Philosophy Wire: Why do you like coffee? No, this is not the question…

Why do you swig bitter, dark roast coffee while your coworker guzzles sweet cola? Scientists searched for variations in our taste genes that could explain our beverage preferences, because understanding those preferences could indicate ways to intervene in people's diets. But to scientists' surprise, the study showed taste preferences for bitter or sweet beverages aren't based on variations in our taste genes, but rather genes related to the psychoactive properties of these beverages. [1] I like this. I like that. A cosmos dictated by preferences. A universe rotating around our will. We try to decompose that will, to understand it. Why we like something, why we hate something else. Why do you like life you little man? Why are you afraid of death? Stop! Stop being afraid. Stop hiding behind your little finger. Be brave enough to acknowledge what you cannot know! No, you do not want to find out why you like coffee. You are just too afraid to what I might ask you while we drink that coffee…

(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective…

Philosophy Wire: Cultivating coffee. Thus… not going to school?!?

New research explores the negative effects of the coffee industry. Researchers cite a range of negative consequences that coffee cultivation contributes to, including: malaria vulnerability (mosquitos thrive in wet areas with the right mix of sun and shade), decreased participation in schooling (children are pulled from school to harvest), gender inequalities, and environmental degradation (many growers cut down large, native trees to make way for coffee plants) in Bududa, Uganda. [1]

Surely everything can be related to anything. And I am sure there are strong evidence to support the correlations depicted in this research. However, there can be also evidence to refute them. If someone tells you not to go to school, then you have a very good reason not to. But if you want to go to school, then even if all the world says no you will go. You may drink as much coffee as you want. But if you are truly sleepy, your eyes will close…

The whole universe might tell you that you are alone. But despite that you can still sense you are not.  The whole cosmos might suggest you are just a speck of dust. And yet, you may feel that you can control the winds…

Let them tell you not to go to school. Pick up that bag my child. You will go. In this life or the next. Either through school or otherwise. In your dreams or in real life. You will learn.

Pick up that bag.

I am here with you…

(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective…

Philosophy Wire: Eat when hungry~! Obvious. So?

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2016-07-21]: New research published in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, found that the tendency of today's consumers to eat when they are not hungry might be less advantageous for health than eating when they are hungry. [1] So obvious a conclusion that could only be a subject of scientific research. Search within yourself. What is important, you already know.

(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective…

Philosophy Wire: Stupid Science...

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2014-10-20]:

Can your blood type affect your memory in later years? [1]
The impact of violent media on the brain depends on each individual's brain circuitry, study finds. [2]
Science is more and more about sterile data analysis.
Science is more and more about stupid tautological results.
But innovation is about thinking without having the data.
True science is about reaching conclusions which are illogical, based on what you know.
Let's bang our heads to the wall.
And start fresh...

(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective…

Philosophy Wire: Good memories. Bad memories. Stupid people.

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2014-10-09]: Scientists managed to transform good memories into bad. [1] Who know what is bad? Who defines what is good? Who understands how the brain works? Who knows what "mind" is? Who knows what life is? Who understands death? Who is so stupid so as to play with things he does not know?

(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective…

Philosophy Wire: Particles. Particles! Particles!!!

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2014-05-24]:

A new particle discovered. [1]
And after that a new one. And another. And another. And another...
Starting to walk without having a clue when you will arrive your destination, is the best way to get lost…

(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective…