Imhotep’s Secret ... Update

 Imhotep’s Secret ... Update

[Mystery in a Mystery]

Editor's Note: Since this stunning revelation was first published in 2015 new discoveries have come to light. If you are familiar with the original article, you will instantly recognize how "come to light" is a pun; but, maybe the hoped for key to a mystery deeper than even the pyramids themselves.

Entered in blue ink to distinguish new entries is the revised article which hopefully will fill in some of the blanks and answer many of your questions. 

Read on ...

Meet Imhotep, the designer of the very first pyramid. He was also a master of medicine. A great public official. High priest. Arguably, the very best of the ancient world. In modern terms, The Shizz.

Still the question we all want answered is just how they made the pyramids. Perhaps what will unfold here will point to the answer. Or, perhaps, when you read on and enter the hidden away secret ... more questions? 

It may be the stuff of the kind of higher knowledge the ancients took with them to their graves. Or, to wherever a civilization goes when their development and technology enable them to exercise the option to transcend this dimensional world. 

Some insight from Nisargadatta Maharaj: The world had all the time to get better, yet it did not. What hope is there for the future? Of course, there have been and will be periods of harmony and peace, when sattva was in ascendance, but things get destroyed by their own perfection. A perfect society is necessarily static and, therefore, it stagnates and decays. From the summit all roads lead downwards. Societies are like people — they are born, they grow to some point of relative perfection and then decay and die.

As you contemplate that sculpture of a seated Imhotep, surely it becomes apparent the great man himself embodied the very core principles to which the enduring pyramids stand in mute testament. Write your own words. It will be a list of the very best of human aspirations and virtues. And, a long one.

Not to go into to much detail, just to point out that Gravity has its rules. It behooves us to observe its dictates in our building architecture and in the makeup of our own bodies.

Imhotep. There’s more to it. A rare story. A secret. Something so startling and fantastic you will think it is made up. So that you don’t lose sleep over it, or unnecessarily trouble yourself wondering about the implications of such things … yes, let’s say it is just a story.

So the story goes.

Inside that very first pyramid of Imhotep dated to the 27^th Century BC is a secret room. Until recently, the very existence of such a room was itself a secret.

This just in: In actual fact the existence of the room was spelled out right there for all to see at the main entrance to that pyramid. Just, though, only recently have the etched in stone proto-glyphic"scribbles" been deciphered. 

"100 cubits straight ahead, right for 6 cubits, right again for 23 cubits, left for 36 cubits, up for 79 cubits, turn right ... there you are. 

Where? It'll be a surprise!" 

Reads rather cute, we thought. But, something may have been lost in translation.

Inside that room is a single object. One solid piece of Lapis Lazuli. And, of only the purest form and quality. As blue as the midnight sky. Only without even a speck of sparkling golden Pyrite. Amazing for any sized specimen, only this one measuring 3 meters along its length.

It could be described as approximating the attenuated shape of the human form. A perfectly rounded base, graduating to a slender pillar suggesting of legs, then a torso, and a perfectly round head. Three meters, and carved in its entirety with unique glyphs which have no correlates to any known forms of writing. 

Each inscribed glyph is inlaid flush to the stone with pure gold and surrounded by an inlaid gold rectangle. All of it perfectly smooth to the surface of the stone itself. 

At the very top of the head and the very bottom of the round base, 16 glyphs are arranged into circular pie wedges.

There is some conjecture the glyphs may represent the known range of human postures. Sort of a graphic statement of human physical motive potential. Perhaps. But, now, only for someone to decode the information.

The room — a sealed vault, really — which guards this immeasurably precious object is itself completely inaccessible. There's no passageway leading to a sealed entrance. Nothing. Not even a tiny portal(s) for viewing. We can imagine they needed a way in to construct the thing in the first place. How come, there's no way out? A mystery compounded in more mystery. Unknowable. For now, anyway.

So you are wondering by now, if the dern thing is all sealed up and all, how come you can know so much about it. Not very much detail to go into really; a hint: Akashic Records. Then, you might ask, how to access that treasure trove repository of all things, all times? Well, that's for us to know, and you to find out. So, enough of your silly questions. Read on ...

That chamber is measured symmetrical to surround the Lapis figure with 3 meters of clearance at the top, and at all four sides. If there were a chance to look inside and bring light into that eternally dark space, the walls are as smooth and reflective as mirrors, the dimensions of the room proportioned perfectly to view every part of that Lapis and gold monolith from any angle and position in the room.

Those walls, as are the ceiling above and floor beneath, lined entirely of the purest jade. Transparent as glass, deeply green and mirror smooth. In squares exactly 10 centimeters to the side, and 1 millimeter thick. Each set and backed with gold surrounds. All flush to a glass-like precision.

