Yes, psychedelics deactivate the DMN (Default Mode Network) which is the neural network that’s responsible for our sense of self, personal narrative, etc. This deactivation is the experience of what Buddhists refer to as no-self, though I doubt any Buddhist would be willing to reduce it to such a mundane event.

There may be a deeper or more primal sense of self, like with the physiology that has to do with alien hand syndrome.

I’m not sure if philosophizing about emptiness has much actual value. The experience, on the other hand, is known to reduce existential anxiety. That does have value. Also, religious beliefs can have value for those who require that level of structure and guidance to experience meaning in their life.

The thing that loses a sense of self is the self?

What about the sun? The sun has existed for Billions of years. It may not be changeless but it is enduring as an identifiable entity. — Andrew4Handel

From some other perspective, a billion years is a blink of an eye. Regardless, we know that it will eventually burnout.

However I don't think the self is an issue abut changes. I have never met anyone who thinks they have never changed. — Andrew4Handel

Yet we all endow people and things with an identity of some sort. Of course, we realize that they change but still there is a continuity to their existence or enduring sense or idea of what they are.

I define the self as a perspective that of an a perceiver and experiencer. — Andrew4Handel

Do you really? Then how do you distinguish various perceiver/experiencers?

in practice [people] do not always think "rationally" and sometimes respond to emotional rhetoric over rational dialect. — IvoryBlackBishop

That made me laugh out loud.

No-self simply means that no enduring changeless thing can exist. It applies equally to everything and not just the self. Everything is an illusion, or so they claim.

You can not legislate affordability. — Nobeernolife

Can't help thinking about this. You say it as though it's some sort of economic principle. I think it's a statement of values, like saying that a society cannot afford to feed its citizens when in fact it has the resources available to do so.

What is the worst lie that you are blaming Trump for? — Nobeernolife

Just a few of my favs:

Many of the people in DACA, no longer very young, are far from ‘angels.’ Some are very tough, hardened criminals.

I was the person who saved Pre-Existing Conditions in your healthcare.

'Years of economic decay are over' because Trump 'reversed the failed economic policies of the previous administration.'

Some of the Democrats have been talking about ending (coverage for) pre-existing conditions.

In many places, like California, the same person votes many times. You probably heard about that. They always like to say 'oh that's a conspiracy theory.' Not a conspiracy theory, folks. Millions and millions of people.

Over the last two years, the number of murders in America and America’s major cities has dropped, unlike here (Chicago), by more than 10%.

Originally "almost all models predicted" Dorian would hit Alabama.

California "admitted" there were "a million" illegal votes in the 2016 presidential election.

There has never been, ever before, an administration that’s been so open and transparent.

"The noise (from windmills) causes cancer.

Democrats let him (cop killer Luis Bracamontes) into our country," and "Democrats let him stay."

Everywhere Marie Yovanovitch went turned bad," including Somalia and Ukraine.

Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, and the rest of the corrupt Democrats made a promise to their crazy left-wing base that they would impeach me even BEFORE I took office.

Today I opened a major Apple Manufacturing plant in Texas that will bring high paying jobs back to America.

Well, it’s just an anecdote so let’s dismiss it.

I concede all of your fine points.

I do not know the details of that thing, and I doubt that you do, seeing almost none of the people passed actually read it. — Nobeernolife

About six years ago my wife and I were in a transition, moved to another state, and considered Obamacare between employers. It was affordable.

We ended up paying a minor penalty for being without insurance for a few months. Nothing anyone but a deranged lunatic would call “massive.”

No, you should get wet in your pants about this, Orangeman´s family takes isnt this just what you have been cackling for? — Nobeernolife

Apparently you can't read or write well.

Not getting bogged into details, but if you do not see the contradiction in a government claiming to be able to make things "affordable" by massive regulation and taxation. — Nobeernolife

A little detail like the claim of "massive" taxation and regulation? I can see how that would get in the way. Affordable as in meaning that around 30 million Americans could afford to purchase health insurance, whereas before they could not afford it. Taxes increased for many, but not "massively."

Stimulus deal bars Trump's businesses from Treasury Department loans

@Nobeernolife

Damn, I was all geared up to get deranged about this.

It seems like a prelude to war metaphors. A good American should be willing to die for their country.

The suggestion that our culture (our values, beliefs, aspirations, etc.) is all about capitalism and nothing besides, if that's the suggestion, is the hight of philistinism.

Even the framing of this question is open - or ought to be open - to radical revision: what is traditionally called 'the economy' is largely an abstraction that excludes large swathes of society as among the 'extra-economic', even as it relies on those areas for its very lifeblood. It's only when set against this abstraction does individual life become potentially set in conflict with this chimera. The issue is that the chimera is as real as it is illusory: it is real insofar as it is created, forged by power and political will, one happy to countenance the literal deaths of millions in order to sustain it for the benefit of a few. — StreetlightX

Reminds me of something I read just a few minutes ago:

“I would rather have my children stay home and have all of us who are over 50 go in and keep this economy going and working,” Beck said. “Even if we all get sick, I’d rather die than kill the country. Because it’s not the economy that’s dying, it’s the country.” — Glenn Beck

The country (essentially our culture?) is the economy? How fucked-up is that.

No, just a lack of imagination.

To be fair, for that remark you’re gonna have to let nobrainnolife rant about TDS for around the 40th time.

nobeernolife + TDS = 38 results

Talk about a one-trick pony.

We have people get tremendous anxiety and depression and you have suicides over things like this when you have terrible economies. You have death probably, definitely would be in far greater numbers than the numbers we’re talking about with regard to the virus. — Trump

If you do a quick google check, a figure of 10k comes up for deaths linked to the great recession suicides. That doesn't begin to compare with the estimates for ignoring the virus. But of course, facts don't matter.

