Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Tue, 28 Sep 2004 09:32:28 -0700, " Matt Bauer " <acu.guy wrote: >>… Why did the Zhou elite chose to use a supposedly 3,000 year dead ancient leader as the spokesman for their radically new medical system based on a radically new worldview? … >> The vast majority of the greatest minds in China for at least the last 2,000 years also believed that " myth " . Are we to be embarrassed by these thinkers also? Unschuld, " HD NJ SuWen " , p 1 " Voices refuting authorship by the legendary Huang Di in prehistoric times have been heard in China for centuries, and to this day there is a discrepancy between views held by historians of Chinese medicine in and outside of China, on the one hand, and by authors writing for the general public, on the other. " I see it as a cultural difference, a legitimate one. In their historical, cultural context, Chinese acceptance of mythic history is legitimate, i.e. consistent and integral to the worldview. At a deep level, cultures rest on myths, on shared belief systems. (Unschuld also made this point, in passing, during the 2003 workshop - and that even modern science rests of such foundations.) So my point is not to judge the mythic framework within Chinese culture, but to point out that in my culture (USA, the " West " ), history is held up to the standards of science (e.g. the art that Unschuld practices). Chinese residents here, when voicing those beliefs are reflecting their roots. Westerns often accept such beliefs on the mistaken assumption that our views of history are the same. They're not. When confronted with the " evidence " , one should let go of that myth, as, in our system, it is considered a falsehood. Educated and rationally capable Chinese should also be able to understand and, in some sense, accept it, although they may chose to maintain their native beliefs. >>> … Either (1) virtually all Chinese of the Han era and most Chinese since have made the granddaddy of all errors by believing in a childish myth that had no basis in fact, or (2) those shifty Zhou elite pulled of the granddaddy of all con jobs in that they knew the Yellow Emperor never existed but decided to lie about it, or (3) there actually is something to all these stories nearly one fourth of the world's population have believed for these past 2,000 plus years. The language expressing your options is somewhat polarizing. I would cast each of them in a different light. Preface: Myth can be understood as a fundamental feature, a power of human intentionality. Human identity and motivation wells up out of creating and living out a story-line (i.e. Greek word 'mythos') for ourselves. In case your not familiar with, say, the writings of Carl Jung, or Joseph Campbell, there is in Western thought a fairly established understanding of this, and how it functions in the lives of even the most hard-nosed scientific type. Perhaps, to use the work 'mythos' would be better than 'myth' or 'mythic', as 'mythos' refers to the context of cultural history and cultural anthropology, whereas the other, more familiar terms carry pejorative meanings in common usage. On reflection, it was probably ill-advised of me to use the term 'mythic belief' without making clear that the usage is not necessarily pejorative. Without going on too far, some examples: My memory of J. F. Kennedy is to some extent mythic; others regard Ronald Reagan similarly. Consider the difference between historical reality, whatever it may in different contexts, and the power in the images of, say, Moses, Jesus Christ, Julius Caesar, Joan of Arc, George Washington, FDR, etc. Or Hippocrates and Aesclepius. (And I was about the add HuangDi.) In our field, Jeffery Yuen has given lectures on the mythic aspect on the patient's side as well as on the physician's side, and regardless of which medicine is involved. So (recasting), (1) virtually all Chinese of the Han era and most Chinese since have invoked the HuangDi as an inspirational symbol of their cultural heritage, and (2) [paraphrasing Unschuld and Lewis, neither of whom, I believe, intended pejorative meaning] the Zhou elite transformed HuangDi into an historical exemplar for their own sense of wisdom and authority, and (3) there certainly is something to all these stories [mythoi - plural of mythos] nearly one fourth of the world's population have believed for these past 2,000 plus years. But in 21th century western culture, with its mythos of scientific history, we, while allowing ourselves to understand, even respect those phenomena, cannot allow ourselves to represent ourselves and our field of practice/study, according to professional and academic norms, in such terms. This is my strong belief, which may differ from others', and we may certainly discuss the matter further. As to the fact that we can't be certain to have found or understood all the evidence, granted. My educated guess, is that, given now ca. 40 years of intensive scholarship, and that newly discovered tomb relics add depth and precision rather than revolutionizing the consensus interpretations, the picture is in rather good focus. I base this partially on my prior experience in the field of music history, and the way evidence and interpretation developed and evolved in this field over a period of some 200 years. Also, just read in today's New York Times, science section, on recently published findings in Israel of artifacts from the turn of the 6th century B.C. containing apparently text recognized as also appearing in the " Book of Numbers " (part of the Pentateuch, or Torah), and scholarly/historical speculation resembling that surrounding the MWD and Neijing - i.e. fragments which appear early, and later in fully developed texts. As in Chinese, and Greek literary history, the fundamental portions of the Bible/Torah appear to have been composed (in the full form we known them now) somewhere in, probably on the near side of the 1st millennium B.C., with fragments appearing somewhat earlier. The " myth " of the Pentateuch/Torah as having been written down 5000 or so years ago closely parallels the Chinese situation. >>… the prospect that there was no golden era in Chinese culture raises just as many difficult to answer questions as does the idea that such an age existed. Until supporters of the myth hypothesis can offer credible answers to these questions, I think we should hold our water and not get ahead of ourselves. BTW, Matt's reference to a " golden era in Chinese culture " - c.f. for example Carl Jung on this, widely shared trans cultural notion. Many cultures have the golden age notion in their mythos. This may be an inherent feature of human cultures, especially as they evolve into literate, rational eras. So, I'm not sure if I'm supporting the " myth hypothesis " or not, in Matt's sense. On the one hand, the question of what " credible answers " might be is fascinating. On the other hand, I certainly hope this doesn't become a " pissing match " . