16 July 2008
The Illusion of Self
Posted by Andrew Garcia under: Cyborg Culture; Evolution; Posthumanism; Technology .
The universe curiously seems like an almost complete puzzle with only a single piece missing. Each of us, like a man miscounting party guests because he neglects to count himself, or a woman searching for keys already in her pocket, seeks the answer. What you may forget is that it is right in front of you In fact, it is you. You are the missing puzzle piece.
Dorion Sagan, prodigal modern thinker and son of famed scientist Carl Sagan, wrote that in his awesome book Notes From the Holocene. The book itself is largely a stream of consciousness style monologue engaging various existential questions from multiple perspectives. In one section about our place on the planet he discusses the notion of self.
One idea that Sagan proposes (and this idea is backed by one of Einstein’s still-living colleagues, John Archibald Wheeler) is the notion that it is impossible for a whole to observe itself. A universe not divided into parts has no chance of self-observation.
Demonstration of a self-aware sentience transcending human form.
I’m going to simplify the discussion since Sagan breaks it down into detailed steps which would be too much text to read. He basically contends that humans are part of a greater whole that has been manifested into smaller divisions on certain planes. At the human consciousness level, we have the impression of being individual self-aware beings. In kind of a holographic way, we are multiplexed under a single state of existence which may be merely a filtered self-observant version of the Universe itself.
Sagan, Wheeler, Ray Kurzweil and other contemporaries who support this theory suggest that just like every other fractalized process in the Universe, we are self-expressions of a bigger thought, reinforcing the entheogenic theme common Shamanic culture (both traditional and modern).
So, the idea itself is inherently cybernetic. But how does this relate to transhumanism or cyborgism? The way I see it, if we are all potentials, filtered out of the same massive sentience on some higher plane, then really all we are doing is expressing a need to return to this original state. Examples of this intrinsic desire:
- A resurgence in Peace culture prominent in developed nations focusing on Unity and transcendance
- PDA’s and mobile infrastructure allowing a connection between all devices through the internet and cellular networks
- Online Social Media allowing a connection between any persons anywhere at any time, taking place over any networked infrastructure.
- Be-ins, raves, festivals and even simple parties or group events all contain the human connection theme. It’s about creating an experience that transcends any individual experience and creates a unity that is felt and understood by all within that context.
5 Comments so far...
Alex Weber Says:
16 July 2008 at 5:01 pm.
Woah, that’s a lot to comprehend! I’m impressed with the density of your writing.
I dig the idea of people really just trying to return to unity with everyone as a lifelong goal. It aligns nicely with one of my life goals, which is to connect with other people. I feel that everyone has this need, and you presented it in a way that makes sense.
Why do people go out to the bar every night? One reason, IMO. They’re searching for connections–be they deep or many, shallow, and broad. If that fails, they numb this desire and denounce it as unnecessary through getting plastered!
Good stuff,
Alex
Andrew Garcia Says:
16 July 2008 at 5:06 pm.
Alex,
Thanks for your comment. Glad that made some sense for you and that you could relate it to your personal life.
Oh, and here’s to getting plastered! Cheers!
Get it in,
A
InnerJoy Megan Says:
24 July 2008 at 4:24 am.
I second Alex’s sentiments: whoa. My mind hurt a little after reading the first paragraph, but then again, it’s early and I’m only on cup of coffee #1. I love what you’ve written and that last paragraph is intriguing beyond reason. Why are we here if, when boiled down, we’re all just energy? Being spiritual, my answer feels somehow easier. I’m a unique expression of God sent on a mission to experience XYZ for him. The only way I could do that, and report back accurately and with interest, is to manifest in this type of body, with this type of mind, and this type of life. Seems a bit ethereal and relies on faith, but it works for me. Faith has gotten me far, truth be told!
Alex, I enjoyed your comment about connections with others. Interesting spin. It’s all about love… Whatever or however we express it.
Andrew Garcia Says:
24 July 2008 at 12:42 pm.
Megan,
Thanks for your comment! Serious discourse on these sort of topics require a mental commitment! I’ll try and keep it lighter in the future 
.
In any case, I’m glad you could relate the subject to your religious beliefs. Interestingly enough, I am not religious by any means but am very, very spiritual. My own definition of “god” is not a higher being, but rather a state of being within each and every human representing our divinity.
That said, my own interpretation on this issue is more of a transhumanist take on the matter. For me it’s all about returning to the original, divine state by various means…
-it could be through technological augmentation of mind and body
-Space exploration
-Uniting the human race through higher forms of social interaction
-Yogic spiritual expansion
-Psychotropic enhancement
These are a few examples…I believe that there’s many paths to the same place. After all, no matter what one believes we all end up dust in this world. Might as well do something with life while it’s still available to you.
Get it in,
A
nimo Says:
14 August 2008 at 2:48 pm.
tired of reading books about mysticism,but not satisfied with the existence of God,can you prove me his greatness
a few lines can’t recall from which book but can remember
“I have learned so much from God
That I can no longer called my self”
for first time reading they ignite me some curiosity,but again lost in confusion