So the bottom line is you want me to believe that this is all just some kind of virtual reality – even though it seems to be real enough – even though I have no difficulty living my life based on the wysiwyg [what you see is what you get] assumption.
Incorrect.
Er…
I don’t want you to do or think anything. That’s entirely your decision. It has absolutely nothing to do with me, and it would be inexcusable presumption on my part to try to influence your choice.
But then…
Yes?
You keep on working tirelessly to undermine my 3D model.
Only because you bother to engage me in discourse on the subject.
Er…
It’s like a game of tennis, isn’t it.
Er...?
You hit the ball over the net at me, I knock it back. We’re playing the same game – though I appear to be opposing you.
Then you’re not in fact opposing me?
Not you, the human being.
Then what?
Only you the thing. The idiot.
There you go again – personalising this with ad hominem attacks.
No, I’m merely differentiating between the human being that you are – and the idiot who takes and holds a position – as if that were in any way, shape or form able to define or represent the infinity you comprise.
The what?
The infinity contained within you.
Er…
Look – I know it seems a lot.
A lot, you say?
Ok – one helluva lot.
That’s more like it.
But the fact is, there’s no getting around infinity. Try as we might to slip it under the carpet of consciousness, or the rug of relativity – there’s no way infinity can or should be removed from the equation. Doing so leaves you with a model which may work mathematically – but which utterly fails to address the ultimately main issue…
Which is?
Correct.
Huh?
Which Is.
Er…
The Is.
Still er…
The isness that Is.
Er continuing unabated.
That cannot be determined without essentially denying, contradicting or contravening the simple, fundamental presence of infinity, or the nature of Is.
Cacophonous er – growling and retching, mewling and puking – desperately holding out against the inky black tidal waters of infin-ity.
For the minute we start trying to determine what is – we jump from the court of consciousness to one side of it – which is only possible if we set a ball in motion.
It is?
Yep.
How come?
Because you’d go spinning out of equilibrium faster than you could mutter “Planck’s Constant” or “Heisenberg’s uncertainty”.
So, er…?
So, in order to "what your is" – you need to take a side.
Like taking sides, you mean?
Yeah, more or less. Taking sides is only physically possible if there’s an opponent willing to take the other side of the trade – like a future’s contract where there’s a long for every short.
And that’s you.
In a manner of speaking, yes.
Why so needlessly opaque.
Because you’re going from infinity to thingity.
No such word.
I wonder why?
Because, presumably, you’re referring to reality – why not use the appropriate term?
Ah – but if to do so we have to deny, ignore or eliminate infinity – the supreme state – the all that is – the High Court of Consciousness so to speak, then whether it is appropriate or accurate to refer to this ball in motion dialogue as reality is open to debate.
You think it ain’t.
I would have serious doubts – particularly if I noticed that it’s a zero sum game – that one side always has to lose for another to win – particularly if I noticed that behind it all – behind the debate there’s an all seeing or all knowing ness which is utterly indifferent to the outcome of the game – but which seems to benefit from the fact that the ball is in motion, that the game is being played. I’d want to better understand what the contractual terms of our relationship are. I’d want to know to what extent I merely play the part of “useful idiot”, no matter how intelligent my arguments seem to be.
Played for a fool – you think we’re being used?
I’d want to investigate – wouldn’t i?
Uncapitalised – is that significant?
I suspect it is.
Why?
I suspect, though I have no intention of proving beyond reasonable doubt, that the capitalised i refers to the “me thinks” – the one who is taking a side in the grand debate of material things – which appears to be utterly, utterly irrefutable, does it not?
How do you mean?
Well how many people are really gonna stand up in court and declare their inability to accept the reality of things in general.
Er…
Their inability to accept the objective nature of reality – that things are actually things irrespective of me – of my part in the equation.
Er… not very many, I suspect.
Correct.
Probably because it’s patently absurd, isn’t it.
Yes.
So why bother to bring it up in the first place?
Wait a second - what makes it absurd in your reckoning?
Well, if objective reality depended on you or me – it would implode or alter in some significant way if you were killed.
Or even if I fell asleep?
