What is reality?

[Olthar]

First, I'll preemptively apologize in case this OP becomes a bit too bloggy, but there will be some questions at the end.

So, lately, I've been having these dreams which havr become quite upsetting. In general, they match the real world and my real life exactly except for one or two differences. Sometimes, the only difference is simply that it didn't happen, but it otherwise could have.

Because of the nature of these dreams, I usually end up believing them wholly while I'm asleep and treat them like I'm reviewing a memory. Their typical focus on details does not help this.

In my mind, I have an image of a place embedded so thoroughly that I must actively label it as a dream every time it comes up. So, what happens if I start forgetting to label it? Are there any memories where that has already happened? I continuously question myself because I can never say with 100% certainty that all my memories are true. Some, or even many, may ne fabricated. These false memories may not have even originated from dreams. They could have slowly drained emerged during my waking hours.

So, here's my question for you, General: can you all trust yourselves? How do you know your memories are all factual? Is there any way any of us can be certain? We all must view our minds through our minds, so if something is wrong, we would have no way of truly knowing. We cannot, by it's very nature, objectively analyze our own minds, so without any basis in fact, how can we know everything is working correctly?

These things worry me. In thirty years, my memories of my childhood could be nothing but delusions of a false life, and I have ansolutely no way of stopping this or even seeing it happen. I just feel so pitifully powerless. Do any of you feel this way, too, or am I just thinking too hard?

[The Scientific States]

First, I'll preemptively apologize in case this OP becomes a bit too bloggy, but there will be some questions at the end.

So, lately, I've been having these dreams which havr become quite upsetting. In general, they match the real world and my real life exactly except for one or two differences. Sometimes, the only difference is simply that it didn't happen, but it otherwise could have.

Because of the nature of these dreams, I usually end up believing them wholly while I'm asleep and treat them like I'm reviewing a memory. Their typical focus on details does not help this.

In my mind, I have an image of a place embedded so thoroughly that I must actively label it as a dream every time it comes up. So, what happens if I start forgetting to label it? Are there any memories where that has already happened? I continuously question myself because I can never say with 100% certainty that all my memories are true. Some, or even many, may ne fabricated. These false memories may not have even originated from dreams. They could have slowly drained emerged during my waking hours.

So, here's my question for you, General: can you all trust yourselves? How do you know your memories are all factual? Is there any way any of us can be certain? We all must view our minds through our minds, so if something is wrong, we would have no way of truly knowing. We cannot, by it's very nature, objectively analyze our own minds, so without any basis in fact, how can we know everything is working correctly?

These things worry me. In thirty years, my memories of my childhood could be nothing but delusions of a false life, and I have ansolutely no way of stopping this or even seeing it happen. I just feel so pitifully powerless. Do any of you feel this way, too, or am I just thinking too hard?

I think you're just thinking too hard. We can't all trust ourselves, so we can't know really know everything is working correctly. Anyways, why worry about not being able to have certain memories in thirty years. Memories are nice(usually) but that's thirty years from now, live in the moment.

[Blasveck]

I thought this was going to be an OP on solipsism. Thank the Gids.

To address the OP, I think your fears might be a bit exaggerated, but they're in the right place.

We're all naturally afraid of losing our minds and our cherished memories. It's what makes us what we are.

[Olthar]

I think you're just thinking too hard. We can't all trust ourselves, so we can't know really know everything is working correctly. Anyways, why worry about not being able to have certain memories in thirty years. Memories are nice(usually) but that's thirty years from now, live in the moment.

I'm sorry. I simply cannot do that. It is in my nature to think and ponder. I can't simply ignore the future; it will happen.

[Stern des Meeres]

You're thinking too hard.
But, alas, as someone who is wont to do the same thing, I understand completely.
We can't trust our memories. We can't really trust anything. I suppose whatever you consider your reality is real to you.

[Mkuki]

So, here's my question for you, General: can you all trust yourselves?

I can trust myself enough to do what I want and not fdo things I don't want to do.

How do you know your memories are all factual?

Corresponding information from others who are in my memories?
Blind faith?

