Patrician/ Colonial Views – Social Fields of Study

It’s important to review who you consider a credible theorist and why before you take them too seriously. It helps if the theorist is someone other fields also see as credible, not just their own.

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• But how did this one arrive at their theory? By what method?
• Was it field work? These days, was it computer simulations? Did they sit back and read other people’s work?
• If they did work on a location, did they visit? If on a people, did they meet with a member? Were they embedded for awhile?
• Was their view one where they demeaned the people? Compared them to their own? Or saw them as something unique, worthy of respect?
• Most cultures have been ‘found’ now, so did they show the transition between pre-contact ways and afterwards?
• Was their discussion a fair one? Did they see them as a whole society? With laws and governance? With healing rituals and systems? With prayers and temple organizations? With ways of teaching the children about their language and culture?
• Did they show the gender roles?
• Did they expect them to change to adapt to the world as it is? Or find their own path?

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There is certainly a degree of patricianism in most studies’ theorists. But some are just not worthy of further review. IMO. Do we look at them as so tainted we can’t learn anything from them? Or edit out what is detritus and keep the good?
I think it’s an ongoing process.

Crime – Govt, police, and gangs in Canada

If you want to clean up the streets in a country, besides putting in community services against poverty, or going ‘tough on crime’ (which never works and costs a fortune in prisons/jails), there is another way to reduce it. And it’s NOT by attacking the poor people. It’s by making it harder for gangs to prosper.

But you do have to buffer society as well:

• Determine where and when the exchanges of known gang revenue sources can be exchanged.
• Make sure that only adults/consenting, voluntary participants are involved in the exchanges. Or influenced by them.
• And make sure that they are the only ones profiting by them.

Part of that might be in the fact that the commercials in Canada don’t include such items. And the govt thru CRTC has clear rules about content and community standards for media.

So top down, Canada is working to reduce the revenue gangs can gather inside our borders. And not attacking the poor who are just trying to get by. It’s a process though.

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prostitution and porn
In Canada, a person can sell their own body, and advertise their own sexual services. No one besides them can live off their proceeds, which reduces pimps, gangs’ revenue.

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cannabis
In Canada, limits holding the plant in it’s forms for personal use. From regulated sellers. Also can use with doctor’s prescription.

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opioids
pain relief prescribed by doctor for self. Only regulated sellers may sell. Buyers may only purchase opioids from regulated sellers.

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guns
tightening up gun ownership, transport and sales laws. Who can have them and what can they be used for. What type of gun can a citizen have?

When You’re in a Professional Relationship vs a Personal One.

No matter what type of relationship you’re in, the first thing you want is a good fit. So how do you achieve this? Ask questions. I don’t mean like an interview, or an interrogation. But it is important. How do you find what you need?

In a pro relationship, you need to keep some distance. They aren’t your friend or lover. They’re not a family member either.

But they are someone that you’ll have to tell things you might not even tell your spouse. Like a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher or a therapist. You’ll find you have an odd blend of issues with authority and reliance, and trust that you have to navigate together.

They have to keep you at a distance, reduce attachment so they can walk away at the end of their day and not be a basket case, eg when you disclose trauma. And they don’t always succeed. Esp if it’s some trauma they’ve been thru themselves.

You have to find a way to confide in and trust them. And keep yourself as an autonomous being. So you can say no when they offer you advice. It is just advice after all. It’s your life it has to fit into. So when your professional goals/relationship is over, you can walk away. Sure, you’ll miss them.

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So how do you navigate this initial exchange? Without breaching their boundaries? Without triggering their biases? And still get what you need from them and the relationship?

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When I do this navigation, I tend to ask them at a distance. Over the phone or email/letter. They can answer what they are willing to.

I ask in a way that makes it about my needs. Vs what they bring to the table. I need someone I can rely on over and above all things. So I need to get my head around what that need is.

• When looking for a lawyer, do I need family, civil contract, landlord tenant, criminal……?
• When I need a doctor, do I need a GP, a specialist, an ER doctor? Do I need someone who is geared to tests or more of a supportive relationship?

With therapists, it’s a bit harder to navigate this initial query phase. But you still want the same goals when dealing with a professional.

• A good fit,
• someone who can meet your needs.
• Someone you’re safe with.

But they tend to get testy when you appear to be interviewing them. Prob cuzz it’s a more intimate relationship. Esp in some types more than others. eg sex therapy. But it’s not like you can go from therapist to therapist, getting more and more disillusioned as after months or years in, you realize they’ve done you more harm than good. And you have to separate yourself from them and try again. Presuming that they will tolerate that as a pro.

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And how does a person who is in crisis do all this? Esp if they have been trying and failing over several such relationships? Esp when they keep getting push-back from the people they want on their side.