Yes, or even just when you direct your attention elsewhere. There’d be some kind of effect.
Yes – that’s good, sound reasoning – and I’m not going to waste my time arguing with it.
So, what’s the purpose of this conversation?
Well, just because something is or seems unreasonable, doesn’t in fact mean it’s untrue.
Weak, very weak.
Look – when i gave you the “ball in motion” hypothesis – you saw a model of reality in which we’re only able to experience and engage things at the 3D material level if we leap down from the gallery onto one side of the court, or t’other.
Yes. And what?
Well, from the 3D perspective the court always existed, and it’s both real and material – there’s no disputing that – which is where we’re thinking and speaking from now, isn’t it?
Yes – the ball’s in motion – you could say – but that doesn’t mean you’re right about the court being dependent on us for its very existence. I don’t know what you’ve got against matter. It’s perfectly real and undeniable to me.
Which it is – as long as you’re in court. But, you need to consider the other side – there’s the rub.
What other side?
Me.
You?
Yes, me.
What about you?
Am I real?
Of course you are.
Really?
Well yes. I can see you, hear you, step up to the net and touch you if I have to. And even if i don’t – i can feel the ball you’re hitting back at me. It’s real and, in a sense, an extension of your realness.
True.
Then what?
Nought.
Huh?
Nought.
No, you lost me.
If you jumped down onto one side of the net, and the ball flies back and forth between us – i conveniently appeared on the other side as if we’d planned to meet up for this game of tennis, didn’t i?
Well, yes.
But I didn’t.
You didn’t what?
I didn’t come from anywhere did i?
Of course you did. We agreed last week. We were having a coffee together and discussed the fact that we hadn’t played tennis in a long while, and wouldn’t it be nice…
You see – you have a full memory of everything leading up to this moment – which just goes to show the incomprehensible power of infinity to backfill events in reality.
Oh come on. You’re being preposterous. You can’t seriously deny that we had coffee last week – you spilt yours didn’t you.
Yes. And what did I draw on the table top absentmindedly?
84
You remember.
Yes, I was kind of intrigued.
And annoyed?
A little annoyed. You didn’t seem to care about the fact that the table was a mess.
So, supposing I’m right, and this game in fact is merely a subset of infinity – that the past we both remember has been filled in – then the question is…
There’s no question – you’re being needlessly obtuse. You know perfectly well that this is not just an abstraction. You didn’t just materialise from a grand vortex of thinglessness, no matter how hard you want to believe this – and frankly – you’re making yourself look incredibly childish persisting in this vein.
Yes. That’s a good healthy reaction. But unlike you i haven’t severed my link with infinity – and i can’t deny that somehow we make this real – being here in this game – that ultimately you and I are mathematical symbols which always have to cancel each other out – for we were only able to collapse infinity temporarily – in time that is – for a moment or two – by taking sides – a plus and minus one – so to speak – only ever amounting to nought.
Poppycock.
Absolutely. To the rational mind – but supposing I were able to function independently of or outside rationality.
Then you’d be insane.
True, unless when you call my bluff i’m able to deliver the cards.
What cards? This isn’t a bloody casino.
I wouldn’t want to bet on it.
Tennis balls. If you’re so sure you’re right – you’ll be able to deliver your coup de grace with tennis balls.
Absolutely. But let’s be honest – my chances of being able to deliver an 84 with tennis balls are…
Zero.
Precisely. Unless…
There’s no unless. I’m not buying into your tennis court hypothesis. Physical reality is
Real?
Absolutely.
I agree. It’s one hundred percent real unless infinity actually exists. Only then does it become something less than real – something like a subset of infinity.
So, if you’re willing to put your theory to the test then what are you waiting for?
Your permission.
My?
Permission. Reverting back to infinity’s going to temporarily interfere with the continuity of this physical, material reality live-stream.
Er…
But don’t worry – i promise it’ll only be temporary.
Why do i feel some kind of déjà vu?
Er… supposing you were to give your permission – that would allow a quantum event to take place – some kind of shift or aberration in the sequence, flow or shape of things.
But I haven’t made up my mind yet.