The rational mind must by now be asking … why? For what purpose? This particular room with its content presents an enigma even more inscrutable than the pyramid form itself in which it is encased.

One supposes the speculation and implications about this mystery and its meaning would be as varied as is human motivation. Archaeologists would salivate over the prospect of such a career making discovery. Museum curators or collectors of antiquities would be covetous. The more crass pecuniary types would see a once in a lifetime pay day. The vain, jewelry. The merely curious, a sight seeing side trip. The mystic — the True Mystic, anyway — might hear of it and turn back inward and not give it another thought. The artist, certainly a wealth of inspiration. The designer and engineer would smile in simple recognition of the central tenet of all sound construction: Balance in obvious observance of the dictates of the Law of Gravity.

The decision to seal that chamber must've taken into account such human factors. For the truly insightful, the fact that it is forever sealed in itself communicates everything. As they say, this is one bone buried deep so the dogs won't get at it.

Truth be told, and most amazing of all, that perfect figure stands balanced at only the precise center of its vertical axis. Stop and contemplate that. It stands, literally, on a dime! Even, if that. Moving, if at all, perhaps only in sub-microscopic variances in harmony with the movements of the Earth. 

Nothing for support save the exquisite symmetrical and level proportions of its own composition. Even the density of the ground substance Lapis Lazuli must be homogeneous to ensure such perfect equipoise. To say nothing of the incalculable logarithmic calculus encoded into those glyphs; what with the thousands of them each uniquely different, and with each a different portion of gem substance excised, along with the corresponding, and also unique weights of the gold fills. One can only now imagine how such infinitesimal precision could only be possible in such a completely sealed environment; the least hint of air flow — maybe even a glimmer of light — would insult the ineffable grace and ease.

And, of course, the ponderous stability of the pyramid itself. Words fail. Stand next to it. And, know.

There's more to this balance business. It's not just the simple observance of the action of Gravity within the thing itself. Turns out that the pyramid which houses this mystery is positioned smack dab at the intersection of Earth's principal ley lines and in perfect alignment with the planetary movements coordinated by the point of the pyramid just touching the North Star at the exact birthday day date of Imhotep himself as seen when looking straight up the southeast corner of the pyramid from exactly the the height measured from the calculation of the square root of the length of the circumference at its base multiplied times its height; maybe plus or minus a millimeter or so.

So here we have the secret to the pyramid itself? Or, a clue. Somewhere in its core, supposedly at its very center of its core, this minutely balanced figure … holding everything in place. So fragile a thing, really. Yet, perhaps also so strong. Powerful enough even, maybe to hold the Universe together?

So it goes.

 "Peace is not the absence of war." 

And, other clear eyed observations ...

"Peaceful Transition of Power"

 "Peaceful Transition of Power"

It's now all the concern. If he loses, will Trump block the transition to the incoming President-elect? Why do we even hear that as a concern? For my money, those that don't like him — don't like being out of power because of him, to be more precise — will say it seems just about anything to make him out to be THE WORST ... EVER, and ALWAYS.

Well, DT's detractors have invested so much into making him out to be a proto-dictator they now speculate on how that fascist persona they've created might behave come an election loss, or a contested election. Typically, The Donald gave his inscrutable response when questioned about committing to a peaceful transition. "We'll see. It depends." 

So what do you suppose he might do? Surround the White House with tanks, artillery, and a battalion of crack Army MP's? Land mines? Look! C'mon, man! Even Joe Biden knows that there are statutory requirements for the transition. The military would be required to follow the law and its duty to the Constitution; they would escort the rotten SOB from the premises.

So, what is the concern? That he would sulk leaving office? Maybe his staff wouldn't lift a finger? Why would he do that? It would prove his critics right, that he is a no good nogooder. Trump has a brand to protect. C'mon, man!

Since we're asking our political leaders to assure us of future behavior, maybe to ask Uncle Joe if he will commit to stopping groping women and youngsters? Or, a certain female expecting to come to power if she will commit to not f--king her way into political agreements?

Sounds a lot like what we now know to be fake news. Speculate on a possible horrible outcome, then talk about it like it might happen. For what? To put shade on the opponent, of course.

After so much shade, for so long [24/7/12/365] even a thinking person would entertain that there must be some fire if there's that much smoke. The arguments pro and con are endless. I'll settle all that to everybody's satisfaction in another article. Stay tuned.

Let's be honest. Both sides are doing that sort of thing. Depending on who's gonna get to occupy the Oval, we've heard that it's gonna be the end of the world. For a centrist, the only conclusion can be that it's gonna go to sh--t either way. Translate ... don't vote. Or, don't bother to.

