Sermon

[Bhode_Sativa]

A funny thing happened when I contemplated the forum.

The PD is a text that, above all, prompts thinking for one's self.  And what is a thought, but an action, waiting for a green light?  Thinking for one's self, and doing for one's self, and forging the reality that makes one happy, is the overarching theme/purpose of what made itself manifest to the persons of Mal² and OKR on that fateful day at the lanes.  "Throw off the shackles of what went before, because with every sunrise, there is new opportunity.  Escape from the "now" is fruitless, and we're all sacks of rotting meat at the end, so be, live, think as you wish, because no-one need give you permission; you hold all in the palm of your hand." 

Dogma, and external standards, can carry you only so far.  The foundation can be laid in mud and straw, but bricks can only be forged in the heat of LIFE, the kiln of experience.  To forge a basis of KNOWING there must be a trial for true; else the first wind that blows, the first rumble of earth, the first wave from far out to sea, will trip up your fleeing feet, will foul your erstwhile escape, will preclude your precious self-preservation, and doom your dumbass to defeat.

The ones that stand guard, the Gargantuan Gargoyles who watch over the gates to enlightenment, are possessed of a responsibility that goes with such lofty pretensions.  They are the ones on whom it falls to provide the next layer of Truth.  When emotions run high, and enthusiasm is everywhere evident, They are the ones to drive the horrible truths home, to push and pull the Proto-Enlightened to rise above their constraints.  If mere words become standards, then Rules become Law, and Someone will get too Serious, and the self-appointed Cerberus must fulfill its role to crack the Lails and salt the snails and rave and rant and wear no pants to allow a draft to alter the attitude to a point of proper irreverence. 

Discord, who struck a chord in me, is an interesting note (or measure, or maybe an entire phrase), but the symphony of LIFE awaits, each unto his own, until, in the din of existence, there is a completeness achieved (yet never ending, until the last note fades away). 

In plain terms, I view the forums here at PD.com as an example of what might be achieved in a group of individuals ... one model amongst many others that should serve to encourage the dreams of those that wish to be themselves, and who realize, quite possibly for the first time, that the only thing that's stopping them is a papier-mache wall.  By virtue of its location, at TheHolyBook.com, this forum is the likeliest place to attract the Noobs (who admittedly may not be as bored with the Original as the rest).  Yet as long as there is a sense of wonder, as long as a desire is evident for a broadening of perspective, then they should be helped, and guided, and given a measure of understanding, else they recoil as much from freedom as one of us would a southern baptist furry convention with Hitler as the main speaker and the world's fugliest woman passing out herpes by the cunt-full in the lobby.

Who among us has never had a dream?  Who among us has never felt the thrill of a new and different perspective?  Can you not recall a moment where your world turned on end?  And did you not avoid the clock, recalling Schrodinger's Cat?  If you close your eyes, and do not acknowledge time, this NEW can last forever! 

Then...


Inevitably...


The question presents itself...


Now what?


All I know is that I don't know.  The answers you seek lie on the path that you alone must walk.  I can share what I have learned from the places that I've been, but until you've done the things I have, it's nothing more than talk.  I can point in a direction, but the steps must be your own.

All I know is that I want to know what lies 'round every corner, I wish to understand myself, my area, my world and universe, and so I keep my eyes and ears open for whatever I can gather from whomever seems worthwhile, so share your thoughts, ideas, and dreams, and who knows where we might go!

[The Good Reverend Roger]

What does all of this have to do with saving the dolphins?

[LHX]

you and Comrade Kenan bring up similar questions/issues
(http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=11450.0)

its a useful perspective to re-visit

since there is no answer that one person can really give that would suffice for another person (aka. another person's words cannot solve your problems), it is a good way for a individual to see how far they have come



the 'Now What'-ness of it all
the solo-journey / group effort split

[Bhode_Sativa]

The group thing kind of intrigues me, because if one were to spend their entire life isolated from others, the total amount of knowledge of the self and the world would be minuscule --> we need external input for internal growth,   

I'm starting to see a correlation between individual computers connecting to various servers, creating the totality of the internet, with individual lives behind the firewall of the physical interface, connecting with various groups who wish to influence knowledge/perception/actions of said individuals, encompassing the totality of the human race.

It's as if, most of our lives, we've been given shitty software with a limited amount of options, then we find (in things like discordia, meditation, psychology--some of it--, science, and whatever else trips our triggers) "programs" that help us be more of what we want, and do more of what makes us happy.  Then, when AOL, spyware, and spammers realize they're losing their hold, they fight back with deviousness and subtlety, alongside flashing lights and loud noises, the classic magician's trick of "Look over here while I do something else over here."

