Why No One Cares If the Universe Is Simulated

You've probably heard the argument that the universe is a computer simulation. The idea is simple enough - everything that we know, experience and... well, are, is nothing but bytes in a cosmic computer.

The logic is hard to refute. If it's even hypothetically possible for any civilisation to simulate a universe, there'll be more simulations than 'real' ones.

Which means, statistically, we're more likely to be software than arising physical beings.

I can't fault the argument, except around what it even means to 'simulate a universe'.

I know many people who believe it.

But I don't know anyone who cares.

It's kind of like... okay, so what? If the universe is a simulation, what does that mean for humanity?

For science?

For how I should live my life?

The concept doesn't stick for most people. They consciously understand the idea and appreciate the argument. But who lives their live as if it's true?

Consider by comparison - some people believe in a loving, all-powerful god. Some believe the universe teems with consciousness and psychic energy. Others believe in secular humanism capitalism as the driving force for civilisation. For many of these people, it changes things.

How they see the world and themselves.

How they act.

What they aspire to.

But the simulated universe doesn't seem to change much.

People who believe it seem to forget they believe it until they remember - hardly the way you'd expect to respond to the greatest philosophical revelation in history.

What causes the lacklustre response? Is it a case of social conformity - as in, it's acceptable to be passionate about religion or politics, but not technological philosophy?

Maybe, I don't know.

But I suspect the idea doesn't resonate with us unconsciously.

If you're a religious person, you can study your faith consciously. But unconsciously - in your emotions, instincts, dreams and experiences - is where you live it.

The simulated universe hypothesis is just an idea, though. It doesn't leave conscious thinking to penetrate your unconscious.

So it doesn't impact much on your emotions, instincts, dreams or experiences.

It remains a philosophical toy, not the key to universal truth.

There's a lesson in this: your unconscious is powerful. More powerful than you might appreciate. It stops (or encourages) strange ideas from changing your behaviour.

This is why people know they should smoke less, eat better and sleep more... but don't. Knowing is a conscious activity, while your habits come from your unconscious.

It's a shame your unconscious is outside your control.

Haha, just kidding. That's what other people think. Clearly they haven't read the studies on just how powerful hypnosis is.

It's a simple, effective practice that changes your mind on the level that matters.

And you can learn to hypnotise yourself right here:

https://guided-thought.com/downloads/unlock-vault-self-hypnosis/

Why Sleep Is So Powerful For Mental Health

In this fast-paced western society we are constantly connected and available 247, we have information flowing into us on a daily basis and there's an increasing expectation for us to respond instantly. Given all of this, there a growing need for us to be operating or functioning in terms of our mental health not just at 'normal' or 'acceptable' levels, but 'optimal' levels.

Optimal means we are functioning at the highest levels mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually, such that we're able to cope well with the demands of life. If we are operating at sub-optimal level, it's much harder for us to perform even the basic of life's functions.

So how do we ensure our health and wellbeing levels are what they should be?

One key contributory factor for long-term mental health and wellness is to ensure we have 7-9 hours of good quality sleep per night.

Repair

Sleep repairs the body. This has a positive knock-on effect to how you function cognitively the next and following days. When we sleep, we sleep in cycles of 60-90 minutes. During that time we oscillate between deep (so-called delta) sleep where the body repairs itself and the lighter REM sleep.

Recall

REM (rapid-eye-movement) sleep, or lighter sleep, moves information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory. This helps you to better recall information you absorb on a daily basis. It is during this REM phase of sleep that your eyes move rapidly from side to side (hence the name) and that you dream.

Rhythm

Getting to bed at the right time (ideally 10pm) and getting the right amount of sleep every night keeps your circadian rhythm in check. Your circadian rhythm is your natural body clock that gives you signals when it's time for you to sleep and when it's time for you to wake up. Working shift patterns (especially night shifts) can knock this out of balance which can have major consequences not only for your mental and physical health but also for your gut health.

Lack of good quality sleep means that instead of being fully awake and energised during the day, you may find yourself sleepy, sluggish and unable to focus for any significant length of time. In addition, when you're in bed at night you may feel 'tired and wired' (meaning your body is physically tired, but your mind is wide awake and you're therefore unable to sleep).

