Which pill would you take?

Catwoman · 04-20-2004, 07:53 AM

In the Matrix, Neo is presented with a red and a blue pill (ok don't quote me on the actual colours - it's a metaphor). He takes the red pill, choosing a fascinating but uncomfortable reality over a falsified euphemism for life. Which would you choose? Is it better to have knowledge and the inevitable suffering that brings, or live in blissful ignorance?

Troubleshooter · 04-20-2004, 07:56 AM

Red pill, no question.

Beestie · 04-20-2004, 09:02 AM

Depends on who I'm leaving behind.

If there is no one, then give me the RED pill.

But I can't leave behind a wife and two kids.... unless... *gasp* ... they are part of the illusion.

Gee, maybe its RED either way.

OnyxCougar · 04-20-2004, 09:42 AM

That's going to depend on if I am "THE ONE" in the red pill world or not. Why give up the "ignorance is bliss" stance to go to another crappy world where you're still a nobody?

edit: post # 1234. Fitting.

Catwoman · 04-20-2004, 11:17 AM

Lets say you are not 'the one', and you will be as powerless (or powerful) to affect anything in this new reality as you are in this life. However, you will no longer be ignorant, and that agnosticism you have been maintaining all your life will finally be answered, ultimately leading to peace of mind and the possiblity (not guarantee) of making a REAL impact. Would you risk the safety of knowing you will never make a difference (and therefore never experience disappointment) for the remote possibility of making a genuine, productive difference? There is always a bigger chance that you will fail, but the rewards should you succeed are incalculable.

Elspode · 04-20-2004, 11:18 AM

How do we know that all reality isn't subjective anyway? If what you perceive as reality is indistinguishable from actual reality, then what does it matter?

FWIW, I do believe that reality *is* completely subjective. I think it does a lot to explain schizophrenia and the fact that two people can see the exact same thing occur, yet disagree on details of what they've seen.

Troubleshooter · 04-20-2004, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Elspode
I think it does a lot to explain schizophrenia and the fact that two people can see the exact same thing occur, yet disagree on details of what they've seen.

I think stupidity does a better job of that than subjectivity does.

Elspode · 04-20-2004, 11:46 AM

Well, yeah, but even the perception of stupidity is subjective. I've known some pretty damn stupid people who thought they were freaking rocket scientists.

jaguar · 04-20-2004, 11:47 AM

Put it another way. Rather be a happy big or a miserable human.
Sometimes I lean one way, sometimes the other. More kicks being human I guess, more kicks taking hte red pill too. Rather live short, sharp and enjoying myself/excite myself than long and boring.

JeepNGeorge · 04-20-2004, 11:53 AM

Women like it when you take the little blue pill. Blue all the way

04-20-2004, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JeepNGeorge
Women like it when you take the little blue pill. Blue all the way

Oh, yeah? Give me a red pill type anytime!

Catwoman · 04-21-2004, 06:22 AM

How do we know that all reality isn't subjective anyway? If what you perceive as reality is indistinguishable from actual reality, then what does it matter?

Subjective reality is an interesting oxymoron because the word reality suggests something that is inherently tangible and objective. Perception of objective reality, however, is immeasurable and by its nature ambiguous. I can only concur that because of this, whether red or blue pill is your preference, it doesn't actually matter. It was more my intention to filter out those who assume risk to be danger and prefer the reticence and safety of ignorance, from those whose curiosity and, ultimately, intelligence, prevents them from accepting a myth as reality.

Whether 'reality' exisits as an objective measurable entity is a good foundation for a completely different debate...

http://cellar.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5608

JeepNGeorge · 04-21-2004, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by marichiko

Oh, yeah? Give me a red pill type anytime!

Then why do I get so many emails saying to really please my woman buy their di$count lil blue pills.

04-20-2004, 07:53 AM	#1
Catwoman stalking a Tom Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: on the edge of the english channel Posts: 1,000	Which pill would you take? In the Matrix, Neo is presented with a red and a blue pill (ok don't quote me on the actual colours - it's a metaphor). He takes the red pill, choosing a fascinating but uncomfortable reality over a falsified euphemism for life. Which would you choose? Is it better to have knowledge and the inevitable suffering that brings, or live in blissful ignorance? __________________ I've decided I'm not going to have a signature anymore.

04-20-2004, 07:56 AM	#2
Troubleshooter The urban Jane Goodall Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 3,012	Red pill, no question. __________________ I have gained this from philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law. - Aristotle

04-20-2004, 09:02 AM	#3
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	Depends on who I'm leaving behind. If there is no one, then give me the RED pill. But I can't leave behind a wife and two kids.... unless... gasp ... they are part of the illusion. Gee, maybe its RED either way. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

04-20-2004, 11:17 AM	#5
Catwoman stalking a Tom Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: on the edge of the english channel Posts: 1,000	Lets say you are not 'the one', and you will be as powerless (or powerful) to affect anything in this new reality as you are in this life. However, you will no longer be ignorant, and that agnosticism you have been maintaining all your life will finally be answered, ultimately leading to peace of mind and the possiblity (not guarantee) of making a REAL impact. Would you risk the safety of knowing you will never make a difference (and therefore never experience disappointment) for the remote possibility of making a genuine, productive difference? There is always a bigger chance that you will fail, but the rewards should you succeed are incalculable. __________________ I've decided I'm not going to have a signature anymore.

04-20-2004, 11:18 AM	#6
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	How do we know that all reality isn't subjective anyway? If what you perceive as reality is indistinguishable from actual reality, then what does it matter? FWIW, I do believe that reality is completely subjective. I think it does a lot to explain schizophrenia and the fact that two people can see the exact same thing occur, yet disagree on details of what they've seen. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

04-20-2004, 09:42 AM	#4
OnyxCougar Junior Master Dwellar Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kingdom of Atlantia Posts: 2,979	That's going to depend on if I am "THE ONE" in the red pill world or not. Why give up the "ignorance is bliss" stance to go to another crappy world where you're still a nobody? edit: post # 1234. Fitting.

04-20-2004, 11:46 AM	#8
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Well, yeah, but even the perception of stupidity is subjective. I've known some pretty damn stupid people who thought they were freaking rocket scientists. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

04-20-2004, 11:47 AM	#9
jaguar whig Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 5,075	Put it another way. Rather be a happy big or a miserable human. Sometimes I lean one way, sometimes the other. More kicks being human I guess, more kicks taking hte red pill too. Rather live short, sharp and enjoying myself/excite myself than long and boring. __________________ Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. - Twain

04-20-2004, 11:53 AM	#10
JeepNGeorge Hand-of-Kindness Extender Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Where am I? Posts: 139	Women like it when you take the little blue pill. Blue all the way

04-21-2004, 06:22 AM	#12
Catwoman stalking a Tom Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: on the edge of the english channel Posts: 1,000	How do we know that all reality isn't subjective anyway? If what you perceive as reality is indistinguishable from actual reality, then what does it matter? Subjective reality is an interesting oxymoron because the word reality suggests something that is inherently tangible and objective. Perception of objective reality, however, is immeasurable and by its nature ambiguous. I can only concur that because of this, whether red or blue pill is your preference, it doesn't actually matter. It was more my intention to filter out those who assume risk to be danger and prefer the reticence and safety of ignorance, from those whose curiosity and, ultimately, intelligence, prevents them from accepting a myth as reality. Whether 'reality' exisits as an objective measurable entity is a good foundation for a completely different debate... http://cellar.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5608 __________________ I've decided I'm not going to have a signature anymore. Last edited by Catwoman; 04-21-2004 at 10:29 AM.

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