good to know about the others. Is there someone from the Arabic university? from the Lebanese University? Some of the talks were really interesting... others were so-so, some completely useless. but from the ones released up till now, most only gave time to talk for the same crowd you will see if you hang out in the Hamra/Achrafieh middle class circles. I just wish the scope was a bit broader than the usual mini-part of society.
And, in fact, his argument, that alternative state of consciousness = lower state of consciousness, perhaps only supports the mystical argument of one-ness with the universe, when taken in a sense that the only obstacle to a perception of oneness if a piece of meat in your brain of the here and now - something that will cease to work when your body expires.
So, your argument is that this man, an international bona fide neuroscientist of good repute is being used by the cultural elites at AUB to tell the world that their students are not taking psychedelic drugs? Even if you fail to see that the content of his speech is based on SCIENTIFIC finding, having nothing to do with socioeconomic or cultural ties, maybe instead you'll realize this actually comes as a slap in the face to many of the Hamra/Ach socialites, AUB or not, middle class or not.
actually his argument is nothing so new. He depicts biologically what happens to your brain when it is induced with a psychedelic substance. The only breakthrough I see is with replacing the word "higher" in higher state of consciousness, which is based on assumed spiritual experience, with the word "lower [state of consciousness]", which is based on the bio-chemical state of the brain then. I never disputed his definition.
@standardguru8 His message is clear: physiologically, your brain restructures itself to remove notions (such as "worries") & the logical separation of things U are in contact with when you reach an altered state. This isnt some base-less rambling, this is researched, verifiable scientific fact; look it up. For that matter, I believe he very humbly reassures that this says nothing of the “soul”, if that’s what your worried about. He's jst describing the science of altered states of consciousness.
@AdamSmithWantSmoosh I agree with you on that. However, his tone does make it sound like he is dismissing the potential value of an alternate state of consciousness, based on the mind being in a lower state of normal functioning. Is all I'm saying. It stank of conservatism to me.
@standardguru8 Fair enough. I personally read it as a stark warning to anyone who wanted to justify any psychedelic drug use. A warning devoid of any kind of socio-economic or institutional affiliation, for that matter. & I only highlighted the part about it being scientific fact to point out that there's nothing much more that other lebanese universities could contribute to this were it open to discussion. Atleast not without it devolving into a confessional feud. i say again, its just science.
@AdamSmithWantSmoosh but see, you say it yourself, it is kind of a "don't do psychedelic drugs" message. Personally, I wasn't convinced, simply because I don't see why the scientific process of losing "sense of self" would mean that spiritual experience is a lie. On the contrary, it could be interpreted as showing that the only obstacle to "oneness" is an ability present under a current physical/biological form.. it depends how one looks at it.
@AdamSmithWantSmoosh As to my rant about AUB and co. monopolizing TEDxBeirut, it wasn't about this particular discussion, but about the whole attendance. Just wish I heard an idea from someone who lives in a different city or a rural area and attends the more Arabic-language universities. We can't say they don't also have ideas, when we never even include them...
at this point, I felt that the whole of TEDxBeirut was a little propaganda machine of AUB:
mainly AUB teachers, AUB students, or simple Hamra people. Where is the rest of Lebanon? why was promotion of the event centered only or on this small part of Lebanese society?
This guy in particular, seems to be saying what AUB wants him to say : "kids, don't take psychedelic drugs".
As someone who's taken every single class this guy has to offer in AUB, I can assure you he's NOT the kind of person to say what AUB asks him to. He's a genius. Seriously.
OMG- too smart for me this guy... my sister swears by his knowledge... very informative, though I cannot claim to have understood it all.
