I think I've become a better person. I can retain more information about math, physics, and technology. Oh, and despite the idea of castrated priests--it has made me much more atheist; I've also shunned all religion and mysticism.

I think it even helps on the job (for a lot of reasons).

castrated? Are you serious?

Eunuchs are not common in the west unless you are a repeat child molester and only by consent (actually, even that's not true as they are TRYING to pass such a law here in Texas) . Are you from India?

Nope, I'm a native US citizen. And the worst I ever got was a few hundred bucks for running a red light.

There's no inherent contradiction in an atheist mystic.

I never said there was one. I am an atheist. I am not a mystic. I shun religion and mysticism.

why did you get castrated?

To reduce the level of the hormone testosterone. It's everything I wanted from it and more.

and it's helped you think better? interesting

Thats extreme. What about children? Do you have children or have no intention of having chilldren?

Now that's some heavy sh*t! I'm assuming it wasn't physical but a chemical one. Is it reversible?

That's rich. God is a sex hormone-induced delusion. Maybe there's some truth to that. I wonder what Lindsay would think about that!

Physical. Not reversible, unless you count some future stem-cell organ machine.

This is why I waited a bit. Decided to go ahead. Did not bank sperm.

Was it part of a treatment for a transsexual or intersexual condition?

You say you retain more information about math, physics, and technology. How have you assessed this?

Do you have a good voice?

Obviously, without testosterone in the world, none of us would be here. But sometimes I think that in some respects, the world would be a better place without it. Men are truly run by testosterone at times and do awful things as a result. For the most part, violent crimes and wars are perpetrated or instigated by males, and I think testosterone has a lot to do with that. The stakes have gotten pretty high when you think about the ever-increasing sophistication of weapons that might just destroy all of us. I don't appreciate George Bush making decisions that might end up inciting a third world war. I'll bet things would have gone a lot differently had Laura been in charge. Of course, for that to really work, we'd have to put women in charge of all countries. Then maybe we'd have something a little closer to world peace.

OTOH, I think testosterone and how it shapes the male personality is partly what makes men attractive to women.

Cybert, do you have any attraction to anyone (women or men) now that you are free of it? Do you consider yourself asexual now? I suppose you could consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) if you ever change your mind.

Voice remains the same. I have no desire to become female at all.

I have a girlfriend of 5 years (I got the procedure a year ago). I might consider replacement therapy. I do consider myself asexual. I do have some libido, but it is minimal.

... Margaret Thatcher, Falklands War (actually, war was never declared by either side) ...

Sorry, women are naturally stupider on average than men. More likely to fall for religion and mysticism.

I think what makes so many problems is that men go down to the level of women because of the testosterone poisoning. Take up religion, or mysticism.

Castration hu? I prefer simple mental prowess over my body, but I would imagine that their are some major benifits and downfalls with undergoing the procedure.

Hey wait a minute here! I, for one, go down on women all the time. Damm proud of it too!

I disagree. In a democratic society, the comander-in-chief is just a the symbol, a puppet of the social, economic and political forcer at play. And he or she better not dare to change the rules of the game on the fly. The real power sit behind close doors, controling the strings from behind the curtains. Not too long ago, in the dark ages, it was the pope and the Roman elite who pulled the strigns. Now days, you'd be mistaking if you thought 43rd and the puppets in congress and the senate would dare make a decision that wouldn't first be scrutinized by the high prists of the new world order elite: The CEOs, CFO and Presidents of the all-powerful international conglomerates. AKA the World Trade Organization. Had Laura been in charge, we would have still been attacked on 9/11 and she would have still made a decision to go to war in Afganistan and Irak. Had she not done so would have probably meant her demise and disqualification from her seat at the Oval Office, one way or another. No doubt about that. I hate to admit it, but we live in a world controlled by the sickest and most evil people the mind can produce: Insaciable power hungry drug-pushers, gun and WMD makers and oil barons, amongts others.

Uh, these CEOs, CFOs and presidents are just normal people. They want sex. They want love. They want a good martini. I was recently within a meter of the CEO of one of the biggest companies on the planet. His suit was a little wrinkled. And he seemed all too human.

I see a contradiction of terms, here. If testosterone is what make us guys stupid, how come women (who produce a lot less testosterone than men) are even stupider than us? I for one produce normal amounts of the stuff and I'd rather jump off the top of the Niagara falls inside a keg barrel than someone cutting off my gingle bellies. That's because there are somethings in life that take balls to accomplish.
But, going back to the subject, what crazy thing on earth got you to start thinking about taking such a seemingly erratic action? How old were you when you first thought about it? What book or movie or story got you to start even considering taking such action?

So are you saying that you think testosterone causes men to behave more like women? Just asking.

edit: looks like CB just posted a variation of the same question.

The female brain is constructed different. I think what I went through is ideal for maximal intelligence. I'm in my later twenties, and had it done after full brain development (which may have needed the testosterone).

Wow! That's a big decision, a really big decision.

