Notes on life, art, photography and technology, by a Danish dropout bohemian.
When you drink the water, remember the river.
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Thursday, January 18, 2007
How Gentlemen Disagree
David has also written a very nice entry called "How Gentlemen Disagree". It is about how even a disagreement can be an uplifting experience if both parts are pleasant and civil, and present arguments for their positions.
Hey, I just noticed you took the moderation thing away. Wow. You really are a very trusting and loyal friend to the people. That's very nice. I always had a feeling you were anyway Mr Stobblehouse. May blessings be bestowed upon you :)
No, no, no, you've got it all wrong, by Jove! Here's how real gentlemen disagree, according to the traditional old-fashioned rules:
"My kind sir, I regret having to state otherwise and take a firm stand. I say, this fair town doesn't comprise space enough for the both of us to reside simultaneously. We shall settle this debate on the field of honour, tomorrow at dawn. Please acknowledge my glove upon your face and pick your weapon of choice. Oh, and do make sure your witnesses are present, yes? If you would be so kind. I am looking forward to the distinctive pleasure of ending your noble life. Ta-ta!"
Now, THAT sounds a lot more authentic, don't you concur Sir Stobblehouse? A civil and pleasant duel to the death, Renaissance style, yes?
EGADS! Somebody has been watching us! Show yourself, foul spy, and let us cross blades! I'll teach you a thing ot two about knitting tights with a pair of swords, I will.
I'll teach you a thing ot two about knitting tights with a pair of swords, I will.
LMAO! GREAT COMEBACK FRIEND! I'm still laughing! You kill me man! I needed that especially after the last couple of days of bad news. Someone inflicted major damage upon my vehicle for retaliation for something I didn't even do. But I forgive them (it's hard) But I will. Please keep me smiling Pascal. There are days when I really need this.
Paxil, well done for working on forgiveness. I do too, generally. It's true it is not the easiest road, but I think it's the divine road. My goal is to get to a state where I never, ever judge anybody, no matter who they are or what they have done.
eolake said... Paxil, well done for working on forgiveness. I do too, generally. It's true it is not the easiest road, but I think it's the divine road.
Appreciate your kind words Eolake. I really do. It isn't easy for sure. I'm glad you said what you did. The divine road? Yes. I must not let it get to me. I guess I just don't understand some people in our world? I'm glad you agree eolake. Bless you sir.
Eolake said... "forgiveness [...] I think it's the divine road." I thought you preferred not to discuss religion? ;-) But I'm in total agreement with you. Forgiveness, love, peace... MY religion doesn't look much like Bin Laden's.
Trivia : How do you say "I am a terrorist" in German?
The evidence for ghosts seem overwhelming. There's at least one in my (very old) local pub, many have seen it, including the owner's son and a little girl.
Beware of imitations. Not denying the phenomenon as a whole, but scientific evidence suggests caution.
The wind blowing through huge rounded-roof corridors (as those in ancient castles) may cause very low frequency tube-resonating sound waves (infra-sounds) which, while inaudible, can cause hazy visual hallucinations by affecting the eyeballs (often in just a very specific location of the castle); and simultaneously they will cause malaise through silent vibrations caused in the intestines, sometimes inducing panic. The U.S. army are studying high-intensity infra-sound weapons that could cause instant nausea, vomiting, pain and disability in a rioting crowd. Intense infra-sounds in the ground is probably how the elephants knew in advance of the 2005 tsunami, saving themselves and many people. Strike one.
Some electromagnetic phenomenons, happening with earthquakes (even small ones), may stimulate the temporal area of the human brain, causing artefact illusions of alien/UFO sightings. Mind-induced hallucinations: by nature, they ALWAYS feel as real as can be! The brain can absolutely not tell the difference between induced perception and one originating from reality. (The world as we usually know it is a huge sensory illusion.) The "phantom pain" phenomenon of amputees is a textbook example. It is caused by the sensory areas of their brains, affected to the body part that was lost, and deprived of tactile input (which normally turns off most irrelevant pain signals). It is treated (very efficiently) with artificial stimulation of the tactile brain zones responsible. Strike two.
Reserchers at the Lausanne Ecole Polytechnique (Switzerland) recently created artificial ghost sightings. To treat a 22 y/o woman with epilepsy, they stimulated her temporo-parietal brain zone in this fashion with implanted electrodes. This caused her a "ghost experience". She very much felt the presence of a person behind her, trying to grab her. The brain zone stimulated there is involved in the perception of the self and distinguishing between oneself and others. Many schizophrens also demonstrate that symptom, because of abnormal brain function. (They may also be "positive" that their body is falling to pieces. Or that some of its parts, while working normally with no sign of "possession", do not belong to them.)
So... strike three, yer' out? Certainly not. Explaining some things and proving their pure illusion nature can never disprove ALL similar things. Just remember to always be healthily critical about everything, even the strange happenings that feel very real. Feeling must not equal believing.
