In this blog I post the way all discussions seem to proceed. I copied and pasted the interactions of a set of people after having listened to the Ted Ed Talk video on Atheism 2.0 by Alain de Botton. The discussions start of meaningfully and as one author has commented on humans: “The best lack conviction and the worst are full of passionate intensity” , even discussions can be branded by the same statement.
The discussions proceeded as follows:
One Guy :
"Bottom line, don't be religious because that will just divide people and make them feel guilty about natural desires, etc. Be spiritual and learn more about being connected to the natural world which you are a part of. The universe is not stupid, it is intelligent and it thinks, in fact quantum theory proves that!"
A Second Guy in response to the First:
"In fact, no, quantum theory doesn't prove the universe thinks. But! It is a fun thought experiment and is ripe for some compelling sci-fi, that's it for now though. I mean on some levels if you understand WE are the universe, which we very much are, at least partially. Then the universe does think in a way but that's just us thinking. Not really the fabric of space time thinking in and of itself though. Just saying. Got to remain intellectually honest with ourselves :) Good day :D"
A Third Guy contradicting the Second:
"No, quantum theory does show that the universe has some sort of consciousness. The best example is the electron gun experiment and how electrons behave differently when observed or not observed."
The Second Guys Patronizing response to the Third:
"I'm sorry to break this to you but no, it doesn't. That experiment in no way demonstrates any form of universal consciousness. It's a fun thought but that's all it is. I don't have room to go into detail. I will part with this advice... Don't listen to people like Deepak Chopra and don't believe everything you hear on a science documentary, especially a speculation piece. Focus more on the scientific journals themselves and you'll fare better with your understanding. Keep learning. Best of luck."
The Third Guy’s reaction:
"Nice assumptions and total lack of an actual argument."
The Second Guy’s reaction to the Third Guy’s reaction:
"There's a character limit.
You know they have MIT and Stanford physics and math lectures for free on the internet now... You can go learn this stuff for yourself, instead of just parading around your ignorance and demand that people explain a PHD level subject in 350 characters."
The Third Guy:
"I guess you have no ability for problem solving. There are these things called specific references that can fit well within a character limit. Again, nice assumptions of me that are totally incorrect."
Now the Second Guy is irritated:
"If you think your ability to problem solve led you to your conclusions regarding quantum theory then I have nowhere near the "ability for problem solving" that you do. That is certain.
I make no assumptions. It is you who assumes to know when, in fact, we are ignorant."
And the Third Guy is irritated too! :
"So you have proven yourself ignorant by assuming I am ignorant."
And the Second Guy is also, only a little more...!!! :
"You are ignorant as evidenced by your lack of understanding on the topic. I, am also ignorant, as is the human condition. The difference here is that I'm not parading pseudo-science as spiritual enlightenment (of sorts)."
. .
. .
. .
And so they go on – the way of all discussions. Guess that is why they are called 'Stimulating Conversations'.
xxx
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