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Hi Chris, I strongly disagree that our western world is void of myths and relies on science alone in its perceptions of the world. Science is still subjective and will always be flawed to a degree because it can never go back and experience the real world in those times. The west is just as much engulfed by myths as the Chinese are. Perhaps the Chinese less so as communism has pretty much eradicated the majority of ancient Chinese culture. The nearest thing you'll get to Chinese culture today is watching the Chinese television network's propaganda channel broadcasted to the world. Having spent 6 months in Beijing, I didn't see hardly any culture left, just the old one of money, money, money. Therefore, I believe that myths play a greater part in the west today, look at Christmas and Easter, national holidays, etc. Alot of sayings, cultural beliefs and customs originated in Europe hundreds if not thousands of years ago. We're so engrossed in our lives it's difficult to separate and analyses them, but they are there. Thus, I disagree that we have a scientific perspective. History is written by the winners of wars and by strong political/religious foundations, history itself is a myth. I believe that it's better to take the accounts of history with a pinch of salt (now where did that saying come from) and follow your own intuition. Kind regards Attilio D'Alberto <http://www.attiliodalberto.com/> www.attiliodalberto.com [] 29 September 2004 08:58 Chinese Medicine Re: Belief in the Yellow Emperor I see it as a cultural difference, a legitimate one. In their historical, cultural context, Chinese acceptance of mythic history is legitimate, i.e. consistent and integral to the worldview. At a deep level, cultures rest on myths, on shared belief systems. (Unschuld also made this point, in passing, during the 2003 workshop - and that even modern science rests of such foundations.) So my point is not to judge the mythic framework within Chinese culture, but to point out that in my culture (USA, the " West " ), history is held up to the standards of science (e.g. the art that Unschuld practices). Chinese residents here, when voicing those beliefs are reflecting their roots. Westerns often accept such beliefs on the mistaken assumption that our views of history are the same. They're not. When confronted with the " evidence " , one should let go of that myth, as, in our system, it is considered a falsehood. Educated and rationally capable Chinese should also be able to understand and, in some sense, accept it, although they may chose to maintain their native beliefs. But in 21th century western culture, with its mythos of scientific history, we, while allowing ourselves to understand, even respect those phenomena, cannot allow ourselves to represent ourselves and our field of practice/study, according to professional and academic norms, in such terms. This is my strong belief, which may differ from others', and we may certainly discuss the matter further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 To be able to believe and be pragmatic and never dogmatic. That's China and Korea and Vietnam at village level, where healing began. We have in some sense taken on the mantle of this vague system and labeled it TCM, and find ourselves at odds with it, with our Western cerebrum and bone, which hardly ever believes in anything, without being dogmatic and authoritarian, and vulgarly adoptive. When the Chinese adopt WM into their healing philosophies, they are taking on Western attribute to do so, and more or less failing. Whereby the tragedy. When the Westerners adopt TCM into their healing philosophies, they are taking on Eastern attributes to do so, and more or less succeeding. Whereby the comedy. Of terrors. Dr. Holmes Keikobad MB BS DPH Ret. DIP AC NCCAOM LIC AC CO & AZ www.acu-free.com - 15 CEUS by video. NCCAOM reviewed. Approved in CA & most states. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Hi Attilio, > >Science is still subjective and will always be flawed to a degree >because it can never go back and experience the real world in those >times. I very much agree. Historical documents, I believe, can be viewed in two different ways. The first way is to try to " figure out " what someone was thinking two thousands years ago. As you said, this is impossible. Anything that is " inferred " cannot be confirmed. As a result, any inference must be subjective and probably more a reflection of the observer (the historian) than the observed (the document and the document's author). The truth is, I cannot figure out why my son did something yesterday - much less why someone said something thousands of years ago. Heck, I cannot figure out why I do things in my own life. :-) The second way, and the one that I feel is very useful, is to use an historical document as " confirmation " of observations that one observes in " today " . For example: > Having spent 6 months in Beijing, I didn't see hardly any culture >left, just the old one of money, money, money. I have observed the same. So when the Neijing relates in the very first paragraphs its most important advice: " Next, some people were good at preserving health to the level of a Sage. They lived quietly and comfortable in the natural environment of the universe, they follow the rule of the eight winds (different winds from all directions) and could avoid being hurt by them. They regulated their eating, drinking and daily life in a moderate style when lived together with common people. Their temperments were stable adn calm without indignation and fluctuation of mood. .. They never did excessive physical labour or engaged in any excessive deliberation to cause worry, but always kept their mind in a cheerful mood adn contented with their own circumstances. It was precisely because of these facts, thay could cultivate themselves to have strong bodies, and kept their spirit from dissipating, and thus their lives could be lasted to one hundred years old. [Wu, Wu translation]. The Neijing suggests that people thousands of years ago faced the same life issues that they face today, e.g. " desire for more " or as you put it " money, money, money " . The words of the Neijing in the above quoted paragraph may be as meaningful today as they were thousands of years ago. Given that this advice appears in the first chapter of the Neijing, it may be surmised that it is considered relatively important by the authors of the text. An issue that every student of Chinese Medince should consider. > > I believe that it's better to take the accounts of history with a >pinch of > salt (now where did that saying come from) and follow your >own intuition. I very much agree. History " changes " to often to be considered nothing more than a " reflection " of the times. However, I do enjoy reading history, if for no other reason than to observe how much " times have not changed " . :-) Thanks very much for sharing your observations. Regards, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Hi Chris, I don't see our exchanges as a pissing contest at all. I greatly appreciate your thoughts and feel you make excellent points that reflect a certain position very well. I believe well reasoned and heartfelt arguments can be very constructive and I offer my thoughts with full respect. I once shared my feelings in this regard with Unschuld (whom I tend to disagree with on some points) by sharing with him the story of Chuang Tzu and his best friend, Hui Tzu, the great promoter of the Logic school of thought. The two of them were looking at a school of fish sunning themselves in a pond and Chuang Tzu said: " Look at how happy those fish are. " To which Hui Tzu replied: " You are not a fish. How can you know how they feel? " Chuang Tzu then retorted: " And you are not me. How do you know I don't know how they feel? " At this, they both had a good laugh and went on their