Most Interesting Question.

Mark1031 · Sep 7, 2004

What is the most interesting unanswered question?

I choose the origin of civilization (appropriate for this site). What was it that lead Homo Sapiens to produce the massive advances in the last 10K years and why didn't this occur sooner as we were physically and genetically quite similar for the last 100K years or so.

stormbind · Sep 7, 2004

Very hard to say. What if the answers are dissapointing?

I vote for the first one.

Glow inthe dark · Sep 7, 2004

Attempts to establish a greater level of economic activity probably were important in establishing civiliation. As population increased it definitely became more and more probable that monarchial city states would be a prefered form of organization. The increasing reliance on agriculture also contributed to this.

As for the poll question I say that it is a tie between the physical origin of the universe and the basis of the mind. It will depend on what ultimately has the more interesting answer.

newfangle · Sep 7, 2004

I'd say the first question, because if we knew the answer to it, any other answer would follow as a consequence.

IglooDame · Sep 7, 2004

I think "Was homo sapiens a result of intelligent design, or random chance?" is the most interesting question.

I've long held that the answer to this question is (also) "Forty-two".

Mark1031 · Sep 7, 2004

IglooDude said:
I think "Was homo sapiens a result of intelligent design, or random chance?" is the most interesting question.

I meant unanswered questions

.

Neomega · Sep 7, 2004

newfangle said:
I'd say the first question, because if we knew the answer to it, any other answer would follow as a consequence.

I'd say the third option, because if we knew the answer to it, any other answer would follow as a consequence.

Zarn · Sep 7, 2004

Some to add:

Are there any supernatural beings or forces?
Can everything be explained with 'reason?'
Do humans have souls?
Is anything purely good or evil?
What is the definition of morally right?
Is fate controlled by the individual?
What happens after physical death?

stormbind · Sep 7, 2004

*sound of whirling cogs* ... 42 = dub = honoured with title.

So the answer to Igloodude's problem: homo sapiens are the result of being honoured by someone else.

IglooDame · Sep 7, 2004

Mark1031 said:
I meant unanswered questions .

Well then your poll is all messed up.

Origin of the universe? Big Bang or God saying "Whoop, there it is!"

Origin of civilization? Control of fire, or Adam and Eve moving to the seedier part of town.

Physical basis for the brain? A critical mass of neurons firing with a genetic sentience basis that hasn't been discovered yet, or the soul being installed.

If you have any other questions, please insert an additional 25 cents.

CurtSibling · Sep 7, 2004

I think this quote is suitable here:

"When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it." - Bernard Bailey

JohnRM · Sep 7, 2004

Origin of Existence, or the Universe...same thing...

Neomega · Sep 7, 2004

CurtSibling said:
I think this quote is suitable here:

"When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it." - Bernard Bailey

nice.

10 letters.

betazed · Sep 7, 2004

Eh, what a tough question!

I do not think I can chose just one interesting question. So I am forced to chose other? I would say the following questions IMHO are very interesting (no order of priority implied)

Are we alone? If so why? If not, where is everybody? - Unfortunately, it is very possible that the answer to this will be forever elusive.
The mother of all why, the TOE? this should answer, why only four forces, why only four visible dimensions, why mass of electron so and so etc. etc.? Unfortunately, far from answering it, we do not even know whether this question is answerable, ?
What is the nature of consciousness? this is closely related to (3) but a bit more specific. Is intelligence mainly software or mainly hardware or a mix. Specifically, this is the question Penrose so clearly stated in his Emperor's new Mind. This I think should be answered within the next century or so.
How (and when) did life originate on Earth? Your guess is as good as mine.

newfangle said:
I'd say the first question, because if we knew the answer to it, any other answer would follow as a consequence.

Hope you do not consider me pedantic, but once again I would disagree. Knowing the fundamental principles of something does not mean we can know all the ramifications of the principles. For example, we know all there is to know of kinematics; but even then we cannot predict the motion of a pendulum to far enough in the future. The ability to predict (and hence understand the ramifications of general principles) depends not only on the theory but also on the ability to calculate. Nature seems notoriously full with chaotic problems (and maybe even undecidable problems). So even if we have TOE we will have lots of unanswered questions.

Mark1031 said:
I meant unanswered questions

Intelligent Design vs. abiogenesis is really an unanswered question. As of now, the only thing going for abiogenesis is Occam's razor. Till you actually create the synthetic process that goes from non-life to life (however you define it) the question is still unanswered.

Neomega · Sep 7, 2004

#3 What is the nature of consciousness? this is closely related to (3) but a bit more specific. Is intelligence mainly software or mainly hardware or a mix. Specifically, this is the question Penrose so clearly stated in his Emperor's new Mind. This I think should be answered within the next century or so.

this is why I chose the physical brain. Everything we know is filtered through our perceptions.

King Alexander · Sep 7, 2004

Ok, here's the most interesting question:

Is it possible that we're the only species in the universe that we believe in religion, and all alliens lough with us?

From the thread's questions, I'd choose the second: "Origins of Civilization". I'd be glad to know which dinosour/mamal was my great^^great grand-daddy(through the process of Evolution), so I can think of my great^^great grand-daddy every now and then, and recognize his "contribution" that made me born after a few millon years.

WickedSmurf · Sep 7, 2004

Who let the dogs out?

~Corsair#01~ · Sep 7, 2004

Origin of the universe (of the questions listed), it is the question from which all others take form.
The truly most interesting question is: Just how stupid can one person be? I have seen a few record-breaking performances, but I'm sure if I looked hard enough, I could find people that not only blur the line between men and monkeys, but actually make it through to the other side...
It would also be interesting tp know the precise equation for how people's intelligence decreases the more of them there are... And remember, when you see an idiot, that there's 6 billion people in the world...scary thought.

betazed · Sep 7, 2004

~Corsair#01~ said:
... but I'm sure if I looked hard enough, I could find people that not only blur the line between men and monkeys, but actually make it through to the other side...

It would also be interesting tp know the precise equation for how people's intelligence decreases the more of them there are...

yeah, they have a name too for that type of intelligence nowadays. It is called "GroupThink"

Neomega · Sep 7, 2004

betazed said:
yeah, they have a name too for that type of intelligence nowadays. It is called "GroupThink"

A cult science of memetics.

Birth control has thrown a monkey wrench into the scheme. Those who are smart and know how to use it reproduce less often then those who do not know how to follow instructions, or be educated on what they are using, or believe it is a sin.

Most Interesting Question.

What is the most interesting unanswered question?

Origin of the Universe

Origin of Civilization

Physical basis of the mind

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