[Suzerain of Sheol]

Originally Posted by MyPerfectPigeon

Just wondering... how do I quote multiple people in the post?

Copy their text, and then put

[QUOTE=PERSON'SNAME]BLAHBLAHBLAH[/QUOTE]

around it.

I also agree that the likelihood of alien visitation is slim to none. However, as science tells, I also agree it's almost guaranteed that there is intelligent life elsewhere. I love pondering about what other lifeforms would be like. It's definitely a worth wondering what state of self-awareness they will have :)

Just clarifying that I agree with this, if there was any confusion. I only reject the narcissistic claims of supposed abductees and Area 51 conspiracy theorists. I agree with the conclusions of the Drake Equation. Though Fermi's Paradox is also rather intriguing...

The only thing I wonder with eliminating biological mortality is, what about wanting to have a family? Do you think that biological desire will be eliminated as well? I'd love to hear what you think artificial beings would be like if it is humans that are programming them.

I'd be hesitant to say anything on the subject; it's a hypothetical built off of a hypothetical. I think on this particular issue, I'll agree with Dr. Aubrey de Gray that we should deal with concerns like that once we've actually cured aging and the like.

And as for AI, I frankly have no idea. The instinctual part of me says it's a horrifying prospect, but the rational pessimist is more of the persuasion that if we could create of digital God that utterly transcends us, it would be the greatest thing our species ever accomplished, even if said God's very first action was to exterminate us from the face of the planet. I think it was Sam Harris who had a moral theory on the subject, that the creation of supreme, self-recursive AGI would be the pinnacle of human contribution to the universe.

It's interesting you mention subconscious. Did you know that it has been disproven that a subconscious exists and that what we are meant to identify as subconscious is just instinctual behavior? I thought that was interesting.

Yes, I do recall that. I misspoke. My apologies.

Thank you for answering my question! I think it is really interesting to draw parallels between some mental illnesses in humans and animals in terms of behavior.

There's actually a serious argument to be had over whether my position itself qualifies as mental illness or not. It brings into question the standards that we use to describe a healthy mind, and whether those standards have a basis in nature or in culture (though, then you can question whether or not culture IS an expression of nature...) It's addressed in Thomas Ligotti's The Conspiracy Against the Human Race, which is very accessible as an introduction to philosophical pessimism, if you want to hear someone better educated and more eloquent than myself make the case.

although you said you don't read much about modern religions, I'd honestly love to hear your opinions on Scientology just to see if it has more insight than the typical views of it.

I think Scientology is somewhat fascinating for the fact that we know exactly where it came from and how it evolved, and can track that evolution over time. In terms of understanding the effect religions have on the personal and collective psyche, I think it's a really interesting resource. I'd be curious as to what percentage of the high-ranking members actually believe the tenets of the religion. The cynic in me wants to think it's all about money in the end, but religion can take powerful roots in people, so I wouldn't be that surprised if they really did believe.