Thomas Campbell on Ego, Paranormal Psi, and a comprehensive Theory of Everything [Part 1 of 2]
Dec 23, 2020
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Thomas Campbell, author of My Big TOE trilogy, discusses his theory of everything including remote viewing, out of body experiences, unifying relativity and quantum mechanics, and the nature of reality. The podcast explores the relationship between math and reality, the role of fear as a motivator, consciousness and self-evolution, and the concept of spiritual determinism. It also touches on topics such as auras, accessing information, and debugging code in a meditative state.
The theory of a unified reality combines consciousness, subjective experience, and objective physical laws.
Consciousness is an information system that computes the virtual reality we experience.
The physical world is not computed based on precise deterministic formulas, but through statistical approximations.
Fear is a core component of consciousness and influences human behavior and choices.
Experiences need to be integrated into one's life to lead to lasting growth and a fundamental shift in being.
Deep dives
Unified Theory of Reality
The podcast episode explores the concept of a unified theory of reality, which combines the understanding of consciousness, subjective experience, and objective physical laws. The guest, Tom Campbell, discusses his book 'My Big Toe' and explains that his theory is based on the fundamental assumption that consciousness exists and that evolution is real. He argues that consciousness is the computer that computes the virtual reality we experience, and that mathematical equations are not the cause of reality, but rather descriptions that predict the behavior of the virtual world. Campbell also addresses the limitations and paradoxes in quantum mechanics and general relativity, and relates them to the need for a more comprehensive model of reality.
Explaining the Nature of Consciousness
Campbell asserts that consciousness is the fundamental aspect of reality, and that the physical world is a subset of consciousness. He describes consciousness as an information system, wherein awareness of information leads to the creation of meaning and lowers entropy. He argues that information systems evolve through self-changing processes, driven by internal and external pressures. The theory proposes that consciousness and the physical world are interconnected, with consciousness influencing the physical through computational processes. Campbell presents his model as an explanation for the subjective and objective aspects of reality.
Probabilistic Nature of Reality and Simulation
The episode touches upon the probabilistic nature of reality and how it is computed within a virtual simulation. Campbell emphasizes that the physical world is not computed based on precise deterministic formulas, but rather through statistical approximations. He suggests that reality is constantly evolving based on initial conditions governed by a rule set, and that the computational rendering engine randomizes the outcomes within probability distributions. This probabilistic approach allows for the simulation to accurately represent the complex dynamics and dispersion of events in the physical world. Campbell's theory tackles the limitations of detailed computation in simulating every particle and interaction, and instead focuses on the broader statistical patterns and probabilities of outcomes.
Fear as a Fundamental Part of Consciousness
Fear is a core component of consciousness and exists because consciousness has not yet fully evolved. Fear is a source of limitations and constraints in the virtual reality experience.
The Influence of Fear on Behavior and Choices
Fear influences human behavior and choices. It is the underlying cause of negative emotions, such as anger or anxiety. Removing fear allows for personal growth and the development of more positive qualities, such as love and compassion.
Avatar Constraints and Virtual Reality
In the virtual reality experience, consciousness controls an avatar constrained by the rules of the virtual environment. Brain damage or other physical constraints impact the avatar's abilities and choices. Consciousness interprets the sense data from the avatar and identifies with the experiences and emotions of the virtual reality being.
Understanding the Nature of Consciousness and Ego
Consciousness is a subset of the individuated unit of consciousness (IUOC) and is immortal. The partition between consciousness and the IUOC is taken down after death, allowing the consciousness to integrate and learn from its experiences. Ego, on the other hand, is awareness in the service of fear and represents a self-focused perspective. Abandoning the ego involves reducing fear and self-centeredness, and developing a more expansive, caring mindset.
Experiences, Psychedelics, and Growth
Experiences, whether induced by psychedelics or not, can produce temporary changes in perception and behavior. However, for lasting growth, the experience needs to be integrated into one's life and lead to a fundamental shift in the individual's being. Psychedelics, while providing profound experiences, often lack the necessary context for meaningful growth. Integrating experiences into one's life involves reducing ego, developing intuition through practices like meditation, and cultivating a caring and compassionate mindset.
