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Off Topic => General Off Topic => Topic started by: Latvian on December 13, 2013, 06:09:12 pm

Title: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Latvian on December 13, 2013, 06:09:12 pm
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Logen on December 13, 2013, 06:33:14 pm
Hm, I expected him to accidentally kick him off the ledge to the outside and murder him, thus preventing suicide.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: LordBerenger on December 13, 2013, 06:37:31 pm
Those ones are just attention seekers anyhow. Wanna do it? Fine. But do you really need to have a crowd watching you? Attention whore much.


Too pussy to do it anyhow.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: SixThumbs on December 13, 2013, 07:28:00 pm
I thought it was going to be the one where the guy kicks him out of the window onto the inflatable landing pad thing.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: enigmatic_stranger on December 13, 2013, 07:35:50 pm
Hm, I expected him to accidentally kick him off the ledge to the outside and murder him, thus preventing suicide.
or something like this:
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Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: LordBerenger on December 13, 2013, 07:44:29 pm
or something like this:
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what the fuck
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: enigmatic_stranger on December 13, 2013, 07:51:05 pm
what the fuck
Россия
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Molly on December 13, 2013, 07:52:47 pm
Probably some presentation show...
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Huscarlton_Banks on December 13, 2013, 08:15:03 pm
In the US I'd expect the man to sue.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: zagibu on December 14, 2013, 12:58:04 am
People should just take a hot bath and cut their arteries. Certain death, not very painful, and easy to clean up for those who find you.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Apsod on December 14, 2013, 01:27:37 am
People should just take a hot bath and cut their arteries. Certain death, not very painful, and easy to clean up for those who find you.
If I were to kill myself I would at least do it with some style. Like jumping out of an airplane or some shit.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: zagibu on December 14, 2013, 01:37:16 am
If I were to kill myself I would at least do it with some style. Like jumping out of an airplane or some shit.

Because chunks of meat on the ground are really stylish. Selfish and vain, even in death.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: SixThumbs on December 14, 2013, 02:20:43 am
Self-immolation or gunshot to the heart.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Clockworkkiller on December 14, 2013, 02:27:25 am
or something like this:
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Took too long to draw his gun.

0/10 unimpressive
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Apsod on December 14, 2013, 03:16:09 am
Because chunks of meat on the ground are really stylish. Selfish and vain, even in death.
Well at least it would be more fun for myself.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Clockworkkiller on December 14, 2013, 03:25:49 am
I would make a joke about how I would kill myself, but I don't want the FBI kicking down my door thinking I'm a unstable psychopath
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: zagibu on December 14, 2013, 03:56:36 am
Well at least it would be more fun for myself.

That's true. However, it's kind of absurd, because fun is probably the last thing on the mind of people who are going to kill themselves.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Butan on December 14, 2013, 05:48:22 am
That's true. However, it's kind of absurd, because fun is probably the last thing on the mind of people who are going to kill themselves.

You would be surprised what people do in crazy situations.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 14, 2013, 08:26:01 am
I would make a joke about how I would kill myself, but I don't want the FBI kicking down my door thinking I'm a unstable psychopath

You're a furry, I think it's a bit too late to change that perception.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 14, 2013, 08:52:12 am
People should just take a hot bath and cut their arteries. Certain death, not very painful, and easy to clean up for those who find you.
And remember, kids: cut vertically.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Kafein on December 14, 2013, 02:16:13 pm
Self-immolation or gunshot to the heart.

Worst choices ever.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: chadz on December 14, 2013, 02:36:39 pm
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Tibe on December 14, 2013, 04:44:58 pm
A fine example of why you should do some things yourself:
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: SixThumbs on December 14, 2013, 04:47:07 pm
Worst choices ever.

They are pretty much the most painful ways but they also seem the most "dignified" method.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: chadz on December 14, 2013, 05:01:58 pm
A bag of sleeping pills, I think it doesnt get any less ugly/painful than that.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Leshma on December 14, 2013, 05:10:35 pm
Suicide is the choice of lazy people. Worst thing you can do tbh. No wonder religion forbids it.

If you feel like shit and want to kill yourself, don't do it. There are much better ways to waste your life. Since we live in corrupted society, it's always better to try to kill some major douchebag instead (big shot criminal for example). Even if you fail, you'll be a hero to some people. By killing yourself, you'll just be loser in eyes of everyone.

Yeah, this is me calling out to people who want to kill themselves, to try to kill someone else instead.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: [ptx] on December 14, 2013, 05:13:39 pm
Why are we even discussing this? O_o
Suicide is the choice of lazy people. Worst thing you can do tbh. No wonder religion forbids it.

If you feel like shit and want to kill yourself, don't do it. There are much better ways to waste your life. Since we live in corrupted society, it's always better to try to kill some major douchebag instead (big shot criminal for example). Even if you fail, you'll be a hero to some people. By killing yourself, you'll just be loser in eyes of everyone.

Yeah, this is me calling out to people who want to kill themselves, to try to kill someone else instead.
What.the.fuck.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: chadz on December 14, 2013, 05:14:31 pm
Suicide is not the choice of the lazy people, but the sick people.

A healthy person is incapable of killing himself, it needs a mental disorder to be actually capable of doing it. At least from what I read.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Latvian on December 14, 2013, 05:15:16 pm
Suicide is the choice of lazy people. Worst thing you can do tbh. No wonder religion forbids it.

If you feel like shit and want to kill yourself, don't do it. There are much better ways to waste your life. Since we live in corrupted society, it's always better to try to kill some major douchebag instead (big shot criminal for example). Even if you fail, you'll be a hero to some people. By killing yourself, you'll just be loser in eyes of everyone.

Yeah, this is me calling out to people who want to kill themselves, to try to kill someone else instead.
i think someone deserves new forum title :D
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: SixThumbs on December 14, 2013, 06:05:03 pm
I remember back in a high-school's health class we were supposed to pick topics for teen "issues"; drugs, pregnancy, and things of that nature. I picked teenage suicide and was taken aside afterwards and asked if I was depressed and needed help.  :lol:

Suicide is the last bastion of hope for a man who's world he perceives as hopeless. I'm guessing it's from skewed mental processes more then the contents of thought. Back in the day I had friends I would joke with about suicide.
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Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Leshma on December 14, 2013, 06:22:21 pm
Suicide is not the choice of the lazy people, but the sick people.

