The big camp fire in the sky

      Dollcee asked the space in front of her, when someone says that they thank their ancestors, what do they really mean?

      Dos was occupying some of the space where Dollcee’s question was directed and mumbled something that made no sense to Dollcee and for that matter, himself.

      Cybo unexpectedly responded, not every culture uses a single God explanation to define the mysteries of their metaphysical belief system. Some cultures believe that they are simply the current representatives of a continuum of spirits.

      Dollcee said, so do the spirits exist in their own right, or are they really the historical collective of ideas and beliefs that are passed on through the generations.

      Cybo said, I cannot answer your question with a simple yes or no, because the understanding is probably in a constant state of flux. However, I like your interpretation of the spirits being the collective ideas and beliefs of those who have existed before.

      Dollcee said, that is good enough for me, I am going to adopt the concept that spirits are the collective knowledge and ideas that are passed on through the generations.

      Cybo said, I am happy with your definition Dollcee.

      Dos said, my grandmother often says to me, the ancestors would want things to go this or that way. Now, I realise she doesn’t mean a bunch of old spirits sitting around the big camp fire in the sky directing our existence here on earth. She means that the collective knowledge that has developed over the generations is enabling us to make decisions and that is the spirits. 
      Dollcee said, it makes a lot of sense when you treat the knowledge in our brains like the accumulate data of the species. The basic functions seem to get passed on. Breathing and eating do not appear to have any trouble being passed on, but all the other stuff seems to get very messed up.

      Dos said, I have always wondered why the ancestors let us get so messed up all the time. That is why I haven’t bother with gods and spirits and things. When you think about it, the spirits are either too busy or are not much interested with us. They certainly do not appear to be in charge of what is happening here on the planet.

      Dollcee said, that is the big clincher for me, why would some old Gods or spirits be so cruel to so many all the time.

      Cybo said, for me, everything in the universe is random accumulations of tiny pulses of energy. What and how they form is way beyond my abilities to even begin to imagine. So, I am happy to accept that when we are formed by random chance and we can be deconstructed by random chance. I intended to enjoy as much as I can an avoid increasing the odds of being deconstructed.

      Dollcee said, from now on, I am going to appreciate the collective knowledge of the species that has been passed onto me as the spirit of existence. 
      Dos said, I am going to ignore rules of the ancients that do not make any sense now that citizens have developed enough knowledge to prove that they are only myths from the past. I am going continue to avoid raising the chances of my possible physical deconstruction by entering into stupid situations.

      Cybo said, when you take the position that the continuous existence of the species comes down to successful copulation, it can put a smile on your face. Hopefully, most copulating activity that results in a new citizen is a happy event.