way. Unschuld was, of course, aware of this story but lamented that such respectful, friendly arguments are not the norm. I only aspire to having these types of exchanges although I may not always seem to convey that in my often hurried replies to this list. Now, let's get down to it: The major difference of opinion I have with the scholars you cite has to do with what I have been taught from the Taoist oral tradition I study regarding the influence prehistoric life had on the development of Chinese culture. My teacher, Hui-Ching Ni, has published over forty books in English including his translations of the essential Taoist classics of Lao-Tzu, Chuang-Tzu, and the I-Ching. While none of his books specifically deals with his tradition's accounting of history, in many of his books, he offers bits of such oral history when he seeks to make some points. Although it took me many years to appreciate, a very important element of his tradition's accounting of the ancient past is the concept that his prehistoric ancestors were profoundly inspired by nature over tens of thousands of years (if not much longer), and that those inspirations were passed down and eventually formed the basis of the concepts of Tao, yin/yang, qi, wu-hsing, etc. Modern science tells us that completely modern humans, Homo sapiens-sapiens, have been the only upright walking mammal on this earth for at least 30,000 years and that they first appeared 150,000-200,000 years ago. Even if we only use the most conservative 30,000 year time-frame, it means that people every bit as smart as you and me or even Einstein, have been living on this earth for 30,000 years. My teacher's tradition states that these beings were highly intelligent and that they learned some crucial information about life and humankind's place in the big scheme of things and that they passed this information down to successive generations. Leaders such as the Yellow Emperor, Sheng Nong, or even Fu-His were not the originators of this essential knowledge, they became famous because they were the individuals credited with transmitting the very ancient insights into the modern civilized era. The manner in which I have studied the concepts of Tao, yin/yang, qi, etc., leave me feeling deep in my soul, that these concepts offer incredibly profound portals to the deepest mysteries of the Universe. When I hear Unschuld speak of the Zhou elite or other scholars discuss the Han era influences behind the formal concepts of Tao, yin/yang, qi, etc., I do not see this reflecting the profound level I have come to see in these concepts. This leads me to believe that the people of the Zhou or Han era did not have the depth to come up with these concepts but that they were, at best, putting a modern stamp on much more ancient concepts - just like the legends state. None of these scholars give any credit to the tens of thousands of years of learning the ancestors of the Zhou or Han era people may have contributed to Chinese culture. The long line of Hunter-Gatherers who lived, laughed and raised their children are completely ignored as though they made no contributions whatsoever to the Han era culture while my teacher's tradition stresses that the contributions of the pre-settled age was paramount to what came to be more formalized during the Han era. Now, I don't blame historians for not giving any credit to the prehistoric era - they can't. Their rules of scholarship won't allow them to give credit when no hard proof of such influences exists even if they were inclined to. The only information we have on the mindset of people in this long era is from oral traditions such as my teacher's. That is why I so often contend that we need to consider oral history as well as scholarly history to have a better chance to piece together a fuller story of the roots of Chinese culture and, in turn, Chinese medicine history. For whatever reasons, Western culture seems to have made a conscious effort to sever its ties to the pre-settled era, while Eastern culture has traditionally heaped the most praise on their ancestors of this era. Look at the cave paintings in France and Spain from 20,000-30,000 years ago. Do we really want to think that such inspired artists left us no useful insights other than how to carve some stone tools? Studying my teacher's tradition has opened my eyes to the possibility that our very ancient ancestors' tens of thousands of years on this planet were not in vain nor forgotten and that they left us more than tool making technology. They left us profound insights about the very essence of nature but these lessons are bound-up, in one culture at least, in the confusing symbolic concepts of Tao, yin/yang, & qi to name a few. My thoughts above don't even scratch the surface of my understanding of these issues. I hope in the future to find ways to get my fuller thoughts out for scrutiny within the profession. Thanks for your consideration to read this far - Matt Bauer - Chinese Medicine Wednesday, September 29, 2004 12:58 AM Re: Belief in the Yellow Emperor translate this message, copy and paste it into this web link page, http://babel.altavista.com/ and adjust accordingly. If you , it takes a few days for the messages to stop being delivered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 30, 2004 Report Share Posted September 30, 2004 Id' like to bounce some thoughts off your comments, Matt. --- Matt Bauer <acu.guy wrote: > 150,000-200,000 years ago. Even if we only use the > most conservative 30,000 year time-frame, it means > that people every bit as smart as you and me or even > Einstein, have been living on this earth for 30,000 > years. This is a point I wish most of us would get our faces rubbed in more often - it is pure presumption to entertain the thought that WE, in our shiny modern mess, have discovered something intrinsically different that our uncountable grandmothers and grandfathers just weren't able to get. So we've got some precisely machined metal stuff and hubris. So what. > When I hear Unschuld Unrelated to what you were saying: I deeply respect Unschuld. I also believe that he is a scholar of the highest degree and not, by any means, a sage or an enlightened being. His linearity is apparent in his works, most clearly in his (very western) obsession with finding the Truth, the Facts and the one single way that things happened. My double and triple apologies to Mr. Unschuld since I have read some of his works and there is, without exception, a thread of respect, love and admiration running through them all. > they were inclined to. The only information we have > on the mindset of people in this long era is from > oral traditions such as my teacher's. I disagree, the scholars are trying to be scientific about something which can't be known - except through the lessons and understandings passed down through time. No book I've ever read contains the essence of a technique, idea or experience. Oral tradition is the root, foundation, base and pillar of human society. Direct transmission is the only way. Books are beautiful things, and they are unflexible THINGS and do not begin to compare with a living, breathing g-d standing before you. The Tao De Ching clearly states that inflexibility belongs to the realm of the dead whilst suppleness belongs to the realm of the living. > Now, I don't blame historians for not giving any > credit to the prehistoric era - they can't. Their > rules of scholarship won't allow them to