Random Rant: Are We Computers?

Humans are not that much different from computers. We are good conductors. We send electrical signals. We store data. We have RAM and ROM type storage. We can retrieve stored data. We require energy to perform. We give off heat. We communicate and facilitate communication with other “computers.”

In fact, humans could just be an evolved form of machine. First, there were the single celled organisms. Even humans use single celled organisms to produce energy and life-saving products such as BEER!!! (Okay, okay, penicillin) Then, the dinosaurs. And all the prior manifestations of mankind. We have finally evolved into super random access memory biological machines. We can even repair ourselves!

We make a product, surely. What if we are just a machine that someone made to produce something? What if we are just a more primitive kind of computer created by a much further advanced life form? The life we know may not be the only type of “life” in the universe. We could be someone’s coincidental science experiment – a self sustaining machine made of billions of self sustaining micro processors. A universe within a universe. And what is our product? Carbon dioxide? Heat? Rubber duckies?

Could the computers we create be the next step down in computer evolution? We strive to create more and more life-like computers and artificial intelligence. But maybe we are more sophisticated gadgetry than the ai we attempt to birth. We could BE that artificial intelligence. We think we are real and that life as we know it is the only kind of life in the multiverse. But we could just be some tossed aside digital terrarium experiment that makes rubber duckies.

 

 

*As an aside, when I started talking to my husband about all this, he interrupted me saying, “I’m going to see if I can buy some pot.” I said, “What? Why would you want to do that?” He replied, “Because people don’t usually talk like that unless they are high on something. So I want to see what you’ll say when you really are high.” 🙂

Atheists Aren’t So Scarce

It’s a bit hard not to be annoyed when people make big religious scenes out of purely secular events. For instance, I went to a silent auction fundraiser at a local bar for a friend of my husbands who needed help. This friend was in the hospital; but, barring infection, was going to be okay. His family had lost everything. So local citizens organized the event. We donated money and housewares that were gathering dust in our attic. Somewhere in the middle of the event, one of the participants halted everything to “lead everyone in prayer.” I was annoyed, but just continued drinking my beer in silence so as not to offend the other people who believed in it all.

The prayer lasted FIFTEEN MINUTES! Fifteen minutes of annoyance and discomfort. It was more convenient for the ‘faithful’ to assume everyone in the bar shared their beliefs, rather than acknowledge that there were some people in the crowd who may feel uncomfortable with or even offended by the whole religious ceremony by keeping it short and on point.

And I wasn’t the only person feeling these emotions. While all the theists had their eyes closed and heads bowed, I was looking around. What I saw filled me with hope and encouraged me beyond… well, I don’t know what.

I knew one friend in the crowd who was also atheist. I was surprised to find nearly a quarter of the people close to me were also not participating! I don’t know whether it was the intransigence of myself and my friend that emboldened others to waive participation or whether it was purely an individually-driven moment of “No thanks.” for all of us. Maybe it was a case of birds of a feather sticking together. I can’t even know whether every one of the spectators was atheist like me. But it was encouraging to know that I was not alone, that someone else shared my feelings – or at least some of them.

Weddings Without Religion

If you are an atheist and were getting married, would you let someone – a family member, friend, spouse-to-be – inject religious speech or traditions into your ceremony? I sometimes revisit this question with myself. A religious ceremony was injected into my wedding ceremony at the last minute. And I frequently remember on it with dissatisfaction.

I certainly never wanted a religious ceremony when I got married. I wasn’t even sure I was an atheist back then. (Though I have always been highly skeptical of religion.) But, I certainly was not getting married by some religious cleric or in a church. Frankly, I was ready to enlist the local Justice of the Peace to marry us. One of my husband’s long time friends received some sort of credentials via the internet, so we had him perform the ceremony. I wrote the entire ceremony. He never once broke script.

There was music, poetry, wine, rings and the traditional vow making (sans religious references). But my “adopted” mom took me aside before the wedding and asked if we would let her say “The Lord’s Prayer” “for the troops.” How could I say no to that? I relented. She led everyone (except me) in the prayer, then read the Pablo Neruda poem I gave her. I was annoyed. But it didn’t really hurt me any. Except, it always comes up in my mind as something I disliked. A gray mark on my beautifully blue day.

