Why Belief in Supernatural Powers Persists Despite Advanced Technology

Amidst the rapid advancements of technology, one might wonder why individuals with extensive education still lean towards believing in supernatural powers. This article explores the intersection of technology, education, and belief in the context of human nature and societal evolution.

Technology and Education vs. Belief in Supernatural Powers

The advancements in technology over the past year have been impressive, yet the speed of development is often questioned. For instance, it took almost an entire year to devise a vaccine for the global pandemic (coronavirus), which some people may view as a setback for human progress.

Superstitions and the Power of Belief

Consider the example of people in the Himalayas who can survive harsh weather conditions through belief in a single power. This highlights how belief can have a profound impact on human behavior and survival. As the quote goes, “choose wisely, a positive power or your shitty technology.”

The Origin and Influence of Technology

Technology and educational advancements are often credited as being the driving forces behind societal progress. However, these transformations have their roots in human belief and imagination. People who created technology did so because they believed in the possibility of supernatural powers. This belief in the conceivable makes creativity and innovation possible.

Belief and the Brain: Information Processing

Belief in the supernatural is not an anomaly but a product of how our minds process information. The choice between technology and superstition ultimately comes down to the data stored in our minds. Believing in supernatural or superstitious explanations for phenomena is fundamentally different from rejecting them due to lack of evidence.

Human Evolution and Belief in Patterns

During the early stages of human evolution, survival was heavily dependent on the ability to recognize patterns in the environment. For example, if a person spotted something resembling a tiger, reacting with fear and fleeing would increase their chances of survival. This reactive instinct has been passed down through generations, maintaining a predisposition towards recognizing patterns and interpreting the unknown.

Religion and Pattern Recognition

Religion, at its core, is an attempt to explain the unexplainable. Over time, humans ascribed supernatural powers to entities that could control and manipulate their environment, such as lightning or the cosmos. This reflects an innate human tendency to recognize patterns in randomness, a coping mechanism that helps make sense of an unpredictable world.

Miracles and the Unchanged Human Mind

The belief in miracles, much like the belief in supernatural powers, stems from the persistent human inclination to see meaning in the ambiguous. Modern society, despite its technological advancements, remains fundamentally unchanged in its ability to perceive and make sense of the world through narrative and belief systems.

The Power of Self-Organization

Understanding the true order of the universe through self-organization is a concept that many find difficult to grasp. Therefore, humans often turn to ancient texts and belief systems that offer clear explanations for the world around us. These explanations, although they may lack scientific evidence, provide a sense of certainty and control in an ever-changing world.

Conclusion

While technology and education play crucial roles in shaping human societies, the persistence of beliefs in supernatural powers is rooted in the way our minds process information and the patterns we detect in the world. Technology is only one aspect of our complex and multifaceted world, and our continued reliance on belief systems highlights the enduring power of imagination and human understanding.