# Karma **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 20, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/666707 "2013-08-20T13:08:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/666707/21 "2013-08-20T20:55:57Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I’m ready for the Koan Of Silence at this point. What’s that, Max? ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/666707/22 "2013-08-20T21:00:13Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > Either way. It’s imaginary so it can mean whatever you want it to mean. "Cause and Effect’ is also imaginary. You are under the illusion that when you turn the switch, the light comes on, but in fact, these are entirely independent actions, happening at the same time, causing you to conclude that one caused the other. The rooster believes his crowing causes the sunrise for the same reason. A thousand lives from now, you may begin to understand. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/666707/23 "2013-08-20T21:08:31Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > "Cause and Effect’ is also imaginary. You are under the illusion that when you turn the switch, the light comes on, but in fact, these are entirely independent actions, happening at the same time, causing you to conclude that one caused the other. “Oh tell us, Master,” they plead, “speaking of electrical current, of Ohm’s law, E=I\*R.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/666707/24 "2013-08-20T21:19:25Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > "Cause and Effect’ is also imaginary. You are under the illusion that when you turn the switch, the light comes on, but in fact, these are entirely independent actions, happening at the same time, causing you to conclude that one caused the other. The rooster believes his crowing causes the sunrise for the same reason. > > A thousand lives from now, you may begin to understand. That is if you still think that there is a “you” to turn the switch and draw a conclusion - and have a thousand lives and begin to understand. Whereas, the truth is much more interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/666707/25 "2013-08-20T21:25:43Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > "Cause and Effect’ is also imaginary. You are under the illusion that when you turn the switch, the light comes on, but in fact, these are entirely independent actions, happening at the same time, causing you to conclude that one caused the other. From one perspective “You”, the lightbulb, the switch, and the light are all part of the same whole and the light has never been on or off, and always never will have been. But _man_ it’s exhausting to live that way when other parts of you keep telling you “you’re nuts, now turn that damned light off and get some sleep!” ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/666707/26 "2013-08-20T21:51:40Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Stop that! Or I’ll have to give you such a pinch! Well, you _are_ a Doctor. You want I should give a little ‘cough’? ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/666707/27 "2013-08-20T22:01:30Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > “Oh tell us, Master,” they plead, “speaking of electrical current, of Ohm’s law, E=I\*R.” > 🙂 Ohm mani padme hum. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/666707/28 "2013-08-20T22:10:00Z")
mmm…padme amidala ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/666707/29 "2013-08-21T01:41:37Z")
About three plots over from where my parents are buried, there is a grave marker inscribed with the deceased name, dates of birth and death and the phrase “What goes around comes around” That version is quite literally etched in stone for me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/666707.md?page=1)