NRS 100 - People are really much more interested in human nature than Mother Nature

http://logs.omegle.com/6c6a996

You both like books.

You: Hello

Stranger: hi

You: pair up; work at a job; raise or hope to raise a family; try to do good; live an enjoyable life; die.

Stranger: that's your plan?

You: that's my perspective on almost everyone else

Stranger: Well, if it works for people, then it's fine by me.

You: Do you know of sisyphus?

Stranger: That's ancient folklore, right?

Stranger: The guy who, as punishment for lying, was forced to push a boulder up a hill over and over, only to let it rill back down.

You: Correct

You: Is that what you want to do?

You: pair up and whatnot

Stranger: hmm..I think it would be nice to find a good mate.

Stranger: have some kids

Stranger: why not?

You: I don't want one of the major focal points of my life to be like that

Stranger: you don't have to if you don't want to.

You: I sort of know

You: Mainly, I don't get how everyone else is so willing for that to be their Purpose

Stranger: It is just something people do. There's nothing wrong with wanting to raise a family.

Stranger: But look at celebrities and actors and such. You don't remember them for their personal life

Stranger: If you want to be remembered for something else, then do that.

Stranger: just because a person has a family, does not mean they do not have other ambitions.

You: I agree, but it is a pretty big (and good) excuse not to have other ambitions

You: bigger ambitions--not talking about just hobbies here

Stranger: family means a lot to some people. you talk about it like it is imprisoning. people with families can still DO things.

Stranger: All the researchers at my college, they enjoy their job, but they are people, they have a family and friend life too.

You: Of course, CEOs can still /do/ things too

You: but they are limited in extent to what they can do

Stranger: that's fine. the sacrifices we make in life show us what our priorities are.

Stranger: some people sacrifice a little family time for work, vice versa

Stranger: they balance their goals and make it work for themself

Stranger: nothing at all to be ashamed or hung up over

Stranger: some people even incorporate their families and passions together.

Stranger: why do you think families take vacations so much?

Stranger: parents like to travel, so they share it with their kids.

Stranger: two eggs one stone

You: what is your passion(s)?

Stranger: so many to mention. I am passionate about learning and art and movies and reading and women's gymnastics. I LOVE adventure and trying new things. I love fashion and innovation.

Stranger: I am a huge environmental fan, I want this world to start going greener and stop defecating itself.

Stranger: movies is also a huge interest of mine

You: nicely said

You: What I'm trying to get at ties in with your interest in the envornment

You: when people have a family to support, when they come home from work, and after 'taking care of the kids'

You: they don't care about much else--bigger picture things

You: like carpooling to work

You: or the many other things

Stranger: I understand, but I think these people just lack education

Stranger: I did not realize how bad it was until i took a course this year

Stranger: it was basically an "oh shit" class.

You: ha

Stranger: It has to start big. screw "every bit helps" that's the excuse people have used since the dawn of time when they did not put in full effort

Stranger: put rations on gasoline. put rations on freshwater. make properties smaller

Stranger: this earth can't hold infinite people

You: I think it's more ingrained than what education can do; this modern lifestyle we're discussing.

Stranger: a lifestyle that we do. But I think if everyone took the course I took, we would be a lot different

Stranger: and a lot of it has to do with the ideas of conveniences and what is practical

Stranger: I think the goal is to MAKE going green convenient and practical

Stranger: think about it, if every car was energy efficient automatically, would that hurt anyone?

Stranger: people would be more green without realizing it

Stranger: on the other hand, maybe people need to WANT the change first.

You: true

You: What is the name of this course?

You: 'oh shit' course

Stranger: It was NRS 100. Intro to Natural Resources Science.

You: Your major?

Stranger: Double major. Biology, and Wildlife & Conservation Science. I am also working on a Film degree.

You: Interesting

You: I think something will have to shock people from this comfy lifestyle we've nurtured. Most everyone values their time, and taking a NRS really wouldn't cut it; most--even those in college--wouldn't care to sway too far from what they know.

Stranger: oh yeah, shock value. That's what I'm saying, some people just are so mentally distant from it.

Stranger: we have to teach them how.

You: Can you divulge a little on what you mean by teach?

Stranger: impart the needed knowledge

You: impart it on me then

You: because I'm not really (explicitly) for the environment anyhow

Stranger: I'm no expert on education

Stranger: but let me just put it this way.