Then there's the business of a contested election based on allegations of fraud. The concern I've heard goes like this: The state legislatures appoint electors to the Electoral College. Typically each state goes with the popular vote. They don't have to statutorily, but that's what they've been doing for a very long time. Sounds right. Right? So what if the election is contested by the Republicans for fraud? Could happen, given all the fuss over mail-in ballots. Then the Republican led state legislatures could be pressured to choose Republican leaning electors. There is the thing about settling the election in a timely manner. Waiting for all the votes to be counted and validated ... that could drag on for too long for the country to endure.

If that would happen, we don't know for sure how much of a majority that would place in the Electoral College. It could go to the Republicans who hold legislatures in 29 states; Democrats 19 states, and 2 states split. 

If someone can figure out how many Electoral College delegates that means, please let me know. [Not enough people are reading my stuff anyway to make me want to spend a day of research.]

Never mind. I just did a quick tally. There may be some other ins and outs to this, but if each state's delegates voted on strictly party lines, looks like the Red states have it. States with Republican led legislatures have 292.5 electoral votes; Democratic, 235.5 votes in total. A majority of 270 is required to win the Presidential election. 

If there is an election contested by both sides, what's to stop state legislatures held by the Democrats from assigning Democratic leaning electors? Could be also. Remember how beloved Hillary has urged Joe not to concede? No matter what? And, what to make of the Republicans in state majority legislatures who will find it expedient in their self interest to throw Donald under the bus to save their own political skins and go Blue? 

Lots of questions, huh? Personally I think the worst that can happen if he loses, Trump will go out with a frown.

The really worst to happen is the little people taking to the streets and settling the election results with sticks and stones. Don't want to say it any more specifically. But, could happen. All the end of the world rhetoric being pumped at the hoi polloi. You and I may have cooler heads in all the mish mash; but, what about our neighbors? You have noticed the chaos in the streets already, yes? 

In the News Today

 

Nietzsche* would approve.

Bless him. Continuing the now familiar tradition of people who once they get fame and fortune feel obligated to share their wonderfulness with the world and boldly step out of their field to capitalize on their notoriety to tell us small people what to do.

* You know, that Zarathustra guy.

Catch up on your reading. CLICK to be well informed.

 What's a Centrist to Do?

[It's not gonna be pretty.]

In this Presidential election time 2020 the choice one gets the impression it is the profound choice between a much better tomorrow and the end of civilization, maybe even the world.

Trouble is, each of the two primary sides vying for the Oval Office is making the same point. Heaven with me, hell with the other guy. 

The choice is clear. Well, that is if your mind is already made up. The worst case scenario if the other guy wins is presented in the most earnest and strenuous terms. I'm not gonna paint the picture for you. Just tune in on the news coverage. It's all right there, 24/7. 

Just sayin' that with all the doomsday rhetoric being slung from both sides, what do you think the man in the street will do come November 4 when the wrong guy gets elected. As my Aunt once famously said to my Mother when Mom was bragging of the bright future of her son [that would be me], "We shall see." (That one really burned my Mother. Memorably. Obviously.) 

But, seriously, we shall see. Could be not too pretty if what's happening even now in many cities is a harbinger. I take no comfort in being the one who told you so. But, let's not pretend that there's not a real possibility for chaos and mayhem. Given how each side is portraying the world led by the other, what would you do? Move to Canada. Yeah. Loads of folk did that after the 2016. Yeah? Not. 

TIP: If you have a fancy car, don't drive it through the mean streets.

Anyway, I wramble. It's what I get the big bucks to do, after all.

But, what's a centrist to do? Well, Buddha was a centrist. Of the ultimate kind. Perhaps he's got the answer. The only answer. I'll go with that.

In relative terms, still, what is a centrist to do? Either choice, the world turns to s--t. What's the expression, "6 of one, half a dozen of the other"? Vote? It would seem it's damned if you do, damned if you don't.

The natives are restless. I mean the American people. Arch Duke Ferdinand comes to mind. What will it be in our time.

 

RBG RIP

Written by Molly Conway: 

There's a few posts going around reminding folks that since RBG is Jewish, the proper thing to say about her passing is "May her memory be for blessing," which is true, but I wanted to add a bit of perspective on what that means. 

Jewish tradition does not focus on the afterlife. There are a few thoughts on what happens when we go, some of which look a bit like reincarnation (which I personally believe), and some of which looks like time to reevaluate our actions and relationships on earth, but for the most part, the whole "Do good things, get good reward from God; do bad things, get bad punishment from God" is just not part of our worldview. (Spoiler alert: this is why I love The Good Place so much- the final season feels very in line with Jewish thoughts on the afterlife.)

