I don’t believe in a future for Homo sapiens. We will never create an environmentally friendly civilization here on Earth. Those who think that we will wake up one day and begin to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases and toxic waste are living in a dream world.
An exponentially increasing number of people consume more and more oil, and we are emitting more and more toxic waste and greenhouse gases. We are like nicotine addicts who know that smoking is dangerous and causes cancer, but keep on smoking anyway.
I’m not alone in my belief that there is no future for our species. I think most well-informed people would agree with me. Some people still pretend, though, that they have not given up yet, and some still believe that science and technology will find a solution.
Small groups of people still believe that all problems can be solved if we simply become vegetarians and begin using bicycles instead of cars. Yes, it would be wonderful if everybody suddenly became friendly and kind environmentalists. Then we would not exploit the earth’s resources as hard.
Environmentalists have almost always grown up in protected areas. They have never seen the ugly sides of life. How are they to know that the world is pretty rough outside their lovely little town or outside their campus?
People can think whatever they like about these things, but I have given up hope on humanity. Humanity will not stop driving cars, and we will not limit our emissions. They don’t care at all in China, India and USA if we in Europe would succeed in limiting our toxic emissions to some extent.
One consequence of my disbelief in a future for humanity is that I no longer care about trying to live in an environmentally friendly manner. I no longer sort my garbage. I don’t mind driving an old gas-guzzling car. I don’t waste money on organic food.
Another consequence is a background of pessimism and cynicism. My beliefs color my worldview. When I look at the world, I see it filtered through my beliefs.
Many people try to hide their pessimism and cynicism behind a cheerful facade. I don’t blame them. I also hide my real beliefs behind a facade. If you happen to meet me, you will see me smiling.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
It's all in the mind
The past and the future are created in the brain. The present moment is also created in the brain. Thoughts, ideas, beliefs, values, views, emotions, hunches, dreams, the observing self, practically everything is created in the brain, I believe.
The outside world is also a creation in the brain. You see something. Light waves are detected in the back of the eyes where they are transformed into nerve signals. The nerve signals then travels into your brain where they are processed and an image is formed. This image is not the real world. It’s an image of the real world, a representation of the real world. What you see is not the whole picture.
The idea that consciousness, or the observer of all this, is not created in the brain is of course also a belief. If you claim that your consciousness is not created in your brain, then you have to produce at least some form of evidence for this idea; otherwise it’s just an idea, a belief, a hypothesis- created in your brain.
Maybe the brain is like a radio receiver that receives consciousness waves from outer space. You may be right. But, how did you come to this conclusion? Do you have any proof for this statement? Do you have personal experience? Have you read about it or heard about it. Is it a guru, a priest or a scientist that have provided the information?
I can’t prove that the observing self is created in the brain and you can’t prove that the observing self is not created in the brain; none of us knows anything about these things. It’s important, I think, to realize that we don’t know anything about the metaphysical reality. It’s also important to realize that we don’t know much about the physical reality either.
Many people with a spiritual outlook on life cannot accept the idea that the thinking mind, the observing self, love and hate, heart and soul, are created in the brain. To me is the brain an amazingly mysterious thing. Life is an amazing mystery. Everything is an amazing mystery - even if I don’t live on after death.
It’s not that important, as I see it, where consciousness stems from. The division between a material and a spiritual world is a construct in the thinking mind. What is important is how we live our lives.
The problem I have with my belief that the true self is created in the brain and that it will not live on after death is that it makes suffering meaningless. Many people have to suffer so much. To many people is life nothing but suffering, physical pain, loss, injustice, anger, resentment…
It just can’t be that creation is evil. It just can’t be that people and animals have to suffer so much for no reason.
Suffering is the reason why people become religious. The problem is that all religions are corrupt and dishonest. People with hidden agendas use religion as a way to control the minds of other people. Most people are gullible. This is a huge problem.
It’s time now for a new religion, without right-wing views attached, without doctrines and clergy, without gurus, mullahs and leaders.
The outside world is also a creation in the brain. You see something. Light waves are detected in the back of the eyes where they are transformed into nerve signals. The nerve signals then travels into your brain where they are processed and an image is formed. This image is not the real world. It’s an image of the real world, a representation of the real world. What you see is not the whole picture.
The idea that consciousness, or the observer of all this, is not created in the brain is of course also a belief. If you claim that your consciousness is not created in your brain, then you have to produce at least some form of evidence for this idea; otherwise it’s just an idea, a belief, a hypothesis- created in your brain.
Maybe the brain is like a radio receiver that receives consciousness waves from outer space. You may be right. But, how did you come to this conclusion? Do you have any proof for this statement? Do you have personal experience? Have you read about it or heard about it. Is it a guru, a priest or a scientist that have provided the information?
I can’t prove that the observing self is created in the brain and you can’t prove that the observing self is not created in the brain; none of us knows anything about these things. It’s important, I think, to realize that we don’t know anything about the metaphysical reality. It’s also important to realize that we don’t know much about the physical reality either.
Many people with a spiritual outlook on life cannot accept the idea that the thinking mind, the observing self, love and hate, heart and soul, are created in the brain. To me is the brain an amazingly mysterious thing. Life is an amazing mystery. Everything is an amazing mystery - even if I don’t live on after death.
