The Random Thoughts Thread

[RyunosukeKagami]

If everything is composed of atoms, including living organisms of course, why isn't everything "alive"? Why are plants and animals considered "alive" and objects such as my keyboard for example, not alive since everything is essentially composed of the same base, Atoms. For the record, I have no idea where this silly thought came from.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

If everything is composed of atoms, including living organisms of course, why isn't everything "alive"? Why are plants and animals considered "living" and objects such as my keyboard for example, not alive since everything is essentially composed of the same base, Atoms. For the record, I have no idea where this silly thought came from.

Alive is a biologically defined term.

These things are conscious, yes.

 

[Sinny91]

I like the INTJ forum.

 

[dang]

I like the INTJ forum.

If I am an INFJ, and you are an INTJ, then we are both Ni dominant types. Which would explain our collective perceptiveness. And craziness. And frustration with non Ni dom types. Especially the hyper logical ones who are extremely skeptical.

 

[Sinny91]

If I am an INFJ, and you are an INTJ, then we are both Ni dominant types. Which would explain our collective perceptiveness. And craziness. And frustration with non Ni dom types. Especially the hyper logical ones who are extremely skeptical.

Nope. No INTJ here.. Just a freak apparently.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Nope. No INTJ here.. Just a freak apparently.

far-reaching-exploration-and-knowledge

Don't say that, I believe everyone has their own way of being a freak.

“There isn’t anyone you couldn’t love once you’ve heard their story. ”

 

[smithcommajohn]

Alive is a biologically defined term.

These things are conscious, yes.

We can't really define consciousness enough to determine what has it. I've read studies that even trees and plants show signs of intelligence. Are they conscious beings? Maybe.

I've often wondered if the larger objects can hold consciousness. Planets? Stars? Galaxies?

 

[EyeSeeCold]

We can't really define consciousness enough to determine what has it. I've read studies that even trees and plants show signs of intelligence. Are they conscious beings? Maybe.

I've often wondered if the larger objects can hold consciousness. Planets? Stars? Galaxies?

"as above, so below"

Either it's an inherent property of atoms and subatomic particles or conscious beings are more than the sum of their parts. I find either conclusion equally consequential.

 

[onesteptwostep]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSZ-FLhGSBg

Spoiler

It was a blast. Since the Industrial Revolution, we enjoyed unprecedented economic growth, propelled by a seemingly unstoppable wave of technological innovation. For 100 years from around 1870, life in the West was transformed by inventions such as electricity, the car and domestic appliances, which led to soaring growth, better lives and booming wealth for all. The poor became less poor, and the number of middle income earners exploded. In the second half of the 20th century the rest of the world began to catch up, with China lifting hundreds of millions out of extreme poverty and the rise of the BRICs.

But then it stopped. Since around 1970, middle incomes in the US have stagnated, while the top 1% have pulled away in terms of earnings and wealth. Productivity growth fell. The great recession of 2008 was expected to be a blip but we are still in the doldrums. China’s miracle growth has shuddered to a slowdown and is set to drop even further. Just last week, the European Central Bank announced fresh rounds of quantitative easing to try and pump life into the eurozone’s flagging economy.

Many economists are now predicting that stagnation is here to stay. We may hear a lot of excited talk from the techno-optimists about the Second Machine Age and the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the rewards they are set to bring us, but some say that most of the fruits of the IT revolution have already been harvested. For example, driverless cars may be the future, but they will change the world far less than the invention of cars in the first place – and put millions of professional drivers out of a job.
If the age of endless growth is over, how should we assess the implications? Does the developed world face decades of misery-inducing recession, or – given that the planet’s resources are finite – can we look forward to a more sustainable future where ever-increasing consumption does not count as the main good? Or are the economic doom-mongers wrong? Will capitalism, that engine of human ingenuity, continue to be the route to rising prosperity for all? If so, what are the mechanisms that will kick-start the global economy again?

 

[PmjPmj]

Nope. No INTJ here.. Just a freak apparently.

Haters gonna hate, Sinwin.

 

[Sinny91]

Haters gonna hate, Sinwin.

Haha, nah, I'm cool with my typing really.

It was once postulated that an INTP 8w7 would be a "badass nerd"

....

Just had my second dental appointment this week - had two small cavities.

Not bad considering how long I neglected my appointments.

But the bastard numbed me in order to repair some damage caused by my orthodontist a decade ago.. and now my face is all droopy.

I can smoke my spliff if I use four fingers to pinch my lips together and draggg , haha.

