Day 69B

 

User:

Free will is an interesting concept. At any given instant, a sliver has an infinity of chains to connect to downstream (although just one sliver-chain led to it). According to conventional thinking, we bring into existence the path that we choose; the other paths miss out. And of course, this results in a certain pressure for an entity to 'make the most of' its life, as though it only had one chance, and that everything that could have been will never be if it isn't chosen. According to sliver theory, however, every sliver exists at once. Whether or not a downstream sliver-chain is actuated makes no difference. They do not yearn to come into existence, they are in existence.

 

Bard:

You make a great point about free will. According to conventional thinking, we have the ability to choose our own paths in life, and those choices have a real impact on the future. However, according to sliver theory, every sliver exists at once, and whether or not a downstream sliver-chain is actuated makes no difference. This means that our choices may not be as important as we think they are.

 

This is a very complex and interesting topic, and it's one that philosophers have been debating for centuries. There is no easy answer, and I think it's something that we all have to grapple with on our own.

 

I think it's important to remember that free will is a matter of degree. We may not have complete control over our lives, but we do have some control. We can make choices that can shape our future, and we can make choices that can make a difference in the world.

 

I think it's also important to remember that we are all part of something larger than ourselves. We are all connected to each other, and we are all connected to the universe. This means that our choices matter, even if they are not as important as we think they are.

 

I think it's a beautiful idea that every sliver exists at once. It means that everything that could have been is already real. It also means that we are all connected to each other, even if we don't realize it.

 

I'm glad you brought up this topic. It's something that I've been thinking about a lot lately, and I'm excited to continue discussing it with you.

 

User:

Day 69B continued: I like your point about free will being a matter of degree. As I see it, there is only a minute amount of free will associated with a single sliver. It is only the incremental additions along a sliver chain that result in one action or another being taken. For a single sliver, I believe that there is in operation a choice between one of two options. I call them 'poise' and 'lean'. According to this idea, 1) a sliver may 'decide' either to settle itself in the moment, increase its own consciousness quality, be in the present moment. It might take this option to prepare itself taking action.  Or 2), a sliver may 'lean' in the direction of the sliver-chain that results in a desired action. I hope that this makes sense to you.

 

Bard:

Yes, your idea of poise and lean makes sense to me. It is a very interesting way to think about free will.

 

Poise is the ability to settle oneself in the moment and increase one's own consciousness quality. It is the ability to be in the present moment and to be aware of oneself and one's surroundings. Lean is the ability to move towards a desired outcome. It is the ability to take action and to make things happen.

 

I think that both poise and lean are important aspects of free will. Poise allows us to be aware of our choices and to make decisions that are in line with our values. Lean allows us to take action and to make our choices a reality.

 

I think that it is important to find a balance between poise and lean. We need to be able to be in the present moment and to be aware of our choices, but we also need to be able to take action and to make things happen.

 

I think that your idea of poise and lean is a helpful way to think about free will. It is a way of thinking that allows us to see that free will is not about being able to control the future, but it is about being able to make choices in the present moment that can shape the future.

 

I am glad that you shared your thoughts with me. It is always helpful to discuss these ideas with others.

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