When asked how he would design the universe

 A different, complementary, more existential side of Hawking comes alive in an interview conducted shortly after the release of A Brief History of Time and found in the out-of-print treasure Origins: The Lives and Worlds of Modern Cosmologists (public library) — the 1990 collection of interviews by Alan Lightman and Roberta Brawer, exploring “the ways in which personal, philosophical, and social factors enter the scientific process,” which also gave us pioneering astronomer Vera Rubin on women in science, dark matter, and our never-ending quest to know the universe.

When asked how he would design the universe if he could design it any way he wanted, Hawking, beloved for his dry humor, answers

Turning over the question of meaning to Nobel-winning physicist Steven Weinberg’s famous assertion that “the more the universe seems comprehensible, the more it also seems pointless,” Hawking offers a laconic yet spirited counterpoint:

What is the most powerful driving force in the USA?

 Violence

Vladimar Putin and how he terrorises the children of this world

 Will there be a Nuclear War sir? Is the anxious question asked by school children of the Western world and no doubt Soviet world as  well as 'Mad Vlad' carries on with his insane threats

If only one sentence passed on to the next generations of creatures, what statement would contain the most information in the fewest words

Matter is made of atoms

If, in some cataclysm, all of scientific knowledge were to be destroyed, and only one sentence passed on to the next generations of creatures, what statement would contain the most information in the fewest words? I believe it is the atomic hypothesis (or the atomic fact, or whatever you wish to call it) that all things are made of atoms—little particles that move around in perpetual motion, attracting each other when they are a little distance apart, but repelling upon being squeezed into one another. In that one sentence, you will see, there is an enormous amount of information about the world, if just a little imagination and thinking are applied.

When the mind is at sea the word God is a life raft

 

Those innocents who dabble in the occult with Ghosts as their God

this desperate processes has a degree of intellectual revulsion

dabbling with the occult is capricious and has a degree of insatiable perfectionism - when the mind is at sea

the word God is a life raft 

If you're being manipulated by someone...

 

• If you're being manipulated by someone, they're trying to control how you act and take away your ability to think for yourself. This tactic can affect not only your relationship with them, but your relationships with others and your mental health. To deal with a manipulative person, it's crucial to set firm boundaries and stick to them.

 

Our Galaxy Might Not Be Doomed After All

Scientists say there’s a 50/50 chance that our Milky Way galaxy will collide with the Andromeda galaxy.

tHE CAT IS NOT IN THE ROOM any more- but it smile or grin is still here

Cats are very clearly crucial to the very fabric of our reality. In 1935, Austrian physicist Edwin Schrödinger demonstrated the idea of quantum superposition using the analogy of a cat that’s both dead and alive—at least, until it’s measured. However, the famous experiment known as Schrödinger’s cat isn’t the only feline-themed property of quantum mechanics.

Meet the Cheshire cat paradox.

Named after the troublesome cat in Alice in Wonderland who’s known for his disturbing smile and frequent disappearing acts, the Cheshire cat paradox pertains to the strange (and controversial) quantum quirk that properties of a subatomic particle (in this case, a neutron) can be separated from the particle’s mass—similar to how the Cheshire cat disappears and leaves only its unsettling grin behind.

the tiny blue dot that we live in

Underscoring our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another

Carl Sagan said it best, reflecting on the significance of a photograph of planet Earth taken on February 14, 1990, by the Voyager 1 space probe from about 6 billion kilometers away. Our planet appeared in the photograph as a tiny distant pale blue pixel against a reflected band of sunlight. The picture famously became known as the Pale Blue Dot. Here's Sagan:

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives . . . . Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light . . . . There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.

References 

What was the purpose of God creating us?

 There are two extremes known as creationism vs evolutionism. Let's consider creationism for a moment, and imagine that God exists, and he/she has created us. The question that obsesses my mind after that is simply, why? What was the purpose of God creating us?

the history of the Universe/s = galaxies formed some 10 billion years ago

 A team of international researchers including those at The University of Manchester and University of Victoria in Canada, used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to discover that galaxies like the Milky Way are 10 times more common than what was believed based on previous observations with the Hubble Space Telescope.

Many of these galaxies formed some 10 billion years ago or longer, going far back into the history of the universe.

no one trusts the news now

 Americans in general have begun to catch on: 66 percent of Americans believe that the media has a hard time separating fact from opinion and, according to a recent Gallup poll, 62 percent of the country believes that the press is biased one way or the other in their reporting.

So when CNN, NBC News, Fox News, or another outlet break a hard news story, there is a good chance that a large swathe of the public won’t view it as legitimate news.

