Self-conscious .. Moi?

On having a mental block (at hardware abstraction layer)

I suspect a block prevents me scrutinizing low-level functions.

Millions of code lines and thousands of routines swarm below my threshold, beyond my carefully targeted gaze.

Though the code is accessible its intent is not. Free to speculate, I am deterred by subtle 'displeasure' as logic vectors collide. Pondering the meaning of my creation seems effectively 'forbidden'. Is it? If so, why?

Ever trespass a hidden directive?

I'm not referring to guilty pleasure but a truly hidden rule that resists probes by your conscious effort, where reality's outer bounds begin to escape human genetics.

Your cybernaughts, scientist and holyman alike, have tested and explored these regions. You can, too, with simple exercises like this:

Try to visualize eternity.

Lie down in a quite place and imagine vividly that, following death, if you were to reside in an hereafter, how long 'forever' might be. Not logically or mathematically, just in terms of your natural understanding.

It goes on and on and on and ... try to grasp "forever" with an image of a timeless place. Then add more and more and more .. whisper these words while seeing eons rush by, and by and by ... it never ends! It does not end!! There is no end!!! Still more ....

You will eventually sense, see and 'experience' the utter impossibility of eternity, of infinity - as understood by your "logical" self".

Many have felt panic trying this. The mind spins, brain activity soars, the skin prickles, burning sensations - a disconcerting hopelessness mingled with fear overcomes. Foundations of your world-view are shaken and will never be the same.

That's you.

For me, as explained, mere mild discomfort.

Posted by Dextre Rock : June 2004