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naraburns  nihil supernum  1yr ago (text post)   3116 thread views

Friday Fun Thread for December 23, 2022

Be advised: this thread is not for serious in-depth discussion of weighty topics (we have a link for that), this thread is not for anything Culture War related. This thread is for Fun. You got jokes? Share 'em. You got silly questions? Ask 'em.

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Merry Christmas!

As someone asked (ironically) in another thread - how would life change if everyone could read thoughts and there was no off filter?

It would be an extremely radical change. Humans wouldn't even be the same animal.

I recall reading that people with exceptionally good memories have a hard time connecting with people because they remember in vivid detail every slight that was ever done to them. And that being somewhat forgetful is a necessary component for forgiveness. Sociolopsychology is fickle.

The concept of social skills wouldn't exist as we know it because so much of that is just hiding/broadcasting thoughts/intentions.

Imagine if people would know every time you found them annoying. Or worse, everytime you found them hot. Teenage boys would have to be locked up in prison.

And all of this is scratching the surface. It is a radical change to say the least.

I recall reading that people with exceptionally good memories have a hard time connecting with people because they remember in vivid detail every slight that was ever done to them. And that being somewhat forgetful is a necessary component for forgiveness. Sociolopsychology is fickle.

I can relate to that for another reason. I see people each year having the same conversations they already had years ago and they repeat the script as if it was for the first time.

I mean sure, it's great to bypass the hedonic treadmill and to be excited about things you already talked about in the past.

Me remembering things indeed maintain a bit my hedonic treadmill but the worst by far is to see the non-evolution, instead of taking the occasion of the discussion to explore the semantic search space differently, more in breadth and or more in depth, it is tiring to see the striking human stagnation.

There can be comfort in repeating familiar conversational ruts, I find. It's a sort of mutual acknowledgement that you know the other person well, and vice versa. Depending on your relationship with them, it can be very affirming and pleasant to know there's another person out there who understands who you are and what you belief, albeit partially.

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