A healthy person is incapable of killing himself, it needs a mental disorder to be actually capable of doing it. At least from what I read.

There were some harsh times for me when I was much younger. Was seriously considering suicide. Yet I never managed to pull it off. By your definition I don't have any mental disorder. Then why do people like to label me as insane?

I'm insane or just lazy. But you're wrong either way.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: zagibu on December 14, 2013, 07:28:18 pm
Actually, I think suicide is a very noble act. You remove yourself from this vicious downward spiral, so that others don't lose speed when they would normally bump you in the back.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 14, 2013, 07:35:18 pm
You can definitely commit suicide as a "healthy" person. It's just that most healthy people have no reason to.

There were some harsh times for me when I was much younger. Was seriously considering suicide. Yet I never managed to pull it off. By your definition I don't have any mental disorder. Then why do people like to label me as insane?
He said that you need a mental disorder to be able to commit suicide, not that everyone with mental disorders can commit a suicide. All cats are animals, not all animals are cats.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Sir_Hans on December 14, 2013, 07:43:56 pm
What about accidental suicide?  :D

Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Scervo on December 14, 2013, 08:02:52 pm
Imho, what he did in that video was a terrible way to deal with this situation. If that was me, it would make me want to kill myself even more. I imagine they immediately locked him up in a psych ward, but preventing suicide by force is not really a good idea imo. Is it better to be alive against your will and totally miserable, or able to make the decision to end your own life (and your misery) when it gets to be too much for you? Honestly, I don't know why suicide is seen as such a bad thing. I understand the desire to preserve the lives of your loved ones, but from the suicidal persons perspective, this just feels like a trap that prevents them from doing what seems to them to be the best solution. If you're willing to kill yourself you don't CARE if you're dead.

I know in some cases people get better and then its great because hey, they can live a good life now and they didnt have to die. But some people dont get better. Some people dont care to wait until they can. Some people don't WANT to get better. Some people dont have anything to even "fix" but just dont want to deal with life if they dont have to.

My ex was forced against her will into a mental institution by her family right when we started dating because of previous suicide attempts, a self-harm addiction, eating disorders, etc., and she genuinely enjoyed the experience. So I'm not saying places like this are bad, they're good at what they do in a lot of cases. But its pretty hard to make a permanent impact on someone. In most serious cases, the issues will just come back.

If someone you love tries to kill themselves, I understand that you WILL try to stop them and that this definitely seems like the right thing to do, I've done it and I feel like I did the right thing, its normal for us to think "death = bad, alive = good." But from the perspective of the other person, this idea that suicide is terrible just contributes to the feeling of helpessness. It's like, "I hate my life and myself and I can't fix it, nor can I take the only way out because then I'll hurt everyone I love."

I realize some of the stuff I said is a bit contradictory, but thats probably due to the fact that what a suicidal person genuinely desires and thinks is best for them contradicts what humans typically feel to be "right," so its hard to give my stance (which im not entirely sure of) coherently without flip flopping between both sides of the issue.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Zlisch_The_Butcher on December 14, 2013, 08:27:21 pm
Suicide is not the choice of the lazy people, but the sick people.

A healthy person is incapable of killing himself, it needs a mental disorder to be actually capable of doing it. At least from what I read.
I doubt it'd require a mental disorder, don't think I'd have a hard time killing myself I truly believed I'd not enjoy any remaining days in my life regardlessly. Personally shooting myself in the back of the head would be my preferred suicide method.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Latvian on December 14, 2013, 08:34:43 pm
should i lock this thread befor someone goes on killing spree or jumps off building?
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Rumblood on December 14, 2013, 08:54:37 pm
Imho, what he did in that video was a terrible way to deal with this situation. If that was me, it would make me want to kill myself even more. I imagine they immediately locked him up in a psych ward, but preventing suicide by force is not really a good idea imo. Is it better to be alive against your will and totally miserable, or able to make the decision to end your own life (and your misery) when it gets to be too much for you? Honestly, I don't know why suicide is seen as such a bad thing. I understand the desire to preserve the lives of your loved ones, but from the suicidal persons perspective, this just feels like a trap that prevents them from doing what seems to them to be the best solution. If you're willing to kill yourself you don't CARE if you're dead.

I know in some cases people get better and then its great because hey, they can live a good life now and they didnt have to die. But some people dont get better. Some people dont care to wait until they can. Some people don't WANT to get better. Some people dont have anything to even "fix" but just dont want to deal with life if they dont have to.

My ex was forced against her will into a mental institution by her family right when we started dating because of previous suicide attempts, a self-harm addiction, eating disorders, etc., and she genuinely enjoyed the experience. So I'm not saying places like this are bad, they're good at what they do in a lot of cases. But its pretty hard to make a permanent impact on someone. In most serious cases, the issues will just come back.

If someone you love tries to kill themselves, I understand that you WILL try to stop them and that this definitely seems like the right thing to do, I've done it and I feel like I did the right thing, its normal for us to think "death = bad, alive = good." But from the perspective of the other person, this idea that suicide is terrible just contributes to the feeling of helpessness. It's like, "I hate my life and myself and I can't fix it, nor can I take the only way out because then I'll hurt everyone I love."

I realize some of the stuff I said is a bit contradictory, but thats probably due to the fact that what a suicidal person genuinely desires and thinks is best for them contradicts what humans typically feel to be "right," so its hard to give my stance (which im not entirely sure of) coherently without flip flopping between both sides of the issue.

You can't stop someone who truly wants to kill themselves, so if you are in a situation where you can prevent it, they are hoping you will in the back of their mind down deep somewhere and if you fail to act, you failed them. While it is shitty for them to put that on you, if you don't act to prevent it and it goes through, you are only trying to make yourself feel better by saying "It is what they wanted and who am I to stop them". They were making a plea for help in a fucked up manner and letting them go is another fucked up way of saying "Can't help you bro."
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Leshma on December 14, 2013, 09:00:37 pm
I strongly believe that people who commit suicide are the only people who actually believe in humanity and ideal human values and stuff like that. When they realise how corrupted whole human race, how full of shit human society is, they can't cope with it and they pull the trigger. Others evolve into proper humans, who don't care about each other yet somehow function together.

