Compassionist wrote:What makes something possible but extremely difficult? Can you give me some examples? How do you know that these things are even possible?
Very good questions. We use the word "possible" when something appears to be possible from our own perspective at this particular time. For instance, if I'm going to the hospital to get tests to determine whether I have a particular disease, I might think it possible that I have the disease, and possible that I don't. But in reality, there is only one possibility. We're talking about the consequence of events that have already happened but are unknown. Perhaps that's a pseudo-possibility. However, many future events are determined not only by past events but also by other future events, events that are not only not known but also not yet determined (I'm not the kind of determinist that believes that everything was determined at the time of the Big Bang, and is just rolling forward in a way that's theoretically if not practically predictable). For me, that makes them real possibilities. But in addition, when we're talking about our own behaviour, what makes it really interesting is that our own beliefs and attitudes about the possibility of our future actions are themselves determining variables. If someone believes that it is possible that she will give up smoking, for example, she'll stand a better chance of giving up smoking than if she believes that it's impossible.
Compassionist wrote:I suppose I have become immersed in my fictitious Omniverse Forever!
Just a bit, yes. Any plans for future short stories?
Compassionist wrote:I am very impressed with Freedom from Torture. I am glad that you support it. I have had insomnia since 1997. If you can cure me, I will be most grateful. I have tried various medications and herbal stuff but I still keep waking up with nightmares.
No, I can't cure you. But I think there's a good chance that someone or something might be able to help you. Have you sought treatment recently? They're making advances in the treatment of sleep disorders all the time. Have you looked into imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT), for instance? I understand that it has been used with some success to help rape victims and combat veterans, and others suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (see, for example,
"Nightmare reduction in a Vietnam veteran using imagery rehearsal therapy"). And then there's mindfulness, which we've discussed
elsewhere, which might well be worth looking into if you haven't already.
Compassionist wrote:Being omnibenevolent is mostly useless unless one is also omnipotent.
Nonsense! Absolute nonsense! Having only good will towards others, not having a mean streak, never wanting to harm anyone, wanting to help others to the best of your ability, whatever that ability might be [---][/---] it's all very, very useful. If one has
any power at all, and one uses it to help others and never to hurt them, then that's something wonderful, something to be celebrated. And even if it isn't omnibenevolence but just a generous helping of benevolence, it's still marvellous. Wish we all had more of the stuff. Hope one day we will. It is, after all, possible.
Emma