Stranger: the earth has many resources, and it has a diverse ecosystem. mankind has royally fucked it up. Have you ever see the movie Mad Max? The Lorax? Wall-E? Those are science fiction stories about this kind of stuff. But I'm here to tell you right now, they are no longer fiction at all. At the rate we are going, it will literally look like that. we are going downhill fast. Experts say that if we do not clean up our act, we will likely be dead in 3 centuries.

Stranger: the population is expected to reach 100 billion in the next 100 years

Stranger: that;s more then 10x what we have now

Stranger: it's not matter of being green. it is a matter of survival.

Stranger: that;s my point

You: I read up a little on population. Just to be healthily skeptical for you, the sources said it's not an issue (in a nutshell).

You: And I partially agree

Stranger: it depends on who you ask, and what you look at

You: skycrapers

Stranger: I love skyscraper

You: I mean doesn't that kind of defeat your point?

Stranger: what point?

You: 'survival'

Stranger: how does skyscraper defy survival?

You: Are you talking about overpopulation?

Stranger: well, let me put it this way, I don';t think population would be an issue if we used out resources effectively. Right now we are not. You;ve seen Over the Hedge, right?

You: Yes, but I know (reality) just in general about our poor distribution (distribution also being the issue) of fresh water

You: after all I live off the coast of Lake Michigan

Stranger: what's the situation there?

Stranger: I think skyscrapers are good, because a huge issue is the amount of space populations take up. All these suburban properties being built, all this consumerism. If you ever get the chance too look up a before and after picture of human/wildlife land, you'd shit yourself.

Stranger: I sure did

Stranger: skyscrapers and cities are condensed spance

Stranger: space, so better for everyone.

You: Hummmm

You: I'm kind of tired

Stranger: ok, take care!

Adult teen fiction, new interests & more

You both like misanthropy, utopia, and burning man.

Stranger: wow

Stranger: lol

Stranger: i think we have slightly similar minds

Stranger: not really. im too weird

You: naa, I've been called weird too

You: it's just they don't see it

Stranger: I havnt really been called weird because I hide it. Im capable of acting normal to some extent

You: what are you other interests?

You: your

Stranger: i really love pop culture (movies, tv shows, music, video games, books, comics), some areas of philosophy, art, animation (I draw alot),

Stranger: I dont have any real friends (of any fake ones either) so i do mostly solitary activities

Stranger: what about you?

You: many many

You: age?

Stranger: 21

You: 20

You: I can list my interests if you'd like

Stranger: yeah thatd be great. no pressure

You: just a sec

You: poverty× charity× language learning× autodidact× altruism× self control× giving× donating× willpower× esperanto× interlingua× fasting× thinking× thought× magic tricks× learn× learning× learn something new× macroeconomics × skill× not dating× coursera× knowledge× flashcards× anki× no one has my interests× interesting× dialogue× information× facts× truth× planes× flying× integrals× eating vegan people× ppl× not shit× platonic× summertime sadness× calculus× loop holes× loop hole× ethics× morality× memory× remembering× atrophy× question× questions× anti intellectualism× anti intellectualists× antiphilosophy× leisure× hypocrite× hypocrites× hypocritical× utopia× utopianism× free time× minimalism× minimalist× platteville× sheboygan× milwaukee× developmental economics× rhetoric× nonfiction× speed reading× autodidactism× meaning× intellectual× intellectuals× intellectualism× creative× creativity× studying× change× lifelong learner× info× critical thinking× critical thought× introspect× introspection× fallacy× fallacies× visionary× OCW× polymath× symbolic logic× MIT OCW× MOOC× MOOCs× belief× beliefs× anticapitalism× against capitalism× causes of poverty× extreme poverty× absolute poverty× empathy× afflict× affliction× activism× kiva× philanthropy× rights× human rights× make a difference× making a difference× hunger× homelessness× UNICEF× Behavioural sciences× fear× sisyphus× consequentialism× peter singer× thomas pogge× utilitarianism× opportunity cost× responsibility× social responsibility× big question× telos× purpose× nihilism× absurdism× Plato× Aristotle× Societies× diogenes× diogenes of sinope× Igby Goes Down× Good Will Hunting× SEP× electrical engineering× inventing× invent× shweeb× monorail× hyperloop× tesla× burning man× tracking× buddhism× buddhist× Nichiren Buddhist× Nichiren Buddhism× meditation× zen× qigong× chi gung× misanthropy× misanthropist× Mahayana× Mahayana Buddhist× Mahayana Buddhism× Theravada Buddhist× Theravada Buddhism× Theravada× Zen Buddhist× Zen Buddhism× dopamine× deep breathing× lucid dreaming× lucid dreams× pharmacodynamics× pharmacology×

You: so ya

You: philosophy is one of mine

You: the more popular ones I don't use anymore

Stranger: wow. i love the way you think.

