The process. (Also I am proud)

[Zoom]

"I hate to admit it sometimes"
How come?

"no modern society is capable of this on a grand scale. "
Unfortunately I agree. Sometimes when I'm bored - in a waiting room or whatever - I try to think up a system that would work, work even considering that a certain portion of humanity will always try to buck the system, put themselves first, or just plain complacently not care.
Anyway I've never thought of something that would definitely work, let alone some way to implement it.

What I meant though is, curing - or at least treating - certain unpleasant aspects of humanity in an individual. And, which aspects are the unpleasant ones?

Ever find yourself looking forwards to the apocalypse?

[Genesis]

In a nutshell, it's because it's not something that can be changed permanently. No matter who I'm with, or what I'm doing, eventually they will be gone and I will again be alone. I'd rather not get anymore personal than that on an open page.

As for the apocalypse, I am cautiously indifferent. One day it will occur... possible over many years. whether by atomic war, a cosmic event, or the continuing entropy of our race, humanity will eventually cease to exist. However, I do beleive that we as humans should try to avoid cataclysmic destruction at all costs. Natural decay is inevitable, especially at the rate our population is expanding and consuming. Sooner or later, equalibrium will occur. When it does, i'd rather not be on the side with the minus sign

[Zoom]

Man this is the chicken and the egg. IMO you're alone till you're with people again, and then you're with people till you're alone, etc, until you die.
But whatever, I'm not you, I don't know.

Cataclysmic destruction I'm all for avoiding, but as you said equilibruim is coming one way or another. We can't keep this up forever, in fact, the curtain is already starting to come down. But when everything does settle it's not necessarily going to include the complete destruction of the human race. And that is the future I'm looking forwards to - an induced Dark Age, where people can relearn how to be human fucking beings, and when we're ready...well, all we need is still there.

I see it something like this:


Where the dips represent these 'dark ages' - of course in the past these dips were for seperate civilizations, ie the Mayans, but now and in the future they'll represent Global Civilization.

Every time we fall we learn something.

[Zoom]

Haha, nothing is to scale on that graph

[Genesis]

until we're gone. When I say 'equalibrium' I speak of nature's overall habit of mass extinction. One of the future eqyalibriums may not include humanity, and we die out... possibly to be uncovered by a future civilization. possibly lost forever

[Zoom]

Hmm, true. All these nasty viruses lately...it gets you thinking.

By the way: xkcd.com/1194/

[Genesis]

We will never be able to fully grasp eternity. Scientists pride themselves on their assumptions, but can we ever have concrete evidence as to what our earth once was? of course not. We have no way of knowing whether or not another sentient civilization existed before us. Who knows how long the cycle has gone on, and on how many worlds?

...I heard something funny is science class a while back: that scientists can outline history up to six minutes before the beginning of the universe. First, I laughed because first off- that's so much shit, I mean, how desperate are you to have to grasp at such straws? What panic they be experiencing to be so bold as to say: we know how the universe began? Secondly, the Big-bang was not the beginning of the universe. After all, the core aspect of the theory is that a superdense speck of matter floated in a vaccum... which means existance was already in continuum . How many times has our universe gone through the cycle of explosion and condensation? for ETERNITY... food for thought

[Zoom]

And, of course, it works the other way too: 3.5 billion years from now, no record of the human race will exist.

There are a few theories.
But that's all there are, hey, theories. I figure, theoretical science is great if it's paving the way for practical science, but, considering there's no way we can go back and check if the universe budded off another one or imploded and exploded in an endless cycle or whatever it turns out to be, who cares?

[Genesis]

Intellectual curiosity is great as long someone's popular idea doesn't become a dogma that all are forced to follow.
anywho, so this thread started as you talking about your new avatar pic... and now the GALAXY!

[Zoom]

Truuuuue daaaaat.
Hey so this is only marginally related but, are you religious?

<pseudointellectual hipster voice>...Everything...leads to the galaxy...for it is the beginning and end of all things...</same>

[Genesis]

I used to be a Christian yes. I still hold to many of the teachings of scripture, however it was Christians I lost faith in mostly. I'd consider myself to be a deist.

...the answer to life, the universe, and everything... is 42.

[Zoom]

Fair enough. Just curious.

I was never religious - my mom's sort of Baptist but never talks about it, and Dad's athiest - but I like the IDEA of religion. I wish I could accept it. I just can't. And maybe I'm just not trying hard enough - I know for example that AA is all about humbleness and lowering the ego, and I'm not an alcoholic but I get the principle, for sure, but my ego, man, I can't do it.

"it was Christians I lost faith in mostly" - Yeah. I know that the Westboro Baptists are a minority, and that other religions have people like that too...
(Haha. Okay. All the extremist Muslims and all the extremist Christians pair up and leave the rest of us alone forever.)
...but it does seem like the Christains are losing whatever it is that they're fighting.

[Genesis]

I did not loose faith because of the minorities, but because of the majorities. Apathy and stagnation plague christianity (and most other faiths). Many claim to be christians, but all they do is go to church, they do not live out the message. If you read (or have read) the new testament of the christian bible, you'll see the potential the faith has; it's focused around people LOVING eachother, FORGIVING eachother, RESPECTING eachother. It's beautiful sentiment... but it was all lost. Like most religions (those that followed and those that originated previous), money eventually becomes a driving force, as does popularity.
I was fulfilled by my faith in God. I haven't felt that peace of mind in a long time. However, I feel secure in my decision.

[Zoom]

"Just because you go to church doesn't mean you're a Christian. I can go sit in the garage all day and it doesn't make me a car" - Joyce Meyer

Unfortunately I don't really know any Christians - or any religious people, for that matter. Eastern Canada, huh. Mostly we have fishermen. So I don't know firsthand.

"it's focused around people LOVING eachother, FORGIVING eachother, RESPECTING eachother. It's beautiful sentiment"
So...if you believe in these things but not in a God...?

Also I learned recently that Mormonism has only been around for the last hundred years?

[Genesis]

I've heard that saying too
Hey, maybe you should come down to Wisconsin sometime and hang with some of my friends for a change

I say those three things because they're core concepts of Christ's teachings. Christianity also requires an individual to beleive that Jesus IS God, not just a prophet. So, yes it's possible to be a good, loving person without being a christian, however, I beleive that faith in a higher, perfect power, and the study of the power's scripture can amplify love for eachother. The beleif can increase motivation, consistency, and devotion, as well as a rallying point for people to gather around... however, christians (and groups of humans in general) have done a fantastic job of ruining what was once good for the sake of selfishness.

Mormonism is one of the most recent spinoffs of Judaism/Christianity, yes. I feel a lot of respect for Mormonism, simply because it's so active. Everyone is required to serve and spread the word... however, there's a lot of negative (and downright absurd) teachings with that religion as well, that I can't agree with.