No, but apparently you have – at a deeper level – so the nexus is already warming up – things are already anticipating the event – you’re experiencing some kind of precognition.
Oh my God.
What?
84
What?
How did you know?
Know what?
That was a recurring dream I was having – Christ – that’s unreal.
Er…
I’m sure I never mentioned it to you before.
Mentioned what?
The dream.
What bloody dream? What are you on about?
Oh my God. The bet’s off.
Huh?
That’s insane!
Er… you’re not going to let me in on this are you?
Er… based on your version of infinity you should already know.
Should – i never said I’m psychic, did i?
No, but come on man – you were so sure of yourself. Surely you have an idea what this is all about.
Ok – so you had some recurring dream where the number 84 featured prominently.
No man – well yes – kind of.
Make up your mind, God dammit.
Hey – watch your language.
Er…
Look – the bet’s off. You win. Infinity’s for real.
And that’s all?
Isn’t that enough?
No – I need to know.
Need to know what?
What the bloody hell’s going on.
Why don’t we just allow it to happen as intended.
Er… ok.
That would be much simpler.
So, what do I need to do?
Well, it’s your serve, isn’t it? Final match point. What are you waiting for?
Er… the ball.
Oh sorry. Here you are.
Are you feeling any precognition yet Merry?
You’re telling me – the whole court seems to be bubbling sub-atomically.
The Field is strong.
Shut up Yoda – I’m trying to concentrate.
Ok –
Bang – Merry serves – the ball shoots across the net – unbelievably fast – swerving viciously – Zie somehow knocks it back – seems to be playing with his eyes shut – correct that – Is playing with his eyes shut – holy smoke – so’s Merry apparently – oh – wait a minute – wrong screen – eyes open again next level up – God they’re playing hard – Geez – never seen anything like it – wait a minute – eyes closed – what the hell – up again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – you following me? don’t for a minute imagine that you the observer are in any way ultimately removed or separate from this insane interlockedness of id-ity – but i digress – back to the ultimate tennis finale – fire – thunderbolts – plasma vortices – all pale to insignificance as we follow the action up and back to the eyes-open level of engagement – the real-ity of ball in motion court proceedings – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – 84 times – 84 no more, no less until the game is no more – no more…
Did i win?
Difficult to say, innit?
You could say.
It’s not like it ever really mattered, is it?
Nope.
But it was fun, wunnit?
Shiiz.
My feelings entirely.
And we got a number for our pains.
That we did.
Eighty bloody four.
Hey.
Sorry, that was unnecessary.
Let’s keep this clean and pure.
My feelings entirely.
You know…
Yes?
This disembodied state’s pretty nice actually. I could stick around.
Yeah, me too.
Except that i kinda promised you we’d get back…
To the hurly burly, so to speak.
Yeah.
Well, in that case, i suppose you’d better flick the switch.
What switch?
You mean to say...?
Er…
You don’t know how?
I never did, actually.
What?
Always ever flying by the seat of my pants.
Geez. And i thought you actually knew what you were about.
Hey – what’s to say that… oh, never mind.
So, we might be stuck here for ever.
Yep. Could be.
Well, like i said – it’s nice here... I feel like, yunno.
Yeah – me too.
If it weren’t just a teeny bit boring.
Oh, that – yeah, you’ve got a point.
Weird.
Mm
Who’d have thought infinity could be boring.
Infinity?
Yeah – I assume that’s where we are.
Ha ha ha, LOL
No?
No, we just cancelled out our particular little equation.
Oh.
Created a little time inversion.
Oh.
System ‘ll catch up with us in a moment.
Oh.
It’ll feel…
Huh?
a little weird – if you know what I mean.
I can guess.
Slipping back into the time vortex.
Uh oh… i’m getting some fluttery precognition…
Buckle up Dorothy, it’s Kansas city bye bye.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHG!
My sentiment precisely.
Holy shee.
Which in Russian is “cabbage soup”.
Er… thanks for that.
Always welcome. Now, as I believe I won that monumental final rally of 84 – it’s only fair that you’re buying the beer.
Typical.
Unless you’d like a rematch.
