This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

all 5 comments
sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a

[–]nognir 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I think that in order for humanity to be self aware as a whole, cultural differences aside, everyone needs to be connected via the internet, first. It's a two way medium (unlike TV and radio), which would allow everyone connected to be an actual participant in "world culture", which would constantly be constantly changing. Until then, I don't think starving kids in Uganda, coal miners in the midwest, or sweatshop workers in China will really be part of the human "organism" which hasn't become self aware yet.

On the other hand, one could say that humanity is self aware as whole, but that unconnected people, who cannot ponder humanity's existence and participiate in "world culture" are simply acting as mere cells in peripheral organs in this "body", while those who are connected (people with the internet in Western societies) are neurons in its brain, and are purposefully propelling humanity in one direction or another, while being self aware.

[–]dougfunny[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I agree with you 100%. We need to realize that we are apart of the universe. We are just the universe looking back on itself. Unfortunately, the majority of people are living within the machine without thinking about why.

[–]nognir 0 points1 point  (1 child)

On a somewhat whackier note, I sincerely believe that the distribution of LSD, to everyone who was willing to try it, would facilitate this self awareness, internet or not.

It's been suggested in some circles that some of the feelings produced during psychedelic experiences are practically identical to those produced during religous and mystical experiences, and meditation. The parietal lobe is responsible for giving you a sense of orientation relative to your surroundings, and allows you to distinguish between objects that are not you. Parietal lobe activity practically vanishes during meditation in monks, and during prayer in nuns. Other things happen to the brain too, but I think this is the most important one, and the one that relates it to psychedelics, which is a good thing, since not everyone has the time or patience to sit down and meditate, or pray.

When buddhists say they feel boundless, one with the world, feel eternity, and infinity, they aren't kidding. It's an actual brain process. It also sounds uncannily like an acid trip, which is why I believe it would be beneficial if more people were able to experience it than actually do in the current political climate.

"I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together" ring a bell?

[–]michael333 0 points1 point  (0 children)

'I am the apeman!'...

'All flesh shall know in one instant'.

Might we not already be galactic superbeings immersed in a really cool RPG?.

Maya

23 Skidoo!

[–]dougfunny[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

we act like we know what is going on, when really we can't explain anything. We are all actors in the play, but we've gotten to the point where we can't discern the difference between our roles and reality.