It’s not that important, as I see it, where consciousness stems from. The division between a material and a spiritual world is a construct in the thinking mind. What is important is how we live our lives.
The problem I have with my belief that the true self is created in the brain and that it will not live on after death is that it makes suffering meaningless. Many people have to suffer so much. To many people is life nothing but suffering, physical pain, loss, injustice, anger, resentment…
It just can’t be that creation is evil. It just can’t be that people and animals have to suffer so much for no reason.
Suffering is the reason why people become religious. The problem is that all religions are corrupt and dishonest. People with hidden agendas use religion as a way to control the minds of other people. Most people are gullible. This is a huge problem.
It’s time now for a new religion, without right-wing views attached, without doctrines and clergy, without gurus, mullahs and leaders.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Multiverse
Many prominent physicists believe nowadays that there may be numerous universes, not just one. Their mathematical calculations points in this direction. Maybe there are an infinite number of universes out there; maybe they have simply made a calculation error, who knows? However, without evidence are the Multiverse ideas nothing but fantasies.
Some people believe that there are plenty of universes, but they do not base their beliefs on mathematical calculations, physics or experience. They simply like the idea. “Cool. There are tons of copies of me out there.”
Speculations and fantasies such as these can serve two purposes. For the first, they allow an escape from what is happening here and now, in this dimension, on this planet, in this world of madness.
Secondly, they can create a sense of wonder. Everything is a mystery. We have no idea of what the reality is like, really.
Some people believe that there are plenty of universes, but they do not base their beliefs on mathematical calculations, physics or experience. They simply like the idea. “Cool. There are tons of copies of me out there.”
Speculations and fantasies such as these can serve two purposes. For the first, they allow an escape from what is happening here and now, in this dimension, on this planet, in this world of madness.
Secondly, they can create a sense of wonder. Everything is a mystery. We have no idea of what the reality is like, really.
Monday, December 26, 2011
It's not in our nature
Hitler came to power in a democratic way. The Germans loved him and sacrificed their lives for him. They never woke up from their delusions. They never realized that they were mad until they were defeated.
Nazism is proof enough that a belief system can be incredibly powerful and incredibly idiotic. Almost all people understand today that Nazism was madness and that madness is not necessarily something in our true nature. Beliefs can turn us into idiots. We are not born idiots.
Nazism is proof enough that a belief system can be incredibly powerful and incredibly idiotic. Almost all people understand today that Nazism was madness and that madness is not necessarily something in our true nature. Beliefs can turn us into idiots. We are not born idiots.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Games people play
A nice and cheerful way is a perfect cover for an asshole in the secret. Some people are genuinely nice and cheerful, but some are only acting nice in order to hide their deep selfishness. They live as if life were a theater stage.
Some people play the nice and cheerful buddy because of fear. They believe that they must not feel what they feel. Others play this game because they have in mind to trick you. However, some people have no ulterior motives. They are simply nice and cheerful.
Many people are hiding in religious disguises. Many people tell untrue stories about paranormal phenomenons they have never experienced. All people tell lies now and then. Even scientists sometimes manipulate their test results in order to make them fit with their assumptions and preconceived ideas.
This is why it is meaningless to discuss paranormal phenomenons, spirituality and religious experiences. So many people are just bullshitting; some are more sincere, yes, but there is no good way to determine if a story or an explanation is trustworthy or not.
Science is the only useful tool we have to help us when we try to discuss what is going on in the world, but science deals only with the things that can be measured and weighed. Stories about exceptional experiences may be fun to hear but they must always be taken with a pinch of salt because of our unreliable nature. Your stories about strange coincidences or mysterious events cannot prove anything to anyone but yourself.
You can never prove that what you’re telling is true. You can tell your stories but you must expect that they may be disputed. You can tell cock-and-bull stories to others, it’s not that big deal, however, if you tell cock-and bull-stories to yourself, then you are in trouble.
To present a false face to others is one thing, but to present a false face to yourself is a serious issue.
It’s possible to hear, if you listen attentively, if you are trying to lie to yourself. It is also possible to hear, if you’re trying to tell the truth.
Some people play the nice and cheerful buddy because of fear. They believe that they must not feel what they feel. Others play this game because they have in mind to trick you. However, some people have no ulterior motives. They are simply nice and cheerful.
Many people are hiding in religious disguises. Many people tell untrue stories about paranormal phenomenons they have never experienced. All people tell lies now and then. Even scientists sometimes manipulate their test results in order to make them fit with their assumptions and preconceived ideas.
This is why it is meaningless to discuss paranormal phenomenons, spirituality and religious experiences. So many people are just bullshitting; some are more sincere, yes, but there is no good way to determine if a story or an explanation is trustworthy or not.
Science is the only useful tool we have to help us when we try to discuss what is going on in the world, but science deals only with the things that can be measured and weighed. Stories about exceptional experiences may be fun to hear but they must always be taken with a pinch of salt because of our unreliable nature. Your stories about strange coincidences or mysterious events cannot prove anything to anyone but yourself.
