Everything We Don't Know
Summary
TLDRThis script delves into the mysteries of human perception, questioning whether our individual experiences of color and sound are universally shared. It explores the vast unknowns of our world, from the depths of the ocean to the complexities of human consciousness and the universe's composition. Challenging long-held beliefs about what defines humanity and pondering existential questions, the script invites viewers to embrace the unknown and the continuous journey of discovery.
Takeaways
- š The subjective nature of color perception suggests that what one person sees as 'blue' might be different from another's perception, highlighting the individuality of sensory experiences.
- š The 'dress debate' of 2015 underscores the idea that personal sensory experiences can vary widely, even among the same species, and that consensus on such experiences is not guaranteed.
- š A significant portion of Earth's surface and life forms are composed of water, yet our understanding of it, especially the vast oceans, remains limited despite its importance.
- š Our exploration of the ocean is minimal, with only a small fraction of marine life discovered, indicating the vast unknown that lies beneath the waves.
- š The concept of coastlines is complex due to their irregular shapes, and measuring them accurately is challenging, leading to variations in reported lengths.
- š„ The distinction between 'discovery' and 'invention' is blurred, especially with elements like fire and music, which may have been part of the natural world before human manipulation.
- šµ Music's origins are debated; it may be a human construct or a natural phenomenon that we've merely harnessed and refined over time.
- š The use of tools was once considered a definitive human trait, but evidence of tool use in other species challenges this notion and prompts a reevaluation of what defines humanity.
- š§ The complexity of consciousness and self-awareness extends beyond humans to various animals, as recognized in the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness.
- š The universe's scale and our place within it raise existential questions about our uniqueness and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
- ā³ The nature of time, its origin, and whether it was 'discovered' or 'invented' by humans are profound questions that reflect our ongoing quest for understanding the universe's fundamentals.
Q & A
How does the perception of color vary between individuals?
-The perception of color can vary between individuals because there is no definitive way to confirm if what one person sees as a specific color is the same as what another person sees. This is due to the subjective nature of sensory experiences.
What was the significance of the 'dress' phenomenon that divided the internet in 2015?
-The 'dress' phenomenon highlighted the subjective nature of color perception and sparked discussions about how different people can perceive the same visual stimulus differently, some seeing it as gold and white while others saw it as blue and black.
Why is it difficult to measure the exact length of a coastline?
-Measuring a coastline is difficult because coastlines are not straight lines and have many curves and indentations. Small deviations can add up over large distances, and surveyors often simplify these measurements by straightening rough edges, leading to varying results.
What does the limited exploration of Earth's oceans suggest about our understanding of the underwater world?
-The limited exploration of Earth's oceans, estimated to be only 5 to 10 percent, suggests that there is much we do not know about the underwater world, including the potential existence of undiscovered species and ecosystems.
What is the debate surrounding whether humans invented or discovered music?
-The debate revolves around whether music is a human construct or a natural phenomenon that humans have simply recognized and utilized. Evidence of musical behaviors in non-human animals suggests that music may be a discovery rather than an invention.
How has the discovery that other animals use tools impacted the definition of what makes us human?
-The discovery that animals like chimpanzees use tools challenges the notion that tool use is a defining characteristic of humanity. It suggests that we need to reconsider what truly differentiates humans from other animals.
What is the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness and what does it imply about human uniqueness?
-The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness is a statement by neuroscientists acknowledging that humans are not unique in possessing the neurological substrates that generate consciousness. It implies that many other animals also possess these neural substrates, challenging the idea of human exceptionalism in consciousness.
What is the significance of the placebo effect in understanding the power of the human mind?
-The placebo effect demonstrates the mind's ability to influence physical health outcomes, suggesting that our beliefs and expectations can have a tangible impact on our bodies, even in the absence of actual medical treatment.
Why do some scientific theories change or become obsolete over time?
-Scientific theories change or become obsolete as new evidence emerges and our understanding of the natural world evolves. This reflects the dynamic and self-correcting nature of scientific inquiry.
What does the vastness of the universe imply about our understanding of existence?
