Your Biggest Epiphanies

**infinitia** · 11-21-2011 08:07 PM

3 biggest epiphanies of your life thus far?

Here are mine off the top of my head:

1. The intelligence - intellect difference, and self-education being much greater than formal education
2. The power of emotions in your perception of reality
3. Disregarding age as a deciding factor of wisdom - my parents aren't as smart as I had initially thought, and many adults and authorities lack a lot of maturity

Maybe I can learn some cool things from you guys.

**Popinjay** · 11-21-2011 08:27 PM

Age 12: the harsh realization that I wasn't the smartest kid in the world...and was, in fact, just 'gifted' in the grand scheme.

Age 18: the realization that the only thing I can truly know is that I exist...everything else is suspect and up for scrutiny.

Age 18: the realization that human beings at the macro level (global society) and micro level (individuals) are governed by one basic drive...the drive of self-interest. All human actions, even those that appear profoundly selfless, can ultimately be traced to one form of self-interest or another.

**infinitia** · 11-21-2011 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by Popinjay

Age 18: the realization that human beings at the macro level (global society) and micro level (individuals) are governed by one basic drive...the drive of self-interest. All human actions, even those that appear profoundly selfless, can ultimately be traced to one form of self-interest or another.

^This. Forgot about that one.

**Aaron Boal** · 11-21-2011 08:47 PM

The epiphinies that I have learnt over the years:
1) Two things exist are certain in this world. Taxes and death.
2) Self-motivated learning exceeds formal education.
3) Love does not conquer all.
4) All humans are driven to be in their own interest.
5) The Christian God is an amalgamation of virtually every known Pagan god in existance.
6) The planet will be ok, even if we 'try' to save it.

**infinitia** · 11-21-2011 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Aaron Boal

6) The planet will be ok, even if we 'try' to save it.

Haha, reminded me of this:

**Aaron Boal** · 11-21-2011 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by infinitia

Haha, reminded me of this:

I have to admit, I used George Carlin's skit for number 6. A few of my ideas have been mentioned by him.

**lib** · 11-21-2011 09:45 PM

When, at 12, I realized there wasn't a god despite that my dad made a living telling people otherwise.
When I realized that a government and state-apparatus were not necessary for a society to exist.

**quadrivium** · 11-22-2011 05:27 AM

Like many of you, I realized that I learn best on my own because of my own personal motivation. It took me until college to realize it though.

**Codger** · 11-22-2011 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by Popinjay

Age 18: the realization that human beings at the macro level (global society) and micro level (individuals) are governed by one basic drive...the drive of self-interest. All human actions, even those that appear profoundly selfless, can ultimately be traced to one form of self-interest or another.

"All" is perhaps pushing it, although that depends on how you define self interest.

**infinitia** · 11-22-2011 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by Codger

"All" is perhaps pushing it, although that depends on how you define self interest.

I actually agree with "all"; as altruistic as one may seem for whatever their actions are, the very root and drive behind it is to feel good about themselves (feeling needed, spiritual fulfillment, demonstration of knowledge, etc.), whether done consciously or not.