He was a really nice dentist - and completely competent, unlike his predecessors .. and so I'm going to make a regular occurrence out of it... I want to retrain in order to join the NHS, and was supposed to have been in training as we speak as a 'Higher Care Assistant' - but I let that slip through the net .. I've just been told that they have a shortage in terms of medical receptionists and dental nurses , and as I have transferable skills and qualifications to potentially join that sector - I'm thinking about it.

I need to do something.

If only I got paid by the forum post.

Amusingly, I only need one other qualification to become a guidance counsellor... I can adapt well to the various work environments, and could easily get a job... But absolutely none of my friends would recommend me as a counsellor...

Lol, my mate sat next to me said "Your advice would be to just smoke weed and don't listen to the media"

Well, that's some fuckin solid advice. Maybe I should be getting paid for this shit.

 

[PmjPmj]

Why not become the next David Icke?

"The illuminati exists, and you're a bunch of fucknuggets for not seeing it. BEHOLD my terribly constructed PowerPoint presentation, and the horrors lurking within!"

$$$$$$$

 

[Sinny91]

Why not become the next David Icke?

"The illuminati exists, and you're a bunch of fucknuggets for not seeing it. BEHOLD my terribly constructed PowerPoint presentation, and the horrors lurking within!"

$$$$$$$

Youknow, he's actually a brilliant presentational speaker...

I think he's the hired hand of somebody, in intelligence.

The externalisation of the hierarchy.

 

[Bad Itch]

A month or two ago a spider established a web in my living room, along the wall under a window, anchored to a chair and the wall. A female Parasteatoda tepidariorum, my call sign for her is "Tepid Tea". At first I didn't think she was in a very good location but eventually a small collection of corpses began to accumulate on the floor beneath her web - obviously spiders know how to spider. If I have nothing better to do when I spot an insect lurking about, I will trap it and put it in her web and she deals with it. We make a pretty good team.

About 2 weeks ago, a male spider moved into her web and stayed there for a number of days before vanishing (I suspect he may be one of the corpses beneath the web). Shortly before the male vanished, Tepid Tea wove an egg sack. A couple of days later she made another.

Today the first egg sack hatched.

It is time to re-assess this arrangement. I'm afraid it's all going to end in smears.

 

[bvanevery]

If they don't bite, why not keep them as pets?

I let an ant colony in my car live once. I live out of my car, so that wasn't a trivial decision on my part. I just couldn't bring myself to exterminate the colony, when I knew it would eventually die in a few months due to the weather anyways. I had many months of ants crawling on me, contemplating Buddhist ideas of compassion to living beings vs. instincts to protect myself from insect borne disease. Not that ants generally do, but we brush and swat things for a reason. I tried to stifle a lot of those impulses, but sometimes they were just ANNOYING and I did kill some of them. It depended on my mood. Sometimes I was patient, sometimes I executed a fair number of them. But I let the colony go, until eventually it ran its course and was no more. And so this blip exists in eternity, of their experience and mine.

The ants did have one practical benefit. They got rid of spilled organic matter, like food crumbs.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

We can't really define consciousness enough to determine what has it. I've read studies that even trees and plants show signs of intelligence. Are they conscious beings? Maybe.

I've often wondered if the larger objects can hold consciousness. Planets? Stars? Galaxies?

Lol what are you talking about? Are you even conscious or not?

Conscious means aware.

If you push a rock, does it move? Yes, because it is aware you are pushing it.

Why is this so difficult.

 

[bvanevery]

If you push a rock, does it move? Yes, because it is aware you are pushing it.

How do you test if a human being is 'aware' ?

How do you test if a rock is 'aware' ?

 

[Minuend]

Consciousness makes more sense to me if we consider it in degrees, not an on/ off thing. Maybe not degrees, more like putting a large piece of paper on the floor, then if we drew consciousness, some lines would reach far others shorter (more consciousness in some aspects of the system ((in humans - neurosystem for instance)), less in others). With some all lines would be short (less conscious).

Fluid, changing throughout life. Babies are less conscious than grown humans. Some things are more concussions than others, different systems in different things make for different types of consciousness. I guess not even two human's consciousness will be the same or to the same degree.

Related:

Spoiler

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

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

How do you test if a human being is 'aware' ?

How do you test if a rock is 'aware' ?

Well... I push it and see if it moves.

Or something like that.

Idk man, I just drink bourbon and smoke baccy cones.

FUck you all.

 

[Sinny91]

This is a theosophical discussion. The basis of theosophy is that there are levels or densities of consciousness.

Rocks and minerals 1st density
Animal kingdom and plant life 2nd density
Humans 3rd density
and beyond.

I think there's something to it, but it gets messy well Malthusians start talking about supremacy within the octaves of the densities...

