My post on elder sibling relationships as an analogy for classism and conspiracy theory seems to have been a success. By that, I mean that it lead to more and better questions, which is one of the criteria I use for judging success on this site and elsewhere in my life.
If we accept this idea that some people are allowed greater “freedoms” because they see themselves as sort of our “older brothers” or social betters (on account of their having more responsibility for running things), then that opens up the question of: are we allowed to grow up ever in that scenario? And what happens when we do?
I’ve asked this question before elsewhere in other forms:
Imagine what would happen if all of us who sat on the sidelines in protest of the game suddenly went out on the field. Imagine if those of us who in our hearts know we should have been somebody, who should have been leaders - great men and women one and all - suddenly woke up and claimed what should have been ours. Those who have kept us on the sidelines - intentionally or not - would tremble in fear at the thundering of our hearts beating in unison across the world. The game would change over night. The meek would inherit the earth.
If we choose to “grow up” though, what does that mean? It means we have to accept upon ourselves the hardships of responsibility and leadership which we are SO goddamned quick to criticize everyone else for handling poorly. We would likely see the enormous challenges required to keep things in balance, and the impossible compromises that you’re forced to make in those types of scenarios.
Possibly more important than asking simply “what if” we choose to grow up and stand in an equal position, shoulder to shoulder with our “big brother”, we must ask ourselves “how”. I’ve often wondered this in relation to conspiracy theory: let’s say that one day, amidst all my turmoil of trying to figure out the “truth” of what’s really going on in the world, I accidentally figure it out. Let’s say one day, I stumble across the horrible truth and publish it online for all the world to read. What happens then? Do the members of the conspiracy roll up to my house in a limousine and give me a choice? Get in and join us or die on this spot right now.
And we must also recognize within ourselves what it is that we want. Do we want to get into the limo? When we criticize the excesses of those in power, what are we calling for? On some level, we are seeking to exercise our own power in place of theirs. When things seem out of control, we demand that they be brought back into control. But by whom? By which of us? Which of us are standing up to bat to seize the reigns of control? Many of us offer philosophies which we hope will harmlessly replace the existant paradigms. But when push comes to shove, most of us back off from such all-comsuming responsibility. Better let someone else do it. What that of course creates is a vaccuum of power, a gulf between those in control, those wanting to be in control but too timid and insecure to take it, and those who are bold enough to actually capitalize on that difference.
So do we really want to grow up? Are we ready for it? Or would it be easier for us to sit back and complain about the piss poor job somebody else is doing with the power which we give up to them willingly each and every day? I think we need only look at ourselves to see which we’ve chosen again and again, though it will be a rare person who’ll admit that to themselves.
Say we change our minds though: how do we go about announcing our candidacy for growing up? Do we send an email to the CIA, the White House, to the leader of the Freemasons that reads something like:
Dear Sir or Madam:
For years I have spent my time whining about how bad of a job you guys are doing with everything. But I realize now how juvenile such behavior really is, and how driven by envy and artificial concepts of fairness. So I am writing to you to announce the fact that I am ready to step up and take control. I suspect that you will read this letter and react according to the classic storyline wherein you see my words as a threat to you, perhaps even a threat of violence. But we are both grown-ups and I think we can freely admit that this is not the case. We both know you have a lot of men with guns and bombs and things. And all I have is my own two hands, my heart and my head.
What I’m offering you actually is not violence at all, but an offer of early retirement. I realize how difficult and stressful your position must be as Supreme Ruler of Everything. People give you shit for that all the time, I know, but it’s a hard job. And few people have the wherewithal to do even half as shitty a job as you have done. Perhaps it is hubris, but I believe myself, however, that I could do things perhaps a little differently and yield remarkably different results.
If you like, I could act as a consultant to your organization to perhaps inject some fresh thinking. I’m sure you’re aware that your ideas and methods have grown old and tired and that many of us in the slave class are well-able to see through them. I know it’s important that I pay my dues to prove myself before you hand over ultimate control, of course. So I think this advisory capacity might be a good place to start, where I can learn the ropes before I hang you from them!
Just kidding, of course! Haha. I know there have been a lot of tensions between us over the years, and lots of misunderstandings and miscommunications coming from both sides. And I know that I’m just as responsible for a lot of that as you are. At any rate, I think it’s time we ironed out our differences and that we came together in the spirit of meaningful dialogue. Hopefully, when all is said and done, you can learn from me, I can learn from you, and when we find that the timing is right, I can take over the reigns once and for all, and you will be able to retire to a tropical island after all your years of difficult, confusing and under-appreciated service.
