Daniel Pinchbeck on social networks

[MrBaldurthegood]

I'm so, so grateful for richard dawkins, but I also have this pinchbecky side and the two constantly go to war in my head. Sadly enough I think dawkins might be more blinded by hubris than pinchbeck deluded, in that I think Daniel would own up to delusion more quickly than dawkins to prideful blindness. I think Dawkins should undergo an iboga or some such ritual, maybe at the invitation of daniel and engage in a deliberate delusion maybe he would find that our senses can appear as the delusion.

[ProjectBlaze420]

the singularity. WHO THE FUCK KNOWS!!! lol gotta take in everyones view otherwise your just another sleeper

[SlapyoMamma]

Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance.......Einstein Bitch....

[docnova]

Ive taken my share of acid, shrooms, and even dmt... but what he is saying doesn't make a lot of sense. As someone who does research in both social psychology and behavioral neuroscience for a living I think I have a little bit of room to question the term "global" consciousness. His argument isn't really clear at all... not sure he is trying to argue a specific point, but he doesn't. If he is just conveying something akin a religious belief that is cool, don't take it as science though.

[AndrwStrngFan]

New guests added to the DYNASTY ELECTRIC CD Release party w/ SKI BEATZ & THE SENSEI’S at Canal Room on 03/03 @ 8pm! They'll be joined by author DANIEL PINCHBECK, MCs S.T.S and NAJEE, DJ VALISSA YOE and more! Tickets just $10 advance / $12 at the door!

[Rockyzach88]

@silent9173 I do not think it he is saying that the social networks are directly "enlightening" us. Whatever that really means. I heard a saying once, that you have a bath tub full of soapy water and toys. The internet and social networks are like when you drain the bath tub, you find all the toys. They were comparing the toys to the sub conscience (sp?) of everyone. In other words the internet uncovers and shares everyone's sub conscience. That is where this synchronicity comes from.

[saculrreh]

@silent9173 No. The hippie movement lost momentum after the 60's- as far as opium trading during the war?- well I'll grant you a lot of people were certainly taking advantage of that, but the 60's youth movement was fueled more by pot/hash & lsd rather than harder drugs.The children who- "grew up disrespecting and abandoning such a phase of LSD fueled myopia"- ended up in the late 70's-80's succumbing to hallow materialism, cocaine, crack and cold war paranoia- much worse in my opinion.

[saculrreh]

@silent9173 Wow... a bit reactionary there huh? Are you this bitter with people outside of comment panels? I wasn't trying to set anyone's temper off i swear- I thought my comment was very non aggressive, hell- even friendly. So why it would merit such an angry response is curious. Obviously someone needs a hug. 

[saculrreh]

@silent9173 What do birds have to do with this??

[saculrreh]

@silent9173 "Self" With the capitol "S"- (many philosophies of eastern origin have mention of the "Self")- He's talking about the higher self and how many are finding that "Self" through being able to find a broader social network other than local community. Many have potential that are otherwise stifled by limited means.

[destroistheduke]

This guy is a fool. I did psycadelics now i know stuff.......His scientific estimates are garbage. Climate change is accelerationg how? Hes such a hippy dippy loser. Oh now hes quoting psyhcology? Iraq? WTF is he ranting about. Ya just spew out key words that people know. SOCIAL NETWORK, CLIMATE CHANGE, PEAK OIL blah blah blah. Hes going to be on Coast to Coast tonight OMG........I hope George Noory doesnt kiss his ass like I know will happen.

[treemetree]

God he is such a shithead. He wants to be McKenna, but he has none of the intellect or originality.

[alliant]

@treemetree

you're an asshole. nothing mckenna said was 'original'. if you had a mind for your own, you would know that what the philosopher does is relay information, relay perspectives on reality. we are a conduit, not I'm so special-obsessed ego maniacal retards.

[treemetree]

@alliant Did I say that McKenna's ideas were "original"? Nope. When you're done being a douche who thinks that what it says and thinks is important, come back and apologize. Good luck.

[N1k1mon]

@silent9173

Btw, I love you man!

Hahaha

[N1k1mon]

@silent9173

So you often have trouble understanding what highly intelligent people are talking about? When I was younger we'd ask questions, ponder, look into what was said and then make decisions... You guys these days never assume it's you that is the dumbfuck, and immediately dismiss and belittle, how you're ever going to get wise is a huge mystery.

