by Jared T | Jul 30, 2020 | Consciousness, What is consciousness
“Consciousness survives death. You may think this is a religious or metaphysical claim, but it is not. To understand how this is possible, you simply have to accept a definition of consciousness that most of us already do: consciousness is a dynamic relationship between environment and individual. Anything that perceives the world, responds to it, and influences it is conscious. Some may argue that environment and individual are actually one, but for the purpose of this thought experiment we will consider them separate.
It is obvious that humans are conscious. We perceive the world with eyes, ears, limbs, and mind. We respond to it with thoughts, words, and actions. We influence it in every way that make change. Although consciousness may be the most complex for humans, is it unique to us? Certainly not. Although a chimpanzee may have a simpler view of the world, it still perceives, responds to, and interacts with it. A praying mantis does too, and the same is true all the way down the tree of life. Although the consciousness of simpler beings becomes less multidimensional, it still exists. If you accept the above definition of consciousness, you even have to cede that a simple, single cellular E. Coli bacteria is conscious. It perceives concentrations of favorable chemicals, and responds by moving the flagellum (little paddles that propel the bacteria) to approach those chemicals. As it processes them, the very environment is influenced as well. All three of the dimensions of consciousness are met. The conscious experience of an E. Coli is certainly less rich and less complex than that of a human, but it exists nonetheless.
Now consider the idea that perhaps consciousness can exist even outside the domain of biological life. An electron perceives the forces of electromagnetic attraction and repulsion. It responds by movement, and even influences nearby particles with its own fields. At the subatomic level, consciousness is perhaps as simple as it may become, yet subjective experience for that electron exists. The same may be true of celestial bodies, which are sensitive to, affected by, and sources of forces of gravity.
Everything is conscious, although along a spectrum of complexity. When we die, the experience we humans are familiar with decomposes along with our bodies. We no longer perceive, respond to, or influence the complex systems of sociology, psychology, neuroscience, infrastructure, or government. Our complex and rich consciousness is substituted with billions of simpler ones, first as the bacteria in our bodies die off and eventually as the atomic matter is all there is to “us.” We don’t cease to perceive, respond, and influence. We just do it differently.
Who knows, maybe it’s nice to be an electron.”
by Gaia | Jul 27, 2020 | If the human species were to near extinction, would we join together or fight against each other?
“It depends on a couple factors. First, how plausible our survival is. If there is a clear way out – something tangible that we can do to avoid our extinction – we will band together. Second, if there is a common enemy, it will unify us enough to at least temporarily put our differences aside. Third, if something triggers enough people on a deep enough level, it can reach a tipping point that at least allows enough people to join together that they can overtake the antagonizing force (whether that be people themselves, an environmental catastrophe, or something else).
Regardless, I believe that reaching a point of near extinction is crucial in the awakening of our species – and thus, the planet and the universe. Take this metaphor – as the sun moves through the sky, you must move as you cannot stay in the shade all day. Right now, the Earth is facing a time where the light of truth has moved, and thus, is ending the shady darkness of delusion. It is forcing us to face it directly, in a way not before done. It is absolutely necessary to near extinction in order to unlock a deep, intuitive, passionate faith in our species and its existence. That awareness is necessary in order to take appropriate actions towards not going extinct. We are nearing a period of awakening through near extinction. It is an all out war of dark and light within our own beings. Yet, what is so far-out about it is that the war itself IS the awakening. The two polarities are necessary – they are in intercourse, union, perfect harmony. They, together, are the ground and sky, making up this world. Whether humans emerge on the other shore is less important – there is a greater force of awakening that propels the entire game we are playing.
So in conclusion, we CAN band together to avoid extinction. We may, we may not. The important recognition is that awakening and catastrophe are two sides of the same coin, and depend on one another. Regardless, consciousness will be evolving.”
by Rutger Bregman | Jul 26, 2020 | If the human species were to near extinction, would we join together or fight against each other?
“Disasters and crises bring out the best in us. This simple fact is confirmed by more solid evidence than almost any other scientific insight, but we often forget. Now more than ever, in the middle of a pandemic, it’s crucial to remember this. Sure, our news feeds are flooded with cynical stories and comments. A report on armed men stealing rolls of toilet paper in Hong Kong, or one about the Australian women who got into a fistfight in a Sydney supermarket. In moments like these, it’s tempting to conclude that most people are selfish and egotistical.
But nothing could be further from the truth. For every antisocial jerk out there, there are thousands of doctors, cleaners and nurses working around the clock on our behalf. For every panicky hoarder shoving entire supermarket shelves into their cart, there are 10,000 people doing their best to prevent the virus from spreading further. In actual fact, we’re now seeing reports from China and Italy about how the crisis is bringing people closer together.