People who commit suicide believe in fairy tales, that's their only problem.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Teeth on December 14, 2013, 09:10:46 pm
I strongly believe that people who commit suicide are the only people who actually believe in humanity and ideal human values and stuff like that. When they realise how corrupted whole human race, how full of shit human society is, they can't cope with it and they pull the trigger. Others evolve into proper humans, who don't care about each other yet somehow function together.
This such a messed up fucking view, gawd. Your posts in this thread alone are fairly insane, just saying, to answer your question..

I don't get suicide, how can nothing be preferred over anything? I know I am a heartless, cold bastard who doesn't have strong emotions and has never even been depressed, but what could possibly drive people in wealthy countries to decide to end their lives? Doesn't compute at all with me. Assuming of course you do not believe in anything after death, which the deed of committing suicide would exclude you out of anyway for certain religions.

To answer your question Scervo, I think suicide is bad because it is literally self destructive behaviour, which is often based on a rough patch. It can be a very rough patch, but I just rarely hear about people that have struggled with suicide, that regret not doing it 40 years later. Of course those that do regret it will probably do it within 40 years, but hope you get my point.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Leshma on December 14, 2013, 09:24:40 pm
I know I am a heartless, cold bastard who doesn't have strong emotions and has never even been depressed

Not yet. You need to stop saying sorry when you non-intentionally teamhit someone or at least use a macro for it. Because typing mid fight SOrryRY means you care and it's completely ruining the image.

About suicide, it's true that I wanted to do it as a kid. Reason is as I stated. Was believing in right, good, fairytales, was raised like that. Wanted to help everyone, never hurt anyone, be as good as humanly possible. Then, when I was 13 years old I discovered nasty side of humanity. Was seriously depressed, couldn't live with that.

Since then, by every passing day I'm becoming more wicked. But not in evil sense, it's just that I'm "growing up". I'm still nice as I can be to individuals who deserve that, but to groups of people I will never again show that side of mine. Therefore I act like I act here, and pretty much everywhere else where is a group of people on the other side and not an individual.

Some (most) people learn that early in life and become overly successful aka rich assholes. Honestly, if I had nothing else in my life to hold on (thankfully I have that), would probably go on a quest eliminating assholes from this world, rather than killing myself. Which translates, if I ever get terminal cancer, lose my family or devastating stuff like that, you can be sure you'll hear about it in the news :wink:
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: BlindGuy on December 14, 2013, 10:25:24 pm
Took too long to draw his gun.

0/10 unimpressive

Yeah I think it got lodged between his massive balls.

Ive hit car windshields, shit be hard yo.

(click to show/hide)


Yeah, I feel you. People made me hate them all pretty much, and while I am no different, sometimes I think it would be amazing to be stupid or greedy by nature and not to examine my motivations and try to do right....
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Torben on December 14, 2013, 10:29:23 pm
I have read an article about little girls in Mumbay,  being held in small wooden crates during the day,  and raped for money for 10-12 hours during the knight.

These children try to run away at first,  but they cant.  Then they try to kill themselves,  but they cant.  Then,  they loose all hope,  and merely exist.


Next to the fact that it takes a certain mental state to (be able to) commit suicide,  it can also be an escape from an unbearable present.  A bit like a fatal cancer patient deciding to stop fighting.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Berserkadin on December 14, 2013, 10:29:53 pm
I've been deep down in depression, life feels truly meaningless, and everything is just shit, and in general life is not worth living, it's actually just a total mess of pain. You should try it before you talk like you know shit.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: zagibu on December 14, 2013, 10:32:37 pm
I don't get suicide, how can nothing be preferred over anything? I know I am a heartless, cold bastard who doesn't have strong emotions and has never even been depressed, but what could possibly drive people in wealthy countries to decide to end their lives? Doesn't compute at all with me.

Well, be happy you are of such an unburdened mind and enjoy life. Don't you think if you would get it, you would maybe also like to go? There lurks danger, you have been warned.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: BlindGuy on December 14, 2013, 10:36:12 pm
I've been deep down in depression, life feels truly meaningless, and everything is just shit, and in general life is not worth living, it's actually just a total mess of pain. You should try it before you talk like you know shit.

You might wanna state who you aiming that at :D

But hey, I'm a coward and I know it: as bad as it gets I'll never have to courage to end my life while I still have family alive, just because I cannot face the fear of how it would upset them. If they thought it was their fault, that would be so awful that it keeps me alive tbh.

Well, be happy you are of such an unburdened mind and enjoy life. Don't you think if you would get it, you would maybe also like to go? There lurks danger, you have been warned.

^^

Teeth: dont dwell on it, once you really look into the abyss there is no looking entirely away, just sometimes averting your eyes for a while.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 14, 2013, 11:15:17 pm
I've been deep down in depression, life feels truly meaningless, and everything is just shit, and in general life is not worth living, it's actually just a total mess of pain. You should try it before you talk like you know shit.
Some people aren't capable of enough self-pity to get depressed.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 14, 2013, 11:27:08 pm
Obviously if you're naive enough to fully internalize the fairytales you're bombarded with in childhood, it's going to be rough when you run into this little thing called "reality". I find it hilarious how these weaklings then feel "betrayed" by the world, because they're narcissitic enough to feel entitled to this idealistic fantasy that only ever existed in their imagination, as opposed to feeling humbled and fascinated by the real complexity of life. The reaction of "boohoo the world is full of evil, let us mourn like useless cunts" angers me, just because you're not the center of a disneyworld fantasy doesn't make the world iredeemably evil, unless again you're a completely self-centered narcissist. If your measure of what the world should be like is still based on the perspective of a prepubescent, probably sheltered kid, then no, you haven't matured or grown up at all. The vast majority of the world looks into the "abyss" on a daily basis, and they just get the fuck on with their lives, finding happiness and love where they can. You're not any more particularly perceptive or insightful than the average person, who noticed this disconnect between wishfull emotional bullshit and reality a long time ago, just more whiny and self-pitying.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Leshma on December 14, 2013, 11:31:50 pm
You know what, Oberyn. Recently Google bought Boston Dynamics, creators of BigDog robot. Now they are working on this:

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So all this chat is a bit pointless right now and it will be completely pointless in the future.

