It's been some time since I last wrote. Mostly because I thought I hadn't anything to share with you.
Maybe that's still the case, but if anything, this may serve as a reminder to myself. Hopefully, to all who wish to take the path towards illumination.
We are not special.
It doesn't matter if we finally discovered the "Black Iron Prison" around us. Or that we started our jailbreak. Or that we finally realized that jailbreaking is too much of a hassle, and really, how would we jailbreak from our own mind? That's impossible! We might as well make our prison comfy and easy to live.
We are not special.
Sit there. Think of ourselves as above all that "sheeple" who go around the day without thinking, simply following routine. We are so above all that, aren't we? We can see the prison! We changed the decoration! Just last week, we decided that that wall simply had to go.
We are not special.
Big fucking deal! What's the difference that our prison is a bit more "home-ly" than that of the other!? WE ARE THE FUCKING PRISON, AREN'T WE!? But, oh no! Let's keep patting each other on the back, congratulating ourselves for being "so above all that". Let's change the name, golden the pill, so to say!
Know what? Stopping at decorating my prison is not enough for me. It's time to go back to jailbreaking. Maybe, as some say, I will end up in another prison. Maybe I will finally be free.
The self is the prison. Then what's being free like?
I want desperately to find out.
Or maybe I'm lying. Be the judge. Hail Eris!
Fuck you, kid. You think we haven't heard this all before? You think you're the first fresh face running hands along the bars dribbling exclamations of surprise and wonder and hope turning to the stone walls, eyes wide, asking "what if?"
Fuck you, kid. You think you're the first one, not supposed to be here, destined for something more, smuggling a spoon into the cell and gradually chipping away at the walls, lounging about in the common space droning on about "when I'm free" and "life on the outside" oblivious to eye rolling and bitter, knowing smirks.
Fuck you. You want freedom? From what? From solid points of reference? From stability and structure? You're welcome to it, champ, but leave the rest of us out of it. You know what's outside of this prison? A blinding fucking search light, dazing you and inducing an immediate and irreversible headache. And then the dogs start barking, from every direction. You don't know close they are but you can feel them on your heels. How long have you been running? Gunfire. Screaming. Barking, always barking. The sirens rise from the silence you'll never know again.
But wait, you say, stretching the metaphor even further. What happens if you make it through all of that? Well, bucko...
Fuck you. That's what. You wind up crashing back into your cell and you spend a week or two, curled up on the floor, crying and trying to remember who you are, kissing the stone, running your hands along the bars, YOUR bars, and feeling an overwhelming gratefulness for your cell and everything in it.
So yeah, fuck you. Go ahead and fuck right off if you that's what you want. Or you can pull up a chair, make yourself comfortable and make your damn time.
Tell me more, Pæs.
Have you tried? I am not challenging you, I am actually asking. I want to know what possibly could be outside.
A blinding light, you say? No comfort, no security? Being chased, always in fear?
That's horrifying, but I want to know what's beyond this. Not because I am a special snowflake, or because I am destined to finally "break free from the prison and be a real discordian™".
...
Heh, I guess I'm really the kid lounging about in the common space droning on about "when I'm free" and "life on the outside" oblivious to eye rolling and bitter, knowing smirks. That's funny... I don't mind that.
One of my hopes was someone who tried that before telling me something.
Time for the blinding search light, dogs barking and gunfire. I have to admit, I'm pretty scared.
The Prison is a Prison if you see it as a Prison. It does mean we have a limited perception of the universe and ourselves... It does mean that there are walls and windows between us and Reality.
However, a submarine has walls and a limited view. A spaceship has walls and a limited view. Its those walls and limited view that allow humans to explore the seas and sky... just as its our self, our perception, our walls and windows that allow us to explore this reality. We perceive a limited amount of the data around us with our senses. Without those limits, we'd be crushed like a poor sod that just jumped out of his submarine a thousand feet below the surface, or suffocated like the astronaut that took his dog for a walk outside the airlock without his spacesuit. The Prison can be a Prison, especially if you don't see it, if you never challenge it or if you never change it. It can also be the vehicle for your adventure through this life, which really isn't a bad thing at all
I can see the beauty of viewing the "prison" as a submarine or a space ship, but isn't illumination the unlimited perception of the self and the universe? Don't the walls... get in the way? Shouldn't we try to go beyond them?
Extending the metaphore, while I want to get out of it, I want to be prepared for what's coming. Although an astronaut in a space suit isn't in direct contact with the space, he is a lot closer, at least personally, than he was within his spaceship. I want to be able to wear a space suit.
