(1) C[A(a), B(b)]+C[A(a),B(b')]+C[A(a'),B(b)]-C[A(a'),B(b')]
In recent days I have been thrust in several sagacious cerebral directions. Through ironic conversations and experiences with a few cogitative individuals, I have expounded on the ideas of our own personal 'universes', and the state of being an 'experiencial junkie'; both of which seem appropriate topics for this forum. I hope to have these individuals offer their perspectives on the respective subjects personally in the near future.
On another, much more intellectually cognitive note, I've begun to explore more of the realm of existance itself from the fundamental standpoint of quantum mechanics. This is an area by which I have been intrigued for years and have just now begun to comprehend. I am, by no means a physicist and do not propose that I am even intelligible or fluent in the terminology or theories. I do, however, believe that I have begun to grasp the very fundamentals of the concepts.
"Quantum Mechanics suggests that the behavior of matter and energy is inherently probabilistic ...." (-The American Heritage Science Dictionary)
What this means is that there exists and entire branch of Physics that suggests that, in theory, free will does not exist; a contradiction in and of itself.
On a molecular level, quantum mechanics explains the predictability of atoms, particles and probably most notably, subatomic particles. These entities behave much like the balls on a billiard table; as they follow the path of their trajectory, they collide with obstacles and are deflected in much the same way. A billiard ball bounces off of the rail at the same angle from which it contacted it; the same goes for these scientific entities. It's a parallel idea to Relativity which implies that something can only move or change direction if influenced by an outside force.. it's movement is relative to something else. This then suggests that, given an obscene level of calculation, the path of any given entity could be predicted for any given point in time; and similarly, could be responsible for the predictability of the actions and reactions of larger entities which are made up of these particles, such as Human Beings; completely disproving the idea of free will.
But wait a minute!,, how could this be true? Haven't we been led to believe all along that science is the source of free will in it's inherent rejection of the 'divine creation' theory?
Ok, there's still some hope.. These particles can sometimes spontaneously become 'entangled', which means that the direction of one instantly affects that of the other; suddenly introducing the element of chaos to all of this predictable order.
It has been hypothesized, however, and in opposition to the theory of relativity (which proposes that nothing travels faster than the speed of light), this influence occurs in less that five-trillionths of a second! (or 7 million times faster than the speed of light). Hmmm. What?
Basically, "..for entanglement to square with relativity, either we have no free will or reality is an illusion....some choice" (-Lucas Graves)
The question at hand here isn't what the meaning of life is, but rather the origin, experience and predictability of it. For many years I have rejected all theories of 'fate', 'destiny', and things happening 'for a reason', but as the years have passsed, with more and more particular attention payed to the value of quality in the human experience, I have made special note of peculiar events with increasing regularity.
I have specifically noticed the oddity in the involvement of people in our lives; and the way they enter and exit them. I have drawn parallels between these subatomic particles and human beings in that the involvement of one can directly affect the path of another with long term effects. There are, of course, many variables in these circumstances and at times a concious 'will' or 'manifest' can lead to the intoduction to such a scenario.. suggesting that my own free will entered me into a 'destined' situation. Hmm.
Almost on a daily basis we encounter people, places, things, and experiences that may potentially and completely change our directions in life.. but how do we deal with the variables? And how do we differentiate between those that are relative and meaningful and those that are trivial and irrelevant? It's probably all a little too intellectual to think about on a daily basis, and it's probably a good thing that we don't. Being conscious enough to realize something profound when it happens is probably good enough; even if we can't explain, rationalize, or define it. At least we have the evolutionary advantage of awareness.
Regardless of our evolutionary advantages though, we, as human beings, are improbable.. But we're here, and we have no idea why. As for the rest.. leave that to the physicists.
On another, much more intellectually cognitive note, I've begun to explore more of the realm of existance itself from the fundamental standpoint of quantum mechanics. This is an area by which I have been intrigued for years and have just now begun to comprehend. I am, by no means a physicist and do not propose that I am even intelligible or fluent in the terminology or theories. I do, however, believe that I have begun to grasp the very fundamentals of the concepts.
"Quantum Mechanics suggests that the behavior of matter and energy is inherently probabilistic ...." (-The American Heritage Science Dictionary)
What this means is that there exists and entire branch of Physics that suggests that, in theory, free will does not exist; a contradiction in and of itself.
On a molecular level, quantum mechanics explains the predictability of atoms, particles and probably most notably, subatomic particles. These entities behave much like the balls on a billiard table; as they follow the path of their trajectory, they collide with obstacles and are deflected in much the same way. A billiard ball bounces off of the rail at the same angle from which it contacted it; the same goes for these scientific entities. It's a parallel idea to Relativity which implies that something can only move or change direction if influenced by an outside force.. it's movement is relative to something else. This then suggests that, given an obscene level of calculation, the path of any given entity could be predicted for any given point in time; and similarly, could be responsible for the predictability of the actions and reactions of larger entities which are made up of these particles, such as Human Beings; completely disproving the idea of free will.
But wait a minute!,, how could this be true? Haven't we been led to believe all along that science is the source of free will in it's inherent rejection of the 'divine creation' theory?
Ok, there's still some hope.. These particles can sometimes spontaneously become 'entangled', which means that the direction of one instantly affects that of the other; suddenly introducing the element of chaos to all of this predictable order.
It has been hypothesized, however, and in opposition to the theory of relativity (which proposes that nothing travels faster than the speed of light), this influence occurs in less that five-trillionths of a second! (or 7 million times faster than the speed of light). Hmmm. What?
Basically, "..for entanglement to square with relativity, either we have no free will or reality is an illusion....some choice" (-Lucas Graves)
The question at hand here isn't what the meaning of life is, but rather the origin, experience and predictability of it. For many years I have rejected all theories of 'fate', 'destiny', and things happening 'for a reason', but as the years have passsed, with more and more particular attention payed to the value of quality in the human experience, I have made special note of peculiar events with increasing regularity.
I have specifically noticed the oddity in the involvement of people in our lives; and the way they enter and exit them. I have drawn parallels between these subatomic particles and human beings in that the involvement of one can directly affect the path of another with long term effects. There are, of course, many variables in these circumstances and at times a concious 'will' or 'manifest' can lead to the intoduction to such a scenario.. suggesting that my own free will entered me into a 'destined' situation. Hmm.
Almost on a daily basis we encounter people, places, things, and experiences that may potentially and completely change our directions in life.. but how do we deal with the variables? And how do we differentiate between those that are relative and meaningful and those that are trivial and irrelevant? It's probably all a little too intellectual to think about on a daily basis, and it's probably a good thing that we don't. Being conscious enough to realize something profound when it happens is probably good enough; even if we can't explain, rationalize, or define it. At least we have the evolutionary advantage of awareness.
Regardless of our evolutionary advantages though, we, as human beings, are improbable.. But we're here, and we have no idea why. As for the rest.. leave that to the physicists.
posted by Dude at 4:48 PM
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