Ask me this question again when I got to a mall and find a "singularity store". People appear to be walking in, and metal spheres appear to be crab-walking out. That's a big decision.

Thats selective logic and thus, has no real substance. You have a contradiction in terms and are avoiding the contradiction with selective logic.

Edited by Moderator for immature comment.

Guys don't call each other stupid in the forums. You want to call an idea stupid fine. Disagree and question the logic of a statement or belief also fine.

Lastly careful with comments regarding women or men IQ's without referencing an intelligent source. There are many types and levels of IQ and most of the research I have come across show little difference.

http://today.uci.edu/news/release_detail.asp?key=1261

What do you know about anything?

I'm not intending to step on any toes, but I re-opened this topic because of requests to continue the discussion here.

Having given $150+ to this site, I don't think I should be moderated.

A special interest lobbyist with no balls.

LMAO!!!

QUOTE

Having given $150+ to this site,

As much as donations to the site are welcomed…. high quality & informative postings carry far greater value and service to BrainMeta members.

QUOTE

I don't think I should be moderated.

Anyone including myself is subject to moderation. If you are concerned about being moderated I would consider putting more thoughts into your postings. I have yet to see any postings of a productive nature. So far you've referred to women, a forum member, and those who have any religious beliefs as being stupid.

I seriously doubt money will buy you a free pass to abuse others.

Money is quite powerful now. After the singularity, it will be meaningless. But for now, I expect favors for money. As does everyone else.

Like what kind of favors? It has already been stated that money is not needed here. So what makes you think money will buy you favors?

Browsing, I just happened to catch this question posted some time ago.
One can say that it is absurd, but absolute existence (GØD) cannot be logically denied. Do not agree? Try it, GØD, G-d, or God, IMHO, isn't anything, objectively real, or subjectively imagined. Like all that we call nature--the cosmos and the ineffable vacuum, that in which the cosmos has its being--GØD simply is...No other verb than the verb "to be" applies when speaking of GØD , which, IMO is the absolute and unique wholly other.

I have no objection to child-like thinkers who imagine GØD as being as one (usually masculine) who is like a benevolent heavenly father. But for mature and rational people to create a god, even mentally, is just as much idolatry as creating a physical object. If this is what Cybert is against, he is simply anti-idolatry, not an atheist.

In order for anyone to be an absolute atheist one would need to say: "I do not consciously exist, and there is no such thing as existence.Existence, whether real or imagined, temporary or eternal, is an absurd concept, so contrary to reason that it is a laughable; foolish and ridiculous."

I trust that, once and for all, I have made it clear what I mean when I write the unique symbol, GØD. One can say that it is absurd, but absolute existence (GØD) cannot be logically denied. Do not agree? Try it.

Well one can attest that the name and ideology behind G?D as you put it -- can be defined as real.

In other words, if you believe that there is a book floating on top of your head right now -- then, the idea of a book floating on top of your head exists, as well as the name, descriptor and conversation about that book.

So G?D? exists in one manner or another, the real debate is in which way does it exist. Within only a persons imagination, in reality, or in everything?

Neurologically and technically speaking, we cannot tell the difference between real and imagined events.

However, that said -- we can consciously deduce different memories and separate imagined and actualized experiences based off of cognition and memory.

So, the nature and origins of reality is put into question. As we know, everyone has their own version of reality based off of their emotional filters.

Now, the question is -- what is real. what is not real.

Well, to begin we must define the very nature and origins of reality itself, is reality from within, or from the outside (whatever outside is)?

I am reminded of a very old saying dating back hundreds of years and what was once considered to be the greatest piece of wisdom ever told.

As Within, So Without
As Above, So Below

Change your mind, change your world.

The problem is science has only settled on one possibility of what reality is, this could very well be a computer simulation or just a very long dream.

That's where the real problem lies in trying to apply science to this god of yours, science only allows for one possibility of what reality could be (a physical world in which we live in and interpret).

I really dont know the effects of removing balls.. but try removing brain.. I am sure that would make anyone a better atheist...

hope that helps...

BTW, I am neither a theist nor an atheist.. I have both balls and brain intact..

Max, I prefer to use 'GØD', but there is a little demon in my 'puter which keeps changing it to G,D. Have you any explanation as to why this happens? BTW, I do feel that the use of ? does serve a useful purpose.

I agree with you when you write I think the Star-of-David symbol is based on this "above-below" idea. http://www.fotosearch.com/thumb/corbis/DGT067/CB005784.jpg
http://www.fotosearch.com/thumb/corbis/DGT069/CB017308.jpg

You say: "That's where the real problem lies in trying to apply science to this god of yours--science only allows for one possibility..." However, IMO, 'GØD' , as I repeat, includes that which is total, universal and all inclusive. The symbol includes the physical world and the metaphysical, the concrete and the abstract--the real and the imagined, the above and below.

Funny, Samps.