And that sounded a lot less silly in my head.
Quote from: Mistre on November 26, 2013, 12:42:08 PM
I can see the beauty of viewing the "prison" as a submarine or a space ship, but isn't illumination the unlimited perception of the self and the universe? Don't the walls... get in the way? Shouldn't we try to go beyond them?
Extending the metaphore, while I want to get out of it, I want to be prepared for what's coming. Although an astronaut in a space suit isn't in direct contact with the space, he is a lot closer, at least personally, than he was within his spaceship. I want to be able to wear a space suit.
And that sounded a lot less silly in my head.
The spacesuit is just a modified BiP.
As for Illumination, I direct you to the Zen Story on page 5 of the PD. :wink:
Mistre, it sounds like you're speaking of trancendent experience.
This is an experience that is impossible to accurately describe, because it is beyond words, beyond communication. It is, some try to say, beyond self.
A close reading of the BIP suggests that while some of the BIP is based upon history, bias, and psychological barriers, a not-insignificant part is literally physical. It's your own body. And an enormous part of what it takes for us to exist are limitations.
So, when you have a transcendent experience, you may stretch a metaphor to say that you've stuck your head through the bars. Congrats. It can be a pretty nice feeling. It can also be a nightmare of eldrich horrors, but that's another story.
Do I really need to say that a human can't live like that? That trancendent experience is only a moment. It usually doesn't last that long without the use of drugs; and even then, you can't hold onto it. (Incidentally, if you want evidence that you can't hold on to that moment, look at what happened to Syd Barrett.)
You're going to have to live almost the entirety your life in that prison/submarine/elevator/gimp mask; the amount of time in trancendence is miniscule. Which means, if you want to be happy, and if you want to be the best human you can, you're going to have to figure out how to make your prison cell the best it can be.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on November 26, 2013, 03:14:14 PM
Mistre, it sounds like you're speaking of trancendent experience.
This is an experience that is impossible to accurately describe, because it is beyond words, beyond communication. It is, some try to say, beyond self.
A close reading of the BIP suggests that while some of the BIP is based upon history, bias, and psychological barriers, a not-insignificant part is literally physical. It's your own body. And an enormous part of what it takes for us to exist are limitations.
So, when you have a transcendent experience, you may stretch a metaphor to say that you've stuck your head through the bars. Congrats. It can be a pretty nice feeling. It can also be a nightmare of eldrich horrors, but that's another story.
Do I really need to say that a human can't live like that? That trancendent experience is only a moment. It usually doesn't last that long without the use of drugs; and even then, you can't hold onto it. (Incidentally, if you want evidence that you can't hold on to that moment, look at what happened to Syd Barrett.)
You're going to have to live almost the entirety your life in that prison/submarine/elevator/gimp mask; the amount of time in trancendence is miniscule. Which means, if you want to be happy, and if you want to be the best human you can, you're going to have to figure out how to make your prison cell the best it can be.
And even then, we can't really say if a transcendent experience IS being out of the BiP or a temporary 'larger window' in your cell... or (IMO, more likely) an experience that is just as much a part of your BiP as anything else, based on your interpretation of stuff going on in your neurological system.
Yes, absolutely. I was using the most lenient of interpretations of consciousness, leaning heavily into dualism without jumping fully into Cosmic Consciousness.
Explore the boundaries, delve into experiences, risk it all. Find out that the universe is impartial, that what you imagine is you is just a dying spark floating from the cosmic flame. A moment, a dot on the fractal. Out here there be monsters.
Quote from: popeluvicasksc on November 26, 2013, 05:42:47 PM
Explore the boundaries, delve into experiences, risk it all. Find out that the universe is impartial, that what you imagine is you is just a dying spark floating from the cosmic flame. A moment, a dot on the fractal. Out here there be monsters.
^^^ Uncle BadTouch.
Quote from: Dirty Old Uncle Roger on November 26, 2013, 05:43:37 PM
Quote from: popeluvicasksc on November 26, 2013, 05:42:47 PM
Explore the boundaries, delve into experiences, risk it all. Find out that the universe is impartial, that what you imagine is you is just a dying spark floating from the cosmic flame. A moment, a dot on the fractal. Out here there be monsters.
^^^ Uncle BadTouch.
And not even related to the OP, other than tangentially.
Any advice on interior designing and trying to exit the "BIP"?
Yes.
Quote from: Mistre on November 26, 2013, 06:11:59 PM
Any advice on interior designing and trying to exit the "BIP"?
Consult your pineal gland.
No.
