Do you think that the purpose of humanity could be to dream?

Question

It seems to be the only thing we're able to do well, civilization seems to make our dreaming troubled and so we subconsciously conspire to destroy it, so that we may return to the peaceful sleeps and superstiscious fancies of woodland shaded nocturnal wand'rings.

...Keeping in mind that the entertainment industry DOMINATES our economy with "fantasy" that costs upwards of HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of dollars to produce, market and distribute...and under the right circumstances, I can enjoy something more personal, fulfilling and spectacular for free inside my own head...Strange isn't it?

Certainly it would seem that we have a great desire to SHARE our dreams with one another, why else would we invest so much time and energy into making a "vision" that everyone can see in the same way...

To be even more specific, Yes, I mean dreams without real application, Yes, I mean reality is FOOD for dreaming, but not the SUBSTANCE of them...What possible purpose could dreaming serve other than itself? If a dream inspires a new scientific theory, or technological marvel, (I am including the "waking vision" and abstract concepts such as familial and romantic love, things that share the nature of abstract existance, with no basis in material reality,) all it does is increase efficiency (if we're lucky,) and ideally, gives us more time to dream/fantasise/love/share dreams!

Answer 1

Timmy!
Livin a lie...Timmy...

Answer 2

If I am understanding your question then you are referring
to dreams which are not bound by reality. And perhaps
more to the point, should we need to dream given that
humanity can be argued to have free will and has an
opportunity to be happy with reality.
Do we dream of things which are in reality, sometimes yes.
Therefore, reality must not be all bad. Seeing as the question
is considering dreams, I often find myself dreaming based
on encounters in reality. If it wasn't for reality then I couldn't
have had the pleasant dream, regardless of whether the
dream was brought on by a good or bad reality.
In terms of reinforcement, the good reality which spawns
the good dream is positive reinforcement of the good
reality and the bad reality which spawns the good dream
is negative reinforcement of the good dream. In either
situation, from the dreamer's perspective the dream has
good purpose.
I don't think that the purpose of humanity is solely to dream.
The rules that define a dream can be odd, and are
arguably tied to the subconscious of the dreamer.
If the purpose of humanity was solely to dream then
that might imply that the dreamer is seeking an existence
of moral singularity with an absence of social ethicality;
the dreamer might be content with the lack of structure
in the dream, but what about the other constructs of people
within the dream. I think most people have experienced
odd dreams where people act out of role. If "the" purpose
of humanity is to dream then would that imply lack of
social roles.
Yes, dreams are useful in life, but I think at best they are
tools for introspection and reflection of the reality; the
what-if of reality rather than reality itself. I do think that
sometimes the what-if is more desirable than reality.

Answer 3

Well,we can't initiate or create anything - any artifact,any element of culture - without first conceptualizing it. If that's what you mean by dream,I'll agree. If you're suggesting sleeping dreams,that is just the brain processing random info. Perhaps a better word would have been "vision." Yes,that is our purpose - obviously - since that's all we do - envision and create,as best we can.
Heck,I know all the answers. You don't even have to bother with anyone else.

Answer 4

Dreaming is a coping mechanism for some. When I was in my 20's, I practiced lucid dreaming. Whether or not it helped me cope with the outside world, I cannot say but it gave my brain a workout and I liked being in control of my sub conscious.

Your question raised a thought about coma patients. In their physical state, dreaming, if they dream at all, would be their sole purpose in life and I would deduce, their realty.

Perhaps I have just proven your point.

Answer 5

I always thought that the dream process of Robert Louis Stevenson was quite interesting, dont you?

Answer 6

The purpose of humanity is to create, the purpose of dreams is to guide that creativity.
Also, in a previous post, you likened me to a bible thumper, and I just want you to know that is not the case.

Smart a55!