“We’ve learned how to accept help from others,” writes a woman living in Wuhan. “Because of this quarantine, we have bonded with and supported each other in ways that I’ve never experienced in nine years of living here.”
Millions of Chinese people are encouraging each other to stand strong, using the expression “jiayou” (“don’t give up”). YouTube videos show people in Wuhan singing from the windows of their homes, joined by numerous neighbours nearby, their voices rising in chorus and echoing amongst the soaring towers of Chinese cities.
In Siena and Naples, both on complete lockdown, people are singing together from the balconies of their homes. Children in Italy are writing“andrà tutto bene” (“everything will be all right”) on streets and walls, while countless neighbors are helping each other. (Editor’s note: The above photo shows people in Milan cheering on a flash mob from their balcony while home in quarantine.)
Last week, an Italian journalist told the Guardian about what he had witnessed with his own eyes: “After a moment of panic in the population, there is now a new solidarity. In my community the drugstores bring groceries to people’s homes, and there is a group of volunteers that visit houses of people over 65.”
A tour guide from Venice notes: “It’s human to be scared, but I don’t see panicking, nor acts of selfishness.”
The words “andrà tutto bene” – everything will be all right – were first used by a few mothers from the province of Puglia, who posted the slogan on Facebook. From there, it spread across the country, going viral almost as fast as the pandemic. The coronavirus isn’t the only contagion – kindness, hope and charity are spreading too.
Disaster causes a surge in solidarity
The surge in solidarity that we’re seeing will come as no surprise to most sociologists. The current situation has obvious similarities to the human response to natural disasters, which has been researched extensively for decades. News reports following a natural disaster are almost always dominated by stories of looting and violence, but in many cases such stories turn out to be unfounded speculations based on rumour. Since 1963, the University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center has conducted nearly 700 field studies on floods and earthquakes, and on-site research reveals the same results every time: the vast majority of people stay calm and help each other. “Whatever the extent of the looting,” one sociologist notes, “it always pales in significance to the widespread altruism that leads to free and massive giving and sharing of goods and services.”’
Yes, panic can happen, and some people may start hoarding. But a British social psychologist notes that “we’re much more likely to see prosocial behaviors across multiple types of disasters and extreme events”.
That truth echoes back across the ages. According to an eyewitness account, when the Titanic went down, there was “no indication of panic or hysteria; no cries of fear, and no running to and fro.”
When the Twin Towers burned on September 11, 2001, thousands of people patiently trudged down all those flights of stairs. “And people would actually [say]: ‘No, no, you first’,” one of the survivors reminisced later. “I couldn’t believe it, that at this point people would actually say, ‘No, no, please take my place.’ It was uncanny.’”
Overhauling our assumptions of human nature
Believing these eyewitness accounts can be difficult. But that’s due mostly because of the cynical portrayal of human nature that’s taken centre stage in recent decades. For years and years, the worst aspects of humanity have dominated the discourse.
“The point is, ladies and gentleman,” said Gordon Gekko, the main character in the 1987 film Wall Street, “that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. […] Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.”
Year after year, politicians have drafted huge piles of legislation on the assumption that most people are not good. And we know the consequences of that policy: inequality, loneliness and mistrust.
Despite all that, something extraordinary has happened in the last 20 years.Scientists all over the world, working in many different fields, have adopted a more hopeful view of human nature. “Too many economists and politicians model society on the constant struggle that they believe reigns supreme in nature, but that belief is based solely on projection,” writes prominent Dutch primatologist Frans de Waal. “Our assumptions about human nature are in dire need of a complete overhaul.”
Distancing ourselves to embrace each other more warmly
Nothing is certain, but this crisis may well help us in that process. We may see a dawning awareness of dependence, community and solidarity. “I don’t know what you’re seeing,” a Dutch psychiatrist and mother tweeted, “but I’m seeing people wanting to help all over the place. By following official recommendations, or something practical like doing someone’s grocery shopping … ”
My German book editor told me about a note that had been posted in an apartment building:
“Dear neighbours. If you’re over 65 and your immune system is weak, I’d like to help you. Since I’m not in the risk group, I can help you in the coming weeks by doing chores or running errands. If you need help, leave a message by the door with your phone number. Together, we can make it through anything. You’re not alone!”
As a species of animal that evolved to make connections and work together, it feels strange to suppress our desire for contact. People enjoy touching each other, and find joy in seeing each other in person – but now we have to keep our physical distance.
Still, I believe we can grow closer in the end, finding each other in this crisis. As Giuseppe Conte, the Italian prime minister, recently said: “Let’s distance ourselves from each other today so that we can embrace each other more warmly […] tomorrow.”
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