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To keep distance, therapists talk about boundaries and yes those are important. Or they talk about transference/counter-transference. But they keep to themselves that these are typical to the therapeutic endeavour. Struggles over autonomy, trust and authority are all part of the process. Or you just weren’t in it. A trained therapist will help you navigate that. One who is distant and cold won’t and aren’t worth your time or theirs.

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But you do need to go thru it and find a way to stay separate enough that you don’t tolerate breaches of ethics or create a stalker vibe for them.

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And really, it might be more than nice to know that your marital therapist is in a healthy relationship. That your coach about your addictions knows more than what’s in the textbook. Or the person you seek out when you’re having troubles about your kid has one. But you don’t need to know how often they’re having sex. Where they went to dinner last night (unless you saw them out). Or if their kid had a fever last night. Do you see the difference?

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You do need to know that they’re in it for as long as they need in the way you need it. And it’s ok to find out if they are that person. Before you actually engage their services.

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So what do you think are good questions to ask of a professional? And what is a clear case of MYOB?

Comms on Social Media – Calling Sooey to the Pigs!

I follow quite a few celebrities and politicians on social media. Some of whom are known for infamy more than any talent or stance on issues. And each time they put something onto their acct, they get that sooey response.

I am well aware such things like trolls exist. No really, I get that. But some of the comms people behind these accts seem to be looking for clicks in the stupidest fashion I’ve ever seen! As soon as I read the post I wince! I don’t need to read the comments to know just what I’ll see. Yet I do, cuzz I want to see if I’m right. I usually am.

The question is, are they doing it on purpose? Some people do want attention and negative attention is better than nothing. And it is how they got their fame. Notoriety. So if that is what they were trying for, good job and all!

But some of the people whose acct it is come back and respond. Like they’re hurt by what has happened. Ok, then dude, fire your comms team! Cuzz how stupid do they have to be to put that out there?!

And after getting all these comments after this kind of post, eventually you have to wonder, how stupid is the celebrity or politician?

For eg, since Erin O’Toole has been on Twitter (and prob his other SM pages too for all I know) he has buckled down on being a dunce. Made every stupid error there is going on his posts. J/s the people who vote for him have got to be just above brain dead. Yet he continues. Which means that his comms team let him continue.

POTUS 45 should have had his mouse taken from him by his comms team too. The Friday night rants were ridiculous!

Isn’t there a point where the comms team’s rep is on the line too? (Dude, you let him do that?? Well blow me a new one!!) Yeah no, I wouldn’t hire either agency if I wanted something done. Yet isn’t that kind of the point of taking on a client like that? To get more business? To gain prestige?

Sometimes I wonder if the comms team is working for the other party. Cuzz they are doing a brilliant job for them!

If what you are known for is notoriety, and you really want to rebrand yourself, then have a respectable agency do your comms. And rule #1 just might be: don’t recall that incident or relationship in your posts! Like ever!! Show how you have grown and changed for the better SINCE the event or relationship and most fair people will give you another chance.

I know I’m a voyeur online, not a pro at comms, but don’t the train wrecks in the comments give you a clue that something is wrong with your strategy? Like I said, yes there are trolls, they do exist. No denying that. But sometimes you have to look at what you’re putting out there too.

If you’re calling out ‘dinner!!’ to the piggies they will come for dinner.

The Highwayman – Lost in Time (a story)

The Highwayman – Lost in Time

Cedric was laying in the grass by the highway, waiting for a horse and buggy or stagecoach to come by on the road. They usually came by at this time of the day. But he had noticed they were running less and less often here these days. This road hadn’t been as popular as when his pappy and brothers had spent their time in the grass here waiting for some time now. Maybe he should change his spot. Had he out-used this hidey-hole?

Times were tough at home. His wife wasn’t able to get in washing from the big houses in town. They weren’t having many bairns either, so she couldn’t even get the dues of a midwife or nanny often.

His daughters couldn’t find many young ones to sit. And most of the big houses had their own staff. They weren’t putting on the big parties either. So there were no extra staff needed for those.

The town didn’t seem to draw as many visitors, so he and his sons weren’t getting time at the stables and blacksmith’s either.

Money and times were tight. He and his sons left the women folk to garden and can, and even let them sink their rods in the pond. While the menfolk went out hunting and checking the snares for small game. But the animals and fish seemed low these days as well. Their dinner table had more grubs and veg than meat these days. The meals were pretty meagre.

Which is why Cedric was here, waiting in the grass. He had to find some coin or jewels to feed his family. And all he had seen today was crazy metal things hurtling by him.

Good a shot as he was, there was no slowing them down. Was there?

