The Noble Lie

I've been trying to find a way to articulate why I am not posting nearly as much as I used to, and this article might do it for me. These are poisoned wells we drink from, and this is nothing new to the Obama administration. It's nothing new, I've been reading stories about angry Muslim kids getting suckered into doing stupid things by FBI provocateurs for ages now. The most effective way to neutralize a resistance movement is to run it yourself.

• Glenn Greenwald - Obama confidant's spine-chilling proposal
• Raw Story - Obama staffer wants 'cognitive infiltration' of 9/11 conspiracy groups
• Infowars - List of published Cass Sunstein papers and books

The first and most important thing to say about this is that nothing in this paper is new or radical. What he calls "cognitive infiltration" is, despite the denial in the paper, only different in available technology from COINTELPRO and other techniques used in the past to bust up wrongthink and ownlife strategies.

The main thesis of this short paper is that conspiracy thinking is caused by "crippled epistemologies", that so-called "conspiracy theorists" carefully filter out all but a few sources and harden themselves against any orthodox or official sources of correction. He posits that conspiracy thinking is largely a product of closed, authoritarian societies, and that conspiracy thinking in an open, free society with a transparent, accountable government such as ours (I'm sure you can sense the smirk in these words) is destructive because it corrodes our ability to trust our benevolent institutions uncritically. He also suggests that laws like the Freedom of Information Act might do more harm than good, suggesting that the best way to protect our supposed open society is to close it.

My experience has taught me that, if anything, the conspiracy-minded got that way because they were more open to taboo sources of information, not that they were necessarily closed off from the mainstream. The truly "crippled epistemology" is one which does not think critically and engage skeptically any source of information, be it Alex Jones or the Department of Defense. Those people are ripe for "cognitive infiltration."

PS: "Sunstein" translates to "Sun Stone".

PPS: Obama should be given credit for his commitment to diversity. What other president would have an academic slinging vitriol at conspiracy theorists as well as an outspoken 9/11 truther working for him? Of course, who still has their job..?

Catherine Austin Fitts, former investment banker, former Bush Sr. HUD Commissioner, the woman who discovered massive-scale S&L style scamming of the HUD market by insiders, author of the magnum opus "Dillon Reed & Co Inc., The Aristocracy of Stock Profits," writes insightfully and powerfully about how the banksters made a killing by killing our economy. To my knowledge, she coined the term "tapeworm economy." Her experiences with insiders scamming HUD, and the government's legal assault of her company Hamilton Securities, are a microcosm of the collapse of the US real estate market that started our current financial crisis.

• Catherine Austin Fitts - 2009: The Year of the Great Vampire Squid
• From the vault: Catherine Austin Fitts on the Jim Puplava show

I have followed Fitts and her work at Solari.com for a while. Her two essential economic questions are: "Who's your farmer? Who's your banker?" You can find the answer to the first question at your local farmer's market. The second question is one that people are increasingly asking themselves, and finding a better answer in local credit unions and smaller banks. I kissed my big bank goodbye years ago and have been much, much happier at our local credit union, who was not up to their eyeballs in phony baloney derivatives when the 2008 economic tsunami hit.

I cannot deny
All the evil traits and the filling of the crates
When you do come out
And you slither up to me in your pimpin majesty
But I cannot grow
Till you eat the last of me, oh when will I be free
And you, a parasite
Just find another host, just another stool to post

Cause you, my tapeworm tells me what to do
You, my tapeworm tells me where to go

Pull the tapeworm out of your ass

- System of a Down, "Needles"

The following excerpt is from "The Mask of Sanity" by Harvey Cleckley. It cites an article in Playboy magazine and subsequent book extolling the virtues of the psychopathic personality type and calling it the "new spirit of the age". It isn't so new anymore, but it's well worth a read.

Psychopathy is a biological tragedy, but societies can be arranged in such a way to encourage psychopathic behavior from its participants. Just as psychopaths attempt to mimic the forms of "normal," so-called normal people can be trained to mimic the psychopathic form. What would a psychopathic society look like? This point is highlighted very well by the documentary film, "The Corporation."

Credit goes to Polly once again, for introducing me to this book.

Since the last edition of this book was published in 1964 discussion of the psychopath has continued and further attempts have been made to evaluate his status. A remarkable, and curiously misleading, presentation of the subject was offered only a few years ago by a lay writer, Alan Harrington, first in the popular magazine Playboy and later in Psychopaths, a book amplifying his theme.

