Nerd Alert!

These two totally have a man crush on each other; it makes for an interesting talk.

I had to stop at 11:01, they start talking about great game endings. Howard almost spoiled Red Dead Redemption for me.

Damn it, Beck, what's the one thing you needed to tell us? I'm sure it was an insight that put this whole event in perspective.

@KnivesOut

You don't think "Protesting at his funeral will be fun" suggests the kid is to blame?

I understand that was a joke, but I think contempt for the person actually saying the words is a normal first response that can be difficult to look past.

I was just adding my 2 cents, not condemning anyone for offending me.

And how about that ridiculous word play?

The opposite of death isn't life, it's birth? Okay, but that just means the opposite of "Life" (the state of being alive) isn't the exact moment of your death, but everything that comes after that "arbitrary moment."

And, I'm not poo-pooing the idea that how we think of death isn't completely accurate. It makes sense to me that, depending on the cause of death, different systems will shut down at different rates. And as our abilities and technology advance, we'll be able to "fix" or at least slow these shutdowns. I don't see how that suggests there is anything after death.

Also, upon looking into claims of "remembering" things that occur after brain death, I've always been able to find a competent neurosurgeon's response, or an obvious bias, that discounts supernatural phenomena.

Trancecoach, do you have a specific case you are referring to with this "Hard Problem"? Seriously, I'm interested.

Joker said it best: "The dead know only one thing: It's better to be alive."

My parents got me to believe some pretty dumb stuff too, when I was that age.

Fortunately, no one made a documentary about my family or church, or posted clips displaying those indoctrinated beliefs in action. I have to say that as much as I want to punch this kid in the face, I can't really blame him. And what's worse, even if he realizes he's wrong, it's extremely difficult to change once you've matured enough to decide for yourself. That's the power of indoctrination. Get 'em young and convince them that burning doubt is Satan's doing.

Not a particularly new or intelligent tactic, but effective.