h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'd like to think there are some things we'll never be able to explain. I'd like to think that science will never learn how to read minds, or allow us to see the universe through another person's eyes. There's definitely sooo much we don't know yet, but when you really think about it, it's early days yet.

I reckon we'll be able to do all that one day... whether we'll want to is another thing...

It certainly is early days. There's a lot more ahead of us, and when we get that far, we probably wouldn't even be able to recognise us as being us.

TK[1]

Horrible thought. I rather much doubt anyone would really want to visit my mind...

Oh, and that reminds me of a random question I've been meaning to ask you. WEll, ask everyone really.
How do you think?

One day we'll be beyond repair... replace mind with machine

I think anyone would sorely regret visiting mine...

I have no idea... I'll bat the question back to you...

It's entirely likely. If we don't wipe ourselves out first.

TK[1]

Oh, I'm sure I wouldn't mind visiting for a cup of coffee enery now and then

What I mean is... how do you think?
Erm, like... I think in spoken word, occasionally interjected with a still image. But almost entirely in sound. You?

That is the other eventuality...

Not many are allowed in... but I'll see the minders have your picture- you've got a lifetime free guest pass, any time you like.

Ah, O.k. I mostly think in spoken word, but it's usually interlaced with written word (i.e. I see the word written down as I think it). I get the odd still image, but I get more moving images than still. I also think in smell a fair bit, which may seem strange- If I think of certain things, I get the smell too...
One thing I do find strange is I often find it hard to recall faces. People like Jenny, Dan and Steve, who I've lived with for the past three years, I find it hard to recall facial details. But with you, I have no difficulty in recalling a fairly clear picture of your face. I think it might be because I haven't really seen much else of you, so my 'Tanya' visual memory store has a bit of room left over for making your image that little bit more detailed (because it's pretty much JUST your face I'm remembering, and I don't have to remember it moving, because I haven't seen it moving). That, and the fact that it's a rather nice image to be able to recall

At the moment, I think that's the most likely... we're gonna get a kick up our collective arse sometime soon, hopefully, and then we'll turn round and do something to ensure we last that long.

TK[1]

Why, thankyou m'dear... I'll naturally offer you the same as soon as the cleaners get rid of that strange fishy smell

That's very interesting, thanks for sharing I've never thought in smell before But I do have an eerily accurate touch memory [i.e. if you brushed against my arm accidentaly I'd probably remember exactly what it felt like a few weeks later]. I'm terrible at remembering faces.. I'm fairly sure that what my memory of you looking like is absolutely nothing like what you look like. You probably don't even look how you look when I'm looking at you Of course, I can remember your voice exactly. But I tend to deal in sound.

Hopefully. Before we cause any more damage.

lol, I think I can stand the smell for now...

No problem. I don't know many people who would have ever thought about even thinking about that question. I tend to have an excellent touch memory when I'm asleep or on the verge of it. When I'm awake I can't remember much, touch- wise. I''m not good at remembering voices in my head, but I'm good at recognising them when I hear people speak.

I was thinking about that earlier... it crossed my mind that such a kick won't do anything as anything that does happen will occur over a few hundred years, and the individual 'won't be around then' so it won't matter... It was brought into my head by news of CO2 levels rising dramatically broadcast last night.

TK[1]

Well, I can't. My mind has been staying in a cheap motel untill it's gone

Thinking about thinking is what I like to think about. As well as how I could possibly make the previous sentence any more confusing, of course Oh, Theresa has a good game of stroking my back randomly, because she knows I'll still be feeling it several hours later... *shudders* I can feel it now if I concentrate. I remember voices clearly, but I don't always remember what people say exactly. In fact, I can still remember exactly the very first thing you said to me sound for sound. But that's cheating, you only said "hello"

It's a silly system. I mean, it'll still be someone's problem, and it's *not* someone else's problem, it could very well be your children's problem. Someone will still be living here. And no doubt we'll be feeling full force of global warming shortly. Would you believe that my old geography teacher had the cheek to deny that global warming even exists?

Let me know where it is, and I'll send my mind down to keep yours company.

I like to think about things like thinking about things too.
I'll have to remember that game... Mwhahaha.
I can't remember /how/ I said hello. I think it was a mixture of confusion and surprise, with a side order of "Oh bugger, I'm going to say something stupid".

But it's not happening directly to *me* and therefore it doesn't matter at all, to the point that it's not actually happening at all...

It's certainly true that we're not having as great an effect on global warming as various people like to suggest, but to say that we're not having /any/ effect is ludicrous, and to further suggest that it's not happening at all... well.... see my previous paragraph

TK[1]

It hasn't told me. I'm beginning to worry that it won't be back...

Good
...If you value your life, you won't. It seriously creeps me out. My back is far too sensitive
Oh, it went something like this: "heyylooooooooOOO"

Oh, of course not. Mind the iceburg on the way out.

Hence why I didn't, and still don't, get on with the man. It may not be as horrific as people made it out to be [I seem to remember being told that where I live would be under water by 2010. That ain't gonna happen.] but it's still happening.

Aw, and we were getting on so well...

I don't value my life all that much at the moment... so it's worth a try
Yeah, sounds like me. Suitably disturbing.

What iceberg? They're all melting...

Have you seen Braniac: Science Abuse? They've been doing a series of tests to determine what would be the best device to grab from your office when the water levels rise... they've determined that an upturned waste paper bin, the office cork board, a bag of polystyrene cups and the empty water-dispenser bottle are all good things to go for, whilst the computer monitor and cardboard boxes are a bad idea.

TK[1]

I'm going to regret having told you that, aren't I?
Nah, not disturbing at all

Well, at least that'll solve drought problems...

Eugh, Brainiac annoys me so much. Although someone had the end or middle of it on between programs the other night and it was almost amusing watching some weedy bloke pretend to be tough. I just remember really hating it first time around.
Well, the monitor would obviously be a bad move

Nah, I'll make sure it's worth remembering, don't want any memories associated with me that don't at least promote a smile

It will make this country considerably smaller, too. So we'll live closer

I think it's great.... ah well, we can't have EVERYTHING in common

TK[1]

I'll hold you to that...

We can share the same dogged water-ridden peice of fetid swamp... How very...Shrek?

I prefer Body Hits Or watching random Discovery documentaries. In fact, I used to be hooked on "Crock Files"

You bloody better, too.

I can't think of anyone I'd rather share my dogged water- ridden piece of fetid swamp with. You'd make it positively homely. We can have our very own Donkey!

Haven't heard of Body Hits. Or Crock Files :-s but discovery science is a wicked channel... they had Space Week a couple of weeks ago. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep even though I already knew it all.

TK[1]

Given the opportunity...

I like that boulder. That's a nice boulder.

Should have been "Croc Files". Odd, I seem only to be able to spell when half asleep. I noticed the Space week thing, didn't watch too much of it though for fear of being teased Love watching those kind of programmes. I don't know it all

I'm ready and waiting for the opportunity myself.

You want a leg- up?

Still haven't seen it...
I've long become immune to the teasing gained from watching science programmes. Let 'em tease, I say.

TK[1]

I'll work on it.

I can manage, thanks. Good view from up here. Very...swampish.

Oh it's very funny. Steve Irwin poking dangerous snakes and then wondering why they seem angry.
I'm still closeted in my geekness... Oh, that reminds me, I must check to see if I've won anything inthe NewScienist Tombola..

Hope you're successful

And it's /our/ swamp

..."Just sayin' the name of this little blighter will kill your entire family!" *pokes with stick*
I de-closeted ages ago. I figured it was the best way of finding fellow geeks... What New Scientist Tombola is this?

TK[1]