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Originally Posted by David This is pretend stupidity - right? |
No, I'm simply trying not to pretend that taking drugs is like discovering a flying car. But then again, what do I know?
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Well the conventional explanation of drug experiences (say) is that the drug has caused the brain to malfunction. My point is that when that 'malfunction' seems to consist of new experiences (see for example the descriptions of DMT trips), it is hard to accept that as a malfunction - just in the same way as when a car malfunctions it does not suddenly acquire a whole new functionality.
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I think you're taking the word "malfunction" too literally, assuming scientists use that term at all. I would just take it to mean that the brain functions in a way significantly different from the norm.
What I don't understand is why we should take this as a sign of the opening of a magical door into another realm. Computers malfunction all the time, but we don't assume that means there is a a world of idealistic/dualistic/magical computing that we're not otherwise aware of.
I don't really have a problem if people want to assume this. If there is anything to it, nothing stops scientists from exploring and discovering this other realm. I doubt using the word "malfunction" is going to bring a halt to the exploration of certain aspects of the brain.
~~ Paul