Posts by cosmictinker21

Wow, okay, so that was one hell of a long, detailed dream. You should probably just sit down and type out everything you remember, step by step... maybe follow it up with how those dreams actually played out in real life. Or was it just one big dream? I mean, are you sure some parts of it don't actually fall into those categories we talked about—you know, where it’s just a collection of things that are totally possible, so they eventually happen? Or maybe it’s just false recognition, thinking you saw something that wasn't really there... I find it hard to believe you remember all of it so clearly. Usually, after a while, you only catch the core essence of a dream, not the granular details. If you had just jotted it down right when it happened and then tracked how things unfolded afterward, you'd have a much clearer picture. But as it stands, it's impossible to tell what's what...🤷

Lisa Morales4 said:Are dreams acting as a blueprint for our future actions, or are they just a way for the mind to reconstruct things that have already happened?

I’m leaning toward the second option. It feels like our brains just fail to flag the data as a replay—we don't get those subconscious cues telling us we're looking at a memory, so it just feels like something brand new popped out of nowhere. If you consider the whole false recognition thing, then you're looking at a total construction... though even then, it's technically the brain "recognizing" something that wasn't actually there to begin with. Just a weird loop...

Zachary Young8 said:If I told you I’d caught a glimpse of my future in a dream, you probably wouldn't buy it. But it feels less like a vision and more like I've already lived through it—as if everything is just playing out exactly according to plan.

It's likely just a collection of basic experiences being processed by your intellect. Based on all the facts, patterns, and life lessons you've gathered so far, your brain synthesizes them into a logical context and then serves up one of many potential outcomes via the subconscious or through dreams. Basically, it's just presenting what is logically or experientially most probable. Not exactly a miracle... and honestly, we often end up steering ourselves toward those exact scenarios while dreaming about them without even realizing it.

Then again, there's the possibility you're gifted with prophetic visions. Given things like the still-unexplained theories regarding space-time continuum entanglement, parallel universes, the Akashic field, or the holographic principle, they are theoretically possible. Of course, we're still a long way from any mathematical or empirical scientific proof for that...

There's also this little catch in a lot of these ambiguous cases. People often mistake a dream or a vision for déjà vu. But that's usually not what's happening—it's not that we truly dreamed something and then lived it much later—but rather that when faced with a specific event, the brain misfires some connections and "recognizes" the situation as something familiar. In that split second, we "retrieve" a memory that was never actually stored in our brain as an experience; instead, the sensation of "familiarity" is created right at the moment the event occurs. It's pretty difficult to notice that happening in real-time...

casualtiger2@

There’s also the matter of things being "predestined" by karma.

By karma, I mean things that obey the laws of nature. We haven't quite managed to grasp or explain them yet, though we're moving in that direction... eventually, after millennia of experiences we just couldn't account for.😍

Layman interpretations of new neurological research—suggesting the brain decides before "we" do—aren't enough to prove we lack free will. Similarly, the idea that "we are spiritual beings, therefore completely free" doesn't really hold water either.

First, the unconscious, instinctual part kicks in, conditioned by our genetic makeup. But once information hits the conscious mind, we gain the ability to process it into something understandable, allowing us to form stances and make decisions based on that data. Since the brain is constantly evolving by absorbing new stimuli until death, and since willpower and personal choice play a role in that process, one could argue we are both determined and free at the same time. It's this interplay between genetic predisposition and our proven ability to train our neurons through thought and iterative effort—basically triggering new biochemical processes—that gives us hope for continuous improvement. Though, of course, we're always limited by our physical foundation. Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle certainly dictates many processes at the submolecular level within our neurons, but by utilizing surrounding structures, it's possible to nudge things that didn't just happen by chance. We just need to keep learning and avoid getting too cocky with static interpretations. No honest scientist would claim their hypothesis is a theorem without hard evidence. If that evidence isn't there yet, they remain aware that something else entirely might be true.
But regardless, I haven't heard of any part of our universe occurring without an explanation rooted in what we know. If something can't be explained, it's not because it's a miracle or fatefully predetermined (which we can't claim anyway, thanks to indeterminacy); it's simply because we haven't uncovered the natural laws behind it yet.

In my view, different people possess varying degrees of freedom.

