# General Discussion **URL:** https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/c/general-discussion/6.md?page=1 [Latest](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/categories.md) **Page:** 2 --- ## [Are any of these real illusions?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/are-any-of-these-real-illusions/11950)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/are-any-of-these-real-illusions/11950 "2026-04-17T18:04:33Z")
https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-of-the-greatest-mind-fucks/answer/Pete-Bahba?share=1&srid=Xs9v I tried some of these myself but none of them really worked. The room didn’t really shake for me, and when I spun with m… --- ## [Ancient North America Is Not What Archaeologists Thought](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/ancient-north-america-is-not-what-archaeologists-thought/11944)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/ancient-north-america-is-not-what-archaeologists-thought/11944 "2026-04-10T21:04:07Z")
Here’s a nice soft spoken look at Our Forgotten Past focused on what LiDAR, GIS spatial analysis has shown scientists about pre-Columbian civilization of North America and revolutionized our understanding with solid evid… --- ## [Colorado River, and the drum beat of change. - What happens when water is gone?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/colorado-river-and-the-drum-beat-of-change-what-happens-when-water-is-gone/11929)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2026, 12:31pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/colorado-river-and-the-drum-beat-of-change-what-happens-when-water-is-gone/11929 "2026-04-05T12:31:59Z")
Here we are, mid March, been a couple weeks since I’ve had to build a fire, instead of hunkered inside, with time on my hands, I’m outside dealing with early spring gardening chores and watering, with all it entails. An… --- ## [How do people who believe in "no self" live?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/how-do-people-who-believe-in-no-self-live/11933)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/how-do-people-who-believe-in-no-self-live/11933 "2026-04-04T21:49:49Z")
The philosophical argument for “no-self” (Buddhism’s Anātman/Anattā) posits that there is no permanent, unchanging, or independent self, soul, or ego. Instead, what we call the “self” is a fleeting collection of constant… --- ## [Is puberty brainwashing?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/is-puberty-brainwashing/11921)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2026, 7:04am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/is-puberty-brainwashing/11921 "2026-04-03T07:04:29Z")
Sorta sparked by a comment a dude made to me that I have serious doubt about: First off, it’s not “we don’t know,” it’s “they don’t know.” Just because some sources are uncertain doesn’t mean the answer isn’t out there… --- ## [... and then there's Maddy (can she sense lightning pulse before thunder arrives?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/and-then-theres-maddy-can-she-sense-lightning-pulse-before-thunder-arrives/9689)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/and-then-theres-maddy-can-she-sense-lightning-pulse-before-thunder-arrives/9689 "2026-04-02T15:57:17Z")
I’ve been thinking of starting a nice and easy thread about my adventures with Maddy. Moments in the life of and all that. Topic of the moment would be the anemic monsoons, lots of drama wind and lightening, jealously … --- ## [Controversial Comments From Richard Dawkins](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/controversial-comments-from-richard-dawkins/3053)
**Author:** [@hazelnut](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/hazelnut)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2026, 7:51am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/controversial-comments-from-richard-dawkins/3053 "2026-03-29T07:51:25Z")
Recently Dawkins has stated that he was molested at the boarding school he attended, and claims it doesn’t cause terrible after-effects in everybody. Child protection groups are very angry about this, of course. I tend … --- ## [Article: Will Misogyny Bring Down the Atheist Movement?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/article-will-misogyny-bring-down-the-atheist-movement/3802)
**Author:** [@dougsmith](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/dougsmith)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2026, 7:17am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/article-will-misogyny-bring-down-the-atheist-movement/3802 "2026-03-29T07:17:00Z")
On Buzzfeed HERE\]. If you haven’t already read it, it’s worth a read. --- ## [Major Accusations](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/major-accusations/3007)
**Author:** [@hazelnut](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/hazelnut)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2026, 7:15am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/major-accusations/3007 "2026-03-29T07:15:48Z")
I’ve recently learned that Lawrence Krauss, Bill Nye, and Ben Radford, Michael Shermer have either been accused of sexual harrasment, or aiding and abetting sexual harrasment. What the hell! Anybody else heard about thi… --- ## [Recognizing clickbait in science](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/recognizing-clickbait-in-science/11923)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2026, 6:03pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/recognizing-clickbait-in-science/11923 "2026-03-20T18:03:05Z")
