3 ms·

This sort of outlook is very common in psychedelic experiences and community conversations. I'd like to see a scenario where someone clever from that community

This sort of outlook is very common in psychedelic experiences and community conversations. I'd like to see a scenario where someone clever from that community starts a propaganda campaign pushing such ideas as a serious proposition, and comes equipped to efficiently dismiss the classic normative dismissals or rhetorical topic avoidance techniques, forcing all the "good people" to seriously consider if their thoughts, prayers, secular platitudes, etc are adequate. It would be nice if we could make some progress on this front for a change. PS: your closing sentence severely rubs me the wrong way because it feels like it could be interpreted as support for the status quo.

MrMcCall 2y ago
What country do you live in where there is actual justice? I've never heard of such a one. From what I see, the powerful dominate the weak, abuse the Earth with no concern for future generations, and manipulate systems to ensure their own group's wealth and impunity. So, Sir, I stand with Banksy, Bob Marley, MLK, RATM and other like-minded agents of change. But I understand that love is the only way to forge a better future for our Earth and ALL her peoples -- but a fierce, unyielding love, to be sure.
- mistermann 2y ago
  I love the sentiment, but are there some potential flaws in the analysis? We mostly pay lip service to these things, but if you look around the world at things that get done (what you refer to!), there's a lot more than lip service and nice sentiments/intentions involved. Is the world what we make it?
  - MrMcCall 2y ago
    > Is the world what we make it? It depends on what you mean by that. We can choose how we perceive the objective reality we live in. But, the totality of the world is really just the sum-total of results of what we are all doing to it, for the simple reason that all our free wills are equal, no matter how positive or negative. It is really that simple, but the wealthy and powerful move levers that affect far more people than I can (yet) move by myself. > but are there some potential flaws in the analysis? If there are flaws in my analysis, I am open to learning how to correct them. That is the only way to get better at anything, right? That said, the correctness of my foundation of logic is evident after more than a half-century on this Earth. Most people do not understand, but we physically manifest our cumulative karma as we age, from our tone of voice, to choice of words, to eye shine, and -- most of all -- to our inner peace and happiness, sense of humor and delight in the small things of life. Life is beautiful, and what we choose to manifest in this world shows up in our being as surely as a tree's experiences show up in their rings. The problem is that most people are too confused and mired in their self to learn how to see others for who they are. > there's a lot more than lip service and nice sentiments/intentions involved. Absolutely, but intention is a multiplier for the karma we receive for our actions, which are of paramount importance. That is why the feeling of love is not nearly as important as the selfless doing of compassionate deeds to serve others' happiness. One thing you should be certain to understand: the selfish fools of this world have always been the majority, and not just within extrema such as Nazi Germany or Imperial Japan. Their dominant ignorance and my relative powerlessness do not diminish my family's efforts to create positive change in our every interaction with our fellow human beings. That our efforts mostly fall on deaf ears is not our failure, but theirs and theirs alone. What we are doing is not sentiment, whether it is a kind word on the street or a couple of hours typing into HN. Teaching the truth of compassion is essential in this troubled world full of willfully ignorant human beings.

MrMcCall 2y ago

What country do you live in where there is actual justice? I've never heard of such a one. From what I see, the powerful dominate the weak, abuse the Earth with no concern for future generations, and manipulate systems to ensure their own group's wealth and impunity. So, Sir, I stand with Banksy, Bob Marley, MLK, RATM and other like-minded agents of change. But I understand that love is the only way to forge a better future for our Earth and ALL her peoples -- but a fierce, unyielding love, to be sure.

mistermann 2y ago
I love the sentiment, but are there some potential flaws in the analysis? We mostly pay lip service to these things, but if you look around the world at things that get done (what you refer to!), there's a lot more than lip service and nice sentiments/intentions involved. Is the world what we make it?
- MrMcCall 2y ago
  > Is the world what we make it? It depends on what you mean by that. We can choose how we perceive the objective reality we live in. But, the totality of the world is really just the sum-total of results of what we are all doing to it, for the simple reason that all our free wills are equal, no matter how positive or negative. It is really that simple, but the wealthy and powerful move levers that affect far more people than I can (yet) move by myself. > but are there some potential flaws in the analysis? If there are flaws in my analysis, I am open to learning how to correct them. That is the only way to get better at anything, right? That said, the correctness of my foundation of logic is evident after more than a half-century on this Earth. Most people do not understand, but we physically manifest our cumulative karma as we age, from our tone of voice, to choice of words, to eye shine, and -- most of all -- to our inner peace and happiness, sense of humor and delight in the small things of life. Life is beautiful, and what we choose to manifest in this world shows up in our being as surely as a tree's experiences show up in their rings. The problem is that most people are too confused and mired in their self to learn how to see others for who they are. > there's a lot more than lip service and nice sentiments/intentions involved. Absolutely, but intention is a multiplier for the karma we receive for our actions, which are of paramount importance. That is why the feeling of love is not nearly as important as the selfless doing of compassionate deeds to serve others' happiness. One thing you should be certain to understand: the selfish fools of this world have always been the majority, and not just within extrema such as Nazi Germany or Imperial Japan. Their dominant ignorance and my relative powerlessness do not diminish my family's efforts to create positive change in our every interaction with our fellow human beings. That our efforts mostly fall on deaf ears is not our failure, but theirs and theirs alone. What we are doing is not sentiment, whether it is a kind word on the street or a couple of hours typing into HN. Teaching the truth of compassion is essential in this troubled world full of willfully ignorant human beings.