4 ms·
>Still, the strangest thing I've considered is: suppose that the US, or some other group we are a part of, like the galaxy, is conscious.and we get good evidenc
by dropit_sphere 11y ago
>Still, the strangest thing I've considered is: suppose that the US, or some other group we are a part of, like the galaxy, is conscious.and we get good evidence that it's true. Then disturbing it's function, or destroying it could kill that consciousness. It would be like killing God.
Obviously the most fun thing to think about. It's worth noting that "consciousness" is on a sliding scale from dim awareness to focused lucidity. Is my dog conscious? Probably not, but there's something there. How about a gorilla? The lines start to blur. Is it outlandish to ascribe to a large, distributed group, a fish-level of awareness?
- jqm 11y ago"Is my dog conscious?" I would say absolutely. But maybe we have a different definition of consciousness.
- dllthomas 11y ago"Clearly not, he's asleep right now."
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- hasenj 11y agoConsciousness in the metaphysical sense isn't really turned off when you sleep; otherwise you couldn't have dreams.
- dllthomas 11y agoSure, above was not serious commentary, but a joke interpreting consciousness in the other sense.
- nickpsecurity 11y agoAssuming you're really awake and having dreams as opposed to your thoughts being reorganized in a way that you simply remember as vivid, real experiences. Even if you're conscious, that's only a tiny part of sleep (often REM). Being awakened otherwise is like just having missing time where there's a gap in conscious experience. As if it was off.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- colordrops 11y ago> "consciousness" is on a sliding scale from dim awareness to focused lucidity assuming that all consciousness resembles that of humans. I'm guessing our tiny brains are capable of only a thin sliver of what is possible when it comes to apprehending and interacting with reality.