The fate of our civilization requires that we rectify the imbalance between the two. There is only one way to do so: To rear children the right way in the right places.
"They have spent their entire lives among the symbols. For them, the symbols are “real,” while the things those symbols represent are far from mind or, worse, completely unknown."
That's it in a nutshell. While not everything about this emergent experience and view of life as inextricably bound to symbols, and not to that which the symbols represent, is not entirely bad, there are enough well-noted downsides to give one pause.
For example, the phenomenon of "triggering:" This refers to cognitive and emotional chaos resulting from perception of a symbol associated with something distasteful. The distasteful thing itself need not be present for collapse to occur. This is everywhere indulged and becomes a handy mechanism for avoiding responsibility.
I could go on, but do not want to, as Tennessee has not cornered the market on natural beauty and, this being a perfect Spring day where I am, I am going to venture out to enjoy reality, leaving the symbols for later.
We did something like this a while ago, at least partially (exurban homestead). It was considered a bit odd. I think you need, at least in the dysfunctional technocracy you describe, you need to be comfortable being thought ill of to be healthy, if not ahead of the curve. I can cite parallel examples that were socially disapproved of but very valuable.
At some level, I think they like the robots better because *they* will listen. And perhaps worship them.
I think that's why they like illegals, too, hard working people who will keep their heads down and sweep their floors, while re affirming their mobility. There is a deep avoidance of the actual working class.
Yes! Raise a glass 🍺 to a higher truth that’s forged by walking through fire! I was raised socialist but I never felt like I fit in there. I practiced fierce discernment and now, like you, I feel it is my calling to help build the foundation of a new era of greatness.
Former symbol manipulator turned world sustainer here. It can be done. Get away from the city for any length of time and you will be exposed to the hard skills that make up the world sustainers. Learn some yourself! Get your hands dirty with masonry, pottery, gardening etc. You are right, the birth of my daughter made me yearn to connect more to the earth. Get grounded. Use my hands more. Our 2 acres in the Catskills is mighty pretty, too, and always needs something!
Most excellent essay! You’re fortunate in a way to have this world turbulence underfoot to give you the impetus to do something like this. My kids are in their twenties now and ideas like this seemed quaint and out of date to us 20 years ago. You’re on the renaissance. I’m coming back to it with my grandson.
What a marvellous piece! I could sense the world sustaining undergirding your symbol manipulating, which strikes me as the highest ideal in such writing.
This one is going in my archive. First, I am so jealous of your homestead. It is the exact place I've always held in my dreams. Throw in a mountain view and that's heaven on earth to me. Tennessee is my 1st choice home though we are stuck for now in the transportation capital as that's where our business thrives. Second, you've put into words something I think many have been reaching to describe. This balance is the key. It's really the only thing that needs to be fixed. With this one idea put into practice, everything else falls into place naturally. Very inspiring. Finally, I wish this would get picked up and go viral. I know it's a miracle wish, but I wish it anyway.
Count me as a humble symbol manipulator who respects world sustainers. Most of my family is blue collar.
I also respect reality. Maybe because I majored in physics before I went into tech.
"They have spent their entire lives among the symbols. For them, the symbols are “real,” while the things those symbols represent are far from mind or, worse, completely unknown."
That's it in a nutshell. While not everything about this emergent experience and view of life as inextricably bound to symbols, and not to that which the symbols represent, is not entirely bad, there are enough well-noted downsides to give one pause.
For example, the phenomenon of "triggering:" This refers to cognitive and emotional chaos resulting from perception of a symbol associated with something distasteful. The distasteful thing itself need not be present for collapse to occur. This is everywhere indulged and becomes a handy mechanism for avoiding responsibility.
I could go on, but do not want to, as Tennessee has not cornered the market on natural beauty and, this being a perfect Spring day where I am, I am going to venture out to enjoy reality, leaving the symbols for later.
Well said. And sound priorities to boot.
We did something like this a while ago, at least partially (exurban homestead). It was considered a bit odd. I think you need, at least in the dysfunctional technocracy you describe, you need to be comfortable being thought ill of to be healthy, if not ahead of the curve. I can cite parallel examples that were socially disapproved of but very valuable.
"Symbol manipulators divorced from reality gave us the Great Society" AND the American war in Vietnam.
Indeed. Robert McNamara is a good example of a symbol manipulator lost in the confusion of his own calculations.
The symbol manipulators have reached a point where they truly believe the world sustainers can be replaced with Al, robots, and machinery.
At some level, I think they like the robots better because *they* will listen. And perhaps worship them.
I think that's why they like illegals, too, hard working people who will keep their heads down and sweep their floors, while re affirming their mobility. There is a deep avoidance of the actual working class.
Nobility, not mobility... Autokorekt, you know...
Autocorrectum
Yes! Raise a glass 🍺 to a higher truth that’s forged by walking through fire! I was raised socialist but I never felt like I fit in there. I practiced fierce discernment and now, like you, I feel it is my calling to help build the foundation of a new era of greatness.
Former symbol manipulator turned world sustainer here. It can be done. Get away from the city for any length of time and you will be exposed to the hard skills that make up the world sustainers. Learn some yourself! Get your hands dirty with masonry, pottery, gardening etc. You are right, the birth of my daughter made me yearn to connect more to the earth. Get grounded. Use my hands more. Our 2 acres in the Catskills is mighty pretty, too, and always needs something!
Most excellent essay! You’re fortunate in a way to have this world turbulence underfoot to give you the impetus to do something like this. My kids are in their twenties now and ideas like this seemed quaint and out of date to us 20 years ago. You’re on the renaissance. I’m coming back to it with my grandson.
It is a renaissance. That’s a good term for seemingly unrelated forces that are now cohering.
What a marvellous piece! I could sense the world sustaining undergirding your symbol manipulating, which strikes me as the highest ideal in such writing.
This one is going in my archive. First, I am so jealous of your homestead. It is the exact place I've always held in my dreams. Throw in a mountain view and that's heaven on earth to me. Tennessee is my 1st choice home though we are stuck for now in the transportation capital as that's where our business thrives. Second, you've put into words something I think many have been reaching to describe. This balance is the key. It's really the only thing that needs to be fixed. With this one idea put into practice, everything else falls into place naturally. Very inspiring. Finally, I wish this would get picked up and go viral. I know it's a miracle wish, but I wish it anyway.
Thank you for this fine complement. Much appreciated.