Thank you so much for this post. Insofar as it can be done in fewer than 600 words, you've just clearly articulated my own personal politics, and the process of my thinking on some of these things. When we're outsiders to the larger stream (as all of us are who post in a space like this!), it's always nice to find another member of the tribe, so to speak. ?
I was listening to a Democracy Now! broadcast earlier today, actually, and it had me thinking about the very crossover you mentioned. If the science of advertising has proved anything, it's that virtually no one is impervious to influence. And "influence" is a science.
It's never been more important for progressive-minded people (and everyone else) to exercise critical thinking. To do that well, we need to remember to get out of our silos whenever we can, in order to acquire deeper understanding about other ways of thinking, and to exercise greater self-awareness in relation.
I'm reminded of a study taught to early students of social psychology. If I remember it right, the study involved groups of kittens that were raised exclusively in rounded spaces, with no exposure to corners or hard edges. At a certain age, the kittens were dropped into an ordinary room with corners and furniture with edges, but were completely unable to see them. They could navigate rounded table legs, but repeatedly bumped into corners. I'd have to read about it again, but I seem to recall there being a window of opportunity, after which these kittens could never learn to see corners.
I'm always a little concerned about whether or not I've exposed myself to a great enough biodiversity of ideas so that I don't lose the capacity to see what's right in front of my face. The internet was going to be the great connector (and I believe it eventually will be), but in many ways, we're primarily using it to further divisions. And those divisions are being used to exploit and influence us. It's still early days in the grand scheme, but even that fact benefits the powerful.
Replying to your post in the other thread here:
I don't know if you care much about astrology, but we're on the verge of a powerful stellium in Virgo (where several planets all converge in the sign at once). The energetic geometry of these planets with others in the sky right now are collectively forming a grand cross, which is an INTENSE energy to say the least, and not an especially frequent phenomenon. It's important and necessary for our country that this is happening now. But until it passes (after about the first week of Sept, if I recall correctly), we're all going to be feeling a building of tension and potentially even anxiety.
During this period, I suspect that Trump is going to absolutely lose his ever-loving mind (what's left of it), so be prepared for that. This news about his decision to keep migrant children detained permanently—and about a dozen other things that could feel like swords through the heart—are manifestations of this astrological energy. But they WILL pass. Like a huge release valve being switched, we'll feel that collective tension whooshing out early September. And that'll come sooner than it seems, promise.
I'd like to learn more about astrology, but it seems very overwhelming. I was born on August 23rd, at 12:48am, so I believe that makes me a Leo, although I've also seen it as a Virgo.
I can't seem to wrap my mind around the fact that not only am I affected by the energy of other people, but also the planets? I just know my gravestone will say "Death due to Mercury Retrograde."
You're a cusp baby, born straddling the signs. August 23rd kicks off Virgo, but that early in the morning, your chart might show you as a Leo. Depends on where you were born. Either way, no doubt this stellium in Virgo (and the grand cross it's about to form in the sky) is having a particular impact on you.
Everything is fractal in our holographic cosmos, and yeah, that kind of complexity is impossible to fathom. But I wouldn't worry about the stars. And I'm laughing at your epitaph (perfect!) but I gotta say it: definitely don't worry about Mercury Retrograde. In my experience, it's a beneficial and necessary energy. Mercury Rx slows everything d o w n and gives us needed time to process and reconsolidate the hiccups of the noosphere, which moves entirely too fast anyway.
People just like a reason to freak out. ?
If you were born on August 23, you need to know the time of your birth in order to see where the sun was. I am a September 23, on the cusp of Virgo/Libra, but my sign is Libra.
As far as Trump losing his mind, I believe this joining of Virgo has already accomplished that, given that he has declared himself The Chosen One and The Second Coming (I think - I've blocked it out). And to think he's running our country and all anybody can say is vote in 2020. Something needs to be done long before then.
@suspira44 Absolutely agreed. It's painful.
And just downright bizarre (as if we hadn't already maxed his credit on that score).
As my granny might have said about him: "The wheels might still be turnin', but the hamster's officially dead."
I see the "second coming of God" thing a little differently. Trump is badly losing in the polls he sp deeply cares about. He is also fighting for his freedom, as they will lock him up(pun intended), if he loses.
Here is my line of thinking. He was elected primarily by the evangelical vote. They are still his base but also starting to waver a bit from the "god damn" quotes at his rallys. They initially voted for him because they believe he was sent from God and will bring about the rapture. Essentially they see him as either the antichrist, or a prelude to it. The antichrist, in biblical lore, claims to be the second coming of Christ or God himself(depending on which interpretstion you go by), so him claiming this is a move to reinforce the evangelical beliefs that got him here. As messed up as it sounds, I truly believe that he is now trying to parade as the antichrist to get votes......and it will work to some extent.
I really cant believe I wrote that. WTF has this world come to?
I agree, with a little added thought. He won because of evangelicals and people who were too apathetic to vote because they thought Hillary had it in the bag, plus Russia. He knows he's losing support, and constantly needs to amp things up to get more attention. The economy has him freaked out. Does he believe he's God. Nah, but he just thinks it's something to say that'll get him attention. As Lawrence wrote a few times already, he's sliding down a hill. He's losing his power.
Heck, his tapping into being the chosen one and officially offering to buy Greenland was the absolute highlight of my day. I needed a really big laugh.
When I learned that Pence starred in a video that was circulating throughout Evangelical churches all over the U.S. pre-election hinting if not already predicting Trump as the chosen one, I knew my Evangelical friends would get on the Trump wagon big time. He's just reminding the stray sheep that the sheep in wolf's clothing was really and truly chosen and not to forget it.
He's officially a very smart sociopath in my mind-- playing his fiddle (deliberately I might add) and howling, as he pulls us all into his crazies, distracts us from what he and his tribal dynasty are really trying to do and go, while be serves his role and purpose at the center of it all) as the world begins its ascent into madness, destruction and hopefully some awesomely good rebirth as we all continue our endless, mindless running around all of our lemming/gerbil/hamster/karma wheels.
Some days we're all crazy ?
I just make my sign of the Einsteinian cross and pray for inner peace and a gentler flow after the stars align in December-- and things get shaken not stirred big time!
While I know how cunning and calculating he can be, I believe he's also descending into a deeper madness. I think he's heard this for so long from his evangelical base, that he's begun to believe he is the Chosen One. His pathological, malignant narcissism has metastasized into a messiah complex. I shudder to imagine what goes on behind those closed doors of the WH.
Speaking of which: when his butt is finally booted out of there, I suggest that we get together and do a cleansing and healing meditation of the WH. I've already purchased my sage and candle.