No way Merry, i’ll get the beer, though wysiwyg, there’s no knowing what we’ll actually be drinking.
Absolutely.
Incorrect.
Er…
I don’t want you to do or think anything. That’s entirely your decision. It has absolutely nothing to do with me, and it would be inexcusable presumption on my part to try to influence your choice.
But then…
Yes?
You keep on working tirelessly to undermine my 3D model.
Only because you bother to engage me in discourse on the subject.
Er…
It’s like a game of tennis, isn’t it.
Er...?
You hit the ball over the net at me, I knock it back. We’re playing the same game – though I appear to be opposing you.
Then you’re not in fact opposing me?
Not you, the human being.
Then what?
Only you the thing. The idiot.
There you go again – personalising this with ad hominem attacks.
No, I’m merely differentiating between the human being that you are – and the idiot who takes and holds a position – as if that were in any way, shape or form able to define or represent the infinity you comprise.
The what?
The infinity contained within you.
Er…
Look – I know it seems a lot.
A lot, you say?
Ok – one helluva lot.
That’s more like it.
But the fact is, there’s no getting around infinity. Try as we might to slip it under the carpet of consciousness, or the rug of relativity – there’s no way infinity can or should be removed from the equation. Doing so leaves you with a model which may work mathematically – but which utterly fails to address the ultimately main issue…
Which is?
Correct.
Huh?
Which Is.
Er…
The Is.
Still er…
The isness that Is.
Er continuing unabated.
That cannot be determined without essentially denying, contradicting or contravening the simple, fundamental presence of infinity, or the nature of Is.
Cacophonous er – growling and retching, mewling and puking – desperately holding out against the inky black tidal waters of infin-ity.
For the minute we start trying to determine what is – we jump from the court of consciousness to one side of it – which is only possible if we set a ball in motion.
It is?
Yep.
How come?
Because you’d go spinning out of equilibrium faster than you could mutter “Planck’s Constant” or “Heisenberg’s uncertainty”.
So, er…?
So, in order to "what your is" – you need to take a side.
Like taking sides, you mean?
Yeah, more or less. Taking sides is only physically possible if there’s an opponent willing to take the other side of the trade – like a future’s contract where there’s a long for every short.
And that’s you.
In a manner of speaking, yes.
Why so needlessly opaque.
Because you’re going from infinity to thingity.
No such word.
I wonder why?
Because, presumably, you’re referring to reality – why not use the appropriate term?
Ah – but if to do so we have to deny, ignore or eliminate infinity – the supreme state – the all that is – the High Court of Consciousness so to speak, then whether it is appropriate or accurate to refer to this ball in motion dialogue as reality is open to debate.
You think it ain’t.
I would have serious doubts – particularly if I noticed that it’s a zero sum game – that one side always has to lose for another to win – particularly if I noticed that behind it all – behind the debate there’s an all seeing or all knowing ness which is utterly indifferent to the outcome of the game – but which seems to benefit from the fact that the ball is in motion, that the game is being played. I’d want to better understand what the contractual terms of our relationship are. I’d want to know to what extent I merely play the part of “useful idiot”, no matter how intelligent my arguments seem to be.
Played for a fool – you think we’re being used?
I’d want to investigate – wouldn’t i?
Uncapitalised – is that significant?
I suspect it is.
Why?
I suspect, though I have no intention of proving beyond reasonable doubt, that the capitalised i refers to the “me thinks” – the one who is taking a side in the grand debate of material things – which appears to be utterly, utterly irrefutable, does it not?
How do you mean?
Well how many people are really gonna stand up in court and declare their inability to accept the reality of things in general.
Er…
Their inability to accept the objective nature of reality – that things are actually things irrespective of me – of my part in the equation.
Er… not very many, I suspect.
Correct.
Probably because it’s patently absurd, isn’t it.
Yes.
So why bother to bring it up in the first place?
Wait a second - what makes it absurd in your reckoning?
Well, if objective reality depended on you or me – it would implode or alter in some significant way if you were killed.
Or even if I fell asleep?
Yes, or even just when you direct your attention elsewhere. There’d be some kind of effect.
Yes – that’s good, sound reasoning – and I’m not going to waste my time arguing with it.