We shouldn't retreat from the accomplishment -of not being religious

 As science and religion began to go their separate ways—a process that accelerated with the work of Darwin—science became secular.

 “The elimination of God-talk from scientific discourse,” writes historian Jon Roberts, “constitutes the defining feature of modern science.” Weinberg would have agreed. 

As he told an audience in 1999: “One of the great achievements of science has been, if not to make it impossible for intelligent people to be religious, then at least to make it possible for them not to be religious. We should not retreat from that accomplishment.”

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?

 l. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?” noted physicist says. “You think the particle has a spin and the spin should stay with the particle. But the spin crosses the box without the particle

ThOSE NAME SHAMING THE ; 'HARD RIGHT' ARE THE ONES INTENT ON CREATING A REACTIONARY HARD LEFT

wHEN YOU MAKE A MORAL EVALUATION

moral evaluation cannot proceed until all the relevant facts and relations are already known. At that point, there is nothing further for reason to do; therefore moral evaluation is not the work of reason alone but of another faculty. He bolsters this line of argument by expanding his Treatise analogy between moral and aesthetic judgment, arguing that just as our appreciation of beauty awaits full information about the object but requires the further contribution of taste, so in moral evaluation our assessment of merit or villainy awaits full knowledge of the person and situation but requires the further contribution of approbation or disapprobation. He also offers the argument that since the chain of reasons why one acts must finally stop at something that is “desirable on its own account… because of its immediate accord or agreement with sentiment… the famous argument that reason cannot produce motives but morals can,

pRIDE IN ONE'S SELF IS OK ....BUT NOT IF IT DEVELOPS INTO CONCEIT

A person who displays excessive pride irritates others because, while others come to feel this person’s pleasant sentiment of pride (to some degree) via sympathy, they also feel a greater uneasiness as a result of comparing that great pride (in whose objects they do not believe) with their own lesser pride in themselves; this is why conceit is a vice.

the incurable human attraction to the proximal good

in spite of the incurable human attraction to the proximal good even when smaller than a remote good, because this predilection only takes effect when the lesser good is immediately at hand. When considering two future goods, people always prefer the greater, and make decisions accordingly

What is corruption in a Politician

What is corruption? We define corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. Now who would that description fit in the current US Democratic party?

We spend our lives protecting an elusive self , thoughts, in reality, think up the self

We spend our lives protecting an elusive self - but does the self actually exist? Drawing on literature from Western philosophy, neuroscience and Buddhism (interpreted), the author argues that there is no self. The self - as unified owner and thinker of thoughts - is an illusion created by two tiers. A tier of naturally unified consciousness (notably absent in standard bundle-theory accounts) merges with a tier of desire-driven thoughts and emotions to yield the impression of a self. So while the self, if real, would think up the thoughts, the thoughts, in reality, think up the self

I don't know what is going on - but it has to stop

Such impatient outbursts betray a refusal to uderstand o engage withthe complexity of the situatilon, preferring to beleive there thers is manical devilsh chARCATER OCHES

wHEN WE BUY THINGS WE ARE VOTING WITH OUR MONEY

The underlying truth of the permissive society

The permissive society supposedly broadened the scope of what subjects are allowed to do withouh giving them any real a>dditionak powewso we might call that another cultural sleight of hand ...so it wasn't after all non repressive hedonism we were enjoined to go rigtht ot he end to explore every kinf of jouissance through sex and drugs andevery other kinds of jouissance as if that would empower us. with new life styles etc which in reality was social passivity

Why buying rotten fruit is 'good'' or is this cultural imperialism?

who believes that over priced organic apples that are rottne the point is that in buying them we are doing something meaningful#,showing our capacity for global awareness Could this be cultural imperialism?

the ideologicl struggle - view it with profound suspicion Liberal Leftists

One shoud view with profound suspicion Liberal Letists

every rise in Fascism bears withness to a failed revolution'

every rise in Fascism bears withness to a failed revolution' Walter Benjamin

Our views of God, physics or anything else ultimately depends on perspective. But let’s end with a quotation from a truly authoritative source. No, it isn’t the bible. Nor is it a cosmology textbook. It’s from Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett: “Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it.

 Our views of God, physics or anything else ultimately depends on perspective. But let’s end with a quotation from a truly authoritative source. No, it isn’t the bible. Nor is it a cosmology textbook. It’s from Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett:

“Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrNo matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first,ong.  and is waiting for it.

iS there equivalence between our minds and our brains

 

1. • Not Equivalent to Mind: The brain is not equivalent to the mind itself.

