# General Discussion **URL:** https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/c/general-discussion/6.md?page=3 [Latest](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/categories.md) **Page:** 4 --- ## [Are hormones the main factor for determining sexual orientation?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/are-hormones-the-main-factor-for-determining-sexual-orientation/11387)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2025, 7:02am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/are-hormones-the-main-factor-for-determining-sexual-orientation/11387 "2025-03-07T07:02:57Z")
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. Consensus doesn’t determine truth. Look at how many still believe in astrolog… --- ## [Can science answer philosophical questions?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-science-answer-philosophical-questions/11383)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-science-answer-philosophical-questions/11383 "2025-03-05T23:15:02Z")
I got into some argument over someone online who said that the self isn’t real because science said so: "There is no inherent ‘self,’ and research supports this. Like a group of cells working together, where each cell p… --- ## [A Call to Action - er. no action! Feb 28 Economic Black Out Day](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/a-call-to-action-er-no-action-feb-28-economic-black-out-day/11367)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 10:21pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/a-call-to-action-er-no-action-feb-28-economic-black-out-day/11367 "2025-02-23T22:21:57Z")
Here’s a chance to see what’s left of America’s grass roots awareness and the desire to try to impact our politicians. The People’s Union USA - Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is The People’s Union USA? The Peop… --- ## [Rough views about the nature of the self](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/rough-views-about-the-nature-of-the-self/11364)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2025, 6:14am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/rough-views-about-the-nature-of-the-self/11364 "2025-02-22T06:14:50Z")
Kinda wanted to share this mostly because the ideas in it about the self were kinda jarring to me. THe notion of it being memory to think you are the same person as yesterday to this: "Likewise, our very selves exist … --- ## [What did JJ Gibson mean by this?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/what-did-jj-gibson-mean-by-this/11361)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2025, 3:15am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/what-did-jj-gibson-mean-by-this/11361 "2025-02-21T03:15:18Z")
" In his later work (such as, for example, The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception (1979)), Gibson became more philosophical and criticised cognitivism in the same way he had attacked behaviorism before. Gibson argu… --- ## [How reliable is the google AI overview?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/how-reliable-is-the-google-ai-overview/11351)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/how-reliable-is-the-google-ai-overview/11351 "2025-02-16T21:28:15Z")
Sorta related to that link I mentioned about sleep and memory but it got me thinking about what someone said about the google AI overview and to not trust it: https://www.google.com/search?q=does+the+brain+load+memories… --- ## [Oh, and as for good news . . . There is some if we look far enough](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/oh-and-as-for-good-news-there-is-some-if-we-look-far-enough/11345)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2025, 10:06am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/oh-and-as-for-good-news-there-is-some-if-we-look-far-enough/11345 "2025-02-14T10:06:31Z")
This is what Good News looks like to me, actions matter. Especially actions that nurture natural systems. But that requires a psychological moral embrace of Earth and a genuine commitment to her health. Something that… --- ## [Nihilism](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/nihilism/7114)
**Author:** [@snowcity](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/snowcity)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2025, 1:49pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/nihilism/7114 "2025-02-12T13:49:23Z")
So it’s no secret that I’ve been stuck on this for years and I haven’t been able to shake it. It’s caused me to spiral deeper and deeper and sap much of my joy in life. I’m at the point where I don’t want to feel this wa… --- ## [An ode to social media](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/an-ode-to-social-media/11335)
**Author:** [@coffee](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/coffee)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2025, 4:52am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/an-ode-to-social-media/11335 "2025-02-08T04:52:12Z")
From Matt Haig’s, Notes on a Nervous Planet. When anger trawls the internet, Looking for a hook; It’s time to disconnect, And go and read a book. --- ## [Carl Sagan predictions](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/carl-sagan-predictions/11306)
