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Galaxy and Afterlife
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What if there was no afterlife? What if it was all in our heads? I mean, alot of people have argued whether there really is a heaven or hell (and limbo somewhere in between)but wouldn't science be the ultimate catalyst in creating the utopia which people "believe" they enter once passed away? Reincarnation is all good for the optimistic philosophers but isn't it really just another way of saying "hey if you do something good for me then surely you'll be rewarded later on". You know in movies and even in real life how people reassure people that their life has been productive? So they can rest in peace? well....isn't it all just a guilty pleasure? I mean take for example: -A man who has been a nervous hypochondriac his whole life suddenly falls ill. He thinks his life is totally pointless because he didn't live it to the full, in addition, he also failed to support his son and therefore is a terrible father. - What if his son was there, and LIED to his dying pop that he wasn't so useless, and somehow convinced him that life did have meaning? That HE had made something out of nothing.... and then the father dies, with the reassurance and trust in his son's lying words. ...the smile on his face as he draws his last breath...u think he's entered heaven or somewhere beautiful. BUT IS IT THE TRUTH? The heaven and hell is what we create for ourselves. If we think we have radiated good "karma" around while living, then the ultimate image imprinted in our brain cells before it shuts off completely, is of self-assured false/virtuous depiction. Somehow, this is also relevant pertaining to "blessings". When we give someone our blessings...isn't it the same as taking comfort in other's words of approval...do words really mean so much? Anyways...I wasn't suppose to get all philosophical and ambiguous here...I was actually suppose to talk about a different topic...I realised that this is a PHYSICS forum....so now here is my REAL question (but if anyone can answer or agree/contradict on the above, do so): You know that book "Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy"? Are the imfos and stuff actually true?! I'm not talking about the restaurant at the end of the galaxy, but for those who actually read the book, there are some amazing theories pertaining to black holes, improbability theory, and the big bang/creation of the world.... read that book everyone who hasnt...not only is it damn funny but...quite factually fictional....if you know what i mean....so yeah...thats all :D |
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Re: Galaxy and Afterlife
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I know that book! It's recently become really popular at my school. I've only just started it, but it's already so random it's insane. I'll have an update on the info and theories in it. I'm an astronomy nut, so I think I can answer whether they're true or not.
Anime is w00t. Anyone who says otherwise doesn't know what they're talking about. =)
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Re: Galaxy and Afterlife
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AWESOME! I look forward to hearing them.... I only got onto that book because I was reading this magazine and they were listing the top 100 classic reads.... I agree, the story is so biazarre and random but at the same time hilarious...but somehow the effect wavers off by the time you get to the last thirds....but I still think its great and useful when one wants to think about the possibilities out there... |
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Re: Galaxy and Afterlife
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So, yeah, definitely haven't had the time to dedicate to the book like I had originally planned. I think it would be easier if you just told me the theories online in this forum, I'll answer it that way. But I did read up to the point that I know the answer to the universe is 42.
Anime is w00t. Anyone who says otherwise doesn't know what they're talking about. =)
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Re: Galaxy and Afterlife
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by shio rocks
on 2005-03-11 23:34:45 (edited 2005-03-11 23:37:22)
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hmmm. wanted to read the book at first, but never got the chance, main reason being that I never found the book after all. Yar. I don't really know if what I'm posting is relevance to the topic then, but I do have something to 'add-on' to Nep's post. That's some really deep thinking you have there. My friend wrote a poem sometime last year about gods and us humans. Supposedly gods are real and we are puppets or toys created for their manipulations, their twisted sense of humour. And what is hell anyway? What if everything is warped, and not as straightforward as do good deeds, you get to go to heaven, do bad deeds, go to hell. I'm sure there are many people out there that sacrificed much for the good of mankind, but what if in the course of their lives, they did to something bad? Do they still get to go to heaven? And what if heaven isn't the wonderful place most think of it to be after all? Okay, I know I'm most prolly crapping irrelevant stuff but I couldn't help myself =P Anyway, I also do realise that this is the physics forum. So I shall point out something related to the universe as well. Whatif we are not the only living things existing? (Which is highly likely, considering the size of the galaxy.) What if there are other superior beings out there? If this becomes a proven fact, would humans still live the lifestyle they lead now? And is there the possibility that the universe we're in now isn't the only one? You never know... Oh and, sorry if I happened to offend any religious groups or anything. 