When Jews speak of righteousness, it is never with the idea of an eternal reward. We work to be good humans to others and ourselves because justice and peace are their own rewards. We don't know what happens next, but we know what happens here, and that is enough. The pursuit of justice is one of the highest callings of Judaism, and it should not be misinterpreted as vengeance or punishment. The ideas of justice and sustainability are inextricably linked in Judaism. A system that is unjust cannot sustain, and a system that is unsustainable cannot be just. 

It is said that a person who passes on Rosh Hashona is a Tzedek/Tzaddeket, a good and righteous person. When we speak of tzedakah, the word is often translated as "charity" but it is more accurate to say righteousness. Tzedakah can take many forms (including monetary donation) but it's important to note that tzedakah is not a benevolent contribution given to be kind or nice to those who need it, it is to be viewed as a balancing of the scales, an active working towards justice. To use a simple example, one should donate to the local food bank not to gain favor with God, or to be nice to those with less than ourselves, but because it is unjust for anyone to be without food, especially while others have plenty. Correcting injustice, balancing the scales, evaluating the distribution of power and creating equity is tzedakah, the work of righteousness. 

Similar to Maslow's (imperfect) hierarchy of needs, Maimonides wrote in the Middle Ages of eight levels of Tzedakah, the highest of which results in self sufficiency, or rather, an act that creates a sustainable form of justice. "Teaching a man to fish" is an extremely reductionist view of this idea, but it's a start- the real meat of it is the idea that charity is good, but eliminating the need for charity is better. (i.e. Tax the billionaires so we can have universal healthcare instead of praising the rich for building hospitals with their names on them.) 

The second highest form is where both the giver and the receiver are unknown to each other. This allows both for the dignity of the recipient, and for the giver to be free from personal motivation and reward. In other words, we should help create a more just world for the benefit of people we don't know, without the expectation of praise, gratitude, or reward, in this life or the next. 

When we say that Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a tzaddeket (the feminine form of tzaddik) we don't just mean she was a nice person. What we're saying is that she was a thoughtful person who worked tirelessly to create a more just world. One that would perpetuate equality and access, one that wasn't reliant on charity, one that was better for people she did not know, without the expectation of praise or fame. THAT is what it means to be a Tzaddeket, and I can't think of anyone who better embodies the pursuit of justice. 

When we say "may her memory be for blessing" the blessing we speak of is not "may we remember her fondly" or "may her memory be a blessing to us" the blessing implied is this: May you be like Ruth. Jewish thought teaches us that when a person dies, it is up to those who bear her memory to keep her goodness alive. We do this my remembering her, we do this by speaking her name, we do this by carrying on her legacy. We do this by continuing to pursue justice, righteousness, sustainability. 

So when you hear us say "May her memory be for blessing" don't hear "It's nice to remember her"-- hear "It's up to us to carry on her legacy." When you hear us say, "She was a Tzaddeket" don't hear "She was a nice person"-- hear "She was a worker of justice." 

May her memory be for blessing. 

May her memory be for revolution. 

May we become a credit to her name.

*special thanks to the linguists and Hebrew speakers in the comments section who helped me out!

 

How to Get to Sesame Street...

Wherein I will attempt to coalesce my thoughts on a possible future. Maybe even a probable future. A future based on the promise of technology, algorithms, and the fruition of popular myths. Myths, such as, that one held in so unexamined high esteem of "Making the world a better place". Or, "Making a difference" cherished as such an uncritically examined virtue.

Let's get those two last points out of the way, so you won't resent me as you read. Or, heaven forbid!, not read any further. To paraphrase the wise teacher, if you want to help others, first get out of any need for help yourself. If you want to do something good for the world, take yourself out of it. [The world doesn't need to be saved by you. It needs to be saved from you — paraphrasing Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj.] 

On the latter point, read it this way: stop acting in such good faith based on your conditioning and acquired ego perspectives. As wonderful and selfless as they may seem to be. Leave that to Oprah, acknowledged Most Wonderful Human Being on the Earth. Ever! And, I for one do not hold to the suspicion that woman is the Antichrist. Martha Stewart could be, though. Putin? No. He might just be the Messiah. I merely tell you what I've heard. You decide.

Also, there's something in all this about becoming conscious of consensus reality and waking up from the world dream.

Here goes . . . 

We all want to have the world by the ass, don't we? Admit it. Tom Cruise does. As a Scientologist, he may even just have it so. Be that as it may, wouldn't life be simpler? Even better? Maybe, even . . . wonderful? Excellent? Perfect? That is, if we had it all figured out? Information holds that promise in front of us.

