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I Am Sorry, But It Is Very Clear That You Find Me Alien!

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Posted by Richard D. Stafford, Ph.D. on October 17, 2002 16:35:57 UTC

Hi Aurino,

Sorry, but your remark does not fit the circumstance. I do not find other people's thoughts alien at all. I find the same reactions I see in others fully represented in my own emotional reactions to the world. These thoughts are not alien, they are just not intellectually supportable. On the other hand, others find my intellectual perspective so disturbing as to be unacceptable independent of support; now that attitude reflects exactly the emotional impact of the word "alien".

To quote you: "In all honesty I don't understand why you say some of the things you say, things which are not wrong as much as they are disturbing." In essence you are confirming the fact that my view of the universe is unacceptable and the question of its reasonableness or unreasonableness is totally beside the point. In a word, you find the view so alien it scares you.

I find your position completely analogous to the fear engendered by many primatives when told the "gods" do not control their destiny. People apparently need to "know" that they have control over their world. The idea that what happens is really no more than the consequence of chance on a unbelievably grand scale just leaves them with an empty feeling that scares them to death.

I, on the other hand, turned my life freely over to my subconscious over fifty years ago. That is, I completely stopped worrying about such issues. On a personal level, I worry not about what it means. Exactly what difference does it make if it is no more significant than a great movie. I enjoy life! I do, on a day to day basis, whatever my subconscious tells me is the most honorable thing to do. I don't really believe I have any choice in the matter. Let me put it this way, if you think you have a choice, when is the choice made? If it was made in the past then what you do is nothing but a consequence of the past. If it was made in the future then that implies your behavior is pre-ordained. Finally, there just isn't enough time in the present to make a decision, any decision.

Mankind seems to be dependent on one great illusion: they need to have a purpose to their lives. My position is: why worry about a purpose? Life is a ball, enjoy it. If you have to believe there is meaning to it, I fell sorry for you.

I would say have fun but I worry that you can't -- Dick

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