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Re: Galaxy and Afterlife
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by dragon0010
on 2005-04-20 19:09:13
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| i also didnt get to read the book but it doesnt really make much sence that there would be an afterlife. logically it just doesnt add up. so the only conclusion i am able to make is that there isnt and things just end, the afterlife seems to me something that ties in with religion and that to me is mearly a way that humans attempt to explain things. |
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Re: Galaxy and Afterlife
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by
on 2006-08-05 11:26:55 |
| Ah Philosophy... It's a frequent question, and probably all of us has wondered about once or twice in our lives. Abstract things are so to explain and understand, and we can't seem to obtain a very convincing answer. But Rene Decartes' "I think, therefore I am" is enough for me. ^^ |
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Re: Galaxy and Afterlife
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I've read the first three books, and I find them very funny... The way the autor wraps things up (like the falling plant in the first volume) on the later volumes is very ingenious. I also love his theory of the birth of the human race (3rd volume, I think...). It fits very nicely indeed. The book itself is such a huge classic, that even Google has an easter egg related to it: Go to google and type the answer to life, the universe and everything. Other than the book's discussion, I don't think this topic has much to do with physics... I don't think any of the book's theories are true, at least none of the ones I remember. However, I do like the Babel Fish theory that says if something so amazing existed, than God HAD to exist... And therefore would deny the whole belief in God, since logic denies faith. (this never works on religion discussions, but it's fun to say)
"From East Middle School, Suzumiya Haruhi.
I'm have no interest in ordinary humans. If there are any aliens, time travelers, sliders or espers here, then come join me."
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Re: Galaxy and Afterlife
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by
on 2006-08-09 09:30:30 |
The best I can say on this is: I'd rather live like there was a god and die to find there was none, then to live like there was no god and die to find there was.  |
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Re: Galaxy and Afterlife
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by MiCHiYo μ
on 2006-08-09 17:40:40 (edited 2006-08-09 17:40:53)
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It's hard to define or to pin-point the realities of what happens after our lives on earth. Some say they've gone there, but we cannot be so sure of that, either. We cannot challenge each other's beliefs, because what we believe in is what shapes us, and is still shaping us, into who we are now. Sometimes beliefs are because of religion, sometimes because of culture, sometimes because of both. We cannot argue on what is believed by people, because we won't win above them, anyways. We cannot say if it is the truth or not, if God does exist or not, if we are just puppets... or not. This is what I always say to myself: My life has already been planned ahead of time and it is up to me to fulfill it or not. That way, I don't make myself sound like a puppet, but because I am a believer, it helps me believe in God more. It's plain and simple, I guess: We never know what's going to happen next after we die. -michiyo- 
 beware. the QueeN oF SiGGieS is here. kill that mr. scrolly or your siggy goes BAI BAI. it's solidarity month! let's be united! +[-- GeNDouNiaNS: i am half-back! visit my blog by clicking on the siggie banner! updated: 12.07.07 --]+
~*..:: i'm never going to give up... if i do, then it wasn't worth trying. ::..*~
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Re: Galaxy and Afterlife
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I highly doubt most of the stuff is true, but I really don't care, because it is absolutely hillarious, and is the best book I have ever read in my entire life. To bad my friend spilled coffee all over it, and never replaced it...
10 more years!
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Re: Galaxy and Afterlife
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Pixi, I'm not sure if you know this or not, but you pretty much quoted Pascal's Wager. Or part of it, at least. The idea that the universe can only exist while we can't explain it, and if we find out how to explain it would be replaced by something much more irrational, sounds absolutely attractive to me. I've always loved simple explanations...
"From East Middle School, Suzumiya Haruhi.
I'm have no interest in ordinary humans. If there are any aliens, time travelers, sliders or espers here, then come join me."
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Re: Galaxy and Afterlife
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by
on 2006-08-20 16:50:09 (edited 2006-08-20 16:51:43)
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K: actually no, I have no idea who that person is. I've just always said and believed that. It's possible I heard someone else quote that when I was young.....I don't remember. But that is what I go by. There is no solid proof on what's to come. I say solid because it has been documented that people have claimed visits from those long passed and were told of the afterlife. Also, there are those who say they have experianced a bit of what they believed to be part of the afterlife. The best example would be this: there was a woman who lay in a hosipital and was pronounced legally dead for a time and then managed to live again shortly thereafter. (I believe it was only a span of mins) but then claimed upon rececitation that they had an experiance and believed it to be the afterlife. |