Quote from: Mistre on November 26, 2013, 06:11:59 PM
Any advice on interior designing and trying to exit the "BIP"?
I posted this a while back, might be relevant? http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php/topic,35460.msg1298412.html#msg1298412
Quote from: popeluvicasksc on November 26, 2013, 06:21:13 PM
Quote from: Mistre on November 26, 2013, 06:11:59 PM
Any advice on interior designing and trying to exit the "BIP"?
Consult your pineal gland.
That's new and original!
Over at the now defunct BIP site, there was a bit called "Architecture". Anyone have a link or copy?
Interesting take on things.
Put all of humanity, everything we've done, all of crowning achievements and abysmal failures. Accomplishments the entire world celebrates: Landing on the moon, the creation of the microprocessor ..
Statistically speaking we are worthless as a species. Given the number of galaxies in the universe of which we can only see 0.1%? of it is a safe to assert that there are billions of planets with intelligent life. I agree with the fact that humanity is caught up in it's own vanity to realize how worthless we truly are.
Quote from: Auscultare of the Fatigue on November 26, 2013, 10:55:11 PM
Interesting take on things.
Put all of humanity, everything we've done, all of crowning achievements and abysmal failures. Accomplishments the entire world celebrates: Landing on the moon, the creation of the microprocessor ..
Statistically speaking we are worthless as a species. Given the number of galaxies in the universe of which we can only see 0.1%? of it is a safe to assert that there are billions of planets with intelligent life. I agree with the fact that humanity is caught up in it's own vanity to realize how worthless we truly are.
Safe? Please consult the Fermi paradox.
Quote from: Rex Bologna on November 26, 2013, 10:56:56 PM
Quote from: Auscultare of the Fatigue on November 26, 2013, 10:55:11 PM
Interesting take on things.
Put all of humanity, everything we've done, all of crowning achievements and abysmal failures. Accomplishments the entire world celebrates: Landing on the moon, the creation of the microprocessor ..
Statistically speaking we are worthless as a species. Given the number of galaxies in the universe of which we can only see 0.1%? of it is a safe to assert that there are billions of planets with intelligent life. I agree with the fact that humanity is caught up in it's own vanity to realize how worthless we truly are.
Safe? Please consult the Fermi paradox.
Two of the scariest things about this line of thinking is trying to admit to our intermittent fear as a race that some
thing out there could just be watching us. Simply observing us, with the power to put our entire existence to an end with a snap of their finger (metaphorically). It could very well be that because humanity is so young that no 'advanced' intelligent life forms find us a threat, or even worth a second look. For them, it'd be the equivalent of king of the retards.
(http://theradioblog.marthastewart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dunce-713973-340x494.jpg)
Conquering something that is easy to conquer lacks the feeling of achievement that intelligent beings strive for (I say this under the premise that other lifeforms also strive for achievement, because if they didn't, what would be the chances they'd have developed advanced enough technology to achieve intergalactic space travel, but I digress).
My main problem with Fermi paradox (from what I have read thus far) is that it doesn't take into account 'emotion'. Google defines "arrogant" as:
Quotehaving or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.
Let's say that intelligent life exist. There is no doubt about it. Who says they are more immune from being arrogant or even vain?
I think most people don't put much stock in the idea that aliens may already be here, undetected by us... which, if they were, would likely be the case.
Not here, specifically, they just exist within our timeline.
Quote from: Auscultare of the Fatigue on November 26, 2013, 11:24:51 PM
Not here, specifically, they just exist within our timeline.
You seem to know a lot about aliens.
Quote from: Rex Bologna on November 26, 2013, 11:35:47 PM
Quote from: Auscultare of the Fatigue on November 26, 2013, 11:24:51 PM
Not here, specifically, they just exist within our timeline.
You seem to know a lot about aliens.
You seem to know a lot about the lack of aliens (??).
Quote from: Rex Bologna on November 26, 2013, 11:46:50 PM
Quote from: Auscultare of the Fatigue on November 26, 2013, 11:39:54 PM
Quote from: Rex Bologna on November 26, 2013, 11:35:47 PM
Quote from: Auscultare of the Fatigue on November 26, 2013, 11:24:51 PM
Not here, specifically, they just exist within our timeline.
You seem to know a lot about aliens.
You seem to know a lot about the lack of aliens (??).
Where did I say that?
I thought we were just typing statements.