MTOH1981 1 month ago
:) Love it!! Full of information coupled with jokes. Respect!
rjo03 2 months ago
I didn't understand everything! but i agree with you Arne ;)
YorguiTeyrouz 2 months ago
@Kokkette what is he saying then?
good to know about the others. Is there someone from the Arabic university? from the Lebanese University? Some of the talks were really interesting... others were so-so, some completely useless. but from the ones released up till now, most only gave time to talk for the same crowd you will see if you hang out in the Hamra/Achrafieh middle class circles. I just wish the scope was a bit broader than the usual mini-part of society.
standardguru8 3 months ago
And, in fact, his argument, that alternative state of consciousness = lower state of consciousness, perhaps only supports the mystical argument of one-ness with the universe, when taken in a sense that the only obstacle to a perception of oneness if a piece of meat in your brain of the here and now - something that will cease to work when your body expires.
standardguru8 3 months ago in playlist TEDxBeirut Talks 2011
So, your argument is that this man, an international bona fide neuroscientist of good repute is being used by the cultural elites at AUB to tell the world that their students are not taking psychedelic drugs? Even if you fail to see that the content of his speech is based on SCIENTIFIC finding, having nothing to do with socioeconomic or cultural ties, maybe instead you'll realize this actually comes as a slap in the face to many of the Hamra/Ach socialites, AUB or not, middle class or not.
AdamSmithWantSmoosh 3 months ago
@AdamSmithWantSmoosh
actually his argument is nothing so new. He depicts biologically what happens to your brain when it is induced with a psychedelic substance. The only breakthrough I see is with replacing the word "higher" in higher state of consciousness, which is based on assumed spiritual experience, with the word "lower [state of consciousness]", which is based on the bio-chemical state of the brain then. I never disputed his definition.
standardguru8 3 months ago
@standardguru8 His message is clear: physiologically, your brain restructures itself to remove notions (such as "worries") & the logical separation of things U are in contact with when you reach an altered state. This isnt some base-less rambling, this is researched, verifiable scientific fact; look it up. For that matter, I believe he very humbly reassures that this says nothing of the “soul”, if that’s what your worried about. He's jst describing the science of altered states of consciousness.
AdamSmithWantSmoosh 3 months ago
@AdamSmithWantSmoosh I agree with you on that. However, his tone does make it sound like he is dismissing the potential value of an alternate state of consciousness, based on the mind being in a lower state of normal functioning. Is all I'm saying. It stank of conservatism to me.
standardguru8 3 months ago
@standardguru8 Fair enough. I personally read it as a stark warning to anyone who wanted to justify any psychedelic drug use. A warning devoid of any kind of socio-economic or institutional affiliation, for that matter. & I only highlighted the part about it being scientific fact to point out that there's nothing much more that other lebanese universities could contribute to this were it open to discussion. Atleast not without it devolving into a confessional feud. i say again, its just science.
AdamSmithWantSmoosh 3 months ago
@AdamSmithWantSmoosh but see, you say it yourself, it is kind of a "don't do psychedelic drugs" message. Personally, I wasn't convinced, simply because I don't see why the scientific process of losing "sense of self" would mean that spiritual experience is a lie. On the contrary, it could be interpreted as showing that the only obstacle to "oneness" is an ability present under a current physical/biological form.. it depends how one looks at it.
standardguru8 3 months ago
@AdamSmithWantSmoosh As to my rant about AUB and co. monopolizing TEDxBeirut, it wasn't about this particular discussion, but about the whole attendance. Just wish I heard an idea from someone who lives in a different city or a rural area and attends the more Arabic-language universities. We can't say they don't also have ideas, when we never even include them...
standardguru8 3 months ago
at this point, I felt that the whole of TEDxBeirut was a little propaganda machine of AUB:
mainly AUB teachers, AUB students, or simple Hamra people. Where is the rest of Lebanon? why was promotion of the event centered only or on this small part of Lebanese society?
This guy in particular, seems to be saying what AUB wants him to say : "kids, don't take psychedelic drugs".
standardguru8 3 months ago in playlist TEDxBeirut Talks 2011
@standardguru8
As someone who's taken every single class this guy has to offer in AUB, I can assure you he's NOT the kind of person to say what AUB asks him to. He's a genius. Seriously.
Rhymbe 3 months ago