Back in January Kottke asked for comments on the 2005 Edge Question: What do you believe but cannot prove? I responded, but forgot to include it here on ortholog. I still stand by my comment:

I believe we wear more blinkers, have more blind spots and use more crutches than we realize. Frank Herbert: What senses do we lack that we cannot see another world around us? A. Lots, Frank. Lots. We have such little brains, local brains, limited brains. As a result, I believe we would not recognize non-human intelligences if we met them, at least for a long time (and we might have met them already -- don't write the orcas off just yet). I also believe that there are things that are fundamentally incomprehensible to us and that it will become necessary to enhance/extend/rewrite our minds somehow.

I believe the universe is not friendly (nor caring nor aware). I believe that the universe is too huge for us fully to understand; the proper reaction is awe in the face of the infinite. I believe that the proper response after that is to be stimulated rather than daunted. I believe the cleverest thing our species has done so far is invent/discover science. I believe it will take us far and we will still use it when we have extended/rewritten our brains beyond their current limits.

I believe we fool ourselves into thinking we have a continuous experience of existence when really we are blank or mindless for quite worrying amounts of time. I believe this is true of everyone, though I have observed that the force is particularly strong in one or two of my acquaintances.

I believe there isn't a god. I believe there isn't a persuasive argument of this for believers. Nevertheless, I'm right. Actually I am. No, I am.

I believe we have no purpose. I believe our species is neither special nor interesting, except to ourselves. I believe that is the only measure that is, can be, and should be important.

I believe that banoffee pie is the best kind of pie. I believe that I could be persuaded that our purpose is to consume banoffee pie. I believe that the orcas feel the same way about penguins.

I also believe I got it wrong: eight out of ten orcas who expressed a preference chose leopard seals.