>Perhaps language may be polygenetic. But what reasons do you think
>account for this simultaneous emergence?
I've been supplying this answer for a while now. The concept of "language
abstraction" where a new, more abstract form of language continually
develops out of a simpler one like gesture/sign to vocal. Hope people might
accept it or violently deny with a good reason so that I can finally stop
propogate the myth and repeating myself to no avail.
>In Stephen Hawking's words: the universe always was
>and always will be. It's similar to a theologic focus only without a
>god. If for no other reason, this viewpoint has been around since >the
>beginnings of mankind. Any comments Piotr? Or any from others >who wish
>to speculate?
Of course, I'm always game. :)
You see, Gerry. Existence is non-existence and you are correct - even
ancient man realised this. The Australian aborigines think of a "dream time"
whereas Buddhists mask it with the concept of "Nirvana" but in the end, we
are all one in the primordial ooze and our lives are an illusion.
How do you say with such authority, you ask? Well, afterall, I did create
the universe... and so did everyone that acknowledges herself/himself as
conscious. The universe is defined as EVERYTHING. So for the universe to
have been created, time must have been created too. However, you can't start
the act of creation if there is no time, silly! Second, if we then finally
accept that the universe was eternal, that would mean that it was never
created. So... doesn't that mean that the universe doesn't exist? How can
something exist if it never had a start to its existence?
The only way to escape the madness of these creation-vs-eternal scenarios is
to accept that existence is non-existence and that neither is the sole state
of the universe or of anything in it. Of course, by fully accepting and
UNDERSTANDING such a concept would mean that you must throw away all want of
anything because at this point, any logic ceases to have any meaning. One,
in effect, slips back into the serene coma state of Nirvana, or if one
prefers, the Dream Time. Call it what you will.
Sweet dreams everybody. One day, I'll invite you all to my universe for free
drinks and a free lunch. I'll make apple pie from scratch - literally. It's
just I still don't have the recipe for pions yet and I can never stop my
universe from imploding, but I'll work on it.
- gLeN
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