Apopheigns

11 Jan 2012 2 Comments

by zenxi6 in Uncategorized

Apophenia

 

We search endlessly for patterns in the chaos.

Without finding these patterns, we would not survive as we have done. 

In fact, the ability for the human brain to find patterns amid the chaos is arguably what makes use different from the animals… what makes us conscious and what has led us to all sorts of discoveries about our Earth and Universe.

But, the pattern finding also seems to lead us in to a lot of trouble.

 

Our brains don’t seem capable of linking the vast patterns that we have created in our own world today, nor are they capable of computing all the scientific data at once about a myriad of subjects. 

 

Most people probably aren’t aware that their consciousness is based upon their ability to make connections between sensory information.

I think it is rather important to be aware of this.  And I think it is rather important to further study and research the nature of consciousness, so we can start to get a handle on what it is exactly that makes us tick.  What exactly is this moment?

 

I have digressed from the point I wish to make though. 

 

The other side to pattern making… to the grand joining the dots we’re all performing, is the line in the sand.  We can’t define something without having barriers to allow a definition.  Often these barriers are tangible things, like that visible light to the human eye is on a wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm.

In this case, the barriers are defined by the physiological qualities of the human eye and the measurable electromagnetic spectrum.

 

When it comes to the divine, we are left in a world without barriers.

Here in this world, we can set the limits where ever we choose, or where ever we believe.

 

More often than not, it is the latter that happens, and we take on board someone else’s idea of where the barriers lie.  We trust each other.  It’s the nature of a social creature.  Our minds presume that the other individual has some data we don’t know about, and we should trust it, lest we receive the negative consequence. 

 

It’s a relatively simple behavioural control mechanism.  

 

If you’ve ever had a frivolous religious debate with someone, you’re probably more than aware of the shifting line in the sand on many issues.  Every person with religious conviction is different, no matter their ascribed dogma.  It’s probably the reason why many of these debates are frivolous.  There’s nothing to base it on.  Prior experience doesn’t necessarily help one to know what to expect.  There are some common arguments, but often if you pursue an argument, you can create rift and disagreement within the so-called faithful.  This is because the whole picture isn’t there, all the answers don’t exist outside the individual mind’s faith in the idea.

 

A curious thing I’ve noted about many of the less questioning of religious folk, is their mentality’s similarity to what I remember and define as high schoolesque politics.  These are people of a tribal nature, who have their trusted sources worked out and their social network down pat.  It’s easier for the humabeast to operate when a group can simply laugh off any competing idea, without taking in to account that ideas ability to draw lines in the same sand.

 

I believe that examples of this are shown through the prevalence of a hope for the never proven, quintessentially dull chain letter and its evolutions.

 

Let me provide some examples I recently saw on a Facebook group that purports to organise a party for people once they reach the Seventh Day Adventist version of heaven.

 

“Kiss your hand 10 times. Say your crush 15 times. Post this on 2 events. Look at your hand”

 

“READ ! This isnt fake. apparently, if u copy and paste this to ten events in the next ten minutes u will have the best day ofurlife tomorrow. u will either get kissed or asked out, if u break this chain u will see a little dead girl in your room tonight. in 53 mins someone will say i love you or im sorry or i wanna go out with”

 

“Girl : Am I pretty?

Boy : NO.

Girl : Do you want to be with me forever?

Boy : NO.

……Girl : Would you cry if I walked away?

… ……………………………………………………………………………

Boy : NO.

She heard enough, and was hurt. She walked away, tears ran down her face. The boy grabbed her arm.

Boy : Your not pretty, your beautiful. I don’t want to be with you forever, I NEED to be with you forever. And I wouldn’t cry if you walked away, I would DIE.

(Boy whispers) : Please? Stay with me.

(Girl whispers) : I will.

Tonight at midnight your true love will realize they love you. Something good will happen to you between 1-4 pm. Tomorrow it could be anywhere. Get ready for the biggest shock of your life! If you don’t post this to 5 other events. You will have relationship problems for the next 10 years”

 

You might remember things of this nature from primary school.  And perhaps from your more irritating of social network friends.

 

I’m sure no one will actually admit to believing these.  People will say things like, “I wanted to test it, just to be sure” and, “Didn’t want to risk it!”

 

Isn’t it funny how much in common these sorts of little moral stories (with punishment if not adhered to) play out like religious convictions?  Believe in God, OR ELSE!  Pray, and if it comes true, MIRACLE! If not, it is God’s will, etc.. etc…

 

These scream of emotional immaturity.  The inability for an individual to determine that these don’t have any effect what so ever on real life, other than to plant an idea within your own mind.  Horoscopes often play very similarly, alongside many other things.

 

Is it possible that an individual’s susceptibility to certain kinds of emotional manipulation determine how likely they are to be religious, and what sort of belief they may have? 

 

I should note here that I know many questioning and intelligent religious people.  They know the nature of the line in the sand, and probably have a more stable basis for their faith.  They’re also in my experience a lot easier to have rational conversations with.

 

Just something to ponder on.

 

Also, if you don’t share this with your entire chosen social network before midnight tonight, tomorrow at five minutes to 7am, you will get a phone call.  On the other end will be the police, informing you that your sibling has been shot dead in some sort of gang-related shooting that got out of hand. 

So share it.  Or else.