On the surface there are pagans, with their earth and sun worship
But beyond that there are the theosophists who worship the conscious entity of the Sun Logos and the conscious entity of the Earth Gaia... Which in turn receive their consciousness from the galactic centre. (We are one experiencing ourselves)

In the face of all that are the truth monotheists who have a relationship with a personal god, separate from the material/matter of the universe.(A creator God, and we have fallen from Eden)

The theosophists version is more empowering, and that's probably why it's more appealing.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

This is a theosophical discussion. The basis of theosophy is that there are levels or densities of consciousness.

Rocks and minerals 1st density
Animal kingdom and plant life 2nd density
Humans 3rd density
and beyond.

I think there's something to it, but it gets messy well Malthusians start talking about supremacy within the octaves of the densities...

On the surface there are pagans, with their earth and sun worship
But beyond that there are the theosophists who worship the conscious entity of the Sun Logos and the conscious entity of the Earth Gaia... Which in turn receive their consciousness from the galactic centre. (We are one experiencing ourselves)

In the face of all that are the truth monotheists who have a relationship with a personal god, separate from the material/matter of the universe.(A creator God, and we have fallen from Eden)

The theosophists version is more empowering, and that's probably why it's more appealing.

Is there anything superior to self-love?

 

[bvanevery]

This is a theosophical discussion. The basis of theosophy is that there are levels or densities of consciousness.

Ok thanks for that point of reference about where this particular theory of consciousness may be coming from. Definitely more thought out than "I drink bourbon, fuck y'all." The latter would be an appeal to incoherence and emotionalism, that any old thing that goes through your head is adequate for discerning reality. Some of that kind of thinking can get you killed.

"Conscious rocks." I'd like to point out that if you dissect a rock, or a tree, or an animal with a brain, you get very different results. A rock doesn't even have any structures resembling any aspect or function of organic life as we know it. It might have microorganisms living in it, but those aren't part of the rock, they're just hanging out there.

You may posit that a rock has consciousness by some kind of magic, by some mechanism unknown to science. The question is, why bother to believe that? We know a lot about mechanisms of consciousness in animals, particularly ourselves. It is complicated, we don't have all the answers for it, but we do actually know a lot already. Why discard science, just because it hasn't answered everything 100% ?

AFAIK, we don't really know or understand why The Big Bang happened. Yet it happened, and it has a lot of structural consequences for why the observable universe is the way it is. Why discard all of that? Why believe in faeries poofing things into existence, when we know that bodies of gas coalesced in various places, formed stars and planets, cooled down to make planets of different densities, etc. ? Sure we don't have a 100% explanation for the universe or all its physical laws, but why look for magic?

 

[Sinny91]

You may posit that a rock has consciousness by some kind of magic

Lol, I don't know how to account for a rock having consciousness... but apparently the earth is one giant rock, which some would posit does have consciousness.

I have some idea's but I'm struggling to conceptualise them. I'll try again later.

 

[PmjPmj]

How to deal with...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWOeUIQn3aQ

Internally at least, that's my coping method also.

 

[dang]

How to deal with...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWOeUIQn3aQ

Internally at least, that's my coping method also.

Are your relatives zombies?

 

[Tannhauser]

Neil Degrasse Tyson is one of the most annoying people in the world.

 

[Bad Itch]

If they don't bite, why not keep them as pets?

I'm with you... Generally I let other living things in my environment (specifically speaking of my home) "just be" until I'm clearly at risk of being overrun. Except moths... those bastids eat my clothes which I kinda need.

There's an awful lot of them. Nowhere near the numbers of an ant colony but the thought of those tiny wee spiders spreading out around the house makes my skin and hair crawl. Faceful of spider at 03:00 when I walk through a doorway in the dark is pleasantly challenging (actually, I hate that) when i don't know where the spider who lived in that web has disappeared off to... probably in my hair.

These ones do not bite, or are at least not venomous. Not sure how long before the young leave the web, but there is no breeze to carry them away. Depending on how they're looking when I get home I might try to carefully relocate them all to the outdoors where they'll have a better chance... indoors I suspect a lot of them will perish. Outdoors I suspect they will also perish but will have more of a "fighting chance."

 

[smithcommajohn]

Neil Degrasse Tyson is one of the most annoying people in the world.

Racist! j/k

I know, though, right? I can't put my finger on it, but there is something I dislike about him.

 

[Sinny91]

Just bagged myself a date with a millionaire PUNK

haha.

Good times.

 

[Brontosaurie]

Racist! j/k

I know, though, right? I can't put my finger on it, but there is something I dislike about him.

He's kinda emotional about science

 

[PmjPmj]

I used to like the guy, but these days he's too quick to jump atop his high-horse and assume that he knows everything about everything.

