Been slowly reading Fabio Vighi’s relatively new book, Emergency Capitalism, came out in 2024, though written a couple of years earlier. I’ve been having lots of problems with it, including his swallowing of “COVID” as real while rejecting the countermeasures (not quite a virus pusher per se, just a believer), but this section is great.
“Regarding AI, Jean Baudrillard wrote “The ssd thing about artificial intelligence is that it lacks artifice and therefore intelligence.” In other words, we should be wary of turning the inherent stupidity of AI into one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. If anything, the problem is that human intelligence in general is rapidly approximating the stupidity of AI. The decay of humanity’s social and cognitive capacity—the ability to access the symbolic and metaphorical level of communications—suggests that more and more people are already losing what distinguishes them from machines."
This whole article caught me by surprise in a delightful way. I feel my spirit stretch out of the temptation towards disintegration and despair and into the invitation to welcome this new era of Fire and Air with a little of my own.
I’m with you Eric. The internal wall you’re coming up with is “group think” and digital conditions certainly enhance this. Yet, group think thrives without the internet as well.
The modern day wall of the algorithm is so true, isn't it? To be aware of this begins its deterioration process. I share the vision this wall will eventually fall, collectively.
Develop an intuition for which data point, article, or book to focus on. Many successful analysts (e.g., in finance) have told me they have a similar intuitive capacity.
Get a natural sense of the biases behind different sources—every source has them, and if you can be conscious of it, it makes it much easier to benefit from studying them.
Recognize diminishing returns (e.g., I stopped reading genres of literature or news once I saw its repetitive nature had reached a point I wasn’t really learning any new information).
Drill to the core of what you’re reading about. This is the same process I use with patients (and for heart-centered writing).
Always consider if what’s presented can justify the claim or they are simply unclear data points arranged together to suggest something (a standard which can “prove” almost anything).
Allow your mind to expand to become fully conscious of large amounts of information without withdrawing (e.g., I am only able to write many complex pieces when my mind loosens enough for this expansion to occur). This is the most important and often hardest skill to develop, and I’ve often found avoiding substances, rejuvenating the nervous system, having healthy sleep, using blue light filters (e.g., f.lux), and avoiding unhealthy lighting (e.g., fluorescent tubes) all help."
<< Develop an intuition for which data point, article, or book to focus on. Many successful analysts (e.g., in finance) have told me they have a similar intuitive capacity. >>
This is a critical skill for sure and it requires validation by experience and as you say, compensating for bias. It then helps to write so you can see plainly what you where thinking. It is called intuition. I suspect it may be pattern recognition.
Not withdrawing is very important and that counts. This is about being able to stand in the face of the unknown for a little while...long enough to observe and and think.
Many do this thing they call "going down rabbit holes." I think of rabbit holes (for the inexperienced, not necessarily a doctor with investigative skills and experience as a practitioner) as a form of diversion and amusement and not necessarily understanding. To understand means not to "stand under" but to "stand among." The main diff between allopathy and homeopathy is that the latter stands among.
When there is an overwhelming amount of information, and also disinformation, there are generally two options besides glazing over and backing off: one is to mythologize, and the other is to practice pattern recognition.
There are obvious dangers in mythologizing, as it is an ultra instantaneous simplification (which is what we see people doing to a certain religious, er, political figure). Pattern recognition can be pretended (for example, confirmation bias), but there is a big difference between that and the real thing. It transcends normal logic and allows for the apprehension of vast amounts of information in a holographic way.
"To understand means not to "stand under" but to "stand among."" This was extremely powerful Eric, I'll remember this one. Also, brilliant description of the holographic aspect of intuition / pattern recognition.
This: "Develop an intuition for which data point, article, or book to focus on..."
I have also found this ability to be paramount. I do not think this can be taught, although it can be sharpened.
The hardest area for me is tamping down confirmation bias and my tendency to give more weight and attention to subjects that interest me personally, rather than to others that are just as valid.