give credit > when no hard proof of such influences exists even if > they were inclined to I don't blame them - I place full responsibility on them to give credit where it is due. Simply because they misunderstand something is no reason the rest of us must also misunderstand! There is no reason other than simple materialism to pretend that " scholarly " history is in any way superior or more real than oral history. > For whatever reasons, Western culture seems to have > made a conscious effort to sever its ties to the > pre-settled era, Somewhere, somehow, western culture's wood element (growth) was overnourished and its earth element (nourishment, support) was depleted. And this spiralled out of control, as we all know it tends to. Not only is westenr culture arrogant, overbearing and unable to respect boundaries, but it consumes and bankrupts every land it comes in contact with. Is this not exactly Wood invading Earth? > really want to think that such inspired artists left > us no useful insights other than how to carve some > stone tools? In modern western culture, art is not valued - tools are. One can't mention the skill of the art, since it is irrelevant. On the other hand, their tools tell us much more about who they are, since we all know that art is useless whereas engineering is a sign of intelligence. However, their tools are crudely formed (from rocks, of all things), and these 'people', if we can even call them that, are obviously only worth study in the light of the word PRIMITIVE. I propose that we bury our insolent self-love and replace the term " Primitives " with " Fundamentals " . Perhaps then we will have a more realistic idea of where we actually stand. Unfortunately I do feel a kind of rage when considering this situation. A short tale: Many traditions will take their children early one morning to watch the sunrise. They will explain to their children that this sun they are watching is just now being born from the water, or the horizon, and that there has never been a sun before like it, and there never will be again. That this sun is new, and that we should take care of it since, in one short day, it will wither, age and finally be extinguished on the opposite horizon. A modern person will usually have trouble realising how factually accurate this story is, and on how many levels. Because, obviously we're not crazy maniacs burning our time and home away because we think everything is static and lasts forever...which happens to be what a Liver-overgrowth person would think, but anyway. What kind of fool thinks it's the same sun every day? If you understand this story, then that's very good for you. My teacher said once, " work, and do something healthy for your future " . > this planet were not in vain nor forgotten and that > they left us more than tool making technology. They > left us profound insights about the very essence of > nature but these lessons are bound-up, in one > culture at least, in the confusing symbolic concepts > of Tao, yin/yang, & qi to name a few. Question - what's confusing about it other than that modern people are trying to achieve Direct Transmission through literature? I must finish with one of the most beautiful verses I have ever read from the page of a book hahahaha: Not dependent on the written word, Transmission apart from the scriptures; Directly pointing at one’s heart, Seeing one’s nature, becoming Buddha. _________ALL-NEW Messenger - all new features - even more fun! http://uk.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2004 Report Share Posted October 2, 2004 Matt: > > really want to think that such inspired artists > left > > us no useful insights other than how to carve some > > stone tools? Hugo: > In modern western culture, art is not valued - > tools are. One can't mention the skill of the art, > since it is irrelevant. In Canada we just got a new twenty dollar bill printed and there's a short quote on it by Gabrielle Roy: " Could we ever know each other in the slightest without the arts? " See you my friends, Hugo _________ALL-NEW Messenger - all new features - even more fun! http://uk.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 3, 2004 Report Share Posted October 3, 2004 _____ Hugo Ramiro [subincor] Thursday, September 30, 2004 1:08 AM Chinese Medicine Re: Re: Belief in the Yellow Emperor Id' like to bounce some thoughts off your comments, Matt. --- Matt Bauer <acu.guy wrote: > 150,000-200,000 years ago. Even if we only use the > most conservative 30,000 year time-frame, it means > that people every bit as smart as you and me or even > Einstein, have been living on this earth for 30,000 > years. [Jason] I really have a hard time believing this one, but I guess it is all in how you define intelligence. If you are talking about hunting buffalo, maybe yes, but clearly (from our standards) our cognitive function is much better than our predecessors, esp 30,000 years ago. To compare such people to Einstein is silly, IMO.. - This is a point I wish most of us would get our faces rubbed in more often - it is pure presumption to entertain the thought that WE, in our shiny modern mess, have discovered something intrinsically different that our uncountable grandmothers and grandfathers just weren't able to get. So we've got some precisely machined metal stuff and hubris. So what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 3, 2004 Report Share Posted October 3, 2004 Hi Chris, I went through the archives and found your original message in which you state that: Chris: " So my point is not to judge the mythic framework within Chinese culture, but to point out that in my culture (USA, the " West " ), history is held up to the standards of science (e.g. the art that Unschuld practices). Chinese residents here, when voicing those beliefs are reflecting their roots. Westerns often accept such beliefs on the mistaken assumption that our views of history are the same. They're not. When confronted with the " evidence " , one should let go of that myth, as, in our system, it is considered a falsehood " . This is the section i was referring to in my previous post. Our western culture is hardly scientific at all. History is not at all held up to the vigours of science. This is completely untrue. History is a political progaganda tool used by bias people to twist our preceptions of the present. Attilio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 <attiliodalberto wrote: > Our western culture is hardly scientific at all. History is not at all held up to the vigours of science. This is completely untrue. History is a political progaganda tool used by bias people to twist our preceptions of the present. Attilio< I agree and would add that all so called science is culturaly biased Doc ********************************************* " Euro-centric " Science " proves itself based on it's own methods and paradigm and then criticizes other non European (read non white!) systems for not being able to prove themselves by the methods and criteria it has created. TCM is often ridiculed for not being able to pass through the testing that White Euro-centric Science has set as the only “valid” standard. Hundreds of millions of cases of successful treatment with TCM are dismissed as anecdotal. " **************************************************************** Traditionally in every tribal society, medicine sprang from and was the property of the tribe and the people as a whole. In the middle ages, the