/sci/ - Science & Math

Some people claim the meaning of our existence is no longer survival because this is now assured. I beg to differ. First, because there can be no other purpose to living other trying to stay alive, and second, because it isn't really true that our survival is "assured". The world is still fraught with danger. So what we should be doing is continue to work to stave it off.

>>9857917

I believe the next purpose outside of survival/reproduction is compassion. But it is so very difficult, since compassion is easily preyed upon.

>>9858006
I would say that because the work to secure survival will never be done, and all energy and ability should go to it for as long as it remains a problem facing humanity, there will never be a secondary purpose "after" the primary purpose is "complete". Because it never will be

>>9858015

The primary purpose is completed with such ease and on such a predictable rhythm that we are beginning to fester inside our own heads because of stagnation, there needs to be more than simple survival. Our survival depends on it.

>>9857909

Not science or math.

>>9858661
What you have said carries a deeper meaning to it.

>>9858661
But it is though, anything within reality is science and/or math

>>9858663
Teeheehee

>>9858655
Survival isn't simple. People fester in their lives because they don't realize this

>>9857909
I've been watching "Blue Planet" on BBC America, and honestly, the whole idea of life seems horrible to me. It is predicated on death and sucking the life juice out of other creatures. Our purpose just seems to be reproduction and longevity, neither of which have any objective value.

>>9859518

It is simple, all you do is swallow calories and drink water and your body takes it from there, its autonomous now

>>9859624

Iknorite, reality is absolutely horrifying. but its also awesome

>>9860090
For the individual in today's world, yes. But that's the problem. Everyone is so individualistic and selfish today that they cannot for the life of them see past the ends of their own noses. And then they wonder why they are so miserable inside their self-created bubbles. "Survival" here is intended to mean the survival of the entire species, perhaps even of all life on the planet or even in the entire universe. That is not a small problem. You have absolutely no reason to be bored with life.

>>9860112
Liberals and socialists are full of compassion and empathy though.

>>9860112


Ah i like you man, you get it

>>9857909
What does this have to do with science and math? Is /sci/ just the designated dumping ground for pseudo-intellectual bullshit discussions? Fuck this board.

>>9860887


If you dont think existential anxiety can be approached scientifically your a fuckwit

>>9860892
>your a fuckwit
Fucking retards man. Just delete this board already. I'm serious. Nothing good ever happens here, it's 100% intelligence signalling and pseud shit. Fuck's sake.

It sucks big sweaty balls that science and math are seen as the de facto activities of intelligent people, because people see "/sci/ - Science & Math" and think "woah this is were the super smart people hangout i'm a genus myself so i will posts heres for validation."

Why can't the the science and math board actually be about science and math!?

>>9860905

I agree, delete this board. Whiny little cunts like you need to go elsewhere.

>>9858015
>>9858655
>>9858006
from some perspectives u cd argue the meaning isnt even its your survival but gene survival. i dont think any of these are innate meanings. we make meanings because thats what brains do.

>>9859624
ha u cda found that out just by looking at us humans. to me we havent escaped that kinda thing.

>>9860112
>Survival" here is intended to mean the survival of the entire species, perhaps even of all life on the planet or even in the entire universe
And this is why some people don’t feel compelled to fight against the urge to commit suicide, because their family will make it, their country will make it, and the species will definitely make it even if that one person dies. Even though we can “change the world,” it’s not as meaningful as literally keeping your family or your tribe strong and healthy. One is abstract while the other is intuitive and measurable.

tldr; humans aren’t ants

>>9860905
You should rather be flattered that laypeople recognize the immense value that science and math have for all of us, even those of us who are not particularly well versed in science or math. These things touch everyone's lives. Why should they be completely banned from talking about them, even if it is in superficial terms? Good scientists also recognize the huge importance of public opinion to their work.

>>9861291
>definitely make it even if that one person dies.
That's the thing, you can never be sure of this. This is why you contribute the most that you can. It's important to know your limits, sure, but don't conflate that with not pushing them. In an ant colony, every ant contributes something. And each one of those contributions is about the same size as any other. If every ant thought like you, there'd no ant colony. Each and every ant has worth and each has something to contribute.

