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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,897
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These are great conversations! And, as we all know, 'The unexamined life is not worth living'. !!!
(socrates)
More relevant to the intial idea of "what if everything is something we make up?": Plato's allegory of the cave, from The Republic could be a good read for a deep thinker that age, avoiding the more modern 'god is dead' stuff.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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The cave is perfect! Good thinking!
Kriston
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Joined: Jun 2008
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'Neato, Robert Nozick, one of the very important philosophers of the late 20th c., discusses this kind of example in some depth. He considers whether it would be such a bad thing to hook yourself up to an "experience machine", a futuristic device that gives you whatever pleasurable or desirable experiences you'd like. He wonders whether we would really choose such an existence over real life, and argues that we wouldn't. There's a not-bad discussion of the example at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Experience_Machine, but the original is in his book Anarchy, State, and Utopia. BB What is Cyberpunk about? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CyberpunkCyberpunk is a science fiction genre noted for its focus on "high tech and low life." The name is derived from cybernetics and punk and was originally coined by Bruce Bethke as the title of his short story "Cyberpunk," published in 1983,[1] although the style was popularized well before its publication by editor Gardner Dozois. It features advanced science, such as information technology and cybernetics, coupled with a degree of breakdown or radical change in the social order.
Last edited by Austin; 07/31/08 10:44 AM.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,231
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I had not heard of cyberpunk until now, thanks!
Seems a little dark for my tastes, but cool concept.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,840
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I had not heard of cyberpunk until now, thanks!
Seems a little dark for my tastes, but cool concept. A good read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuromancer
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,231
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Now that looks pretty good, thanks for the rec.
I'll get it from the library, my husband would get into this book as well. It's been awhile since we've had a good book discussion.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,840
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Interesting comments on dreaming by a PG adult, among other observations. http://www.worlddreambank.org/P/PRODODD.HTMUnrelated, but trenchant quote: "Mistaking my idle curiosity for obsession, just because I casually learned their specialty, is one of the few consistent reactions of gifted specialists to a prodigy."
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,145
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What he says about thought and feeling not being antagonistic is what resonated with me. I've never really understood why feelings make people so illogical. Of course, by now I've realized that I'm the odd one on this account, not other people, but it continues to puzzle me. I understand it, but I don't get it. It sounds like he has the same problem.
There's something about his tone that's rather off-putting though. Can't quite put my finger on it...The section on "Normal People" is part of my problem with it, I think.
Kriston
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Joined: Oct 2007
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One is the lonliest number.
99.99999999999999999999
That was written some time ago. I wonder how he is doing today. I think that is took a good deal of courage to put that out on paper. A big risk for him.
Hiding intellect resonates with me. I absolutely see my daughters doing so. It's a slippery slope. To be alienated is a very oppressive feeling...........
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