4 ms·

There's another theory I've heard that goes more into what ghosts are, that isn't in the article: They're not spirits, but more like an imprint on reality. This

by Izkata 2y ago

There's another theory I've heard that goes more into what ghosts are, that isn't in the article: They're not spirits, but more like an imprint on reality. This would also explain why so many just repeat the same actions over and over, and to some extent not just clothes but other things that appear in a ghost-like form they'd interact with. The one missing part of this theory is, it should be possible to create such an imprint with someone who is still alive.

ZeroGravitas 2y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Tape_theory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Tape_theory
- whbrown 2y ago
  really makes you wonder what Babbage was trying to achieve with his Difference Machine...
margalabargala 2y ago
The second missing part of the theory, is the lack of existence of its subjects. It's not a theory, just detailed, more self-consistent fiction. Like Tolkien's very detailed descriptions of elves.
- musicale 2y ago
  If it is consistent with a set of axioms, then it is a theory.
  - margalabargala 2y ago
    Consistency with a set of axioms is necessary but not sufficient for a theory. From Wikipedia: In modern science, the term "theory" refers to scientific theories, a well-confirmed type of explanation of nature, made in a way consistent with the scientific method, and fulfilling the criteria required by modern science.
    - thanksgiving 2y ago
      I think this is about mathematical theorems as in if you reject the axiom of choice, you can't use it to prove any other theorems either.
    - amanaplanacanal 2y ago
      In science a theory refers to a scientific theory. That's a pretty circular definition. Or maybe a tautology.
- onionisafruit 2y ago
  That’s a great comparison with Tolkien. It’s fun to theorize about nonsense.
canadianfella 2y ago
[dead]
derbOac 2y ago
> The one missing part of this theory is, it should be possible to create such an imprint with someone who is still alive. I've read of this idea, it's traditional in some cultures, I just don't remember the name of it. I think it's cognate with ideas of doppelgangers and so forth. I also think there's often an implicit assumption that whatever it is that causes the "imprint" can only reach a certain necessary magnitude that is commensurate with death or dying. I feel obliged to note this is not my own perspective on things at all, although I admit I like reading about and thinking about these things sometimes as a kind of psychosocial phenomenon, and think it's worthwhile to engage in metaphysical discussions sometimes just as a kind of check.
- mrob 2y ago
  In Japanese folklore there's the concept of "ikiryō" (literally "living ghost"): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikiry%C5%8D https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikiry%C5%8D
downrightmike 2y ago
Ghosts are just your brain breaking down in to schizophrenia.
- thanksgiving 2y ago
  I really wish it was easier to talk about mental disorders. People with (mild?) mental disorders manage to live ordinary lives just fine. I remember listening to one specialist on a radio show who claimed that at least half the population (in one particular developing country) suffered from some kind of mental disorders but nobody comes for treatment because people think of you are getting treatment for any kind of mental disorders, you must have "gone mad" and are therefore completely unreliable and therefore must lose all your licenses, work privileges, family responsibilities etc. So people are scared to come forward and ignorance rules.
  - _yb2s 2y ago
    Indeed, many of the successful people I know personally have struggled with some type of mental health disorder, and/or developmental disorder, but find it to taboo - and dangerous for their career to talk about it. I think once it is no longer taboo people will be able to accommodate and manage these situations better, and people with them won’t have to be afraid and secretive that they will be “found out” or aren’t suitable for their jobs, etc. Just because someone can hide it or still do their job doesn’t make it “mild” either.
- dazc 2y ago
  I used to be cynical about the existence of ghosts until I saw one. I didn't realise there was such a simple explanation and have wasted the past 15 years of my life thinking otherwise.
Lammy 2y ago
https://www.paranormalcatalog.net/ghosts/the-ghosts-of-flight-401 https://www.paranormalcatalog.net/ghosts/the-ghosts-of-fligh... https://annas-archive.org/md5/16e94bf84b997f0233166c401ff0471b https://annas-archive.org/md5/16e94bf84b997f0233166c401ff047...
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
exodust 2y ago
The theory ties in with "Morphic resonance", the cool-sounding name of an attempt to rationalise imprints and collective memories among other things. I don't see the harm in pondering such theories. After all, the fact we're here and living in the universe at all, means there's a whole bunch of things happening behind the scenes we have no idea about. Perhaps one day, "ghost imprints" will be something science can measure. Or other pseudo-science like telepathy or premonitions, may move into actual science with as yet unknown discoveries. I'm not saying will, but they may.
4dregress 2y ago
You would think there would be all sorts of ghosts then, from all forms of life on earth.