It would be fascinating to find all those answers—to understand why, and more importantly, how we might actually expand that freedom...

Brenda Cook4 said:So, it's a choice between communism or Jesus? 😁 Honestly, looking at how much he focused on shared resources rather than personal hoarding, I'd say Jesus leaned way more toward communist values than capitalist ones. Look, there’s no such thing as a "perfect" societal setup, but some are definitely better than others. Though, if you ask me, the absolute best way to live is without any forced structure at all...

Don't forget that underneath it all, we're still just animals. Sure, we've been reshaped by technology and culture, but deep down, we're still playing by pack rules. Everything about our current situation—all those social performances we put on—it's all rooted in the basic existential mission of our species: survival. First, you survive as an individual in your environment, and then as a pack as a whole. There's always going to be that 10% capable of stepping up as the alpha and calling the shots, while everyone else just adapts, trying to dodge the hits and grab as much food as possible...🤷

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXNh...ayer_embedded#!

Brenda Cook4 said:FO - full on.

Hmm, I suppose that actually fits within the context... 😁

Paul Jones7 said:I mean, that’s really the only thing that comes to mind—though I honestly can't believe someone actually said it. 🙂

😂😂 It fits the context, sure, but besides that, you have no idea how blunt and intense our grandma can get when she wants to be! 😍

Paul Jones7 said:So, what does that actually mean, FO? I guess I'm not quite following what you were getting at 🙂

Fuck off? 🙄

Brenda Cook4 said:Personally, I think the average American really *is* walking right on the edge, and plenty of people have already fallen off. You can practically feel the nation's pulse racing in that regard.
But I am right there with you regarding consumerism. Humanity, as a whole, goes overboard. So much of what we buy is just unnecessary junk, and spending your entire life working just to afford it is, quite frankly, pointless.
As Schopenhauer says, Schopenhauer All good things are vanity, The World in All its ends bankrupt.

That’s just the essence of capitalism, isn't it? Imposing values just to squeeze out more profit. They manufacture these artificial needs that people fall for—people who want to feel important, or try to act like some kind of "alpha," because otherwise, they don't feel fulfilled... We end up setting goals based on "values" we didn't actually find within ourselves, but just passively absorbed from society. It gives us this sense of security, a feeling of belonging, or an illusion of being "right" because we think we want what society deems valuable. Mimicking the patterns around us without ever truly creating or recognizing them in our own souls... we aren't even aware we're doing it. That's the root of all our frustration, that nagging sense of failure and emptiness...

And eventually, we circle back to that old argument about desire. When your wants are built on manufactured needs, you're stuck in this constant state of tension, terrified that you won't be able to present yourself—to others or even to your own reflection—as a "success." It’s the struggle between having and being...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olqC-HVQkLA

wearyhawk83, you’ve got a point there. We basically just drop into an environment that hands us a blueprint for life—one that’s as deeply rooted and painfully average as it gets. It takes real grit to break free from that mold. It isn't just about being lucky; it requires a level of strength most people don't possess. Social circles tend to act like closed feedback loops... it’s nearly impossible to catapult yourself out of them without some major upheaval, whether that’s personal or coming from the family side of things.

Everywhere you look, there are hierarchies and unspoken caste systems. People judge you based on your pedigree, your bank account, your degree, or any other material marker that signals which "tier" you belong to. That whole story about Rockefeller and the apple? That’s a tale reserved for the outliers, the exceptionally gifted. But most of us are just... well, average. If the idea that anyone can achieve whatever they want were actually true, we wouldn't have all this widespread unhappiness, failure, or disillusionment. And that tired cliché about just "wanting it enough" or "grinding harder" is mostly nonsense. Imagine being born the son of a tribal chief, or coming from some old-money East Coast dynasty. The doors are already propped open for you; it's just a matter of whether you have the drive to push them even further. What kind of chance does a kid from a working-class neighborhood really have if they can't even scrape together the cash for a trip to Yale, let alone tuition? Sure, there are exceptions—those young prodigies who are so undeniably talented that people can't help but notice and give them a shot. But unfortunately, the vast majority are just ordinary. Not everyone has the sheer focus, courage, or endless patience required to wait out their dreams, regardless of how much potential they might have...