Is there any way any of us can be certain?

Probably video or corresponding information from multiple people and sources.

We all must view our minds through our minds, so if something is wrong, we would have no way of truly knowing. We cannot, by it's very nature, objectively analyze our own minds, so without any basis in fact, how can we know everything is working correctly?

Scientific method.
Hell if I know. I'm sure neuroscientists can provide answers.

These things worry me. In thirty years, my memories of my childhood could be nothing but delusions of a false life, and I have ansolutely no way of stopping this or even seeing it happen. I just feel so pitifully powerless. Do any of you feel this way, too, or am I just thinking too hard?

Probably thinking too hard. What relevance do these memories you claim are false have on your current life? Even if said memories are doctored, does it really matter? What I mean is what possible effects could false memories have on your present life?

[Olthar]

I thought this was going to be an OP on solipsism. Thank the Gids.

To address the OP, I think your fears might be a bit exaggerated, but they're in the right place.

We're all naturally afraid of losing our minds and our cherished memories. It's what makes us what we are.

Are they? They might be exaggerated as no one really seems to have any problems with this, but on the other hand, everyone could simply not recognize the problems and ignorantly live lives of delusion, like what I could eventually do, or maybe even do right now. I can't verify my mind with my mind, and that's all I have.

[The Scientific States]

I think you're just thinking too hard. We can't all trust ourselves, so we can't know really know everything is working correctly. Anyways, why worry about not being able to have certain memories in thirty years. Memories are nice(usually) but that's thirty years from now, live in the moment.

I'm sorry. I simply cannot do that. It is in my nature to think and ponder. I can't simply ignore the future; it will happen.

Worrying about the future is fine, but you're worrying about the inevitable. You cannot stop it, and by the time it happens it won't matter to you anymore.

[Olthar]

You're thinking too hard.
But, alas, as someone who is wont to do the same thing, I understand completely.
We can't trust our memories. We can't really trust anything. I suppose whatever you consider your reality is real to you.

But is that enough? Is it okay to ignore the potential inaccuracies and willfully live with false memories? Maybe to some or most, I suppose...

[Olthar]

You cannot stop it, and by the time it happens it won't matter to you anymore.

And that's why I worry.

[Stern des Meeres]

You're thinking too hard.
But, alas, as someone who is wont to do the same thing, I understand completely.
We can't trust our memories. We can't really trust anything. I suppose whatever you consider your reality is real to you.

But is that enough? Is it okay to ignore the potential inaccuracies and willfully live with false memories? Maybe to some or most, I suppose...

I tend to think it's not enough. My mindset leans towards yours. However, I imagine it'd be quite hard to tell what's "real" and what's "fake" once you realize that anything you think could be a false truth.

[The Scientific States]

You cannot stop it, and by the time it happens it won't matter to you anymore.

And that's why I worry.

You need to relax. You can't hold on to memories forever, everyday we lose so many memories and it doesn't cause the slightest inconvenience to us because we won't remember. Remember the more memories we lose the more we gain.

[Genivaria]

I once dreamed an entire lifetime.
I had a wife, kids, and a very happy home.
Then I woke up.

Sometimes I hate reality.

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

Write a journal. Keep a record. Hell, write down your dreams. If you feel you have to, get some therapy. Whatever it is you feel you need to do to keep yourself aware of what is real and what is imagined. Plenty of us, even those of us given to daydreaming and wild imaginations, manage on a daily basis. Even the ones who RP and surround themselves purposefully with fantasy worlds, stories, and situations.

You're right - this is coming across fairly bloggish.

[Olthar]

<snip>

I don't carry a video camera 24/7, nor am I around other people every moment of the day. There are lots of times when I am alone. There are also lots of small things that most others won't bother to even remember.

Probably thinking too hard. What relevance do these memories you claim are false have on your current life? Even if said memories are doctored, does it really matter? What I mean is what possible effects could false memories have on your present life?

They matter simply because I care about these sorts of things.

[Olthar]

But is that enough? Is it okay to ignore the potential inaccuracies and willfully live with false memories? Maybe to some or most, I suppose...

