Dr. Steel speaks truth

Jake von Slatt — Tue, 04/14/2009 - 19:52

I do not always agree with the good Doctor's methods. I do not believe in hierarchy and Doctor Steel's army of toy soldiers gives me great pause. But here the Doctor speaks truth. (via Porkshanks)

Concerning perception as reality.

saghaulor — Fri, 05/01/2009 - 16:40

While I do not claim to be an expert of any sort concerning quantum mechanics, I do know a thing or two about metaphysics and epistemology.

Reality is external and independent of us. If reality were merely perception, there would not be the proverbial tree falling if no one was around to hear it fall.

Moreover, a wall would disappear and reappear as your turn your glance away from and back to them. This seems rather silly.

While I'm sure my following argument has its holes, it's a good start.

There are two things that work towards reality being external and independent. First, the infinite and infinitesimal nuances that are documented in the physical systems that compose reality. There is so much information sitting at the gates of our senses, and we are only perceiving a fraction of it. If reality was merely our senses, then this significant quantity of information would not be present. Additionally, that is why minds outside of our own can point out detail to us that we previously did not notice.

The second thing that speaks towards reality being external and independent of us is the consistency of all of this perceptual information. For the most part, what you perceive from this moment will be nearly exactly the same to the next moment. However, this fact holds true even across large spans of time. Obviously environmental factors muddy this truth, being that they change things over time. But if I were to paint a bright pink spot on a barn and not touch the barn for twenty years, all else being equal, the bright pink spot would remain exactly where I had painted it.

Obviously one can still argue that my above argument is unsuccessful. They can dig their heels in and insist that the spot is still just my perception. That reports from individuals who had never heard of or had seen the spot, that those reports are merely just my subjective perceptions. One could argue, but at some point that argument would begin to seem silly. For instance, what if someone could report back the dimensions and the relative position of the spot with extreme accuracy? The point I'm trying to make is that there is so much information out there, and we are so limited. I can't even remember where I park my car everyday, let alone the exact dimensions, spatial relations and relative position of some giant pink spot that I painted on a barn, not to mention the plethora of other infinitesimal nuances/facts that we perceive everyday.

We are amazing mental beings and we do remember a lot, but not that much.

I don't think so, Skippy.

Marrock — Sun, 04/19/2009 - 22:21

He lost me at that "Blind Loyalty" requirement.

Loyalty has to be earned, it can be ordered.

While I am leery of the

Jake von Slatt — Sun, 04/19/2009 - 22:45

While I am leery of the Doctor's methods, I do have great respect for the man. His core philosophy is not unlike my own.

Toy Soldiers

JohnnyArkham — Sat, 04/18/2009 - 09:25

My dear Maestro von Slatt,
I urge you strongly to investigate and associate with the 'Toy Soldier' phenomenon before allowing any preconceived notions to get the better of you. It's not quite what it may appear to be and, in all honesty, the concept of a true and binding hierarchy within that body is just plain inconsistent with the end goal.
There is a purpose, yes.
There are a multitude of like-minded folks acting on that purpose, yes.
But words like Army and Hierarchy are, in fact, as much a part of the joke as they are part of the purpose.
If you follow me...

Regards,
J. Arkham

Joke? Why, whatever do you

Jake von Slatt — Sat, 04/18/2009 - 11:21

Joke? Why, whatever do you mean?

I'm still trying to figure

TheGeek — Sat, 04/18/2009 - 03:41

I'm still trying to figure out if the good Doctor is a great act or if he really is bat-sh** crazy. But he definitely talks some good psychobabble

On The Condition of the Crazy Class

Anton — Sat, 04/18/2009 - 13:46

A great act or really batty? A most relevant question but multiphasic and relative to perspective as the good {bad, whatever} Dr. observes. I particularly like this question, especially when asking it of myself. I find conclusion completely illusory in my own and other cases to date.

Crazy Indeed

Anton — Thu, 04/16/2009 - 09:31

Indeed Dr Steel. That one might preserve the self inflicted projectile guided exodus of one's thought muscle by going out of one's mind is a method I suspect in fairly wide use. I myself have retained in-cranium grey matter for over five decades by the method, though like many not troubled with documentary certification.

I abide in certitude with you that we can make the world a better place. We may admit though that given current conditions the effort is undertaken from a rather low low and thus any crazy contribution is likely to raise the "better" sum. Let us then crawl and bark, jump and run, forget putting the toilet seat down, pounce and play and park and pontificate with confidence in the art of the task at hand. Soon you shall be acknowledged emperor, and I shall have a shiny red train.

Anton

Perception

Joshua D. LeBlanc — Thu, 04/16/2009 - 02:20

"For, all that we have is our perception. Whatever we perceive to be our reality is in fact our reality."

This reminded me of a lecture I watched once on perception and altering consciousness. It focuses mainly on drugs but does a great deal to explain how consciousness can be altered and the effect this has. It's a little long (48.38min) but I found it quite informative.

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-5011230863803398434&q=source%3A010239652930716927256&hl=en

Completely, beyond all shadow

The Duellist — Wed, 04/15/2009 - 15:08

Completely, beyond all shadow of a doubt, mad.

He reminds me of a quote from a game called Warhammer 40,000; "In times of madness, only the mad have the strength to prosper; and only those who prosper may judge what is sane."