A serious and regrettable confusion, I believe, is likely to come from opinions quoted by this author that seem very plainly to advocate that the psychopath be admired, chosen as a leader, or at least as a model for other men. Referring to one of these opinions, the author says, "The menacing psychopath is embraced. Incredibly ... it seems at first shock ... we are urged to turn into an 'antithetical' version of the outlaw and find our way to his radical vision of the universe."

Some of the people quoted or cited by the author of the Playboy article (and the subsequent book) seem to be spokesmen for, or prominent figures in, the recent movement of rebellion often referred to as the counterculture. In this movement we find zealots who embrace hallucinatory confusion under the influence of potentially brain-damaging psychedelic drugs and aggressively proclaim it as religious experience. Here, too, we find the antihero, often a figure flaunting treason and dishonor along with his unkempt beard, barefootedness, and defiantly frayed blue jeans. In this so-called counterculture the antihero was not only welcomed but by some virtually enshrined. It has been fashionable also in this movement to degrade the high passion and glory of sexual love to a significance not far from that of a belch. Perhaps, in this general and heedless effort to reverse the basic values, almost anything traditionally regarded as undesirable, or despicable, might be automatically stamped with the sign of approval.

After many quotations from people who may be reflecting elements of this movement, the author, himself, encourages us to ask, "if the psychopath's time has come, if there may be a world-wide need for him." He goes on to say, "Could the coming of the psychopath be a natural and inevitable result of our drastically deteriorating environment (which helps fling him up) as well as one answer to it and, who knows, a potential remedy for such deterioration?"

Other opinions expressed by the author include these: "Although originally founded upon an anti-social condition, it [psychopathy] offers exciting new alternatives to the way we have lived until now ... the distinction blurs hopelessly between present day psychopathic patterns as observed in prisons, institutions and clinics, and equivalent behavior, which may often be put to use in good causes outside of these places. "Would it be best," he asks, "to teach our children the psychopathic style in order that they may survive?" He speaks of "Brilliant individuals among us that are basing their own lives on the psychopathic model" and, referring to them, he cites the opinion that, "What was formerly diagnosed mental illness has turned into the new spirit of the age." He seems quite serious in repeatedly asking if we should imitate the psychopath, if we should "yield to insanity accepted as normal? Cultivate one's own latent psychopathy, perhaps trying to adapt it to good ends?" He also says, "Conceivably the times are railing for an idealized version of the psychopath as savior."

Other quotations are given from writers who claim that psychopaths should be considered as having found the great answers to life. In response to such opinions, the author asks, "Have we come to the hour of the psychopath, the advent of psychopathic man ... when what was once presumed to be a state of illness is abruptly declared to be a state of health, ... can it be true that, with the dramatic appearance of the psychopathic ideal, a new man has come upon us, that in order to survive the turbulent years ahead, far from seeking to treat the psychopath in clinics, we should rather emulate him, learn how to become him?"

Such opinions as these, and many others quoted or expressed directly by the author, give rise to a number of thoughts. First, let me say that the question of whether or not it is desirable to be a psychopath seems not so much a real question as a pretext for sophistry. For a sophistry that is not only obvious but monumentally frivolous. It strongly suggests to me the sort of argument that might arise about whether or not a physician should use treatment in behalf of the patient or in behalf of the microorganisms which are in the process of killing him.

It is true that the psychopath is extremely difficult to understand or to explain. Confusion has often arisen about just what is indicated by the term. Any reasonable sane person who feels or says that we should emulate the psychopath must, one might presume, have a poor understanding of what the term indicates and must, surely, be talking about something else. Textbooks over the years, as we know, have often listed widely differing disorders under this term. A sincere choice of the real psychopath as model or leader by anyone familiar with the Subject would be beyond absurdity.

"In Le Figaro magazine of 6 January 2007, Alain-Gerard Slama wrote that 'the two cardinal values on which democracy rests are liberty and growth.' This is a perfect defintion of liberalism. One in which, of course, what the author takes care to call 'democracy' is simply the liberal system, bending the word to the requirements defined in modern 'semantic workshops'. (This is the name in the United States for bodies charged with imposing on the public at large, by way of the control of the media, the use of words that best meets the needs of the ruling classes.) This now customary slight of hand naturally authorizes a whole series of very useful discrepancies. If the word 'democracy', for example, must now be used only to define liberalism, then a new term is needed to denote that 'goverment of the People, by the People, for the People' which was seen as the very essence of democracy not so long ago. The new term chosen by the semantic workshops is 'populism'. All that is needed, then, is to equate populism (in the face of any basic historical knowledge) with a perverse variant of classic fascism, and the effects desired can be obtained with a disconcerting facility. If it occurs to you, for example, that people should be consulted on this or that problem that affects their future, or that the incomes of the business world's great predators are really indecent, something within you immediately warns that you're in danger of falling into the most disturbed 'populism', and consequently that the 'filthy Beast' is approaching you in great strides. As a well-brought-up citizen (well brought up by the media industry), you immediately know what you should really think and do."

