Calling something that is inherently relative a "truth" is part of this Newspeak, newagey gobbeldygook that gets our neurons crossed. Learning to be precise with language is one of the -key- tools to attaining any sort of real liberty.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. There is little chance of arriving at truth without saying what we mean, or even thinking what we mean.
]]>Wouldn't "our own truth" be built upon real truths?
Well it could be, but it doesn't necessarily have to be. What I'm getting at is that there are things called Universal Laws that fall into the category of "absolute truth", or just truth. As it was wisely pointed out, "absolute truth" is somewhat redundant. Truth is truth, no matter how you look at it, or even if you choose to ignore it. Universal Law still applies to you, even if you do not believe that it is true. Your not believing in it does not make it any less true.
What I am NOT saying is that there is no such thing as relativism. I think that -most- things are relative. My suggestion is to call them what they are. . beliefs, ideas, opinions, experiences, or whatever.
Calling something that is inherently relative a "truth" is part of this Newspeak, newagey gobbeldygook that gets our neurons crossed. Learning to be precise with language is one of the -key- tools to attaining any sort of real liberty.
As an example, aliens, referring specifically to other-than-earth intelligences, either exist or they do not exist. They don't exist for me and not exist for somebody else. When somebody says they don't "believe" in aliens, what they are really saying is that they do not acknowledge aliens as part of their experience. And perhaps they are better off for that. But what they are ALSO saying is that EVERYBODY else who has had an experience of an alien encounter is either a liar, or delusional, and that is, in my opinion, a ridiculous assertion to make, especially in light of the tremendous amount of sound, documented evidence to the contrary.
Same goes for people who don't "believe" in other dimensions, or life after death, or government conspiracies, or any number of other subjects that compose the topics of this forum.
]]>Understanding the problem isn't the same thing as finding a solution.
A strong point.
I see the understanding of a problem as a first step. The second step is perceiving choices. The third step is acting on one of those choices, for better or worse. The fourth step is evaluating, asking: Did that work?
]]>Good thread.
I think one of the major problems in terms of human species survival is that our modern society still hasn't taken the evolutionary step away from tribalism towards a more integrated understanding like this concept of Oneness, politically, since it would mean an end to all "justified" oppression. I agree that you're correct, but the problem in the current situation is that only a small portion of the population is actually able to process and accept to what you're saying. Most of the rest are usually too full of fear while considering the possible connections between their actions, and the results of their actions (which usually include plenty of orwellian doublethink and similarly convenient justifications) and the usual response is one of self-protection: they will choose to oppose what you're saying, since to them, it's far more important that only they "win" than for everyone to win. The flip side is that the faction which has been on the receiving end usually has a grudge or two to resolve, and this may also completely blind them to this at the critical moment.
To better illustrate what I'm saying, in "The Matrix" this is the scene where Neo is shown the woman in the red dress who becomes an agent. The things Morpheus says are exactly to the point concerning how people are while defending their reality/perspective.
Understanding the problem isn't the same thing as finding a solution. I've been thinking along these lines for years, and while I have some models that work within my reality, I have to accept that the people who might be able to make the necessary changes are so well set into their way of thinking that they can conceive of no other. Often, they can see no solutions, and then they react in fear while overlooking many obvious answers in order to protect their more "unbalanced" justifications. What's worse is that they tend to promote those who are the most similar to themselves. Soul transfers anyone? lol if it wasn't so sad.
Yes, the eventual truth is that we are all One, but as long as some (especially those in power) violently oppose that simple construct, then what is your solution?
BTW, I think someone came up with an interesting point concerning the STO mandate while operating within an STS enviornment. I see the world very much in this way, and the way I deal with it is that if I can see the part of myself in the other person that is trying to do the right thing, I usually try and help them realize it. The key is that I am in no way obligated to do this, as it's a simple action vs. inaction decision, and it's not my responsibility to "save" anybody, but if I choose to, I can offer an alternative which they might not have considered. What I've noticed is that if/when someone burns me, the worst thing I can do to them is to do nothing and allow them to depart, since a greater/harsher "lesson" is ALWAYS waiting, so in just choosing to intervene I always try to utilize careful consideration of the circumstances and the role which I'm to play in it.