Thank you for the reflection as I might very well be looking to my circle of thinkers for stability. It is a by product of loving people. — ArguingWAristotleTiff

Looking to thinkers online for stability is a by-product of loving people? Nevermind. :smile:

Even the designers of that law admitted that it was designed to fail.... just meant as a stepping stone to socialed medicine. (Which you can defend, if you want.... just do not pretend that it is particularly affordable or efficient.) — Nobeernolife

It makes buying health insurance within reach for more Americans. In regard to efficiency, the US spends much more per capita than other developed countries, including those with socialized healthcare, and without better health outcomes, so I'm not sure what the point is in bringing that up.

Oh right. Obama made healthcare affordable by passing an "affordable healthcare act". Gee, how brilliant! I suggest then than Trump signs a "Cure Corona Act", and the Corona will be gone. Maybe after that an "Eternal health and wealth for all forever" act, and everybody will live forever.

I just love simple minds. Would you like buy a used car from me? — Nobeernolife

You doubt that the ACA resulted in millions more Americans with health insurance?

may I give you a virtual hug and inhale your stress and exhale stability into you. ... I need you guys right now but I also need civility. — ArguingWAristotleTiff

Frankly, it sounds like you’re in a greater need for stability than we are. I suggest you try to find it in whatever way works best for you.

Everyone can see Trump’s failure in reviving coal and the industrial sector in general, at least in terms of jobs, so investing in green tech, as well as other progressive initiatives, could be seen as a reasonable alternative if properly presented.
One can dream.
— praxis

Is it so hard to keep the orangemanbad rants on the Trump thread and out of the Corona thread? — Nobeernolife

I did forget to mention Trump’s failure to repeal and replace the ACA. Not to worry though, if he’s reelected they’re on track to make healthcare insurance unaffordable to tens of millions of Americans, just like it was in the good old days before Obama.

Back to topic. :grimace:

Everyone can see Trump’s failure in reviving coal and the industrial sector in general, at least in terms of jobs, so investing in green tech, as well as other progressive initiatives, could be seen as a reasonable alternative if properly presented.

One can dream.

I imagine that progressive green new deals may start looking more reasonable to conservatives in the near future.

Disturbing, however, perhaps he paints a dire landscape in order to garner support for Diem25?

Reduce globalism? And his wall isn’t built yet so the hordes of bad hombres are still invading our country!

You were politely asked to present an argument showing how it’s productive to use this term.
— praxis

It is descriptive, not productive. — Nobeernolife

Yes, of course it’s not. At least you’re able to admit that. Good, the first step to addressing a problem is knowing of its existence.

Well, Adams is also a trained hypnotist and looks at the human situation from that point. — Nobeernolife

A cartoonist AND hypnotist. He’s definitely managed to influence you on a deep level (below the intellect).

Anyway, I did agree that TDS can be misunderstood as personal name-calling, But surely you agree that it is not on the same level as "Trumpanzees" or "Orange-Otan". — Nobeernolife

You were politely asked to present an argument showing how it’s productive to use this term. Or perhaps you don’t actually care about productivity and good argumentation. :chin:

How helpful and convenient that anyone who has a different point of view is rendered unable to think on your level because they are sick.
— Monitor
Err, no, that was not was I am saying. Don´t fall into Cathy Newman mode here... — Nobeernolife

The entire point of TDS is an attempt to invalidate opposing views. Even you must realize this on some level.

Yeah, I have been talking about TDS, which I see as real medical situation. (Scott Adams says the same.) — Nobeernolife

So you and a cartoonist making a medical diagnosis. Is this somehow productive? If you believe it is then kindly present a reasonable argument to support this belief.

Ever considered that is not only not an argument, but also counterproductive? — Nobeernolife

This coming from you of all people. :lol:

True to form, Trump is dealing with the problem of public fear by attacking the media:

"What do you say to Americans who are scared though? I guess, nearly 200 dead, 14,000 who are sick, millions, as you witnessed, who are scared right now," Alexander asked. "What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared?"

“I say that you’re a terrible reporter,” Trump said. “That’s what I say. I think that’s a very nasty question. The American people are looking for answers and they’re looking for hope, and you’re doing sensationalism," Trump said. (Source) — Relativist

Shows that he must be cracking under the pressure and what a terrible leader he is. Pence answered the same softball question by the same reporter in a normal reassuring way.

But interesting that you mention the "deficit" in the same breath while demanding that the government spends money. Cognitive dissonance? — Nobeernolife

I only mentioned Trump/Republican policies. Projection?

Bernie voters.... they seem to think that "the government" sits on a giant pot of gold can make every "free" for everyone, without any other effects on the country. — Nobeernolife

Other voters think that tax cuts for the rich, deregulation, building a multi-billion dollar wall, driving up the deficit, blah blah... won’t have any effects???

You fight by not defending the CCP. Yup, sounds about right.

It’s not just politics. We can just let it happen or we can fight back. I prefer the latter. — NOS4A2

What are you doing to “fight back”?

Photos of Trump's prepared remarks for Thursday's White House briefing show he altered 'Corona Virus' to 'Chinese Virus'

Why is he doing this? — Michael

It plays well into his supporters xenophobia, seriously.

Now he’s talking about sending cash to working American’s, and bailing out entire industries. — NOS4A2

He’s a god damn socialist. :razz:

My gym is closing now until further notice. :confused: — Michael

I got a TRX thing and some bands the other day in preparation for this eventuality. You can get a full body weight workout and it doesn’t take up any space in your house. Also not as expensive as dumbbells and such.