Jean-Claude Michea, "Realm of Lessser Evil"

It is endlessly fascinating how much time, effort, and planning goes into enabling humans to sail smoothly from one unconscious commercial urge to another as they go about their day. As we drift through businesses, supermarkets, and restaurants, our unconscious is tugged this way and that by sensory stimulus and the ever-present hum of advertising.

Recently, the New York Times ran a story about the psychology of dining. The big restaurant chains have studied this topic intensely and have modeled their entire operations around the insight gained, from the layout of the menu to the color of the buildings and logos. As the recession grinds on, smaller restaurants are turning to these menu consultants and asking them how they can make more money putting the same old food in a fancy new package.

All advertising and marketing messages can be distilled down to one basic message: over-consume. Gorge yourself on consumerism. Don't deny yourself, you deserve it. This is the fabricated narcissistic supply that separates a fool from his money.

The ability to say no is perhaps the most important skill in life to learn and cultivate, and in consumer societies this skill is always eroding. Practice it regularly.

"Capitalism requires people to be quiet souls in the workplace and wild pagans at the cash register"
- Ron Chernow, Wall Street Journal 1949

"He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his candle at mine, receives light without darkening me."
Thomas Jefferson, 1813

I was introduced to George Orwell the usual way for those of my generation, high school english assignments of 1984 and Animal Farm. Both novels had a powerful impact on me, but it was in reading some of Orwell's other writings and essays that I found the most, and most profound, gems of wisdom. His linguistic knowledge gave him a rare insight into how we think and communicate, as shown in his metaphor of Newspeak.

Words are the primary weapon of the politician. In this essay, Orwell guides the reader through a hall of linguistic smoke and mirrors, demonstrating the many ways that reality is distorted using vague language and semantic tricks. He draws a line connecting literacy, clear communication, and political freedom. Nothing has changed today, except the literacy of our public and politicians.

George Orwell - Politics and the English Language

"Now, it is clear that the decline of a language must ultimately have political and economic causes: it is not due simply to the bad influence of this or that individual writer. But an effect can become a cause, reinforcing the original cause and producing the same effect in an intensified form, and so on indefinitely. A man may take to drink because he feels himself to be a failure, and then fail all the more completely because he drinks. It is rather the same thing that is happening to the English language. It becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts. The point is that the process is reversible. Modern English, especially written English, is full of bad habits which spread by imitation and which can be avoided if one is willing to take the necessary trouble. If one gets rid of these habits one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary first step toward political regeneration: so that the fight against bad English is not frivolous and is not the exclusive concern of professional writers."

I appreciate all of the comments, and I'm sorry I'm not getting back to them. I'm in a bit of a blogger's funk at the moment.

Current issues

• Rice Farmer - Solar Panels and Dust (Rice Farmer is a blog I've added to my regular reading, very interesting posts. A common topic is the limitations of renewable energy.)
• Rice Farmer - Brave New World of Chaos
• Rice Farmer - Systemic Breakdown and Non-State Actors
• Below the Beltway - Top Obama Adviser is 9/11 Truther (looks like he's already apologized and backed away from the statements and GOP members are calling for his resignation)
• Below the Beltway - 'Clunkers' Rebate is Taxable
• Injustice Everywhere - Criminal Cops of the Week Time! (TLC runs a new show with slogans that encourage police brutality, such as "Cavity search, anyone?" and "It's always a good time to taser someone!")
• DUI Blog - DUI cops inspired by CIA (Man passes breathalyzer test, so he's shackled to a hospital bed and forcibly catheterized for a urine sample)
• EFF - Cybersecurity Act Returns with a Fresh Coat of Paint
• Wired - Wikipedia to color code untrustworthy text
• We're Only Human - A Cognitive Metamorphosis (I'm a sucker for Kafka. This article suggests that the bizarre and surreal stirs a psychological need for order and stability in the reader/observer. This might explain a motive for TV news being so insane.)
• Wall Street Journal - The Coming FDIC Bailout
• AlterNet - Why One Night Stands Are Good for You (I can't make this stuff up.)

