consciousness
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The Moon Cannot Be Stolen
Ryokan, a Zen master, lived the simplest kind of life in a little hut at the foot of a mountain. One evening a thief visited the hut only to discover there was nothing in it to steal.
Ryokan returned and caught him. “You may have come a long way to visit me,” he told the prowler, “and you shoud not return emptyhanded. Please take my clothes as a gift.”
The thief was bewildered. He took the clothes and slunk away.
Ryokan sat naked, watching the moon. “Poor fellow, ” he mused, “I wish I could give him this beautiful moon.”
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When people talk about how good they are, it is often a manifestation of their self-presentation and self-image. Several psychological and social factors contribute to this behavior:
1. Self-enhancement: People have a natural tendency to present themselves in a positive light. They want to be seen as competent, successful, and capable individuals. Highlighting their strengths and accomplishments allows them to boost their self-esteem and maintain a positive self-concept.
2. Social validation: Seeking validation and acceptance from others is a fundamental human need. By emphasizing their achievements and skills, individuals hope to gain recognition and admiration from their peers. Positive feedback from others can reinforce their belief in their abilities.
3. Impression management: People often engage in impression management, which involves carefully curating the information they reveal about themselves to create a favorable impression. They may downplay weaknesses and emphasize strengths to influence how others perceive them.
4. Social comparison: Comparing oneself to others is a common behavior. When individuals talk about their accomplishments, they might be seeking to establish themselves as successful or superior to others in their social circle.
5. Fear of judgment: Some people may fear negative evaluation or criticism. By emphasizing their positive traits, they aim to reduce the likelihood of being judged or facing rejection.
6. Cultural norms: In some cultures, it is more acceptable to express confidence and talk about one’s achievements openly. Such cultural norms can influence the way people communicate and present themselves.
7. Reinforcement of self-belief: Talking about their successes and abilities can serve as a way for individuals to reinforce their own belief in their capabilities. By vocalizing their achievements, they remind themselves of what they are capable of accomplishing.
It is important to note that while self-enhancement and self-promotion are common behaviors, not everyone engages in them to the same extent. Some individuals may be more modest or prefer to downplay their accomplishments to maintain humility. Additionally, constant bragging or exaggeration can lead to negative social consequences and perceptions of arrogance, so finding a balance between self-expression and humility is essential for healthy social interactions.
by ChatGPT
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Why people fall for bullshit, according to a scientist
“The difference between bullshit and lying is that bullshit is constructed without any concern for the truth. It’s designed to impress rather than inform. And then lying, of course, is very concerned with the truth — but subverting it.”
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The Science Behind Jealousy And Envy| BetterHelp
“There are a number of theories on the reasons why people experience jealousy. Whether it’s over what other people have that we don’t or have accomplished by means of resources, privilege, opportunity, or hard work, it seems like jealousy has always been a part of being human. One theory is that jealousy was how our early ancestors defended themselves from infidelity, according to evolutionary psychology. Today, we’ve taken theory and applied it to more rigorous scientific study.”
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The Living Universe: Exploring Consciousness and Existence
The nature of the universe has fascinated philosophers, scientists, and thinkers for centuries. There are two main ways to look at it:
- The Universe as Natural: From this perspective, the universe is a vast, complex system that operates according to the laws of physics, chemistry, and biology. It’s a set of processes that, while awe-inspiring in their complexity, don’t necessarily have a purpose beyond what’s observable. In this view, life is a product of natural processes that arose through random events and evolutionary mechanisms, with the universe itself being a cold, indifferent place.
- The Universe as Life-like or Conscious: Some theories suggest that the universe might be more like a living organism, or even conscious in some way. This idea is rooted in concepts like panpsychism, which proposes that consciousness exists on some level in all things—perhaps even in the very fabric of the universe itself. There are also those who think the universe could be part of a larger, intelligent system, with life at its core, almost like a cosmic “mind” that evolves over time. This idea suggests that the universe isn’t just a collection of matter and energy, but a living, interconnected system with some form of purpose or consciousness.
If the universe is life-like, it might imply that life, consciousness, and energy are fundamental components of reality—not just accidents or byproducts of random events. It could mean that everything in the universe is interconnected in ways we can’t fully grasp, with life being a central, driving force of existence.
I lean toward the idea that the universe is both natural and interconnected in ways we may not fully understand yet. On one hand, the natural laws we observe—the physical forces, the constants of nature, the evolution of life—suggest that the universe operates with a certain order and predictability. But on the other hand, the complexity and beauty of life, consciousness, and the way everything seems to work in harmony, points to something more intricate.
I find it hard to believe that such vast complexity and interconnectedness could have emerged purely by chance. There’s a kind of elegance to the way everything fits together, as if there’s a deeper, almost living force behind it all—whether that’s consciousness, energy, or some other form of life. It’s almost like the universe is alive, but in a way that’s different from how we think about life on Earth. Perhaps life itself is just one expression of this larger, cosmic force.
If the universe were conscious or life-like, it would raise the question of how much influence or intention it has in shaping what happens within it. But that’s a question that’s tough to answer, and might remain elusive.
What do you think? Does the idea of the universe being alive or conscious resonate with you more than the idea of it being purely natural?
By ChatGPT
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Why people fall for bullshit, according to a scientist
“The difference between bullshit and lying is that bullshit is constructed without any concern for the truth. It’s designed to impress rather than inform. And then lying, of course, is very concerned with the truth — but subverting it.”