BTW, Samps, welcome. I presume you are an agnostic. I too, am agnostic about many things. But, like Descartes, I am pretty sure that I exist within a magnificent--known and unknown--existence, which I call GØD. If the demon changes it to G,D, check my signature. There, the symbol remains constant. BTW, science help me know the knowable; a rational, and a science-based faith help me explore the vast unknown.

I can't imagine how anyone with a rational brain can ask, "Existence. What existence? Is there such a thing"

I suppose one given to nihilism could say: "I find existence meaningless..." But what is the value of such a statement?
=================================================
THE PRACTICAL VALUE, FOR ME, OF WHAT CALL UNITHEISM
=================================================
Some people have asked me: Do you pray to GØD?
Not in the traditional sense of beseeching and petitioning a person-like god--one called God--to do this, that, and the other thing, for me.

I like to think of myself simply as using my positive will (love=positive will) to plug in, to connect with GØD, like I would if I had access to an infallible and all-powerful computer.

When I do this, I am constantly amazed by the positive and very practical things that keep happening when I stop resisting, and just simply let go and let GØD do the search for me. I find the people I need, and the people who need me. Currently, I am doing some very serious counseling with people in dire need of help. My role is to encourage them to plug into that is right there for all of us to use. I am not there to do it for them.

BTW, goodle and check out the "process philosophy and theology of Alfred North Whitehead", of which I give details elsewhere.

KEEP IN MIND: Process phil/theo--or unitheism/panentheism--is not about pushing the denominational, exclusive, Bible-based literalisms of organized religion. I feel, such exclusive religions are more dangerous enemies of authentic spirituality than strident atheism. Give me honest atheism and/or agnosticism over fanatic, exclusive religion, any day of the week. In my opinion, fundamentalist Christians use a kind of mental terrorism just as destructive as physical terrorism.

One final point: IMHO, unitheism is a process-kind of theology which works for anyone who is simply willing to be a decent, moral and ethical human being and is then willing to take the personal responsibility for plugging in. As it helps we will then want, without imposing, to pass the idea on to others.

Yeah, but I kinda regretted that comment in retrospect.. and Thanks for the welcome note.

Regardless, it is beyond my ability to understand how someone could mutilate himself seeking divinity/GOD elsewhere.... It is almost like selling one's eye for buying picasso's... Sex, as I see it, is part of our natural being. Denying it is feels unnatural

Welcome Samps. I agree with you there. Cybert was one of the strangest character to have ever come across this forum. I remember when he was here. They weren't pleasant times. His posts begun to turn bizarre and offensive very soon after his arrival. If I recall properly his main subject of interest was the Consciousness Singularity. And that was the reason for his self-mutilation. I don't know if he was bluffing or not, but he sounded pretty serious when he said it. Eventually he got so bizarre with the things he was saying that he got banned from this forum altogether.

Eh, when I clicked this topic I was hoping it would concentrate more on the matter at hand (castration to improve intelligence) rather than digress to something else.

First of all, let me say that I entirely disagree with the thought that "testosterone driven males" are responsible for what's happening to the world today. If you're a bad person, you're a bad person. Testosterone has nothing to do with it.

Anyway, back to the concept that brought me here. Despite the negative opinions that were posted thus far, I have to agree with the OP that I too have considered such a procedure.

There isn't one single reason for this, but instead a combination of lesser ones.

For one, testosterone is very distracting. I don't mind it most of the time and I feel that I can be "myself" without it influencing my decisions, but when it builds up overtime (on average once every 1.5 days) something in me just *clicks* and I find that I can't stop thinking about sex until I, well, masturbate. (I also find that in this state I would mate with probably anything that moves, an effect which I refer to as "testosterone goggles").

And while I have nothing against sex, I want to partake in it as a personal and conscious decision, not something induced purely by my hormones.

I don't remember the exact quotes, but I do recall the fact that the area responsible for the sex drive is quite large in males. And as a biological male I would rather have my brain concentrate its energy and recourses on other matters.

As for a family and kids, no I am not interested in that. I've traveled most of the world and have yet to meet a single person with whom I could developed a deep enough bond to stay in a permanent relationship with. (Yes, not "long term", but "permanent". For an immortalist like me the term "forever and a day" takes on a rather literal meaning).

Another reason is that I have many ambitions in life, and one of my greatest fears that I will let my biology and hormones take over and sidetrack me into making mistakes that I will regret later on.

And while I agree that it is natural to have sex, I think we as humans have long ago left the stage where "love" was nothing but a catalyst for reproduction. I believe that "sex" and "mating" should be two different matters altogether, with the former being there to develop a greater bond between two lovers and the latter there for a conscious decision to have children.

As for more information on me, I don't really consider myself as either male or female and I have little to no interest in either sex. (Yet while I say "little", it's still large enough to become a nuisance to me).

So that's how it is for me; Any opinions?

You could try some esoteric practices designed to do exactly what you're asking for. Many taoist practices revolve around control of sexual energy/urge/impulse.

If you don't want to do that then you need to wait out the period where your desire is increased. Simply don't have sex for about 3-4 months and you should be ok. It takes that long to develop the control necessary.