And finally, the withdrawal you cite is so easy to do and even easier to rationalize to yourself. Yet it is the most vital process to allow the full expansion without fear or hesitation.
I am old enough to remember the fall of the wall. I have a stark memory of a movie my parents took me to. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. It starred Richard Burton
It was when movies were still in black and white in 1963.
I re-watched it last year.
That is what I think about when I think of what the Berlin wall was like. Bleak and hopeless.
But the good thing about the Wall was it enabled a generation or two to literally see the bleakness of a system that robs people of themselves.
Another movie that was good about that time in the History of the world, was
The Lives of Others
English Subtitles
In 1984 East Berlin, an agent of the secret police conducting surveillance on a writer and his lover finds himself becoming increasingly absorbed by their lives.
You are right, if that wall can come down, then we may just witness something comparable in the coming days/months. I truly hope so.
I loved "The Lives of Others", thank you for reminding me of that.
You also reminded me that there is another one from about 8 years ago, one of my favorites of the 21st century. Based on the real life experiences of East German folk singer Gerhard Gundermann. There is a moment of raw, honest, vulnerability that left a very deep impression (I can tell you like movies, so no spoilers here). I watched it more than once, which is rare. One thing I can say is that the music they featured by Gundermann, performed by the actor, was a revelation.
Let it Be ! that these walls that have separated our Humanity from the wills of greedy and unenlightened Politics and extreme policies dissolve, leaving only the remnants of Freedom, Love, peace, and living in our consciousness of Humanity in every corner of our planet.
Beautiful and astute piece of writing, interweaving the practical of our every day existence with the deeper, mythological and symbolical reality hidden in these key events. Thank you Eric for constantly bringing up such refreshing perspectives. Denisa, Romania, Europe.
"In practical terms, the nature of the computing environment is automation — especially the automation of thought. So the awakening I’m describing means coming out of an automatic state of mind, into self-awareness and then going into manual mode. It’s like taking your car off of cruise control when you get into traffic.
The action process can be subtle and involve things that nobody notices. To turn off cruise control, you tap the brakes gently, and you’ve taken over control of your vehicle. This can apply to any life situation, whether it’s a conversation or what to eat. Do I cook something, go out, or open up my convenient FoodSmashInstantPlasticSaltySlop app?
Then you would go through the process of figuring out what to eat one step at a time. Stop being a machine part, start being human.
"If you’re traveling somewhere, think of how you’re going to go, rather than going the same old way. Explore new routes. These are metaphors for the thought process in your mind. It won’t take long before small choices enlarge their influence to bigger ones. Awareness means that everything is a conscious decision.
If someone tells you that you’re different from someone else, ask yourself if that’s true. If you notice that you’re certain about something, ask how you know."
In other words, start living consciously rather than on automatic drive, functioning as an extension of your digital device!
"This will take some effort. For most people, nearly all the time, this is the point of resistance. However, “tell me what to do” is no refuge. It’s not working for you or for anyone. So you have to spot when decisions are being made for you.
That would get replaced with knowing your priorities and choosing among them. And that, I reckon, is the meaning of freedom here on the Cosmic Physical Plane.
Right now, small moves count for a lot. Everything is magnified, including how you feel, your fears, your expectations, your sense of need and yeah, this has been a long row to hoe and everyone is tired. It’s time to perk up. The energy is moving. Tap into it. That’s what the astrology says. So use your awareness and your will and catch a ride on the inevitable vortex of progress."
Paraphrasing Dylan, "If you're gonna live outside the digital world, you gotta be honest."
Via email from Jeff
HI all,
Been slowly reading Fabio Vighi’s relatively new book, Emergency Capitalism, came out in 2024, though written a couple of years earlier. I’ve been having lots of problems with it, including his swallowing of “COVID” as real while rejecting the countermeasures (not quite a virus pusher per se, just a believer), but this section is great.
