Thoughts from the North
a look at the world from a different angle, by Salamander

Power and Influence ("How’s the Weather?")

It occurs to me, neither suddenly nor otherwise - like the empty, ordinary, diurnal, meaningless steps we all take [we walk because there is nowhere to go] – that I walk through treacle, between thought and deed; meaning and action; reality and interest. If I were dead, if anything, would I not feel this alone – this hopelessness, this emptiness, this despair for the future … not for me or any other little me’s which may appear, but for humanity itself. We strive, not to make a difference, but from fear of standing still, from fear that death will catch us – though death, when embraced, will not bring fear but take it.

At times like this we converse - we say, "it’s a nice day" or "how’s your father?" or, as below … a direct transcript of a conversation I once had. Thought corrupts … as I mention below … our thoughts, possessions, ideas of who we are all lead to fear … fear of loss. One who acts through fear does not act freely and therefore cannot be influenced (we all need security for our families in terms of food and shelter) but ideas … is it possible to secure an idea? It’s a bit like trying to put a Tuesday into a box.

Salamander: 
I found this book by Chomsky in the library.

Tommi: 
Chomsky? Enlighten me please.

Salamander: 
Have you heard of him?

Tommi: 
Yes, but probably from you. So, what’s it about?

Salamander: 
Necessary illusions - thought control in democratic societies. Same thoughts as myself – except he expresses it more lucidly! People have been deprived through education of the capacity to think freely - merely repeating inanities posed as opinion. Anything contrary to belief or conviction the accepted way is ignored or shot down – but there’s no need to shoot it down because it isn't even seen ... the perfect crime.

The people have the illusion of free thought and democracy, while at the same time they're being screwed royally … although they’re quite comfortably screwed as they have their drugs and pleasant time-passers – TV, alcohol, etc - supposed leisure pursuits. But this also leads to the thought cast in stone in most populous’ heads that it’s a sin not to work, etc, etc … work all your life then you get the pension you deserve, etc ... except a lot of people aren't going to get one because everything is so messed up economically. I have no chance - I don’t think - of getting out at 50. Of course, when you do retire, you’re so ingrained in conformity you don’t know what to do, so you inevitably stick your head in the oven … after realising that you use electric, you go jump in front of a bus!

It’s all a bit dumb - but they can't or won't see anything other than what they have been taught to perceive - by parents – the continuation of indoctrination - their parents bought into the illusion, and so did they … through the media. Anything different is automatically crackpot and condemned and ignored. Although, wouldn't I rather have an easy life? I’m aware of all this stuff but I wouldn’t do anything about it - because I really don’t care that much. You can’t admit to that either - another taboo. Has there ever been any discussion of the nature and power of influence, how easy it is to influence a vast amount of people - or even one - especially over the generations? Certainly, in order to get along you have to be as they are - this means the elite - but as they are means you have to THINK as they do … hence the inevitable. Perpetuation of the game - elite/rich win - though they’re empty too mostly as they are participants in the same game that they don’t understand - except they’ve got more money.

Now could it be that it isn't power that corrupts but THOUGHT. Based on education and habit [advertising] which perpetuates the game for the benefit of rich again. How to kill a People is to inculcate them with your thoughts - akin to selling Christianity to the Negroes – which is why missionaries were so important. Now you could ask who started the game? Or how to finish it or change it? Well, that I don't know. Or maybe ill leave it to the next time!

Tommi: 
Well ... wow! Thought corrupts ... I think you've got right to the heart of it. It's a VERY scary concept actually, Salamander. Big brother … and no-one is aware of it - or cares enough to even admit it. What difference does the awareness make if it remains the same? To the individual, I mean.

Salamander: 
Well, it’s all down to gospel – God’s spell - words (thoughts) were God … hence their power. The awareness just means you can get ticked off about it or you can change your reactions to it. It has no power over you, except to cripple you financially, etc or kill your heart if you oppose, I suppose. In the beginning was the word and the word was God … ho hum.

Tommi: 
That's a weird sentence really. Why not just say in the beginning was God?

Salamander: 
Just a way of speaking from the time - traditional Aramaic - or Jewish churchy type of thing. All things were made by him … no things without thought! Separates all. Now we’re into the creation - why it’s a whole new outlook on genesis!

Tommi: 
Isn't that what is supposed to set humans apart ... the ability to apply thought processes and logic?

Salamander: 
Why do we need to be set apart? Monkeys, dolphins, birds can all do that stuff to a lesser degree - though without words - so there’s my argument gone. I would say that humanity is spellbound … lost in words.

Tommi: 
I guess we need to be set apart because God says so ... or because we just like to think we're superior

Salamander: 
They’re not real things - not even things. Of course - God may have been understood in a very different way then, as now - superior – I wonder if we can find a different justification to man’s superiority. Cognitive dissonance - first God then … why, you just said it before … the ability to apply thought processes and logic is part of it.

Tommi: 
What else though? Emotions?

Salamander: 
Justifies man somewhat in his actions - the difference is the idea of self.

Tommi: 
Do other animals experience emotions?

Salamander: 
Of course they do

Tommi: 
Well, yes – pain. Love even, I guess.

Salamander: 
Soul, etc - only an idiot believes in soul.

Tommi: 
Hey! You manage to throw soul into the equation if it suits you, but qualify it by saying it's just a word!

Salamander: 
Man changed and progressed because of the idea of self caused by development of the word – the birth of the "I". I was talking about something else, if you look. So for the first time he saw himself as separate from his environment; hence, he destroyed it … maybe.

Anyway the spirit has almost left me after that outburst!

"So we live, so we die … no need to reason, no reason why."

I strongly suspect that few are interested but, like the river being well up or the buses that come in threes, this is my world; these are my thoughts; this is me.

And now I’m off for a little drink …