I tend to think it's not enough. My mindset leans towards yours. However, I imagine it'd be quite hard to tell what's "real" and what's "fake" once you realize that anything you think could be a false truth.

And therein lies the problem. We must simply accept our minds as truth on blind faith or risk going mad trying in vain to figure it out. Unfortunately, I can't help but continue on down this road. I couldn't live with myself if I simply dropped this.

[Stern des Meeres]

I tend to think it's not enough. My mindset leans towards yours. However, I imagine it'd be quite hard to tell what's "real" and what's "fake" once you realize that anything you think could be a false truth.

And therein lies the problem. We must simply accept our minds as truth on blind faith or risk going mad trying in vain to figure it out. Unfortunately, I can't help but continue on down this road. I couldn't live with myself if I simply dropped this.

It's a double-edged sword.
You either admit that you're crazy and lying to yourself and accept it, or go crazy while trying to avoid lying to yourself.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

I can't say I have an answer of which is better.

[Olthar]

And that's why I worry.

You need to relax. You can't hold on to memories forever, everyday we lose so many memories and it doesn't cause the slightest inconvenience to us because we won't remember. Remember the more memories we lose the more we gain.

Indeed. That is true, but I am a perfectionist and completionist. I want a wholly flawless and untainted collection of memories. I want the truth, not a false life of false memories.

[Olthar]

I once dreamed an entire lifetime.
I had a wife, kids, and a very happy home.
Then I woke up.

Sometimes I hate reality.

True. Reality can be harsh, but is blissful ignorance more preferable than lurid reality? I do not know.

[Anachronous Rex]

"Zorblak, subject #3174 is asking questions again. Get off your cloaca and realign her will ya?"

[The Scientific States]

You need to relax. You can't hold on to memories forever, everyday we lose so many memories and it doesn't cause the slightest inconvenience to us because we won't remember. Remember the more memories we lose the more we gain.

Indeed. That is true, but I am a perfectionist and completionist. I want a wholly flawless and untainted collection of memories. I want the truth, not a false life of false memories.

Many want that, but it's impossible. Despite what my national motto claims, don't spend your whole life worrying about the inevitable and don't try to achieve what is truly impossible. It's a big waste of a short life you're lucky to live.

[Stern des Meeres]

I once dreamed an entire lifetime.
I had a wife, kids, and a very happy home.
Then I woke up.

Sometimes I hate reality.

True. Reality can be harsh, but is blissful ignorance more preferable than lurid reality? I do not know.

The problem is, you're never going to achieve this lurid reality. We have an imperfect understanding of the world. Is there a point in worrying about so useless a goal?

[Shnercropolis]

Ahh, memory. One of the most unreliable things, in my opinion.

You see, the brain is imperfect. That's why almost everyone is ignorant one way or the other. Occasionally, your memory slips up, and puts the wrong thing in the wrong place, or puts something there that never happened. Sometimes it puts something in the past that really is happening right now(this would be a deja vu) So, if you keep remembering things that never happened, blame your memory. It's probably playing some cruel joke. I know mine does that all the time.

[Olthar]

Write a journal. Keep a record. Hell, write down your dreams. If you feel you have to, get some therapy. Whatever it is you feel you need to do to keep yourself aware of what is real and what is imagined. Plenty of us, even those of us given to daydreaming and wild imaginations, manage on a daily basis. Even the ones who RP and surround themselves purposefully with fantasy worlds, stories, and situations.

You're right - this is coming across fairly bloggish.

I have no problems distinguishing fantasy. I am not a nutcase. Obviously, Frodo didn't exist, but I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about something more subtle and elusive. I'm talking about memories and the flawed method of archiving them in our brains. Sure, the important stuff will stay there unharmed by time, but I am not content with that and want to hold onto the small stuff, too, the small stuff everyone else ignores.

[Anachronous Rex]

I have confidence that one day we will build a machine that can see past our cognitive limitations.

Until then, I try to think of it more positively: I get to be a new person every few years, and there are huge continuity problems... just like with The Doctor.