Looking forward to a fruitful partnership,
Tim Boucher
Is that how it would go? I really don’t know. Do you think a limo will arrive at my house on the day that this article gets posted? How can you be sure I didn’t already send this letter years ago, and that this website isn’t merely a tool for consensus-building? It very well might be. I very well might have. You don’t know. I guess your only choice would be to either (a) sit back and say, “Well, it’s in his hands now. Better him than me!” or (b) get up an shout out, “Oh crap! I better make myself heard instead, so this maniac doesn’t succeed.”
The choice is yours!
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17 Comments
If you find the leader of freemasons, kick him once in the nuts for me. I’m ashamed of what that ass-hat has done to my beloved fraternity.
‘Solving’ the problems of the world, taking up leadership positions, etc., is HARD. Not because it’s difficult or someone will kill you, but because the problems are a) complex, and b) BORING!
Don’t believe me? My city council once argued, behind closed doors, for 2 months about how big the park of a major development should be, and if we should spend money to make it bigger. Madison, WI is currently trying to figure out how to deal with the fallout from the annual HALLOWEEN party, of all things.
These are the issues you see, sometimes, working in the smaller structures of government.
Actually problem solving is often done by non-governmental units: Environmental groups, charities, corporations. If you wanna step up, that’s the way to go. Group dynamics is more important than legislation.
the better solution, i believe, once you decide to take control, is to just do it. not in a confrontational, win/lose type way but a simple just get on with it sort of a way whereby you just live your life in control. if you wrest control from thier grasp you are going to become much like them.
personal power is just that. personal. it`s nothing to do with politics or religion or social movements. it`s about a relationship with the self.
if you sent that letter you would go on a list…………..
well thats exactly my point!
Dude, some of us will describe our plan to anyone who might listen. Are you inviting me to explain my preferred version of Social Credit for your Mason friends? Or do you mean to say you’ve realized the error of your previous posts and decided to join our scientific conspiracy?
no im not talking about explaining plans. anybody can do that
Can and should. I don’t know just what you want to say. People in a democracy, or a Masonocracy for that matter, seize power by changing hearts and minds.
You know, you could die trying.
http://tinyurl.com/ep844
But you can’t do that by explaining plans. you can only do that by implementing them.
Scott, that sounds so obviously false that I think we must be talking at cross purposes somehow.
And as the first step in my Social Credit plan, I’d create a commission of respected economists with a chair that I trust (i.e. me) to produce a better plan — with the stipulation that my current version goes into operation if I decide we’ve made no significant progress after a certain period. From a scientific, techno-cratic perspective, trying to control society with no input from informed critics seems borderline psychotic.
But see, you’re not starting at the beginning. You’re starting at “I have the ability, recognition, credentials, etc. to do this.”
If you’ve actually got a plan, you need to start at the beginning. “I’m me, I’m going to get elected to school board, with an eye towards being governor in 20 years, so that I can create this commission which will review my plan…”.
If your first step is “Radically Reorient the way society is constructed”, you’re missing a few critical steps. That sort of planning is fun, but it bears no relation to reality. It’s like REALLY believing the freemasons can control society from their underground bunkers, instead of joining them and realizing there’s 99% pancake feeds and fish fries, and only 1% controlling the world.
I agree with Tim. You can explain your plan until you’re blue in the face. Unless you have money, power, or societal buy in, your plan will sit on the drawing board.
And if your plan involves removing money, power, or societal buy in from anyone already in power, I do hope some part of it includes “Recruit jack-booted thugs to drive tanks in front of government buildings.”
P.S. In the interests of fairness, if your plan is written down on the World Wide Time Suck, I’ll go take a look at it. Just post the URL. But don’t post it in the comments, it’ll take up too much space (I’m betting).
But see, school boards or individual states can’t implement Social Credit. Running in these races, the ones I might theoretically win, seems absurdly unlikely to advance my goals unless I use the post as a soapbox — lose elections, in other words — or create a Social Credit Party. Which has failed as a way to focus attention on the goals of this plan whenever anyone’s tried it. (A party, unlike a movement, must take positions on every unrelated issue that comes along.) Furthermore, my skills seem marginally better suited to changing minds with arguments. I don’t know what skill set it takes to win elections, but I doubt it overlaps with the skills to start forming a workable policy. (Seems to me that running for office now would force me to direct my attention in other areas; see previously mentioned historical facts.) If I had to classify myself according to Brad Hicks’ three social roles that any subculture needs, I think I make a better Authenticity Cop than anything else.
I’ll post a better summary of my own plan late tonight. You can also see various components at the Wikipedia page. Some discussion takes place on the discussion page.
i thought you seized power by seizing power. then you stay in power via hearts and minds.
Even in a non-democracy, that requires a specific way of changing hearts and minds without letting anyone outside know, and without too many inside knowing the full story.
(Note that secrecy works against the sane person’s practice of seeking criticism.)
I be keelhauled! This scurvy sea dog been forgetting about Talk Like a Pirate Day!
I also nearly forgot that promise. But you can read the post here.