[coinycoincoin]

tree vaginas

[Sheilaaliens]

@coinycoincoin i'll c ur 3 and raise you 5... oh TREEE vaginas... cactus vaginas.

[coinycoincoin]

three vaginas

[Tishagi]

@coinycoincoin free bananas

[robrobbins]

There will be a global economic apocalypse in 2012.

[12astile]

are social networks helping or hurting ?

[Guard385]

@12astile

If you can check out the most recent publication of the Scientific American MIND magazine, which has a headlining article about love relationships on the cover, there is a really great article that addresses that issue exactly. It's pretty insightful and I was glad to have read it.

They argue that the people who benefit most from social networks are the ones who use them to strengthen relationships that they already have in real life.

[listers66]

Seems like a massive turn around on the conclusion on his last book. What happened to 'I am the Quetzalcoatl?'

[distressed7]

Our chronic wars, inquisitions, stigmatizations, unforgiving technologies, blood soaked corporacracies will now face the unpredictably of people who will not be, nor can be enslaved. No one will destroy anything, however the parasitic systems will be confronted by facts. The "you're either for us or against us crowd" are now facing the ongrowing "you will either change and backoff forever", or you will vanish by your own deeds. Good night, Irene. No one will be going shopping now, or ever again.

[fastchatmoney]

The End of The World!

2012calendar. blogspot. com

[gtarfreak04]

dude he said shift. not end. everyone needs to get that.

[AstroZombee87]

The End of How we Know it...a new beggining..

[Hydrefyricon]

A very well spoken fellow...

[razorsharpwit]

"You want to keep an open mind but you don't want to keep your mind so open that your brains fall out"

-Neil deGrasse Tyson, World renown Astrophysicist and contributor to Society.

[drogden]

"the boundaries between the psyche and the psychical are softening" Seriously dude lay off the LSD and stfu. You sound like an educated idiot, to anyone with half a brain.

[distressed7]

You have a right to your opinion, however it's more than plausible that you have deadened seared brain and fear this man more than anything. Stupidity abounds around a crystalization and box of rocks attitudes like yours. Underneath a reaction like yours is an overstuffed coward. Then United Stumps are loaded with your ilk of bullshit.

[drogden]

Wow what a fantastic way to call me a closed minded moron. You sound like an educated idiot as well. I merely pointed out that what this guy is saying to sell whatever it is he's selling is bullshit. I'm just trying to help pretentious people such as yourself see how ridiculous this douche sounds. I fear people who subscribe to delusional ideologies. So go buy what he's selling, and break the barrier between the psyche and psychical. Just don't destroy the world with your new found telepathy.

[distressed7]

Your "services" are not needed. Thanks for the offer.

[AstroZombee87]

He isn't trying to sell anything, he has already sold enough books..

[drogden]

What? Is that how it works? Do people get to the point where they stop trying to make money? I don't think so.

[silkenjay]

@drogden, he didn't say psychical he said physical... and the fact you got this so screwed up shows you need your dose of the lifetimes worth of dmt all at once today... I wish I could say you sound educated at all... you have no brain... and your kind are taking over our world and this is the shift that is taking place... we(the intelligent) are being systematically removed and you( the dimwitted orcs) are going to kiil off this planet... what the hell is wrong with you? are you just that iggy?

[drogden]

@silkenjay Well, you know what i meant. I believe it was my auto spell check that did that.

You can talk shit all you want dude, but if you believe this douche you're retarded. You believe that you can do something physical like "reach" (that is a action that exits in reality) into something that does not exist? (such as the psyche) I'm being to literal you might say, but you have to be when you talk about reality. Otherwise you're just talking out of your ass.

[FractalRaver]

@drogden you're right, this dude is actually just an asshole typical new yorker trying to be spiritual, try going to a party with him. Its fucking sad

[oblibious47]

Life often sucks but drugs are never the answer to your problems. I have known too many people who thought they could "handle" different drugs, including alchohol. Most of these ppl. wound up losing everything important to them...including a good piece of their minds. If you want to die, just kill yourself, jackasses.

[orbgetar]

Spoken like a true 'greenhorn' still wet behind the ears- buying up all the propaganda your momma fed you as a baby- which probably wasn't that long ago- time will cure you of your ignorance, hopefully, and you will not speak so quickly out of turn with what is obviously a lack of experience.

