Not a Drunken Puppet
Wolfram Alderson
Change Maker focused on human and environmental health, especially metabolic health and nutrition. Entrepreneur, ecosystemizer, artist, amanuensis, and strategian. Science leaves no one behind. Omnia vincit amor.
Too many Americans are being played by the many false dichotomies of polarized politics in the U.S. (and beyond).
The Puppet Masters on both sides have succeeded in pushing many decent, rational people to extremes, reducing them to wallowing in anger, shouting a lot on social media, and being manipulated - while they, the so-called 1%, stand back and enjoy the fun and watch all the wealth roll into their bank accounts.
Germane to this discussion is Dr. Robert Lustig's book Hacking of the American Mind. It may not be a conspiracy, but it is certainly advantageous that so many hedonic substances in our environment, food system, pharma system, tech system, etc., drive the dopamine complex and keep us in the fear zone, and constantly push us away from mindful, peaceful and clear-thinking states that lend to understanding, evolution, and love.
I say this as a life-long "leftie" passionately dedicated to social change and fighting oppression - and vehemently opposed to the current (Trump) administration. However, shouting and insults don't help. Restoring/maintaining democracy requires a lot of hard work - the time-honored axiom of "Don't agonize, organize!" is as relevant as ever. And, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”
I find the article, "False Dichotomy" by Peter J. Robertson to be thought provoking and insightful.
Can we stop shouting at each other long enough to engage in true dialogue and democracy? The Puppet Masters rely on us to keep writing them checks, swiping our credit cards, and supporting their extravagant lifestyles. Imagine what would happen if we stopped doing that. For example, did you know there are open source cell phones and community controlled cellular networks? We really don’t need the iPhone X or Apple or proprietary tech. We need to take the red pill, leave behind the fabricated reality, and see the matrix - the true reality… it may not be as slick as the one they are manufacturing for us, but you will feel so alive and connected and un-polarized.
The only thing that is real is love, and no one can sell you that reality - you have to manufacture it yourself.
Header photo (Drunken Puppet) by James Chapman.