As a preamble, a few days ago, I woke after an hour and a half to find Chloe limping/favouring one of her front paws. I had no idea what happened, but she'd licked laundry detergent, chewed wires, wrestled with Bart & more. There was no telling. We avoided a vet visit, and now here we are. The latest update follows...
With roughly 86 billion neurons & 100 trillion connections in our brains, imagine how many possible permutations that calculates out to be! So, why are our perceptions limited? And how can we change that?
I thought the universe was massive before, but somehow it's become so much larger now that I've seen parts of the map! I learned new terms and so, new ways to see the universe. Is this how the explorers and pioneers felt, once upon a time? I have so many more questions, now. And how long will any of these facts remain firm, before we learn differently/more? I touch on groups, clusters, and superclusters plus The Great Attractor.
I turned my back for just a few minutes, thought the coast was clear, but the kitten's razor incisors struck with great efficiency! The mic died a horrible, horrible death. The crime scene photos can be seen on instagram.com/seekingplumb.
Our latest adventure includes Chloe getting stuck inside the couch! 🐱
I listened to an episode of Rationally Speaking with Julie Galef, where Dr. Eric Schwitzgebel espoused his belief that self-knowledge is not accurate and unknowable. Not accurate? Fair enough. Unknowable? Meh. Yes/No. Self-awareness and self-knowledge are complex things, really.
The brain is constantly adapting to the environment, for good and bad. And as the brain changes, it/we affect our environment, creating a cycle. Culture is part of our ecology yet it operates in a similar cycle. When do we decide TO and NOT TO adapt? That is, when is it important to remain firm, and when is it important to progress?
After a little over 5 weeks, I'm learning more about my new willful fur-child. She's funny, stubborn, smart, and crazy! 🤣🐱🤣
When we're feeling emotionally uncomfortable, we turn to whatever or whomever we think will ease the discomfort. But why? Is it really what/who we need? Will this solution bring healing? Or be a temporary salve? I offer an idea that might be helpful.
I wasn't going to speak on this again, but I received a request. That said, since I did these recordings, Anchor has implemented a temporary change to the algorithm that will remain in place for approximately a week. Presumably, to increase numbers on the platform and to test out a new version of the algorithm. Here's your chance to have a "say." We'll see what comes of it! Good luck!
We've been talking about perception via our senses, language, and making of meaning, to name a few. Saturday, I ran into an added layer of complexity when it comes to communicating; when a word has two very different definitions and the context was ambiguous.
Yesterday, I ineffectively pondered the electromagnetic structure of the sky visible to the birds and the bees. Allen of Sentient Future called in with a helpful reference, leading me in a more informed direction. I share what I learned there, plus where it lead. And Patrick of We Live On A Planet called in to tell me a little bit about the Mantis Shrimp! Wait until you hear some of what I learned, when I looked up more info!
And how would you tweak it? Technology can improve upon our human limitations, but it's constrained by the perceptions of our senses. If you could biologically incorporate a superiour animal sense in addition to your human senses, which would it be and why? • I geek out a little on reindeer & birds, while down this rabbit hole. Join me!
I've been on a journey regarding empathy & where, when, & with whom to set boundaries. My goal is to be empathetic without giving away pieces of myself. So, when does acquiescing matter? When do I assert myself and draw a line, instead?
To doubt or not to doubt. In this episode, we travel through my struggles of doubting my knowledge and experiences too much & too little. We looked at the importance of doubt, yesterday. Today, we look at an historical example of hyper focused assumptions minus the doubt. Plus, we ponder a few modern day scenarios, wondering whether we allow room for doubting. Without doubt, how do we challenge our assumptions?
“Is what we see, reality?” We’re still trying to answer this question. We continue to approach it from two different perspectives; the philosophical and through neuroscience. I’ve already touched on perception a little bit, as an infantile philosopher, but now I’ve been given an opportunity to learn more about the science. I’ll share this journey in the coming episodes. Today, we merely dip our toe into how creativity can influence logical thinking and a shift in perspective and perception.
A few tips and thoughts regarding Anchor. • My secret for sounding "eloquent" & "well-spoken." • A brief explanation on Shoutouts. • An easy iOS solution for shutting Anchor off via a timer, prior to falling asleep. • Various thoughts on the leaderboard and the corresponding algorithm.
Chloe has been with Bart & I for a smidge over 3 weeks now. This is a brief update on the goings on. 😻😻 • For pics & a few clips, check out instagram.com/seekingplumb.
In mid September, I did an episode entitled "Perfection ↔️ Imitation," in which I wondered if we had the concept of an alternate reality of absolutes or perfection, backwards. Instead of our reality being the imitation formed out of a perfect reality, perhaps we had created the fantasy/idea of the perfect from the imperfect. • In this episode, I touch on Fredrich Nietzsche's thoughts on the concept of this perfect reality and the draw backs I perceive in looking for, trying to achieve perfection...
As our older generations leave us, their experiences are being lost. I share a few examples. Once, I had grand ideas on how to preserve and share them, but I've since revised my vision and hopes. And honestly, I think it may be for the better. What do you think? Will you join me?
A poem by Samantha King from her book Born to Love, Cursed to Feel.
Is it effective? That is, is it working for you? If it is, how so? What aspect of using this tool causes you to be inspired or motivates you? If it doesn't work, I have theories as to why and a few potential alternative ideas.
I'm no expert, but I have consumed a fair bit of social media & reflected on what it takes to be successful online. What's your take?
Since my early September episode, I've learned that the fantastical questions I posed were not nearly as interesting as the more complex & nuanced reality.
I've been hyperaware of my inconsistencies, lately, hurling the word "hypocrite" & "hypocritical" at nearly every opportunity. Wonder of wonders, I learned I'm human. 🤦🏻♀️😜😄
For Throw Back Thursday w/SimonSays, we go down memory lane to when I was in high school & attempting to form a new friendship. A humiliating moment turned fond memory.
Whether high or low on the authoritarian scale, we have different cognitive styles &, typically, political affiliations, too. Their thinking helps Republicans unite the vote, whereas Dems struggle.
When someone loses a bet, why is dressing up as a woman a possible consequence? That is considered embarrassing, demeaning? A loser's punishment? I thought women are treated "equally?"
The universe is mind-blowingly huge! Trying to put the numbers & distances in perspective, it very quickly exceeds our every day understanding. Yet again, I'm reminded how amazing my tiny life is.
A positive, happy memory for #ThrowBackThursday started by Simon Says. • Here are a few set in my childhood home centered around the adventures I had with my brother. #SimplePleasures
