Musing on the idea of Sentient Earth re the problems of the world - Page 7

Navigator · 14th February 2023, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Pixel42

It's a valid point, but one which we have agreed to ignore for the purposes of this discussion.

You keep saying this, but you have yet to give an example of such a way or an answer. How exactly would people thinking of the earth as sentient produce solutions which thinking of it as, for example, Carl Sagan suggested in that "pale blue dot" quote would not?

Thank you for your question, Pixel.

Before I provide further details on my argument, could you clarify what it is you are suggesting about Carl Sagan's suggestion of thinking of the earth as a "pale blue dot", as I am thinking that you are saying, Carl's thinking has not produced the desired results, so why should I think that this thought experiment might work? I would like to make sure I clearly understand you here.

arthwollipot · 14th February 2023, 05:53 PM

It's not a thought experiment. At best, it is a metaphor.

Leumas · 14th February 2023, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by Navigator

Thank you for your question, Pixel.

Before I provide further details on my argument, could you clarify what it is you are suggesting about Carl Sagan's suggestion of thinking of the earth as a "pale blue dot", as I am thinking that you are saying, Carl's thinking has not produced the desired results, so why should I think that this thought experiment might work? I would like to make sure I clearly understand you here.

Seeing that you claimed that you have no idea what the universe is and cannot figure out if it is a horse or belongs in a cart, then why don't you spend more "legitimate time and effort" learning about that before you do ~~"thought" experiments~~ naval-lint-mining about 3000 years old myths about Gaia????

Maybe if you figured out the universe first you might finally comprehend the futility of your "legitimate time and effort" being squandered on 3000 years old claptrap???

Pixel42 · 14th February 2023, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by Navigator

Thank you for your question, Pixel.

Before I provide further details on my argument, could you clarify what it is you are suggesting about Carl Sagan's suggestion of thinking of the earth as a "pale blue dot", as I am thinking that you are saying, Carl's thinking has not produced the desired results, so why should I think that this thought experiment might work? I would like to make sure I clearly understand you here.

I'm asking what advantage you think there is in adding the (unevidenced) idea of the earth being sentient to what Sagan said, because I can see none. If anything it might backfire, in that people might argue that a sentient earth should be capable of looking after itself in ways that Sagan's (beautifully evidenced, partly by his own efforts) vision of it - a tiny fragile home in the immensity of space - could not.

14th February 2023, 05:40 PM	#241
Navigator Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 6,808	Originally Posted by Pixel42 It's a valid point, but one which we have agreed to ignore for the purposes of this discussion. You keep saying this, but you have yet to give an example of such a way or an answer. How exactly would people thinking of the earth as sentient produce solutions which thinking of it as, for example, Carl Sagan suggested in that "pale blue dot" quote would not? Thank you for your question, Pixel. Before I provide further details on my argument, could you clarify what it is you are suggesting about Carl Sagan's suggestion of thinking of the earth as a "pale blue dot", as I am thinking that you are saying, Carl's thinking has not produced the desired results, so why should I think that this thought experiment might work? I would like to make sure I clearly understand you here.
Navigator Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 6,808	__________________ Wild mingling with the howling gale, loud bursts of ghastly laughter rise high o’er the minstrels head they sail and die amid the northern skies ~ Scott There was I was where I ought - Examining my conscious thought ~ Navigator Atheism is not skepticism Messages posted in the Forum are solely the opinion of their authors. ~ ISF disclaimer

14th February 2023, 05:53 PM	#242
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ngunnawal Country Posts: 80,749	It's not a thought experiment. At best, it is a metaphor.
	__________________ Слава Україні! Героям Слава! 20220224 - 20230224

14th February 2023, 10:05 PM	#243
Leumas Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 7,010	Originally Posted by Navigator Thank you for your question, Pixel. Before I provide further details on my argument, could you clarify what it is you are suggesting about Carl Sagan's suggestion of thinking of the earth as a "pale blue dot", as I am thinking that you are saying, Carl's thinking has not produced the desired results, so why should I think that this thought experiment might work? I would like to make sure I clearly understand you here. Seeing that you claimed that you have no idea what the universe is and cannot figure out if it is a horse or belongs in a cart, then why don't you spend more "legitimate time and effort" learning about that before you do ~~"thought" experiments~~ naval-lint-mining about 3000 years old myths about Gaia???? Maybe if you figured out the universe first you might finally comprehend the futility of your "legitimate time and effort" being squandered on 3000 years old claptrap???
Leumas Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 7,010	__________________ Proverbs 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Last edited by Leumas; 14th February 2023 at 10:07 PM.

14th February 2023, 11:51 PM	#244
Pixel42 Schrödinger's cat Join Date: May 2004 Location: Malmesbury, UK Posts: 15,301	Originally Posted by Navigator Thank you for your question, Pixel. Before I provide further details on my argument, could you clarify what it is you are suggesting about Carl Sagan's suggestion of thinking of the earth as a "pale blue dot", as I am thinking that you are saying, Carl's thinking has not produced the desired results, so why should I think that this thought experiment might work? I would like to make sure I clearly understand you here. I'm asking what advantage you think there is in adding the (unevidenced) idea of the earth being sentient to what Sagan said, because I can see none. If anything it might backfire, in that people might argue that a sentient earth should be capable of looking after itself in ways that Sagan's (beautifully evidenced, partly by his own efforts) vision of it - a tiny fragile home in the immensity of space - could not.
	__________________ "If you trust in yourself ... and believe in your dreams ... and follow your star ... you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things" - Terry Pratchett