Fringe Groups – Mobs, gangs, terrorists, survivalists, conspiracy theorist followers, cults, communes (a story/ish)

Fringe Groups – Mobs, gangs, terrorists, survivalists, conspiracy theorist followers, cults, communes

Here little dolly! Here my pet! Why are you hiding? Have you been bad again? I don’t know why you don’t listen to me. All my other pets obey me.

Oh cute! You’ve found friends! Are they nice to you? Will they obey me if I call their names out? Will they march or dance when I pull your strings? Will they wear the cute outfits pets should wear for their owners? The ones that look just like mine? I spent so much time and money getting them just right, ya know?

Will they play with the toys I bought? The ones that hurt their pride and promote greed? That break after they’ve been played with only a time or two? That kill our planet?

Will they eat the food we all do?

Will they speak the same as we do?

What do you mean no!!?

Well then, it’s us or them! You know our rules and rites. You can stay if you follow them. But your disobedient friends? Yeah they have to go!

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What is it about society that causes it’s splintering?

• Is it illegal to separate from the larger group because you don’t agree with how things go?
• Does it make a difference if you are right and what your little group does is for the betterment of your group?
• Does it make a difference if your actions that attack society are in self defence of your members?
• Are you allowed to gather food and supplies for your group? Despite sanctions applied by society?
• Are you allowed to gather and make money without being seen as the problem by society?
• Or are you supposed to wither and die because your group finds society to be immoral? Even if it is?

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These questions are timeless and the answer leaders and members who get along in society give is a resounding ‘no you cannot!’

You must comply, whether or not you agree. Because society is a demi-urge. You are judged as moral and sane only by compliance to society’s standards. If you stand alone, you will likely find yourself incarcerated in jail or in a mental health facility. It depends on the group whether an individual can be different, don’t ya know. But mostly no.

You find out in school, your religious group and in your childhood home that you must fit in. It’s imperative. The alternative is labels. Delayed, evil, disobedient, mentally ill…. It comes down to the same thing.

In order to justify their existence, you must be seen as the misfit.

If you return and ask for another chance, society will pat your head and let you in, conditionally. Some form of monitor and compliance with conditions of surrender will get you back in their good graces. They will make you their poster ‘child’ of redemption, of how good they are for letting you back in. Does it matter that they were what shoved you out in the first place? Nope. Will they ever completely trust you again? Nope.

That is the price of society seeing the majority as necessary to good governance and a healthy group. Assimilation.

And that means, dear folk, that society is the evil one.

Your Submission and Service ARE Gifts, But So is My Dominance & Leadership

The /s side of the slash is often written about on kink sites as the one that does the giving. And they do. But so do the D/’s in the relationship. We give our time, attention, support…our sexual and social skills and often our friendship and love. And we bear a LOT of the weight in the guilt when things go wrong or when the law gets involved. Have you ever heard of an /s facing charges? And it’s pretty rare when you see the /s get the flack on kink sites for a break up.

Bottom line, if both people in the relationship aren’t giving and taking, then the dynamic is abusive. It’s better if there is a balancing out, not a tally or score sheet.

At the beginning, the D/ & /s should negotiate then agree to the terms before the D/ takes the lead. From a place of trust and respect, and knowing what you want out of the exchange. Preferably from an equal strength position. Either you’re both fairly new and open to an educational journey together or at similar experience trying to explore a new aspect or trade advanced skills.

At least that’s my position…. Do you agree?

The Slaves, the Criminals and the Schools First – Waves of Colonialism. from Earth to the Skies (Branson, Bezos) – a story/ish

The Slaves, the Criminals and the Schools First – Waves of Colonialism. from Earth to the Skies (Branson, Bezos)

At the four corners of the earth, a holy woman stood. Listening to the voices of mothers and fathers crying over their children’s bodies. Listening to the screams of slaves, prisoners and school aged children as they were ‘taught’ to work, ‘taught’ to become what had never been wanted by them. Listening to the peoples who were lost in the veils of time, of the words that were never heard spoken again, of the customs lost to time.

And the wise women sang to each other, to soothe their broken hearts, to gain solace and hope for a better tomorrow. Even though they presumed there wouldn’t be any great change.

Desperate peoples had found each other and were in a timeless tussle for the earth that would only end if there was a new planet to conquer. Did that begin when they landed on the moon? July 20, 1969

Or would it begin now that the rich were busy gathering their clients for shuttles? (Branson July 11,21 / Bezos July 20, 21)

The wise women’s heads were spinning at all the possibilities. All the things that could have been so different for the people of the land if the faithful hadn’t spread their gods by their swords. If they had shown some sense in how many people had children and how many.