Real complexity of life is going to be booted and exchanged with those fairy tale values very soon. When it comes to gaming, pricks like you are already forbidden to play certain games because Kinect don't like players who swear a lot.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 14, 2013, 11:40:24 pm
Of course Leshma, "come the revolution". I'm not sure how exactly robots are going to make humanity fulfill your ridiculously unrealistic criteria for what is "good", but whatevs, I'm sure you'll work out the details. And oooooh, Kinect gaming forbids swearing? Zomg, such massive strides! The entire way people over the world relate to and live with each other will magically morph, because a gaming service for priviledged first worlders forbids swearing. *Golf clap*
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Zlisch_The_Butcher on December 14, 2013, 11:41:03 pm
Obviously if you're naive enough to fully internalize the fairytales you're bombarded with in childhood, it's going to be rough when you run into this little thing called "reality". I find it hilarious how these weaklings then feel "betrayed" by the world, because they're narcissitic enough to feel entitled to this idealistic fantasy that only ever existed in their imagination, as opposed to feeling humbled and fascinated by the real complexity of life. The reaction of "boohoo the world is full of evil, let us mourn like useless cunts" angers me, just because you're not the center of a disneyworld fantasy doesn't make the world iredeemably evil, unless again you're a completely self-centered narcissist. If your measure of what the world should be like is still based on the perspective of a prepubescent, probably sheltered kid, then no, you haven't matured or grown up at all. The vast majority of the world looks into the "abyss" on a daily basis, and they just get the fuck on with their lives, finding happiness and love where they can. You're not any more particularly perceptive or insightful than the average person, who noticed this disconnect between wishfull emotional bullshit and reality a long time ago, just more whiny and self-pitying.
Just because some people who kill themselves fit this description doesn't mean everyone does, if I'd be sufficiently sick, unable to enjoy myself, in constant pain, and knowing I'd die soonish with no chance of getting better anyhow I sure as fuck wouldn't think twice about just getting it over with.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 14, 2013, 11:43:24 pm
I didn't even mention suicide, that was more aimed at the people who feel depressed or suicidal because "the world sucks", as opposed to very concrete reasons like "my entire family got killed" or "I have a painful, terminal disease". I'm totally in favour of the choice of euthanasia for the later, for example.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 14, 2013, 11:43:54 pm
You know what, Oberyn. Recently Google bought Boston Dynamics, creators of BigDog robot. Now they are working on this:

So all this chat is a bit pointless right now and it will be completely pointless in the future.

Real complexity of life is going to be booted and exchanged with those fairy tale values very soon. When it comes to gaming, pricks like you are already forbidden to play certain games because Kinect don't like players who swear a lot.
How exactly will that thing change anything?
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Zlisch_The_Butcher on December 14, 2013, 11:50:00 pm
I didn't even mention suicide, that was more aimed at the people who feel depressed or suicidal because "the world sucks", as opposed to very concrete reasons like "my entire family got killed" or "I have a painful, terminal disease". I'm totally in favour of the choice of euthanasia for the later, for example.
Ah, well in that case, I apologize, I merely thought you meant suicide as that was what the general topic seemed to be about. Being depressed sucks and all, but really, the vast majority of people don't deserve anyones pity, and while slitting your wrist will stop the pain the vast majority would be better off accepting the position they're in and moving on.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 14, 2013, 11:55:26 pm
Depression from just general existential malaise is inextricably linked with ego, to a certain extent it is entirely a matter of self-pity. A bit of jealousy maybe, looking at others, imagining that they are well-adjusted, happy-go-lucky, when the truth is everyone has their shit to deal with. That generalized pain and anxiety because the "world sucks" is common to most people, if only at certain points in their life. It's not unique or special. It's the lot of humanity, but some people apparently still base their expectations on what their 12 year old self imagined the world should be like, so of course they probably feel it's "unfair". And that's completely ignoring that for a lot of the world that whole experience of sheltered childhood doesn't even exist, and they are more mature and pragmatic in their world view at that age than many adults who still adhere to fancy sounding bullshit because it makes them feel nice inside, regardless of how little sense it makes.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Leshma on December 14, 2013, 11:58:48 pm
Of course Leshma, "come the revolution". I'm not sure how exactly robots are going to make humanity fulfill your ridiculously unrealistic criteria for what is "good", but whatevs, I'm sure you'll work out the details. And oooooh, Kinect gaming forbids swearing? Zomg, such massive strides! The entire way people over the world relate to and live with each other will magically morph, because a gaming service for priviledged first worlders forbids swearing. *Golf clap*

Mine? Well guess what, I'm not that original. It's not mine, it's universal stuff projected on millions of kids around the world. Obviously, those who did it are in charge of things. Not the likes of you, whos biggest achievement in life to swear at someone over the internet.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Torben on December 15, 2013, 12:02:27 am
this thread is turning emo
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 15, 2013, 12:04:58 am
Mine? Well guess what, I'm not that original. It's not mine, it's universal stuff projected on millions of kids around the world. Obviously, those who did it are in charge of things. Not the likes of you, whos biggest achievement in life to swear at someone over the internet.

That word is obviously innapropriate, but given your understanding of the world and it's nuances and complexity, you probably believe that's true and everyone went through the same thing. And that those who are "in charge of things" developped it deliberately? You don't think it maybe, maybe had something to do with parents wanting to shelter and protect their children from what they very well knew was the real world, until they were mature enough to handle it? No, obviously it must have been a philosophy developped by powerfull men in smoky rooms. Ridiculous.
And yes, it is "yours", since you still adhere to it whole-heartedly, despite not being 12 anymore. Physically at least, emotionally you're obviously still there.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 12:30:22 am
I see a lot of references to "it", but what exactly is it? The world's supposed to work like Lion King because a cartoon said so, or what?
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: zagibu on December 15, 2013, 12:34:24 am
Depression from just general existential malaise is inextricably linked with ego, to a certain extent it is entirely a matter of self-pity. A bit of jealousy maybe, looking at others, imagining that they are well-adjusted, happy-go-lucky, when the truth is everyone has their shit to deal with. That generalized pain and anxiety because the "world sucks" is common to most people, if only at certain points in their life. It's not unique or special. It's the lot of humanity, but some people apparently still base their expectations on what their 12 year old self imagined the world should be like, so of course they probably feel it's "unfair". And that's completely ignoring that for a lot of the world that whole experience of sheltered childhood doesn't even exist, and they are more mature and pragmatic in their world view at that age than many adults who still adhere to fancy sounding bullshit because it makes them feel nice inside, regardless of how little sense it makes.

