Topic awaiting preservation: How do you see Reality?

I picture it like this - please be aware that this is an analogy...to help better understand the concepts.

For me, reality appears to be as a great tapestry, but without borders. There is a pattern to the tapestry...and it tends to repeat itself. The threads represent possibilites...and run in all directions. The 'picture' on the tapestry itself is fixed. It represents the truth. Our lives (and all things) tend to follow the threads...and though we are mostly 'fixed' to a thread, that doesn't mean that it cannot change. There is a certain amount of 'flexibility' built in. At 'knots' (where threads intersect each other), one can 'change' direction and color. This means that though the future is pre-determined, it doesn't necessarily mean that a particular future for you is. This allows for free choice. Patterns represent repeating things...

If you had a good enough view, you could 'see' the truth...keep in mind that though the analogy here is flat, it is multi-dimensional. It could be that it is round, running into itself. At this point, I'm not sure.

that sounds like an analogy on life.

I'd say reality is a working recursion with no beginning or end to speak of.
It is not a proposition of true or false, but a harmonious mosaic of infinite possibility.

I see reality as being what your mind defines as being real, for anything real to your mind is really real. Is this confusing to you? Don't worry, you'll work it out.

Reality = Absolute

Arr... I'll give ya the short version. I typed out the long version of my views on this about 2 years ago in this very forum and well, it was about 1500+ words. Not something I want to do again so, in a nutshell...

Reality is what we collectively believe in.

When these beliefs differ, it becomes religion.

[This message has been edited by Dracusis (edited 09-14-2002).]

people are redefining the definition of reality? Reality and truth are not definable by you or I.

1 : the quality or state of being real
2 a (1) : a real event, entity, or state of affairs <his dream became a reality> (2) : the totality of real things and events <trying to escape from reality> b : something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily

I believe Rameses and (possibly) Dracusis are describing an escape from reality, self deception.

I normally don't post in the philosophy section, too much talking, not enough listening, but dag fellas, reality? C'mon. Reality is what's there when you pull your head out.

Jason

In a Nutshell....

Now there is a good book .

I don't see Reality. Ignorance and apathy.

Really?

I see ignorance and apathy right here!

quote:

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Reality is what's there when you pull your head out.

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I think that just might have to go into the FaqWiki. I nearly fell out of my chair it was so well put.

I tryed to bend a spoon the other day... with my mind.

Who's reality are we talking about?

                                                           

Did it work, IzzMan?

Jason is definitely on to something there. Very eloquently stated.

I prefer to see reality through the fog of inebriation.

no... It didnt. I also try to use the force all the time. (a few seconds ago i tryed to levitate my book bag to me) It never works either. Not in this reality. That is why i asked what reality we are talking about.

                                                           

"Reality is what it is, not what you want it to be." -- Frank Zappa

"LIFE: A spiritual pickle preserving the body from decay." -- Ambrose Bierce

"Is all we see or seem but a dream within a dream?" -- Edgar Allen Poe

"REALITY: The dream of a mad philosopher. That which would remain in the cupel if one should assay a phantom. The nucleus of a vacuum." -- Ambrose Bierce

Then I figured I had to add this one, even though it's quite off topic:
"A casual stroll through a lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything" -- Frederick Nietzche


________________________________________________________________
-- Jack of all trades, master of that which has my attention at
the moment.

Unoriginal Cell 693

[This message has been edited by Lord_Fukutoku (edited 09-16-2002).]

Actually I just re-read the title of this post. WS asks "How do you see reality?" Not what is reality. So, as right as you may be JK, in that we can't redefine "reality" and such, how we look at it can differ.

You don't see reality as it is, but as you are. Who you are and what you think/believe reflects how you see the world/reality. Just look at religion. Most religions describe the world as being just and fair (although not always in this life) because that's how they want to see everything.

The mind is a powerful thing...


________________________________________________________________
-- Jack of all trades, master of that which has my attention at
the moment.

Unoriginal Cell 693

Izzy I've moved a book before using the force!

Well sorta... See I had just seen Star Wars E2, and I was still going through the "I can move things with my mind," trip/expirience mind you. So in school someone got up to throw something away and her book started to slide off her desk. I just held my hand out without thinking and it just stopped before hitting the floor! At first I didn't even know my hand was out but then I realized what happened and I was like wtf? I kept thinking about that all day, it was more of a reflex now that I think of it. One of those things that just sort of happen.


