Based on the comments of another community member here, I've been recently drawn into a compelling hypothesis that radically opposes our textbook understanding of human origin and evolution. This traces its origin back to the intriguing work of environmentalist Ellis Silver, specifically his book, "Humans are not from Earth."

In his groundbreaking work, Silver casts humanity in an unusual light, suggesting that we are not the native inhabitants of Earth we believe ourselves to be. Instead, he proposes that we are descendants of a distant extraterrestrial civilization that was banished to this planet, transforming Earth into a form of cosmic Alcatraz.

Silver's hypothesis relies heavily on several unique quirks and ailments that are surprisingly prevalent in humans. These peculiarities have led him to question whether we are indeed as 'native' to this planet as we assume. Here are some of the crucial points he raises:

1. Chronic Backaches: One of Silver's arguments points to the widespread issue of backaches in humans, which he attributes to our upright posture in an environment with a gravitational pull that could be higher than where we originally evolved. He hypothesizes that our skeletal structure might have adapted to a lower gravity environment, leading to various back-related issues when confronted with Earth's stronger gravitational pull.

2. Sun Sensitivity: He also comments on the human susceptibility to sunburn, highlighting how our eyes are less adapted to bright light compared to other species. This could imply that we may have originated from a planet with a dimmer sun.

3. Chronic Illnesses: Silver notes the high prevalence of chronic disease among humans compared to other animals. He speculates that this could indicate our biology is not fully adapted to this environment, hinting at an extraterrestrial origin.

4. Discomfort with Natural Foods: Silver remarks on our apparent need for extensively processed and cooked foods, which is unlike any other species on Earth. This, he argues, might be another sign of our 'alien' nature.

These are intriguing points, and while the mainstream scientific community has not embraced Silver's hypothesis, it's interesting to explore.

Furthermore, Silver's idea is not the only hypothesis that suggests an 'alien' origin for humanity. The author Zecharia Sitchin proposed based on his interpretations of ancient Sumerian texts, that humans might be a genetically engineered species. Created by the Anunnaki, a supposed race of extraterrestrials, to work as slaves.

Silver's hypothesis, while challenging the scientific consensus, forces us to confront some existential questions. If Earth is indeed a cosmic penal colony, who are our wardens? Could an advanced civilization be observing our progress from a distance? Is our relentless drive towards space exploration a manifestation of our innate desire to return home?

It's essential to remember that our understanding of the universe is continually evolving. What we regard as outlandish speculation today could be the accepted truth of tomorrow. So, share your thoughts. Even if we do not find answers, the questions we ask might bring us closer to understanding our place in this vast cosmic arena.

Has anyone here ever delved into the world of induced dream states? I'm not just talking about the common dreams we have every night, but also the lucid dreams and states achieved through meditation or even sensory deprivation.

It's fascinating to consider how these practices can offer a degree of control over our dream states, almost like directing our own personal movie. But here's my thought: what if these induced dream states allow our consciousness to traverse through time in more meaningful and profound ways?

Picture this: while in a typical dream state, our minds can take us on journeys into past memories, potential future scenarios, and entirely invented realities. It's almost as if we're unchained from linear time. But in induced dream states, we might have a say in directing these journeys.

Consider lucid dreaming, where we become aware within the dream state and can potentially control the narrative of the dream. Could this be a form of mental time travel where we're not just passengers, but pilots?

Moreover, practices like meditation often involve focusing on the present moment, yet they can also lead to experiences outside of conventional time perception. Sensory deprivation, on the other hand, can lead to profound states of introspection and the sensation of timelessness.

Could it be possible that our conscious mind, when given the reins, takes us on explorations through the temporal dimension in ways we don't yet fully understand? Makes me wonder if our mind is a time machine of sorts, and we just need to learn how to navigate it.

What are your thoughts? Have you experienced any induced dream states?

First off, let me start by saying I'm a big proponent of donations as a means of supporting platforms like Lemmy, and their hosts. This approach, when carried out in the spirit of transparency and community engagement, can do wonders for the growth and sustainability.