[AFK]

It's as if, most of our lives, we've been given shitty software with a limited amount of options, then we find (in things like discordia, meditation, psychology--some of it--, science, and whatever else trips our triggers) "programs" that help us be more of what we want, and do more of what makes us happy.  Then, when AOL, spyware, and spammers realize they're losing their hold, they fight back with deviousness and subtlety, alongside flashing lights and loud noises, the classic magician's trick of "Look over here while I do something else over here."

I disagree with this, I think.  We are all born with the appropriate "software" if you want to use the computer metaphor.  But, much like a computer, if you corrupt it with garbage input and data, it will impact how it operates.  A child isn't born a racist, someone programs that into them.  A child is born with what he or she needs to survive and be themselves.  It's as the child develops and grows up that they are instructed to "be a good boy", "don't make that noise", "you should use your right hand not your left", "you should go to college", "you should become a doctor to support mommy and daddy", etc., etc.  This is where people get fucked up.

Sometimes the best intentions can be the worst deeds. 

[Bhode_Sativa]

It's as if, most of our lives, we've been given shitty software from the obvious and occluded lessons administered from day one by the people who are supposed to give a shit about our welfare with a limited amount of options, then we find (in things like discordia, meditation, psychology--some of it--, science, and whatever else trips our triggers) "programs" that help us be more of what we want, and do more of what makes us happy.  Then, when AOL, spyware, and spammers realize they're losing their hold, they fight back with deviousness and subtlety, alongside flashing lights and loud noises, the classic magician's trick of "Look over here while I do something else over here."

Clarified

[The Good Reverend Roger]

This thread doesn't have anything about killing 11/12 people in the world to save the dolphins.

What the hell is going on?  When Bhode posts, I expect to see some hilarious shit about "primitivism" (funniest thing since furries, IMO).

GET ON THE FUCKING STICK!

[hunter s.durden]

Bhode?
Are you simply ignoring him?

Boring.

[Cramulus]

A child isn't born a racist, someone programs that into them.  A child is born with what he or she needs to survive and be themselves.  It's as the child develops and grows up that they are instructed to "be a good boy", "don't make that noise", "you should use your right hand not your left", "you should go to college", "you should become a doctor to support mommy and daddy", etc., etc.  This is where people get fucked up.

To toss in my two cents,
You said that children aren't born racists, people program that into them... I think they're in sort of a "mu" state at birth, neither 0 nor 1, neither racists nor not racists.

but that's neither here nor there.

[Idem]

What does all of this have to do with saving the dolphins?

Just a sec, I'll go read the rant, I just wanted to get to the immediate TGRR response first.

EDIT

Yeah, read it.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

What does all of this have to do with saving the dolphins?

Just a sec, I'll go read the rant, I just wanted to get to the immediate TGRR response first.

EDIT

Yeah, read it.

TGRR,
Stealing thunder since Zeus was in business.

[AFK]

A child isn't born a racist, someone programs that into them.  A child is born with what he or she needs to survive and be themselves.  It's as the child develops and grows up that they are instructed to "be a good boy", "don't make that noise", "you should use your right hand not your left", "you should go to college", "you should become a doctor to support mommy and daddy", etc., etc.  This is where people get fucked up.

To toss in my two cents,
You said that children aren't born racists, people program that into them... I think they're in sort of a "mu" state at birth, neither 0 nor 1, neither racists nor not racists.

but that's neither here nor there.

Please to be expounding on what "not racist" means. 

[LMNO]

I think what the Prof is saying is that an infant has no knowledge of race a priori, so it cannot form opinions or thoughts of situations based upon race.

Therefore, neither racist nor not-racist.

[Cain]

Races don't exist.

Sorry, but its true.  There is no definition of race, biologically, that stands up to scrutiny.  So you are essentially relying on crude visual guides which immediately dispel any theories concerning genetic inferiority or superiority.

LMNO knows where I'm getting this from.


And......(once I've re-read the OP)

RE-JACK!

[Cain]

Now what?

You almost hit the point in the last full paragraph above this, I think, but shied away by turning to that old pair of tricksters, knowledge and truth.

The experience is what is next.  The world is an absurd, chaotic mess filled with anger, fear, beauty, love and confusion.  The only reasonable thing to do would be to go along and continue the experience as much as possible.  Because you never know, this may be your only shot...