_____________________
Prying open my third eye.

so it stopped before falling off the desk or it stopped while in midair?
Now stopping something in midair would indeed be a trick.

It stopped before falling off the desk, but it was about to tumble over so I am convinced that it didn't stop on its own.

quote:

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Actually I just re-read the title of this post. WS asks "How do you see reality?" Not what is reality. So, as right as you may be JK, in that we can't redefine "reality" and such, how we look at it can differ.

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So, in other words, we're not really talking about reality at all. We're talking about perception. Interesting. I still give Jason's definition a 10, though, if anyone's keeping score.

Yes but Jason, how do we pull out our head?

Step 1: Grab ears.

Step 2: Pull Hard (Use the Force, Lube!)

Step 3 : When you hear a loud popping sound, then you know that you've suceeded...(Unless you now have two ears in your hand...and nothing between them). If you don't suceed, then try again...repeat Step 1-3...Unless you have two ears in your hand...and nothing between them. Then you are just **** out of luck!

Get to work!

I'm going to assume you're being serious there, iNsIdEr, since you didn't use one of your trademark smirkies.

While I appreciate the humor in WS's reply, I feel obliged to explain Jason's remark. Perhaps it will make more sense like this:

Reality is what's there when you pull your head out of your anus.

Now, if you need instructions on how to pull your head out of your anus, then I'm afraid I can't help you.

ahem... just to clarify... Suho can't help cause he hasn't figured it out yet.



[This message has been edited by genis (edited 09-17-2002).]

The poster has demanded we remove all his contributions, less he takes legal action.
We have done so.
Now Tyberius Prime expects him to start complaining that we removed his 'free speech' since this message will replace all of his posts, past and future.
Don't follow his example - seek real life help first.

After reading this thread and seeing where it has gone.... reality doesn't seem so bad.


GrythusDraconis
"Be careful not to anger the Great Dragon for you are crunchy and taste good with Ketchup" T-Shirt Somewhere

Well genis, with your head up your own, how would you know?

*still wondering where the heck that came from*

Since when was the " " slimie my trademark? Everyone uses it!

Now if you want trademark we can talk , , , and one that I am recently working on.... The exploading slimie!



It still needs work, like peieces falling to the ground... Explosion affect... Blood and Guts... Regeneration....


_____________________
Prying open my third eye.

*slaps everyone here*

*slaps shaman again for good measure*


p.s. reality is a harsh mistress



[This message has been edited by outcydr (edited 09-18-2002).]

iNsIdEr: Yes, a lot of people may use the slimie, but you seem to use it a lot. I could probably count the number of times I've used it on one hand, though. I guess I just don't roll my eyes as often as I used to.

And yes, the exploding slimie does need a bit of work yet. It doesn't actually look like it's exploding, to be honest with you. Maybe a more cartoonish effect would work better.

*slaps outcydr*

Back at ya, bro.

And reality may be a harsh mistress, but you gotta love it when she brings out the whips and chains. Or maybe that's just me.

*Bitchslaps outcydr*

Hehe...that's fun...

*Does it again*

How's that for a double-dose of reality? Had enough?

*Takes toke off of peacepipe...puff, puff* Ahhh, nothing like escaping from reality...anybody else?

You want reality? You want reality? You can't handle reality!

No, wait. That was me who can't handle reality. My bad.

Whoa, must be that second-hand peace pipe smoke...

reality is the belief that everything we see is everything that exists, when in reality...Our eyes can only percieve about 10% of the energy waves that are constantly floating around us, and if we had high tech enough sensors (eyes) we would all be crazy because then we would see what reality really is: which is something I am not sure of.

Or for more info on the weirdness of reality, go here:
http://www.keelynet.com/biology/reality.htm

-^^-
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\___/

[This message has been edited by Gilbert Nolander (edited 09-18-2002).]

Now to back up the second law of thermodynamics i will present this thread.... order to chaos.

                                                           

Reality is what we can see and touch. But it is also what we can measure with devices we've made and that addresses all the stuff that is "unseen". That is why I believe there is plenty of room for supernatural because even though it's unseen the effects are noticeable.