**Author:** [@morgankane01](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/morgankane01)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2025, 4:25am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/carl-sagan-predictions/11306 "2025-01-20T04:25:18Z")
30 years ago, Carl Sagan predicted what the United States would be like in the future. How accurate is it today? "I have a foreboding of an America in my children’s or grandchildren’s time — when the United States is a … --- ## [Fiddler on the Roof, a movie for the times?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/fiddler-on-the-roof-a-movie-for-the-times/11299)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 3:42am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/fiddler-on-the-roof-a-movie-for-the-times/11299 "2025-01-07T03:42:49Z")
Recently Fiddler on the Roof was brought up by a friend. Later having seen the movie as a young teen with family, I went to YouTube to listen to a couple songs, then noticed the following YT suggestion: “Why Fiddler On… --- ## [AI assisted writing](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/ai-assisted-writing/8040)
**Author:** [@write4u](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/write4u)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2025, 1:09am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/ai-assisted-writing/8040 "2025-01-06T01:09:31Z")
Just ran across a very interesting AI-based writing assistant. Not only does it spell-check, but also rates the content for clarity in the context. To top it off, it tells you the emotional content of the presentation,… --- ## [Is there a second arrow of time?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/is-there-a-second-arrow-of-time/11294)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 8:21pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/is-there-a-second-arrow-of-time/11294 "2025-01-03T20:21:45Z")
I love this little talk, it attracted my attention because it resonated with my perspective. Hazen PhD, isn’t just another talking head, he has as solid a five star scientific career as any scientist. In this case that… --- ## [Happy new year 2025](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/happy-new-year-2025/11290)
**Author:** [@morgankane01](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/morgankane01)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 5:16am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/happy-new-year-2025/11290 "2025-01-02T05:16:16Z")
Happy New Year Best wishes! Health and happiness for you and your loved ones. The year 2025 is going to be very difficult. We’ll see. --- ## [The Map of Plants - Domain of Science](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-map-of-plants-domain-of-science/11286)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2024, 4:13am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-map-of-plants-domain-of-science/11286 "2024-12-30T04:13:37Z")
Speaking of Evolution here’s cool little tour of Earth’s plant kingdom, probably with a few surprises. Enjoy. Domain of Science In this map of plants I summarise all of the different kinds of plants fro… --- ## [Title: Sense of Self](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/title-sense-of-self/11270)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 8:45pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/title-sense-of-self/11270 "2024-12-24T20:45:32Z")
My perspective has always been fundamentally foreign to most, even my own family and friends. I’m normal enough, so that I’ve been able to go with the flow. It is easier than constantly swimming against convention and … --- ## [Is it ever too late for things to change?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/is-it-ever-too-late-for-things-to-change/11267)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/is-it-ever-too-late-for-things-to-change/11267 "2024-12-24T17:57:32Z")
I got to reflecting on this since I’m 33 years old and I feel like, looking over my life and where I am now, I feel like I’ve wasted so much time, especially in my twenties. People would say “You’re still young, you’ve … --- ## [Micronauts, journey into the microcosmos (Essentia Foundation)](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/micronauts-journey-into-the-microcosmos-essentia-foundation/11260)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/micronauts-journey-into-the-microcosmos-essentia-foundation/11260 "2024-12-19T18:47:41Z")
Behold: This is the making of Micronauts, a documentary by director Hans Busstra, which shows the first moving images of the inside of a single bacterium at the molecular level. In this video, we unpack ho… --- ## [Does something being automatic mean it's not you?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/does-something-being-automatic-mean-its-not-you/10989)
**Author:** [@inthedarkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inthedarkness)\ **Replies:** 374\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 5:33pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/does-something-being-automatic-mean-its-not-you/10989 "2024-12-14T17:33:23Z")
Inspired by this video. It used to bug me a lot because I thought “well if none of this is me then what does it all mean”. But then I thought “hang on, why ISN’T it me”? He never says why that is just says… --- ## [To all posters and readers](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/to-all-posters-and-readers/11240)
**Author:** [@write4u](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/write4u)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/to-all-posters-and-readers/11240 "2024-11-28T18:20:30Z")
I wish all a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving 2024. Write4U --- ## [The Physics That Doomed Amelia Earhart](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-physics-that-doomed-amelia-earhart/11238)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2024, 6:53am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-physics-that-doomed-amelia-earhart/11238 "2024-11-24T06:53:27Z")