I’m sure most atheists experience daily the annoyance of people who assume you want or just don’t care whether you want to participate in religious practices. In my opinion, some people are downright rude about it. For instance, if they know you are an atheist, they’ll post religious passages or prayers on your Facebook page. I’ve even had theists try to tell me that my own Facebook page was neither “the time nor place” for atheist talk. (The audacity!)

Pointless reminiscing aside, sometimes taking a stand is not really worth the conflict and rancor it could create. Flexibility defines those who live to a ripe old age. A philosophy of compromise can certainly relieve unhealthy tensions. But maybe other times, getting your way may actually be worth the fight.

10 Reasons Being an Atheist Is Not Depressing

If you are an atheist, you’ve probably heard more than a few times some theist lamenting about how sad it is. Some even deign to suggest one be agnostic, because atheism is so depressing. To me, it’s such a conundrum. Why would someone assume that the resolution of life’s meaning in the absence of a god could lead to such a sorrowful existence? I mean, most atheists I know are too busy questioning everything to be sad all the time.

What follows are 10 reasons atheism is not depressing. Let me know if you agree!

Reason #1: I am not a sinner.

I can disrespect my parents. Or I can treat them like the wisdom fountain that they are. I can sleep around. Or I can be monogamous. It’s my choice! I don’t have to consult anyone or get the blessing of some guru or priest. I can do whatever the heck I want!

No matter what I do, I am not a sinner. Because sin doesn’t actually exist. Sin is just a made up concept that powerful men used to gain the trust and loyalty of the weak. What better way to ensure order when the majority of your people cannot read laws. Burn the heretics and tell the rest that they’ll burn in a fiery furnace and miss out on raping 37,000 “virgins”. Whatever, dude.

Reason #2: I never have to feel guilty.

Since I’m not a sinner, I never feel like I’ve failed some imaginary test. I actually feel pretty good about most things. Since there is no sin, theres nothing to feel guilty about. And since I’m a pretty good person (I’m not out there robbin’ and stealin’), I don’t carry around any guilt about mistreating people either.

Sometimes I do feel guilty. Like when I told my boss I hadn’t had a haircut when I had, in fact, had a haircut two weeks prior only it took him that long to notice. Oh, and also when on Administrative Assistants’ Day I had a piece of both cakes AND a cookie. Oh but that Tiramisu was SO worth it!

Reason #3: No waiting around

If I want something, I get off my ass and take it. I make it happen. I win it myself. I work for it. Why would I pray to anyone to get what I need? The idea of putting my faith in someone else to attain my own goals seems thoroughly preposterous.

Reason #4: Giving for giving

I can give because I want to, not because I have to. In my mind, the application of an organization of religious principles are moot. I judge an organization on impact and efficiency only. I don’t have give to any certain organization to be good enough. I just give because it’s the right thing to do – help others live the best life they can. It’s the only one they get.

Reason #5: No heaven

It may sound weird, but knowing there is no heaven lets me appreciate the gift that is this life. We are the universe’s biggest coincidence. In that we are so lucky. The finality of my Earthly existence is the perfect motive for an exceptionally satisfying life.

Reason #6: No church

Ha ha ha! I don’t have to go to church. I know you’re jealous.

Oh, and I can crack a beer before 11 a.m. on a Sunday since there’s no guilt too. It took me 16 years to get out of THAT one!

Reason #7: Focusing on family

I love holidays. Halloween, the 4th of July, International Women’s Day,  Yule, New Year’s Day – I love them all. But what I love the most is spending time away from work and with my family. Forget the distractions! I don’t waste my time in church. I’d rather waste my valuable time watching my family mill about, eating turkey and letting little kids climb all over me.

Reason #8: A scientific approach

The idea that social life today should adhere to tenets of a society that existed thousands of years ago is ludicrous and, quite frankly, very scary. Deviation from such practices has increased the quality of life for everyone on the planet. A face-value examination of the biological and sociological progress of humanity yields countless case studies on how progression away from superstition (such as the ridiculous idea that women are of inferior intellect, or the belief that illness is a scourge from god) has lengthened human life expectancy and eliminated diseases.

Letting go of unsubstantiated truths allows one to focus on indubitable facts and credible theory. The ability to examine evidence and scrutinize without preconception makes one truly wise.

Reason #9: Unfettered imagination

For thousands of years, humanity has been on the cutting edge of discovery. We have expanded human knowledge and collected obsessive quantities of data. Mental flexibility opens our minds up to believe in an unimpeded universe.

Maybe massively evolved giant cockroaches will drop anchor on Earth next week and eat us all. When that happens, I sure won’t be praying. I’ll be too busy surviving.

