Do you believe "Doc" is real?

[LemmingofGlory]

Ah, see, there goes that observation altering reality bit again. When you watch me smash my thumb with a hammer, it is a lesson. It could be defined as a tragedy. A lesson in the human condition where one human being stood by helplessly while another suffered needlessly. Why, you did nothing to comfort me! When I watch you smash your thumb with a hammer, it could be defined as a comedy. Wow, sailors really can turn the air blue! So again the perception of reality lies in the observer.

So let's remove the observer: you can no longer observe because your eyes have run off with the dish and the spoon. You now must have your hand on the thumb when the hammer comes down in order to feel what has happened. You might take the hammer and beat to death the owner of the thumb that was supposed to be hit instead. Or you might realize that there is no true hammer but M.C. Hammer, though I'm pretty sure he doesn't exist anymore either. Alternatively you might turn the other cheek, apply some Vanilla Ice to your wound, and wait until tomorrow night's skydiving lesson when you can test whether parachute pants substitute for an actual parachute. At that point, the lesson really won't matter anymore. (/1990)

Which begs a question: can blind people skydive? How will they know when to pull the cord? And if the blind skydiver falls on a tree, will it make a sight? It reminds me of a Zen Koan: "If your webpage makes fun of the Amish, how will they know?" Is it morally right to use the internet to relentlessly mock the Amish? Ohh, but this prattle is more applicable to another thread...

No, you don't have to be crazy to call your self a philosopher, but it helps.

Does that mean mostly crazy people would call themselves philosophers, or does it mean mostly crazy people could accurately call themselves philosophers?

Tell me, tell me one thing that is rational in existential thinking... To wit... That you are an isolated lone force against a hostile uncaring universe. And then to believe that you, all alone, can have some hand in shaping this universe solely through your own power? Is that rational? I'd say somebody would have to have a healthy sense of megalomania and just a touch of lunacy to believe one could effect the outcome of events once one realises just is what is working against them.

It seems to be a philosophy with a severe "If it's not with me, it's against me" outlook that outright discards the first clause, but despite that rather paranoid assumption, it does seem rather upbeat with its "Can do!" attitude. I would like to see existentialist PSAs.

(Voiceover by Keanu Reeves reprising his role from... wait, does it make a difference?)
The universe...
Hates you.
You...
Are alone. (Whoa!)
But you...
Can do.
Whatever you want to. (Dude!)


All these Occhi/Doc threads leave me feeling overwhelmed by puns and TMI. I think what this Lounge needs is a good Peteing.

*misses Pete*

-Lemmy