[MD] Probability

[Gene M]

> That's a definition of absolute certainty--that you were born. Oh, I
> forgot. Since
> you have no recollection of being born, you can't say for sure that you
> were.


Precisely. I have no direct knowledge of my birth, thus no certainty of it.
It seems like a pretty simple idea.

> > I'm serious. Do you actually have a distinct memory of being born?
> > > > If not, how can you be Absolutely Sure it happened. There is still
> an
> > > > unreasonable doubt that it did not.
>
> No I have no distinct memory of being born. But memory is notorious for
> being
> in error. So I wouldn't rely on it in any case to establish proof. I'm as
> absolutely sure I was born as I'm absolutely sure I will die. Doesn't get
> much
> more absolute than that.


Probably not, and since those are not absolute in my book, it never gets
absolute. Probably.

I did. Now what's your answer? Aren't you absolutely certain you were born
> and
> will someday die? A straight answer, please.


No, I am not absolutely certain about either of those facts. I believe them
beyond a reasonable doubt, but am hardly Certain as you think of it.

> So as far as you are concerned, you are a work of fiction? I think maybe
> > > you've
> > > been seeing too many movies.
>
> > As far as I am concerned you're about as likely to get a point as the
> table
> > my computer rests on. Can you prove to me that Reality is not The
> Matrix?
> > Straight answer, yes or no. Can you prove that?
>
> Depends on what you will accept as proof. Can you prove your computer
> rests
> on a table?


Not even remotely. I can tell you that what I call a computer rests on what
I call a table, and you can take my word for it if you feel like it. Beyond
that, it's more or less out of my hands.

> > I know. It's becoming more and more obvious to me you really aren't
> > > conscious.
>
> > I really and truly honestly believe I am, but there's always the chance
> I
> > could be wrong. Always. You on the other never believe your wrong and
> can
> > never be convinced of anything other than what you think. You may be
> > conscious, but it seems more or less wasted on you.
>
> Why wasted? Because I think I was born? Come now. You are no longer even
> attempting to make an argument.


Nope. I'm not. Because you've already proved that arguments are worthless.
So why even bother?

> > C'mon. 15 minutes? You don't have 15 minutes to may understand what it
> is
> > > > were talking about? Glad to have confirmation that none of this has
> any
> > > > importance to you, and you have absolutely no intention to try and
> > > > understand where we are coming from.
> > > > Why even discuss this if you've proven you don't give a damn and
> will
> > > never
> > > > even Try to change your mind?
>
> > > Good point. But since you can't be sure you are conscious and aren't
> sure
> > > that
> > > I'm conscious, I don't see much point in either of us trying to do
> > > anything.
>
> > Pride is an amazing motivator isn't it? Can't even take a few minutes to
> > open your mind because of the slight chance it might discombobulate your
> > happy little, static, world view. Your a real piece of work Platt. Like
> a
> > dinosaur, I'd like to believe people so static had all dissapeared, but
> here
> > you are! A living anachronism, set in your ways and unwilling to move,
> or
> > change. Proud. Too proud to even play a game.
>
> At last, that it should come to this -- a personal attack. Oh well, coming
> from
> someone who isn't 100 percent convinced he was born, I understand.


You don't. You really, really do not understand. As far as I can tell you
don't understand anything. A personal attack it is, but I doubt very
strongly that you understand the reasons for it or the purpose of it. I
think this is as a good a time as any to end this conversation. I don't
think we have anything further to say to each other that would be of any
use. Maybe we can try again another time, but for a while. I think I'll skip
the utter misery that is an argument with you. TTFN, as tigger says, tata
for now Platt.

-Gene