"if you want to die, just kill yourself, jackasses"- NOT a compassionate world-view, and doesn't address the issue of whether drugs are or are not the answer to one's problems. You don't have a clue!

[Disxklo]

i have to agree with you my friend...he also does not know that drugs, especially psychedelics can actually open your mind to the reality of this universe

[peaceinunderstanding]

COINTEL Punk! Spouting establishment psychedelics BS to move us into a Borg-like collective with no God except for the governing class. Marketing himself after the CIA's Terence McKenna and Timothy Leary. Same game, different decade.

[orbgetar]

excuse me, but where the hell do you get the idea that Terrence McKenna and Timothy Leary were propaganda tools for the CIA?? You read a scrap of conspiranoia crap on the internet without really doing your homework, and think you're an expert. Shaking my head at the ignorance you display.

[oblibious47]

So you all think one cannot have transcendent thoughts without getting high? Pinchbeck is a brilliant guy and a great writer, but I'm pretty sure he would not be doing Sports Illustrated articles if he hadn't done drugs...just because you f**k up your minds with drugs doesn't mean they're actually GOOD for your health!!

[stiltskin]

well sure...eating chocolate is not that great for you ....same with sugar.

I just consider it being a modern day pioneer......Now Imagine if settlers and people alike all throughout history worried about the health risk or danger before doing anything. It takes people with balls to try things and bring back information, wether it be a psychadelic journey ar a pilgrimage etc.

[stiltskin]

It is like a mental astronaut...sure there are dangers and risks.........no pain no gain?

God forbid you breathe that next breath of air, it might be poluted.

[Schlig1111]

psychonaut

[thetehsalohan]

you dont need it but it can expand your mind, dont be such an ass

[SixSick6]

Why would someone give you a thumbs down for that comment? Answer?- Most people who downrate on YouTube are degenerate fucktards.

[stiltskin]

oblivious...It is the medecines that helped him bring these thoughts down and help focus them. If it was not for some of the medicines.....he might be lecturing on who is going to which football team.

[nightrainbows1111]

IF

goodness gracious me ...

if pigs could fly

and if there were bones in ice-cream,

where would be be then?

[DreamingTurtle]

I wouldn't call them medicines. I don't care if Pinchbeck says it himself. They're not drugs either. However you slice it, taking a substance and reporting on it is doing something entirely outside of what people are used to. Question it but don't miss out on the lesson. Don't judge what you don't understand.

[Po0pfl1nger]

Pinchbeck rules! READ HIS BOOKS!!!! Fuckaluckadingdong! (By the way, that last comment was in response to obliVious47)

[melissagriffiths000]

I love his book!!!

[oblibious47]

Yeah, it was a trip in more ways than 1! I couldn't put it down.

[8xngc]

Is he a better writer than a lecturer?

[chesterschambleton]

yeah, I find his writing to be very intriguing, intelligent and diverse with vocabulary. He isn't saying 'like' every other sentence like here. I think psychedelics make you more introverted.

[8xngc]

What is his problem with genetically modified food?

[oblibious47]

Daniel Pinchbeck is a well-informed and well-read intellectual.  His book 2012...wow! A rollercoaster ride. Everyone should read it. It's a shame that he fried so much of his brain with bad drugs...abusing his own mind has kept him from true greatness, in my opinion.

[TheOriginalEntz]

by bad drugs do you mean alcohol ?

[oblibious47]

Entz, alchohol kills the liver, but the kinda crap Daniel takes changes the brain in ways you can't control, and it isn't regulated, so it's not a safe buzz

[Po0pfl1nger]

no way! That's just what they tell you in elementary school to frighten you. Hallucinogens are good for you. He wasn't looking for a "safe buzz", he was looking for mind expansion. exploring other dimensions is never "safe". Read Breaking Open the Head. 2012 wouldn't have been written without those "bad drugs"... so, what the hell are you talking about?

[DreamingTurtle]

You don't have to take the psychedelics but it sure speeds up the process. If you want to be ignorant I would appreciate you keep it to yourself.

[demboyswashuge]

thats exactly how i always put it - it speeds up the process. you have to be ready for every level like how leary tried to prepare young people.

the morn in tune you are, or as i'd like to say, the more ready you are to die, the more you can handle.

[Sueezedtight]

Visionaries have to bear the burden of what they see as well as how they offer it up to others. Perception can be altered by drugs but the residual effects tend to scramble the senses. Acuity and precision determine the clarity of purpose. When this is thought up or planned out it gets biased by our experience. When it is related as our awareness is conscious of it, then we get what the person has to offer, at face value. A much better deal.

