Ask Lemmy

What we know about the age of the human species, and other life, the earth, the universe etc. depends on so many guesses that we know essentially nothing.

Specifically, I think that elements and materials may have changed some of their properties and behaviour at some time in the past.

We do not know that. Most people just assume they have remained constant at all times. And we build quite many of our guesses on this assumption.

If, for example, C14 has changed it's disintegration rate at some time, then quite many of our guesses would be very wrong.

I believe that there are metaphysical aspects of reality and unfalsifiable truths science and mathematics will never be able to prove.

I think our model of cosmology is likely way more wrong than we think. I LOVE it when we get new data that challenges our accepted notions, which is why I'm loving all the "how are these ancient galaxies so big" stuff coming out of Webb.

My running theory is that what we call the universe is an inverse version of what we would consider to be the real universe, were we not stuck in this crummy inverted one.

I believe in the afterlife.

I also believe that humans have the unconscious ability to influence their relative perception of time. Think of all the times that seemed to "fly by," or moments that "last forever." I think you do this unknowingly, and it's usually connected to a heightened emotional state, which means you have an increased level of some neurochemical. I don't think there's a specific one responsible for altering our perception of time, just that they correlate.

That we have the ability to alter our perception of time is what allows us to have an "afterlife."

What I believe, without evidence, is that when you die, your brain does a massive dump of all of it's dopamine and serotonin, as well everything else, that let's your final moment be one of peace and acceptance. Additionally, you will stretch your final moments till it seems a lifetime, all while hallucinating massively because of this huge dump of neurochemicals into your neocortex.

So during your final moments, whether you believe you're going to a heaven or a hell, you're right. Because that's exactly where you'll imagine yourself. If you think you'll bounce around a field of billowy clouds while visiting loved ones with all your pets by your side, then you will. If you think you deserve to drown in a river of hellfire while the world laughs, then you will.

As an athiest, it kinda gives me something to look forward to. One final hurrah before nothingness.

The reason John Mulaney got divorced was that after getting off cocaine he realized that he did actually want kids but Anna didn't