So, what’s the purpose of this conversation?
Well, just because something is or seems unreasonable, doesn’t in fact mean it’s untrue.
Weak, very weak.
Look – when i gave you the “ball in motion” hypothesis – you saw a model of reality in which we’re only able to experience and engage things at the 3D material level if we leap down from the gallery onto one side of the court, or t’other.
Yes. And what?
Well, from the 3D perspective the court always existed, and it’s both real and material – there’s no disputing that – which is where we’re thinking and speaking from now, isn’t it?
Yes – the ball’s in motion – you could say – but that doesn’t mean you’re right about the court being dependent on us for its very existence. I don’t know what you’ve got against matter. It’s perfectly real and undeniable to me.
Which it is – as long as you’re in court. But, you need to consider the other side – there’s the rub.
What other side?
Me.
You?
Yes, me.
What about you?
Am I real?
Of course you are.
Really?
Well yes. I can see you, hear you, step up to the net and touch you if I have to. And even if i don’t – i can feel the ball you’re hitting back at me. It’s real and, in a sense, an extension of your realness.
True.
Then what?
Nought.
Huh?
Nought.
No, you lost me.
If you jumped down onto one side of the net, and the ball flies back and forth between us – i conveniently appeared on the other side as if we’d planned to meet up for this game of tennis, didn’t i?
Well, yes.
But I didn’t.
You didn’t what?
I didn’t come from anywhere did i?
Of course you did. We agreed last week. We were having a coffee together and discussed the fact that we hadn’t played tennis in a long while, and wouldn’t it be nice…
You see – you have a full memory of everything leading up to this moment – which just goes to show the incomprehensible power of infinity to backfill events in reality.
Oh come on. You’re being preposterous. You can’t seriously deny that we had coffee last week – you spilt yours didn’t you.
Yes. And what did I draw on the table top absentmindedly?
84
You remember.
Yes, I was kind of intrigued.
And annoyed?
A little annoyed. You didn’t seem to care about the fact that the table was a mess.
So, supposing I’m right, and this game in fact is merely a subset of infinity – that the past we both remember has been filled in – then the question is…
There’s no question – you’re being needlessly obtuse. You know perfectly well that this is not just an abstraction. You didn’t just materialise from a grand vortex of thinglessness, no matter how hard you want to believe this – and frankly – you’re making yourself look incredibly childish persisting in this vein.
Yes. That’s a good healthy reaction. But unlike you i haven’t severed my link with infinity – and i can’t deny that somehow we make this real – being here in this game – that ultimately you and I are mathematical symbols which always have to cancel each other out – for we were only able to collapse infinity temporarily – in time that is – for a moment or two – by taking sides – a plus and minus one – so to speak – only ever amounting to nought.
Poppycock.
Absolutely. To the rational mind – but supposing I were able to function independently of or outside rationality.
Then you’d be insane.
True, unless when you call my bluff i’m able to deliver the cards.
What cards? This isn’t a bloody casino.
I wouldn’t want to bet on it.
Tennis balls. If you’re so sure you’re right – you’ll be able to deliver your coup de grace with tennis balls.
Absolutely. But let’s be honest – my chances of being able to deliver an 84 with tennis balls are…
Zero.
Precisely. Unless…
There’s no unless. I’m not buying into your tennis court hypothesis. Physical reality is
Real?
Absolutely.
I agree. It’s one hundred percent real unless infinity actually exists. Only then does it become something less than real – something like a subset of infinity.
So, if you’re willing to put your theory to the test then what are you waiting for?
Your permission.
My?
Permission. Reverting back to infinity’s going to temporarily interfere with the continuity of this physical, material reality live-stream.
Er…
But don’t worry – i promise it’ll only be temporary.
Why do i feel some kind of déjà vu?
Er… supposing you were to give your permission – that would allow a quantum event to take place – some kind of shift or aberration in the sequence, flow or shape of things.
But I haven’t made up my mind yet.
No, but apparently you have – at a deeper level – so the nexus is already warming up – things are already anticipating the event – you’re experiencing some kind of precognition.
Oh my God.
