The Dark Ages of the New Aeon
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A dark age in science would be terrible, our entire civilization now rests on technology and science, having people chop at the branch they are sitting on seems like a bad prospect.
Dawkins though, I'm a big fan. The Selfish Gene, is one of my favourite books- it answered some of my most fundamental problems with understanding life, and shed light on the entire process. His vocal atheism is a necessary reaction , he's pushing for better science education in schools, for people to think rationally and for themselves.
He hasn't destroyed god, he just has a really good way of explaining complex things, and he used it to discredit many phony reasons for belief, if anything this will cause more people to look into themselves and think about life and their place in it.Dark Age for religions and faith and ideologies? I hope so, rather see people thinking for themselves to some small degree, even if they arrive at an answer that I don't like, than see people look to religion jut because their parents and tradition did.
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Interesting replies.
By "Scientific Dark Age" I'm thinking along the lines of Crichton's essay.
Specifically the Politicisation of Science, or more accurately the falsification of Science for Political means and attempts to repress any questioning of that "science".In this I see echoes of the Organished churches and their use of Sprituality as a means of political power and controlling the populous.
Is the same going to happen to science, where an "Infallible" science and its "unquestionable" priests play the same role as the Bearded-One and his "infallible" agents?
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Dare I say that Everything is Political,
I do not think that we (American's) have freedom of the press any more.
I think that anything and eveything that happens IRL has been planned, controlled and manipulated.
While science does seem to be lifting the veils in many regards, I think it is pulling the wool over our eyes in many others.Thank you for posting Mr. Critchon's site and piece. He was a glorious star and his words are missed.
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Although slight off topic, I don't believe"we" have ever had "freedom of the presses" nor do I believe the founding patriots ever expected anyone but the rich to run the presses. Just go back into the archives and see who these free press where during the revolution. The notion that reporting should be "unbiased" is newer than New Coke.
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
The only Dark Age, that seems to be amiss, is the "Dark Age" that happens when "thought" moves "forward". It seems that the area of "advance" is mostly driven by capitalistic motivation, where a select few profit greatly from monopolizing the knowledge. Then there are the reactionary Luddites that hate progress, considering it an act of evil. Finally, there are the "average" people that eventually catch a benefit from the advance of technology, when it finally trickles down to them.
I'm sure Richard Dawkins is raking in the money, by rehashing the anti-god talk, just like many before him. One would hope that maybe next time he can come up with a catchier title, since he can't come up with original ideas. I guess I'll have to stick to True Blood for something really provacative...
WTF? Where's my dracula emoticon?
Unfortunately, exploitation seems to be the way things work in any Aeon. But, then again, I don't remember the other Aeons that I've lived in that well, so I have to go on the inaccurate media reports, whether in history books or from more credible sources, like the Colbert Report.
Everyone, me included, seems to be an amalgamation of every one else's thoughts and motives. I guess it's what we do with the information that dictates our Path.
Anyway, I'm thankful that I live in a relatively wealthy country, in this day and age.
Love is the law, love under will.
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Frater639>"It seems that the area of "advance" is mostly driven by capitalistic motivation, where a select few profit greatly from monopolizing the knowledge. "
For those who can stand back and take an objective look, the economic system of Capitalism with Central Banking led to the greatest expansion of wealth among the masses of humanity compared to ANY other system in history. The fact that disproportionate accumulation continues in the hands of a few is not a defect of 'capitalism' but a defect of the level of consciousness of most human beings.
"Monopolizing Knowledge"... hah!... The VAST majority of humanity is clearly too darn lazy to even begin to avail themselves of the readily available knowledge right under their noses.
Capitalism has proven itself as a superior economic system. The ignorant masses are the ones who continue to underperform.
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
Labyrinthus:
I hope my comments weren't taken to sound negative toward the idea of capitalism, in the modern, economical sense of the word. To further clarify, I was referring to the idea of using intellectual wherewithal to make capital. I agree that the idea of capitalism in economics is not to be demonized, and I'm sure you'll agree that, in order to be successful monetarily, it takes certain ingenuity in many cases. Whether that denotes a "less-defective" level of consciousness is not for me to judge.
