Companies and individuals have finally learned that to make the most money on a product, you focus on and sell to the majority. And they know that the majority aren't too bright, and that the majority would rather believe anything than learn and think. So as a society, we mostly get nostrums, stupid books, stupid movies/tv shows, and political leaders. Ah, well.
As an aside to this topic but germane to many of your other posts, here’s an AI update from a couple of expert sources that further corroborates your observations: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174643816
This fascination with physical immortality links directly to the need of so many people to believe in some sort of religion offering ‘eternal life’ for the ‘soul’. Obviously the specter of one’s demise can create stress, very much like your example in another post about the disappointment faced by the sentient puddle of water that believed its environment was created just for itself. I’d say it takes a certain amount of fortitude to face nonexistence, and everybody wants to believe in something. I know he didn’t originate the thought, but I enjoy Oscar Wilde’s description of religion (which also applies to nostrums): A blind man in a darkened house searching for a nonexistent black cat…and finding it.
Companies and individuals have finally learned that to make the most money on a product, you focus on and sell to the majority. And they know that the majority aren't too bright, and that the majority would rather believe anything than learn and think. So as a society, we mostly get nostrums, stupid books, stupid movies/tv shows, and political leaders. Ah, well.
As an aside to this topic but germane to many of your other posts, here’s an AI update from a couple of expert sources that further corroborates your observations: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174643816
This fascination with physical immortality links directly to the need of so many people to believe in some sort of religion offering ‘eternal life’ for the ‘soul’. Obviously the specter of one’s demise can create stress, very much like your example in another post about the disappointment faced by the sentient puddle of water that believed its environment was created just for itself. I’d say it takes a certain amount of fortitude to face nonexistence, and everybody wants to believe in something. I know he didn’t originate the thought, but I enjoy Oscar Wilde’s description of religion (which also applies to nostrums): A blind man in a darkened house searching for a nonexistent black cat…and finding it.