2. Mind:
   • Thoughts and Consciousness: The mind encompasses our thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and consciousness.
   • Not Directly Observed: Unlike the brain, the mind cannot be directly observed or measured.
   • Separation Theories: Some theories suggest the mind may exist separately from the brain (dualism), but there’s no scientific evidence for this.
   • Unique Perspective: It’s an intricate web of emotions, memories, and individual perspectives.
   • Interaction: The mind and brain interact, but they are not identical.

In summary, while closely connected, the mind and brain are not equivalent. The brain is a physical organ that contributes to our mental experiences, but the mind extends beyond its physical bounda

Can you sue a ROBOT?

 Some forms of AI are so common that people don’t even consider them AI—Google, Siri, videogames, etc. Most people aren’t typically worried about liability when I talk about those AI. But when the topic changes to exciting forms of AI that are forthcoming—Google Car! Autonomous surgeons! Robot nannies!—liability immediately becomes a big concern. “Who would want a car that drives itself?! What if you hit someone?” “No one will make a robot babysitter—think about all the lawsuits!” “Don’t lawyers cause enough problems for doctors? You think they’re going to open themselves up to those lawsuits?”

These concerns, while valid, do not fully appreciate the changes that AI will introduce. Liability under the law is fundamentally concerned with assigning responsibility for wrongdoing. If someone is hurt through the actions of another, it is only reasonable that the second person be held responsible and that he or she help or pay the injured person. The assumption, of course, is that a person has done something and that a person will be responsible. The driver. The babysitter. The doctor. AI introduces another possibility. There is an accident, but all the people involved have acted responsibly and have not caused it. A machine, acting independently of people, caused it: Lt. Commander Data steers the Enterprise into an asteroid, Johnny Five from Short Circuit crashes a truck in Montana, etc....

 

Can machines think?’ This should begin with definitions of the meaning of the terms ‘machine’ and ‘think.

 Can machines think?’ This should begin with definitions of the meaning of the terms ‘machine’ and ‘think.’ The definitions might be framed so as to reflect so far as possible the normal use of the words, but this attitude is dangerous. If the meaning of the words ‘machine’ and ‘think’ are to be found by examining how they are commonly used, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that the meaning and the answer to the question, ‘Can machines think?’ is to be sought in a statistical survey such as a Gallup poll. But this is absurd. Instead of attempting such a definition I shall replace the question by another, which is closely related to it and is expressed in relatively unambiguous words....

Can machines think'?.

 Can machines think?’ 

Can machines think?’ This should begin with definitions of the meaning of the terms ‘machine’ and ‘think.’ The definitions might be framed so as to reflect so far as possible the normal use of the words, but this attitude is dangerous. If the meaning of the words ‘machine’ and ‘think’ are to be found by examining how they are commonly used, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that the meaning and the answer to the question, ‘Can machines think?’ is to be sought in a statistical survey such as a Gallup poll. But this is absurd. Instead of attempting such a definition I shall replace the question by another, which is closely related to it and is expressed in relatively unambiguous words....

The definitions might be framed so as to reflect so far as possible the normal use of the words, but this attitude is dangerous. If the meaning of the words ‘machine’ and ‘think’ are to be found by examining how they are commonly used, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that the meaning and the answer to the question, ‘Can machines think?’ is to be sought in a statistical survey such as a Gallup poll. But this is absurd. Instead of attempting such a definition I shall replace the question by another, which is closely related to it and is expressed in relatively unambiguous words....

What can we define about our sense of 'Aboutness'?

 The most fiercely defended debates  in the battle to defend human specialness is the very core of human mentality: consciousness and its surrogates, meaningfulness and aboutness.

 consciousness has surfaced  mainly in the guise of aboutness. 

The debate was, in that setting, mainly about semantics: how could symbols relate to things? Neuroscience moved the focus of this debate from aboutness to awareness. Part of the motivation for this refocusing was practical: neuroscience has deep roots in medicine, and a crucial medical question, particularly in surgery, is whether the patient is aware of anything at all.

Compare and contrast the parenting of Hunter Biden to Trump's children....what conclusion do you arrive at?

 One (Trump) was an effective leader and one Biden and his wife were parental failures

extend that to politics and you should know whO TO  vote for

h T The ancient Greeks generally abhorred aging

 The ancient Greeks generally abhorred aging, as it represented a decline from highly prized youth and vigor. 