You: cool beans

Stranger: lol ive been saying that lately.

Stranger: heres mine

Stranger: nature× animation× carefree× road trip× mushrooms× philosophy× political philosophy× anthropology× sociology× psychology× discussion× paradigm shift× society× anarchism× utopia× teen fiction× fiction× writing× novels× debate× hypothesis× game design× honesty× frank zappa× pink floyd× marijuana× happiness× tolerance× understanding× objectivity× rainbow gathering× commune× nostalgia× 70s× 60s× 90s× classic rock× counterculture× revolution× psilocybin× misanthropy× burning man× led zeppelin× red hot chili peppers× joni mitchell× grateful dead× lsd× acid×

Stranger: pretty random i know

Stranger: but i always tell people i am on a lifelong mission to be as random as possible. for the sake of humor and to expand the human spectrum of weirdness ;)

You: are you an absurdist or something?

Stranger: lol i guess i am. never thought of it like that. ive just been that way since before i can remember

You: what is your real age?

Stranger: i swear to god im 21. what have i done to make you believe otherwise?

You: teen fiction

Stranger: lol really? youre gonna hang me up because of that? ill explain. im working on writing a novel and i just wanted to discuss it with others

Stranger: wanna know what its about?

You: yes

Stranger: ok bare with me on this. im anything but a professional writer. this is just a personal project that has some potential for growth

Stranger: its about a bunch of high school kids (14 - 16) who unanimously decide to run away from home, to escape their bleak futures and live free.

Stranger: they had to be high school kids because its not really running away if theyre over 18

You: I'm 20 (I can figure that out)

Stranger: so they decide, on the last day of school, to steal a car and drive across the country (NY to LA

Stranger: and live together and have a happy free life

You: [I'm going to be doing a few other things in between you typing so bare with me in the end]

Stranger: of course it doesnt go anything like that

Stranger: lol yeah dont worry my attention span can handle a bit of silence

Stranger: i should first say this is not a teen fiction story. its adult fiction with teens as the main characters

Stranger: its a very character oriented story, focusing on their development over time, learning each of their reasons and intentions

Stranger: they deal with kidnapping, murder, robbery, lots of violence

Stranger: you can imagine what a van full of teenagers (5 boys, 4 girls) would have to deal with driving across the country

Stranger: also it takes place in 1993

Stranger: so as to avoid any easy use of cell phones, internet, or tracking software

Stranger: it will be loaded with pop culture references as well as events of that period

Stranger: their personalities are very diverse and that will be apparent when they have to spend so much time together, (they were not really that close before, they just knew each other from school. what brought them together was their desire to escape their lives forever

Stranger: yeah thats it in a nutshell.

You: ah, I was going to ask why 1993--but that's clever

You: although it may take away something in the end

You: teens may want something more relatable--but then again I have no idea

You: & you don't want to give them too many ideas

Stranger: im consulting my younger sister on that front

Stranger: they will relate to the characters. thats the idea.

Stranger: some are more intuitive and introverted, others are more confident and cathartic

Stranger: difference of opinion and prefference will show up alot. conflict is key in this story.

You: how far are you?

Stranger: I got through all the character development and key plot points, now i just need to fill in the blanks. only about 5 pages so far

You: are you in college? what's your job otherwise?

Stranger: i am. computer science major. i have a passion for computers, especially grpahics and AI, but im doing it because its the most practical option

Stranger: id rather do animation or game development (I generally just try to be creative)

Stranger: what about you? i bet youre a philosophy or medical major

You: electrical engineering

You: I hava a CS major friends

You: and my roommate is CS

Stranger: oh wow. thats sweet. great minds think alike. im not one of em though

Stranger: whats your current standing position on the purpose of life?

Stranger: if you have any. im still trying to put peices together

You: for me or for everyone?

Stranger: well we can really only speak for ourselves but tell me both

You: that's why I asked

You: I don't want to speak for everyone else

You: or say it should be this way or that

You: so

You: I believe I should lessen extreme poverty; my time should be spent Earning to Give (Peter Singer). I'm a consequentialist of sorts--but don't know if I'm a preference or hedonistic utilitarianist (but I'm probably a preference utilitarian).

