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One-Electron Universe

117 points · 94 comments · pella

  1. stared · · focus · HN ↗
    In the line, I recommend „The Egg” by Andy Weir <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.galactanet.com&#x2F;oneoff&#x2F;theegg_mod.html" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.galactanet.com&#x2F;oneoff&#x2F;theegg_mod.html
    1. itsalwaysgood · · focus · HN ↗
      That&#x27;s such a great read.

      Asimov&#x27;s &#x27;The Last Question&#x27; is another good one that&#x27;s in line: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;users.ece.cmu.edu&#x2F;~gamvrosi&#x2F;thelastq.html" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;users.ece.cmu.edu&#x2F;~gamvrosi&#x2F;thelastq.html

      1. sph · · focus · HN ↗
        I love both of these, and I wonder why would I need mainstream religion when stories like these are deep enough to provide answers, hope and meaning for those who seek it. If the message resonates with you, why not adopt it? Nobody could ever prove they’re just fantasy.

        Sorry for the digression, I’m just an atheist with a love for philosophy and spirituality.

        1. AnimalMuppet · · focus · HN ↗
          If you&#x27;re going to be content with &quot;nobody could ever prove it wrong&quot;, what do you have against mainstream religion?

          Fantasy is fantasy. Either it&#x27;s true to what&#x27;s really there, or it isn&#x27;t.

          1. sph · · focus · HN ↗
            I’m not against, I’m just saying one can find answers to the deep questions of life without having to buy into religion wholesale. No one ever told me this was even an option, especially due to the toxic discourse around atheism and Christianity by Americans that have poisoned the conversation for everybody else (quelle surprise…)
            1. itsalwaysgood · · focus · HN ↗
              Conviction influences behavior. You can believe whatever you want: and we believe things based on experience, and personal knowledge. And we &#x27;stick&#x27; to those beliefs for certain reasons.

              There is a friction to being pushed into believing something else: read up on Plato&#x27;s &#x27;Allegory of the Cave&#x27; for an idea of what I&#x27;m talking about.

              Your own personal beliefs can become a religion if you start to shape your life around it: that is, you start thinking of, and living by, principles or guidelines that affect your behavior. The stories offer up core ideas or beliefs, but no principles or guidelines to live by.

              If you find the story interesting, and don&#x27;t form rigid guidelines or rules to live by: then perhaps you&#x27;ve just been influenced in a positive way, a way that resonates with you.

              The problem with conviction, is when people try to force it onto others. It&#x27;s something that has to be grown from within.

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