Christian who seeks truth - Crux of practicing philosophy

You: so why'd you put truth?

Stranger: Christian :)

You: what does that have to do with truth?

You: like the true word of God?

Stranger: I wouldn't be that stringent on that definition but the effective message yes

You: ah

Stranger: For example, the truth behind the physical realm we currently experience and perceive on a day-to-day basis

Stranger: I think the Bible has an accurate view on it

You: ok, I kind of try to avoid talking about religion

You: what are your other interests? most of mine are never matched

Stranger: fair enough, how about basic physics?

You: what about?

You: know anything interesting off the top of your head?

Stranger: how about the laws of physics?

Stranger: know anything about them?

You: 1st law, 2nd....they're vague

You: in my head

You: I mean Newton's

Stranger: how about the conservation of mass and energy?

Stranger: Einstein?

You: I know about them, but just the surface definition

You: I'm taking Physics I next semester (I'm kind of behind)

Stranger: No worries :)

You: electrical engineering major so I need to take all the physics up to modern

Stranger: nice, any goals behind that?

You: don't know what you mean

You: this made me laugh: http://joelvelasco.net/teaching/120/cartwright-How_the_Laws_of_Physics_Lie.pdf

Stranger: I meant dream/goal/vision-wiser

Stranger: wise*

You: ohhh

You: make a lot of money to give away, and develop the skill to know how to tinker with devices

Stranger: Why give it away?

You: I don't want to spend it on my self

You: Earning to Give

You: peter singer stuff

You: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earning_to_give

Stranger: Sorry, not directly familiar

Stranger: hmm

You: wikipedia explains

You: tithing basically

You: & peter singer is a poverty philosopher

Stranger: Ah, very noble

You: well, it hasn't happened yet

Stranger: True; I myself am building my own business with people who are teaching me to duplicate their own results in order to achieve dreams and ambitions of my own (most of which are ministry oriented)

You: duplicate what?

Stranger: Their income mostly

Stranger: but also their quality of life and relationships with family, spouse, and children

Stranger: The are currently earning between 60 and 120k / year part time and are effectively semi-retired

You: wow

Stranger: yea, it's pretty intense; their mentors are actually earning about triple and are currently retired and do a lot of charity work

Stranger: The one guy is an ex-NHL player and his wife was a nurse

You: what kind of charity work?

Stranger: The nurse is involved in work overseas trying stop the slave trade, specifically the sex-trade of young girls if I recall

Stranger: I'm not that up-to-date on them to be honest

Stranger: I'm not sure what the NHL-guy is doing; he may just be doing some training camp thing for kids and hockey

Stranger: I'm not a big hockey guy so I'm not really interested :P\

You: ok

Stranger: Anyway, my dream is to save the world (naive as that may sound)

Stranger: I've had a pretty rough past and managed to escape some crazy things (including death) so I just want to give back

You: have you read philosophy before?

Stranger: some, Aristotle, plato, etc.

Stranger: I started with psychology since that's where I wound up (mental hospital)

Stranger: then philosophy, then buddhist philosophy, and finally Christian apologetics vs Buddhist theology

You: do you think altruism is possible?

Stranger: well I think it is more than possible; but on it's own without a foundation in WHY to be altruistic, it is little more than a subjectively nice thing to do

You: www.pdx.edu/sysc/sites/www.pdx.edu.sysc/files/altruism_npc_0.pdf#page=2

You: the chart at the bottom of the page gives an idea

You: it's bias towards Buddhism though it seems ("Being")

Stranger: well, from my skimming, I can agree with the principle, but when you use a statement such as "universal ethics calls for ... altruism," what do you mean by that?

Stranger: Universal as in naturally occurring, or universal as in probable evolutionary path, or universal as in cemented law?

You: I guess, i haven't read it for a while

Stranger: I also have a slight qualm with evolutionary theory so, lol

Stranger: for example, when evolutionists bring up the fact that we have 98% DNA commonality with lower primates

Stranger: We also have 50% commonality in DNA with a banana; does that make me part fruit?

You: I'm not a biologist...but if a million monkeys banged a million monkeys eventually they would produce a Shakespeare

Stranger: Well, no offense, but that would just mean a probability of another million monkey's in my mind

You: just a joke I heard

Stranger: Hehe, nice

You: ya know, monkeys typewriting to infinity

Stranger: Oh yes, I remember that one

You: twas a tasteful spin

Stranger: But that doesn't mean it would have the expression of a human mind's creative force

Stranger: it would be as amazing as rewriting a phone book by accident

Stranger: and that's really my contention here

Stranger: are we just accidents waiting to be accidental whatever the heck we become

Stranger: or are we a guided, created thing, made for a purpose?

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