Quote from: Auscultare of the Fatigue on November 27, 2013, 12:22:57 AM
Quote from: Rex Bologna on November 26, 2013, 11:46:50 PM
Quote from: Auscultare of the Fatigue on November 26, 2013, 11:39:54 PM
Quote from: Rex Bologna on November 26, 2013, 11:35:47 PM
Quote from: Auscultare of the Fatigue on November 26, 2013, 11:24:51 PM
Not here, specifically, they just exist within our timeline.
You seem to know a lot about aliens.
You seem to know a lot about the lack of aliens (??).
Where did I say that?
I thought we were just typing statements.
Ah, nevermind then.
Quote from: Auscultare of the Fatigue on November 26, 2013, 10:55:11 PM
Interesting take on things.
Put all of humanity, everything we've done, all of crowning achievements and abysmal failures. Accomplishments the entire world celebrates: Landing on the moon, the creation of the microprocessor ..
Statistically speaking we are worthless as a species. Given the number of galaxies in the universe of which we can only see 0.1%? of it is a safe to assert that there are billions of planets with intelligent life. I agree with the fact that humanity is caught up in it's own vanity to realize how worthless we truly are.
Balls. Balls and rot. *I* am not worthless. I am one sexy bitch, and the universe has acknowledged that fact by being JEALOUS and therefore IGNORING MY EXCEPTIONALISM and allowing me to GROW OLD just like EVERYONE ELSE.
EVERYTHING I DO IS AWESOME.
I HAVE BECOME SPAG, RUINER OF WORLDS.
GOT $20 IN MY POCK-ET...
Quote from: Tiddleywomp Cockletit on November 27, 2013, 01:48:18 AM
GOT $20 IN MY POCK-ET...
I - I - I'm hunting, looking for a come-up
LMNO is fucking awesome
Quote from: Dirty Old Uncle Roger on November 27, 2013, 01:49:24 AM
Quote from: Tiddleywomp Cockletit on November 27, 2013, 01:48:18 AM
GOT $20 IN MY POCK-ET...
I - I - I'm hunting, looking for a come-up
LMNO is fucking awesome
Walk up to the club like, "What up? I got a big cock!"
Quote from: Rex Bologna on November 26, 2013, 10:56:56 PM
Quote from: Auscultare of the Fatigue on November 26, 2013, 10:55:11 PM
Interesting take on things.
Put all of humanity, everything we've done, all of crowning achievements and abysmal failures. Accomplishments the entire world celebrates: Landing on the moon, the creation of the microprocessor ..
Statistically speaking we are worthless as a species. Given the number of galaxies in the universe of which we can only see 0.1%? of it is a safe to assert that there are billions of planets with intelligent life. I agree with the fact that humanity is caught up in it's own vanity to realize how worthless we truly are.
Safe? Please consult the Fermi paradox.
Which is easily resolved when you consider the impossibility of faster-than-light travel, meaning that all those other species are just as stuck in their solar systems as we are in ours. Forever alone.
Quote from: Radagast's Red Velvet Pancake Puppies on November 27, 2013, 02:09:53 AM
Quote from: Rex Bologna on November 26, 2013, 10:56:56 PM
Quote from: Auscultare of the Fatigue on November 26, 2013, 10:55:11 PM
Interesting take on things.
Put all of humanity, everything we've done, all of crowning achievements and abysmal failures. Accomplishments the entire world celebrates: Landing on the moon, the creation of the microprocessor ..
Statistically speaking we are worthless as a species. Given the number of galaxies in the universe of which we can only see 0.1%? of it is a safe to assert that there are billions of planets with intelligent life. I agree with the fact that humanity is caught up in it's own vanity to realize how worthless we truly are.
Safe? Please consult the Fermi paradox.
Which is easily resolved when you consider the impossibility of faster-than-light travel, meaning that all those other species are just as stuck in their solar systems as we are in ours. Forever alone.
We can hope, anyway.
I don't like HUMANS. I am POSITIVE I won't like our "galactic space brothers" anymore than Kalaniʻōpuʻu would have liked Captain Cook.
He's responsible people.
Boojums.
Quote from: Faux Lix on June 08, 2014, 03:03:41 AM
Boojums.
No.
And furthermore, we
are all special; every single one of us. Which essentially means none of us are special, so shut the fuck up.
I know the OP wasn't yours, but STFU anyway.
Quote from: Hoopla on June 10, 2014, 10:20:44 PM
Which essentially means none of us are special, so shut the fuck up.
I reject this on account of Rudyard Kipling and Papa Hemmingway.
In these cases, file that under:
Quote from: Hoopla on June 10, 2014, 10:20:44 PMwe are all special; every single one of us.
Fuck a spoon.
I want a smartphone and a prison bitch/secretary.