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Debunking the "Power of Semen" claim

Discussion in 'Self Improvement' started by BalancedLife, Dec 26, 2016.

  1. BalancedLife

    BalancedLife Fapstronaut

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    Science cannot explain everything, but it has no problem explaining semen, since it is a puddle of chemicals (domain of chemistry) containing sperms (domain of biology).

    The examples you have brought against the "Altar of Science" - whatever you mean by that term, since science is not a religion by definition - are both incorrect.

    Nobody said that the world we live in is a VR videogame; this is just bullshit you have most likely heard or read on some mass media.
    I guess what was probably meant is that, since the act of measuring a given system always alters said system (this is quantum mechanics) , the physical reality cannot really be separated from the observer. This doesn't make it less real though.

    Second, the 20th century was the century when classical physics - based on determinism - was complemented by quantum mechanics, based on probability. No prominent scientist in modern times criticizes the notion of "free will", because science has switched to probabilistic models of reality, at least regarding the nanoscale.
    It seems to me that you are confusing science, which deals with mathematical models of reality validated by experiments, with philosophy, which deals with speculative beliefs on reality.

    However, since you have raised the issue, I feel compelled to briefly touch upon the undeniable fact that we only have limited decisional freedom, since our actions and thoughts are deeply influenced by our genes and our environment.
    It is right before our eyes : how we look like our relatives both in body and behaviour, how we repeat the same mistakes - not a wierd notion for a porn addict, innit? - the way we think and evaluate certain situations: all these things are scripted in our brains, either genetically or via early conditioning, and we can only move so freely before we experience cognitive dissonance.

    Therefore I really don't see how your two (wrong) points can possibly invalidate what I wrote above.
    That said, science can and does explain our feelings after PMO.
    And the key is the Power of Neurotransmitters. Not the Power of Semen.
     
    Deleted Account likes this.
  2. The |E|volutionary

    The |E|volutionary Fapstronaut

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    Like I said, the Altar of Science (with science being something like a religion these days; see: atheism) pushes the thought that we are in a video game, and that we have no control over our actions. Y'all really say with a straight face that "genes and environment determine 100% of all decisions". I'm not sure how you can say that without bursting into fits of extreme laughter, but there you go. In any case, science cannot and does not explain semen retention, and since sciencism cannot explain everything, I'm going to go on believing and spreading this philosophy. When you guys figure out the whole VR life and no-free-will thing, give me a holler. Until then, consider this debate finished. :)
     
    revitalize likes this.
  3. Everything999

    Everything999 Fapstronaut

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    Why is this scientific/philosophical inquiry into the concept of free will so important to you? It sounds like you feel almost personally attacked.
     
    The |E|volutionary likes this.
  4. The |E|volutionary

    The |E|volutionary Fapstronaut

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    Totally, dude!
     
  5. Everything999

    Everything999 Fapstronaut

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    Ok?
     
    The |E|volutionary likes this.
  6. I would recommend experiencing semen retention first hand, much can be learned from this experience.
     
    Aiyoshi and The |E|volutionary like this.
  7. IggyIshness

    IggyIshness Fapstronaut

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    I have. Its called NO PMO. Same benefits from No pmo.
     
  8. I don't think the magical idea behind semen retention is real either... however from a pure anecdotal experience I have found that my overall energy levels (on the gym as well as in general) are much better since my abstinence began 3.5 weeks ago. As others may have referred to already I believe it's more likely a dopamine issue. Nothing to do with overall zinc levels or testosterone levels.
     
    Aiyoshi and Everything999 like this.
  9. IggyIshness

    IggyIshness Fapstronaut

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    Welcome to benefits of stopping PMO.
     
  10. BalancedLife

    BalancedLife Fapstronaut

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    You have quoted my post but you have clearly not taken the time to read it properly.
    So let me get my message across without taking too much of your time (and mine as well).

    Again, the VR thing is just a questionable interpretation, but nobody has carved in stone.
    You have chosen to take it at as a (very shaky) starting point to criticize science as a whole, despite the fact that many scientific fields can perfectly do without this interpretation.

    You are putting forth a straw man argument. I've never said that.

    It can and it does, but if you like to walk around blindfolded, please go ahead.