[KID433321]

*talk

[vicnameless]

As far as Gurus go...Mckenna was better, But Daniel has a lot to add. The wake-up call is being heard at least.

[KID433321]

all these people that tal about stuff like this have ALL had psychedelic experiences (usually with psylocibin, LSD or DMT) .. drugs are AN answer

[blackpixie987]

I wouldn't classify them as drugs. More like entheogens.

[Dabodizafa]

If you don't think his views are "professional" enough, try reading his books. Especially 2012 the return of quetzalcowatl. The man knows his stuff.

[isolationeitheror]

or does he...i find him hard to listen to

[isolationeitheror]

why dosent he ever elaborate on this new

"consciousness"

[bookoo666]

No matter what your opinion on the man is, he is essentially a breath of fresh air among many of todays voices and brings a newly emerging set of ideas to the forfront and is paving the way for a new contemporary subculture. And that I can respect.

[sgs3434]

I would love to meet daniel and just listen to his thoughts for the day.I truley believe that what he says is absolute fact.

[ibeatninjas]

phony.

[MtRiggs13]

i disagree with the gentleman below me but i like the cut of this guys jib above me. Daniel speaks well, laying down his ideas quite thoroughly and covering all/most angles but i think he lacks that professional edge that could make his ideas mainstream. That is unless the social consciousness is more prevalent than i've witnessed. Too hippie many will say. Just another tree hugger. But i like you man. Oh and winslow, no one is tricking us or controlling us but ourselves. there is no THEY.

[winslow1938]

if we keep emailing we will never learn to use telepathy.. we are a controlled species. we are being tricked sub consciously into believing that we are on track with this evolution. when we are, due to controls like this, growing further and further from the oppertunity.. you speak of the people in their towers or something. this is wise. there is much more effective ways of sharing light. less subliminally damaging. i made that up but i think it's true

[barbarianbro]

This is happening between indviduals using tecnology, but it's also happening between computers and microproccessers themselves which is the scary part. A good example of this is Sonys, IBM Cell processor. Not too powerful by itself but linked with other cells extremely powerful at physics, math computations. Now imagine if these systems gain gain A.I self awareness and take us out of the loop. Please explain your theory toward this.

[augustusmanor]

The machines have been put in between people as buffers. The root here is that americans are afraid of each other, and like having some distance where we can connect meaningfully through digital reams. What is so scary about eye contact? I seem to get more eye contact on computer screens than anywhere else? I think I can melt microchips, and snap circuit boards, with less than a shred of conscience. If you break a kid's cell phone do they cry?

[wuxialerenard]

Daniel Pinchbeck writes astoninshingly well and is more journalistically articulate than mckenna...Of course he is not the only one talking about 2012 but he is Open about it.

[jayveeism]

Daniel will be at the Shift by the Bay conference in San Francisco later this month. Starts 31st I believe. I;m looking foreword to hearing him speak. 2012 was a very honest book. i think he is sincere.

[bizarrevision]

well... he speaks a lot to try explane something not explainable... but makes good money with a book for shure!!!! whats about the free energy exchanges mann? anyway the poolshift will destroy all our knowing world - physically - any maybe over that in another spheres... how ever it will be...a natural cosmic cleaning...and all is one and will be one... good bye!!!!!!!!

[mikew422]

i think his first book was great, but 2012 was a little hard to follow. he lacks the convincing charm of mckenna for sure, especially when you see him or hear him talk.

[afronight]

dude im reading 2012

its great i want to read his other stuff

[twigfig]

i think 2012 was a far more diverse well written book.a massivly important book.give it another go.its delving into more difficult teritory and could blow your circuits a bit if you havnt thought of these topics off your own back but if daniel has to guide you this way so be it...give it another go,when you flow with the book you will see that its a far more signifcant book than his first book...

[ArchaicRevivalx2012]

I have both of Daniel's books. I can see where's he's trying to go, but he has difficulty getting there. He's not really going into new frontiers here. For anyone who is interested in the psychedelic genre, read and watch the late great genius Terence McKenna. The ultimate understanding maybe in the psychedelic itself.

[rootoficculus]

i disagree there are millions on this planet who have greater hearts than many on the cerebral quest. it is love that is the ultimate understanding. entheogens make you subject to a host of factors that can separate you from the understanding/loving network of universalsymbioses. creation has provided your body with all the substance it needs to achieve union.

