another thread, Ferre.

Profile | Why Is Consciousness So Mysterious? (full episode) | Closer to Truth (http://www.closertotruth.com/video-profile/Why-Is-Consciousness-So-Mysterious-full-episode-/289)






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[Ferre]

Actually here is that video on consciousness that I was telling you about in another thread, Ferre.

Profile | Why Is Consciousness So Mysterious? (full episode) | Closer to Truth (http://www.closertotruth.com/video-profile/Why-Is-Consciousness-So-Mysterious-full-episode-/289)


Thanks for that Atom, this video had a few interesting viewpoints based on factual knowledge from scientists and a few guesses based on theological and philosophical rhetoric from philosophers and priests.

What I found interesting is that this video demonstrates that scientists are just as qualified 'philosophers' as those who do their thinking without much empirical evidence to base their philosophies on. It clearly demonstrates that the less factual knowledge one has about the actual processes in the brain which total sum adds up to consciousness the more tendency to attribute it to something outside the biochemical realm.

Another thing I missed completely in this video, but can be explained by the maker's personal bias and goal of this video to keep the 'mysterious' part more mysterious than it actually is for 'science' is the simple fact that for the 'why' consciousness evolved there are answers when he had talked with social and cultural anthropologists and scientists who do the research on social evolution, those have answers for why species develop awareness for their environment, the need for interaction and the processes which evolved in such a way to make that possible.

The maker obviously was on a search for god, not for knowledge although he does a good job on making it look all intellectually sound.

Hey, I just realized this is a review. :sqlaugh:

[Atom]

Did you check out the "participants" link?

Participants | Closer to Truth (http://www.closertotruth.com/participants)

I know what you mean though, when I watch these presentations I get the feeling that the commentator is biased one way.

[Ferre]

Yes indeed, whatever he is told by non theological scientists/philosophers doesn't really matter, at the end he still declares his doubt and tries to create some sort of controversy in how reality is perceived amongst 'scientists' while in reality there are only differences in perspective between philosophical theologists at one hand and real researchers at the other.

You might find this lecture informative;

David Deutsch: A new way to explain explanation | Video on TED.com (http://www.ted.com/talks/david_deutsch_a_new_way_to_explain_explanation.htm l)

About David deutsch; David Deutsch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Deutsch)

[Cryren8972]

I wanted to share an interview with Terence McKenna, Ethno-botanicus, writer and researcher who unwillingly became labelled an "activist" because of the nature of his findings.

In my view this is the most profound and well articulated explanation possible about something that is fundamentally wrong and terribly counter-productive in our culture.



In checking out Terence McKenna, I came across this:
Chaos theory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_theory)

I'm fascinated...:sqbiggrin:

[Ferre]

Yep, fascinating stuff. Chemists in some occasions see this mechanism as a tool, in a way one can rely on it.

[Halo]

I wanted to share an interview with Terence McKenna, Ethno-botanicus, writer and researcher who unwillingly became labelled an "activist" because of the nature of his findings.

In my view this is the most profound and well articulated explanation possible about something that is fundamentally wrong and terribly counter-productive in our culture.

54BASgxINVg
Damn: "This video has been removed due to terms of use violation".



Actually here is that video on consciousness that I was telling you about in another thread, Ferre.

Profile | Why Is Consciousness So Mysterious? (full episode) | Closer to Truth (http://www.closertotruth.com/video-profile/Why-Is-Consciousness-So-Mysterious-full-episode-/289)


Enjoyed this TED talk from one of the participants.
Dan Dennett on our consciousness | Video on TED.com (http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_dennett_on_our_consciousness.html)
fjbWr3ODbAo

[Atom]

I saw that Dennette video via a link in a different thread, I watched it again though. He's not one of my favorites but I found the lecture informative. I've actually decided that my mouse is not real unless I'm touching it, but then I'm still not positive. j/k