I agree that this current economic system seems to have increased the wealth of the masses exponentially, according to my perspective, and I think that perspective is shared by many people.
Our current system is hardly capitalism (or socialism), in the strictest sense of the word. However, I'm dismayed that my comments contributed to a political, economic, or intellectual argument. I was merely pointing out, in my previous comment, that everything is a matter of perspective, and I would hardly fault someone for living their life the way they choose to live it. Meaning, if one wants to turn a profit, via exploitation (or even with a purely philanthropic impetus, for that matter), it is an expression of that particular person's existence, which is not for me to say if that is "right" or "wrong".
Ethics, in the material sense, are dependent on perspective, something that I try to eradicate when pursuing my Path. In has been my experience that perspectives are swayed by information, and often times this information is presented as "objective truth". "Science" is dangerous in this regard, as it seems to be becoming synonymous with "objectivity".
As far as I'm concerned, using my faculties with the MOTIVE of material success, is not MY True Will. And far be it from me to tell anybody that this is the "right" attitude...
It seems that any intellectual argument falls under the realm of Swords, which, to me, divides force into perspectives (including labeling "forces" as "economic systems"), or a dualism of sorts (or even further divided, the more corrupted it becomes), because it separates from the Whole. The Two of Swords represents "peace". When it comes to intellectualism, the Sphere of the Two of Swords is one that I try to maintain in my Path, which, to me, shows both perspectives. Otherwise, I find that, for me, it can lead to obsession. Having spent a long time studying politcs, ethics, and philosophy, I have learned to try to understand both sides and not to become the slave of opinion to one or the other. I'm just along for the ride.
I just strive to know myself and I find that there is enough Work in that.
Also, my previous comment was intended to be lighthearted. Thus the reference to True Blood. I didn't intend for it to be misconstrued in any other way.
Love is the law, love under will.
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@Labyrinthus said
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For those who can stand back and take an objective look, the economic system of Capitalism with Central Banking led to the greatest expansion of wealth among the masses of humanity compared to ANY other system in history. ."
At further risk of derailing the thread further, I would simply offer that that could be seen as a subjective view possibly not shared by the many millions murdered or disenfranchised of their land or forced into slavery to feed that material expansion in the anglo-saxon west.
Still, as a sometime student of political history I do see a rhythmical nature, a pendulum swing between ideals and realities, and can so see us happily walking ourselves into a new "Dark Age", (whatever shape it may take) as AC seems to warn in The Book of Thoth as well as other places, and wondered if others have thought about this warning and what it might mean to them.
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"Still, as a sometime student of political history I do see a rhythmical nature, a pendulum swing between ideals and realities, and can so see us happily walking ourselves into a new "Dark Age", (whatever shape it may take) as AC seems to warn in The Book of Thoth as well as other places, and wondered if others have thought about this warning and what it might mean to them."
haven't given it much thought, but first thing that comes to mind is that this "Dark Age" could be connected to various kinds of martial unbalanced energy forms (on the social level) - maybe a harsh period in this aeon during which humanity must pass through all the remanent qliphotic structures in that part of colective consciousness which is resonant to the Geburah-idea. (and also to the Path of Peh, on the way up the Tree, climbing to Tipharet - the conscious reaching of which is the next great step)
I don't think we should at all expect something similar to the Dark Ages of the previous aeon.
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"millions murdered or disenfranchised of their land or forced into slavery to feed that material expansion in the Anglo-Saxon west."
I think that had a lot less to do with capitalism than it did with Monarchy and Imperialism. Unless you are referring to the mythological "genocide" of indigenous populations in America (that never happened). I was referring to an economic system that lifted literally BILLIONS into a position of wealth that was unheard of and unimagined a century or so ago. The fact that millions were and always shall be crushed by the steamroller of time and Fate is something that few among us will bother to lift a finger to try and change. Though many will moan and complain about it.
It never ceases to amaze me how a ubiquitous behavior pattern among humans throughout history suddenly became not just objectionable but incomprehensible in recent generations.