Melatonin, the hormone that prepares your body for sleep, and serotonin (your awake hormone) need to be in balance for you to function at your best in the day. This means melatonin kicks in naturally from around 9pm (to help you sleep) until about 7am when serotonin is released to take you through the day. When this melatonin, serotonin cycle is in balance you are fully awake during the day and sleepy at night (when you should be). This in turn means you get a better night's sleep.

Immune Booster

So never underestimate the power of sleep if you value your health and wellbeing. Good quality sleep not only helps us function more effectively, it also boosts our immune system, helping us to stave off viruses and other infections that we would more easily catch with an inferior level and quality of sleep.

Sleep is therefore one of the fundamental pillars of amazing health and wellbeing. Without it we may over time find ourselves not only operating under par but opening ourselves up to chronic exhaustive conditions such as ME, chronic fatigue syndrome, or fibromyalgia. These conditions can be debilitating and could, if not kept in check, leave us either bed bound or wheelchair bound.

So a key way to look after your mental health over the long term is to ensure that you not only get your 7-9 hours but that you ensure that you go to bed at the right time to increase your chances of getting a much better night's sleep.

Carmen Gilfillan is the founder of Stimulus Development & Training. Stimulus specialises in helping people overcome emotional trauma, experience emotional breakthroughs, boost their health naturally and live their best lives. We do this through Life & Wellness Coaching, Emotional Freedom consultations and training in the areas of personal, professional and spiritual growth. Check out our website at http://www.stimulus.uk.com to book your free Emotional Breakthrough consultation.

Why Is Having a Big, Worthy Goal So Important?

Human beings are goal-orientated creatures by nature. We are, as far as we know, the highest form of creation and we are supposed to set goals.

We are supposed to look for ways to improve our own lives and those of the lives around us - it plays a huge part in the evolution of our species.

Dissatisfaction with your life is a healthy, creative state of mind - we are DESIGNED to be discontent!

Creative discontent is the very heart of motivation, and yet so many people settle for what they currently have (and often complain about it) rather than taking measures to improve things.

These are usually the same people who, when you tell them about any potential goals/dreams you may be considering will tell you to 'stop fantasising'.

They'll ask you why you 'can't just be happy with what you've got and leave it at that'.

But the truth is, in order for any human being to live a fulfilled, creative life, goals are essential.

One of the most dynamic laws of the universe is the Law of Creation and Disintegration. Absolutely NOTHING will stay as it is - you are either improving the quality of your life or, by default, you are taking away from it, in one way or another.

The choice is yours. It's a decision only you can make and making no decision is to make a decision.

The fact is, it is only when a person becomes sufficiently dissatisfied with their life as it is now, that they will begin to think of ways to improve it - they will decide on a goal.

Dissatisfaction has given us cars, planes, TV and the internet. It has taken us out of the cave and put us into skyscrapers.

We would still be reading by wax candlelight if Thomas Edison had not experienced a deep dissatisfaction with the candle.

Start to think about how you're living now. The things you do from the minute you wake up until you close your eyes at night.

Now think about how you'd LIKE it to be - how, with the infinite potential you possess, that scenario might be improved upon.

Keep thinking about this - several times a day, every day - and you can be sure that dissatisfaction will set in, if it hasn't already.

Someone once said "In the absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to daily acts of trivia."

Isn't that true? So many people fill their days with meaningless tasks that result in... nothing. Or just more of the same.

Goal achievers aren't bogged down by such acts of trivia. They're interesting people. They're productive, happy people.

A goal achiever frequently accomplishes more with his or her life in one year than most people do in a lifetime.

Which way would you rather live?

Emma Hague is a Thinking Into Results Facilitator, working with Bob Proctor (from 'The Secret' fame) to help individuals discover their deepest desires, reach their full potential and achieve their personal and professional goals. To request the PDF 8 Questions That Warrant Your Attention if you are ever to achieve the things you really want in life, go to http://www.emmahague.com/tir-its-time

Different Species of Fish Used in Aquaponics

Aquaponics involves the combining of hydroponics with aquaculture to grow healthy organic plants such as vegetables and herbs. This method gardening can also supply you with a good source of protein from the fish being reared in the aquaculture component of the system. Certain types of fish are best suited for this type of farming. Many these fish are a great source of protein.

