tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post9149745788821501982..comments2024-03-07T14:43:21.888-08:00Comments on Whatever I want to write about: In your headSriram Khéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06907731254833435446noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-4230625573026111232017-05-13T08:43:53.517-07:002017-05-13T08:43:53.517-07:00Because we are talking about future possibilities,...Because we are talking about future possibilities, you may as well be on the mark when you refer to the future that some of us worry about as "utter crap." But, there are plenty of people--real experts, not the pretenders like me--worried about the possibility because the digital revolution is different from the industrial revolution. The video that I had embedded in the previous Harari post talks more about this.<br /><br />And, yes, everything can be argued to be virtual reality. That is the point. And that is also why I made the references to "maya" in my post. So, yes, if we peel back the layers of religion and automation and everything else, the core is about our very existence and its meaning. And, therefore, Harari's point that making meaning of our lives is all in our imaginations. In our heads.Sriram Khéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724218458246880137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-72186572725110042552017-05-13T03:15:41.177-07:002017-05-13T03:15:41.177-07:00I did read the entire article. The comments on rel...I did read the entire article. The comments on religion which you have used in this post, seem to not be the basic thrust of the article. It seems to argue that for the out of work, the only option is virtual reality of some sort - be it religion, be it whatever.<br /><br />With all due respect, this is a very poor piece. Firstly the logic that most of the world's population will be unemployed and unemployable is utter crap. This has been predicted on every technological revolution in the past and has not happened. For sure, automation will have profound impact on employment, but to believe that human beings cannot adapt and will fall part is nonsense.<br /><br />Equally, everything can be argued to be a virtual reality, by the standards of this piece's argument. Working is. Playing is. Music is. Doing anything of interest is. Pleeeaaassseee .<br /><br />On the religion front, which is really what you wanted to draw attention to, the argument is very selective. He rails against ritual. That is absolutely fair. But would following the Ten Commandments, for example, be considered a virtual reality game ? If so, I am delighted to participate in it. There is also much good that religions do. To completely dismiss it is as unacceptable as saying everything about religion is good.Rameshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782192840421019943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-14374687819421010832017-05-11T06:43:22.983-07:002017-05-11T06:43:22.983-07:00In the real world, Pokémon and religion intersect ...In the real world, Pokémon and religion intersect in an authoritarian's regime ... ;)<br /><br />https://nyti.ms/2pB2JkrSriram Khéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724218458246880137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-70890237915269199412017-05-10T21:01:36.359-07:002017-05-10T21:01:36.359-07:00Why Bolero? Simple. That complex, entertaining, ...Why Bolero? Simple. That complex, entertaining, addictive, and perhaps meaning-giving, music too came out of human imagination. <br /><br />As for your substantive comment, yes, we might end up disagreeing only because the framework of religions as "virtual reality games" awesomely appeals to me, and might (will?) not appeal to you. Once we differ on this, then there is no common ground. You feel deeply influenced because you are a participant in that video game. As much as Pokémon has no effect on me, as much as NBA finals have no effect on me, as much as Baahubali has no effect on me, all of which have significant effect on the players and participants including spectators, a Jerusalem or a Varanasi will not have the kind of influence that you experience.<br />The essay is not about faith or fundamentalism--I hope you will read it in full ...Sriram Khéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724218458246880137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-27323077892934408992017-05-10T20:12:34.561-07:002017-05-10T20:12:34.561-07:00But why Bolero ?But why Bolero ?Rameshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782192840421019943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-90610119385871158332017-05-10T20:11:50.061-07:002017-05-10T20:11:50.061-07:00I will read the piece in its entirety, but I profo...I will read the piece in its entirety, but I profoundly disagree about Jerusalem.<br /><br />I've been there and I am not from one of the three religions that are the cornerstone of the walled city. - so I am as unbiased as can be, except perhaps that I am moderately religious.<br /><br />The one square kilometer inside the walled city is a place of intense faith. You can "feel" it. You could say that is also virtual reality, but I was surprised by how I felt there. I challenge anybody to go there with an open mind and not come back impacted. Especially an open minded atheist such as you; who knows more about religions than the religious and is willing to be open minded. You really should go there.<br /><br />Many people come from all over the world simply to be. They are good people finding their own peace and comfort. The fanatics are in the minority. But yes, violence is never far away.<br /><br />I will comment on the ideas in the piece after reading it fully.Rameshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782192840421019943noreply@blogger.com