church based medical establishment deliberately and methodically substituted a patriarchal, hierarchical medical paradigm. It is my goal with the projects i've been helping to set up around the world to begin to return medicine to the hands of the people from which it sprang. - vote. - Register online to vote today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 --- escreveu: --- Matt Bauer <acu.guy wrote: > 150,000-200,000 years ago. Even if we only use the > most conservative 30,000 year time-frame, it means > that people every bit as smart as you and me or even > Einstein, have been living on this earth for 30,000 > years. [Jason] >I really have a hard time believing this one, but I guess it is >all in how >you define intelligence. If you are talking about hunting >buffalo, maybe >yes, but clearly (from our standards) our cognitive function is >much better >than our predecessors, esp 30,000 years ago. To compare such >people to >Einstein is silly, IMO.. Einstein had an advantage. A contemporary scientist(don't remember whom right now- maybe it was Einstein even!), said that he only discovered what he did because he was sitting on the shoulders of the giants who preceded him, who left their knowledge as heritage for later generations. Now, 30.000 years ago, the neurons probably where there(Neanderthals had a brain BIGGER than ours!), but the knowledge of registering and passing down information down the years wasn't that developed, so...Even Einstein wouldn't do much as far as equations go, by himself in a cave, watching the stars and dreaming of time and space. Marcos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 _____ * marcos [ishk18] Einstein had an advantage. A contemporary scientist(don't remember whom right now- maybe it was Einstein even!), said that he only discovered what he did because he was sitting on the shoulders of the giants who preceded him, who left their knowledge as heritage for later generations. Now, 30.000 years ago, the neurons probably where there(Neanderthals had a brain BIGGER than ours!), but the knowledge of registering and passing down information down the years wasn't that developed, so...Even Einstein wouldn't do much as far as equations go, by himself in a cave, watching the stars and dreaming of time and space. Marcos [Jason] Again I think this is a far stretch that I guess none of us will know the real answer to, all that I know is that 'people' didn't even figure out how to grow their own food until around 10,000 years ago. So, you may say that the brain is the same, but surely individually or as a society they did not show any signs that they are superior to us. Think about how poor their language skills were. Yes we walk on the society and people of the past, but as we age (as a race) we know that we not only gain past knowledge through books etc, but also through a direct genetic (or super-conscious) transmission that improves our ability to learn and think. This, i.e., is evidenced in artists etc that never have training but somehow 'know hot to draw' - I have never seen a caveman's painting that looks anything but. When a caveman is looking at a round stone and not even knowing how to use this as a wheel, I ask what gives you the impression that they have the same cognitive skills? I have no doubt that if a 30,000 was transported into our society at age 1 that he would have major cognitive hurdles in keeping up with the average modern man. But this is all speculation. -Jason .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 _____ marcos [ishk18] Sunday, October 03, 2004 11:09 PM Chinese Medicine RE: Re: Belief in the Yellow Emperor --- escreveu: --- Matt Bauer <acu.guy wrote: > 150,000-200,000 years ago. Even if we only use the > most conservative 30,000 year time-frame, it means > that people every bit as smart as you and me or even > Einstein, have been living on this earth for 30,000 > years. [Jason] >I really have a hard time believing this one, but I guess it is >all in how >you define intelligence. If you are talking about hunting >buffalo, maybe >yes, but clearly (from our standards) our cognitive function is >much better >than our predecessors, esp 30,000 years ago. To compare such >people to >Einstein is silly, IMO.. Einstein had an advantage. A contemporary scientist(don't remember whom right now- maybe it was Einstein even!), said that he only discovered what he did because he was sitting on the shoulders of the giants who preceded him, who left their knowledge as heritage for later generations. Now, 30.000 years ago, the neurons probably where there(Neanderthals had a brain BIGGER than ours!), but the knowledge of registering and passing down information down the years wasn't that developed, so...Even Einstein wouldn't do much as far as equations go, by himself in a cave, watching the stars and dreaming of time and space. [Jason] Further thoughts. One may want to separate society from the individual in such a hypothetical exercise, but this is IMO impossible. For example, one born into such a primitive society is not only hard-wired for survival, but also from day 1 MUST survive or else that is it. The average life-span some say is about 18 years old. A very limited part of the brain is stimulated and therefore a limited intelligence. Parts of the brain that we use have never even been developed because they had yet to have the chance. Our ancestors have already stimulated parts of the brain and then pass these traits on to us. Kids today can learn much faster that 100 years ago. One cannot argue that the size of the brain means increased cognitive fx. One can also look at our society and see that the most intelligent people are not the runners, jumper athletes, but the guys sitting in the corners with their pocket protectors. Even if an Einstein was randomly born in that era, he would probably be eaten by a mountain lion before he would have a chance to pass on his genes. Therefore the brawny alpha males are the one's passing on their genes not the artists and Einsteins. This idea of yours seems to be a hard sell to me. -JAson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 --- wrote: > [Jason] > Kids today can learn much faster > that 100 years ago. Where's your proof for this statement??? I'm sure many teachers would say that there is a degradation in, at the least, attention span!!! > One > cannot argue that the size of the brain means > increased cognitive fx. This part is unclear; I'm not sure what you are saying. Simple size is not enough though, and a more reliable indicator of intelligence / experience is how convoluted, or wrinkly, the brain is. > can also look at our society and see that the most > intelligent people are > not the runners, jumper athletes, but the guys > sitting in the corners with > their pocket protectors. Man, I totally disagree with you. That is so western to put intellect at the top. Some acquaintances of mine from Taiwan describe to me how EQ is so much more important than IQ. Point is there are cultural values involved. Furthermore I know plenty of sharp, _clear-minded_ athletes, and plenty of over-intellectualised and emotionally confused pocket-protector guys. It's not a simple equation. > Even if an Einstein was > randomly born in that era, > he would probably be eaten by a mountain lion before > he would have a chance > to pass on his genes. How smart of him to be eaten by a mountain lion. > Therefore the brawny alpha > males are the one's > passing on their genes not the artists and > Einsteins. Ever seen the cave paintings in france? Those were artists. If the alpha males were passing their genes on, and no one else, then we'd only have alpha males now. Too linear, my man, that was too linear. Hugo _________ALL-NEW Messenger - all new features - even more fun! http://uk.