“Regarding AI, Jean Baudrillard wrote “The ssd thing about artificial intelligence is that it lacks artifice and therefore intelligence.” In other words, we should be wary of turning the inherent stupidity of AI into one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. If anything, the problem is that human intelligence in general is rapidly approximating the stupidity of AI. The decay of humanity’s social and cognitive capacity—the ability to access the symbolic and metaphorical level of communications—suggests that more and more people are already losing what distinguishes them from machines."
Jeff
This whole article caught me by surprise in a delightful way. I feel my spirit stretch out of the temptation towards disintegration and despair and into the invitation to welcome this new era of Fire and Air with a little of my own.
Via the planetwaves.net website from Robert:
I’m with you Eric. The internal wall you’re coming up with is “group think” and digital conditions certainly enhance this. Yet, group think thrives without the internet as well.
Via the PlanetWaves.net website from Beverly:
This. Yes. A creed to put on my mirror to read every day. Thank you.
The modern day wall of the algorithm is so true, isn't it? To be aware of this begins its deterioration process. I share the vision this wall will eventually fall, collectively.
"You might see something here: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/how-much-damage-has-mass-vaccination and here: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/seeing-truth-in-the-age-of-information-38b " Sagely said, "Because we live in an overwhelming sea of information, being fully present to all of it is nearly impossible. People typically focus on what their RAS is primed to spot and whatever elicits potent emotional triggers. Neither helps if your goal is to determine what’s actually true.
The ways I’ve found to get around these issues:
Develop an intuition for which data point, article, or book to focus on. Many successful analysts (e.g., in finance) have told me they have a similar intuitive capacity.
Get a natural sense of the biases behind different sources—every source has them, and if you can be conscious of it, it makes it much easier to benefit from studying them.
Recognize diminishing returns (e.g., I stopped reading genres of literature or news once I saw its repetitive nature had reached a point I wasn’t really learning any new information).
Drill to the core of what you’re reading about. This is the same process I use with patients (and for heart-centered writing).
Always consider if what’s presented can justify the claim or they are simply unclear data points arranged together to suggest something (a standard which can “prove” almost anything).
Allow your mind to expand to become fully conscious of large amounts of information without withdrawing (e.g., I am only able to write many complex pieces when my mind loosens enough for this expansion to occur). This is the most important and often hardest skill to develop, and I’ve often found avoiding substances, rejuvenating the nervous system, having healthy sleep, using blue light filters (e.g., f.lux), and avoiding unhealthy lighting (e.g., fluorescent tubes) all help."
thanks Mark
<< Develop an intuition for which data point, article, or book to focus on. Many successful analysts (e.g., in finance) have told me they have a similar intuitive capacity. >>
This is a critical skill for sure and it requires validation by experience and as you say, compensating for bias. It then helps to write so you can see plainly what you where thinking. It is called intuition. I suspect it may be pattern recognition.
Not withdrawing is very important and that counts. This is about being able to stand in the face of the unknown for a little while...long enough to observe and and think.
Many do this thing they call "going down rabbit holes." I think of rabbit holes (for the inexperienced, not necessarily a doctor with investigative skills and experience as a practitioner) as a form of diversion and amusement and not necessarily understanding. To understand means not to "stand under" but to "stand among." The main diff between allopathy and homeopathy is that the latter stands among.
When there is an overwhelming amount of information, and also disinformation, there are generally two options besides glazing over and backing off: one is to mythologize, and the other is to practice pattern recognition.
There are obvious dangers in mythologizing, as it is an ultra instantaneous simplification (which is what we see people doing to a certain religious, er, political figure). Pattern recognition can be pretended (for example, confirmation bias), but there is a big difference between that and the real thing. It transcends normal logic and allows for the apprehension of vast amounts of information in a holographic way.
I really appreciate having found you. I look forward to Fridays with you. The internet has given us many unprecedented gifts. Thank you.
"To understand means not to "stand under" but to "stand among."" This was extremely powerful Eric, I'll remember this one. Also, brilliant description of the holographic aspect of intuition / pattern recognition.
This: "Develop an intuition for which data point, article, or book to focus on..."