-The vastness of the universe underscores the limitations of human knowledge and the potential for countless unknowns. It challenges us to continue questioning and exploring in order to deepen our understanding of existence.
How do the phenomena of contagious yawning and emotional crying reflect the complexity of human behavior?
-Contagious yawning and emotional crying are examples of complex behaviors that may have evolved for social or emotional regulation. They highlight the intricate interplay between our physiological responses and our psychological experiences.
Outlines
š Perception and the Subjectivity of Senses
This paragraph explores the subjective nature of human perception, questioning whether individuals perceive colors in the same way. It delves into the famous dress color debate of 2015, which highlighted the variability in color perception. The script also touches on the mysteries of the senses, the vastness of the oceans, and the unknowns of the Earth's coastlines. It discusses human inventions and discoveries, such as clothing, shelter, and money, and ponders whether fire and music were inventions or discoveries. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the limitations of our knowledge, even in areas we think we understand well.
š§ The Complexity of Human Nature and Consciousness
The second paragraph delves into what defines humanity, challenging traditional beliefs about our uniqueness. It discusses the discovery of individual personalities and rational thought in chimpanzees, which complicates the definition of 'man.' The paragraph also addresses the concept of self-awareness, suggesting that it is not exclusive to humans, as evidenced by the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness. It raises existential questions about life, death, and the nature of consciousness, pondering the mysteries of Near-Death Experiences and the possibility of an afterlife. The discussion extends to the enigma of the human mind's power, as demonstrated by the placebo effect and self-affirmation's impact on self-worth.
š The Vast Unknowns of the Universe and Human Curiosity
This paragraph contemplates the vastness of the universe and the insignificance of human knowledge in comparison. It discusses the number of discovered solar systems and the potential for billions more, emphasizing the scale of the cosmos. The script raises questions about extraterrestrial life and why we have not encountered it. It also ponders the fundamental nature of the universe, including the composition of matter and the origins of atoms. The paragraph touches on the concept of time, questioning whether it was discovered or invented by humans. It concludes with a reflection on the human propensity for laughter and crying, the reasons behind these emotional responses, and the limitations of our understanding of these phenomena.
Mindmap
Keywords
š”Perception
š”The Dress Phenomenon
š”Consciousness
š”Sentience
š”Near-Death Experiences (NDEs)
š”Coastline Paradox
š”Tools
š”Self-Awareness
š”Placebo Effect
š”Existence
š”Yawning
Highlights
The subjective experience of color perception varies among individuals, with no definitive way to confirm if two people see the same color.
The 'dress debate' of 2015 illustrates the variability in human color perception, with people seeing the same dress as either gold and white or blue and black.
The human body, like many other life forms, is composed of a significant percentage of water, yet our understanding of water itself remains limited.
Only a small fraction of Earth's oceans has been explored, leaving much of the oceanic depths uncharted and mysterious.
Coastlines are difficult to measure accurately due to their irregular shapes and the constant changes in their contours.
The invention of tools was once thought to be a defining characteristic of humans, but many animals, especially primates, also use tools.
Chimpanzees have been observed using tools for various purposes, challenging the notion that tool use is unique to humans.
The discovery of individual personalities and rational thought in chimpanzees questions the criteria used to define humanity.
Self-awareness, once considered a human-exclusive trait, has been found in various animal species, including mammals, birds, and octopuses.
The placebo effect demonstrates the power of the human mind to influence physical health through belief and expectation.
Self-affirmation has been shown to positively impact self-competence and self-worth, suggesting the mind's ability to shape self-perception.
The vastness of space and the discovery of numerous solar systems highlight the insignificance of human existence in the universe.
The fundamental composition of the universe, including the existence and origins of atoms, remains largely unknown.
The nature of time and its origins are complex and not fully understood, raising questions about whether time was discovered or invented.
Laughter and crying, common human emotional expressions, have evolutionary purposes that are not completely understood.
The prevalence of right-handedness and left-handedness in humans is not fully explained, and the reasons behind handedness are still debated.
Scientific theories can change over time, and what is currently accepted as fact may be proven wrong or obsolete in the future.
