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innerSpaceman · 01-21-2011, 02:05 PM

I remember distinctly my reactions to the (1st) Body Worlds exhibit in L.A. Well, my first reaction was being far too conscious of my skeletal, muscular and circulatory systems as I lived and breathed for the next several months (which is why I didn't go to see subsequent shows).

But my second reaction was - even after viewing all the wonderful mechanics of human biology, and speaking extensively with the curators and staff of the exhibit - I could grok how everything worked so amazingly - but still not have an inkling of WHY it worked. That is, what made the system go and do what it was so well-equipped to do. Sorry, but electrical impulses and energy direction (especially if you add in that the direction is also based purely on other mechanics) is simply not enough for me. It doesn't cut it for me, and never will.

After seeing that exhibit, I felt like a walking meat puppet for far too long. But that's not what I am. If anyone wants to be cool with that concept, or consider that the end of story for them, that's fine. But it's not for me, and as far as I'm concerned, it's regrettably (if understandably) short-sighted.

I know that doesn't exactly address your questions, CP, and I haven't yet had a chance to read what you linked to.

More later.

Thanks for the interesting thread, btw. I hope we can soon move past this quasi-dispute about the nature of the soul vs. meat puppet and discuss some other science / philosophy / religion as well.

01-21-2011, 02:05 PM	#46
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	I remember distinctly my reactions to the (1st) Body Worlds exhibit in L.A. Well, my first reaction was being far too conscious of my skeletal, muscular and circulatory systems as I lived and breathed for the next several months (which is why I didn't go to see subsequent shows). But my second reaction was - even after viewing all the wonderful mechanics of human biology, and speaking extensively with the curators and staff of the exhibit - I could grok how everything worked so amazingly - but still not have an inkling of WHY it worked. That is, what made the system go and do what it was so well-equipped to do. Sorry, but electrical impulses and energy direction (especially if you add in that the direction is also based purely on other mechanics) is simply not enough for me. It doesn't cut it for me, and never will. After seeing that exhibit, I felt like a walking meat puppet for far too long. But that's not what I am. If anyone wants to be cool with that concept, or consider that the end of story for them, that's fine. But it's not for me, and as far as I'm concerned, it's regrettably (if understandably) short-sighted. I know that doesn't exactly address your questions, CP, and I haven't yet had a chance to read what you linked to. More later. Thanks for the interesting thread, btw. I hope we can soon move past this quasi-dispute about the nature of the soul vs. meat puppet and discuss some other science / philosophy / religion as well.
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