I've learnt in Psychiatry some very interesting things. Epilepsy of the temporal lobe may have some very odd consequences. Like olfactory hallucinations, usually fetid smells. How easy is it to "rationalize" those as signs of invisible demons emerging from the stench of Hell to torment you? It "smells" as real as can be to the concerned person, but it has no reality and can be reproduced at will. In other instances the mood of some patients will be greatly disturbed. How greatly? Possibly to the point of a blind and homicidal rage, which will vanish at the end of the localized seizure, leaving the poor person without any memory of what happened. "The Devil made me do it, inspector" would be a very tempting explanation in the absence of advanced medical culture. (A word on the term "seizure" : in this case, the cortex area suffering from intense abnormal electric discharge is not directly involved in muscle control, so there are no typical shakes.)
Also, hypoglycemia greatly affects the neurons, making them over-sensitive. Fast for a sufficient period while in a religious-oriented state of mind ("I am meditating") has great odds of giving you at some point hallucinations, visions with intense emotional content, and you're very likely to see a visit from Beyond, while you simply need to feed pronto before it evolves into a fatal coma. Fortunately, the excitement of having had a vision is usually enough to get the meditator to rush back to civilization, tell the good tidings to everybody, and be fed before the adrenalin wears off. :-)
So, not everybody who sincerely sees things is a Messenger of Divine Truth. Just imagine Bin Laden having one of those "revelations" : we know quite well what they'll "tell" him. Besides, he notoriously has kidney disease, with increased blood toxins levels, which can help having "sightings". Same with alcohol and other intoxications, BTW.
I do believe there are some serious things out there. But every false alert is just like the boy who cried wolf : it casts discredit on everything, including what authentic stuff there may be to discover (the skeptics will gladly throw it in the garbage bag with all the rest). Think of the many very clever tricks used by professional magicians, who have no supernatural powers whatsoever...
Oh, and some known drugs can induce a false "out-of-body" experience. The person will remain very much conscious in front of you, keep talking, and yet tell you they are coming out of their body, which is clearly impossible since they're still "there". The temporo-parietal self-perception zone acting up again. But don't ask me to give you "interesting" substance names, because that's illegal. :-)
I will look into this very interesting subject. Thanks for sharing Eolake.
ReplyDeleteHey, I just noticed you took the moderation thing away. Wow. You really are a very trusting and loyal friend to the people.
ReplyDeleteThat's very nice. I always had a feeling you were anyway Mr Stobblehouse. May blessings be bestowed upon you :)
No, no, no, you've got it all wrong, by Jove! Here's how real gentlemen disagree, according to the traditional old-fashioned rules:
ReplyDelete"My kind sir, I regret having to state otherwise and take a firm stand. I say, this fair town doesn't comprise space enough for the both of us to reside simultaneously. We shall settle this debate on the field of honour, tomorrow at dawn. Please acknowledge my glove upon your face and pick your weapon of choice. Oh, and do make sure your witnesses are present, yes? If you would be so kind. I am looking forward to the distinctive pleasure of ending your noble life. Ta-ta!"
Now, THAT sounds a lot more authentic, don't you concur Sir Stobblehouse? A civil and pleasant duel to the death, Renaissance style, yes?
En garde, Monsieur! And farewell.
Now, THAT sounds a lot more authentic, don't you concur Sir Stobblehouse? A civil and pleasant duel to the death, Renaissance style, yes?
ReplyDeleteEn garde, Monsieur! And farewell.
Yes it does! I see can you dressed in tights as well :)
"I can see you dressed in tights as well"
ReplyDeleteEGADS! Somebody has been watching us! Show yourself, foul spy, and let us cross blades!
I'll teach you a thing ot two about knitting tights with a pair of swords, I will.
I'll teach you a thing ot two about knitting tights with a pair of swords, I will.
ReplyDeleteLMAO! GREAT COMEBACK FRIEND! I'm still laughing! You kill me man!
I needed that especially after the last couple of days of bad news.
Someone inflicted major damage upon my vehicle for retaliation for something I didn't even do. But I forgive them (it's hard) But I will. Please keep me smiling Pascal. There are days when I really need this.
The Earl of Pascal is a real cortegiano ;-)
ReplyDeletePaxil, well done for working on forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteI do too, generally. It's true it is not the easiest road, but I think it's the divine road.
My goal is to get to a state where I never, ever judge anybody, no matter who they are or what they have done.
eolake said...
ReplyDeletePaxil, well done for working on forgiveness.
I do too, generally. It's true it is not the easiest road, but I think it's the divine road.
Appreciate your kind words Eolake. I really do. It isn't easy for sure. I'm glad you said what you did. The divine road? Yes. I must not let it get to me.
I guess I just don't understand some people in our world? I'm glad you agree eolake. Bless you sir.
My goal is to get to a state where I never, ever judge anybody, no matter who they are or what they have done.
ReplyDeleteEolake, you are a wise man.
Eolake said...
ReplyDelete"forgiveness [...] I think it's the divine road."
I thought you preferred not to discuss religion? ;-)
But I'm in total agreement with you. Forgiveness, love, peace... MY religion doesn't look much like Bin Laden's.