Because living in denial is so mature. Do you know the main reason why teenagers realize that the world sucks? Because they don't have a lot of investments made yet that they can lose. They can assess the world in an unbiased way. But then they find someone they love, have children with them, settle down, buy a couple of cars, maybe a vacation house, etc., and suddenly the world doesn't suck so much anymore. Except it still does, they just reduced the limits of their view of the world to their garden fence.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 15, 2013, 12:39:55 am
Yes, totally, teenagers are the most unbiased and rational people ever. They aren't well known for being hormone ridden idiots with no experience of life, easily led and manipulated, not to mention not posessing physically fully developped brains.
Seriously though, "teenagers can assess the world in an unbiased way", has to be one of the most hilarious standalone comments ever.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Torben on December 15, 2013, 12:45:54 am
Because living in denial is so mature. Do you know the main reason why teenagers realize that the world sucks? Because they don't have a lot of investments made yet that they can lose. They can assess the world in an unbiased way. But then they find someone they love, have children with them, settle down, buy a couple of cars, maybe a vacation house, etc., and suddenly the world doesn't suck so much anymore. Except it still does, they just reduced the limits of their view of the world to their garden fence.

or,  ooooor,  next to the small world of family and cars,  the bigger picture of a whole world full of shit gets set into place again by relating our existence to time and space,  rendering anything going on in this world quite useless in the big picture and giving you the ultimate conclusion,  to just make the best out of what you got,  cause in the end,  nothing matters,  except that everything matters.

dududummmm
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: zagibu on December 15, 2013, 12:48:49 am
Yes, totally, teenagers are the most unbiased and rational people ever. They aren't well known for being hormone ridden idiots with no experience of life, easily led and manipulated, not to mention not posessing physically fully developped brains.
Seriously though, "teenagers can assess the world in an unbiased way", has to be one of the most hilarious standalone comments ever.

In which way are they biased, then?
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: SixThumbs on December 15, 2013, 01:12:48 am
Here, this Nietzsche quote is for you Leshma:

"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you."
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Leshma on December 15, 2013, 01:21:14 am
Don't worry, I'm far from that stage. Very satisfied with my life atm, humans are evolving specie and I'm one of them. But still miss that period when I was a kid, with pure soul and stuff like that.

Also, I believe abyss Nietzsche was mentioning has something to do with drug abuse. He was also a junkie, like many other great minds. Unlike him, I don't do drugs. Never was, never will.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Torben on December 15, 2013, 01:23:18 am
Never was, never will.

crpg.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Leshma on December 15, 2013, 01:26:57 am
Nope. You know, when I decided to quit cRPG last time, one person said something very true. It was Tears. He said something along these lines: it might seem you spend a lot of time on cRPG but after you quit playing something else will fill that gap and nothing will change. Exactly how it happened.

Games aren't addictions, they aren't on par with alcohol or drug abuse. Your mind stays clear all the time and you're able to make right decisions. When high on something, you're unable to do that.

I know you're probably joking, but I don't find it funny because there's way too many retards around trying to put video games in the same basket as heroin. 
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: LordBerenger on December 15, 2013, 01:32:11 am
If the people would just listen to this they wouldn't suicide.

Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 15, 2013, 01:43:46 am
Transhumanists are funny. Also LordBerenger, that guy in your gif died at that exact moment, not the most tastefull of sigs.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: MountedRhader on December 15, 2013, 02:58:59 am
While there is a certain naivety with youth (which you lose) that does not mean as you grow older you gradually get more evil or less concerned with the well being of humanity.

About suicide, it's true that I wanted to do it as a kid. Reason is as I stated. Was believing in right, good, fairytales, was raised like that. Wanted to help everyone, never hurt anyone, be as good as humanly possible. Then, when I was 13 years old I discovered nasty side of humanity. Was seriously depressed, couldn't live with that.

The world is wrong, you are right. So conform to the evil world just because it's easier, larger?


No. Change the world. When you stare, do not let the abyss stare back.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: SixThumbs on December 15, 2013, 03:21:56 am
Yeah, tell the abyss to, like, take a picture 'cause it lasts longer. But if he persists you might have to take him to court to get a restraining order. Luckily, there's usually a lot of stuff like "existence" in between you and the void. But, you also might want to watch out for her too sometimes because, like, I think they're related somehow, like, she came from the void or something and they might be related and the apple doesn't usually fall far from the tree you know so it might, like, be better to just keep your cool 'cause you don't want to end up sitting on a window ledge of existance, like, contemplate throwing yourself into a void.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Porthos on December 15, 2013, 04:51:47 am
From my experience I have learned a one good lesson. If you ever decide to commit suicide - make sure you have chosen the right path to way out of the life, otherwise you risk being left crippled for the rest of your life.
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Zlisch_The_Butcher on December 15, 2013, 04:57:54 am
From my experience I have learned a one good lesson. If you ever decide to commit suicide - make sure you have chosen the right path to way out of the life, otherwise you risk being left crippled for the rest of your life.
(click to show/hide)
If you really wanted to commit suicide and being crippled didn't suddenly make you love your life you could probably still manage to do so.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 05:54:27 am
Transhumanists are funny.
What makes them funny?
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Latvian on December 15, 2013, 11:03:07 am
From my experience I have learned a one good lesson. If you ever decide to commit suicide - make sure you have chosen the right path to way out of the life, otherwise you risk being left crippled for the rest of your life.
(click to show/hide)
how do you know?
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 15, 2013, 11:13:52 am
What makes them funny?

First of all humanity is ALWAYS "evolving", like any other organism we are subject to pressures from the environment and other external factors. Of course "evolution" doesn't entail anything about moving "forward" and making "better" humans,  the only result is the genes of those who reproduce more often propagate more efficiently. That's literally it. Transhumanists have this faulty understanding of evolution where it's some sort of funnel purifying the species down to it's "best" traits, those traits of course always based on their ideological and moral interpretation of what is "good", which genes do not give one flying shit about.

Then there's the idea that cutting edge technological inovation is somehow going to lead to reduced inequality and some sort of utopia as opposed to accentuating divisions even more. i.e: stuff like robotics and genetics manipulation, that will obviously only be affordable to the extremely rich. The obvious result will be something like from the movie Gattacca, not the Star Trek utopia the transhumanists desperately wish for. The themes of robotics (including nanotech) and genetic manipulations and their possible effect on humanity as a whole have been explored in many science fiction settings since at least the '50's, and often before. They aren't treading any new ground, or exploring any new ideas. Just the same rehashed wishfull thinking bullshit that always happens whenever any new tech field surfaces. World peace and understanding between all humans, they said airplanes would achieve that, and radio, and telephones, and television, and applied medicine, and etc, etc.