[MorayEel]

Love is necessary for human life, not a luxury but something just as important to our survival as food and water. But it's gonna take more than love to turn things around I think.

[StevieRay1486]

I can't believe all of you! when did this all stop being about LOVE?? your talking shit about someone who's doing nothing but good. Nothing but helping our evolution. your making judgements and assumptions about someone you dont know. i'll end with this, What your seeing in Mr. Pinchbeck is a reflection of yourself, If it wasnt in self, you would not be able to recognize it. please take another look at it. Do we want peace on Earth or not???

[BongOfCthulhu]

StevieRay1486...its called fear and denial...not anger.

[enki7000]

whoever made him a celebrity? what a poser.

[lilchico4wg]

you did

[rlkel0]

he has really small, girly hands.

[InevitableComedown]

I agree with a lot of the posts before me. Pinchbeck is a hack; he's contributed nothing original to any discipline. A lot of the ideas he proposes are worthy of discussion and research, but they have been articulated much more meaningfully (and coherently) by others before him. Also, when reading the personal experiences he shares in his poorly written books one cannot help but notice his hypocritical and highly ego-driven nature. A false prophet in the vein of Timothy Leary.

[GavnatronTarasattva]

A Pinchbeck one might say, eh IC? I want to believe him, but I know what you mean; I've observed it as well... Although I think his books are well-written - at least B.O.T.H. since it's the only one I've read

[psychedelish]

Great point. I enjoyed his new book more than most I've read just for the entertaining exploration of important topics. But all of his personal sharing tainted my perception of the whole book. It became quickly obvious that his personal motives were laced throughout.

[psychedelish]

The 'transmission' of Quetzalcoatl was the most notably questionable part. It seems likely that this 'transmission' was the manifestation of his own internal projections. I mean he references himself as the 'beast' because of birth date! Beyond questionable.

[Suckbe420]

I see where you guys are coming from, but Daniel is a remarkable artist in his own right, and his thoughts and linguistic capabilities are phenomenal. He has the ability to take information from multiple different sources and summarize them in a form that is both easy to comprehend and entertaining to read and listen to. This cannot be denied.

[sylvianfripp]

So lets hear something new from you then. Since it's so easy to criticize someone else's process.

If yours more original by all means share.

[sirjuggs]

so, um, yeah, see Terence McKenna...

[devojenkins]

like like like like

[axault]

The strange thing is, with no words of bravado or arrogance... i read the first few pages of his book yesterday (march 19th), and the opinions and viewpoints I have been developing in my own life as a person seem to be reinforced by every sentence I have read. It is almost obvious, how this accelleration seems to be rapidly linking our consciousness, forming a web; and eventually, a mass of consciousness.

[jupitersmoon]

Terrence Mckenna has written abook on this very same mind frame check out terrence on youtube a lot of stuff here also Art Bell of coasttocoast fame wwote a book"The Quickening" that falls into this same category

[Jarizono]

Couldn't have put it better myself.

I bought a Daniel Pinchbeck book (2012) a few weeks back. I wasn't even going to buy a book, i'd just been looking for a certain book for so long, i felt i should buy one incase the store thought i was trying to steal something.

I picked up and bought 2012, and i couldn't have asked for a better book. Every page i read confirms for me what i've thought to be real for quite some time. I feel human concioussness is also linking somehow.

Cant wait for 2012

[usa91nick]

hes no jordan maxwell.

[RobotCannibal]

Daniel Pinchaloaf certainly entertains the correct notion of the primogenial direction of epigenesis-constricting variables in modern days, but mark my words: This man is not the face of the future of philosophy.

[beyondgoodandevil1]

No no no! The internet is not solving existentialism. If anything its made us more alienated! This man has some interesting thoughts...but I think that he is full of shit.

[GavnatronTarasattva]

nah, BGE, I agree with Pinchbeck, at least from my own experience, I do feel a dissolution of ego. I am very much enmeshed with a collectivity of egos - the connectedness of the internet, combined with the urgency of these times are forcing me to abandon my worldly dreams for something else... what that something else is, I'm still not sure, but it looks like it's going to have something to do with writing and with speaking.

[chelincitai]

daniel pinchasshole is nothing but a male shovenist pig. he's a fake, and he's insane.