The pursuit of knowledge and the questioning of existing theories are essential for human progress and understanding of the world.
Transcripts
This is green. This is red. And this is blue. ButĀ how can you tell that what youāre seeing as blueĀ Ā
is the exact same thing as what I seeĀ as blue? Weāve named the colors toĀ Ā
give us a way to communicate andĀ reference them, but in reality,Ā Ā
thereās no way of knowing that what you seeĀ is the same as what another person sees.
Even with the small steps and the giant leapsĀ weāve made as a species, there is still aĀ Ā
lot to learn about earth, life, and the humanĀ condition. Thereās still everything we donāt know.
On the 26th of February 2015, one pictureĀ of a dress divided the internet. WhileĀ Ā
some saw it as gold and white, othersĀ saw it as blue and black. Since then,Ā Ā
there have been a number of repetitions of theĀ same experiment either using the same sense,Ā Ā
in this case, sight, or even other senses, likeĀ hearing in the famous āyannyā or ālaurelā debate.
These experiments remind us that thereās noĀ way for us to tell that you and I sense theĀ Ā
same things. What I call red might justĀ be what you call blue, and there might beĀ Ā
someone out there who sees human beings withĀ purple teeth, but just refers to it as white.
71% of the surface of the earth is coveredĀ by water. Humans are made up of about 60%Ā Ā
water, potatoes 80%, watermelonsĀ 93%, and Cucumbers 95%.Ā Ā
Itās very clear that water isĀ essential for life on earth,Ā Ā
but we donāt really know much about water.Ā Not even about the very oceans we came from.
In fact, weāve only explored 5Ā to 10 percent of Earthās oceans,Ā Ā
the rest, well, who knows whatās down there?Ā Itās even scarier when you realize that fishĀ Ā
like the blobfish and the barrel-eyed fish belongĀ to this slim percent of things weāve discovered.
The deeper you go, the crazier things seem to get.Ā Ā
Whatās at the bottom of the ocean?Ā For the most part, we just donāt know.
But back on the surface, countries thatĀ are bordered by water use something calledĀ Ā
ācoastlinesā to mark their territory.Ā The coast is the land along the sea,Ā Ā
and the boundary between the coastĀ and the sea known as a coastline.
So, how long is the US coastline orĀ any other coastline in the world?Ā Ā
The answer isā¦ well, we donāt really know.Ā Coastlines constantly curve and cut in and out.Ā Ā
Even the smallest deviations fromĀ a straight line can add distance,Ā Ā
and over time, these small distances add up.Ā Some of these features are massive, like bays,Ā Ā
while others are miniscule. Now, measuring eachĀ and every little crevasse isnāt really efficient,Ā Ā
so surveyors cut corners and straightenĀ rough edges into easily manageable lines.Ā Ā
If you do a quick Google search ofĀ the measurement of any coastline,Ā Ā
youāll find a lot of different answers.Ā They all cut corners, just differently.
Humanity as a species thoughā¦ well weāveĀ done well for ourselves. When in a pinch,Ā Ā
we invent something to push us through. WeĀ made clothes when the weather was harsh,Ā Ā
shelter so we could be safe from wildlife toĀ rest and recuperate, weapons to hunt for food,Ā Ā
money to replace pure bartering. But what aboutĀ fire? Was fire a ādiscoveryā or an āinventionā?
And music?
Music has been described by scientists asĀ a relatively recent invention by humans.Ā Ā
Itās believed that music helped our ancestorsĀ to help bring together a close-knit community.
But did humans really invent music? Or did we justĀ Ā
discover that certain soundsĀ sound nice with other sounds?
Birds sing, whales sing, even tree frogsĀ have a nice rich baritone sometimes.Ā Ā
So can we really say man invented music? If weĀ did, then what is the true definition of music?Ā Ā
I guess weāll never know.
On the list of manās greatest inventions hasĀ to be tools. In fact, for a really long time,Ā Ā
scientists were sure that this is pretty muchĀ what made us human. We were the only animals who,Ā Ā
through the use of such a variety of tools,Ā were able to expand and grow so quickly.