You can never prove that what you’re telling is true. You can tell your stories but you must expect that they may be disputed. You can tell cock-and-bull stories to others, it’s not that big deal, however, if you tell cock-and bull-stories to yourself, then you are in trouble.
To present a false face to others is one thing, but to present a false face to yourself is a serious issue.
It’s possible to hear, if you listen attentively, if you are trying to lie to yourself. It is also possible to hear, if you’re trying to tell the truth.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
It's unpleasant to wake up
We perceive only a fraction of what’s going on in the world. Our eyes can only see certain wavelengths. The main part of the electromagnetic spectrum is invisible for us. Our brain has, in a similar way, only limited accesses to the totality.
It’s nevertheless important to do the best we can, I think, with what we have. It’s not a good strategy to turn off too much of the world. It’s more comfortable to turn off the bad news, yes, but comfort comes at a price.
Sometimes the pressure on us is higher than we can handle. Sometimes we have to take a break or a time out. Maybe you have to go to the pub and get drunk. However, if you drink hard everyday, to forget your troubles, then you will eventually find yourself in a hole. You will then have an additional problem to deal with.
There are so many different ways to escape. There are different ways for different tastes. Smoking pot is an excellent method for some people. Five, six joints a day is usually enough. Tranquilizers, opium and glue are also very effective.
You can also fill all your free time with as much nonsense as possible, stupid stuff on TV, silly little games on your iPhone, hypnotic beats in your headphones, applesauce and junk food. You can make a pig of yourself. Binge eating is a very efficient way to escape.
Alternatively, you can get yourself a hobby. Engage yourself in gardening, bodybuilding, biking, miniature railways, whatever. There are so many hobbies to choose from.
You can also put all your energy into a career. You can find yourself a treadmill, and tread and trample till you die.
Religion and spirituality can also be very efficient. You can build yourself a castle in the air. You can find yourself a cult or a secret society. Superstition can easily make you loose touch completely.
However, if you don’t want to bury your head in the sand, then you have to face a lot of unpleasant feelings. It’s unpleasant to give up drinking and smoking. It’s unpleasant to deal with creditors. It’s unpleasant to see that ones religion is a scam or that ones political views are based on greed and evil. It’s unpleasant to wake up.
It’s nevertheless important to do the best we can, I think, with what we have. It’s not a good strategy to turn off too much of the world. It’s more comfortable to turn off the bad news, yes, but comfort comes at a price.
Sometimes the pressure on us is higher than we can handle. Sometimes we have to take a break or a time out. Maybe you have to go to the pub and get drunk. However, if you drink hard everyday, to forget your troubles, then you will eventually find yourself in a hole. You will then have an additional problem to deal with.
There are so many different ways to escape. There are different ways for different tastes. Smoking pot is an excellent method for some people. Five, six joints a day is usually enough. Tranquilizers, opium and glue are also very effective.
You can also fill all your free time with as much nonsense as possible, stupid stuff on TV, silly little games on your iPhone, hypnotic beats in your headphones, applesauce and junk food. You can make a pig of yourself. Binge eating is a very efficient way to escape.
Alternatively, you can get yourself a hobby. Engage yourself in gardening, bodybuilding, biking, miniature railways, whatever. There are so many hobbies to choose from.
You can also put all your energy into a career. You can find yourself a treadmill, and tread and trample till you die.
Religion and spirituality can also be very efficient. You can build yourself a castle in the air. You can find yourself a cult or a secret society. Superstition can easily make you loose touch completely.
However, if you don’t want to bury your head in the sand, then you have to face a lot of unpleasant feelings. It’s unpleasant to give up drinking and smoking. It’s unpleasant to deal with creditors. It’s unpleasant to see that ones religion is a scam or that ones political views are based on greed and evil. It’s unpleasant to wake up.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Is it possible to stop asking questions?
Some people simply can’t stop asking difficult questions: Where do we come from? Why are we here? Where are we heading?
The majority is usually satisfied if someone with authority provides answers and explains how the world functions. Then they don’t have to brood on what life is all about or worry about how they should live.
However, there are also those who simply can’t stop pondering. Mysticism, philosophy and science are the results from such, sometimes desperate, ruminations. Is there a God somewhere? How did life begun here on earth? Will I reincarnate when I die?
The problem is that mystics, philosophers and scientists seldom have definitive, clear-cut and ultimate answers. They have only visions, theories and more questions to offer.
The idea that there is an end to the search when we have awakened is just an idea held by some people. Some of those will later abandon this idea. Others will hold on to it.
The majority is usually satisfied if someone with authority provides answers and explains how the world functions. Then they don’t have to brood on what life is all about or worry about how they should live.
However, there are also those who simply can’t stop pondering. Mysticism, philosophy and science are the results from such, sometimes desperate, ruminations. Is there a God somewhere? How did life begun here on earth? Will I reincarnate when I die?
The problem is that mystics, philosophers and scientists seldom have definitive, clear-cut and ultimate answers. They have only visions, theories and more questions to offer.
The idea that there is an end to the search when we have awakened is just an idea held by some people. Some of those will later abandon this idea. Others will hold on to it.
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