So, I suppose the real skill lies in recognizing the limitations our surroundings impose on us, accepting them without feeling like a total failure, and figuring out how to live a life that actually fits... given the circumstances at hand.

Paul Jones7 said:You're kind of missing the point here. I mean, sure, the wall defines what's possible and what isn't, but the actual choice—the part that matters—is whether we keep charging ahead until we hit it, or if we decide to pivot and find our way around it entirely.

I think you've managed to grab onto one specific part of the lesson you need to learn, though... and honestly, there's a pretty simple solution being offered right here. It's just a matter of actually putting it into practice, I guess.

man, fishboy, I agree, but don't get so heavy about it. you can tell I threw in that laughing maniac at the end just for flavor...🤣

Brenda Cook4 said:That’s exactly my point. Having those basic foundations provides you with freedom—I don't mean the pursuit of money for its own sake, but rather having enough to actually buy your independence. If you've already secured that, you're in an amazing position. And honestly? That drifter's lifestyle is a solid option too, maybe even better than grinding away all day long. Life is just too short for that kind of hustle 😬

You really have to learn how to separate what actually matters from the noise. And I mean truly, honestly, without letting the neighbors weigh in, or following outdated social norms, or being paralyzed by that "what will people think?" anxiety...

Ultimately, opting out of society can be a great move, but I worry about the ripple effects on everyone else. I know a few people who lived exactly like that, but they left a trail of neglected kids and abandoned partners in their wake. They skipped out on finishing school, ignored basic cultural literacy, science, hygiene, and common sense... basically, their only option was a state of constant incompleteness. Just drifting, constant movement, endless spiritual and physical experiments. In The Tao, they felt completely free. But they weren't actually free enough to finish anything, or make a decision and follow through on it. There's nothing wrong with being part of the mainstream in certain areas. A mature person knows how to navigate that. They can tell the difference between what's essential and what's trivial. Between what brings genuine happiness and what's just unbearable. And they realize that things aren't unbearable because they lack stability, but because they lack the discipline to actually get things done properly.

Oof, I guess I wandered a bit far off course there... 🤣

So, I was recently tearing through town on a mission to hunt down this specific, rare book—one of those limited editions where you’re just praying they ever print a second run. On my way, I happened to pass by an IKEA, and naturally, I couldn't resist testing out one of their gorgeous armchairs. It was actually priced almost exactly what that little book costs. This salesperson kept nudging me to grab it, insisting it was perfect for my posture and would look stunning in my living room.

No way in hell! 🙂

I just kept moving, focused on the book, while my self-satisfied companion went ahead and bought it anyway, regardless of the price tag. She gave me this judgmental look, though... "Are you insane?" she asks. "Why didn't you get that amazing chair? You're being so irrational, you've clearly lost touch with reality. Buying a book for that much money? Seriously, you're crazy! You'd be so much more comfortable if you'd just sunk into that chair right now!"

And so, here I am: "insane," "irrational," and all that other nonsense. Every night, I sit there reading my book, propped up on my bed, completely lacking that wonderful armchair...😁

briskbison62 said:Exactly. And honestly? No amount of stuff is ever going to fill that void inside them. You could buy out the whole mall and they’d still feel empty because material things aren't what makes life actually worth living. But hey, our society is practically built to encourage this—capitalism loves turning people into mindless consumers and addicts to keep the wheels turning. It reminds me of how much simpler things felt back in the day before everything became so flashy and superficial. I remember when we’d make a big trip once or twice a year just to go shopping in Venice, and even then, we weren't being fed these fake, manufactured desires that you can never actually satisfy... It’s pretty obvious to both of us that real value lies elsewhere. Like, back when our grandmas were kids, happiness was just about those Sunday family dinners or lying in bed sharing stories with an older sister. That lack of "stuff" didn't make them any less rich in spirit...

😍😍😍 It’s actually kind of nice to see someone else here who remembers how things used to be.

briskbison62 said:I mean, if that were actually true, you’d think the whole jet-set crowd—you know, the Hollywood A-listers, the massive CEOs, those big-shot politicians—would all be living these incredibly deep, enlightened, high-quality lives. But honestly? That's rarely the case. If anything, it’s usually the exact opposite... they're often just chasing the next thing. And then there's the other side of the coin, where people are struggling just to hit that bare-minimum survival line, which is obviously a whole different level of hardship. But look, just because someone isn't rolling in cash doesn't mean their life lacks substance. I've met plenty of folks who don't have much to their name, yet they live way more meaningful lives than those guys swimming in money who are constantly obsessed with getting even more...