    Oh, and I suggest you to add "Buy and read a book on logical fallacies" to your New Year's resolutions ;)
     
    Jkr2120 likes this.
  11. Headspace

    Headspace Fapstronaut

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    I don't know much about actual evidence, but I just feel like giving my two cents:

    As we nowadays know, all our thoughts are, "objectively speaking", electric impulses running through our brains which are caused by chemical mechanisms which are caused by our psyche which is created by biological stuff, i.e. how we are shaped because of evolution... or something similar to that. Assuming any objective, absolute free will does thus imply that our decision-making involves a higher super-natural power that can overcome the laws of physics (at least in the way they are known nowadays). And yeah, we have quantum mechanics which works in an indeterministic way, but as a physicist myself I really don't think that our psychological will has any sort of effect on how quantum measurement processes turn out.

    People don't like to hear that because they feel like they are being reduced to robots. I think it is interesting to look at different concepts of the term "freedom" here: In the Western world, freedom means being free in the world, which can however also be translated to becoming aligned with your true self (in daily practice). In the East, freedom means being free from the world, becoming conscious of your unconscious, becoming "inidividuated" as C. G. Jung put it. That way, you can be free without having a "free will". Jung said that the inviduated self experiences itself as an object of a greater subject.

    Sorry for going off-topic.
     
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  12. Red Eagle

    Red Eagle Fapstronaut

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    Finally! Thank you for that data. I always knew that all of this ejaculation is the essence of masculinity talk is kinda bullshit.
    I remember feeling good and energized after ejaculation when I did it without porn. It actually boosted my motivation.
    The actual problem with PMO are the hormonal imbalances. Dopamine can be kept high for hours. This is completely unnatural. After ejaculation the body releases prolactin which weakens the effect of testosterone but doesn't lower it. If you jerk of 3+ times a day for several hours a day, you're probably gonna experience some sort of hormonal imbalance. If you jerk off once a week without porn you won't have any problems.
     
  13. The |E|volutionary

    The |E|volutionary Fapstronaut

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    Well hey, I recommend you buy the same book for yours. Not that you really should be posting in self improvement anyway; you might add "Self Improvement 101" to your list. ;)

    As for the debate, I'm no longer interested. Answer that other stuff, then I'll give you guys credit. Until, power of semen . . . AWAAAAAAYYY!
     
  14. Kalito

    Kalito Fapstronaut

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    I'm not quite sure if it's about the actual amount nutrients within the semen, but rather having to produce it which most likely costs additional energy. I mean, it's not like the minerals get collected and just thrown in there, the body is a complex organism. As long as there is a lack of semen, the body commences production. What you did was look at the product, while completely ignoring the energy required for the production.
    It's like looking at a bar of chocolate and analyzing the content, and then evaluating how much the bar of chocolate might cost to produce. In this process you completely ignore the costs of production itself.
    With a complex system as the human body, it is ignorant to simply assume something we do not know. You can continue your investigation by analyzing which processes are required to produce semen, what is required to activate those systems, and how the systems react to chronic production.
     
  15. Aiyoshi

    Aiyoshi Fapstronaut

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    What about hormones? How many are lost during ejaculation? When they get back?
     
  16. Red Eagle

    Red Eagle Fapstronaut

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    I don't think it's about loss of hormones: It's about what hormones are released and what do they do to us? Dopamine and prolactin are probably the biggest one.
     
  17. BalancedLife

    BalancedLife Fapstronaut

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    Here you are:
    http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0016557

    TL;DR: only 0.4% of the metabolic basal rate is used to produce ejaculate (sperm+ seminal fluid). If we consider a metabolic basal rate of 1800 kcal, less than 10 kcal are used. Interestingly, females use up a lot of more energy to make their eggs :)
     
  18. The amount of relapses this thread has influenced! Yes you're probably right though I'm a big believer in selective focus and clinging to positive beliefs should they give you the strength to continue; no matter how absurd.

    If people, myself included, like to think that semen retention solely enhances their very being, fucking great.
     
  19. Kalito

    Kalito Fapstronaut

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    Now we can estimate the usage of energy, but we still lack knowledge about what kind of ressources are used that might be crucial for other bodily functions? And we still do not know about possible physiological changes that occur from chronic ejaculation. The investigation has just started.
    What you did now, using the previous example, is look at how much electricity was used for production.
     
  20. My problem is when people post stuff from the Herbal Health Museum in Vietnam or whatever ludicrous source that is used claiming how semen retention cures whatever ails ya. It's just woo hoo science I'm afraid.

    I'm fully on board that not fapping improves day to day energy levels... That's my sole reason for doing it. It may be in part because of the temporary depletion of things like zinc etc.... I'm not going to rule the out BUT it's just all the stuff which is wacky that annoys me.

    I like it to people who say horny goat weed is a more of a potent sex aid than v1agra. It's just absurd.
     
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