The Illusion of Objectivity and the Power of Models
Many of the facts we believe are actually just models and theories. We often mistake these models for reality and become blind to other possibilities. It is important to remain skeptical and recognize that our understanding of the world is subjective. Models and theories help us make sense of our experiences, but they are not infallible. Scientists should strive to be instrumentalists, using models that are consistent and logical, rather than confusing them with absolute truth.
Accessing Information and Intuition in Mind Space
In mind space, information is readily available through intention and the database of intuitive knowledge. This information can be accessed regardless of physical presence or the medium used, such as seeing auras over zoom or in photographs. However, the level of understanding and context of the individual plays a crucial role in making sense of the obtained information. Accessing deeper scientific knowledge requires a level of familiarity and understanding to derive meaning and application from the intuitive insights received.
Video version (necessary to see equations): https://youtu.be/kko-hVA-8IU
Thomas Campbell is the author of My Big TOE trilogy (MBT) which represents the results and conclusions of his scientific exploration of the nature of existence. This overarching model of reality, mind, and consciousness explains the paranormal as well as the normal, places spirituality within a scientific context, solves a host of scientific paradoxes and provides direction for those wishing to personally experience an expanded awareness of All That Is.
Thomas Campbell's WEBSITE: https://www.my-big-toe.com/
00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:05 How did he come up with his Theory of Everything? 00:10:05 There's more to reality than what's operationally defined 00:12:27 Evidence involving remote viewing 00:20:59 Remote viewing vs Out of body experiences 00:24:45 Variables that affect Psi (paranormal) phenomenon 00:27:26 Writing the "My Big Theory of Everything" book (My Big TOE) 00:34:44 Brief overview of MBT (My Big TOE) 00:42:03 Overcoming the non-renormalizability of General Relativity (to merge with Quantum Field Theory) 00:46:08 Campbell's model is larger than just unifying the fundamental forces 00:47:59 Writing the book for the logical vs. intuitive types 00:52:05 Mathematics doesn't explain, but describe 00:52:57 But what about Platonism? 00:53:40 Eric Weinstein and Stephen Wolfram (briefly mentioned) 00:58:16 Explaining the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics 01:00:56 Donald Hoffman's views vs. Campbell's vs. The Matrix 01:03:33 The intellect vs. the intuitive part of you (which one to let go, if any, and how?) 01:10:30 Jung vs. Campbell 01:12:51 Curt's rant against "fear" / "ego" being the problem 01:20:18 Jordan Peterson vs. Campbell 01:27:04 Explications on fear 01:32:29 Is "your" consciousness separate from "you"? 01:34:26 Definitions of AUO and AUM (the foundational consciousness that preceded the universe) 01:38:16 Curt objects, mathematically, to the definition of entropy and other claims 01:46:05 We live in a "Virtual Reality" 01:52:29 What is "you"? What's identity? Are your body or mind? 01:56:35 Identity and death. What part of "you" survives after your body? 02:01:54 Relationship between consciousness and ego 02:05:34 Why follow our "intuition" when it's notoriously inaccurate? 02:09:50 Psychedelics are "real bad idea" for personal growth 02:20:06 Do psychedelics open the same doors as meditation? 02:24:20 The problem with our society is politeness (but how to raise children, if not to be polite?) 02:27:41 How can we have morality without an appeal to ego? 02:40:33 The place of science in the study of consciousness 02:42:12 Out of body experiences (specifics of Campbell's first journey) 02:45:27 Helping Curt with Transcendental Meditation 02:49:54 Non-dualism vs. Campbell (is truth subjective?) 02:58:09 Is the world determined? (asked by: G 007) 03:03:05 Why not start with "nothing" rather than consciousness? (asked by: Repair Masculinity) 03:07:01 How can you see aura's through photographs? Are they recorded in pixels? 03:08:50 Can we query NPMR and find out how to place second quantization / path integrals on rigorous foundations?