Since most of us are around that certain age where we know the Amelia Earhart mystery and all the fantastical hay media outlets have made with it. Which is why I’m sharing this story that I found it surprising satisfyin… --- ## [Missing key to Stephen Gould’s “Nonoverlapping Magisterium”](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/missing-key-to-stephen-gould-s-nonoverlapping-magisterium/6243)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev3](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev3)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2024, 1:22am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/missing-key-to-stephen-gould-s-nonoverlapping-magisterium/6243 "2024-11-24T01:22:22Z")
The increasingly shrill and disconnected from physical reality attacks on science by faith-based organizations and individuals has me thinking about an essay evolutionary biologist and historian of science Stephen Gould … --- ## [November 22, 1963, what a loss. We never recognize tipping points, till it's too late](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/november-22-1963-what-a-loss-we-never-recognize-tipping-points-till-its-too-late/11236)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/november-22-1963-what-a-loss-we-never-recognize-tipping-points-till-its-too-late/11236 "2024-11-22T18:28:54Z")
On this day in 1963, at about the time I’m typing this, recess was over for the younger kids at John J. Audubon elementary school. I found myself climbing back up the stairs to my third grade classroom when I overheard a… --- ## [The Dispute between a Man and his Ba](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-dispute-between-a-man-and-his-ba/11226)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-dispute-between-a-man-and-his-ba/11226 "2024-11-21T17:45:42Z")
We have been this way before. Here’s some passages about what unexamined self-absorption leads to. Reviews mostly focus on the man’s flirting with suicide, that not what caught me about these lines, it was the descript… --- ## [Onion makes me laugh, not cry](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/onion-makes-me-laugh-not-cry/11222)
**Author:** [@coffee](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/coffee)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2024, 4:46pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/onion-makes-me-laugh-not-cry/11222 "2024-11-14T16:46:25Z")
--- ## [Do flowers have color?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/do-flowers-have-color/11207)
**Author:** [@write4u](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/write4u)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2024, 5:07am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/do-flowers-have-color/11207 "2024-11-07T05:07:09Z")
When we look at a flower it appears to have color, but what we see is our own projection of reflected colors. The flower itself has no color, it reflects photons having different vibrational frequencies, which are tr… --- ## [What's the problem](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/whats-the-problem/11203)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 3:55pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/whats-the-problem/11203 "2024-10-31T15:55:41Z")
I wanted to add this to inthedarkness’ Point of Life thread, but edits (additions aren’t allowed in slow mode so I’ll setting for this. Gotta run. Already explained why that’s not true. Lausten here we see the prob… --- ## [Pity those sad unfortunate misunderstood billionaires - What's up with them?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/pity-those-sad-unfortunate-misunderstood-billionaires-whats-up-with-them/11108)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2024, 3:30am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/pity-those-sad-unfortunate-misunderstood-billionaires-whats-up-with-them/11108 "2024-10-26T03:30:08Z")
Here’s an excellent example of the Billionaire state of mind. Thought of the moment; The question isn’t who’s going to let me, it’s who’s going to stop me. “Tech Billionaires’ Shocking Plot to Go Rogue in Rural Amer… --- ## [Donald's McDonald visit ends badly for the Big Mac](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/donalds-mcdonald-visit-ends-badly-for-the-big-mac/11184)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2024, 1:43pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/donalds-mcdonald-visit-ends-badly-for-the-big-mac/11184 "2024-10-23T13:43:05Z")
Sometimes politics is too weird to be funny and other times it’s just plain too funny. rump learning how to make fries, he may need the job. And then … And then … Of course, it’s not at all funny for the unlu… --- ## [An Earth Centrist considers human consciousness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/an-earth-centrist-considers-human-consciousness/11148)
**Author:** [@peterm](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/peterm)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2024, 8:22pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/an-earth-centrist-considers-human-consciousness/11148 "2024-10-05T20:22:11Z")
Questioning life, where did Earth come from, who am I, why am I, what is consciousness, have been fundamental human quests since before storytelling began. They have also been central to my own spiritual, intellectual a… [Previous page](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/c/general-discussion/6.md?page=2) [Next page](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/c/general-discussion/6.md?page=4)