[WakingMajority]

How can you fake speculation? Isn't that called speculation? Not fraud. Some may think he is "insane." But at least he can spell. But I see no reason why he should be in a padded room.

[blackpixie987]

And you know this how?

[KID433321]

lol I dont know it, just propaganda lol...ppl shouyld try LSD though

[Ruk13]

lulz at the "we only have 5 years left comment". But ramose801 has an interesting comparison on their first comment. I don't know what I think about Pinchbeck and his idea of passing on enlightenment, I'm not sure how that would work. Perhaps he has more wisdom than I on the situation. Again, I would have to meet him... I feel that he a thinker that would be a good tangible experience, heh.

[mgofthefostercity]

i could listen to this guy talk for hours.

[mwando]

Woody Allen as hippy guru?

[jayneejames]

I just finished the 2012 book and interestingly just met two people from Canada and they heard my youtube Santo Daime music and recognized it...I have two new friends who understand where I am!...not like I can talk about this to just anyone. Daniel the book is awesome!!!.

Kindness and love

Jayne in Saint Augustine Fl.

[enlitnmentor]

I've heard the phrase, and have quoted "not like i can talk about this to just anyone"....i think we need to break through whatever that barrier is and start helping people realize their potential and lose their ignorance.

Daniel, fuckin awesome man.

[mgofthefostercity]

Couldn't agree more. If you are enlightened, then it is now your duty to enlighten. In some cases, people don't want to hear the truth so you have to be gentle when opening their minds.

[ramose801]

In all of my studies in the world I have found no factual account or engraved law that states anyone soul is responsible for another's enlightenment and not even in the case of being made aware of the state. It is a solely Constantine aka Christianity practice of control to actively force a point of view on another. The launching points of this concept being events like the crusades and spanish Inquisition. The gathering of information through meeting is a spiritual responsibility & is different

[edcanto]

I read the book (2012)

Besides being very well written (a great experience), it makes total sense to me.

You can choose not to believe this guy, but if you allow yourself to find him credible (my case), some things are really astonishing.

I highly recommend the book.

[iNoe22]

Almost done with the 2012 book he wrote- its pretty good- I recommend it.

[henoser]

(or continued above)

One coming from a more heavily drugged in the past type of mind- being his, me having had only a few very minimal experiences with common substances. That would be prime for me to do.

[ramose801]

True he has used drugs recreationally as a youth to be part of some materialism experience, but later and now uses them as a fast track way to connect to the etheric plane. One can achieve this through deep meditation and naturalism. What he is mainly about or speaking about is called Ascension. The practice of evolving ones consciousness to a level where the immaterial replaces the material where "World's world". Again this can be achieved without drugs but takes longer & we only have 5 years.

[henoser]

I don't know what to make of him really. I feel like I would want to meet him and sit down and have a conversation with him and perhaps have a small adventure with him to really get the gist of what he himself is all about to really crystallize in my mind whether it is some sort of masquerade or it is sloppiness or biased or what not in relation to how I would interpret the situation.

(continued below)

[earinsound]

Why wait until 2012?

[scottyhedron]

I believe you have developed your own Dewey decimal system for good and evil. By stating that a particular group is unable to attain enlightenment is making a great assumption that you know this process and that you some how hold the keys. Many paths=enlightenment. It all seems a bit too daunting a task for me. I mean, where do you start with all your classification. I guess the Momos and the Taliban are as good as any.

[tman007]

Ok..I get his drift up to 4.00 but then he goes off tangent and goes all mystical - spoils it.

I it like up to that point because he is right on beam with his central themes of hope, empowerment and social conscious raising. Right on!

[tmfjones]

Maybe I am naive, but I've done enough drugs and been around enough drug people to recognize excuse making and spinelessness when I see it.

While others are changing human consciousness through art, activism and the global justice movement, its rather disingenous for a wealthy NY art brat to eat some shrooms and believe he is the savior, wherein fact he is espousing what is essentially New Age hipsterism. Nothing more, nothing less. Again, maybe I'm being naive.

[scottyhedron]

I think there is a great possibility that you are naive or what seems more likely is that you are someone who is having trouble digesting this information. I'm not sure I see your connection between being wealthy, having talented parents, mushrooms and what Daniel has to say.