I have also found this ability to be paramount. I do not think this can be taught, although it can be sharpened.
The hardest area for me is tamping down confirmation bias and my tendency to give more weight and attention to subjects that interest me personally, rather than to others that are just as valid.
And finally, the withdrawal you cite is so easy to do and even easier to rationalize to yourself. Yet it is the most vital process to allow the full expansion without fear or hesitation.
I am old enough to remember the fall of the wall. I have a stark memory of a movie my parents took me to. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. It starred Richard Burton
It was when movies were still in black and white in 1963.
I re-watched it last year.
That is what I think about when I think of what the Berlin wall was like. Bleak and hopeless.
But the good thing about the Wall was it enabled a generation or two to literally see the bleakness of a system that robs people of themselves.
Another movie that was good about that time in the History of the world, was
The Lives of Others
English Subtitles
In 1984 East Berlin, an agent of the secret police conducting surveillance on a writer and his lover finds himself becoming increasingly absorbed by their lives.
You are right, if that wall can come down, then we may just witness something comparable in the coming days/months. I truly hope so.
I loved "The Lives of Others", thank you for reminding me of that.
You also reminded me that there is another one from about 8 years ago, one of my favorites of the 21st century. Based on the real life experiences of East German folk singer Gerhard Gundermann. There is a moment of raw, honest, vulnerability that left a very deep impression (I can tell you like movies, so no spoilers here). I watched it more than once, which is rare. One thing I can say is that the music they featured by Gundermann, performed by the actor, was a revelation.
Gundermann (2018)
Let it Be ! that these walls that have separated our Humanity from the wills of greedy and unenlightened Politics and extreme policies dissolve, leaving only the remnants of Freedom, Love, peace, and living in our consciousness of Humanity in every corner of our planet.
With Aries in my 7th house I wait to see what emerges from the fog in relationships
"For this conjunction, I envision that these conceptual walls fall." May it be so!
Beautiful and astute piece of writing, interweaving the practical of our every day existence with the deeper, mythological and symbolical reality hidden in these key events. Thank you Eric for constantly bringing up such refreshing perspectives. Denisa, Romania, Europe.
Great description of the new wall.
"In practical terms, the nature of the computing environment is automation — especially the automation of thought. So the awakening I’m describing means coming out of an automatic state of mind, into self-awareness and then going into manual mode. It’s like taking your car off of cruise control when you get into traffic.
The action process can be subtle and involve things that nobody notices. To turn off cruise control, you tap the brakes gently, and you’ve taken over control of your vehicle. This can apply to any life situation, whether it’s a conversation or what to eat. Do I cook something, go out, or open up my convenient FoodSmashInstantPlasticSaltySlop app?
Then you would go through the process of figuring out what to eat one step at a time. Stop being a machine part, start being human.
"If you’re traveling somewhere, think of how you’re going to go, rather than going the same old way. Explore new routes. These are metaphors for the thought process in your mind. It won’t take long before small choices enlarge their influence to bigger ones. Awareness means that everything is a conscious decision.
If someone tells you that you’re different from someone else, ask yourself if that’s true. If you notice that you’re certain about something, ask how you know."
In other words, start living consciously rather than on automatic drive, functioning as an extension of your digital device!
"This will take some effort. For most people, nearly all the time, this is the point of resistance. However, “tell me what to do” is no refuge. It’s not working for you or for anyone. So you have to spot when decisions are being made for you.
That would get replaced with knowing your priorities and choosing among them. And that, I reckon, is the meaning of freedom here on the Cosmic Physical Plane.
Right now, small moves count for a lot. Everything is magnified, including how you feel, your fears, your expectations, your sense of need and yeah, this has been a long row to hoe and everyone is tired. It’s time to perk up. The energy is moving. Tap into it. That’s what the astrology says. So use your awareness and your will and catch a ride on the inevitable vortex of progress."
Paraphrasing Dylan, "If you're gonna live outside the digital world, you gotta be honest."