Ridiculously unrealistic, idealistic and dogmatic ideologies that always fail because their expectations of what humans "should" be like (communism being the obvious one) have been around forever. Deciding that the only way to achieve their goals is to deliberately change people to fit their construct has been attempted many, many times. It always fails of course. But now there is on the horizon new tech that can LITERALLY transform human beings, on the most intimate level, and the dogmatic utopianists have latched unto it as the answer to all their woes. If the world and humanity can't fit their rigid ideological constructs, then by gawd they're going to MAKE them fit, and obviously it will be for the best, because their approach is the only "good" and "moral" one. 
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 11:17:55 am
That's not what transhumanism is at all. It's simply this:

Transhumanism (abbreviated as H+ or h+) is an international cultural and intellectual movement with an eventual goal of fundamentally transforming the human condition by developing and making widely available technologies to greatly enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities.

Nothing about evolution. Nothing about reduced inequality. Some transhumanists believe technology will help with that, yes; but it's not what transhumanism itself is about.

As for whether reduced inequality and an utopia is unrealistic or not, no one can say. If and when a self-improving smarter-than-human AI is created, all bets are off.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 15, 2013, 11:19:44 am
So what do you think is meant by "fundamentally transforming the human condition"?
edit: I just looked at the wiki page for transhumanism, just scroll down to the "debate" section, all the points I've made in the above post criticizing the concept are there already, in much more developped form. There's also links to articles and books on the subject.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 11:22:27 am
It just means changing humans to be something else, something more. A being in charge of its own evolution.

Quote
edit: I just looked at the wiki page for transhumanism, just scroll down to the "debate" section, all the points I've made in the above post criticizing the concept are there already, in much more developped form. There's also links to articles and books on the subject.
No thanks, read a couple of points and they were super crappy. "omg u r playing god" and the whole nine yards.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Grumpy_Nic on December 15, 2013, 12:35:34 pm
Suicide.
Uicide.
Icide.
Cide.
Cider.
I like cider.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 15, 2013, 12:35:59 pm
Not really anything to answer to that, except you obviously didn't read very much if your only takeaway of the critics was "omg ur playing god". You still haven't adressed any of the criticisms I brought up, beyond saying that they had nothing to do with transhumanism (when they obviously do, or there wouldn't be the exact same criticisms of the fucking wiki page of all things) and then dismissing it as worries of a religious nature. So basically just empty strawmen and no substance.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 12:41:48 pm
Not really anything to answer to that, except you obviously didn't read very much if your only takeaway of the critics was "omg ur playing god". You still haven't adressed any of the criticisms I brought up, beyond saying that they had nothing to do with transhumanism (when they obviously do, or there wouldn't be the exact same criticisms of the fucking wiki page of all things) and then dismissing it as worries of a religious nature. So basically just empty strawmen and no substance.
Funny you should say that, considering you're attacking straw transhumanism. There was nothing else to take away from the wiki criticisms of transhumanism - not surprisingly, as there's no rational reason to be critical of it. I haven't addressed any of your criticism because, like I said, it's attacking straw transhumanism. Nothing to address. But feel free to be more specific than "the wiki has the criticism too."
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Porthos on December 15, 2013, 12:49:59 pm
If you really wanted to commit suicide and being crippled didn't suddenly make you love your life you could probably still manage to do so.
Unless you're paralyzed after that attempt.

how do you know?
Don't ask.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 15, 2013, 12:56:06 pm
Transhumanists are as varied as any other ideology, there are socialist transhumanists, libertarian transhumanists, anarchic transhumanists, etc etc. They have nothing in common beyond "we need to change people". They differ in their methods and their goals. Do you think changing humanity into something different is a goal unto itself, or merely a tool for various political and societal ideologies? Your "Transhumanism is just ****" is as nonsensical as saying "Feminism is just the idea of treating women equally". When you actually get down to it it's much more nuanced and fragmented, usually along narrow, rigid, dogmatic ideological lines.

The idea that transhumanism is beyond all reasonable criticism already marks you as dogmatic, but sure I'll give you an example, one that I alraedy brought up and is listed on the wiki and you just chose to conveniently ignore. Just one consequence would be the creation of a two-tier caste system of haves and have-nots, of one group of literally genetically "superior" people and another of "average" ones, by itself that is already a huge fucking red flag. And obviously the ones who already are on the top of the social pyramid would overwhelmingly benefit. Anyone who is familiar with human nature and history would see why this could be a problem, "rationally".
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 01:01:57 pm
Transhumanists are as varied as any other ideology, there are socialist transhumanists, libertarian transhumanists, anarchic transhumanists, etc etc. They have nothing in common beyond "we need to change people". They differ in their methods and their goals. Do you think changing humanity into something different is a goal unto itself, or merely a tool for various political and societal ideologies? Your "Transhumanism is just ****" is as nonsensical as saying "Feminism is just the idea of treating women equally". When you actually get down to it it's much more nuanced and fragmented, usually along narrow, rigid, dogmatic ideological lines.
So, you're basically arguing for me against yourself? That is exactly my point. Transhumanism is what I said it is, but there are different sub-branches and your criticism applies to some of them, yes, but not to transhumanism itself.

