Growing up in a society burdened with incessant hawking makes protective ignorance an invaluable skill. The constant drone of the advertiser's demands wears thin the coat of kind attention, and demands instead a thicker cloak to shield the mind from scrabbling greed.
Ignorance thus becomes a cherished friend, a protective patron to dim the clamoring hordes demanding attendance on their petitions for time and money. One learns to circumvent the ever more insistent cries with an polished indifference that shines; battle hardened and nearly impenetrable to the daily onslaught.
Such armor comes at a price, however. The insulative properties isolate not only the malevolent but the deserving as well. One equates empathy with vulnerability, and vulnerability with weakness; thus measuring strength as the impregnability to the emotions and concerns of others. Eyes watch, ears hear, but neither perceives the import of the input, thus reducing sensory perception to unimportant static, irrelevant data that may be summarily discarded.
The same indifferent ignorance soon overwhelms one's own self; disregarding the soul's entreaties for human sustenance by squandering attention on trivial diversions. Growing the void with meticulous apathy, a headful of hollow becomes the goal rather than the byproduct one's life; leading the intentionally unwary beyond the pale of morality and humanity.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
What you want
What you want is not what you want; or more precisely, what you desire is not what you require.
It is much harder to manipulate the satisfied person; as long as the perception remains that needs are not met, there is room for outside domination. Thus, one basis for interpersonal control rests upon the perception of internalized inadequacies; convince an individual that their qualities are insufficient for humanity and the fear of destruction can drive them to desperation, grasping at any supposed "cure" for their monstrous condition.
Cultivating the dearth of confidence needs to be coupled with the disdain for diversity; when only the proclaimed perfect are allotted the right to exist without derision and damage, the penalties for any deviation become accepted as just and desirable.
People embrace the pleasure of dismembering the defective, equating it with the privilege of dismantling the inanimate possessions that inhabit the lives of the acolytes of materialism. Things are made to be broken and discarded when they cease to suit the whims of the owner; and the humans that fall short of the social standards of sufficiency transmute into objects of reproach, whose proper place becomes the rubbish bin.
Such a terrifying fate leads many to allow any form of control, any contortion of self that prevents the devolution from human into manikin; allegiance to whomsoever promises protection from the ravages imposed upon the designated failures of humanity. Seeking security leads to the adoption of a more deadly peril; an identity divorced from reality, a continuous refashioning of self to suit the capricious demands doled out by the consumptive culture.
The pleasure of rending others replaces the joy of being one's self; the lack of said joy reduces individuals to automatons devoid of the ability to informed consent. Desire has destroyed what one requires.
It is much harder to manipulate the satisfied person; as long as the perception remains that needs are not met, there is room for outside domination. Thus, one basis for interpersonal control rests upon the perception of internalized inadequacies; convince an individual that their qualities are insufficient for humanity and the fear of destruction can drive them to desperation, grasping at any supposed "cure" for their monstrous condition.
Cultivating the dearth of confidence needs to be coupled with the disdain for diversity; when only the proclaimed perfect are allotted the right to exist without derision and damage, the penalties for any deviation become accepted as just and desirable.
People embrace the pleasure of dismembering the defective, equating it with the privilege of dismantling the inanimate possessions that inhabit the lives of the acolytes of materialism. Things are made to be broken and discarded when they cease to suit the whims of the owner; and the humans that fall short of the social standards of sufficiency transmute into objects of reproach, whose proper place becomes the rubbish bin.
Such a terrifying fate leads many to allow any form of control, any contortion of self that prevents the devolution from human into manikin; allegiance to whomsoever promises protection from the ravages imposed upon the designated failures of humanity. Seeking security leads to the adoption of a more deadly peril; an identity divorced from reality, a continuous refashioning of self to suit the capricious demands doled out by the consumptive culture.
The pleasure of rending others replaces the joy of being one's self; the lack of said joy reduces individuals to automatons devoid of the ability to informed consent. Desire has destroyed what one requires.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
fear and cowardice
Fear is not the problem, the problem is cowardice.
Reason provides the tools to allow one to acknowledge the unknowable. It can be conceptualized, but not experienced, and its unfathomable nature defies the reach of reason.
What reason cannot grasp inspires emotion; the imperceptible evokes uneasiness. That which dwells in the darkness of ignorance threatens the serenity of the world view; that which lies beyond illumination menaces the ramshackle foundation of mind.
For many, the world is a fear fulled place.When one's understanding is limited, uncertainty looms within the shadow of every tower of ignorance. In such dismal gloom, the flame of hatred brings comfort; warming fear chilled innards, but providing scant light with such heat.
When seeking to deprive another of such comfort without offering suitable replacements, the reaction is often anger. Hatred becomes seen as a right, not a privilege; and thus coveted with fierce intensity. Anyone that would deny this emotion becomes the enemy- and becomes subject to whatever violence seems suitable.
To look beyond fear, to see it as normal and human; rather than a fatal weakness, lessens the grip of dread, and allows other options besides hatred to be seen as acceptable. Inflicting pain upon others to mitigate terror speaks of contempt and cowardice; not courage.
Accepting the limits of both reason and knowledge afford a more realistic view of the unknown, and a way to face it without harming others.
Reason provides the tools to allow one to acknowledge the unknowable. It can be conceptualized, but not experienced, and its unfathomable nature defies the reach of reason.
