Do you care what happens next?

I do. And so does science.You felt that way because people have conscious minds that are able to think hard about such things. Our mind sets us apart from all other life and makes us feel important, special, different. Surely, we say to ourselves, we're not just like everything else?But it's just hubris, we are like everything else. Science has shown us that and those, like you, who think they must be special anyway turn to religion to make it so.You were simply making the mistake of only noticing the science that conflicts with your internal feelings of being special - and now with the science that shows that your religious beliefs that make you special - are wrong. It's a perfectly natural feeling and process.But you fail to understand that those small bits of science that you notice - evolution, pychology, sociology etc are all linked by the scientific method (some more successfully than others) and most are linked by basic chemical and physical processes that have been proven empirically to be true. So when you object to the fact that the earth is very old, you object to many branches of science supporting it without even knowing it.Not that that bothers you much, you're too happy feeling special.

Sure, but so is flight, breathing under water, sensing pheromones over 2 miles away, echo location, sight etc etc. Consciousness and its consequencies seem just more impressive. To us.If we weren't built out of the same chemicals as a beetle and a banana, we might have cause to wonder, but knowing beyond doubt that we're as much part of the natural development of life on earth and a recent one at that, makes it all a bit moot.We're special for sure, but not special enough to be immortal or supernatural. Just special enough to think that we're so special that we're not disposable - which we obviously are and we find it difficult to live with that knowledge so we invent all sorts of nonsense to cope.

I don't understand this argument. We are the sum of our parts. The fact that one part is consciousness doesn't change that. Sure we get through this veil of tears one way or another. It's pretty obvious that none of this really matters, that doesn't mean that whilst we're around, we can't live fulfilling lives - by whatever measure you care to use.

We're smart critters for sure, but we're still critters built of the same stuff and destined for the same oblivion. The fact that we're special. We're a product of a natural, 'unthinking' process that produced both the beetle and the banana. In 100 years we could be gone. There isn't even any one to miss us. We're that special.

Nobody does, but if they did, they'd probably find that beautiful too I'm not sure what to do with this, it contains too many falacies and assumptions. You seems to be saying that because you - and, as it happens, I - find some things beautiful and emotional, that makes any difference to the reality of our existence. Why should it?

Nope, still don't get it.Are you suggesting that you have a better quality of life than - I don't know - a honey bee? How could any possible comparison be made? And if true what does it matter? Perhaps a dolphin has a better quality of life than a cod. So what?We're just a different animal species, and of course our evolved brain has made us conscious agents which we feel is special - and it is - but so what? We're just as biodegradable as a bluebottle.

Ok so we can put that argument aside If we do not and can not know, what are we supposed to do about it except make shit up like religion to confirm how special we are and then fight over who made up the best one?Why not enjoy life and live it in the best way we can without fear, favour or hubris? You know, 'do as you would be done by' while smelling the roses and admitting they share the same DNA.

Yes but it seemed rude to interupt. Having the winning arguments doesn't necessarily get you laid? What if the cow gets laid regularly? Does it? Did you care before you were born and do people care after they die? Whilst we're alive it's important how we live, but in the great scheme of things, it's utterly irrelevant. It's best in life to have no sense of perspective, therein lies happiness. Just like a cow.Consciousness has big downsides.