"I don't really believe in coincidences"

hackenslash · **#41** by **hackenslash** » Mar 23, 2010 3:44 am

Not quite a cause, but a specific manifestation of a particular principle, for which no cause can be identified. In any event, had an answer been forthcoming, the intent was to move down the causal chain another step.

iamthereforeithink · **#42** by **iamthereforeithink** » Mar 23, 2010 3:45 am

Armageddo wrote:
iamthereforeithink wrote:While I agree that everything need not necessarily have a cause, particularly where quantum theory is concerned, the Casimir effect is probably not the best example.
The Casimir effect is caused by vacuum energy. Specifically, the difference in energy density between a confined space and the surrounding area.

Hear hear. Hackenslash, you should choose your examples more carefully otherwise you'll find yourself tripping up yet again.

That doesn't actually take away the fact that many quantum effects are essentially uncaused, as far as is known, with several examples of violations of Bell's inequalities.

Armageddo · **#43** by **Armageddo** » Mar 23, 2010 3:49 am

iamthereforeithink wrote:
Armageddo wrote:
iamthereforeithink wrote:While I agree that everything need not necessarily have a cause, particularly where quantum theory is concerned, the Casimir effect is probably not the best example.
The Casimir effect is caused by vacuum energy. Specifically, the difference in energy density between a confined space and the surrounding area.

Hear hear. Hackenslash, you should choose your examples more carefully otherwise you'll find yourself tripping up yet again.

That doesn't actually take away the fact that many quantum effects are essentially uncaused, as far as is known, with several examples of violations of Bell's inequalities.

As far as is known, you've got it.

katja z · **#44** by **katja z** » Mar 23, 2010 1:02 pm

LIFE wrote:So I get this from women quite often.

Example:

Me (calling her): "Hey!"
Her: "Hey, now that's funny....I was just thinking about you!"
Me: "Funny coincidence "
Her: "I don't really believe in coincidences..."
Me: "Why not? Are you religious?"
Her: "No, I'm not. But I believe that a lot of things that happen, encounters, decisions...do have a meaning for later in life..."
Me: "Umm, okay..."

I usually change the topic there.

I'm confused though. If she doesn't mean a predefined fate than what does she mean?
Surely coincidences might be the cause for different decisions I make and thus have an impact on my future, in fact all decisions have an impact. But doesn't her statement contradict itself? Ain't it illogical? Am I missing something here?

I get this "argument" a LOT. Germans are weird. They usually don't believe in a personal god but in hell or an immortal soul...Please don't tell me she's one of them again

Um, I think you know what you mean. In my experience, this kind of thing doesn't have much to do with any strong belief in fate, if that's what's bothering you. It's more an automatic repetition of a new-agey meme (hah) that makes you feel good (aren't we just obsessed with detecting patterns and infering purpose?), or at least gives you something to say. I actually think this is a big part of it. In certain social contexts saying things like that is just a conventional conversation strategy, like talking about the weather. I know I sometimes catch myself saying things like "that was surely no coincidence", even though I don't really mean it.

Bottom line, while the sort of conversation you quote here is not exactly an instance of clear thinking, it's probably nothing to get headaches about. :cheers:

trubble76 · **#45** by **trubble76** » Mar 23, 2010 1:08 pm

LIFE wrote:So I get this from women quite often.

Example:

Me (calling her): "Hey!"
Her: "Hey, now that's funny....I was just thinking about you!"
Me: "Funny coincidence "
Her: "I don't really believe in coincidences..."
Me: "Why not? Are you religious?"
Her: "No, I'm not. But I believe that a lot of things that happen, encounters, decisions...do have a meaning for later in life..."
Me: "Umm, okay..."

I usually change the topic there.

I'm confused though. If she doesn't mean a predefined fate than what does she mean?
Surely coincidences might be the cause for different decisions I make and thus have an impact on my future, in fact all decisions have an impact. But doesn't her statement contradict itself? Ain't it illogical? Am I missing something here?

I get this "argument" a LOT. Germans are weird. They usually don't believe in a personal god but in hell or an immortal soul...Please don't tell me she's one of them again

@mods
I'm not sure if this topic fits best here, feel free to move it

Sounds to me like she's a fan of James Redfield

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Celestine_Prophecy

rEvolutionist · **#46** by **rEvolutionist** » Mar 23, 2010 1:14 pm

LIFE wrote:So I get this from women quite often.

Example:

Me (calling her): "Hey!"
Her: "Hey, now that's funny....I was just thinking about you!"
Me: "Funny coincidence "
Her: "I don't really believe in coincidences..."
Me: "Why not? Are you religious?"
Her: "No, I'm not. But I believe that a lot of things that happen, encounters, decisions...do have a meaning for later in life..."
Me: "Umm, okay..."

I usually change the topic there.

I'm confused though. If she doesn't mean a predefined fate than what does she mean?
Surely coincidences might be the cause for different decisions I make and thus have an impact on my future, in fact all decisions have an impact. But doesn't her statement contradict itself? Ain't it illogical? Am I missing something here?

Yes you are. Clearly these women are hot for you. This is their way of coming on to you, pretending it is all ordained as fate. Any of these chicks hot? :shifty:

LIFE · **#47** by **LIFE** » Mar 23, 2010 5:41 pm

rEvolutionist wrote:Any of these chicks hot?

Yipp.

rEvolutionist · **#48** by **rEvolutionist** » Mar 23, 2010 9:23 pm

LIFE wrote:
rEvolutionist wrote:Any of these chicks hot?

Yipp.

There's yer answer! :lol:

LIFE · **#49** by **LIFE** » Mar 23, 2010 11:35 pm

rEvolutionist wrote:
LIFE wrote:
rEvolutionist wrote:Any of these chicks hot?

Yipp.

There's yer answer!

If only it were that easy

"I don't really believe in coincidences"

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