Trivia : How do you say "I am a terrorist" in German?
"Ich Bin Laden."
"I thought you preferred not to discuss religion?"
ReplyDeleteAh, but this is spirituality, I love to talk that.
Ah, but this is spirituality, I love to talk that.
ReplyDeleteEolake,
Do you believe in ghosts, demons, angels, aliens? Very curious.
What's your take on it brother?
Flip Dog is in the house!
I have no firm beliefs.
ReplyDeleteAliens need not be spiritual.
The evidence for ghosts seem overwhelming. There's at least one in my (very old) local pub, many have seen it, including the owner's son and a little girl.
Beware of imitations.
ReplyDeleteNot denying the phenomenon as a whole, but scientific evidence suggests caution.
The wind blowing through huge rounded-roof corridors (as those in ancient castles) may cause very low frequency tube-resonating sound waves (infra-sounds) which, while inaudible, can cause hazy visual hallucinations by affecting the eyeballs (often in just a very specific location of the castle); and simultaneously they will cause malaise through silent vibrations caused in the intestines, sometimes inducing panic. The U.S. army are studying high-intensity infra-sound weapons that could cause instant nausea, vomiting, pain and disability in a rioting crowd. Intense infra-sounds in the ground is probably how the elephants knew in advance of the 2005 tsunami, saving themselves and many people. Strike one.
Some electromagnetic phenomenons, happening with earthquakes (even small ones), may stimulate the temporal area of the human brain, causing artefact illusions of alien/UFO sightings. Mind-induced hallucinations: by nature, they ALWAYS feel as real as can be! The brain can absolutely not tell the difference between induced perception and one originating from reality. (The world as we usually know it is a huge sensory illusion.) The "phantom pain" phenomenon of amputees is a textbook example. It is caused by the sensory areas of their brains, affected to the body part that was lost, and deprived of tactile input (which normally turns off most irrelevant pain signals). It is treated (very efficiently) with
artificial stimulation of the tactile brain zones responsible. Strike two.
Reserchers at the Lausanne Ecole Polytechnique (Switzerland) recently created artificial ghost sightings. To treat a 22 y/o woman with epilepsy, they stimulated her temporo-parietal brain zone in this fashion with implanted electrodes. This caused her a "ghost experience". She very much felt the presence of a person behind her, trying to grab her. The brain zone stimulated there is involved in the perception of the self and distinguishing between oneself and others. Many schizophrens also demonstrate that symptom, because of abnormal brain function. (They may also be "positive" that their body is falling to pieces. Or that some of its parts, while working normally with no sign of "possession", do not belong to them.)
So... strike three, yer' out? Certainly not. Explaining some things and proving their pure illusion nature can never disprove ALL similar things.
Just remember to always be healthily critical about everything, even the strange happenings that feel very real. Feeling must not equal believing.
I've learnt in Psychiatry some very interesting things. Epilepsy of the temporal lobe may have some very odd consequences. Like olfactory hallucinations, usually fetid smells. How easy is it to "rationalize" those as signs of invisible demons emerging from the stench of Hell to torment you? It "smells" as real as can be to the concerned person, but it has no reality and can be reproduced at will. In other instances the mood of some patients will be greatly disturbed. How greatly? Possibly to the point of a blind and homicidal rage, which will vanish at the end of the localized seizure, leaving the poor person without any memory of what happened. "The Devil made me do it, inspector" would be a very tempting explanation in the absence of advanced medical culture.
(A word on the term "seizure" : in this case, the cortex area suffering from intense abnormal electric discharge is not directly involved in muscle control, so there are no typical shakes.)
Also, hypoglycemia greatly affects the neurons, making them over-sensitive. Fast for a sufficient period while in a religious-oriented state of mind ("I am meditating") has great odds of giving you at some point hallucinations, visions with intense emotional content, and you're very likely to see a visit from Beyond, while you simply need to feed pronto before it evolves into a fatal coma.
Fortunately, the excitement of having had a vision is usually enough to get the meditator to rush back to civilization, tell the good tidings to everybody, and be fed before the adrenalin wears off. :-)
So, not everybody who sincerely sees things is a Messenger of Divine Truth. Just imagine Bin Laden having one of those "revelations" : we know quite well what they'll "tell" him. Besides, he notoriously has kidney disease, with increased blood toxins levels, which can help having "sightings". Same with alcohol and other intoxications, BTW.
I do believe there are some serious things out there. But every false alert is just like the boy who cried wolf : it casts discredit on everything, including what authentic stuff there may be to discover (the skeptics will gladly throw it in the garbage bag with all the rest).
Think of the many very clever tricks used by professional magicians, who have no supernatural powers whatsoever...
Oh, and some known drugs can induce a false "out-of-body" experience. The person will remain very much conscious in front of you, keep talking, and yet tell you they are coming out of their body, which is clearly impossible since they're still "there". The temporo-parietal self-perception zone acting up again.
But don't ask me to give you "interesting" substance names, because that's illegal. :-)