No doubt about it - he's an incredibly smart guy. That's just a fact.

Alas, he's a bit too up his own arse these days. IMO, of course.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Yeah he brings an aggressive and condescending tone to science that makes it religious-like("this is the truth, and you're dumb for not accepting it!"), very different from Bill Nye or Carl Sagan who might be considered endearing. He does try to make concepts seem straightforward and entertaining but if we're talking about getting kids interested in science through unlocking their sense of wonder then I don't think his approach is sufficient.

In this video he's literally yelling lol:
https://youtu.be/dxKgBkdOKr4?t=360

 

[TBerg]

Fuck Tim Ferriss. He said he's an INTJ. I guess I am still screwed.

Just kidding, almost. He's still my role model. But I guess I know why he's a millionaire and I am not.

Where is an INTP who doesn't need to work their ass off to be successful?

 

[smithcommajohn]

Where is an INTP who doesn't need to work their ass off to be successful?

Define successful... I think we INTPs defeat ourselves in many ways, but we can achieve success on many levels, including financial, in spite of societal's obvious despise of us. We are held down by others purposefully, but we are smart enough to adapt and create our own independence slowly year after year, slipping out of their grimy hands of control.

 

[TBerg]

I just want to be a mediocre digital merchant at the moment. That would buy me a great amount of freedom to pursue even greater endeavors.

 

[smithcommajohn]

I just want to be a mediocre digital merchant at the moment. That would buy me a great amount of freedom to pursue even greater endeavors.

What greater endeavors would you pursue?

 

[TBerg]

I would like to write a book to grant me access to the intelligentsia or other high performers. Mentorship is expensive.

It seems like a pipe dream at the moment. But for now, I need to find a way to be of service to the tribe of which I am currently a part.

 

[TBerg]

In the meantime, I am using this ambition to improve my everyday life. I hope I will find a hole for other "aspie INTPs" to escape the damage they have inflicted upon themselves and the misunderstandings of the outside world.

Am I allowed to want to hang out with Penelope Trunk and Richard Spencer?

 

[onesteptwostep]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgjwjaBJ5Do

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

I am all the types.

Except for...

5 of them.

Discover which 5 and you will know the secrets of existence.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

Alright, there's a slight chance that I will get to the government man and get a money.

You know what that means right?

It means, get to the poker table, mister business man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQkwV8Kltkk

Any takers?

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

Lookey here, Mister Artsu "Tharaz".

I am fine with trippers, but your tripping is too much trip for my triperizer.

Consider yourself a DEADMAN, Artsu "Tharaz".

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

You shall NEVER kill me, o dark beings of demise.

For you know NOT the power of your foe....

You will PERISH, under the light of the FREEZING MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8VIhIIq-kk

 

[QuickTwist]

Sure man.

Here's where I'm at:

https://youtu.be/ckdZ7E-vP9M

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

Sure man.

Here's where I'm at:

https://youtu.be/ckdZ7E-vP9M

I clicked that song then clicked it 2seconds later in your signature

cos im a badass, waddup

 

[TBerg]

This encapsulates beautifully my first pangs of resistance against leftist metaphysics:

https://youtu.be/-kcAgVN1wGo

 

[Brontosaurie]

Stubborn restlessness and absolute yearning for autonomy will not budge

Real self-image must be examined through exposure

Mask must be cast aside

Life with others is research for eternal solitude

 

[Sinny91]

I feel so alone, I just want a cat to cuddle.

I've got a dog next to me, but it's not the same.

 

[Bad Itch]

I feel so alone, I just want a cat to cuddle.

I've got a dog next to me, but it's not the same.

There's nothing like that little paw nonchalantly reaching out for you. I put mine down a couple of months back (the inevitable came calling). He was about 16.5 - 17 yrs old and had been with me for about 15 years. I feel liberated now that I am no longer responsible for another living soul, but there's a void which used to be filled by his affection for me (i am selfish like that) and likely also my affection for him.

It occurs to me that most of the physical affection or even physical contact of any kind with other living creatures I have experienced during that time came in the form of cat cuddles. My cat is dead, and apparently I need a new hug dispenser. Hadn't thought about that until just now. (ROFL?!)

(Am not getting another one any time soon. Must first taste my freedom for a while.)

 

[bvanevery]

I feel so alone, I just want a cat to cuddle.

I've got a dog next to me, but it's not the same.

Depends on the dog or cat. Thelma the cat is a snuggler, as long as you don't pet her the the wrong way, in which case she'll claw or bite you. Louise, now dead, wasn't a snuggler. But she was a serious head bumper and had the most wonderful purr. I never had to worry about her doing anything other than expressing love.