Questions

[The Man in Black]

Thanks for the responses, I'm actually surprised you guys tackled all the main questions

Originally Posted by Banefull

1). About every other day

2). the present matters very little to me, I focus on the future, The past serves as reflection for what could be done better in the future,

3). I often am able to focus on a train though so as to block out everything else. Focus has been one of my strong points. In general my deep trains of though focus on the weightier matters of life. in general I feel negative energy from this but I can still muster massive amounts of positive energy towards future goals. I feel as if focusing on deep things makes me stronger in the long run.

4). All the time but its a never ending process. Usually this is driven by a desire to find an answer

5). I often analyze the way I think and react to certain events in addition to how the minds of others work. If sentience is the ability to experience emotion (my understanding of the definition) then we are fully sentient.

6). Its possible yes but I do not think emotion is necessarily somethign to be eliminated. The ability to naturally bring emotions under control inside yourself is however necessary.

7). In my view, physical laws govern the universe, but being religious, those laws were put in place by divine providence. There are no random acts in this world as everyone is here for a reason.

I may have mxied up a few of the answers to those questions in the wrong places as I am in a hurry but I'll edit them later.

It's good to see that you think deeply/are aware. Your response for number 7 is essentially what I identify with, I just may define "divine providence" a little differently.

Originally Posted by josie20

1. I honestly don't know. I'd like to think I exist. But sometimes I feel like nothing more than an idea that someone, something had/is having. There are a-lot of things I don't understand about people and don't relate to. This is why I sometimes have the notion that I'm nothing more than an idea. Although, I do participate in what people consider 'reality'. But does this really prove existence?

2. I would say I spend most of the time aware of the present. Although, I do spend time thinking about the past and wondering about the future. Not my future, so much, but the future of humanity in general.

3. I think I spend as much if not slightly more time detached from reality depending on whether you consider electronic entertainment a detachment from reality or not. I do spend a fair amount of time pondering the unknown aspect of the universe, philosophy and what not. I consider myself a thinker, so I am often not as attached to reality as most people, I think.

4. Constantly, however, I have yet to find any meaning.

5. I would say I am very aware of my own mind. That is, I'm often aware of thoughts in the back of my mind. I often can't get my mind to settle down as thoughts constantly race through it. It's actually quite annoying.

6. I don't know much about emotions. But I think they are triggered by external stimuli. I also believe that the specific emotions surfaced depend on MANY factors(environment, experiences, genetic make-up etc.).

7. I do believe in duality. However, in order for humans to transcend physical limitations, we will need to evolve, mentally. At the same time, it is very important to achieve a good balance between our awareness of both body and mind. I also like to think that humans transcend the physical realm after death and that we achieve complete understanding. Obviously, there is no proof of this, however.

8. I believe complete unity will be achieved in the distant, distant future.


Obviously, these are just my opinions.

Interesting responses. I like that you basically answered the first question with another question that is especially valid.

Originally Posted by Grif

Are you aware of your own existence?

Yes I am, I don't think about it as often as I used to unfortunately though.

How much time do you spend completely aware of the present?

The only time I live in the present is when I'm having fun, which with school isn't quite often. In the summer, on weekends, and during vacations I'm in the present pretty much 24/7.

How much time do you spend detached from "reality?"

Ok so I consider being detached from reality to be fully immersed in my imaginations. This happens a few times everyday, when I'm walking around my house listening to music in the dark. And sometimes while I'm driving.

Does your thought ever transcend from the superficial level to deeper thought?

Yes I do, in fact last year I did every day, but it was depressing and I never really reached a conclusion. I ended up deciding to be as weird as possible and see where life took me.

How aware are you of your own mind?

Pretty aware, every so often I get amazed by the thought that I can have a conversation in my head and it just seems so cool how I'm here. It's kind of hard to explain.

Do you believe in the "duality" of this reality?

I see the world as the internet and real life. On the internet (and in games) we can display feelings and ideas that we can't in the real world. What I'm getting at is the creation of BCI (or the Matrix) in which we can share thoughts with each other and create worlds to explore in our minds and computers

Have you ever considered the idea of complete unity?

When I run parkour, or rather ran parkour I felt it. Sometimes when I drive too.

It's interesting you should bring up driving as an example to one of the questions. I've also found myself completely forgetting driving from one place to another because I was so immersed in my own thoughts. I also know what you mean by "having a conversation" in your own head. I think you have a valid point by bringing up "The Matrix", we have advanced computers to a point where we can simulate billions of years in a matter of minutes and where we can create worlds within worlds. Do you think you "felt it" when you ran parkour because your mind and body were working together as one?