Controversial views

[Kernel Sohcahtoa]

Are we currently equipped to objectively discover and interpret that one truth?  How can we be sure that if and when we discover this one truth that our subjectivity won't be making it into whatever we want it to be?

It's a part of our decision making process to always choose what we consider to be best (for us).  How would we function if we weren't always convinced that what we are doing is "the best?"  We couldn't.  What would we choose -- that which we feel is not best?  No.  Believing that we always have the best beliefs follows along in the wake of this psychological truth.  We consider ourselves right and everyone else wrong because it is the only view compatible with our bedrock basic operating rules.  That these rules inevitably produce spurious results, especially about ultimate truths, is an unfortunate side effect.  But feeling-wise, we must believe that what we've chosen is the best.  Any other choice would feel wrong and crazy.  Even if those feelings sometimes betray us, when dealing with "Objective Truth".

Thank you for your response, Jormungandr. Would you say that our tendency to consider ourselves right and others wrong impedes our ability to make the best choice in pursuing objective truth? Could we make a better choice by being more collaborative, and would this collaborative choice increase the likelihood of discovering objective truth?

[downbeatplumb]

On a light-hearted note:

1) Yards after catch should not count towards passing yards, but should instead be counted separately. Passing yards should be measured from the line of scrimmage to the spot where the received catches it.

2) A passing touchdown should be when the QB throws the ball into the endzone and it is caught, or if a receiver catches the ball outside the endzone and immediately falls into the endzone (without establishing themselves as a runner).

This would of course mean Tom Brady's 99 yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker would become a 19 yard pass, followed by an 80 yard "receiver rushing" TD. Even as a Patriots fan I'm willing to accept the loss of that awesome stat, because I think my way of counting makes more sense.

This is some sort of sports reference, I'm right aren't I!

[downbeatplumb]

Before people are allowed to vote on an issue they should be made to watch a video explaining what it is before they vote.

[Edwardo Piet]

Given the nature of infinity and probability, it doesn't sound too mad to me that our lives may inevitably occur "again" for lack of a more appropriate term, and we may be trapped in a cycle of eternal occurance.

Fuck, I hope not.

It couldn't be any better or worse.

I knew someone who was smart but wasn't smart enough to realize that if it were a true copy it can't include memories of the experience last time and therefore can't be any worse or better for it. This could already be the eighty billionth one hundred and forty nine thousandth two hundredth and thirty third repetition of our lives and we wouldn't even know it.

[Edwardo Piet]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3FVOIfXW64

[Edwardo Piet]

Was kind of awesome when Stephen Hawking was on stage with my favorite band, Orbital, and how he's a big fan of theirs He was like "When is the single going to come out? Because I want a copy." Not those exact words. Paraphrasing. (He's a "proper raver" lol).

I'm serious in case anyone is wondering. Saw an interview about it (with Paul Hartnoll of Orbital). I'll track it down only if folks are interested.

[Edwardo Piet]

http://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=Vt7RyP685Fk

[Edwardo Piet]

My adoration of Orbital's music feels like controversial sometimes so many people hate it so much [emoji23]

[Pat Mustard]

My adoration of Orbital's music feels like controversial sometimes so many people hate it so much [emoji23]

That's because they're idiots. I'm more of a Chemical Brothers man, but Orbital are very good.

[Angrboda]

It's a part of our decision making process to always choose what we consider to be best (for us).  How would we function if we weren't always convinced that what we are doing is "the best?"  We couldn't.  What would we choose -- that which we feel is not best?  No.  Believing that we always have the best beliefs follows along in the wake of this psychological truth.  We consider ourselves right and everyone else wrong because it is the only view compatible with our bedrock basic operating rules.  That these rules inevitably produce spurious results, especially about ultimate truths, is an unfortunate side effect.  But feeling-wise, we must believe that what we've chosen is the best.  Any other choice would feel wrong and crazy.  Even if those feelings sometimes betray us, when dealing with "Objective Truth".

Thank you for your response, Jormungandr. Would you say that our tendency to consider ourselves right and others wrong impedes our ability to make the best choice in pursuing objective truth? Could we make a better choice by being more collaborative, and would this collaborative choice increase the likelihood of discovering objective truth?

In collaborating, we gravitate towards those who are like us. I don't see how that would help. Many of the errors we make in our thinking happen at a subconscious level. How is a group of people with no insight as individuals going to overcome that lack of insight?