Heck, we can figure out how to solve a Rubix Cube Puzzle in mere seconds. Also not to mention having the wherewithal to concoct a rig to do that job. Why stop there. By now you must've heard of the Singularity. The predicted time not that far off when computers will be smarter than humans. And, presumably, when we can all just sit back and sip tall ones poolside. Hopefully the embargo will be lifted, and you can smoke a Cohiba with your Mojito.

The Singularity will arrive when we know everything there is to know, about everything. And, have it handy. In some container. The smaller the better. Handier even than on that App on your smartphone that signals you when you get within sniffing distance of a good pizzeria. Not just any pizzeria, mind you. A good one. Let's go for a really good one. Of course, in the construction of that app structure someone will have to have figured out just what is a "really good" pizza. Come to New Jersey and you can find the answer to that question on just about any street corner.

App structure? Yeah. That's where you will find the sacred algorithm. Sort of a Deus ex Machina, if you will. If you have been following my posts of late you have noticed my mentioning algorithms. Specifically, bringing up the likelihood that the future of our civilization will be governed by algorithms and those possessing algorithmic invention and wizardry; and, of course, as is always so, those who pull their strings. Think puppeteers, and their puppet masters. Guess who the dummies turn out to be?

If you don't know from algorithm, not to worry. As they say in the trade, we got you covered. That image above is one version of what an algorithmic schematic looks like. Just one example. There are zillions. In a complex, multi-variant situation — maybe like the world we live in — your algorithm will sort out the permutations and options. Either to help you reach your desired result, or suss out any number of possible results from which you may select. Got you covered. See what I mean? Adding, then there's the algorithm that'll tell you which are the good, better, and best choices.

But, gotta desire something, though. Desirelessness will not be a virtue in the Brave New World. Neither, self-awareness. And, God forbid, Self-Awareness. If you don't know the distinction between the lower case and upper case aforementioned, just let's say it's a whole nother kettle of fish. Concerning which I have nothing to say. Nothing. Get it? There's something for you at the bottom of this piece if you in fact have interest in such like that. Nothing much.

And, by the way, did you think we skipped past Mr. Orwell's cautionary 1984 tale? Or, Huxley's Brave New World. Do you think that just because it doesn't look like what they described, it didn't happen? Maybe it did. And this, right here and now, is what it looks like. Huh? Just to say, do you think that it would come knocking on your door with an engraved introduction, smelling all nice and sexy, announcing itself for what it is? "Hey, asshole, I've come to make a slave out of you. You'll love it. Here's a new App just for you. Free! Now, be a good boy [or, girl] and bend over."

Apropos of . . . what? Mr. Steve Jobs comes to mind. I believe his genius is not so much in his technological innovations. But really, it's in how he figured out how to make a buck off it. Now that's an achievement we all can applaud. He certainly has made the world a better place. Made his difference. If you are one of the unannointed who doesn't know from Jobs, some think he just probably could have been the Second Coming. From so long ago, "Jesus". Now, "Jobsus." 

Some also say he is the enabler of a whole generation of ignoramuses, pied piper to the robotization of a whole generation(s) of human beings who have been willingly distracted and anesthetized by habitual mindless fooling around with multi-functional, small personal hand held devices. (Take a deep breath.) I wouldn't blame Steve for everything. Just like atomic fission, it's about how it's put to use. Reading the latest on the feed on my Wi-Fi tablet, so thrilled the news is covering Kim's astonishing cleavage. Or, so-and-so's "baby bump". Just for the record, I don't give Steve a total free pass. He must've seen how folks were using his "devices".

For an overview. The broad arc to a key aspect of the present times can be traced from an evolution from the movie screen, to the television screen, to the computer screen, to the smartphone screen, to the smart watch screen, to the smart eye glasses screen. That last one gives a hint of even more wondrous technology to come. No, not the glasses per se. Or, other "wearables". Depends, though, on what you mean by "wearables".

How about having a screen permanently floating out in front of you right there in your field of vision. 24/7. Or, at least, whenever you want. Presuming you'll have a choice on that. No gadget, to speak of. If you dig how the screen size / device size over recent history has been reducing, imagine something that can be implanted into your body that does everything and more of what your smartphone or computer can do? Maybe into your brain. That may still seem rather invasive to us at the present time. Maybe taking it in the wazzoo would be more acceptable? But now, literally. Let's foresee a time when it won't be a put down, as it is now, to ask, "Hey, who put that bug up your ass?" A time when that line will be a conversations starter. Even a sure fire pick up line.