>>9861291
>definitely make it even if that one person dies.
That's the thing, you can never be sure of this. This is why you contribute the most that you can. It's important to know your limits, sure, but don't conflate that with not pushing them. In an ant colony, every ant contributes something. And each one of those contributions is about the same size as any other. If every ant thought like you, there'd be no ant colony. Each and every ant has worth and each has something to contribute. Also, you don't have to have this big picture consciously in the front of your mind every minute of your working life. As you take care of your nuclear family and tribe, you are (in most cases) unwittingly contributing to the survival of the species. We are like ants in a sense that most of us don't think about.

Assist in the establishment of rhizomatic, interdependent networks rather than in the perpetuation of hierarchies that foster dependence.

>>9861331
I forgot to say that those who simply pursue what interests them probably contribute the most (particularly if your interest happens to be math or science, but again it's not a contribution-measuring contest. It all counts for something, whether we realize it or not.) But family & tribe are good motivators too.

>>9857909
Expand into space until universal inflation and eventual heat death catch up to us.

>>9857909
Become an intergalactic overmind based in some as-yet unknown universe-spanning substrate. With this limitless intelligence, solve the heat death of the universe. Possibly by expanding further into other universes. As each universe dies, and new ones are born like neurons in a brain, achieve eternal life. Live happily ever after.

>>9861291
Crossposting from the other two threads about this where this was posted:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qcggatwPBk
it says everything I was trying to say >>9861356 and then some

>>9862665
>>9861452
>>9861379
>>9861356
>>9861349
>>9861331
>>9861311

Thanks for posting /b/ros

>>9860112
Survival of a species only benefits the privileged and lucky members of that species. All advancement goes to making Brad Pitt's life easier and more luxurious. For everyone else, it just prolongs their suffering in this hell. Your logic is that of a useful idiot.

>>9857909
>What is our purpose?
Biological purpose? Religious purpose? Societal purpose? Moral purpose? Familial purpose?

What do you mean by purpose?

>What should we be doing with our energy and ability? Is it unreasonable to throw away the potential for free will simply because it is confusing?

The illusion of free will has you believing you can do other that what will come into your mind next. You can't because you don't have free will. Free will would mean you are free from the cause and effect of the biological system you consider to be yourself.

>>9860230
Google - Chankiri Tree

>>9857909
That is our purpose, to find one. Whether that’s in faith, or self-designated, or based on the pursuit of furthering a field or portraying compassion to others. Or maybe a mix of the above.
Purpose has always been a human concept that humans assign. Only, rather than assigning purpose to a tool or item, we are now looking at purposing ourselves. What kind of tool are we? That’s what we need to decide, because if we just sit here waiting for a purpose then we will die wastes that have done nothing.

>>9860230
>Actually believing this.
I bet you’re a liberal. What are you doing on 4chan?

>>9857909
Primary Purpose as a living being- reproduction and nutrition
Secondary Purpose as an animal- Movement (the CNS requires us to move to comply with the first purpose)
Tertiary Purpose as an intelligent animal- Logic (in order to know how to move in order to fufill the primary purpose)
Quaternary Purpose as a rational animal/human- contemplation of purpose and being (this is necessary to subvert the prior three purposes)

>>9864756
4chan is a liberal website

Perhaps our pursuit of knowledge will lead into us becoming one with all beings of conscious thought and becoming a single being with an infinitely expanding intellect. I think it all starts with a question and ends with an answer which is also a question in itself. Maybe once we reach that point we just repeat this process over again out of boredom or for further stimulation.

>>9861331
>>9861291
Odd considering how much a person can contribute to their own species by simply existing. The ripple effect is much more dynamic and complex than people give it credit for; a meaningless action can potentially effect others years, decades, or even centuries after your death and no one could ever realize.

>>9857909
>What is our purpose? What should we be doing with our energy and ability?
Making the Singularity a reality, and achieving an eternal paradise in a transhumanist future.

>>9865424
>implying that we need machines to transcend

>>9865424
>>9866409
I agree with both of you. this is the purpose I would give myself personally. But machines will be of unprecedented help tough.

>>9866409
Do you have some alternate method of ascension that doesn't involve machines?

>>9866464
Neohuman Evolution