(2017-08-29, 03:40 PM)jkmac Wrote: [ -> ]There is no meaning to the phrase the "brain being dead". There is no definition of such a thing.
More to the point- even if the brain shows some sort of electrical activity for a few seconds or even a very few minutes after cessation of heart activity, so what? Can anyone make a reasonable claim that high level brain function can happen in such a state? Of course not.
This whole line of inquiry is pointless, and only serves as a shiny object that skeptics can point to in order to avoid the heart of the matter, which is: how can one have an ultra-real experience while the brain is totally non-functional or at least profoundly diminished?
This is the core of why Eben Alexander, who is a brain surgeon after-all, unequivocally stated, based on his own personal NDE (or call it a close-to-death experience if you like), that the seat of our life experience, and consciousness itself, is clearly NOT in our brain.
"This whole line of inquiry is pointless,"
I agree, jkmac, but that's what it's come down to now. The 'sceptics' (I don't mean Max, he uses this line of enquiry to try to keep his theory afloat) are desperate to cling on to anything and 'some neurons' still firing is much better in their view than the impossible notion that we possess a detachable mind or "soul."
Anything at all in fact is better than that.
(2017-08-29, 04:01 PM)tim Wrote: [ -> ]"This whole line of inquiry is pointless,"
I agree, jkmac, but that's what it's come down to now. The 'sceptics' (I don't mean Max, he uses this line of enquiry to try to keep his theory afloat) are desperate to cling on to anything and 'some neurons' still firing is much better in their view than the impossible notion that we possess a detachable mind or "soul."
Anything at all in fact is better than that.
I would like to encourage those people to be a bit more brave of heart, and trust the data they see rather than cling in fear to something they probably sense is in great question.
(2017-08-29, 04:07 PM)jkmac Wrote: [ -> ]I would like to encourage those people to be a bit more brave of heart, and trust the data they see rather than cling in fear to something they probably sense is in great question.
"and trust the data they see"
Unfortunately they never will. It cannot be, therefore it isn't.
(2017-08-29, 04:12 PM)tim Wrote: [ -> ]"and trust the data they see"
Unfortunately they never will. It cannot be, therefore it isn't.
Regretfully this is all to often so.
But for every person who feels that way there's one or more who just needs a little encouragement.
(2017-08-29, 04:01 PM)tim Wrote: [ -> ]"This whole line of inquiry is pointless,"
(I don't mean Max, he uses this line of enquiry to try to keep his theory afloat)
That too is pointless, since the theory even if viable, doesn't correspond with the evidence it would seek to explain. That it additionally isn't viable makes the whole enterprise an ever bigger folly.
But we've been through all this before.
(2017-08-29, 05:14 PM)Typoz Wrote: [ -> ]That too is pointless, since the theory even if viable, doesn't correspond with the evidence it would seek to explain. That it additionally isn't viable makes the whole enterprise an ever bigger folly.
But we've been through all this before.
Yeah, but I bet some people will happen along who haven't seen it before, and will be glad to see it laid out in front of them. And heck,, it just may keep them from spinning wheels, and wasting time chasing a phantom down an unlit dead-end street.
That's what I like to think anyway, cause it keeps me positive...
(2017-08-29, 05:43 PM)jkmac Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah, but I bet some people will happen along who haven't seen it before, and will be glad to see it laid out in front of them. And heck,, it just may keep them from spinning wheels, and wasting time chasing a phantom down an unlit dead-end street.
That's what I like to think anyway, cause it keeps me positive...
Actually, I think that as long as people keep posting stuff which doesn't hold up to scrutiny, it is definitely worthwhile for someone to post and point it out. So yes, I like the things you've been posting (the videos too) and think you are making a valuable contribution.