You would have complete access 24/7 to the cornucopia of the world's information and problem solving capacity. Full, life-like resolution. Like we do now. Only we take what's in front of our eyes as real. Choose your screen size. "Life Size" by default. Available (mandatory?) to anyone with only the slight trade off of agreeing to give those algorithm makers and shakers access to your activities, desires, and thoughts. Heck, you'll not only be able to take the day off, you can take your whole lifetime off.

And, that little thing in your head will let you know what's best for you too. It'll conjure a world view tailored just for you right in front of your face. You'll be right 100% of the time. And, my friend, that's RIGHT. Wouldn't it be better if we all saluted the same flag? Thanks to technology we may have that opportunity. It'll make Adolf look like Walt Disney.

I could go on into the future when we have mastered every damned thing and will be able to dial up our offspring much in the same way we can from the options on a pizzeria menu. Then we can dispense with the whole messy implant business, and just make people the way we want them. The way they should be. You know, like you and me. Certainly, like me.

Let's discuss the algorithm some more. You're still wondering what's it do? Understanding algorithms themselves, much less having a facility with them, and even more much less being able to dream one up, is an intellectual hurdle equivalent to what it was like to be the first human to discover the difference between Up and Down, as a concept. It's kind of inscrutable. Like, for example, the Canoli shell. You look into it from either side, and what do you see? Nada. Zip. Zilch. I can't make it simpler than that. [Totally aside, never buy a pre-filled Canoli. Have it filled for you on the spot. Gotta have that crispy shell.]

Don't despair. Or, do. (It's a free country.) It'll come to you. About algorithms, that is. You know how you go and look for something or other on an Internet search or on a website, and that something or other gets posted in ads on other websites you visit later on? For example, you are shopping for a new spiked patent leather neck collar. Next thing you know, there are ads on your Facebook page featuring sources to purchase said kinky bit. Then there's also Facebook itself. Say, you like a page with girls with tattoos and spiked neck collars. (Just sayin'.) Next thing you know, dear Mr. Zuckerberg and Friends are showing you many other pages of that ilk for you to "Like". People to "Friend". Note to any algorithmazators reading this: Just because someone likes something, doesn't necessarily mean they'll like more of the same. But, thanks for putting me in touch with others like myself who enjoy discussing different ways to peel a banana. Or, to separate eggs. And, by the way, the collar fits just fine, thank you.

You guessed it. What makes all that wonderfulness possible are algorithms. A calculation of an outcome based on a set of rules. It's not the calculation so much; that's just a dumb, albeit, complex function. It's the rules. Someone has to come up with the rules the calculations must follow. And, someone also has to set it up to follow our activities to glean what in the hell will ring our chimes so that they can get the information in the first place. Our Internet activities are a treasure trove of information for marketers. When you have a device stuck up in you permanently, then everything you do is accessible. But, don't worry. Only the best people will be given access to all that. And, motivated to only serve your best interests. At least, your best interests, according to your betters.

We recently read a news item where a hapless gardener was raided in his home by law enforcement officials. Seems a surveillance helicopter spotted something in his back yard looking suspiciously like weed. Turns out to be okra. Sorry, buddy. Either way, however, he'd be in a sticky mess. Cook okra if you don't get the "sticky" reference. 

And it's not just about the marketing applications. When it comes to shaping public opinion, planning the Brave New World, be sure the G'mint has a few algorithms of its own. I'm probably on some watch list just for this posting. Most assuredly, for typing the term "Watch List". And, don't you know, it's not just some algorithm tracking single words or phrases. But, the proximity of suspect words and phrases in written and verbal communications; and, even punctuation. Lord, let us pray the algorithmatizers will have the wisdom to parse distinctions in usage such as in "Eats, shoots, and leaves" and "Eats shoots and leaves".

Here you'll witness the actual creation of an algorithm. Rather crude, taste-wise, but it makes the point crystal clear. It's a video clip from the TV show Silicon Valley, a hilarious send-up of the folks behind and on top of the IT culture.

The same guys who brought you that must-have guy app, "Nip Alert." If you are a multi-tasker, and a guy, you do definitely want "Nip Alert". So you will not miss a thing. Or, two.

But, first watch this:

So here we have all these bright young go-getters, earth movers and shakers. Making the world a more better place. Making a difference. Just imagine at what can be done. It all goes under the umbrella of the so called Myth of Progress. Which, by the way, I had it on good authority in the early 1980s that it was dead. Yet, by all evidence, it lives. Maybe even thrives.

Progress. As in, if we can do it better, more of it, or different we will overcome this or that (or, all!) difficulties. Attain all heights. Also, those handmaidens of progress, technological invention and information. Thank you, Jobsus. 