But I still have to keep going back to Jason's utterance on this... classic!

How can we define what is real if we cannot define what is not real? Reality is everything and nothing, your mind tries to define reality and balance for itself, but how do you know that what you believe is reality is in fact, reality.

Deep.

In the end, you have to accept that there is no fixed reality for anything. Something we may accept as reality may turn out to be not reality after all, instead being something merely to confuse the mind and confound your senses. A fish lives in the ocean. For it, the ocean is the entire universe. All of reality is contained within that ocean. If that fish were caught, and dropped in the desert, would the fish be able to say that it's ordeal in the desert was not real because it's reality was confined to the water? No, because for some different thing, such as a snake, would consider the desert to be its reality, because that is what the universe is to it. Likewise, how can we define what is real and what is not, before fully understanding the universe and venturing into the vast deserts of unexplored realities too complex for the human mind...?

S^abaal ud T'a johtizuc^ ult'a Fedaro.

But if I were to cut you, would you not bleed? Aren't there things that force themselves upon your perceptions?

Cherokee Prayer Blessing

May the Warm Winds of Heaven
Blow softly upon your house.
May the Great Spirit
Bless all who enter there.
May your Moccassins
Make happy tracks
in many snows,
and may the Rainbow
Always touch your shoulder.

We can define reality as being a differently percieved construct of thoughts based on individual experience and knowledge.

So, there is no one true realist perception, it is different for everyone.

-^^-
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\___/

I think I agree that we each perceive reality differently at varying degrees but there is still that *one* reality sitting there regardless of our perceptions.

*inhales deeply*

can you see me in your dream?
can you hear me when you scream?
read the words upon your screen.
am i real or just a seam
in the fabric of your life?

*exhales slowly*

WebShaman, did you used to play Loom, by Lucas Arts?

quote:

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For me, reality appears to be as a great tapestry, but without borders.

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That's what it sounds like to me...
(snicker snicker)



Maskkkk

- Face the Present

[This message has been edited by Maskkkk (edited 09-21-2002).]

You know Maskkkk, I tolerate a lot...but...that's a bit too much. Now, I suggest you actually read the thread topic again...i.e. how do you see reality...

And you will note that I wrote that as an analogy...

So either you post how you see it...or leave it.

You will most probably not see it as I do...that's one of the reasons I started this thread...to get an idea of how others see it. Reading snotty little remarks to my comprehension of reality is not one of those reasons. Though silliness is included in this forum, your rather direct attempt to laughingly inflict my perceptions and ideas with stupidity is not exactly what I would call silliness...other than the fact of how it presents yourself. So stop being a condenscending little twit...and use your head.

Think about it.

Yea, I thought your perception of reality, Webshaman, was pretty cool.

-^^-
--::--
\___/

quote:

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C'mon. Reality is what's there when you pull your head out.

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One for the golden book of wisdom.

Very well put.

Guess I oughta put my $.02USD in here...

I see it more on the quantum level, where I believe measurements (including time and mass) are not continuous, but discrete. I believe that nothing is continuous in the real world. In theory, yes, there are an infinite number of possibilities that are continuous. Just look at any advanced math course. There is an infinite range of numbers between any two points, be it 1 and 2, .000000000001 and .000000000002, or anything, and therefore in theory going from 1 to 2 is impossible without being discrete. Same as the old physics "quandry": If you start at point A and every time you move, you go exactly half the distance to point B, you will never reach point B. But all that only works in theory and assumes no size or any other dimensions of the object(s) that are moving from point A to B. But since in the real world things have mass and other physical dimensions, those theories fail to be upheld, even on the smallest scale. This includes neutrinos, which have 0 charge, 0 radius, and essentially 0 mass. But because of the mass, other forces, and other particles, (even the ether if you believe it or something like it), there would be a point when those two particles are immeasurably close and their masses indistinguishable. So without getting to in-depth here, (maybe in another thread at another time though), that's kinda how I view the world. Yes, I know, I didn't actually explain what I see the world as, but for the most part it's quite boring and even on the virge of pointless, so I won't bore anyone with it here

[edit: Can't spell... ]

________________________________________________________________
-- Jack of all trades, master of that which has my attention at
the moment.

Unoriginal Cell 693

[This message has been edited by Lord_Fukutoku (edited 09-24-2002).]