Exceptā¦ we arenāt the only ones who use tools.Ā In fact, a lot of animals, mainly primates,Ā Ā
use tools for all kinds of reasons. A studyĀ by Jane Godall on African chimpanzees wouldĀ Ā
change the definition of man forever.Ā In the research, it was discovered thatĀ Ā
these chimpanzees used tools to gatherĀ food, brush their teeth, and even more.Ā Ā
So in response, would this mean we mustĀ now redefine man or redefine tool? TheyĀ Ā
use tools for the same exact things weĀ would. Do we accept chimpanzees as human?
Well, of course not.
This begs the question, if using tools doesnāt,Ā then what makes us human? In the same research,Ā Ā
it was also discovered that chimps had individualĀ personalities and were capable of rational thoughtĀ Ā
like emotions and sorrow. They gave patsĀ on the back, hugs, kisses, and even justĀ Ā
messed around with each other just for fun. TheyĀ developed affectionate bonds with family membersĀ Ā
and with other members of the community, andĀ some of these bonds lasted for over 50 years.
If emotions, rational thought, and affectionateĀ actions do not, then what makes us human?Ā Ā
In the past, it was thought that humans wereĀ the only animals who were self-aware. However,Ā Ā
in the past thirty years, extensive researchĀ has proven that many other animals are too.Ā Ā
In fact, in 2012, a group of neuroscientistsĀ created the Cambridge Declaration on ConsciousnessĀ Ā
which states that āhumans are not uniqueĀ in possessing the neurological substratesĀ Ā
that generate consciousness. Non-humanĀ animals, including all mammals and birds,Ā Ā
and many other creatures, including octopuses,Ā also possess these neural substratesā.
If consciousness, sentience, wakefulness, andĀ the ability to feel and experience do not,Ā Ā
then what makes us human? We really just donātĀ know. All we know is that one day we werenāt,Ā Ā
today we are, and one day we will be no more.Ā Ā
We donāt know what happened before we were born,Ā neither do we know what will happen after we die.
If a person dies and comes back to life,Ā itās referred to as a Near-Death Experience,Ā Ā
because we see death as aĀ finality, but what if it isnāt?Ā Ā
What if one of the beliefs ofĀ humanityās many religions is true?
Even the earth itself can beĀ very weird, and sometimes,Ā Ā
you just see formations that make noĀ sense. Like, who built the StonehengeĀ Ā
and why? A quick Google search and you wouldĀ find Druids for sacrificial ceremonies,Ā Ā
prehistoric people to bury the cremated remainsĀ of their dead, while some believe humans couldnātĀ Ā
have done such a thing by themselves. ButĀ again, in reality, we just donāt know.
The same goes for the pyramids. Some peopleĀ think the gods of Egypt made the pyramids,Ā Ā
others are convinced it was made by humanĀ effort. But, in reality, we just donāt know.
The human mind is everything.Ā All of manās greatest inventions,Ā Ā
theories, and discoveries have all come fromĀ the human mind. We first conceive an idea inĀ Ā
our mind before we can ever create it in theĀ real world, but perhaps, we donāt yet know orĀ Ā
understand exactly how powerful the mind canĀ be. The placebo effect gives us a glimpse.
I made an entire video about theĀ placebo effect, but basically,Ā Ā
doctors appear to give a patient treatment, butĀ in actuality, they donāt. However, this āfakeĀ Ā
treatmentā registers in the brain, perceives itĀ as real, and kick-starts the healing process.
Basically, the mind heals the body becauseĀ it thinks the body is getting treatment,Ā Ā
even if it isnāt.
In research on social cognitiveĀ and affective neuroscience,Ā Ā
it was discovered that self-affirmation helpsĀ to maintain a positive self-view and helps toĀ Ā
restore your self-competence and self-worth.Ā Simply by telling yourself nice things,Ā Ā
it is indeed possible for your mind to convinceĀ your brain and body that you are those things.Ā Ā
And these are just the things we know the mind isĀ capable of, think about everything we donāt know.
There are a lot of things we know about animals.Ā Dogs are sweet and loving, cats can have anĀ Ā
attitude, and the lion is apparently the kingĀ of the jungle, even if it lives in a Savannah.
