I’m not sure if you are serious about this argument or using it as a rhetorical one for purposes of a historical argument, given GP’s context.
Regardless, I would hope that onlookers do not believe in these ideas scientifically because we know an lot about the liver and it’s place within the body.
> The liver is the store of your Emotions.
Emotions are not stored, they are experienced by way of the Amygdala within the brain. It is sensitive to neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
> Thats why its called "The Liver"
This organ was given its name long ago and its origin is debated (toss up between old Germanic/Norse languages or PIE). The true nature of this organ was unknown when it was named, however.
> Its where all that you intake, including food and alcohol get processed.
The liver does not process everything you “intake” but it does do a great deal, mainly acting as a catalyst for the decomposition of many types of molecules into useable substances.
> Alcohol is consumed to either enhance or suppress experiences.
Ethanol is a neurological depressant (as opposed to a stimulant) and prevents the normal operation of the brain for which the symptoms include impulsivity, reduction in reactivity, motor function impairment, memory loss, etc. it’s a poison that your liver is really good at breaking down.
> This is also why Alcohol has been a prevalent substance forever.
Alcohol has been prevalent because it’s easy to make, sterilized food while still being safe to consume, and (at high enough concentrations) would give you an altered state of mind that has had both cultural and religious significance throughout history.
TFA talks about the etymology of the word for liver in various European languages. I think part of the point of this article is how people thought of its function before, and part of their argument is in fact the name and etymology.
Anyway I think when you are in different emotional states your body does seem to feel it in ways that have probably not been fully studied or understood. Obviously for example your heart reacts to emotion. I know that therapists and others who talk about trauma talk about it as something impacting your body. Not to mention all the physical ailments which are documented to be aggravated by stress or have it as a major factor. So while it may seem naive to say your liver stores emotion, I don't think the idea is completely ridiculous. Your whole body probably has some form of reflected record of your health history, even if you can't really call it a literal "memory".
What the fuck are you even talking about? There was nothing in this post that indicated anything to suggest that rational thought exists in your head.
I try not to disparage people for their ideas about the world, but what you have is a flawed understanding of basic biology and other basic shit about the world.
While I’m not particularly religious, I will make an exception for you:
I know somebody who had a liver transplant. They didn't gain any new memories or lose their old ones. Unless the doctors used a liver memory transfer device, I don't think memories are stored there.
And, I'm not an astrobiologist but I don't think DNA stores your memories and experiences.
Can HN get rid of the light gray text on light background please? It is annoying and user-hostile. I shouldn't have to squint to read a comment just because I arrived here later than those who think they deserve a better reading experience than I do.
Seconded, it's incredibly user hostile. The mid-gray text in the comment header is sufficient to distinguish a flagged comment while maintaining readability.
That's fine and all, but I don't think the ancient greeks knew about DNA, alcohol processing, etc? I always assumed it was the liver because the liver physically grows back. But that is also modern medical knowledge. I'm just saying that prometheus legend reads differently when viewed from the ancient greek context. There is a richer, deeper layer that is missing without this context. As is the case with most literature.
Livers were considered instruments of prophetic foretelling. It was the eagle that consumed Prometheus is liver during his punishment, and that eagle was the embodiment of Zeus. Zeus sought to consume the liver of foresight, in order to fortell who would ursurp his throne, as he had overthrown Chronos. The story is a symbol of the succession mythos that defines all Mediterranean religions.
