How we think shows through in how we act. Attitudes are mirrors of the mind. They reflect thinking. — David Joseph Schwartz You are what you eat. Despite what special interests would have us believe, exercise combined with a healthy diet is the first step to improve overall health. While this isn’t an absolute, the idiom has stood firm in our minds throughout time, because it’s commonly known that
Nice post, Theodore. I know I certainly spend way too much time staring into this enticing electronic box, reminding me of your post about the Devil showing the knight the mirror of desire. When we consume content, regardless of whether we accept the content or reject it, it leaves an imprint on our minds -- hence the importance of surrounding ourselves with people, ideas, and entertainment that furthers our unique journeys in a positive way instead of detracts from it. The "you are what you eat" message reminds me of this old but great series of Tweets by Zero HP Lovecraft about the NPC meme: https://twitter.com/0x49fa98/status/1051974006406971392 (unfortunately one must be logged into Twitter to see the multiple Tweets)
You also wrote, "But beware foolishly desiring control, like a tyrant, attempting to transcend material reality through technology and sacrifice, forcing a perceived evolutionary path through lying and illusion. Beware these ideas, because they will reflect deep inside you, tempting you to act in favour of the shadow lurking behind the glass, waiting to show you another false world to pull you deeper into the mirror."
Yes, exactly. One of the interesting things is that the way to wealth in this day in age (perhaps any day and age) is generally through helping to increase technology's grip on humanity -- through increased "efficiencies", increased and intrusive data collection, through greater burdens to society/tragedy of the commons. I know a number of people that have chosen a path of material wealth but at the cost of clearly unethical behavior, even if that behavior is not technically illegal. But there is always a price to pay for it in the form of soul corruption... But what is the alternative, to be a weak wagecuck and suffer at the whims of our overlords, "owning nothing", hoping for an undetermined, unknown payoff in the afterlife? The incentive structures of this reality are wrong... I try to avoid putting myself in such situations, although I understand the temptations.
Tearing away the flesh of an animal is cruel and vicious, I wouldn't want such a grisly fate, but without it we would cease to exist and never have an opportunity to do good, and there are good things in the world.
Likewise staring at the idiot / devil box has its obvious pit falls, like turning into a fat blue-haired NPC, and so too must be balanced with effort to produce any good. The same goes with material wealth.
There's a backwards and trivially evil nature to the world, which is maybe another interpretation of "the narrow path," only achieved by balancing the paradox.
"Owning nothing" likely isn't a good solution, but neither is hoarding wealth and competitively stomping over everyone. We have to find the delicate and narrow balance in between to create, which could be a practical interpretation of the hermetic principle of gender.
That’s also Aristotelian virtue ethics, which might not be the final word on ethics but is still interesting because it’s so different than what the connotation of virtue ethics is to a lot of people.
Hi! I saw you listed on a post by Neoliberal Feudalism. I'm officially a fan of this channel! Subscribed and ready for the next dose of sagely advice, hopefully more on occult charms and spells. Let's collaborate and stay ahead of the censorship! Best! T
Nice post, Theodore. I know I certainly spend way too much time staring into this enticing electronic box, reminding me of your post about the Devil showing the knight the mirror of desire. When we consume content, regardless of whether we accept the content or reject it, it leaves an imprint on our minds -- hence the importance of surrounding ourselves with people, ideas, and entertainment that furthers our unique journeys in a positive way instead of detracts from it. The "you are what you eat" message reminds me of this old but great series of Tweets by Zero HP Lovecraft about the NPC meme: https://twitter.com/0x49fa98/status/1051974006406971392 (unfortunately one must be logged into Twitter to see the multiple Tweets)
You also wrote, "But beware foolishly desiring control, like a tyrant, attempting to transcend material reality through technology and sacrifice, forcing a perceived evolutionary path through lying and illusion. Beware these ideas, because they will reflect deep inside you, tempting you to act in favour of the shadow lurking behind the glass, waiting to show you another false world to pull you deeper into the mirror."
Yes, exactly. One of the interesting things is that the way to wealth in this day in age (perhaps any day and age) is generally through helping to increase technology's grip on humanity -- through increased "efficiencies", increased and intrusive data collection, through greater burdens to society/tragedy of the commons. I know a number of people that have chosen a path of material wealth but at the cost of clearly unethical behavior, even if that behavior is not technically illegal. But there is always a price to pay for it in the form of soul corruption... But what is the alternative, to be a weak wagecuck and suffer at the whims of our overlords, "owning nothing", hoping for an undetermined, unknown payoff in the afterlife? The incentive structures of this reality are wrong... I try to avoid putting myself in such situations, although I understand the temptations.
I think the concept of paradox fits well.
Tearing away the flesh of an animal is cruel and vicious, I wouldn't want such a grisly fate, but without it we would cease to exist and never have an opportunity to do good, and there are good things in the world.
Likewise staring at the idiot / devil box has its obvious pit falls, like turning into a fat blue-haired NPC, and so too must be balanced with effort to produce any good. The same goes with material wealth.
There's a backwards and trivially evil nature to the world, which is maybe another interpretation of "the narrow path," only achieved by balancing the paradox.
"Owning nothing" likely isn't a good solution, but neither is hoarding wealth and competitively stomping over everyone. We have to find the delicate and narrow balance in between to create, which could be a practical interpretation of the hermetic principle of gender.
That’s also Aristotelian virtue ethics, which might not be the final word on ethics but is still interesting because it’s so different than what the connotation of virtue ethics is to a lot of people.
Hi! I saw you listed on a post by Neoliberal Feudalism. I'm officially a fan of this channel! Subscribed and ready for the next dose of sagely advice, hopefully more on occult charms and spells. Let's collaborate and stay ahead of the censorship! Best! T
Glad you enjoyed :) Him and I have similar themes, although I'm much weirder and more sarcastic.