Cremation of (Health) Care

• Newsweek - The Health Insurers Have Already Won (While they pretend to lobby and astroturf against it, in truth they are salivating over this new captive market.)
• Wall Street Journal - Health-Care Anger has Deeper Roots (No shit, Sherlock)
• Nicholas Kristof - Until Medical Bills do us Part (A sad story of how caretakers of long-term patients are encouraged to divorce in order to save their estate.)
• National Journal - Health Care Debate Revives Tort Reform Debate (caps on medical malpractice lawsuits)
• UK Guardian - Pfizer drug breach ends in biggest US crime fine

From the Vaults

• EFF - Steve Jackson Games v. Secret Service Case Archive (the classic story of how the creator of GURPS, Car Wars, and the Illuminati card game was raided by the Secret Service)
• Counterpunch - No Regrets: Carter, Brzezinski, and the Muj (What, me apologize?)
• MIT Tinfoil Hat Analysis (Turns out it might not be so good for blocking out the CIA/Alien signals.)

It's probably inevitable that my blog falls into the "Conspiracy Theory" category of the blogosphere. I am not a theorist, except when I make predictions, but I am aware that most of the plans that move the world are made by the same  cabals and oligarchies, behind closed doors, and not for the reasons we're given.

There are many behaviors that are popular on "Conspiracy" sites that I do not do here:

• Calling people sheeple, slaves, or "sleeping" - It's an ego-based approach, and if it's ever effective, it's because people react to attacks against their reputation, not because they genuinely want to discover truth, which will taint their observations.
• Calling people who disagree with me a hack, agent, plant, spy, or counter-intelligence operative. Maybe they just disagree.
• Encourage people to "wake up" or call myself "awake." It's a mistake to think there's only one "awakening" and one discovery that leads to it; life is a continual process waking up again and again as your consciousness unfolds.
• Evangelize my point of view, or my conception of the Cosmos, to anybody. I'll talk if you want to listen, but I won't be trying to "sell" you on it.
• Discredit (or credit) anybody on superficial basis - which to me includes race, gender, creed, social class, political affiliation, appearance, or temperament. Temperament is one that trips up too many people; some of the wisest, most caring, most compassionate people on this planet are antisocial, grumpy curmudgeons.
• Tell you which politicians you should support. It's a game. Even the Ron Pauls and the Dennis Kuciniches are playing a game, and their loyalty is more to the game than to us.
• Tell you which god you should support. Nobody's going to save us. It's on us to clean our own messes. The gods of all faiths are conspicuously silent when it comes to help in time of crisis, and didn't do anything to keep us from getting us into this mess in the first place.
• Debate back and forth with people who disagree with me. You don't have to agree with me at all, just afford me the freedom to live my life my way and I will do the same for you.
• Have a Grand Unifying Conspiracy Theory that ties it all up and points to X (Communists, Capitalists, Freemasons, Christians, Catholics, Jesuits, Jews or particular races of Jews, Muslims, Reptiles, Aliens, take your pick) as the sole reason for all the bad stuff. The enemy is multi-faceted, but it comes from patterns of thinking which lead to secrecy, hierarchies, conformity, and so on. The enemy is blind obedience to a so-called superior. The enemy is lusting after money, medals, promotions, awards, and applause instead of doing the right thing.

If you're truly introspective, if you're truly serious about studying these topics, it can be exhausting. You regularly learn facts which require you to go back, yet again, and re-evaluate all of your views and opinions. For now we see through a glass, darkly.

It's all too easy for people whose "eyes are opened" to one set of dogma to fall right into another set of dogma, and look for new transgressors to punish. That's not what I'm writing for. As we watch the Chaos in the United States unfold, we will see again and again why that road leads to death and destruction for all, and why the Powers That Be grow even more powerful when we commoners are at each others' throats over beliefs and affiliations.

I wrap this up with a great panel from the webcomic, xkcd.

One of these two people knew what the hell he was talking about. Deceitful deeds wrapped in beautiful packages kill us softly.

When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say'st,
'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.'
- John Keats, Ode to a Grecian Urn

Truthful words are not beautiful.
Beautiful words are not truthful.
Good men do not argue.
Those who argue are not good.
Those who know are not learned.
The learned do not know.
- Lao Tzu, Tao te Ching