RE: The Concept of Fate?

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RE: The Concept of Fate? - 8/10/2005 8:03:55 AM

happypervert

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quote:

The fact that we are capable of discerning patterns doesn't make it all any more special, it just means we have the ability to see patterns in things (like seeing objects in clouds as they pass overhead).

Folks who study such stuff even have a name for this tendency to see patterns where none exist, and it is described at this link to the clustering illusion and other cognitive biases. So when erin decides to take a back road and then explains it as fate, there would appear to be a connection . . . except such proof ignores all the times she makes such decisions and nothing at all happens. Change the circumstances and if stuff wasn't on her car she would have gone down the road to the drunk . . . still fate. If she had been sick and not gone out but heard about this incident -- more fate. So basically, put some idiot dressed in black out in the middle of the road late at night and you've got the makings of a "fated" experience for countless individuals who either were there or could have been there; is that really meaningful?

That link also mentions the illusion of control, and there is an amusing example of that-- a guy explained his "system" used to pick the numbers on his winning lottery ticket. The last number was something like adding his and his wife's ages together, but it turned out his addition was wrong. I suppose believers would say it was fate his math skills sucked perfectly to make his error be "right" so that the random lottery numbers would match his picks.

Anyway, I find it fascinating that folks will seek and prefer such explanations rather than accept that there is no explanation. But I guess all that is good news for the marketers of religion.

< Message edited by happypervert -- 8/10/2005 8:09:04 AM >

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RE: The Concept of Fate? - 8/10/2005 3:51:40 PM

anthrosub

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Another aspect of looking into events is probability. One of my favorite examples is standing on an overpass and watching cars pass underneath. You might know that of every 100 cars that pass, only 3 will take the next exit...but which three? That's as much as you can say for certain...the rest is guessing. There's also an interesting experience of being as close to the here and now as possible. In this state, you are aware of everything around you and at the same time nothing in particular. It has to be this way because as soon as you focus on something, you tune out everything else.

I actually had this experience for a period of about two minutes while playing a game in gym class while in high school. I'll never forget it. It was like having an out of body experience while everything seemed to start happening in slow motion. I was aware of everything happening (both my own actions and those of everyone else) and able to react or act appropriately as events unfolded. All the time, I was not focused on any single event but rather the whole field of events as they flowed along.

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RE: The Concept of Fate? - 8/10/2005 4:11:06 PM

darkinshadows

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quote:

ORIGINAL: anthrosub

Another aspect of looking into events is probability. One of my favorite examples is standing on an overpass and watching cars pass underneath. You might know that of every 100 cars that pass, only 3 will take the next exit...but which three? That's as much as you can say for certain...the rest is guessing. There's also an interesting experience of being as close to the here and now as possible. In this state, you are aware of everything around you and at the same time nothing in particular. It has to be this way because as soon as you focus on something, you tune out everything else.

I actually had this experience for a period of about two minutes while playing a game in gym class while in high school. I'll never forget it. It was like having an out of body experience while everything seemed to start happening in slow motion. I was aware of everything happening (both my own actions and those of everyone else) and able to react or act appropriately as events unfolded. All the time, I was not focused on any single event but rather the whole field of events as they flowed along.

anthrosub

The hear and now - as you describe it is a fascinating experience. I know it as something else and find it fascinating that you describe it as the 'hear and now'.

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RE: The Concept of Fate? - 8/10/2005 5:58:10 PM

anthrosub

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Actually if you look again, it's "here and now" (as in "right here, right now"). Perhaps you made a typo? In any case, I think we are on the same page.

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RE: The Concept of Fate? - 8/11/2005 7:08:18 AM

happypervert

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quote:

There's also an interesting experience of being as close to the here and now as possible. In this state, you are aware of everything around you and at the same time nothing in particular.

Yeah, I often try to clear my mind of other stuff just ot experience the experience when I'm coasting down hills on my bike.

I first became aware of that concept when I heard about this book called "be here, now". Now, this probably got more publicity than the usual book on eastern philosophy and meditation because as you can see on this link to the author's bio that before he adopted the yogi sounding name of Ram Dass he was a colleague of Timothy Leary's at Harvard named Richard Alpert.

I figure anthrosub already knew that, but I figured I'd add it in for anyone else interested in that topic.

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RE: The Concept of Fate? - 8/11/2005 9:56:27 AM

darkinshadows

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lol@my typo!

Yes, here and now...thanks anthro!

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RE: The Concept of Fate? - 8/11/2005 4:10:09 PM

anthrosub

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Yes, I've read the book "Be Here Now." It's full of insights. Another excellent book by Ram Dass is "The Only Dance There Is." Check it out if you can.

anthrosub

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