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“DETERMINISM AND PROBABILITY We may understand determinism as “the thesis that there is at any instant exactly one physically possible future” (Van Inwagen, 1983, used by Dennet in his Edinburgh University lecture). But, a theory, or a thesis, must be based on our concepts, knowledge, and understanding of reality. Our very concepts, understanding, and conclusions about reality may be only partially correct or accidental since there is not enough knowledge (not to mention evidence) to support the particular theory or thesis. In light of these ideas, it would not only be more economical but also prudent and wise to consider the reality out and beyond the customary spectrum and, by doing this, to come to conclusions or theories that would more significantly, possibly more accurately, reflect not only our ideas but the reality itself as it could be, beyond established and accepted paradigms, and, ideally, reflect the reality as it is. In that way, we would provide the ground (or possible grounds, or open the possibility) for defining the actual reality in a more tangible or, ideally, more accurate and useful manner than defining ideas and concepts based on theories, which may very well be, more or less, futile attempts to define the indefinable, depending on the degree of accuracy of any single approach. Dennett uses the example of quantum physics to prove that “at any instant, there are many possible futures, and they are completely undetermined.” Once the organism of the Universe is in motion, its destiny is determined to a large extent. This destiny will be different if the same Universe starts motion (walk, experience, life) at any other “moment.” Every destiny of every new Universe or revival is different. That is the potential of the Absolute. This potential or its variations are not known even by the omnipotent intellect or God. Even an “intellect, which knew all the forces that animate Nature at any given moment,” could not know precisely how its potential “materialized” in every new birth, revival, and cycle.”

“Determinism implicitly seeks perfection, but the idea of determinism pursuing perfection is the pursuit of its own perfection (rather than perfection outside itself). But we would first need to know what perfection and an ideal are. It would not matter much if, by analyzing this, we conclude that the ideal and the perfect are the same, in which case we would use these words and terms interchangeably. But the problem is how to define the basis (on which determinism is, and must be, largely based) of the whole universe if we do not understand exactly the meaning, or all possible meanings, of the terms perfect and ideal, not to mention our understanding or misunderstanding of the actual state of the Universe.”

“Determinism is the thesis that is true at every moment that the way things then are determines a unique future, that only one of the alternative futures that may exist relative to a given moment is a physically possible continuation of the state of things at the moment. Or, if you like, we may say that determinism is the thesis that only one continuation of the state of things at a given moment is consistent with the laws of nature.”

“Deterrence failed completely as a guide in setting rational limits on the size and composition of military forces, spurring an insatiable arms race with a reckless proliferation of the most destructive power ever unleashed, tailored for delivery by a vast array of vehicles to a stupefying array of targets.”

“Detesto a un romano llamado Statu Quo. Llena tus ojos de ilusión. Vive como si fueras a morir dentro de diez segundos. Ve al mundo. Es más fantástico que cualquier sueño real o imaginario. No pidas garantías, no pidas seguridad. Nunca ha existido algo así. Y, si existiera, estaría emparentado con el gran perezoso que cuelga boca abajo de un árbol, y todos y cada uno de los días, empleando la vida en dormir. Al diablo con esto, sacude el árbol y haz que el gran perezoso caiga sobre su trasero.”

“Detesto seguir alguém assim como detesto conduzir. Obedecer? Não! E governar, nunca! Quem não se mete medo não consegue metê-lo a ninguém, E só aquele que o inspira pode comandar. Já detesto guiar-me a mim próprio! Gosto, como os animais das florestas e dos mares, De me perder durante um grande pedaço, Acocorar-me a sonhar num deserto encantador, E forçar-me a regressar de longe aos meus penates, Atrair-me a mim próprio... para mim.”

“Detiene la camioneta para decirme que Marion es "una mujer difícil"' se decía. Incluso a un muchacho de su edad esa manifestación le parecía insincera, mejor dicho, falsa por completo. Era una expresión estrictamente masculina, lo que los hombres que se creían corteses decían de sus ex esposas. Era lo que decía un hombre de una mujer inalcanzable para él, o que de alguna manera se había hecho inaccesible. Era lo que un hombre decía de una mujer cuando quería decir otra cosa, cualquier otra cosa.”

“Detoxing is nonsense, it's a complete fallacy that the body needs to detox. Removal of waste products and toxins is a continuous process and we don't need to periodically flush them out. The body does a perfectly good job of eliminating any substances on its own. The entire concept of needing to detoxify, purify, or cleanse your body with these regimes is literally made up by the diet industry to sell us more shit (that doesn't work) to fix our bodies (that don't need fixing).”

“Detroit has turned the corner on its renaissance, but few people know how the city was, and still is, at the cutting edge of manufacturing, innovation, and culture. My new book is a tribute to the men and women who built a city out of the wilderness starting in 1701, and sustained its incredible growth to become the world's Industrial Versailles in 1900. And the best part is, Detroit is still leading the way. It remains the ultimate Maker City.”

“Detroit is a fascinating place, because things are so bad there that the dystopia has almost become utopian. People know they can't rely on the state, that public infrastructure is broken, and they've taken their own measures. People are growing their own food and selling their produce to local stores and restaurants. It's certainly not a fix-all; Detroit's problems are too deep-rooted for quick-fix solutions. But it's a hopeful sign. Detroiters are crafting their own solutions rather than being passive in the face of the city's and state's actions and inactions.”