"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.

***Valandil*** · 10-05-2004, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gaffer

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.

One problem Gaff... I clicked on the link, just to see, and sure enough... SOMEthing came up!

Insidious Rex · 10-05-2004, 01:47 PM

Where did your original assumption come from that there was nothing to begin with? Or that we could ever hope to understand the full nature of reality when we create it by our very existance?

EarthBound · 10-05-2004, 02:13 PM

Starr Polish

Quote:

We already have multiple threads that touch on this issue.

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

Then the dead horse stirred as it was beat again (as the saying goes). But how did it stir, you ask? Because our short life spans do not give us enough time to individually "figure some of it out" except in regards to perception and reference (point to point). Sure we go on and on, but really, it's about all we got.

No animals were harmed for this posting.

**Nurvingiel** · 10-05-2004, 04:53 PM

Lol EarthBound!

Should this thread be merged with the "why you believe" one? Or should we be talking about HHGG?

Starr Polish · 10-05-2004, 04:54 PM

Earthbound, your reply was anything but relevant to my post.

Insidious Rex · 10-05-2004, 05:24 PM

must we lump everything into one single philosophy/religion/science post? i dont see why. it seems fine to me. especially when we have so few true meaty threads going on here. but i suppose we could make one gigantic post and call it EVERYTHING and close all the others.

Starr Polish · 10-05-2004, 05:53 PM

When we already have several other threads meant for discussing or at least lend themselves to the discussion of religion/philosophy/science posts, why make another one and clutter up the board? THey always get flooded by the same people saying ultimately the same thing anyway.

BeardofPants · 10-05-2004, 07:02 PM

Oh Starr Polish, don't be such a poopy pants.

There hasn't been a discussion on this for... oh... about two months now. Besides, the same old, same old may contribute, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the newbies can't have their little say.

mewhmag · 10-06-2004, 05:01 AM

not only topics, but the issues itself are rendundand - one may find answers, but the questions have ever been the same. so if we assume that there is truth, then the difficult part is to show that everyone participates in truth, whatever subjective views there are that make it difficult to understand it. so if real consent is possible, because thruth has been recognized, it is something like magic, or, more profane, art. in every true work of art we understand beauty and truth. then, words are useless. it is like we read a tale (Tolkien?

), and it touches some strings in us that bring us in accordance with universal goodness and truth. but if we would like to explain it to others, or even to ourselves, we fail. that´s human nature, i guess...

cheers
mewhmag

***Valandil*** · 10-06-2004, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeardofPants

Oh Starr Polish, don't be such a poopy pants....

Never like to steal those, do ye?

EarthBound · 10-06-2004, 08:53 AM

Bloating and Flatulence. Could discuss this instead. Compare the stretching of the fabric of Space to my pants after too much pizza and beer.

Or Get more philosophical and ponder . . . "Is there such a thing, as too much pizza and beer"

These are the questions we want answered!!!!!

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.

10-05-2004, 01:47 PM	#11
Insidious Rex Quasi Evil Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Maryland, US Posts: 4,634	Where did your original assumption come from that there was nothing to begin with? Or that we could ever hope to understand the full nature of reality when we create it by our very existance? __________________ "People's political beliefs don't stem from the factual information they've acquired. Far more the facts people choose to believe are the product of their political beliefs." "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

10-05-2004, 04:54 PM	#14
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	Earthbound, your reply was anything but relevant to my post. __________________ “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, 05:24 PM	#15
Insidious Rex Quasi Evil Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Maryland, US Posts: 4,634	must we lump everything into one single philosophy/religion/science post? i dont see why. it seems fine to me. especially when we have so few true meaty threads going on here. but i suppose we could make one gigantic post and call it EVERYTHING and close all the others. __________________ "People's political beliefs don't stem from the factual information they've acquired. Far more the facts people choose to believe are the product of their political beliefs." "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

10-05-2004, 05:53 PM	#16
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	When we already have several other threads meant for discussing or at least lend themselves to the discussion of religion/philosophy/science posts, why make another one and clutter up the board? THey always get flooded by the same people saying ultimately the same thing anyway. __________________ “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, 07:02 PM	#17
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	Oh Starr Polish, don't be such a poopy pants. There hasn't been a discussion on this for... oh... about two months now. Besides, the same old, same old may contribute, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the newbies can't have their little say. __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords

10-06-2004, 05:01 AM	#18
mewhmag Sapling Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 13	not only topics, but the issues itself are rendundand - one may find answers, but the questions have ever been the same. so if we assume that there is truth, then the difficult part is to show that everyone participates in truth, whatever subjective views there are that make it difficult to understand it. so if real consent is possible, because thruth has been recognized, it is something like magic, or, more profane, art. in every true work of art we understand beauty and truth. then, words are useless. it is like we read a tale (Tolkien?), and it touches some strings in us that bring us in accordance with universal goodness and truth. but if we would like to explain it to others, or even to ourselves, we fail. that´s human nature, i guess... cheers mewhmag

10-06-2004, 08:53 AM	#20
EarthBound Lady Tipple & Queen of Blessed Thistle Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: I've been told it's all in my head Posts: 916	Rip in the Fabric of Space and Pants Bloating and Flatulence. Could discuss this instead. Compare the stretching of the fabric of Space to my pants after too much pizza and beer. Or Get more philosophical and ponder . . . "Is there such a thing, as too much pizza and beer" These are the questions we want answered!!!!! __________________ 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!