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Hi Jason, me again > Again I think this is a far stretch that I guess > none of us will know the real answer to, Probably, although I think we're going a bit too far back in time and missing the point. Initially the point had somethign to do with how different are we from our ancestors, not only 30 000 yrs ago, but 5 000 and 10 000 as well. > show any signs that they are superior to us. Not superior. Significantly different or significantly similar. You're changing the argument. > as we age (as a race) we know that we not only gain > past knowledge through > books etc, but also through a direct genetic (or > super-conscious) > transmission that improves our ability to learn and > think. True. Question is how much of that is simple the load of knowledge, and how much is actual change in the hardware. > draw' - I have never seen a caveman's painting that > looks anything but. You need to look at more then, and with an artist's eye, to boot. > a caveman is looking at a round stone and not even > knowing how to use this > as a wheel, I ask what gives you the impression that > they have the same > cognitive skills? The invention of the wheel was earthshattering, just as was the first set of people who started making marks with meaning. What have _you_ done that is comparable?!? Does that mean you're inferior? > was transported into our > society at age 1 that he would have major cognitive > hurdles in keeping up > with the average modern man. Reverse is true as well. You mentiond something about Einstein getting eaten. So far this is all rhetoric though and the only point I wish to make is that we must do our best to not be caught up in the " arrogance of the present " . Too often we have a diminished view of our ancestors in this society. For example, people think of darkages peasants as being dirty and whatever, when all historical record indicates that liked to be clean, just like us. And again, my point is: *what is it that makes us think low things of our forbears?* > But this is all speculation. Yup. See you, Hugo _________ALL-NEW Messenger - all new features - even more fun! http://uk.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 The quality of teachers has declined. I once saw a 3 Stooges short where the Stooges had to pass themselves off as teachers, and they made more sense in a 30-minute short feature than the 4 years of high school I had to endure. ADD is now being seen as a result of breakfast cereals (extruded grains) that many kids eat, that didn't exist 100 years ago. When grain is extruded and rammed through the intense heating/stretching/cooling process it's put through, the original protein structure of the grains are torn apart and mutated. Stay away from extruded grains. Eat oatmeal with plenty of butter from pasture-fed cows. Thanks- John Garbarini --- Hugo Ramiro <subincor wrote: > --- > wrote: > > [Jason] > > Kids today can learn much faster > > that 100 years ago. > > Where's your proof for this statement??? I'm sure > many teachers would say that there is a degradation > in, at the least, attention span!!! > > > One > > cannot argue that the size of the brain means > > increased cognitive fx. > > This part is unclear; I'm not sure what you are > saying. Simple size is not enough though, and a more > reliable indicator of intelligence / experience is > how > convoluted, or wrinkly, the brain is. > > > can also look at our society and see that the most > > intelligent people are > > not the runners, jumper athletes, but the guys > > sitting in the corners with > > their pocket protectors. > > Man, I totally disagree with you. That is so > western > to put intellect at the top. Some acquaintances of > mine from Taiwan describe to me how EQ is so much > more > important than IQ. Point is there are cultural > values > involved. Furthermore I know plenty of sharp, > _clear-minded_ athletes, and plenty of > over-intellectualised and emotionally confused > pocket-protector guys. > It's not a simple equation. > > > Even if an Einstein was > > randomly born in that era, > > he would probably be eaten by a mountain lion > before > > he would have a chance > > to pass on his genes. > > How smart of him to be eaten by a mountain lion. > > > Therefore the brawny alpha > > males are the one's > > passing on their genes not the artists and > > Einsteins. > > Ever seen the cave paintings in france? Those were > artists. If the alpha males were passing their genes > on, and no one else, then we'd only have alpha males > now. > > Too linear, my man, that was too linear. > > Hugo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Hi Hugo, > the only point I wish to make is that we > must do our best to not be caught up in the " arrogance > of the present " . Too often we have a diminished view > of our ancestors in this society. For example, people > think of darkages peasants as being dirty and > whatever, when all historical record indicates that > liked to be clean, just like us. And again, my point > is: *what is it that makes us think low things of our > forbears?* > The way I look at it is this: Our ancient ancestors answers intuited that everything in the universe is made up of the same " stuff " called qi and qi could be energy or matter. Thousands of years later Einstein intuited the same thing. In the same manner our ancestors intuited that Yin/Yang waves and Qi (they are the same) are constantly changing and extend infinitely in all directions (the Dao). Thousands of years later, Quantum Theory speaks of the universe of energy/matter in the same manner. And neither our ancient ancestors or current scientists can make heads or tales of what it all means: " The Dao that can be said is not the everlasting Dao " . [The Dao De Jing]. " Anyone who says that they can contemplate quantum mechanics without becoming dizzy has not understood the concept in the least. " [Niels Bohr, In Science] Everything seems to be changing, yet it all seems to stay the same. " The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth. " [Niels Bohr] " How wonderful that we have met with a paradox. Now we have some hope of making progress. " [Niels Bohr] And I guess that this may be the toughest part of life to accept. :-) Regards, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 And the relevance to TCM of these posts is .....? Chinese Medicine , John Garbarini <johnlg_2000> wrote: > > The quality of teachers has declined. I once saw a 3 > Stooges short where the Stooges had to pass themselves > off as teachers, and they made more sense in a > 30-minute short feature than the 4 years of high > school I had to endure. > ADD is now being seen as a result of breakfast > cereals (extruded grains) that many kids eat, that > didn't exist 100 years ago. When grain is extruded and > rammed through the intense heating/stretching/cooling > process it's put through, > the original protein structure of the grains are torn > apart and mutated. Stay away from extruded grains. Eat > oatmeal with plenty of butter from pasture-fed cows. > Thanks- > John Garbarini > --- Hugo Ramiro <subincor> wrote: > > > --- <@c...