Recognize your power.

[UltraBudgie]

Deface the money and you may fly budgie, you just might!

Years ago I had a decent paying job and to make a point I would sometimes light a cigarette with a $20 bill. To make a point both to myself and friends. I was quite the little sophomoric anticapitalist. You know, it's a positive act that fights inflation by reducing the hard money supply. But it was very interesting the reactions it would evoke from people. They'll argue that people should be able to do whatever they want with their money and they don't envy the wealthy, but put it right in their face and it seems that isn't the case.

Yes, I know it's technically illegal.

Don't smoke any more.

[LightAngel]

I'm not sure? I guess?

Care to elaborate on "free will is the opposite of narcissism"?

Well, to put it very simple.

Healthy free will faces reality with honesty and responsibility.

Narcissism hides in illusion, avoiding accountability and protecting a fragile ego.

Comprende? 


God gives us free will, but it is up to us how we use it.

[IgnorantGod]

Well, to put it very simple.

Healthy free will faces reality with honesty and responsibility.

Narcissism hides in illusion, avoiding accountability and protecting a fragile ego.

Comprende? 


God gives us free will, but it is up to us how we use it.

Thank you for the elaboration, I guess I have a different meaning for narcissism, whereas in my opinion it simply refers to people that either love themseleves more than anyone else, or in the most extreme cases, only love themselves.

On the other hand, the opposite of free will would be determinism, such that free will implies a choice from the self, independent of the influence from the physical realm.

[andy06shake]

Well, to put it very simple.

Healthy free will faces reality with honesty and responsibility.

Narcissism hides in illusion, avoiding accountability and protecting a fragile ego.

Comprende? 


God gives us free will, but it is up to us how we use it.

The thing about freewill is that nothing is free.

Every choice we make is shaped by something.

And every decision has causes and effects. 

Further study in that department is most definitely required.

[UltraBudgie]

The thing about freewill is that nothing is free.

Every choice we make is shaped by something.

And every decision has causes and effects. 

Further study in that department is most definitely required.

Have you seen this fun little kid's primer from the Club of Rome?

http://www.clubofrome.org/wp-content/upl...ressed.pdf (32 page PDF)

It's about making systems that can change the world! Unsaid is that it's also about creating systems that can control the world while also providing the illusion of free will.

[andy06shake]

Have you seen this fun little kid's primer from the Club of Rome?

http://www.clubofrome.org/wp-content/upl...ressed.pdf (32 page PDF)

It's about making systems that can change the world! Unsaid is that it's also about creating systems that can control the world while also providing the illusion of free will.

Change is inevitable, Ultra.

And systems that fail to evolve and adapt generally stagnate and die on the vine.

As to providing the illusion of free will, yes, they do that.

Same with security, which is also illusory...

[LightAngel]

The thing about freewill is that nothing is free.

Every choice we make is shaped by something.

And every decision has causes and effects. 

Further study in that department is most definitely required.

It is true that our choices aren't as simple as they feel.

They are shaped by habits, emotions, past experiences, and the people around us.

Noticing that complexity doesn't complicate life - it deepens our understanding of it.

And the more we understand those forces, the more genuine free will we gain in how we choose. 

[andy06shake]

It is true that our choices aren't as simple as they feel.

They are shaped by habits, emotions, past experiences, and the people around us.

Noticing that complexity doesn't complicate life - it deepens our understanding of it.

And the more we understand those forces, the more genuine free will we gain in how we choose. 

Maybe the deeper question, is freedom the absence of price?

Or the power to choose which price to pay?