Hosting an instance myself, I’m fully aware of the costs associated with running servers, handling traffic, and providing the best possible experience for users. I am Lucky that im in a position where right now I am able to wear that coat, but I am more than willing to financially support other instances where I find value (and I have), and I have no doubt many of you feel the same way. But while we're on this topic, I think it's important to talk about financial transparency.

As users, we entrust these platforms with our time, our discussions, and in the case of donations, our hard-earned money. I believe it's fair to ask for a little insight into how our contributions are being used. What proportion goes towards server costs, maintenance, development,staffing, or perhaps even community projects?

My hope is for Lemmy instances to set a precedent by adopting an 'open book' policy when it comes to spending. It would be a great step towards fostering trust and engagement in our community.

There are plenty of platforms out there which handle donations, but I wonder if there's one that already facilitates such transparency? If not, I believe it would be a worthy endeavor to find or create one that does.

Would you appreciate more transparency on how donations are spent? And do you know of any donation platforms that encourage this level of openness? Your feedback is always appreciated, as at some point, I may need to do the same.

I continuously grapple with this intricate web of thought that intertwines infinity, atomic structure, and consciousness. It's predicated on the assumption that if time truly is infinite, then there isn't just a probability, but an inevitability, that all the matter in the universe will align exactly as they are now.

(I posted this over at c/stonerthoughts, where it will inevitably die without a single interaction, but this is an ongoing pervasive thought I have, and i just wanted to put it out there for more eyes to see.)

This possibility stems from the Poincaré recurrence theorem, a principle in mathematics and physics which suggests that certain systems will, given a sufficiently long but finite time, return to a state almost identical to their initial state. Now, if we consider the universe to be such a system, it implies that given infinite time, every atomic configuration that has ever occurred will inevitably reoccur.

Now, let's venture deeper. If our consciousness is an emergent property of a specific atomic arrangement, then the recurrence of that atomic arrangement implies the recurrence of that conscious experience. Hence, if we're bound to this specific arrangement of matter, and time is infinite, are we not then destined to relive this conscious experience an infinite number of times?

The implications are staggering. It suggests a form of cosmic reincarnation, a cyclic existence governed not by spiritual dogma but by the immutable laws of the universe.

My next step is trying to figure out how this concept could integrate with the theory of an afterlife. Also the infinite nature of the individuals conscience, being the observer and therefore the centre of their own universe.

What's your take on this perspective? How does it change your understanding of consciousness, existence, and our role within this infinite cosmic dance?

[- !stonerthoughts@lemmyunchained.net](https://lemmyunchained.net/c/stonerthoughts)

During a deeply introspective state, I grappled with an intricate web of thought that intertwines infinity, atomic structure, and consciousness. It's predicated on the assumption that if time truly is infinite, then there isn't just a probability, but an inevitability, that all the atoms in the universe will align exactly as they are now.

This possibility stems from the Poincaré recurrence theorem, a principle in mathematics and physics which suggests that certain systems will, given a sufficiently long but finite time, return to a state almost identical to their initial state. Now, if we consider the universe to be such a system, it implies that given infinite time, every atomic configuration that has ever occurred will inevitably reoccur.

Now, let's venture deeper. If our consciousness is an emergent property of a specific atomic arrangement, then the recurrence of that atomic arrangement implies the recurrence of that conscious experience. Hence, if we're bound to this specific arrangement of atoms, and time is infinite, are we not then destined to relive this conscious experience an infinite number of times?

The implications are staggering. It suggests a form of cosmic reincarnation, a cyclic existence governed not by spiritual dogma but by the immutable laws of the universe.

My next step is trying to figure out how this concept could integrate with the theory of an afterlife. Also the infinite nature of the individuals conscience, being the observer and therefore the centre of their own universe.

What's your take on this perspective? How does it change your understanding of consciousness, existence, and our role within this infinite cosmic dance?

