DAVID FOSTER WALLACE: Here is just one example of the total wrongness of something I tend to be automatically sure of: everything in my own immediate experience supports my deep belief that I am the absolute centre of the universe; the realest, most vivid and important person in existence. We rarely think about this sort of natural, basic self-centredness because it’s so socially repulsive. But it’s pretty much the same for all of us. It is our default setting, hard-wired into our boards at birth. Think about it: there is no experience you have had that you are not the absolute centre of. The world as you experience it is there in front of YOU or behind YOU, to the left or right of YOU, on YOUR TV or YOUR monitor. And so on. Other people’s thoughts and feelings have to be communicated to you somehow, but your own are so immediate, urgent, real.
I think therefore I am. How do I know you think? I can measure signals in your brain but I cannot interact with your thoughts, I cannot experience them because they are metaphysical.
The last bit makes no sense. The initial person has to assume the sentients of "other" otherwise shame isn't felt. You can feel shame in a dream but once you realize its a dream and that everyone is just you there is no way to feel shame except via a lingering moral compass.
DAVID FOSTER WALLACE:
Here is just one example of the total wrongness of something I tend to be automatically sure of: everything in my own immediate experience supports my deep belief that I am the absolute centre of the universe; the realest, most vivid and important person in existence. We rarely think about this sort of natural, basic self-centredness because it’s so socially repulsive. But it’s pretty much the same for all of us. It is our default setting, hard-wired into our boards at birth. Think about it: there is no experience you have had that you are not the absolute centre of. The world as you experience it is there in front of YOU or behind YOU, to the left or right of YOU, on YOUR TV or YOUR monitor. And so on. Other people’s thoughts and feelings have to be communicated to you somehow, but your own are so immediate, urgent, real.
I don't always know how I get to a solution, but I often do, and I've concluded that somehow perception is the answer to "the riddle".
Reading all your comments is amusing....especially since none of you are real...
Lol the sudden cut off at the end, did I really listen to it or was it just a hallucination feeling :D
I think therefore I am. How do I know you think? I can measure signals in your brain but I cannot interact with your thoughts, I cannot experience them because they are metaphysical.
The last bit makes no sense. The initial person has to assume the sentients of "other" otherwise shame isn't felt. You can feel shame in a dream but once you realize its a dream and that everyone is just you there is no way to feel shame except via a lingering moral compass.
where can I get the full lecture?
I know nothing.
This is a dangerous philosophy to some. Should not be spread.