Honestly, go tell that to the crowd obsessed with status symbols and all that superficial nonsense... the pure consumerism trap that catches anyone who can't find any actual substance within themselves. They try to manufacture an identity through designer labels, high-end shoes, or even outright lies, just so they can show up at the right parties and pretend they belong. It's all just a desperate attempt to impress others—specifically, people with slightly deeper pockets...😁

Brenda Cook4 said:Look, just focusing on how to keep your head above water isn't exactly what I'd call "living." But—and I want to be clear here, this is just my two cents—that's exactly why I told Moda we really need to sit down and actually define what we mean by "quality of life."🤷

Was it Lenin who said that? You know, the whole thing about eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, and eight hours of whatever else—cultural enrichment or something... I can never quite recall the exact phrasing...🙄

Sometimes I’m so wiped out by the first eight hours of the day that the remaining eight just become this endless loop of worrying... which doesn't exactly help me stay focused, so getting anything productive actually done on my to-do list feels impossible. It makes it hard enough to manage the daily grind, let alone find the energy for any real soul-searching or personal growth. Sometimes that spiritual stuff happens naturally, just kind of drifting along as I go through life, but more often than not, I feel this intense pull toward things that truly matter to me. It’s like this deep intellectual or emotional curiosity that won't quit... I just want to actually live out what I’m thinking and feeling instead of just letting it sit there...

Well, at least I'm trying...🤣

I can't quite get on board with that old-school wisdom people always preach—you know, the whole "look out for number one," "stay in your own lane," and "just deal with whatever happens" philosophy... It just doesn't sit right with me...

It’s nice to have enough money to just... stop worrying. To travel wherever you feel like, or to know that if things go sideways health-wise, you’ll have access to the absolute best medical care available without a second thought. Then again, some people are perfectly content just sitting in front of the TV, picking apart news headlines, or taking a quiet stroll through town and feeling satisfied once they get home to a meal they picked out themselves at a local Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. It doesn't matter much, really. For some, quality of life is defined by social standing—being a respected wife, a model mother, or just being that polished woman where every hair is perfectly in place. Others find their version of the "good life" in material milestones, like finally pulling a brand-new SUV into the driveway or owning a vacation house in the Hamptons, maybe even a little boat to go with it. And then there are those who find peace in the mountains, sitting in front of a fireplace with a glass of bourbon, just letting the world fade away...🤷

Brenda Cook4 said:Actually, they do—and it leads to a much better quality of life (though we could probably spend all day debating what "quality" even means). Think about it: people who are stuck in survival mode, just scraping by from paycheck to paycheck, barely have the mental bandwidth to think about anything else, let alone dive into the deep mysteries of the universe.

I suppose there's a certain sweetness in diving into those deep waters occasionally... reaching for something higher up and just forgetting about the ground beneath your feet for a while...🤣

Paul Jones7 said:I mean, I think you are—and you know as well as anyone that the whole point of truly seeing something is the act of observation itself. If someone already has a fixed mental image of what they're about to encounter, then they aren't really looking, are they? To truly see, I guess you have to strip away those preconceived notions first, just letting go of what you *think* should be there so you can build an actual picture based on what's right in front of you.

That’s pretty close to how Buddhist thought works. Taoists feel the same way—that the essence lies in the journey itself—and even Jesus made it clear that we need to look with open hearts.

I’m not really a fan of expecting happiness to arrive via some supernatural intervention; I prefer the natural flow of things and events. Then again, we can never account for every single variable, algorithm, or potential path in life. On the flip side, it’s also not wise to just sit back completely passively and act like a plaything of fate, karma, or whatever you want to call it. That’s the easy way out: "It's not my fault, there's nothing I can do, everything is already predetermined," including my entire life path...😁

Oh, sure, it’s totally the wall's fault because it had the audacity to exist right in front of us... what an absolute menace 🤣