> > > wrote: > > > [Jason] > > > Kids today can learn much faster > > > that 100 years ago. > > > > Where's your proof for this statement??? I'm sure > > many teachers would say that there is a degradation > > in, at the least, attention span!!! > > > > > One > > > cannot argue that the size of the brain means > > > increased cognitive fx. > > > > This part is unclear; I'm not sure what you are > > saying. Simple size is not enough though, and a more > > reliable indicator of intelligence / experience is > > how > > convoluted, or wrinkly, the brain is. > > > > > can also look at our society and see that the most > > > intelligent people are > > > not the runners, jumper athletes, but the guys > > > sitting in the corners with > > > their pocket protectors. > > > > Man, I totally disagree with you. That is so > > western > > to put intellect at the top. Some acquaintances of > > mine from Taiwan describe to me how EQ is so much > > more > > important than IQ. Point is there are cultural > > values > > involved. Furthermore I know plenty of sharp, > > _clear-minded_ athletes, and plenty of > > over-intellectualised and emotionally confused > > pocket-protector guys. > > It's not a simple equation. > > > > > Even if an Einstein was > > > randomly born in that era, > > > he would probably be eaten by a mountain lion > > before > > > he would have a chance > > > to pass on his genes. > > > > How smart of him to be eaten by a mountain lion. > > > > > Therefore the brawny alpha > > > males are the one's > > > passing on their genes not the artists and > > > Einsteins. > > > > Ever seen the cave paintings in france? Those were > > artists. If the alpha males were passing their genes > > on, and no one else, then we'd only have alpha males > > now. > > > > Too linear, my man, that was too linear. > > > > Hugo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 --- escreveu: * marcos [ishk18] >>Einstein had an advantage. A contemporary scientist(don't >>remember whom right now- maybe it was Einstein even!), said that >>he only discovered what he did because he was sitting on the >>shoulders of the giants who preceded him, who left their >>knowledge as heritage for later generations. Now, 30.000 years >>ago, the neurons probably where there(Neanderthals had a brain >>BIGGER than ours!), but the knowledge of registering and passing >>down information down the years wasn't that developed, so...Even >>Einstein wouldn't do much as far as equations go, by himself in >>a cave, watching the stars and dreaming of time and space. >> >>Marcos [Jason] >(...) Yes we walk on the society and people of the past, but >as we age (as a race) we know that we not only gain past >knowledge through books etc, but also through a direct genetic (or super-conscious)transmission that improves our ability to >learn and think. Hi Jason, interesting, but what is this 'direct genetic transmission', do you mean that acquired abilities are stored genetically somehow and become part of the genetic makeup of humankind? > This, i.e., is evidenced in artists etc that never have >training but somehow 'know hot to draw' - I have never seen a >caveman's painting that looks anything but. When >a caveman is looking at a round stone and not even knowing how >to use this as a wheel, I ask what gives you the impression that >they have the same cognitive skills? I have no doubt that if a >30,000 was transported into our society at age 1 that he would >have major cognitive hurdles in keeping up with the average >modern man. But this is all speculation. > >-Jason The caveman saw a round stone and probably rolled it down the hill for fun, but to put an axle through its center and a pole to pull it and make it 'the real thing', requires 'a quantum leap', I would say, in imagination. We can look at it the other way around; many people TODAY look at a remote control full of little buttons and don't have the remotest idea of how to operate it, untill they read the instruction booklet or someone explains it to them! Okay, maybe the wheel is not as simple as the remote control, for this happens to people who have been exposed to other controls, and so know something of controls, but we really cannot say that a Neanderthal or even a Cro-Magnon of some 30.000 years ago transported to this age at age 1 would or would not develop in a perfectly normal(as we see it) way. In that I agree with you that it is speculation. Marcos _____ Acesso Grátis - Internet rápida e grátis. Instale o discador agora! http://br.acesso./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 --- escreveu: > >Further thoughts. One may want to separate society from the >individual in such a hypothetical exercise, but this is IMO >impossible. For example, one born into such a primitive society >is not only hard-wired for survival, but also from day 1 MUST >survive or else that is it. The average life-span some >say is about 18 years old. A very limited part of the brain is >stimulated and therefore a limited intelligence. Parts of the >brain that we use have never even been developed because they >had yet to have the chance. Ourn ancestors have already >stimulated parts of the brain and then pass these traits on to >us. Kids today can learn much faster that 100 years ago. One >cannot argue that the size of the brain means increased >cognitive fx. One can also look at our society and see that the >most intelligent people are not the runners, jumper athletes, >but the guys sitting in the corners with their pocket >protectors. Even if an Einstein was randomly born in that era, >he would probably be eaten by a mountain lion before he would >have a chance to pass on his genes. Therefore the brawny alpha >males are the one's passing on their genes not the artists and >Einsteins. This idea of yours seems to be a hard sell to me. > >-JAson Aha! Now we get to the meat:-D My idea is o.k. and so is yours,and the fact that Neanderthals of more than 30.000 years ago had a bigger brain than we have today. And that Einstein-of-the-caves wouldn't have a high survival rating. But, as you pointed out, they needed to survive. in societies with more survival skills, principally agricultural ones, they started to have more leisure! And food stored for the winter, and so could 'look to higher things', and discovered a lot of interesting and useful things as the centuries rolled along, and continue to do so today, and that has hardly anything to do with 'genetic enhacement'. Its just that; one thing leads to the other, and here we are, in the internet/hip age, trying to discover the secrets of a (at least)2.400 year old knowledge called TCM. Marcos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 Thank you for your comments Hugo, I repeat what I said in my presentation; am glad to be here at this forum, and agree with you and learn from you! --- Hugo Ramiro <subincor escreveu: --- wrote: > [Jason] > Kids today can learn much faster > that 100 years ago. Where's your proof for this statement??? I'm sure many teachers would say that there is a degradation in, at the least, attention span!!! > One > cannot argue that the size of the brain means > increased cognitive fx. This part is unclear; I'm not sure what you are saying. Simple size is not enough though, and a more reliable indicator of intelligence / experience is how convoluted, or wrinkly, the brain is. > can also look at our society and see that the most > intelligent people are > not the runners, jumper athletes, but the guys > sitting in the corners with > their pocket protectors. Man, I totally disagree with you. That is so western to put intellect at the top. Some acquaintances of mine from Taiwan describe to me how EQ is so much more important than IQ. Point is there are cultural values involved. Furthermore I know plenty of sharp, _clear-minded_ athletes, and plenty of over-intellectualised and emotionally confused pocket-protector guys. It's not a simple equation. > Even if an Einstein was > randomly born in that era, > he would probably be eaten by a mountain lion before > he would have a chance > to pass on his genes. How smart of him to be eaten by a mountain lion. > Therefore the brawny alpha > males are the one's > passing on their genes not the artists and > Einsteins. Ever seen the cave paintings in france? Those were artists. If the alpha males were passing their genes on, and no one else, then we'd only have alpha males now. Too linear, my man, that was too linear. Hugo _____ Acesso Grátis - Internet rápida e grátis. Instale o discador agora! http://br.acesso./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 An article in Science News last month reported a study which showed that ADD and ADHD children placed in natural outdoor environments for several hours a day -- not just urban " parks " , but with real greenery - improved significantly in a short time, with less distractibility and better capacity to focus for longer periods. The study was controlled for specific activities which might be done only outside and vice versa, indicating that it was the effect of the outdoors itself. Nowadays, children spend most of their school days inside, very often in buildings with no windows and no natural light. Foliage in view, forget it. Other studies I have seen showed that artificial lighting has a negative effect on these children's ability to function effectively (and their teachers as well), and that at least some regular exercise during the day improves children's mental function and learning (but gym class and recess are no longer regular parts of the school day for many children). Add up all these various aspects of modern life (and these are only a few) and the cumulative impact is significant. And most of these changes have occurred in the last century and a half or so. While it is true that there is some evidence to suggest that computer learning and games have elevated many children's test scores, it does not address other forms of intelligence or functioning. Anyone who believes that a child who sits indoors in a chair all day staring at a computer screen in a room lit with artificial lighting and no windows and snacking on junk food is getting a well-rounded education has a strange idea of education, in my view. Pat The quality of teachers has declined. I once saw a 3 Stooges short where the Stooges had to pass themselves off as teachers, and they made more sense in a 30-minute short feature than the 4 years of high school I had to endure. ADD is now being seen as a result of breakfast cereals (extruded grains) that many kids eat, that didn't exist 100 years ago. When grain is extruded and rammed through the intense heating/stretching/cooling process it's put through, the original protein structure of the grains are torn apart and mutated. Stay away from extruded grains. Eat oatmeal with plenty of butter from pasture-fed cows. Thanks- John Garbarini ============================================================================== NOTE: The information in this email is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not read, use or disseminate the information; please advise the sender immediately by reply email and delete this message and any attachments without retaining a copy. Although this email and any attachments are believed to be free of any virus or other defect that may affect any computer system into which it is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it is virus free and no responsibility is accepted by Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use. ============================================================================== Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 Hi Pat, > Nowadays, children spend most of their school days inside, very >often in buildings with no windows and no natural light. Foliage in >view, forget it. Other studies I have seen showed that artificial >lighting has a negative effect on these children's ability to function >effectively (and their teachers as well), and that at least some >regular exercise during the day improves children's mental function >and learning (but gym class and recess are no longer regular parts of >the school day for many children). Add up all these various aspects >of modern life (and these are only a few) and the cumulative impact is >significant. At my age (53) I am not sure there is an " advantage " to one way of life vs. another. Hunting for food or browsing the Internet. I guess we are all " spending time " doing something, learning something, earning something. Regards, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 Doubtless so. However, my point is that limiting the environment to a closed, artificial cocoon where only a limited range of intelligence and skills is developed is not always healthy for growing children; hence, ADD and ADHD (although I am not saying this is the only cause of same). Pat Hi Pat, > Nowadays, children spend most of their school days inside, very >often in buildings with no windows and no natural light. Foliage in >view, forget it. Other studies I have seen showed that artificial >lighting has a negative effect on these children's ability to function >effectively (and their teachers as well), and that at least some >regular exercise during the day improves children's mental function >and learning (but gym class and recess are no longer regular parts of >the school day for many children). Add up all these various aspects >of modern life (and these are only a few) and the cumulative impact is >significant. At my age (53) I am not sure there is an " advantage " to one way of life vs. another. Hunting for food or browsing the Internet. I guess we are all " spending time " doing something, learning something, earning something. Regards, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 Hi Pat, Chinese Medicine , " Pat Ethridge " <pat.ethridge@c...> wrote: > > Doubtless so. However, my point is that limiting the environment to a > closed, artificial cocoon where only a limited range of intelligence and > skills is developed is not always healthy for growing children; hence, ADD > and ADHD (although I am not saying this is the only cause of same). > > Pat > I so much agree. I think that children are suppose to be running around, exploring, learning, taking it all in. It is part of our " heritage " as human beings to " re-visit " our Earth and understand it. When children are harnessed into school chairs or kept in small rooms (to study textbooks, to browse the internet, to watch TV), it will, I believe, trigger a natural urge to " get out " , run around and explore. What it called ADD (I think) is just being naturally bored with a very artifial and uninteresting environment. Let children play and have fun - there is plenty of time to learn to multiply numbers. :-) Regards, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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