Stranger: i definitely feel a social responsibility to make people aware of mankinds current state of affairs and how to improve it for everyone. poverty is just one of the many problems we face. and I believe the solutions are right in front of us if we can just sit down and pay attention and unanimously agree on eliminating the negative and embracing the positive

Plato's Cave

Stranger: so you like plato?

You: yes

Stranger: what do you think of his allegory of the cave

Stranger: do you agree with it?

You: awesome

You: which part

Stranger: the whole thesis

Stranger: if you accept one part you kind of have to accept the whole thing

You: explain it on how you interpreted it

Stranger: do you know what I'm talking about?

You: yes I do

Stranger: I'm talking about the idea that some people are meant to see the world for how it truly is

Stranger: while some people are destined to stay in the cave

Stranger: and essentially be sheep

Stranger: this fate is predetermined and nothing can change it

Stranger: what do you think?

You: then no

You: I don't like how you interpreted it as predetermined

Stranger: that's how plato wrote it

Stranger: It's not really up for interpretation

You: ha, it is though

Stranger: some people have the ability to rise out of the cave, while others get drug down and killed

You: but I'm not going to debate that point--too tired to care that much

Stranger: the whole allegory is founded on the belief that it is predetermined

Stranger: otherwise it is just about enlightenment

Stranger: and doesn't tie in with the rest of the republic

You: good point

Stranger: he writes about how the division of classes is predetermined, how people have different 'metals' within that decide there class

Stranger: plato definitely believed in predetermined fate

You: ok, I am rusty then

Stranger: I just got done with the most bullshit class in history on it

You: lol

Stranger: I'm fairly certain my professor was clinically insane haha

Stranger: if a man can quote the entire republic from memory he has a problem

You: that's pretty badass

Stranger: it's cool, until a 50 minute lecture feels like it lasts for 3 hours

Stranger: I like him a lot

Stranger: he just has a love affair with philosophy haha

Stranger: are you in university?

You: uwplatt.edu

You: what's your major?

Stranger: Political Science

Stranger: you?

You: electrical engineering

Stranger: damn

Stranger: I thought about engineering

Stranger: then I took a high level math class

Stranger: I rethought engineering

You: which one?

Stranger: some linear theoretical bullshit

You: ha--I'm only as far as Calc II

Stranger: one of the ones after calc2

Stranger: do you like it?

You: I love it, just my prof was a super tough grader

Stranger: that's not always bad

Stranger: its good you love it

Stranger: my suitemate is a physics major

Stranger: I was reading some of his homework

Stranger: His classroom is on the 6th floor

Stranger: I swear to god if I had that homework I'd throwmyself from that 6th floor window

Stranger: physics and engineering should be on floors 1 and 2

You: haha

Stranger: I just have a passion for political science

You: what are you going to use it for?

Stranger: I'm either going to join the military or go to grad school at the American University of Beirut or Tel Aviv University

Stranger: then join the military

Stranger: I haven't decided yet

Stranger: you?

You: electrical engineer

Stranger: ha private firm or something else?

You: I don't really know

Stranger: you have time to figure it out

Stranger: so why did you have plato set as an interest?

You: I enjoy philosophy

car bypassing

You: you know how to bypass car locks?
You: a buddy of mine
You: locked his keys in his car

Stranger: not when the circuitry is digitized like they are now in the modern models.

Stranger: you need thin steel wires. because steel is neutral.

Stranger: my brother had a thick scale that he used to use

Stranger: what you need it slide it in through the window till it reaches the lock barrier....from outside that is

You: I knew about that technique

Stranger: yes....but you need to make sure that you do it within 20 seconds

Stranger: and if you don't match it with the locks edge....the alarm will go off

You: I watched some videos on that--they didn't mention the alarm from what I remember

Stranger: oh that's trick

Stranger: do it fast and do it neat

Stranger: and once you get in....cut the alarm cable

You: what?!

You: that sounds damaging

Stranger: under the metal board they used to connect the sound alarm with the main circuitry

Stranger: so you have to cut it unless you are not planning on using the car again

Stranger: many times it happens that when you get out, you close the door out of habit and then again you have to go through the whole process of unlocking it and risking the alarm

girls

Not like best friends. But friends.

Justice before lessening poverty?

Stranger: I read philosophy, yes

Stranger: metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, politics

Stranger: legal theory

You: do you follow any one in particular?

Stranger: Aristotelian-Thomistic scholasticism

You: looking up...

You: can you explain, in a nutshell?

Stranger: Well, to explain it so you cand understand it, that would requires a book. To give a simplistic nearly caricatural outlook of it, ues I can.

