A recent Pew poll comparing the attitudes and beliefs of scientists and regular folks reveals that regular folks are dumber than planks – much dumber than planks. And frighteningly ill-informed.
“And while almost all of the scientists surveyed accept that human beings evolved by natural processes and that human activity, chiefly the burning of fossil fuels, is causing global warming, general public is far less sure.
Almost a third of ordinary Americans say human beings have existed in their current form since the beginning of time, a view held by only 2 percent of the scientists. Only about half of the public agrees that people are behind climate change, and 11 percent does not believe there is any warming at all.
According to the survey, about a third of Americans think there is lively scientific debate on both topics; in fact, there is no credible scientific challenge to the theory of evolution and there is little doubt that human activity is altering the chemistry of the atmosphere in ways that threaten global climate.” Click here for the whole sad story.
The secret word is Devolution
Eistein said it best: Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
ReplyDeleteThese are indeed the beginnings of the dark ages. We're mostly serfs, manipulated by fear and anger and prideful ignorance - not to mention our own slothful laziness and immediate gratifications.
ReplyDeleteWhen future history books look back at us, they'll see this as the start of a new feudal period. And just because we have wifi doesn't mean this ain't the fall of the Mayan Empire. We just worship a different set of priest-gods.
The world seems to be at the precipice of a future time not unlike this little book I'm reading: The Song of Phaid, the Gambler. Technology limps along but the majority of humans still regress into old superstitions and base survival. Pretty f*ckin' scary.
And for the record, I didn't even know Mick was an author until after that Counter Culture post. I just liked this blog. Who knew? (Uh, everybody but me...)
Does anybody really know what's going on? No answer expected.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good question, I think. And while none of us is omniscient, I think we can choose awareness and start to figure it out if we're willing to work.
ReplyDeleteLargely, we can see systems at play. And more importantly, we can see local voids in our communities where we can inject our own influence and take back the power. We are the majority after all.
This is not what the corporate powers want us to do. Why else would they move towards local security cameras and Home Owners Associations?
Someone recently tried to tell me there's not a Counter Culture any more. This person said it wasn't possible to be "counter" to a culture that's become utterly fragmented into smaller (and thus more easily manipulated) tribes: evangelicals, hipsters, tech geeks, suburban families, etc.
And while I think it's true that we're more tribal now than ever (a state that seems a little too convenient), I think now is actually the best time in my life for a Counter Culture. On the level of the mid-60s.
All those aforementioned American tribes are part of the exact same globalist consumer culture. Their differences are Pepsi vs. Coke.
The real void in the system right now seems to be those who actively inject novelty into their community house of cards. And they embrace anonymity and local sustainability while shunning celebrity, media, or even basic awareness by those who might exploit 'em.
To become a member of the new Counter Culture is to give up all commodification of the self. We are not meat. And that commodification of the self is the commonality that links all those other outwardly dissimilar tribes.
What we do is secret. We can change worlds before Twitter's ever gotten our scent...
Now I'm truly flummoxed. A well reasoned arguement for a kind of organic, tribal, mutual co-existance concludes with a single incomprehensible phrase. What the hell is a "commodification of the self", and if I knew what it was how the fuck would I ahieve it?
ReplyDeleteThe WV reads "rapfunn". Hmmm.
I really liked that article. The problem is making people think different in the slightest possible way. 'Growth' and 'consumption' is seen as traits of posivitivity, being a 'slacker' is wrong.
ReplyDeleteThere's a word going around called 'nanna technology' which see attacking climate change etc. by taking on traits of our grandparents by doing things slower, walking to get the groceries, scrimping etc..etc..
Yes it is all about 'making people think'. It's called population management. But who gets to decide what they/we are supposed to think?
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure that "making people think" = "population management." But I'd sure enjoy seeing someone try to draw that on a map. ;)
ReplyDeletedear diamond jim, "commodification of the self" is precisely what one wants to avoid, not "achieve". it means becoming a cog in an economic machine that only serves the masters of greed, thus denying the intelligent development of human creativity and compassion. slowing down, savouring the moment, letting our whole self be involved in making our smallest choices with the fullest awareness we can muster is surely our only way forward...shine on.
ReplyDeleteI dunno but the WV is "hantric."
ReplyDeleteWot goes on? = "AND this from this week's Santa Fe Reporter ...
ReplyDeleteIt’s Magick!
I agree that it’s doubtful that any incriminating bones of Geronimo reside in the dark and mysterious Tomb of the Order of Skull and Bones. What isn’t so doubtful is what two Santa Feans, both Yale graduates, have told me: that’s it’s well-known that the Tomb that sits alongside the campus of Yale has consistently had the highest water bill in all of New Haven, Conn. and has had, for decades, enough water use to fill several swimming pools monthly.
Why might this be? The answer is obvious to those privy to the ways of the magickal arts. One web article titled “Circles, Why Use Them?” says, “In short, because circles protect you while you are performing magick.” Another web article by Robert Bruce titled “Running Water Countermeasures: The Scientific Explanation” explains that troublesome spirits and ghosts and earthbound spirits cannot cross running water and that staying within a complete circle of fresh, running water proves to be completely protective.
It’s a fact that Skull and Bones members are forbidden to reveal what happens inside the Tomb. Could this be part of a bevy of nefarious secrets that only initiates know about?
Richard Dean Jacob
Santa Fe"
....blessings....b.