VRILL INSIGHTS
A THOUGHT WORTH REMEMBERING
So, I had a thought. What was it? I can't remember. All I can say it was good.
In the sun, chatting about if it's productive to accept (or believe) the fact that humans are maladapted to modernity, or not.
Interesting chat. Conclusion? Inconclusive.
I feel like the acceptance of the fact establishes a sort of axiomatic truth or first principle from which we can start to design an environment conducive to human flourishing.
The opportunities of modernity are endless which means that the opportunities to do things that will lead to hell on earth are easy and accessible.
But, it also means that we have more opportunities and tools to design an environment and life that is supportive of our thriving.
Oh shit, writing about the thought made me remember the thought. So, here it goes.
One summer I worked at a youth rehabilitation center. Properly fucked up kids. Drug addicted most of them. Self-harm, fucked up homes, drug dealers, and suicide attempts. You name it, we had it.
My job was basically to hang out with the kids. We played ping pong, video games, cards, talked, went on excursions to the beach and museums. It was wholesome.
After a while I got to know the repeat customers. Some of them took to me, as I did with them.
One recurring theme was the fact that a lot of them believed they'd be dead before the age of 20. That shit hits you hard when you come from a good home.
How do I give these kids hope?
Well, I went through a self-inflicted philosophical dark period when I was 17. I got out of it by realizing it wasn't about me.
To one of the kids I started talking about the infinitesimally small likelihood of him being alive.
The fact that every single one of his ancestors all the way to the first organism 4.5B years ago had to fuck at the exact time it/they did with the exact partner it/they did all the way to his parents.
I also told him that all of his ancestors did their best to create a better life for their children than what they had. All the way down to him.
I then said that I believe I have a moral obligation to make the most of my opportunity in this life. To enjoy it as much as possible. To give as much of me as I possibly can.
Something in him lit up. For the first time he realized it wasn't only about his relationship to his fucked up reality. His life matters to his ancestors, to the human lineage, to life itself.
I hope the kid is doing well. We don't get to keep contact.
Now, why did I bring this up. Not sure really. I think it has to do with the fact that we are uniquely positioned to live a unique life.
Been reading Uncle Ted's book Industrial Society & Its Future, it's quite black pill about modernity.
It postulates that the system is squeezing the human spirit out of the humans living in it. That we have no other choice than to tear it all down and accept the consequences.
I do not believe that at all. Modernity may be fucked up but that's because the humans that make up modern society are dysfunctional.
The examined life is not an easy one. It forces us to face our imperfections, our choices, our habits, all of our destructive patterns.
It makes us have to contend with the monsters lurking in the abyss. And that shit is terrifying.
But, if we trust that something greater is guiding us while we walk the untrodden path we gain the courage to face the darkness.
On the other side of inner work, of integrating the shadow as Jung would call it, is a person that is fully unique and fully you with the internal tools and wisdom to create an external reality completely aligned with who you are.
I always repeat, you are the designer of the zoo and the animal living in the zoo, so why not design it better?
But, we're not only physical beings, we have a spiritual dimension to us. A divine spark.
We must allow faith in so that we can keep the light on even when it gets dark. We can't let the flame of our spirits go out.
Humans without spirit will be gobbled up by the system Uncle Ted writes about. But he forgot the power of the human spirit.
We have the ability to create heaven on earth. It is not easy, nor was it meant to be.
However, it is supposed to be terrifying, exciting, and fun.
The retardmaxxer is a man of faith that walks head first toward the darkness within and has absolute conviction that things will work out as long as his spirit shines bright.
The true retardmaxxers are closer to God than most realize. That's why the term sticks. It is carrying something deeply profound.
Find the courage within to make your ancestors proud. Not because you succeeded in the eyes of the system, but because you succeeded in the eyes of God.
BY @MJ