Very, very nice. Thank you.
]]>I think one of the major problems in terms of human species survival is that our modern society still hasn't taken the evolutionary step away from tribalism towards a more integrated understanding like this concept of Oneness, politically, since it would mean an end to all "justified" oppression. I agree that you're correct, but the problem in the current situation is that only a small portion of the population is actually able to process and accept to what you're saying. Most of the rest are usually too full of fear while considering the possible connections between their actions, and the results of their actions (which usually include plenty of orwellian doublethink and similarly convenient justifications) and the usual response is one of self-protection: they will choose to oppose what you're saying, since to them, it's far more important that only they "win" than for everyone to win. The flip side is that the faction which has been on the receiving end usually has a grudge or two to resolve, and this may also completely blind them to this at the critical moment.
To better illustrate what I'm saying, in "The Matrix" this is the scene where Neo is shown the woman in the red dress who becomes an agent. The things Morpheus says are exactly to the point concerning how people are while defending their reality/perspective.
Understanding the problem isn't the same thing as finding a solution. I've been thinking along these lines for years, and while I have some models that work within my reality, I have to accept that the people who might be able to make the necessary changes are so well set into their way of thinking that they can conceive of no other. Often, they can see no solutions, and then they react in fear while overlooking many obvious answers in order to protect their more "unbalanced" justifications. What's worse is that they tend to promote those who are the most similar to themselves. Soul transfers anyone? lol if it wasn't so sad.
Yes, the eventual truth is that we are all One, but as long as some (especially those in power) violently oppose that simple construct, then what is your solution?
BTW, I think someone came up with an interesting point concerning the STO mandate while operating within an STS enviornment. I see the world very much in this way, and the way I deal with it is that if I can see the part of myself in the other person that is trying to do the right thing, I usually try and help them realize it. The key is that I am in no way obligated to do this, as it's a simple action vs. inaction decision, and it's not my responsibility to "save" anybody, but if I choose to, I can offer an alternative which they might not have considered. What I've noticed is that if/when someone burns me, the worst thing I can do to them is to do nothing and allow them to depart, since a greater/harsher "lesson" is ALWAYS waiting, so in just choosing to intervene I always try to utilize careful consideration of the circumstances and the role which I'm to play in it.
]]>thook wrote:pokerboy101381 wrote:Those also could be plastic or wax fruit.
I feel manipulated! ::sly grin::
Prove to me those aren't pictures of plastic fruit, mister!
Hmmm....let's see....how could this be proved? <<<CHOMP!>>>>
Well.....tasting kinda digital at this point! Haha!*shrugs*
You say 0, I say 1.
rawr!!!!
thook wrote:Oh! And pokerboy..... what is 0+1?
42?
My ass! 
pokerboy101381 wrote:My name is Pot.
Uh..Tony! Ever been to Idaho?
Road trip!
Got map?
LMAO! If THOSE prices we're true...I don't know how I could rationalize NOT becoming your friendly, neighborhood drug dealer. *teeheehee*
]]>Oh! And pokerboy..... what is 0+1?
42?
]]>Delizioso? Er....brrrp. Thump. Whooop whoooop whoooop thrrrrrruummmm! Pow, crash, sizzle, fmlllpppptttt, no!....no!.....no!....( sounds of massive exposion and screams in the backround.)
But the cat came back, the very next day.
LOL! Orange juice 'bout killed the cat?
]]>But the cat came back, the very next day.
]]>My name is Pot.
Uh..Tony! Ever been to Idaho?
Road trip!
Got map?
]]>What is the sound of one digital orange being sqeezed?
Don't know, but I can tell you how it tastes! <<CHOMP!!!>> LOL!
Oh! And pokerboy..... what is 0+1?
]]>