What?
84
What?
How did you know?
Know what?
That was a recurring dream I was having – Christ – that’s unreal.
Er…
I’m sure I never mentioned it to you before.
Mentioned what?
The dream.
What bloody dream? What are you on about?
Oh my God. The bet’s off.
Huh?
That’s insane!
Er… you’re not going to let me in on this are you?
Er… based on your version of infinity you should already know.
Should – i never said I’m psychic, did i?
No, but come on man – you were so sure of yourself. Surely you have an idea what this is all about.
Ok – so you had some recurring dream where the number 84 featured prominently.
No man – well yes – kind of.
Make up your mind, God dammit.
Hey – watch your language.
Er…
Look – the bet’s off. You win. Infinity’s for real.
And that’s all?
Isn’t that enough?
No – I need to know.
Need to know what?
What the bloody hell’s going on.
Why don’t we just allow it to happen as intended.
Er… ok.
That would be much simpler.
So, what do I need to do?
Well, it’s your serve, isn’t it? Final match point. What are you waiting for?
Er… the ball.
Oh sorry. Here you are.
Are you feeling any precognition yet Merry?
You’re telling me – the whole court seems to be bubbling sub-atomically.
The Field is strong.
Shut up Yoda – I’m trying to concentrate.
Ok –
Bang – Merry serves – the ball shoots across the net – unbelievably fast – swerving viciously – Zie somehow knocks it back – seems to be playing with his eyes shut – correct that – Is playing with his eyes shut – holy smoke – so’s Merry apparently – oh – wait a minute – wrong screen – eyes open again next level up – God they’re playing hard – Geez – never seen anything like it – wait a minute – eyes closed – what the hell – up again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – you following me? don’t for a minute imagine that you the observer are in any way ultimately removed or separate from this insane interlockedness of id-ity – but i digress – back to the ultimate tennis finale – fire – thunderbolts – plasma vortices – all pale to insignificance as we follow the action up and back to the eyes-open level of engagement – the real-ity of ball in motion court proceedings – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – again – 84 times – 84 no more, no less until the game is no more – no more…
Did i win?
Difficult to say, innit?
You could say.
It’s not like it ever really mattered, is it?
Nope.
But it was fun, wunnit?
Shiiz.
My feelings entirely.
And we got a number for our pains.
That we did.
Eighty bloody four.
Hey.
Sorry, that was unnecessary.
Let’s keep this clean and pure.
My feelings entirely.
You know…
Yes?
This disembodied state’s pretty nice actually. I could stick around.
Yeah, me too.
Except that i kinda promised you we’d get back…
To the hurly burly, so to speak.
Yeah.
Well, in that case, i suppose you’d better flick the switch.
What switch?
You mean to say...?
Er…
You don’t know how?
I never did, actually.
What?
Always ever flying by the seat of my pants.
Geez. And i thought you actually knew what you were about.
Hey – what’s to say that… oh, never mind.
So, we might be stuck here for ever.
Yep. Could be.
Well, like i said – it’s nice here... I feel like, yunno.
Yeah – me too.
If it weren’t just a teeny bit boring.
Oh, that – yeah, you’ve got a point.
Weird.
Mm
Who’d have thought infinity could be boring.
Infinity?
Yeah – I assume that’s where we are.
Ha ha ha, LOL
No?
No, we just cancelled out our particular little equation.
Oh.
Created a little time inversion.
Oh.
System ‘ll catch up with us in a moment.
Oh.
It’ll feel…
Huh?
a little weird – if you know what I mean.
I can guess.
Slipping back into the time vortex.
Uh oh… i’m getting some fluttery precognition…
Buckle up Dorothy, it’s Kansas city bye bye.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHG!
My sentiment precisely.
Holy shee.
Which in Russian is “cabbage soup”.
Er… thanks for that.
Always welcome. Now, as I believe I won that monumental final rally of 84 – it’s only fair that you’re buying the beer.
Typical.
Unless you’d like a rematch.
No way Merry, i’ll get the beer, though wysiwyg, there’s no knowing what we’ll actually be drinking.
Absolutely.
The ball is apparently flat.
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