Not everything makes sense, and we reallyĀ donāt know as much as we think we do.
Going to space is one of manās greatestĀ achievements. However, what space explorationĀ Ā
has clearly shown us is just how smallĀ we are in the grand scheme of things.Ā Ā
There are at least 2,500 other solar systems thatĀ have been discovered, but that number could goĀ Ā
up to the tens of billions, we cannot know forĀ sure. Thatās just in our galaxy, the Milky way,Ā Ā
and the Milky Way is just one of billions ofĀ galaxies that are out there in the universe.
Itās so incredibly massive thatĀ you canāt just help but think,Ā Ā
are we alone in the universe? And if we arenāt,Ā why havenāt our neighbors come to say hi? WeĀ Ā
have ideas, but as always, we donāt know,Ā and we canāt really prove most things.
A very fundamental question for nature is,Ā what exactly is the universe made of? AndĀ Ā
why is there stuff in it to begin with? We knowĀ that all matter is made up of indivisible atoms,Ā Ā
but why? Why do atoms existĀ and where do they come from?Ā Ā
When we die, what exactly do thoseĀ atoms become ā everything else?
At this point, youāve listened to me talk forĀ seven to eight minutes. Time is persistent,Ā Ā
for everything with mass, time never stops.Ā We all know that yesterday is in the past,Ā Ā
today is the present, and tomorrow isĀ the future. But what exactly is timeĀ Ā
and where does it come from? Even more confusingĀ is, did humans ādiscoverā or āinventā time?
There are so many things aboutĀ the world that we just donāt know,Ā Ā
and while some are deep questions like weāveĀ talked about, others are moreā¦ well, trivial.
While watching the video of this person yawning,Ā Ā
you also probably just yawned, so even moreĀ importantly, why is yawning contagious?
When weāre happy, we laugh, when weāreĀ sad, we cry. Butā¦ why? For a long time,Ā Ā
it was believed that laughter was a social toolĀ to show one another that weāre enjoying what isĀ Ā
currently happening. It was an evolution toolĀ used to help enhance connectivity in societies.Ā Ā
But if that was the case, then laughter shouldĀ be unique to us humans, or at least, primates,Ā Ā
but itās not. Other social animals like dolphinsĀ and even rats laugh. So, why do we laugh?
And also, why do we cry? Itās as if crying hasĀ emotional healing powers. Crying activates ourĀ Ā
parasympathetic nervous system and helps returnĀ our bodies to a normal fully functional state.Ā Ā
Itās a good thing for your body, so whyĀ do we associate it with such sad things?Ā Ā
We often cry after something bad hasĀ happened, not really while itās happening.Ā Ā
Is it a process that evolved solely for ourĀ brains to process emotionally painful things?Ā Ā
Then again, we cry for happy reasons as well.Ā So scratch everything I just said. I donāt know.
Why are some people right-handedĀ and a few others left-handed?Ā Ā
Why isnāt everyone ambidextrous,Ā wouldnāt that have made a lot more sense?
We can have theories for many, manyĀ things, but they remain just that,Ā Ā
theories. In actuality, proving theories as aĀ fact of nature is a lot harder than youād think.
Many scientific theories are supersededĀ with time, considered obsoleteĀ Ā
or simply wrong. We used to thinkĀ Earth was the center of the universe,Ā Ā
then one day, we realized it wasnāt. Then again,Ā not everyone could accept the fact that theirĀ Ā
view of the universe was wrong. I mean thereāsĀ a ātheoryā that as recently as World War 2,Ā Ā
the Germanās attempted some advances underĀ the impression that the Earth was hollow.Ā Ā
So, it is very possible that mostly everythingĀ we do know about the world right now is wrong.
Honestly, it probably is. We simplyĀ donāt know everything about everything.
And thatās okay.
All we can do is keep asking questions andĀ keep learning about the world around us,Ā Ā
trying to uncover each of itsĀ mysteries one stone at a time,Ā Ā
hopefully answering the most important questionĀ of them all - what does existence truly mean?
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