Perhaps many people were turned off by the poetic imagery, but it seemed that many responders failed to understand it. It can be very difficult to step outside the human frame, and truly consider reality as matter, forces, space and time. A lot of the replies seemed to find this statement repugnant, without realizing that it’s just an explanation of facts.
Also, for those who think this excerpt is an exhortation to nihilism: read the final paragraph again. We build upon the basics. We form societies because they meet our individual preferences, we establish moral conventions because we desire something from our individual experiences.
I didn’t find it engaging, so I didn’t bother finishing it when I saw it. Reading the entire thing in reaction to your comment, I don’t find it interesting.
It may be a basic difference of interests. Less Wrong attracts engineers, economists, scientists, and philosophers, who will find value in different kinds of comments / topics.
I was just surprised, given the reaction to similar material here in the past, that this wasn’t heavily upvoted.
I’m puzzled that this has such low karma.
Perhaps many people were turned off by the poetic imagery, but it seemed that many responders failed to understand it. It can be very difficult to step outside the human frame, and truly consider reality as matter, forces, space and time. A lot of the replies seemed to find this statement repugnant, without realizing that it’s just an explanation of facts.
Also, for those who think this excerpt is an exhortation to nihilism: read the final paragraph again. We build upon the basics. We form societies because they meet our individual preferences, we establish moral conventions because we desire something from our individual experiences.
I didn’t find it engaging, so I didn’t bother finishing it when I saw it. Reading the entire thing in reaction to your comment, I don’t find it interesting.
Understood.
It may be a basic difference of interests. Less Wrong attracts engineers, economists, scientists, and philosophers, who will find value in different kinds of comments / topics.
I was just surprised, given the reaction to similar material here in the past, that this wasn’t heavily upvoted.
As PhilGoetz said, “Peanut butter gets more karma than caviar.”
In recognition of your opinion, I will devote further analysis to the quote at a later time. My opinion may be overly shallow.