The tilapia fish is commonly used in this method of gardening. This fish requires warm water to thrive in. The recommended water temperature for tilapia is 28-30 degrees C (82-86 degrees F). The growth rate will decrease dramatically if the water is colder than 20 degrees C (50 degrees F) and fishes will normally start dying at roughly 10 degrees C (50 degrees F). So if you live in a cool climate you will have to heat the water so you might want to choose aquaponics fish that are better suited for cool water such as trout. But the Tilapia are tolerant of high stock densities, can withstand very poor water conditions, consume an omnivorous diet and they are fast growing. So the tilapia is a good choice for aquaponics fish if you live in a warm climate or can afford to heat the water in the rearing tanks. Tilapia are also a good choice if you want to use it as a food source and still be able to provide the needed nutrients for the plants growing in the hydroponics component of your system. Tilapia can be harvested for food a number of times per year and still provide you with enough nutrients to feed the plants growing in your aquaponics garden.

Another good fish to use in this type of farming is the rainbow trout. These fish are more tolerant of cooler water and actually thrive in water temperatures between 10°C and 20°C. They are a fast growing fish and are good eating. If you live in a colder climate you might want to go with this type of, especially in the winter, to stock your fish rearing tanks. However because of the cold water you might find the selection of plants you can grow limited as many plants prefer the more tropical water temperatures. Unlike tilapia, trout are rather hard to please when it comes to cleanliness of water. Trout need pristine water conditions to thrive.

Another species of fish that is well suited to aquaponics gardening is the catfish. These fish are popular in the United States for use in method of gardening. Like Tilapia, Catfish thrive in warm water and prefer a temperature of 80 degrees F. They are bottom dwellers, so they will occupy the lower area of your fish rearing tanks. This makes for low fish density when they are raised alone. Some aquaponics gardeners raise them with other fish that will occupy the upper areas of the fish rearing tank and can thrive in the same water conditions.

There are a number of websites you can visit to learn about aquaponics and the supplies you will need to be successful at this type of farming. Some of these resources will be free of charge and others will require a monetary investment.

Best Regards

To learn more about aquaponics gardening and the advantages over traditional gardening click here.

Being Prepared For a Possible Disaster Situation Could Mean Your Well Being

Many people never think about being in a urban survival situation. They certainly don't think about being in an earthquake survival situation or a tornado survival situation. However those who have had the unfortunate experience think about it now and probably for the rest of their lives. Once you have been in an urban survival situation such as a tornado or hurricane situation you begin to realize how important it is the plan for the possibility of such a situation occurring in the future. You also realize the wisdom of having some sort of survival kit on hand to help the through the situation.

There are different types of urban survival kits that can be purchased or you can make up yourself. What you put in the kit depends on the purpose. a basic urban survival kit will contain things like water, food, ways to keep warm like a simple shelter, rain gear, blankets and a fool-proof way to start a fire. This type of survival kit is designed to stay in the same location for three or four days until the lights come back on other the authorities can make contact.

Other types of urban survival kits include the bug out bag. The get home bag is designed to have in your place of work, such as your office. It will contain a pry bar, breathing masks, water, radio and dried food. These items will help you and others escape the building and eventually find your way home. The bug out bag is like the general urban survival kit and designed for mobility. Being able to move quickly is key to finding a safe place to reside especially after such events as an earthquake or tornado.

The bug out bag can be useful for escaping the urban area in times of crisis. Of course you will have to prepare this survival kit properly. This type of survival kit will aid you in getting to a safe rural area until the crisis situation is over and things are returning to normal. Returning to normal could mean having to exist in a substandard situation for days or even weeks. Just ask the survivors of various hurricanes and earthquakes. Having to rely on government assistance could take longer than you think.

Being prepared for various disaster situations is possible. Thinking ahead to the types of situations your area of the world could be in could be essential for your well-being. There are a number resources on the internet that can help you to prepare for these situations in just one month only taking minutes a day.

Best Regards

One thing to consider having on hand for a possible urban survival situation is a water filtration system. Click here to learn more about various water filtration systems.