When we all have all the information, the all right information, and just the right information, and have it now . . . then, we'll have the world by the ass. Jumping on Oprah's couch.

As for the Sesame Street reference. I would have thought you might have forgotten it by now. Don't get me started on how short our attention spans are. Well, the Sesame Street thing is about how mainly puppets live on Sesame Street. OK? Read between the lines much? Not to put too fine a point on it, "dummies" is the right word here. And, as you see explicated fully below, "We are slaves to what we do not know."

What to do. Wake up! Of course. But, our world doesn't seem to be all that built for awakening. As the song goes, it's but a dream. But such a nice one. A bowl of cherries, you could say. Mainly, it seems to be the opposite of awakening. Miley Cyrus' twerking may be an eyeful, but it'll not really open your eyes. On your tombstone, fella, how about, "He had an eye for a big beautiful booty. Now, he be dead. Next."

By awakening I mean becoming aware. Particularly aware of our inner life and its mental and sensory movements. Taking that step. Having that Grace. Be that as it may. I believe all man-made things have at their center the seeds of the destruction of their own falsities. Just that, historically, we poor schmucks have to suffer through some pretty lame doo-doo until it gets undone and the next new new thing comes over the horizon. This is not inevitable. Fruit ripens in its own time. Be patient with others. Be urgent and earnest with yourself.

Awakening. At one point in my life I awoke. I immediately became a huge pain in the butt for everyone around me, running around trying to get everyone else to wake up too. Now I see that there is no one to awaken but yourself. Seeing others as asleep is a sure sign of your own dreaming. Let "sleeping dogs" lay. Let it be. Let the universe take care of its own creations. Let the Divine Algorithm do its work. Yes, there is a Higher Algorithm. Hope!

Here is what the Master, Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj, has said on such matters. It's the last word. And, best.

Excerpting from I AM THAT . . .

Questioner: All teachers advise to meditate. What is the purpose of meditation?

Maharaj: We know the outer world of sensations and actions, but of our inner world of thoughts and feelings we know very little. The primary purpose of meditation is to become conscious of, and familiar with, our inner life. The ultimate purpose is to reach the source of life and consciousness.

Incidentally, practice of meditation affects deeply our character. We are slaves to what we do not know; of what we know we are masters. Whatever vice or weakness in ourselves we discover and understand its causes and its workings, we over-come it by the very knowing; the unconscious dissolves when brought into the conscious. The dissolution of the unconscious releases energy; the mind feels adequate and becomes quiet.

Q: What is the use of a quiet mind?

M: When the mind is quiet, we come to know ourselves as the pure witness. We withdraw from the experience and its experiencer and stand apart in pure awareness, which is between and beyond the two. The personality, based on self-identification, on imagining oneself to be something: 'I am this, I am that', continues, but only as a part of the objective world. Its identification with the witness snaps.

Q: As I can make out, I live on many levels and life on each level requires energy. The self by its very nature delights in everything and its energies flow outwards. Is it not the purpose of meditation to dam up the energies on the higher levels, or to push them back and up, so as to enable the higher levels to prosper also?

M: It is not so much the matter of levels as of gunas (qualities). Meditation is a sattvic activity and aims at complete elimination of tamas (inertia) and rajas (motivity). Pure sattva (harmony) is perfect freedom from sloth and restlessness.

Q: How to strengthen and purify the sattva?

M: The sattva is pure and strong always. It is like the sun. It may seem obscured by clouds and dust, but only from the point of view of the perceiver. Deal with the causes of obscuration, not with the sun.

Q: What is the use of sattva?

M: What is the use of truth, goodness, harmony, beauty? They are their own goal. They manifest spontaneously and effortlessly, when things are left to themselves, are not interfered with, not shunned, or wanted, or conceptualized, but just experienced in full awareness, such awareness itself is sattva. It does not make use of things and people — it fulfils them.

Q: Since I cannot improve sattva, am I to deal with tamas and rajas only? How can I deal with them?

M: By watching their influence in you and on you. Be aware of them in operation, watch their expressions in your thoughts, words and deeds, and gradually their grip on you will lessen and the clear light of sattva will emerge. It is neither difficult, nor a protracted process; earnestness is the only condition of success.

The world is as you see it ...

The world is as you see it ...

I take photos. Mainly, just what strikes me, in the moment. Sometimes I go out with a shot in mind too. But, this time, there it was. This old, red utility truck. Parked outside the Montclair Public Library. The operator was across the street doing some chores around a property. Landscaper.

There's a story to go along with this picture. 

I saw this truck as a perfect picture and parked behind to get out and take some shots. I'm in the process of getting the photo when the landscaper guy whose truck it is comes over and starts taking pictures of my car. What?

