Your belief clearly predicts that it must be possible, in a universe like ours, for thinking to take place without form. Information processing is a counter-entropic process, it requires energy, and stateful energy(matter) to consolidate referable information. These energetic events would be completely detectable by normal physical means. Theism,spiritualism, or any supernatural claims about disembodied entities contradict conservation of energy, and so can not be accurately described as "more likely than not" or "consistent with the observable universe".

I didn't say thinking. I said consciousness. For a living I model the human visual system with information theoretic models. So yes, I agree, "thinking" whatever the hell that means, is a counter-entropic process (at least in some squishy Gibbs sense, as there is no such thing as a "counter-entropic process"). In fact, it is exactly this which I believe imbues our consciousness with access to such an intricate experiential stream. The ability of our nervous system to transmit information about quantum phenomena at a distance with so little lost to noise is absolutely astonishing, and shouldn't be diminished. This doesn't give me any more reason to presume I should have this "experience", or "stream of consciousness", or whatever you want to call it. I just gives a reason for that particular pattern of stimulus-response.

The consciousness I presume to exist in a rock, for instance, would be deprived of this sort of access. It is likely more fragmented, and is only able to respond to very basic stimuli, such as proximal forces, temperature, etc. It would be a boring consciousness, but I presume it to be conscious all the same.

The ability to respond to stimuli is an observable trait, consciousness is the attribute of possessing this trait to a greater or lesser extent. Some would, of course, refer to internal narrative, but we should be clear that internal narrative is, almost certainly, untrue and constructed after the fact. Based on what we know from studies about the reliability of internal narrative,I would be disinclined to trust it in addressing this question.

So the billiard ball responding to the applied force is conscious? I agree!

You can't elevate the level of a debate that is not taking place. Theists make assertions, some people point out how they are contradicted by the available evidence, theists move goal posts, lather, rinse, repeat. We have not had a real debate for a very long time, and as long as the goal post is still on the move, don't expect one.

What available evidence am I contradicting?

This is offensive. Someone should complain to admin and have him hobbled. http://www.videosift.com/video/Gibbs-Berates-Fox-For-Not-Playing-Obama-Speech#comment-854534

Oh wait, it was pro-Obama. Belay my comment.

I know what the word neolib means because I'm the one who invented it, so your accusation that I am misapplying it is erroneous. And I'm very certain that neolibs such as yourself can find any number of excuses to justify knee-jerk opposition to every conservative policies.

But you know what? As far as I'm concerned, you don't need to bother justifying your opposition. You come from an opposing political philosophy. That's perfectly OK with me. What makes America great is that people can oppose their government freely for whatever reason they wish. I support and applaud your particular brand of mindless, propoganda inspired reactionism.

Sadly, this kind of generosity is not mutual on your side. Pelosi, Reed, all the liberal pundits, Obama, his advisors, Gibbs, and just about everyone who opens their mouth on the neolib side of the aisle... They all have suddenly had a change of heart on the issue of freedom of speech and expression since the election. Now, conservative opposition is 'obstructionist', and is even referred to as 'dangerous' and 'counter-productive' to the country. Basically, now that they run the show the neolibs want to kneecap freedom of speech & thought whenever it slows down their agenda, or make 'their guy' look bad.

Pretty sad really. I didn't agree with the tactic when conservatives tried to shut up opposition under the guise of 'patriotism'. I sure as shooting don't agree with it when snooty neolibs are doing it for no reason except to grease the skids of an unpopular political agenda.

QM: Who are you quoting in the sift description? You should give the voices in your head some credit.

Also, this reporter is asking Gibbs why the questions that haven't been asked yet will be soft-balls, and why the town-hall, that hadn't been held yet, will be padded with Obama supporters.

Where was the outrage when bush was filling halls with registered republicans, and having those that displayed even the smallest sign of dissent forcibly removed?

Upvote for sheer surrealism on Gibbs' part. Meta-downvote for biased summary.

>> ^Xax:
As a contrast, I was going to link to the video where Bush's press secretary disrespects and insults Helen Thomas for doing her job, but I can't find it anywhere. People need to tag their videos better.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q37kt0ga0OA ?

Gibbs is a worm. A chubby little wormy turd.

Hah, I saw this a couple of weeks ago, thought about sifting it, but i'm not too hot on the Bill Hicks thing. This is a cool interview, even though Clive Anderson is a wanker. Best thing he ever did was interview the Bee Gees and make Maurice Gibbs walk off set. Maybe I should go look for that...

Q The President -- you said a couple of days ago that Americans are concerned and anxious as the President about the deficit, and they have a right to be. The President says it keeps him asleep at night. The polls also indicate --

MR. GIBBS: Keeps him awake.

Q Keeps him awake, I'm sorry. (Laughter.)

MR. GIBBS: Fox is what puts him to sleep. (Laughter.)

Q Ooooh!

MR. GIBBS: Sorry, I just -- I couldn't resist.

Q Slam dunk. (Laughter.)

MR. GIBBS: I try, I try.

Q He just means it's the last thing he watches before he goes to bed.

Q He gets to throw the ball.

MR. GIBBS: Exactly, exactly. (Laughter.)


http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Briefing-by-White-House-Press-Secretary-Robert-Gibbs-6-25-09/


edit:
Even if you're a fan of fox news .. you have to give Gibbs credit for actually catching and processing every word of questions asked. It means he's actively listening and not trying to parse his next answer. I think they picked the right guy.

>> ^KamikazeCricket:
wtf did he say? It's barely audible


Yeah, could anyone please tell us wtf he was saying because the audio is so low.

And when will we see a flash video player with a normalize audio filter so everything will keep about the same volume. I'm getting tired of destroying my ears everytime I come across a video with very low volume because I have to turn up the sound so much that the next video I click on might destroy both my ears and my speakers. End of rant.

Your video, Press Secretary Gibbs Slams Faux Newz, has made it into the Top 15 New Videos listing. Congratulations on your achievement. For your contribution you have been awarded 1 Power Point.

>> ^quantumushroom:
A pallid toad who works for a marxist tyrant. Fk all of them. Right in the neck.


Gibbs only has to pull his thumb out of his ass.

You, QM, have to pull your foot out of your mouth.

>> ^quantumushroom:
A pallid toad who works for a marxist tyrant. Fk all of them. Right in the neck.


Sad. I feel like digging up an old reply I sent to you. Something to do with thinking you were some rational and intelligent voice of the GOP here. That it was good and important that we had debate but you've really stooped so low ..

You really are just a troll at this point. YouTube quality at best.

Gibbs handled it very well. Afterwards, however, they should make it clear that anyone with a ringing phone will receive a temporary ban.

You're being glib when you're better off being Barry Gibb.

Gibbs sounds like Gomer Pyle, only without the common sense.