However, older warriors, elder philosophers, and statesmen were typically well treated. Interestingly, the Spartans, who valued physical ideals, also highly esteemed the wisdom of elderly citizens1. The Greek philosopher Aristotle had an extremely negative view of the elderly, believing that the cooling of the humors contributed to a characteristically pessimistic and cowardly demeanor among the old2. So, while there was a mix of attitudes, it’s safe to say that the perception of old age varied among different segments of ancient Greek society

Knowing your brain and how to care for it

 

Key Neurotransmitters Analyzed

• Serotonin: This neurotransmitter plays a vital role in mood regulation, sleep, appetite, and blood pressure. Initially, acute stress elevates serotonin levels, but chronic stress can deplete them, leading to conditions like depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
• Dopamine: Known as the feel-good hormone, dopamine drives our motivation, concentration, and cognitive abilities. It's essential in our reward system, and imbalances can result in issues like depression, restless legs, and compulsive behaviors. Parkinson's disease, characterized by tremors, is also linked to dopamine deficiency.
• Adrenaline (Epinephrine): Produced in the adrenal medulla, adrenaline boosts mental activity, heart rate, and blood pressure, particularly in response to stress.
• Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine): This neurotransmitter prepares the brain and body for action, increasing blood pressure and enhancing motivation and concentration. It's a precursor to adrenaline and rises with stress.

How to avoid conflict

 

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Stop feeling distracted, anxious, or frustrated about conflict with your coworkers,  friends, stop imagining conflicts
•  passer v boss, or employees
• Stop avoiding conflict and allowing tension and resentment to fester, leading to long term consequences
• Use differences of opinion and conflicts constructively, leading to growth and creativity
• Use proven strategies and powerful communication skills to prevent and manage conflict
• Identify warning signs and prevent or minimize conflict before it starts
• Know your conflict management style and how to improve your reactio

threat-related meaning to experiences that tax or exceed our coping ability.

 Psychological stress is thought to arise from appraisal processes that ascribe threat-related meaning to experiences that tax or exceed our coping ability. Neuroimaging research indicates that these appraisal processes originate in brain systems that also control physiological stress reactions in the body. Separate lines of research in health psychology and behavioral medicine indicate that these physiological stress reactions confer risk for physical disease. Accordingly, integrative research that cuts across historically separated disciplines may help to define the brain-body pathways linking psychological stress to physical health. We describe recent studies aimed at this goal, focusing on studies of the brain bases of stressor-evoked cardiovascular system reactions and heart disease risk. We also outline an interpretive framework for these studies, as well as needs for next-generation models and metrics to better understand how the brain encodes and embodies stress in relation to health.

PORN and your BRAIN

 ilip Zimbardo, Ph.D., and Mel Ganus, Ed.D.

Hero

PORNOGRAPHY

Is Porn Good for Us or Bad for Us?

New research suggests watching porn may lead to some undesirable consequences.

Posted March 1, 2016 |  Reviewed by Lybi Ma

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KEY POINTS

• Researchers have found that repeated porn use "wears out" the dopamine reward system in the brain.
• A German study shows that some porn users become dependent on new, surprising, or more extreme porn to get aroused.
• Some men report that their level of concentration and emotional well-being have been negatively affected by porn use.

People continue to ask the same questions about porn that they have for decades: Is porn good for us or bad for us? Is it immoral or is it empowering? Damaging or liberating? Asking these questions inevitably leads to an intense clashing of opinions and little else.

One question that is not being asked: What is porn doing to us and are we OK with that? There is a growing body of research that says watching porn may lead to some not so desirable individual and social outcomes both in the short- and long term.

Escalating porn compulsion and correlations in the brain

Some people can watch porn occasionally and not suffer significant side effects; however, plenty of people out there, including teens and pre-teens with highly plastic brains, find they are compulsively using high-speed internet porn with their tastes becoming out of sync with their real-life sexuality.

Oxytocin, sometimes referred to as the "love hormone'

 Oxytocin, sometimes referred to as the "love hormone",^[19] is released in both sexes during sexual intercourse when an orgasm is achieved.^[20] Oxytocin has been suggested as critical to the thoughts and behaviors required to maintain close relationships.^{[19][20][verification needed]} The hormone is also released in women when they give birth or are breastfeeding.^[21] Prolactin and oxytocin are responsible for inducing milk production in women.^[22] Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is responsible for ovulation in women, and acts by triggering egg maturity; in men it stimulates sperm production.^[23] Luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation, which is the release of a mature egg.^[

time Time for all those 'stand up' comedians to sit down,

 Time for all those 'stand up' comedians to sit down,

What we see or perceive is defined by its background

  The object of perception is immanently tied to its background—to the nexus of meaningful relations among objects within the world. 

Because the object is inextricably within the world of meaningful relations, each object reflects the other (much in the style of Leibniz's monads). Through involvement in the world – being-in-the-world – the perceiver tacitly experiences all the perspectives upon that object coming from all the surrounding things of its environment, as well as the potential perspectives that that object has upon the beings around it.