Ask the Box

27 jun 06

"what is?"

i was wondering when this one would arrive, although i haven't been considering any possible responses. maybe i'll just talk about my foot odor for a few paragraphs. it seems unfair that such a paltry effort on the part of the submitter has the potential to evoke such a lengthy response, depending on what my mood is when i work on this answer tomorrow.

what is: gravity, spacetime, energy, dark matter, and whatever it is that's behind event horizons (giant robot bugs). or, ultimately, singular consciousness. the first interpretation of "what is" is what's perceptible to us. the second option is the thing that's doing the perceiving. if we take the first option, then consciousness is a subset of reality. if we take the second, then reality is a subset of consciousness.

the problem is, consciousness is the only one we're sure exists, because it constitutes that very "we". all else might be an illusion of consciousness, but i don't see how consciousness would be an illusion produced by everything else; it doesn't really make sense. what we feel is consciouness. so, i'm sort of inclined to pick the second option (consciousness is "what is") over that set of science-terms, even though i think they need to be nodded at, because the existence of spacetime, gravity, etc, is more obvious to a viewpoint that doesn't consider consciousness itself -- ie, isn't conscious of consciousness.

using unaugmented perceptual tools, only the earth and its inhabitants, the sea and its inhabitants, the heavens and its inhabitants (birds, not venusians), and "us/we" exist. my guess is that this seemed vaguely insufficient in "ancient times", so people dreamed up god. the answer to "there must be more to it than just this plant sitting here" is made into "the great mystery" -- that which is unknown to us. in order to make the unknown knowable, the great mystery is equated with god. suddenly, there aren't any unexplained phenomena -- we comfortably have it all under control. even better is a bible, koran, bhagavad gita, etc, which tells you everything you need to know; no more exploration or thought is necessary, because it's right there in front of you in greek, arabic, or prakrit marathi.

this is independent of consideration of the "god gene" hypothesis, which posits that believing in god carries with it an evolutionary advantage, so we've evolved to feel this presence. and i admit -- i feel it too. when my toast lands on the floor butter-side-down, i sarcastically mutter "thanks a lot! i appreciate that!" to whom am i speaking?

also notable are the statements "my body" and "my mind" -- what is this "my", apart from body and mind, that's being considered here? i'm inclined to think that it's the singular consciousness i mentioned earlier, and i'm also inclined to think it's the only thing that really "exists"; all else comprises the illusion produced by this consciousness, which is dissappointing for a 3rd year physics student to hear. but they're consistent illusions, at least, so one may as well study and test them just as much as one might want to study and test anything else.

now leave me alone with your foolishness.

there, that wasn't too bad; just the right length, maybe, for one of these "ask the box" features. perhaps i should try to make them a little shorter than i have been, but i never know when people are going to be dissappointed. striking a balance, i suppose, between "this is too short! it doesn't sufficiently entertain me!" and "this is too long! it makes my eyes glaze over!".