Turns out he assumed I was taking the photo to document how he was parked illegally. He was not at all pleased with what he thought I was up to. He was returning tit for tat. Wow! I told him that I liked the truck and wanted to take a photo. Nothing more.

Actually, there was something more. My Grandson George was gaga for trucks. His term, "Gaia!". Go figure. 

Anyway, I juiced up the truck picture just for him. Here it is. [I emailed a copy to the landscaper, but haven't heard back. He may have preferred to be upset over the encounter; truth notwithstanding.]

Maharaj Sees the World

If the news is getting you down and insecure and all worked up ... Maharaj emphatically reminds us ...

Maharaj: The world is but a show, glittering and empty. It is, and yet is not. It is there as long as I want to see it and take part in it. When I cease caring, it dissolves. It has no cause and serves no purpose. It just happens when we are absent-minded. It appears exactly as it looks, but there is no depth in it, nor meaning. Only the onlooker is real. Call him Self or Atma. To the Self, the world is but a colorful show, which he enjoys as long as it lasts and forgets when it is over. Whatever happens on the stage makes him shudder in terror or roll with laughter, yet all the time he is aware that it is but a show. Without desire or fear, he enjoys it, as it happens.

Questioner: The person immersed in the world has a life of many flavors. He weeps, he laughs, loves and hates, desires and fears, suffers and rejoices. The desireless and fearless jnani, what life has he? Is he not left high and dry in his aloofness?

M: His state is not so desolate. It tastes of the pure, uncaused, undiluted bliss. He is happy and fully aware that happiness is his very nature and that he need not do anything, nor strive for anything to secure it. It follows him, more real than the body, nearer than the mind itself. You imagine that without cause there can be no happiness. To me, dependence on anything for happiness is utter misery. Pleasure and pain have causes, while my state is my own, totally uncaused, independent, unassailable.

Nisargadatta Maharaj I AM THAT

All My Relations J. Walter Wronski

J. Walter Wronski is my Uncle on my Dad's side. Duh!, you say. With that name, "Wronski", doesn't that family tree association explain itself? Let's not quibble.

J. Walter was an Ad Man. An Ad Biggie as he himself liked to refer to himself. I know, sounds a lot like that venerable old firm J. Walter Thompson. Where, by the way, your's truly had his start as an Ad Biggie himself. I arrived during the year JWT was celebrating its 100th anniversary. It is the oldest; and once, the biggest. Here I am during the height of my career as a Mad Man.

But enough about me. [What do you think of me?]

J. Walter was actually a pioneer in the Ad Game. His bread and butter was those ads you see in the back page of church Sunday flyer newsletters. Sounds like it's not all that, huh? Think again. He did well. He lived in the swellest town in Connecticut where, to give you an idea of how swell ... let's just say that the only thing local residents there had to worry about was the sun bleaching the garden wicker furniture. Lakeside, you better believe; vintage Garwood speedboat. All the most exotic imported cars. He even tried his hand on the race circuit. Pictured here, once again, with a pair of the usual cuties at his side.

That "pair" of cuties thing, was his claim to fame. At least what was talked about among the cocktail set after hours at Sardi's. He invented the "2 for 1" Sale. Just came to him once, the story goes, on some booze filled night working late in the office with his, ahem, crack [no pun intended] staff of twin secretaries. [As imaged above.] It's all true. And, then some. I assure you.

Interesting, his hiring practices. When the placement agency asked him what sort of secretarial skill level he required, he famously tersely requested, "Like a mink. Might as well make it a coupla of 'em."

He was the classic ad man. Work hard. Play hard.

And, by play, we're not talking tiddlywinks ...

He did have a few clients on the national stage. Remember Doublemint Chewing Gum? Those two lovelies pictured below were the inspiration for that memorable iconic line: "Double Your Pleasure. Double Your Fun ..."

Which also reminds me to mention how J. Walter was an early adopter of multitasking. It might be "party on" time, but dear Uncle was always looking for whatever the opportunity. Ad Biggie to the bone. [No pun intended.]

Hey, that's a Wronski!

CLICK on this to learn about some of the other Wronski's.

Election 2020 in the News

And she was all set for the Vice President slot. Checked all the boxes as Kamala. But ... would've also brought in the antifa's, the anarchists, the cancel culturers, and the general a-hole types who just want to run amok. Had a large passel of bumper stickers all ready to go, too.

Nietzsche* would approve. Bless him. Continuing the now familiar tradition of people who once they get fame and fortune feel obligated to share their wonderfulness with the world and boldly step out of their field to capitalize on their notoriety to tell us small people what to do. * You know, that Zarathustra guy.