When have we reached our potential as humans? Is it when we have completely mastered our instincts, natures, and personalities to become the person we think we are supposed to be? Or, is it when we disregard society’s and our own view of who we think we are supposed to be and begin to be the person we really are inside? (The latter assumes mentally stable people whose heart’s desire is not to become murders, thieves, etc. )

Considering utilization of our brain we never reach our potential.

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To 412 - since 100% utilization of the brain is realistically unreachable, I disagree that it is correct to call it "potential". "Potential" and "possible" are synonyms, not antonyms. To Leah - I think true potential can only be reached when a human being is thrust into a complex environment or faces a nearly impossible obstacle that must be overcome. When your very life is on the line... or something even more dear to you than your life. I don't think potential is measured by achievemment. For every human being you could rightly say "they could have achieved so much more".

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"The trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money" -Margaret Thatcher

Я и не говорил о 100%, но КПД то действительно низенький. . .

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Originally posted by 412: Я и не говорил о 100%, но КПД то действительно низенький. . .

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please translate...:)

i reach my potential when i realize and develop as many as possible talents hidden within - by opening the doors for them. but, because there's no free time for those 'hobbies', i have no choice but postpone them till i retire :) but then i will not care any more. therefore i am currently working on expanding my time. and that brings me to the ultimate self-realization - defying the laws of physics and universe - i should be able to levitate, become invisible, teleport, use telepathy and know no barriers in languages or any other abilities. i should not need any sleep, or food, or air, or water. that completes my ultimate transition to super-being. the end of the beginning, so to speak. all that can be substituted by being a good father to my kids, by the way. any perfection leads to the same result...

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Originally posted by ivanivanix: all that can be substituted by being a good father to my kids, by the way. any perfection leads to the same result...

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A fantastic answer and view...worthy of much respect. :)

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Originally posted by Leah: please translate...:)

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I never said anything about 100%, but efficiency of gray matter utilization is actually really low. . . Something along those lines.

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Humans are animals with the potential to do anything. We have the potential to smell like filthy cows and to kill like wolves. Yet we also have the potential to be kind, compassionate and understanding and to put our own lives on the line for somebody else. But humans have the potential for anything. Only the dead have seen the end of the war -Plato

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Are you angry that others disappoint you? remember you cannot depend upon yourself.
-Benjamin Franklin

I guess I should have asked which of the two is more important. Everyone has a different view of what constitutes human potential. :)

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Originally posted by mestiza: Humans are animals with the potential to do anything. We have the potential to smell like filthy cows and to kill like wolves. Yet we also have the potential to be kind, compassionate and understanding and to put our own lives on the line for somebody else. But humans have the potential for anything. Only the dead have seen the end of the war -Plato

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dude, have you ever been around a real life cow? cows are not filthy. they are clean animals. PTAC! People for Truth About Cows.

"Как Ленского не убивай, он все равно выйдет на поклоны..."

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Sic semper tyrannis
~War is Peace~Freedom is Slavery~Ignorance is Strength~ George Orwell "1984"

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Originally posted by AHTOH:

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Originally posted by mestiza: Humans are animals with the potential to do anything. We have the potential to smell like filthy cows and to kill like wolves. Yet we also have the potential to be kind, compassionate and understanding and to put our own lives on the line for somebody else. But humans have the potential for anything. Only the dead have seen the end of the war -Plato

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dude, have you ever been around a real life cow? cows are not filthy. they are clean animals. PTAC! People for Truth About Cows.

"Как Ленского не убивай, он все равно выйдет на поклоны..."

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My grandmother owned a farm and milked hundreds of cows a day and when you are in a barnful of cows, it can smell really bad. Just like being in a barnful of human refugees who survived weeks without a shower to escape danger. Only the dead have seen the end of the war -Plato

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Are you angry that others disappoint you? remember you cannot depend upon yourself.
-Benjamin Franklin