by Izkata 2y ago

ZeroGravitas 2y ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Tape_theory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Tape_theory

whbrown 2y ago
really makes you wonder what Babbage was trying to achieve with his Difference Machine...

margalabargala 2y ago

The second missing part of the theory, is the lack of existence of its subjects. It's not a theory, just detailed, more self-consistent fiction. Like Tolkien's very detailed descriptions of elves.

musicale 2y ago
If it is consistent with a set of axioms, then it is a theory.
- margalabargala 2y ago
  Consistency with a set of axioms is necessary but not sufficient for a theory. From Wikipedia: In modern science, the term "theory" refers to scientific theories, a well-confirmed type of explanation of nature, made in a way consistent with the scientific method, and fulfilling the criteria required by modern science.
  - thanksgiving 2y ago
    I think this is about mathematical theorems as in if you reject the axiom of choice, you can't use it to prove any other theorems either.
  - amanaplanacanal 2y ago
    In science a theory refers to a scientific theory. That's a pretty circular definition. Or maybe a tautology.
onionisafruit 2y ago
That’s a great comparison with Tolkien. It’s fun to theorize about nonsense.

canadianfella 2y ago

[dead]

derbOac 2y ago

> The one missing part of this theory is, it should be possible to create such an imprint with someone who is still alive. I've read of this idea, it's traditional in some cultures, I just don't remember the name of it. I think it's cognate with ideas of doppelgangers and so forth. I also think there's often an implicit assumption that whatever it is that causes the "imprint" can only reach a certain necessary magnitude that is commensurate with death or dying. I feel obliged to note this is not my own perspective on things at all, although I admit I like reading about and thinking about these things sometimes as a kind of psychosocial phenomenon, and think it's worthwhile to engage in metaphysical discussions sometimes just as a kind of check.

mrob 2y ago
In Japanese folklore there's the concept of "ikiryō" (literally "living ghost"): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikiry%C5%8D https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikiry%C5%8D

downrightmike 2y ago

Ghosts are just your brain breaking down in to schizophrenia.

thanksgiving 2y ago
I really wish it was easier to talk about mental disorders. People with (mild?) mental disorders manage to live ordinary lives just fine. I remember listening to one specialist on a radio show who claimed that at least half the population (in one particular developing country) suffered from some kind of mental disorders but nobody comes for treatment because people think of you are getting treatment for any kind of mental disorders, you must have "gone mad" and are therefore completely unreliable and therefore must lose all your licenses, work privileges, family responsibilities etc. So people are scared to come forward and ignorance rules.
- _yb2s 2y ago
  Indeed, many of the successful people I know personally have struggled with some type of mental health disorder, and/or developmental disorder, but find it to taboo - and dangerous for their career to talk about it. I think once it is no longer taboo people will be able to accommodate and manage these situations better, and people with them won’t have to be afraid and secretive that they will be “found out” or aren’t suitable for their jobs, etc. Just because someone can hide it or still do their job doesn’t make it “mild” either.
dazc 2y ago
I used to be cynical about the existence of ghosts until I saw one. I didn't realise there was such a simple explanation and have wasted the past 15 years of my life thinking otherwise.

Lammy 2y ago

https://www.paranormalcatalog.net/ghosts/the-ghosts-of-flight-401 https://www.paranormalcatalog.net/ghosts/the-ghosts-of-fligh... https://annas-archive.org/md5/16e94bf84b997f0233166c401ff0471b https://annas-archive.org/md5/16e94bf84b997f0233166c401ff047...

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

exodust 2y ago

The theory ties in with "Morphic resonance", the cool-sounding name of an attempt to rationalise imprints and collective memories among other things. I don't see the harm in pondering such theories. After all, the fact we're here and living in the universe at all, means there's a whole bunch of things happening behind the scenes we have no idea about. Perhaps one day, "ghost imprints" will be something science can measure. Or other pseudo-science like telepathy or premonitions, may move into actual science with as yet unknown discoveries. I'm not saying will, but they may.

4dregress 2y ago

You would think there would be all sorts of ghosts then, from all forms of life on earth.