Stranger: by metaphysics, we can know that the only coherent philosophy is one which pressupose one god, all powerful, all knowing, good. (that christianity is the only fitting it in theory, and by evidence, proving it empirically, is another matter out of scholastic metaphysics.

Stranger: then, there is natural law : human nature has aim in it, which allow us to know by reason, what is good

You: & the book you recommend?

Stranger: http://www.amazon.com/Aquinas-Beginners-Guide-Edward-Feser/dp/1851686908/ref=pd_sim_b_1

You: thanks for both

You: I bet you could guess what I follow/belive

You: http://logs.omegle.com/60f2c10

Stranger: No.

Stranger: I do not like to do guesses.

You: Aw, you're no fun

Stranger: Indeed

You: Your job?

Stranger: None of your concern.

You: Okay, well thanks again for the book/description--but do you

You: know any other good nonfiction?

You: (not particularly related to philo)

You: or--whichever

Stranger: anything by Edward Feser

You: so you don't read eclectically?

Stranger: programming, metaphysics, epistemology, theology, ethics, politics, history, legal theory, strategy, economics

Stranger: psychology, evolution

Stranger: I think I do read eclectically

You: what kind of strategy, economics

You: I'm asking for recommendations

You: psych too please

Stranger: I am changing right now of global philosophical paradigm.

Stranger: So no, I can not make good recommendation, for my view of what is good, is changing, and it requires few years to rework what is a good reference in each of those field.

Stranger: I could advice one blog about usury.

Stranger: If economics is your thing.

You: I understand, so no more books?

Stranger: Kind of.

You: I guess internet resources are just as well

You: Why would anyone want to know about usury?

Stranger: Because economics is what allow to understand which economics rules allow, ceteris paribus, for a prosperous society.

You: the illegal practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest?

You: I'm asking why you'd be interested in that

Stranger: This is not what is usury.

Stranger: First, usury can be legal.

Stranger: Second, usury is not about high interest rates (which can be immoral, but hat does not make it usury)

Stranger: Looking for the technical definition

You: Ah

Stranger: debt that are full recourse

Stranger: in non judicial terms : there is two kind of debt.

Stranger: One which only has non-human property as colateral.

Stranger: like, if a mortage only had the house itself, or another physical property (another house, a car, a luxury watch...)

Stranger: as collateral (if you can not pay (and not if you do not want to pay but can), they use the colateral, and can not take anything more from you)

Stranger: that is non-recourse, the interest rate can be incredibly high, it is still not usury

Stranger: a 0.000001% loan that is full-recourse, is usury

Stranger: you can be forced, to pay debt, which mean in practice, a form of debt-slavery (some form of income, or all, taken from your salary as you earn it)

Stranger: bankruptcy rules limit to some degree such debt-slavery

Stranger: but federal student loans in US, can not be defaulted by bankruptcy

Stranger: so, it is usury

You: allright

You: I'll assume you're a law grad/doc student

Stranger: I am not

Stranger: My major was programming, I work in a coffee shop

Stranger: I learn quickly

You: Why so much interest in litigation?

Stranger: Because law is the tool to protect the innocent

Stranger: to assure peace

You: interesting

Stranger: It is the difference between justice, and tyranny

You: Have you thought about people in poverty, abject poverty?

Stranger: Yes

Stranger: But that is called charity, and economics

You: =J I know

Stranger: but without justice, they can be neither

You: true

You: You think at a higher level then me

Stranger: I searched for truth for a long time

You: What motivates you

You: for lack of a better term

Stranger: Truth, Justice

You: Anything specific?

Stranger: I was specific enough

You: I mean like an event or realization in you life

You: something like that anyway

Stranger: I always loved truth as far I can remember

Stranger: the first time I opened a book about history, or saw a documentary about science, I was hooked

Stranger: I always loved those 2, and they are part of me, Without such love, I do not see any meaning or interest in living, I'd rather die

You: hmm, well

You: this has been an sagacious chat

You: oh, and what adult stages of development do you know about?

Stranger: too many of that name

You: 9?

Stranger: I read some theory about that, that was a long time ago

Stranger: so I do not remember, did not strike me as very useful

Stranger: Why should I care?

You: Hey, I just thought you cared about truth

You: if you truly believe somethings not useful

You: to each his own

Stranger: I did not read 10 thousand pages of quantum theory

Stranger: I did in economics

Stranger: I value specialization

Stranger: I learn what I think is worth learning, my time is limited