What reason cannot grasp inspires emotion; the imperceptible evokes uneasiness. That which dwells in the darkness of ignorance threatens the serenity of the world view; that which lies beyond illumination menaces the ramshackle foundation of mind.
For many, the world is a fear fulled place.When one's understanding is limited, uncertainty looms within the shadow of every tower of ignorance. In such dismal gloom, the flame of hatred brings comfort; warming fear chilled innards, but providing scant light with such heat.
When seeking to deprive another of such comfort without offering suitable replacements, the reaction is often anger. Hatred becomes seen as a right, not a privilege; and thus coveted with fierce intensity. Anyone that would deny this emotion becomes the enemy- and becomes subject to whatever violence seems suitable.
To look beyond fear, to see it as normal and human; rather than a fatal weakness, lessens the grip of dread, and allows other options besides hatred to be seen as acceptable. Inflicting pain upon others to mitigate terror speaks of contempt and cowardice; not courage.
Accepting the limits of both reason and knowledge afford a more realistic view of the unknown, and a way to face it without harming others.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Faith trumps pride
Anger arise when an image owned is associated with people hated.
It is not the messiah who is debased; blasphemy harms the perpetrator , not the divine.
When the materialistic find their property linked to unwanted associations, it becomes a personal affront; fear couples with cowardice, yielding hate.
It is not the messiah who is debased; blasphemy harms the perpetrator , not the divine.
When the materialistic find their property linked to unwanted associations, it becomes a personal affront; fear couples with cowardice, yielding hate.
Flesh made wo/man
Self determination is a laudable goal- so long as it doesn't extend to the boundaries of gender roles.
The social structure is comprised of many roles based on anatomical differences - boy, girl, man woman, father, mother, etc- but in a world where uncertainty threatens many a psyche, immutable boundaries have become a placebo for accurate and descriptive terms of individuality.
Society trumps biology in human society- the species spreads across the globe into environments lethal to the individual through the use of group cooperation, rather than genetic changes. To ignore this reality, and instead demand that physiological attributes are the sole determination for one's societal role not only degrades the individual, but the culture as well.
The social structure is comprised of many roles based on anatomical differences - boy, girl, man woman, father, mother, etc- but in a world where uncertainty threatens many a psyche, immutable boundaries have become a placebo for accurate and descriptive terms of individuality.
Society trumps biology in human society- the species spreads across the globe into environments lethal to the individual through the use of group cooperation, rather than genetic changes. To ignore this reality, and instead demand that physiological attributes are the sole determination for one's societal role not only degrades the individual, but the culture as well.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
My reality becomes yours
What is power? On the interpersonal level, it is the imposition of one world view over another. In society, the shared reality dictates actions, behaviors, values and beliefs; but if the collective vision derives its structure from a conglomeration of individual perceptions, which will rule?
Is it force of will, or the proximity to truth that determines the adoption of a particular perspective? Viability or verisimilitude? Does the mindset that serves today lead to an increased probability for survival, or convey the human caravan to a cul-de-sac? The propensity for personal expediency to exploit public opinion is acknowledged by most, but will truth out in the final analysis? Are some delusions so palatable that they supersede rational thought and objective observation? Will the derived comfort of deception prove great enough to dull the sense of survival, and dictate demise?
Surrendering one's self hood to the demands of societal commandments becomes a delicate balancing act; too little, and one is denied the benefits inherent in cohesive group actions; too much, and one is denied the self which seeks enrichment.
It is the use of force to make one's will manifest in all that poses the true moral dilemma. Doing with might under the pretext of doing right entices, but corrupts; to cower or coerce others into conformity negates the virtue sought by such adherence.
When I make my reality yours, it becomes something less than becoming- you become less.
Is it force of will, or the proximity to truth that determines the adoption of a particular perspective? Viability or verisimilitude? Does the mindset that serves today lead to an increased probability for survival, or convey the human caravan to a cul-de-sac? The propensity for personal expediency to exploit public opinion is acknowledged by most, but will truth out in the final analysis? Are some delusions so palatable that they supersede rational thought and objective observation? Will the derived comfort of deception prove great enough to dull the sense of survival, and dictate demise?
Surrendering one's self hood to the demands of societal commandments becomes a delicate balancing act; too little, and one is denied the benefits inherent in cohesive group actions; too much, and one is denied the self which seeks enrichment.
It is the use of force to make one's will manifest in all that poses the true moral dilemma. Doing with might under the pretext of doing right entices, but corrupts; to cower or coerce others into conformity negates the virtue sought by such adherence.
When I make my reality yours, it becomes something less than becoming- you become less.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Girls, what are they good for?
This oft repeated phrase from the lead mechanic at work is meant to convey a sense of fear and anger at gender variation and femininity in general. He hopes for an answer that will confirm my allegiance to the cult of men, but my unwillingness to conform remains a puzzling sore spot for him to ponder.
It's all in the game of gender play, the roles produce stilled scripts that seem unsuitable to individuals, but pretense insists that these learned behaviors are biologically predetermined.
Swish one day, swagger the next; these are the two sides of the same coin that most people refuse to flip over. What kind of security does self destruction provide? At least the decimation seems consistent; better the hell you know.
It's all in the game of gender play, the roles produce stilled scripts that seem unsuitable to individuals, but pretense insists that these learned behaviors are biologically predetermined.
Swish one day, swagger the next; these are the two sides of the same coin that most people refuse to flip over. What kind of security does self destruction provide? At least the decimation seems consistent; better the hell you know.
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