#human experiences

Looked for The Thing and found it in your hand

Looked for glasses and found them on your head

Walked into a room and completely forgotten why you went in there

Bumped into an inanimate object and said “excuse me”

Waved to someone only to realize they were not waving at you

Please allow me to ruminate a bit more on mental health on this blog. I have ADHD and OCD, both disorders commonly stereotyped and conflated with minor, silly behaviors like yelling SQUIRREL when you see a squirrel and organizing things by color. These stereotypes can often minimize and erase the genuine difficulties and harm that these conditions can cause. That’s very true, and it often causes intense sensitively and knee-jerk denial around stereotypes around this. I don’t think that’s necessarily the best reaction, because sometimes people can have symptoms very similar to these stereotypes.

I think we need to accept that silly things can hurt people. Silly, ridiculous symptoms can devastate people’s lives. People shouldn’t have to react into their painful past and trauma to get people to take their symptoms seriously when those symptoms are silly on their face, because that turns things into a pain competition and can result in gatekeeping how much people must suffer before their seemingly ridiculous symptoms get taken seriously.

I think we just need to, as a society and culture and social norm, accept that silly things can genuinely, sometimes intensely, hurt people. Yes, I do have the impulse to tell an animal’s name when I see that animal, and yes it’s part of my symptoms that makes it harder to me to drive and hold conversations and do basic functioning. Yes, I do worry about incredibly tiny and silly things, that the world’s tiniest cut means I’m literally dying, and this has at times been incredibly miserable to live with and severely inhibited my functioning and nearly lost me a job. Also I’m going to joke about it sometimes because it’s funny. I’m not going to find a joke about it from a stranger with no OCD funny, because they have no idea how much pain it can cause me.

Does GPT-3 know what it's like to be human? Yes, it turns out when prompted with a short list of wierd human quirks, an internet-trained AI can indeed cite the universal human experiences of:

Artist Creates Massive Murals Around the World to Spread the Idea of Hope

Street Artist: Alaniz

Throughout human history, the concept of a heavenly afterlife has been embraced by various religious and cultural traditions. However, upon closer examination, one may find that the idea of a heaven, as traditionally envisioned, presents certain philosophical and practical challenges. In this thought-provoking blog post, we will explore some compelling reasons why the existence of a heaven, contrary to common belief, may not be as desirable as it initially appears.

Stagnation of Personal Growth: The notion of an eternal paradise, where all desires are fulfilled and suffering is absent, raises concerns about the stagnation of personal growth and development. Human existence is marked by challenges, struggles, and the pursuit of improvement. The absence of adversity and the constant fulfillment of desires might hinder the drive for personal growth, the acquisition of knowledge, and the pursuit of new experiences. It is through overcoming obstacles that we often find meaning and purpose in life.

Loss of Free Will: A fundamental aspect of many conceptions of heaven is the absence of pain, suffering, and moral dilemmas. However, this raises questions about the preservation of free will and individual autonomy. If heaven is a place where everything is predetermined or where individuals are stripped of their ability to make choices, it might lead to a loss of personal agency and genuine human experiences. The freedom to make choices, learn from mistakes, and navigate moral complexities is essential for personal growth and the development of moral character.

The Problem of Selectivity: The concept of heaven often raises concerns about fairness and selectivity. If a heavenly existence is granted only to a chosen few, based on certain criteria or religious affiliations, it can give rise to feelings of exclusion, inequality, and arbitrary judgment. The idea of eternal bliss for some and eternal damnation for others contradicts principles of fairness, justice, and compassion. A heaven that perpetuates divisions and exclusivity may not align with our moral intuitions and desires for a just and inclusive world.

The End of Existential Meaning: The concept of heaven as an eternal paradise can potentially undermine the inherent value and meaning of our finite earthly existence. The recognition of life's impermanence and the limitations it imposes often drives individuals to seek purpose, personal growth, and meaningful connections. The notion of an eternal afterlife might diminish the significance of our earthly pursuits, relationships, and accomplishments, leading to a devaluation of the present moment and the experiences that shape our character.

Compatibility with Human Flourishing: The human experience encompasses a wide range of emotions, challenges, and opportunities for growth. Happiness and fulfillment often arise from overcoming obstacles, forming meaningful connections, and pursuing personal and collective goals. If a heaven were to remove these essential aspects of the human experience, it might hinder our capacity for authentic joy, empathy, and personal fulfillment. The complexities and diversity of human existence contribute to our ability to appreciate and value the full spectrum of human emotions and experiences.