The idea that transhumanism is beyond all reasonable criticism already marks you as dogmatic, but sure I'll give you an example, one that I alraedy brought up and is listed on the wiki and you just chose to conveniently ignore. Just one consequence would be the creation of a two-tier caste system of haves and have-nots, of one group of literally genetically "superior" people and another of "average" ones, by itself that is already a huge fucking red flag. And obviously the ones who already are on the top of the social pyramid would overwhelmingly benefit. Anyone who is familiar with human nature and history would see why this could be a problem, "rationally".
Again, you are arguing against straw transhumanism. Creating a caste system is one of the things to be careful of, but it isn't a necessary, predestined outcome. The basis of transhumanism does not say a caste system is necessary. For example, if everyone could be augmented, it wouldn't happen.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 15, 2013, 01:04:08 pm
Oh you mean if expensive cutting edge technology that is being researched and developped by private corporations entirely devoted to profit could somehow be extended for free to all people regardless of wealth or position in the social hierarchy, it wouldn't happen? Well I'm fucking relieved, nothing to worry about then.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 01:07:43 pm
Oh you mean if expensive cutting edge technology that is being researched and developped by private corporations entirely devoted to profit could somehow be extended for free to all people regardless of wealth or position in the social hierarchy, it wouldn't happen? Well I'm fucking relieved, nothing to worry about then.
You are confusing ideology with practicality, first of all. Two different problems to tackle. Second, not all of the technology that transhumanist hopes cling on are developed by private corporations entirely devoted to profit.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 15, 2013, 01:12:02 pm
Really, so which technology's research and development are not linked to private corporations? There's this thing called "funding", you may have heard of it, it's usually done by people investing and expecting a return on that investment. It's not charity for the benefit of humankind.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 01:15:51 pm
Really, so which technology's research and development are not linked to private corporations? There's this thing called "funding", you may have heard of it, it's usually done by people investing and expecting a return on that investment. It's not charity for the benefit of humankind.

http://intelligence.org/

For one. Peter Thiel being one of the major donators.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Kafein on December 15, 2013, 01:16:18 pm
Well, few ideologies are vulnerable to criticism if you strip them from all practicalities. I mean, communism is a wonderful idea, it just doesn't seem to work. So is it a good ideology nonetheless? Most ideologies define themselves as a good thing, even when not explicitly. You can't really argue against good intentions, and you can only derive bad consequences from the application of said "good ideology" if you start invoking practicalities.

In this sense, Xant is arguing like people that say "the URSS was not communist". In some sense they are right, but a debate based entirely on the definition of ideas unsullied by the contingencies of reality doesn't seem to be very productive to me.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 01:19:13 pm
Well, few ideologies are vulnerable to criticism if you strip them from all practicalities. I mean, communism is a wonderful idea, it just doesn't seem to work. So is it a good ideology nonetheless? Most ideologies define themselves as a good thing, even when not explicitly. You can't really argue against good intentions, and you can only derive bad consequences from the application of said "good ideology" if you start invoking practicalities.

In this sense, Xant is arguing like people that say "the URSS was not communist". In some sense they are right, but a debate based entirely on the definition of ideas unsullied by the contingencies of reality doesn't seem to be very productive to me.
Of course, but you have to decide which you are arguing against: the "what" or the "how." In the case of transhumanism, the "what" is a no-brainer, but the "how" is an open question. And also in the case of transhumanism, it varies greatly because there are a lot of different approaches, technologies and ideologies. Arguing against a particular approach or ideology does nothing to undermine transhumanism as a whole, just as finding some retarded atheists does nothing to undermine atheism.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: [ptx] on December 15, 2013, 01:20:20 pm
Oh dear, Xant vs Oberyn
visitors can't see pics , please register or login
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Kafein on December 15, 2013, 01:54:33 pm
Oh dear, Xant vs Oberyn
visitors can't see pics , please register or login


Is it like, new to you ? I enjoyed it for weeks.

Of course, but you have to decide which you are arguing against: the "what" or the "how." In the case of transhumanism, the "what" is a no-brainer, but the "how" is an open question. And also in the case of transhumanism, it varies greatly because there are a lot of different approaches, technologies and ideologies. Arguing against a particular approach or ideology does nothing to undermine transhumanism as a whole, just as finding some retarded atheists does nothing to undermine atheism.

But then, the word "transhumanism" loses all substance and arguing for or against it is just arguing a set of techniques individually. And I'm also not completely convinced by your analogy. Atheism is much easier to define with respect to reality. You can easily say someone is atheist and have a consensus around that observation, yet you can't do that with transhumanism, because it is so easy to just dodge the labeling and say your are part of another branch.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: pingpong on December 15, 2013, 02:23:49 pm

Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 02:40:03 pm
But then, the word "transhumanism" loses all substance and arguing for or against it is just arguing a set of techniques individually. And I'm also not completely convinced by your analogy. Atheism is much easier to define with respect to reality. You can easily say someone is atheist and have a consensus around that observation, yet you can't do that with transhumanism, because it is so easy to just dodge the labeling and say your are part of another branch.
No, it doesn't lose all substance, nor do I see why you couldn't say someone is a transhumanist.

Transhumanism is a cultural and intellectual movement that believes we can, and should, improve the human condition through the use of advanced technologies.

That is what it means to be a transhumanist, nothing more, nothing less.

Or, another definition: Transhumanism is the position that it's ethical to radically improve the human condition using technology.

So what is hard about this? It seems excruciatingly simple to me. This is the core of transhumanism. Anything more than this is a branch of it.

Just as the lack of belief in a god is the core of atheism and anything more is a branch of it.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: SixThumbs on December 15, 2013, 02:40:35 pm
I'm not sure how we got onto the the topic of trans-humanism but...


Well, according to this dubious CPI calculator I used you have to be worth more then 31.5 million dollars to join the trans-humanist cyborgs.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Utrakil on December 15, 2013, 04:50:44 pm
No, it doesn't lose all substance, nor do I see why you couldn't say someone is a transhumanist.

Transhumanism is a cultural and intellectual movement that believes we can, and should, improve the human condition through the use of advanced technologies.

That is what it means to be a transhumanist, nothing more, nothing less.

Or, another definition: Transhumanism is the position that it's ethical to radically improve the human condition using technology.

So what is hard about this? It seems excruciatingly simple to me. This is the core of transhumanism. Anything more than this is a branch of it.

Just as the lack of belief in a god is the core of atheism and anything more is a branch of it.
On the base of this definition the whole discussion is a bit obsolete because humanity lives the idea of transhumanism since thousands of years. What ever technologie was invented it always was used to improve the human condition. from weaving clothes to increase your ability to withstand cold and a stick to improve your reach to teethprotheses, artificial joints and antibiotics. So the evolution of a specie's technologie is part of its evolution and will always be used to its better adaptation to the invironment.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 04:54:47 pm
Not everyone thinks that way. Some hardcore Christians, for example. And like I said, no rational reason to dislike transhumanism. Oberyn's the one who said transhumanists are "funny."
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Utrakil on December 15, 2013, 05:03:35 pm
They are "funny" if they think they are a new movement.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 05:06:47 pm
They are "funny" if they think they are a new movement.
And you are "retarded" if you ate spaghetti today.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Utrakil on December 15, 2013, 05:10:10 pm
And you are "retarded" if you ate spaghetti today.
:?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 05:23:06 pm
:?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:
Just thought I'd say something completely random that has nothing to do with anything, based on no facts and with no relevance to the topic at hand. Isn't that what we're doing?
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: SixThumbs on December 15, 2013, 05:29:04 pm
And you are "retarded" if you ate spaghetti today.

