So which one of you guys has been to a...

[Marlin Clock]

EDIT: On a more abstract, philosophical note, I'd like to add that I believe sanity is a relative thing. To be sane really just means to have a mind that works similarly to the minds of the majority.

No, sanity is a pretty straight forward thing. Either your brain senses things possible within the laws of the universe or it doesn't.
You can't be crazy and have your crazy world be real. If I turn crazy and think my carpet has turned to scorpions does that mean it's true? No. That's why it's insane.

[splatter]

but if everyone in the world believed that carpets were indeed scorpions and that the sky was made out of white whales that were hanging upside down then would that make the whole world crazy

[FlossClock]

but if everyone in the world believed that carpets were indeed scorpions and that the sky was made out of white whales that were hanging upside down then would that make the whole world crazy

I don't think we would have time to ponder sanity because we would be too busy fending off hordes of scorpions!

[splatter]

thats why i like houses with stone and wood floors
better for breakdancing

[Marlin Clock]

but if everyone in the world believed that carpets were indeed scorpions and that the sky was made out of white whales that were hanging upside down then would that make the whole world crazy

And they would be, wouldn't make it sanity, just mass insanity.

[splatter]

I see what you mean and I agree with you.

[Silly Putty Clock]

but if everyone in the world believed that carpets were indeed scorpions and that the sky was made out of white whales that were hanging upside down then would that make the whole world crazy

No. That would only make all the people in the world crazy.

@ Marlin: Sanity itself is just an idea, and not a very precise one at that. If you want to get crazy abstract (if a bit clichéd), consider the idea that the world is not as we percieve it. We could all be sideways and inside-out and not even know it. How do we know that we aren't? By what we observe. How do we observe things? Through our senses. What are senses at their most basic level? Electrical impulses interpreted by our brains. How do we know that these impulses aren't lying? We don't, but we do the best we can with them, and try to ignore that possibility. For all we know, the people who believe in scorpion carpets could be correct.

[Marlin Clock]

No. That would only make all the people in the world crazy.

@ Marlin: Sanity itself is just an idea, and not a very precise one at that. If you want to get crazy abstract (if a bit clichéd), consider the idea that the world is not as we percieve it. We could all be sideways and inside-out and not even know it. How do we know that we aren't? By what we observe. How do we observe things? Through our senses. What are senses at their most basic level? Electrical impulses interpreted by our brains. How do we know that these impulses aren't lying? We don't, but we do the best we can with them, and try to ignore that possibility. For all we know, the people who believe in scorpion carpets could be correct.

If they were I would have many unexplained foot injuries by now _poogle_

[Silly Putty Clock]

If they were I would have many unexplained foot injuries by now _poogle_

You could have them and not even be aware of them. Marlin, you need to cling less to the comfortable familiarity of rigid definitions. Open your mind just a bit. It worked out fine for me.

[AbsintheClock]

We're all a little crazy. It's just a matter of riding the fine line of being crazy enough while not getting other people freaked out about it. This is why we have some people in society who are 70-god knows how old living alone with dementia rotting away in their own lunacy. However if you run around town logically asking for a "fucking umbrella and a glass of water" with large dilated eyes and a weakened demeanor you are a threat to yourself and society!

[Silly Putty Clock]

We're all a little crazy. It's just a matter of riding the fine line of being crazy enough while not getting other people freaked out about it. This is why we have some people in society who are 70-god knows how old living alone with dementia rotting away in their own lunacy. However if you run around town logically asking for a "fucking umbrella and a glass of water" with large dilated eyes and a weakened demeanor you are a threat to yourself and society!

This is the best thing anybody has ever had to say on the subject.