[tmfjones]

I know, I'm having such a hard time 'digesting' this information. I know the people of the world will spontaneously undergo a 'shift in consciousness' in 2012 so easily, including the Taliban in Afghanistan, the neoliberal capitalists in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the Russian oligarchs, Norman Podhoretz, the Mormon Chuch, the Southern Baptist Church, the PKK and FARK. Such a global consciousness.

(sarcasm)

[scottyhedron]

I like where you are headed here Mr. Jones. "Spontaneous Change." So are you saying that there could be an event so overwhelmingly powerful, that it shadows all others and cannot be ignored? Do you mean something like a death in the family that affects the other members in the family. How they must drop everything and attend to matters?

[scottyhedron]

Or where you thinking bigger like the people of Katrina, how suddenly ones high score on guitar hero II becomes less important than how to find clean drinking water? That's a change in consciousness isn't it. Or where you thinking bigger like in September 2001, when the entire nation stopped what they were doing and watched the entire nation change spontaneously and that was just two little planes.

[tmfjones]

Look, I read his book. I listened to his ideas. Forgive me if I made up my mind that I think he is a charlatan. Clearly Pinchbeck is of the rave generation (he is the correct age) that values conformity, 'oneness' and the constant "consciousness" shibboleth; however the world, despite our apocalyptic tendencies, will remain pluralistic, uncanny, and chaotic.

[scottyhedron]

There is something about your criticisms of groups such as the Taliban and the Mormons that smacks self righteous. I'm sure your not, but I'm just not sure any of these people are stupid or Evil. Actually I take that back. I do know a couple Mormons who are really not very smart, but even they are just acting from their current knowledge base just as you and I.

[tmfjones]

My initial complaint mocking him for his own personal problems (the ad hominem again, I apologise), rests in the rather cliched occurrence of huckterism evident in countercultural elements. Its like "we believe in an expansion of consciousness...that must mean free love!" And ideas such as monogamy, duty and responsibility are discarded: using some potentially beautiful ideas to make excuses for your own failings.

[scottyhedron]

It seems like most people are trying to do the right thing based upon what they know at the time. Trying to define who is further along in their conscious evolution seems like a daunting task. So many groups, so many categories, where do you start? I guess the Mormons and the Taliban are as good as any. Good luck with that. It's all a little too Dewey decimal for me. I would stick with the spontaneous change, which may or may not respect race, religion or geographic location.

[tmfjones]

Its like he can't just discuss one topic, he has to let the floodgates open and offer a smorgasboard of ideas, some disgraced and proven to be hoaxes, others with some possible meritorious wisdom in them. This blanket effect is sloppy, and indicative of his former role as a mere media journalist: not a scholar.

[SummerCamp1]

I believe he is simply trying to express the interrelatedness of these core crises that are effecting the global society. It is difficult to discuss the sums of the universe in a timed response. There is alot to learn. Have you read the book?

[stiltskin]

for what it's worth in regards to this statement. He is taking pieces from this and that and vocalizing how he is making the connections in his mind.  A philosophy intergrater of sorts.

Its all realitive to how WE see it. Your opinions and views hold no more ground than his, and I do respect your opinions as well. Thanks for posting.

[scottyhedron]

PS. Would Neocon come before Neolib in your library of conscious evolution. And would the development of Masdar in Abu Dahbi move them forward or back?

Thanks for your response

Regards,

S

[tmfjones]

I'm not so sure I've posited an "evolution" of consciousness; merely I think I can defend Enlightenment values from religious sects like Mormons, the Taliban, extremist Capitalists (Neoliberals and Neocons-- here "liberal" as in "Classical Liberal", and extremist Marxists. Although I am aware Pinchbeck is harmless, this championing of the irrational and the occult has little to offer in solving the problems the world faces today.

[tmfjones]

Furthermore, another real problem I have is Pinchbeck's consideration of these "occult" ideas. Ok, Mayan calendar let's say has some actual connotations of truth to it(be it psychic or physical); why then must we permit belief in aliens, demons, crystal energy, ESP, astral projection, etc.?

[tmfjones]

Left your wife and kids to do more drugs and talk mumbo jumbo. Tsk tsk.

[AnnexNuts]

Huh? You have'n the slightest clue what the fuck you are babbiling about you short-sighted automaton. Pinchbeck is brilliant, and your typical attitutde towards the concept of 'drugs' speaks directly to your naivety and an limited ability to understand human consciousness and the possible means for transforming it. Typical ignorance.

[tmfjones]

There is a difference between speaking truth to power, and speaking gobbly gook to power.