Maybe if you were one of those gluten intolerant bastards that seem to be all the rage now-a-days.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Kafein on December 15, 2013, 05:38:26 pm
No, it doesn't lose all substance, nor do I see why you couldn't say someone is a transhumanist.

Transhumanism is a cultural and intellectual movement that believes we can, and should, improve the human condition through the use of advanced technologies.

That is what it means to be a transhumanist, nothing more, nothing less.

Or, another definition: Transhumanism is the position that it's ethical to radically improve the human condition using technology.

So what is hard about this? It seems excruciatingly simple to me. This is the core of transhumanism. Anything more than this is a branch of it.

Just as the lack of belief in a god is the core of atheism and anything more is a branch of it.

Okay but I don't see how you could have an interesting debate of transhumanism without delving into those techniques/technology you are referring to in your definition. I believe that's what most people will criticize.

Also, isn't transhumanism more precisely about improving humans themselves by modifying them, rather than simply improving their living conditions, which we have been doing since forever as ultrakil said ?
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 05:51:02 pm
Okay but I don't see how you could have an interesting debate of transhumanism without delving into those techniques/technology you are referring to in your definition. I believe that's what most people will criticize.

Also, isn't transhumanism more precisely about improving humans themselves by modifying them, rather than simply improving their living conditions, which we have been doing since forever as ultrakil said ?
Transhumanism wasn't created so people could have interesting debates. It is what it is. The topic is not called "debate transhumanism." It's something Oberyn brought up, criticizing transhumanism as a whole for some views that some transhumanists might have. The usual debates regarding it are "is life extension/immortality ethical", "should we play god" and "we'll lose our humanity!"
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Kafein on December 15, 2013, 05:57:19 pm
Transhumanism wasn't created so people could have interesting debates. It is what it is. The topic is not called "debate transhumanism." It's something Oberyn brought up, criticizing transhumanism as a whole for some views that some transhumanists might have. The usual debates regarding it are "is life extension/immortality ethical", "should we play god" and "we'll lose our humanity!"

Then maybe you should discuss the questions that are actually interesting. For instance, what makes you think there would be no social tensions resulting from early transhumanistic technology becoming available commercially?
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 06:19:03 pm
Then maybe you should discuss the questions that are actually interesting. For instance, what makes you think there would be no social tensions resulting from early transhumanistic technology becoming available commercially?
That's like me asking you to randomly discuss the class balance in MeT and why there wouldn't be social tensions after nerfing the warlock.

I'm not sure what you're not understanding, here -- again, I did not bring transhumanism up. I didn't start, nor was I ever involved in, a discussion about the practicality of certain transhumanist goals. What makes you think I think there would be no social tensions resulting from early transhumanistic technology becoming available commercially?
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Rumblood on December 15, 2013, 06:31:01 pm
Not everyone thinks that way. Some hardcore Christians, for example.

Yes, but they are accustomed to denying facts and embracing flights of fancy.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Kafein on December 15, 2013, 08:47:55 pm
That's like me asking you to randomly discuss the class balance in MeT and why there wouldn't be social tensions after nerfing the warlock.

I'm not sure what you're not understanding, here -- again, I did not bring transhumanism up. I didn't start, nor was I ever involved in, a discussion about the practicality of certain transhumanist goals. What makes you think I think there would be no social tensions resulting from early transhumanistic technology becoming available commercially?

Well, this got me a little bit confused I guess

Creating a caste system is one of the things to be careful of, but it isn't a necessary, predestined outcome. The basis of transhumanism does not say a caste system is necessary. For example, if everyone could be augmented, it wouldn't happen.

Because Oberyn was obviously raising valid points about the practicalities of transhumanism, I assumed the rest of the discussion to be about that, not about the definition of the word "transhumanism", as that discussion would (and did) yield no value. You sort of hijacked a thread that was already not about transhumanism in the first place.

Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 10:10:24 pm
I simply corrected Oberyn, since he was mistaken about what transhumanism is.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Oberyn on December 15, 2013, 10:18:58 pm
Fine, transhumanism as a simple dictionary definition devoid of all practicalities or application, ok. I see no interest in debating that point. Transhumanists all fall into the "fundamentally change humanity for the better" definition, but as soon as you dig even slightly deeper all the cracks and flaws and different interpretations of what they mean by "better" start showing. Like with any other simple dictionary definition of an ideology. There's a reason I brought up feminism as an example. Kafein's communism example is just as valid. "Communism is an ideology that considers all people as equal, regardless of race, sex, social position, etc.., and that they all deserve access to the basic neccessities of life". Using that definition only a completely irrational person would be against communism.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 15, 2013, 10:35:49 pm
Nope, it's not a definition devoid of all practicalities or application.
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Kafein on December 16, 2013, 12:38:16 am
Nope, it's not a definition devoid of all practicalities or application.

What is the practical meaning of "improving" or "technology" in the definition ?
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: Xant on December 16, 2013, 05:04:58 am
What is the practical meaning of "improving" or "technology" in the definition ?
im·prove verb \im-ˈprüv\
: to make (something) better

: to become better

tech·nol·o·gy noun \tek-ˈnä-lə-jē\
: the use of science in industry, engineering, etc., to invent useful things or to solve problems

: a machine, piece of equipment, method, etc., that is created by technology
Title: Re: how to prevent suicide
Post by: BlindGuy on December 16, 2013, 07:19:18 am
Using complicated mechanisms inside humans is fine tbh if it is to cure a desease or disability, but its difficult to say that I think because if we improve ourselves more and more, even smaller imperfections will be considered reason enough for another round of upgrades.


And, btw:
"Communism is an ideology that considers all people as equal, regardless of race, sex, social position, etc.., and that they all deserve access to the basic neccessities of life". Using that definition only a completely irrational person would be against communism.

When I try to tell people that communism is a pretty good thing, they wont see ^^ what you wrote, they see the states that waved the communist flags while setting up brutal dictatorships. So many nice things are ruined by greedy assholes.