I suspect that the urge to grow, conquer and expand will continue in some form or another among humans... regardless of the economic system in place.
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@danica said
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haven't given it much thought, but first thing that comes to mind is that this "Dark Age" could be connected to various kinds of martial unbalanced energy forms (on the social level) - maybe a harsh period in this aeon during which humanity must pass through all the remanent qliphotic structures in that part of colective consciousness which is resonant to the Geburah-idea. (and also to the Path of Peh, on the way up the Tree, climbing to Tipharet - the conscious reaching of which is the next great step)
I don't think we should at all expect something similar to the Dark Ages of the previous aeon."
Though I agree with your last statement, I'm not ashamed to admit you lost me in the middle there.
Geburah-idea, Path of Peh?
I'm not familiar enough with the symbolism and would appreciate elucidation along simpler lines.
I can only apologise for my failure to follow you.
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I use that in the Qabalistic sense - look for 'the Tree of Life' here or google it, for some quick view-info on the subject [this is the shortest and simplest answer I could give in this circumstances.. an attempt to do it in more detail would mean writing a book - a booklet at least].
if you are familiar with the astrological symbolism, the idea of Mars (in its archetypal, symbolic sense) is analogous with the ideas connected to Geburah and Peh.
if you have no other refference for this at hand, here's a link to 'meaning of the planets' short text (abridged from solunars.net) docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B4UQi7q0C1BJYTUwODYzY2EtMzk3Mi00YWJmLTlhYzctOGE3YmYyNWE1ZTU5&hl=en- look for Mars there
Dion Fortune's "The Mystical Qabalah" is a good basic introduction to Qabalah.
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
@danica said
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"haven't given it much thought, but first thing that comes to mind is that this "Dark Age" could be connected to various kinds of martial unbalanced energy forms (on the social level) - maybe a harsh period in this aeon during which humanity must pass through all the remanent qliphotic structures in that part of colective consciousness which is resonant to the Geburah-idea. (and also to the Path of Peh, on the way up the Tree, climbing to Tipharet - the conscious reaching of which is the next great step).I don't think we should at all expect something similar to the Dark Ages of the previous aeon."
"Yes! I wholeheartedly agree. Especially the part about the "Geburah-esque" Form, and it's unbalanced "shadow" side, which "responds" to the Force that's influenced by the New Aeon.
I believe it's also safe to say that any response (influenced by the Geburah Sphere) will always bring the Forces to a stable Form for us, regardless of the "uncomfortable" aspects of it's Martial nature.
I also agree that the Mystical Qabalah is a great intro to the Tree of Life. I believe many Keys are held there.
Love is the law, love under will.
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"Though many will moan and complain about it."
I need to moan......
I read your words, and I understand this point of view of wealth being a tangible, material thing, that has done wonders.....
BUT......
From my expierence and understanding that type of wealth is limited, and while it did lift people up and give them more coins in thier purse it has systematically destroyed another source of wealth, one in which the rewards often go unseen, and was infinite. The connection humanity used to enjoy with its fellow inhabitant is all but gone. That wealth (true gold!) IMO cannot be measured, weighed or compared to the gold we see on tv, in the stores, and around our necks.While I am thankful on one hand for the blessings of this society, when I rush my child to the ER for help, or drive my car, or brush my teeth, and esp when I run hot wwater.....I am sad for the loss of diversifaction, cultural approriation, and the inner wealth that used to overflow from my fellow Brother and Sisters.
Grief is a very real thing, and takes time to work through. So while others go count thier gold, I will moan for my lost Siblings as long as I need too.
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Whether it's an accurate impression or not, I see the "Dark Ages" of Europe as being very similar to our time. Umberto Eco is one author whose frequent portrayal of the Middle Ages I find very fascinating.
There was a power vacuum after the decline of the Roman empire, and eventually the feudalism popular throughout Europe began to coalesce into nation-states. Soon, the two competing forces were King and Church.
It was a two edged sword. On the one hand, there were a lot of benefits. The Crusades had given Europeans access to the mathematical and scientific advances of the Muslim neighbors, and Europe became flooded by so many great new ideas. Literature, algebra, architectural advancements, firearms, navigational instruments, spectacles. On the other hand, one had to be careful to try to fit these new ideas into the framework of Christian dogma. And Kings, while being able to assemble large resources for expansion, exploration, etc., were often fickle.
