Addiction of Knowledge

[L33tz]

To what means does this serve?

My whole life and still at this moment, I have always had a great desire to absorb knowledge of everything I can. Every little bit of information I take note of. This doesn't stop at intangible knowledge but of practical skills as well. I observe everything and take it all in, siphoning it like a vampire.

But how does this serve me or anyone else? Does this increase my happiness, quality of life, or must I say "pleasure?" Something cannot be very useful if it does not help me or someone in some way, otherwise from where does the meaning in the word "useful" come from. If we cannot use pleasure or happiness as measurements of usefulness what else can we use? We could say that actions must be done because they are simply right and are inherent moral laws. The problem I envision with this is, what are the moral laws?

Even so it is usually possible to create a rough etching of some basic moral principles by which man should live by. Simple ones such as "Do not do to others as you would not do unto yourselves." Is it a moral principle to pursue knowledge? Was it decreed by nature or God? I would say it is not. I care more for how the knowledge one knows is applied.

If there is no moral basis or usefulness in this knowledge why do we pursue it? Why does it tinkle my dopamine receptors? Perhaps often it does increase our "pleasure" to know fancy or useful things. This is the argument that most proponents would make of technology.

But what portion of things to know is truly useful? Are any of them inherent within ourselves and not requiring of external sources? I know many things and know that I do not know many more, but I see much of the things I know as useless and mundane.

I am seeking the higher pleasure, the one beyond neurochemistry.

Where do I find it?

[sepht]

why do you pursue it? I think that is what every person asks themselves at some point.

What is your purpose? I assume your purpose is to have knowledge? So shall it be.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...79151658995270

[L33tz]

Originally Posted by sepht

why do you pursue it? I think that is what every person asks themselves at some point.

What is your purpose? I assume your purpose is to have knowledge? So shall it be.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...79151658995270

There isn't enough time to know everything. This brings sadness to me.

[Dionysus]

The only kind of knowledge I am interested in is gained through direct experience or gnostic revelation. As much as I enjoy collecting dead ideas and static words, it is only thrilling to me if it can come alive in a tangible, direct, personal, intense way.

[sepht]

Originally Posted by L33tz

There isn't enough time to know everything. This brings sadness to me.

all buildings end in ruin

all relationships end in goodbye

such is the way of entropy

[Zanick]

So if I'm understanding you correctly, you want some absolute, transcendent knowledge? That's fine and dandy, but I don't think anybody on this site can help you. Decide whether or not you believe that such a truth can exist. Look up stuff about gnosis if you think you'll learn something. But you'll never know if you're on the right path. In the end, you don't know shit.

IDFK.

[Zanick]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

The only kind of knowledge I am interested in is gained through direct experience or gnostic revelation. As much as I enjoy collecting dead ideas and static words, it is only thrilling to me if it can come alive in a tangible, direct, personal, intense way.

also, this.

[Irukanji]

Originally Posted by L33tz

There isn't enough time to know everything. This brings sadness to me.

Once you become absorbed with even a small fraction of the total knowledge in the universe, you can begin to draw educated conclusions about a lot of random things which you have never read about. The more you know, the more you can guess with certainty about other things. And then your brain become a sieve, and everything you want to learn will eventually come to you.

At least thats how it has been working for me recently.

[McTaggot]

Originally Posted by Irukanji

Once you become absorbed with even a small fraction of the total knowledge in the universe, you can begin to draw educated conclusions about a lot of random things which you have never read about. The more you know, the more you can guess with certainty about other things. And then your brain become a sieve, and everything you want to learn will eventually come to you.

At least thats how it has been working for me recently.

You could just shortcut and experiment with drugs... I find I get some pretty crazy revelations when I take acid and mescalin... Who cares if you actually know something, truly believing that you do while thinking that you are floating on a couch-boat through the brain of the universe is just as good...

[Village Idiot]

Information is a burden; it's just more stuff to know that will only develop into a communicable disease-a mental strain that lingers and spreads from person to person. Your very thoughts are viruses and your rationality must be exterminated before it spreads.

I'm only kidding. I can't help you.

[Dionysus]

William S. Burroughs - LAST WORDS OF HASSAN SABBAH - YouTube

William S. Burroughs - LAST WORDS OF HASSAN SABBAH - YouTube
Video: click to display