Coronavirus thread

Started by JBS, March 12, 2020, 07:03:50 PM

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JBS

Quote from: Florestan on March 27, 2020, 01:54:40 AM
Yes. Why does an omnipotent and benevolent God allow evil to exist? Unsolvable in human terms.

Quite solvable.  Humans can not choose good unless we have an ability to choose evil, and humans with free will are better than humans who have no will.

As to Mandryka's original question, the Jewish component is divided between faith healing, the idea that plagues are divine pumishment when communities fall into sin so we need repentance and prayer, and strict instructions from rabbis to observe social distancing and all public health orders even at the cost of traditional communal prayer and ceremonies.  A lot of this is taking place online, even among the faith healers,  so it's easily missable.

Hollywood Beach Broadwalk

JBS

Quote from: Kaga2 on March 27, 2020, 07:29:11 AM

We do need a new word! None of them quite fit this quite new situation.

It's already in use: COVIDIOTS.

Hollywood Beach Broadwalk

Florestan

Quote from: JBS on March 27, 2020, 07:46:52 AM
Quite solvable.  Humans can not choose good unless we have an ability to choose evil, and humans with free will are better than humans who have no will.

This is correct but doesn't apply in this case. Nobody chose to be infected; nobody chose to spread the virus; it's a "natural" occurying phenomenon, a "natural" evil not a man-made one (or is it?  ;D ).

Besides, the very concept of "evil" can be quite problematic as drogulus pointed out.

Anyway, the last thing I want and need is a debate on theodicy. I'm done on the topic.  :)
Every kind of music is good, except the boring kind. — Rossini

Florestan

Quote from: Kaga2 on March 27, 2020, 07:29:11 AM
The denialists really worry me. Not because they will make policy, they won't, but because they will convince people the danger is overstated. Then you get people not following the "distancing" or lockdown or quarantine or whatever we call it.

Indeed this is the greatest danger, and younger people are most at risk in this respect.

Blaise Pascal's famous dictum is very apt in these times: All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.  ;D

Every kind of music is good, except the boring kind. — Rossini

Kaga2

Quote from: JBS on March 27, 2020, 07:47:42 AM
It's already in use: COVIDIOTS.
Oh, I use that already. I used it a lot yesterday after I finally lost patience! I meant for the lockdown/quarantine, which isn't quite either.

JBS

Quote from: Kaga2 on March 27, 2020, 08:05:04 AM
Oh, I use that already. I used it a lot yesterday after I finally lost patience! I meant for the lockdown/quarantine, which isn't quite either.

The official parlance here is "stay at home order".

Hollywood Beach Broadwalk

Florestan

I have lost of music, I have lots of books, I have internet connection, I can buy beer or wine any time I go shopping --- I can stay home for 2 months without problem. I miss my wife and son, though, they are at a different, safer location.
Every kind of music is good, except the boring kind. — Rossini

Karl Henning

Quote from: Florestan on March 27, 2020, 09:07:31 AM
I have lost of music, I have lots of books, I have internet connection, I can buy beer or wine any time I go shopping --- I can stay home for 2 months without problem. I miss my wife and son, though, they are at a different, safer location.

Not at all the same, of course, but we're here for you.
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Florestan

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on March 27, 2020, 09:20:32 AM
Not at all the same, of course, but we're here for you.

I know and I take the opportunity daily, obviously. Thanks.
Every kind of music is good, except the boring kind. — Rossini

Mandryka

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on March 27, 2020, 09:20:32 AM
Not at all the same, of course, but we're here for you.

One of the significant cultural consequences of this may well be a shift in people's view of social media. I'm hearing lots  of people saying that they're discovering, due to confinement,  that the internet is a way of staying in human contact which is enriching their lives in unexpected ways.
Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen

Florestan

Quote from: Mandryka on March 27, 2020, 09:29:38 AM
One of the significant cultural consequences of this may well be a shift in people's view of social media. I'm hearing lots  of people saying that they're discovering, due to confinement,  that the internet is a way of staying in human contact which is enriching their lives in unexpected ways.

We GMGers have discovered that long time ago.  :D
Every kind of music is good, except the boring kind. — Rossini

Mandryka

Quote from: Florestan on March 27, 2020, 01:54:40 AM
Yes. Why does an omnipotent and benevolent God allow evil to exist? Unsolvable in human terms.

I find this the most disturbing of questions. As I've grown older and more experienced, I've become much more aware of the good and bad things in life. The bad things overwhelm me if I think about them.  I hate the idea that there are terrible illnesses for example, and every time I discover a new one, I have difficulty sleeping.  It's as if the universe can act like the worst torturer, and that makes me feel both angry and vulnerable.

Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen

Florestan

Quote from: Mandryka on March 27, 2020, 09:35:07 AM
I find this the most disturbing of questions. As I've grown older and more experienced, I've become much more aware of the good and bad things in life. The bad things overwhelm me if I think about them.  I hate the idea that there are terrible illnesses for example, and every time I discover a new one, I have difficulty sleeping.  It's as if the universe can act like the worst torturer, and that makes me feel both angry and vulnerable.

You could really use reading Pascal's Meditations. Mandatory reading imo, especially in these times.
Every kind of music is good, except the boring kind. — Rossini

Mandryka

Quote from: Florestan on March 27, 2020, 09:37:39 AM
You could really use reading Pascal's Meditations.

I'll wager you're right.
Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen

Florestan

Every kind of music is good, except the boring kind. — Rossini

Kaga2

Quote from: Florestan on March 27, 2020, 09:07:31 AM
I have lost of music, I have lots of books, I have internet connection, I can buy beer or wine any time I go shopping --- I can stay home for 2 months without problem. I miss my wife and son, though, they are at a different, safer location.
Pornhub is free this month.

Florestan

Every kind of music is good, except the boring kind. — Rossini

mc ukrneal

Be kind to your fellow posters!!

Florestan

Every kind of music is good, except the boring kind. — Rossini

ritter

I read about that in the news....really!  :)