When the Black Plague came, it thinned the population enough to make feudalism no longer a functioning option (the opposite came true for Russian peasants).
The next step in exploration was trade, and soon Capitalism's forerunner, Mercantilism stepped in to provide regulation that was not coming from the King or Church. Soon you had large companies, like the British East India Trading Co., acting in a rather symbiotic relationship with federal governments, and funding entire wars. You have governments shifting away from absolute monarchism, and the Catholic church losing its monopoly. Throw in an industrial revolution and fast-forward to today.
Today, the two main competing forces are Representative Government and Corporations. It's a two edged sword. On the one hand, we've entered a new technological era. Our World Wars and lesser global skirmishes have brought us trading partners and have flooded our homes with a vast array of new things. Our dinner plates are full of exotic foods. On the other hand, one has to be careful to not piss off our Capitalist overlords too much. If you're not a trust-fund baby, or willing to be impoverished, you need to cut your hair, get a job, and keep your mouth shut to avoid spouting too much hippy-dippy nonsense.
Corporations are now larger than nations, and act independent of governments. But if you look at economic trends of the last few decades in the US, where Corporate power checks have been systematically dismantled by Republican and Democrat leaders alike, you see a very clear trend. A growing gap between the rich and the poor. Some might claim the imaginary forces of Social Darwinism at work, but it's clearly just the elite using existing power and money to seek more power and money.
But as the eruption of the volcano in Iceland demonstrates, the power-infrastructure of huge corporations is on a lot shakier ground than one might imagine. (Similarly, 9/11 seems an apt metaphor for how shaky the power of nations often are, in the face of tiny groups of militants).
So what's next? How the f*** should I know...
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I do not understand how this "growing gap between rich and poor" can be such a fixation for even those who practice consciousness expansion exercises.
In the USA there isn't really such a thing as material poverty so much as there is poverty of consciousness.
If any child goes to bed hungry it is not for lack of money. This society is awash in money on all levels. The root cause is a lack of morals, ethics and a sense of responsibility among parents. The problem is made worse by those who refuse to hold responsible parties responsible.
If the money spent on beer, cigarettes, drugs, grease-burgers, Latte, etc. or any other manner of mood altering substances were simply applied to the health, education and welfare of the family most of these situations of want and deprivation would disappear overnight.
The illusion of needing a certain haircut or special manner of dress to succeed is easy to see through. Modest, respectful dress and common sense hygiene will suffice for those willing to put in an honest day's work. Showing up late and calling in sick once too often on Friday or Monday reveals another problem that does not reside with the Giant ACME Corp.
I suggest a reading of a book titled "The Millionaire Next Door". Hard work, self-discipline and responsible behavior can go a long way... come hell or hard karma, it can be done. For those with anything remotely resembling even an elementary level of Thelemic "Will" it could even be a cakewalk.
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@Takamba said
"If there is to come a future dark age, it may look like Somalia today, but before then there may be those who try to prevent it with severe martial law."
What's Somalia like today, Takamba? I must confess ignorance... (my uneducated impression being that post-civil war Somalia is a lot like many Islamic nations, with the mix of Sharia and civil law, etc)
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@Labyrinthus said
"I do not understand how this "growing gap between rich and poor" can be such a fixation for even those who practice consciousness expansion exercises.
In the USA there isn't really such a thing as material poverty so much as there is poverty of consciousness. "
Plutocracy - that's the danger.
As rulers, the wealthy have never been overly concerned about the personal liberties of the ruled. In fact, many are the worst kind of rulers - the kind who have sold piece after piece of their soul for material gain and the approval of others - nothing lasting or meaningful. As a group, they are generally at least as poor in consciousness as your description of the unwealthy.
Jan, 2010, the US Supreme court ruled that the McCain-Feingold Act of 2002, the US federal law that regulates the financing of political campaigns, was in violation of corporations' and unions' "First Amendment rights."