The theory posits that the Amazon Rainforest, a veritable tapestry of biodiversity and a symbol of untrammeled nature, may in fact be a monumental testament to ancient human ingenuity and environmental stewardship.

At first glance, this notion may seem a stretch. After all, the Amazon is often depicted as a pristine, 'untouched' wilderness. However, an ever-growing body of evidence points to extensive human influence over the millennia, suggesting that much of what we consider 'wild' might be more accurately described as a managed environment, cultivated by the region's indigenous inhabitants.

Central to this theory is the observation that the Amazon Rainforest is curiously abundant in plant species of direct benefit to humans. The forest teems with trees bearing edible fruits, medicinal herbs, and other useful plants, often clustered together as if intentionally arranged. Could such a beneficially skewed biodiversity truly be a random act of nature, or might it be the result of deliberate, sophisticated botanical manipulation over generations?

Further support comes from the discovery of vast swathes of terra preta, or 'dark earth,' across the Amazon Basin. This nutrient-rich soil, markedly different from the region's naturally infertile soil, is widely believed to be a product of sophisticated pre-Columbian agriculture. The terra preta zones, often teeming with beneficial plant species, seem to signal a long history of human intervention, possibly reshaping the forest into a vast, managed 'garden.'

The imprints of complex civilizations uncovered by archeologists lend more weight to this theory. These remnants of pre-Columbian settlements, often found near areas rich in beneficial plant species, include elaborate road systems, intricately designed moats, and evidence of sizeable, organized human communities. These signs point towards a highly populated and interconnected Amazon, starkly contrasting the 'untouched wilderness' narrative.

'Forest islands' - small, elevated forest patches within the otherwise swampy Amazon wetlands - offer additional intrigue. Recent research links these islands to human habitation and cultivation, suggesting that ancient inhabitants might have intentionally engineered these ecological niches.

The implications of the Amazon as a largely man-made environment are profound, revolutionizing our understanding of human-nature interactions and sustainable land management. If we accept that this lush landscape is not merely a product of natural processes but also of human intervention, our approach to its preservation must be similarly nuanced.

So, where do you stand on this thought-provoking issue? Could the Amazon Rainforest, in all its splendor, be the world's oldest and most extensive example of sustainable human landscaping? How should this potential reality shape our approach to conserving and managing this vital biome?

Half shower thought, half stoner thought. It may seem obvious, but I was dwelling on the point for a while, deeper and deeper.

We exist in a symbiotic relationship with nature, a sort of balanced trade of breaths. Trees release oxygen which we breathe in to survive, and in return, we release carbon dioxide that fuels their photosynthesis. In this manner, we are locked in a reciprocal, almost parasitic yet mutually beneficial relationship with nature.

We are entwined in an unending dance with the natural world, each sustaining the one other.

✌️💛

If the universe truly extends infinitely in every direction, then isn’t each of us an observer stationed at the center of our own boundless cosmic expanse? It’s both humbling and empowering, this notion that we’re at once insignificantly small and yet infinitely integral to the fabric of the universe.

My dog recently returned from an adventure with what looks like a spinal bone, but I would have zero clue what animal it was from. it got me thinking – could our dogs potentially be bringing home human remains, but we dismiss them as random animal bones?

Given the multitude of missing persons cases, perhaps they are unearthing more than we realize?

• mind wandering - mindwandering@lemmyunchained.net

My dog recently returned from an adventure with what looks like a spinal bone, but I would have zero clue what animal it was from. it got me thinking – could our dogs potentially be bringing home human remains, but we dismiss them as random animal bones?

Given the multitude of missing persons cases, perhaps they are unearthing more than we realize?

What if all our dreams are glimpses into alternate realities where we live different lives? What’s the most interesting or wild alternate reality your dreams have shown you?

If during sexual intercourse, instead of moaning, people could only express themselves using famous tv and movie quotes, which quote do you think would become the most common line used?

• mindwandering@lemmyunchained.net