Chip

Sounds wise Demosthenes.

Crocodile Deathroll, the concept of the big bang is a theory, with a lot of supporting evidence. Whether or not the big bang was the first or the last I find to be questionable. The big bang theory is based on observations limited in scope by both distance and time. As far as I can tell, the known universe appears to have had a single beginning and appears to have an end according to the data. What about the yet to be discovered data? Might we find information that does not contradict the evidence of the big bang but does support a steady-state universe theory? I have to consider that the non-steady-state universe idea, is not a proven fact. How can we know that beyond our limits of observation, there may be big bangs occuring at various states of development? The big bang seems awful convenient to creationists who have a basic model of universe that states it has a beginning and an end. I remain skeptical as to its being the final correct cosmological model of universe.

Still, I agree, if I understand that you are implying that there is no consciousness during the state of being dead. I just wonder though, if a steady state universe exists, then, how much more time until my consciousness might perceive again? Could it be possible that every moment I leave a portion of universe that would lead to my death in the next moment and then regain consciousness in a similar enough re-evolved situation where I can not tell the difference and death does not happen? Seems this is a possiblity, sort of a real-time reincarnation.

Regards, Chip

crocodile deathroll

Yes life could be analogous to someone has had his hippocampus removed and as a consequence he only remembers that past ten minutes of existence and when he shows up to the theme park to go a roller coaster ride he feels he has been duped out of his money ten minutes later, so he demands another one and another one and another one. But still seems like the one ("no") ride to him.

So unlike that amnesiac who allways felt duped out of his money at least had someone to inform him that he had already gone though the experience. But if you had totally forgotten this life and were reincarnated into another one then who can inform you that you have already lived a prior life?

It may well be quite plausible that the information processes that booted you sense of self into existence will be emulated by another brain and that brain may just as well be in the historical past relative to this one. You will never ever know what the previous context of history of you previous life was if the memories of it were totally obliterated. Every life would be exactly equivalent to at first life experience. and the only thing missing would be that ridiculously paradoxical <a href="http://www.invisibleplanets.com/tos/contemplating.htm" target="_blank"> Eternal Boredom </a> Because to have any experience of boredom at all you need to be conscious and to be conscious you have to be alive, not dead.

[ November 10, 2002: Message edited by: crocodile deathroll ]</p>

SecularFuture

Upgrades.

Nataraja

I'm going to have my brain hooked up to a computer and there will be a constant charge going through my pleasure centers. If I get bored with just that, I'll play in VR.

Calvan

SecularFuture writes:

Would or could you be so kind as to elaborate on the nature of the mind infections? I am not interested in hearing about the god myths themselves. I only want to read what you understand about mind infections. Thanks.

Calvan

Demosthenes

I assume SecularFuture's talking about memes.

Ms. Siv

"Human" is what we make of it ... not the other way around.
Any tools/technologies we use to enhance our capabilities are very much human. There's no difference between that and a beaver's dam or a bird's nest.

- Sivakami.