I know I posted this video in another thread but having only been able to watch 10 minutes of it (because it’s that bad and really twists the science to reach their preferred conclusion), but the whole vide… --- ## [The thing in itself - debating how we view the world - philosophy v. science](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-thing-in-itself-debating-how-we-view-the-world-philosophy-v-science/11924)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2026, 3:59am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-thing-in-itself-debating-how-we-view-the-world-philosophy-v-science/11924 "2026-03-19T03:59:28Z")
Kant’s Copernican revolution is well known: instead of asking how our minds conform to objects, he asked how objects conform to our minds. Space and time are not features of a mind-independent world; they are forms of ou… --- ## [Should we be concerned about the future of technology?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/should-we-be-concerned-about-the-future-of-technology/11919)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/should-we-be-concerned-about-the-future-of-technology/11919 "2026-03-15T20:13:17Z")
Mostly from this post on linked in that had a petri dish of human brain cells learning to play doom. Part of me has seriously concerns about this because it raises some VERY uncomfortable questions about ourselves and … --- ## [Still Struggling with "no self"](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/still-struggling-with-no-self/11908)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2026, 4:44am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/still-struggling-with-no-self/11908 "2026-03-08T04:44:35Z")
I’m still not really getting it and no matter where I ask I get different answers, all while in my day to day I struggle to regard people as people since there is no “self”. I read someone putting it as: But, you prot… --- ## [The source of it all for me](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-source-of-it-all-for-me/11906)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 6:52pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-source-of-it-all-for-me/11906 "2026-02-24T18:52:40Z")
In case people where wondering what got me in the mindset that good things or feeling good is living in delusion or illusion, this is what did it for me all those years ago: --- ## [Is culture reality?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/is-culture-reality/11904)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 12:38am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/is-culture-reality/11904 "2026-02-23T00:38:38Z")
https://johnbrodixmerrymanjr.medium.com/why-culture-is-not-reality-7cb4f0867a4d Spared by this article and apologies for the paywall, just wanted thoughts on it. Honestly the first line doesn’t seem to really say anyth… --- ## [Did anyone read this book/ consciousness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/did-anyone-read-this-book-consciousness/11895)
**Author:** [@mmarchin22](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/mmarchin22)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/did-anyone-read-this-book-consciousness/11895 "2026-02-22T14:36:54Z")
“Journey of the Mind: How Thinking Emerged from Chaos By Ogi Ogas And Sai Gaddam Two neuroscientists reveal why consciousness exists and how it works by examining eighteen increasingly intelligent minds, from microbes… --- ## [Sublime beauty in motion, Alysa Liu](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/sublime-beauty-in-motion-alysa-liu/11902)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 5:08pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/sublime-beauty-in-motion-alysa-liu/11902 "2026-02-20T17:08:02Z")
It’s good to know that in the midst of all of today’s horrors, and the monstrous future they portent, there is still sublime beauty. We are an interesting species. Feb 19, 2026 It was a stunning moment … --- ## [AOC Makes Her Big Foreign Policy Debut, Falls Flat on Her Face](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/aoc-makes-her-big-foreign-policy-debut-falls-flat-on-her-face/11899)
**Author:** [@cutslikeaknife](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/cutslikeaknife)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 7:47am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/aoc-makes-her-big-foreign-policy-debut-falls-flat-on-her-face/11899 "2026-02-15T07:47:22Z")
AOC Is a joke .. America is so in decline --- ## [Non physicalist views of consciousness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/non-physicalist-views-of-consciousness/11894)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/non-physicalist-views-of-consciousness/11894 "2026-02-14T17:49:13Z")
Mostly sparked by this thread on twitter: https://x.com/erikjbekkers/status/2018325932935729506 It’s mostly premised on the idea of whether an AI simulating a person would be unethical to terminate and they seem to say … --- ## [I think I'm improving](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/i-think-im-improving/11887)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2026, 2:27am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/i-think-im-improving/11887 "2026-02-11T02:27:44Z")