Reason #10:  An iron grip on reality

While all these atheistic musings are really great, there is probably none greater than knowing. Being sure you know what is real is extremely freeing. The need to question oneself dissolves. Without self doubt, the real question becomes, “How far will I go?”

Now, let’s just hope we’re not all plugged into The Matrix.

Absorbing Life’s Best Stuff

There are those moments in life when you are just so glad to be living it. Some days you just want to jump around, or spin about, or lay around in the grass to soak up the cosmic rays even if bugs are flying around your head. I am feeling this way lately. It’s hump day. I’ve got just two days left until the weekend when I have to get my taxes done. And I’m not even upset about it.

Maybe it’s the sudden warm turn in the weather (probably). Maybe I’m on a workout high after my two workouts today (most definitely). Maybe it’s the spinach and onion I put in my noodles for dinner! Whatever the case, the serotonin is running swift and strong in my veins today.

Even though I know I’ll be feeling the “lactic acid” burn tomorrow, I can’t wait to dig my toes in that sand again. This is probably all my biological processes talking – Vitamin D boost, endorphin effects, etcetera. Well, my body is me, and my body is feeling kick ass today. (Except my knee, but whatever!)

Today was a beautiful day.

I am the Universe

One of the first warm nights of the spring season brought me out of doors while the night was new to gaze into the cosmos. The sky was so clear and the breeze so light – it was like a little gift from the universe. The moon, Jupiter, Mars and Venus were all there with me. Staring at those twinkling planets – communing with the universe – brought a feeling of happiness and exhilaration upon me – the result of knowing that I am walking talking coincidence of universal imperfection.

Reminders of the origin of life have regaled me of late. First there is was the slew of storms and tornados that swept the midwest. That storm was followed by a beautiful night sky displaying sparkly red Mars and twinkly white Venus in their naked beauty. Then video shot by NASA of a Solar Storm on the Sun sending a disruptive cloud of subatomic charged particles hurtling toward Earth. Watching the force of a solar flare explosion make the whole Sun shiver moved me. (Literally I was jumping around my living room shouting, “It’s just so awesome. I so want to go there! Almost.”)

Video credit: NASA

It takes just take a few random variables put together in the correct sequence to remind one how big the universe is, and how small the universe is. Life is a big deal. Having the ability to live and think and reason and imagine what life can be – knowing that the same forces that caused the big bang, created everything, and hold together the nuclei and their electrons in their orbitals so that I can type this post just makes me feel enormous.

And topping off all of this feel-good, atheistic revelry came a video by Max Schlickenmeyer that almost brought me to tears.

Video credit: Max Schlickenmeyer

I owe a lot to the fervid mass of plasma that spit out the heavy particles that form me. Thank you Supernova!

Atheists are protected by the Constitution, right?

Living in the USA as an atheist may not be a hard or treacherous as living in Pakistan as a Christian. But some day’s, it’s all one can do not to just lay someone out. If you are an atheist, you probably heard that a judge in Pennsylvania dismissed a recent case brought by Ernest Perce V against Talaag Elbayomy who attacked Perce as Perce was marching in a parade on Halloween prominently dressed as a zombie Muhammad. Perce captured video tape of the incident that included audible reaction from Perce as Elbayomy assaults him. And the responding officer, Sgt. Brian Curtis, reported that Elbayomy admitted to assaulting Perce. Yet a judge dismissed Perce’s complaint citing a lack of evidence and then proceeding to chastise Perce for exercising his First Amendment right to free speech.

The frustrating thing about this whole episode is, the judge’s grounds for dismissal were not rooted in the First Amendment, and were accompanied by a side of religious bias stinkier than limburger cheese. Not once did the judge cite the US or PA Constitutions to support his legal views of the case. In fact, as Judge Martin’s ruling stands, it opens the door to impugn attacks against people who offend other people’s religious beliefs in the name of ‘cultural sensitivity’. One has nothing to fear from beating up atheists or other nonbelievers because the residing judge will just throw out the case and chastise and belittle the plaintiff in the process!

This comes after the Pennsylvania House ground their foot on the Constitution by declaring 2012 “The Year of The Bible,” stressing the “national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures”. (You just can’t make this stuff up!)

I guess all us atheist are going to have to enroll in a martial arts class. Unfortunately, a judge probably won’t throw out any case against a godless heathen!