TED Conversations

James Zediana

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Where did we come from?

I started several debates in TED and results are evolution can't be proven. SHORT OF CREATION and EVOLUTION is there another option?

I believe this is a fundamental question to be answered.

Topics: creation evolution intelligent design
0
Share:

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.

  • John Barbuto

    • +3
    Oct 10 2012: It seems all life shares the characteristics of gathering energy and self-propagation. The question I asked myself when I was in high school is "Why do the atoms bother?" Atoms of non-organic things seem as permanent as atoms of organic things. But, the atoms in organic molecules seem imbued with this tendency to form organisms that gather energy and self-propagate. Why? Why not just be a rock? It would be easier.

    It seems to me this is the pivotal issue. From somewhere came a force that imbues organic things with these tendencies. Since I was a child scientists have been trying to create life in a test tube and they have never succeeded. They can make seemingly-organic sludge, but not life. The pivotal force is not there.

    So where did this force come from? I'm now long past high school and I've never seen an answer (and almost never seen the question). Whatever it is exists at the atomic level. Did it just happen, or was some sentience responsible? There are preferred beliefs but no answer. When we can identify the force (differentiating once and for all what is alive versus what isn't) then we can struggle with where the force might have come from.

    What is interesting (if the foregoing isn't) is that at death the force seems to leave. All those atoms no longer seem to have the ability to self-organize and go about the business of gathering energy and self-propagating. Hmmm.

    • daniel hehir 20+

      • 0
      Oct 10 2012: Nice comment John !

      Seems like you are really searching for the answers.

      As science also tells us, that in between the atoms there is just an incredible amount of empty space .... or is it really so empty ? Perhaps it is filled with a "life force" or what some call the "etheric force"

      These are not at all strange ideas but rather pieces to a greater puzzle that can begin to explain some of the questions you are posing. Although they are not considered "scientific" ...yet ... the sciences may soon be getting on to this. Our tools are still quite clumsy to penetrate these forces but it seems to be heading in that direction with MRI's and such. We can get a magnetic signal from the living substance. An electrical impulse. Heat residue. .... But just what is this "energy" that leaves the physical body at death that you speak of..? Could it be one aspect of the spiritual part of our higher being..? ... I just ask...
    • thumb

      Peter Law 50+

      • 0
      Oct 10 2012: Never heard it put like that John. You have hit the nail on the head, there are forces at work that science, so far, has no idea about. Why is that so difficult to admit ?

      :-)
    • thumb

      Frans Kellner 100+

      • 0
      TED Translator
      Oct 10 2012: If you see a box of blocks they are like atoms without life but if a child plays with them they take all kinds of shapes as on earth this was done by sun and wind, the tide, rain and lightning and all forces that worked on them.
      Those forces added a short lived kind of energy that made organic connections possible of inorganic atoms. And so even today we need be powered from the sun via carbon hydrates to continue that special configuration we call life.
      • thumb

        Peter Law 50+

        • 0
        Oct 11 2012: The child is adding information to the blocks to make a wall. Where can we see sun, rain, etc producing anything from random atoms ?

        :-)
    • thumb

      Obey No1kinobe 50+

      • 0
      Oct 12 2012: I have pondered along similar but not quiet the same lines.

      What is the difference between being alive and dead versus non living objects

      Life is amazing.

      If you live long enough though your body and associated organs and processes don't function so well.

      The body is complex relying on respiration, circulation, digestion etc at the macro level. So many processes. When a human dies, some critical process or more than one stops and this leads to the shut down of tbe brain and all the processes controlled by the brain. System failure. HowEver some of the processes such as hair and nail growth continue for some time after brain death.

      I don't personally see any evidence of some Life force or spirit. The systems work or thy don't more or less.

      Watching someone suffer increasing dementia losing their memories, then recognition, their personality, eventually comatose, you see the results of the biological system break down. Finally they die and yet some assume their personality and memories just float off fully intact to be judged by some invisible entity, with no evidence at all.

      That sort of thinking is amazing In itself.
      • thumb

        James Zediana

        • 0
        Oct 12 2012: My dog is dying and going through difficulties like these. I have a strong attachment to her but after each seizier takes her she has a more and more distant look to her and it takes longer for her to recognize me.

        You are right we have lots to learn about us. If we get this underastanding will we be able to live forever? Would we want to?
        • thumb

          Fritzie Reisner 100+

          • 0
          Host
          Oct 12 2012: So sorry about the dog. May you both make the most of the remaining time.
        • thumb

          Obey No1kinobe 50+

          • 0
          Oct 16 2012: Dogs can be great companions.

          I'd like to be age 28 physically for say 100 to 200 years. Don't think our minds are set up for 1,000s or millions of years.
    • thumb

      James Zediana

      • 0
      Oct 12 2012: Have to admit never consider this point of view and I am pleased you presented it. Thank you for your input.

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.