The wise women saw the dust gathering, wave after wave of plague, famine and drought crossing the planet. And they cried. Now might come the end. Unless the greedy learned their lesson? Or would colonialism spread to the universe now?

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You can hear the feet of soldiers marching across lands that they wanted. the tides shoved onto land by the boats of trade, conquest and settlement, the chants of priests and settlers who came to escape persecution in their land of birth.

If the lands had been empty, things would have been so different. But no matter which way their prows turned, they found people there already. People with customs and culture, with language and families. That mattered at first, when the numbers were small, at home and in the new country. But that didn’t last long.

• Maybe it was the conditions that led to the black death of
  1346 – 1352 or 1620?
• Maybe it was the schism of the Christian church that began in the early 16th C?
  Does why matter when so many screams came after? When so many people are still dying due to colonialism and it’s attitudes?
  Is there a way for things to be healed, to really change what has been wrought in the name of God, king or queen, and conquest?

…. resources

historystacker
historyisnowmag
historytoday
bloomsbury
(In 1415, the Portuguese Empire used convicts as part of an expeditionary force sent to conquer the Moroccan presidio (fort) of Ceuta in North Africa.)
openeditions
thoughtco
slavetrade began in 15th C
gandc
(residential schools in Canada can be traced as far back as the 17th century)
americaslibrary
Colonial America (1492-1763) European nations came to the Americas to increase their wealth and broaden their influence over world affairs. … Many of the people who settled in the New World came to escape religious persecution.
khanaacademy
European thirst for global dominance began with the Portugese (1488) and Spanish (1492).

mind/matter – Quantum theories

There is a battle over where things originate in humans:

• Does our body sense what we experience? Or does our brain’s observer take note and pass on what it ‘sees’ to us?
• At what level of consciousness do we interpret what the senses experience and make use of it?
• Is what we sense really there, or a product of our brain’s journey?
• How limited are our senses? And by what?
• When we sort our day’s journey in our dreams, do we make note of things we didn’t notice when we were awake?
• Can hypnosis bring out more of our experience?
• Can we mitigate or manipulate our experience, esp in advance? Pre-condition what we notice?
• If there is a place for the divine, where is it?

“The Kingdom of God is inside/within you (and all about you), not in buildings/mansions of wood and stone. (When I am gone) Split a piece of wood and I am there, lift the/a stone and you will find me.” Gnostic Bible Gospel of Timothy (77)

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It seems like the questions are very eastern in their philosophy, like something a yogi would ask. But these are also the type of questions that quantum theories are focusing on.

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The discussion in the video is really cool. And it seems like a bunch of yogi are having a chat. Till you get to the end credits, and realize that most of the talking heads are people of science, quantum theorists and medical doctors talking about consciousness. (Don’t worry, it’s actually quite an entertaining and at places funny video, as well as thought-provoking.

Myer’s model of consciousness

Jung’s model of consciousness

Superstition –

• You can’t do things differently or the god(s) will be angry.
• A new person might be a devil or an angel. They might be a scout for an army. They might be carrying a disease.
• Tried, tested and true. At least you know what it involves.
• Curiosity killed the cat.
• Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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Superstition is something that has dogged humanity since the beginning of time. It’s gone thru every institution, every human being. There is something you’re afraid of, and there is something you do/don’t do or say/don’t say that mitigates that fear for you. Like ‘step on a crack, you’ll break your mother’s back’. Avoid black cats. Don’t break a mirror…..

And if it turns out right, it’s because you listened. If it doesn’t, you didn’t do it right or the god(s) were too angry to give you what you needed.

There is always a search for something and there is always a method for how you do things.

In science, you clean your lab, follow the known rules of your field, write your observations down, have a colleague check your work.

In magic and religion you set the scene, light the candles, pray/chant, perform your ceremony and close it out with gratitude.

In technology, you draw what you want to make, test and retest the smaller components, then put it together and test and retest again till you’re sure it works.

And your faith is in what you know, what your teachers have taught you. What you have observed for yourself. What you know someone else can replicate. But not quite closely enough that they can break your patent. Just enough to prove your theory.

The unknown is scary, but so is status quo. Like sharks, you move or die. For a college or university, you publish or perish.

And under it all is this pervasive fear that you aren’t good enough to do this, that you shouldn’t be there. That everything will crash and burn and it’ll be your fault. You’ll lose your membership in your group. You’ll be left destitute.

Yet somehow you keep going in the tracks you stepped in yesterday. Or start over where you last had positive results. There is no new, and you can’t do the same thing too often or you’ll be mocked.

They call it panic now. Peer pressure is a killer. But over all time, it’s been seen as superstition. Because you work very hard to achieve perfection, knowing full well it doesn’t exist.