So I think I’m getting better a sifting through nonsense namely because I just read this “article” someone linked me and "(correct me if I’m wrong) but it’s essentially just paragraphs of nothing. Like it’s giving the il… --- ## [Quick Question about whether to take someone seriously](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/quick-question-about-whether-to-take-someone-seriously/11873)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 4:28am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/quick-question-about-whether-to-take-someone-seriously/11873 "2026-02-06T04:28:54Z")
So I know I have a bad barometer when it comes to judging people because I tend to just give everyone the benefit of the doubt but I wanted a second opinion on this guy: https://x.com/NathanielLugh --- ## [Anyone heard of Frederic Brown?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/anyone-heard-of-frederic-brown/11870)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/anyone-heard-of-frederic-brown/11870 "2026-01-27T21:47:51Z")
I came across a post about a short story of his called Sentence but it’s more this quote that got me thinking: ““When you look out of a window, when you look at anything, you know what you’re seeing? Yourself. A thing… --- ## [What good is a party if no one shows up?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/what-good-is-a-party-if-no-one-shows-up/11848)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2026, 7:51am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/what-good-is-a-party-if-no-one-shows-up/11848 "2026-01-09T07:51:35Z")
This has been brewing for a long time. Finally the holes in the Swiss cheese lined up. Might you be interested in a public forum space dedicated to rational, science respecting conversation? A virtual pub, that is,… --- ## [Is human connection possible?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/is-human-connection-possible/11760)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 189\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 2:44am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/is-human-connection-possible/11760 "2026-01-08T02:44:43Z")
I’m just wondering this lately from a lot I’ve read. Language is limited, we cannot truly know the mind of another person, and we assume we know what other people mean when they say something but we can’t be sure. Knowi… --- ## [Beware of Cruel Comfort of Spiritual Solipsism](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/beware-of-cruel-comfort-of-spiritual-solipsism/11844)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/beware-of-cruel-comfort-of-spiritual-solipsism/11844 "2026-01-01T17:43:12Z")
Inthedark, I’ve just read a fascinating look at Solipsism and its implications at Medium.com by a guy who goes by Archetype Alchemy It was a fascinating read that had me thinking of your struggles, and although nihilism… --- ## [Useless Tesla Powerwalls. Tesla's failure to stand behind their product](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/useless-tesla-powerwalls-teslas-failure-to-stand-behind-their-product/11836)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2025, 4:02am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/useless-tesla-powerwalls-teslas-failure-to-stand-behind-their-product/11836 "2025-12-17T04:02:43Z")
When profits is all that matters, poop happens. Case in point, the uber-flakey Herr Musk’s outfit screwing consumers again. Tesla class action lawsuit overview: Tesla’s 2023 recall of Powerwall 2 batter… --- ## [UK’s first National Emergency Briefing on the Climate & Nature](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/uk-s-first-national-emergency-briefing-on-the-climate-nature/11825)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 10:12am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/uk-s-first-national-emergency-briefing-on-the-climate-nature/11825 "2025-12-14T10:12:01Z")
This is another one of those public service announcements. 9am Nov 27th, 2025 • Central Hall Westminster, United Kingdom The climate and nature crisis On 27th November, ten of the UK’s leading experts briefed an inv… --- ## [Such a common response](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/such-a-common-response/11818)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/such-a-common-response/11818 "2025-11-25T15:26:18Z")
This would be funnier if I didn’t see it everywhere I look --- ## [Hoisting one up thee ol flagpole. Is it time to rebrand “Atheism”?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/hoisting-one-up-thee-ol-flagpole-is-it-time-to-rebrand-atheism/11816)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/hoisting-one-up-thee-ol-flagpole-is-it-time-to-rebrand-atheism/11816 "2025-11-24T15:34:08Z")
This is the first draft of an introduction. Thought I’d put it out here see if anyone nibbles. See how it reads to me tomorrow. Cheers all Is it time to rebrand “Atheism”? Why not simply start calling it “Rationalis… --- ## [A day in the life](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/a-day-in-the-life/11690)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/a-day-in-the-life/11690 "2025-11-20T16:33:27Z")
I do believe I was just buzzed by a sparrow, with intent. See, I’m sitting on our porch steps, a few paces from our little flower circle, with some small trees, bird bath and feeder. Which due to my neglect hadn’t yet b… [Previous page](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/c/general-discussion/6.md) [Next page](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/c/general-discussion/6.md?page=2)