"DON'T PANIC" and other important information (NEWBIE-FRIENDLY)

EarthBound · 10-04-2004, 07:08 PM

How did anything come from nothing? How can there be "something" at all? Shouldn't there be nothing?

***HOBBIT*** · 10-04-2004, 07:47 PM

hitchhikers guide to the galaxy?

***Rían*** · 10-04-2004, 10:32 PM

Since it's obvious that there IS something (unless you're into calling everything an illusion, in which case I won't bother to talk to you, since I don't talk with illusions

), then it's obvious that something must be self-existent and eternal.

Grey_Wolf · 10-05-2004, 04:22 AM

Or do we all live in MATRIX-like environment?

mewhmag · 10-05-2004, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthBound

How did anything come from nothing? How can there be "something" at all? Shouldn't there be nothing?

the basic question of ontology/ metaphysics. but panicking would make no difference here, being is. or are you aiming at something different that the average newbie doesn´t get yet?

EarthBound · 10-05-2004, 08:34 AM

Yes, Hobbit...D.A. is sorrrrly missed.

As to the metaphysics point, I didn't mean to word-vomit, I was just shooting in the peripheral dark @ 186,000 ft/sec or so (except for travel thru the last sea) hoping to hear an "idea" about the subject since I've never heard it discussed before. Ever. So, the idea originally occurred to me while driving near my home one morning and I glanced up to a church sign board and though there wasn't anything written there that sparked the idea, it came none the less.

I used to teach physics at a private academy, so I now only enough to be wary of how much I really don't know about my complete ignorance with everything entirely. I have this panicky feeling I know, in truth, less than zero % the "Necessary Information One Needs in This Universe To Get About". You can quote me on that! LOL

Life is so awkward and funny. Like The Simpson’s filling in for the Fellowship in LOTR.....I'd pay to see that.

Starr Polish · 10-05-2004, 09:41 AM

We already have multiple threads that touch on this issue.

Do we really have to flood the board with redundant topics?

brownjenkins · 10-05-2004, 10:17 AM

i'd have to think that there really isn't such a thing as "nothing" at all... i think people run into this problem when they think in terms of human perception... i.e. the glass is empty because there is no liquid in it... when, in fact, it is full of hydrogen and oxygen molecules, along with many others

even "space" is loaded with particles and energy... and these are just the things we can perceive... which may very well be the tip of the iceberg

it's extremely hard to imagine "nothing" as a possible state being... and i tend to lean away even from the big-bang-esk theories in favor of a more cyclical universe that always has, and always will exist in a form pretty similar to what we observe around us today

The Gaffer · 10-05-2004, 10:28 AM

Kirkegaard's your man if you're interested in nothingness: Short biog here.

Fear of nothingness (the original "angst") was one of the founding concepts of existentialism. Don't ask me what that means.

10-04-2004, 07:08 PM	#1
EarthBound Lady Tipple & Queen of Blessed Thistle Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: I've been told it's all in my head Posts: 916	"DON'T PANIC" and other important information (NEWBIE-FRIENDLY) How did anything come from nothing? How can there be "something" at all? Shouldn't there be nothing? __________________ Beer + Pizza = N'uff said Happy to be here The HACBR has been alerted to my postings…..Hobbits Against Constant Beer References Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. --Ben Franklin I want my Mooter T-Shirt!

10-04-2004, 07:47 PM	#2
*HOBBIT* Saviour of Entmoot Admiral Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: NC/NJ (no longer Same place as bmilder.) Posts: 61,986	hitchhikers guide to the galaxy? __________________ President Emeritus (2000-2004) Private message (or email) me if you need any assistance. I am here to help! "I'm up to here with cool, ok? I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis" - Zaphod Beeblebrox Latest Blog Post: Just Quit Facebook? No One Cares!

10-04-2004, 10:32 PM	#3
*Rían* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	Since it's obvious that there IS something (unless you're into calling everything an illusion, in which case I won't bother to talk to you, since I don't talk with illusions ), then it's obvious that something must be self-existent and eternal. __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva!

10-05-2004, 08:34 AM	#6
EarthBound Lady Tipple & Queen of Blessed Thistle Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: I've been told it's all in my head Posts: 916	Doh!!! Yes, Hobbit...D.A. is sorrrrly missed. As to the metaphysics point, I didn't mean to word-vomit, I was just shooting in the peripheral dark @ 186,000 ft/sec or so (except for travel thru the last sea) hoping to hear an "idea" about the subject since I've never heard it discussed before. Ever. So, the idea originally occurred to me while driving near my home one morning and I glanced up to a church sign board and though there wasn't anything written there that sparked the idea, it came none the less. I used to teach physics at a private academy, so I now only enough to be wary of how much I really don't know about my complete ignorance with everything entirely. I have this panicky feeling I know, in truth, less than zero % the "Necessary Information One Needs in This Universe To Get About". You can quote me on that! LOL Life is so awkward and funny. Like The Simpson’s filling in for the Fellowship in LOTR.....I'd pay to see that. __________________ Beer + Pizza = N'uff said Happy to be here The HACBR has been alerted to my postings…..Hobbits Against Constant Beer References Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. --Ben Franklin I want my Mooter T-Shirt!

10-05-2004, 09:41 AM	#7
Starr Polish Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Slow down and I sail on the river, slow down and I walk to the hill Posts: 2,389	We already have multiple threads that touch on this issue. Do we really have to flood the board with redundant topics? __________________ “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” –Bertrand Russell

10-05-2004, 04:22 AM	#4
Grey_Wolf Elf Lord Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mirkwood, well actually I live in North-west Scania, Sweden Posts: 9,481	Or do we all live in MATRIX-like environment?

10-05-2004, 10:17 AM	#8
brownjenkins Advocatus Diaboli Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Reality Posts: 3,767	i'd have to think that there really isn't such a thing as "nothing" at all... i think people run into this problem when they think in terms of human perception... i.e. the glass is empty because there is no liquid in it... when, in fact, it is full of hydrogen and oxygen molecules, along with many others even "space" is loaded with particles and energy... and these are just the things we can perceive... which may very well be the tip of the iceberg it's extremely hard to imagine "nothing" as a possible state being... and i tend to lean away even from the big-bang-esk theories in favor of a more cyclical universe that always has, and always will exist in a form pretty similar to what we observe around us today __________________ Your reality, sir, is lies and balderdash and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever.

10-05-2004, 10:28 AM	#9
The Gaffer Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In me taters Posts: 3,288	Kirkegaard's your man if you're interested in nothingness: Short biog here. Fear of nothingness (the original "angst") was one of the founding concepts of existentialism. Don't ask me what that means.