Introduction

World Sustainability Delusion

The Sport Delusion

(Religion Delusion)

The Sex Delusion

Porn

Conclusion

Postscript  

 

INTRO

The problematic delusions addressed in this item are not naturally derived. Predominately, they are deliberately fabricated by one group of people to influence or control another group of people. In this context, they are essentially political.

Such delusions are everywhere about us. They exist in virtually every aspect of our lives. They inform almost everything we do, and we are continually victim to new ones. Yet we scarcely notice any of them. This is because we've been brought up to accept them as everyday normality. Nearly always they are disguised as essential or inevitable fact, or are presented as innocuous or irrelevant - and then frequently, unnoticed, are augmented or expanded. Since they are integral to our lives, the most significant delusions concern what goes on in the major institutions, especially in education, in work and in social life. But their greatest impact is on how profoundly we are manoeuvred in our world-view: on energy & pollution, wealth & poverty, corporatism & socialism.... in short: ELITE POWER & CONTROL versus POPULAR FREEDOM & AUTONOMY.

Anti conspiracy-theorists will believe delusions begin, develop, evolve and sustain naturally in the same way a plant grows; whereas others will believe they are mostly initiated, expanded and perpetuated by the ruling elite. My own take is that they are both. Some stem from one and then are embraced by the other, while a few remain exclusively dependent on continued support from their source and merely grow (or decline - as these days belief in god, perhaps, is beginning to despite efforts by a fringe elite to promote it).

In this item my principle aim is to expose several major delusions. I aim too, in future, to unveil more which will appear in subsequent pages. And my hope would be that from even the mere idea that we live amidst so much delusion, readers will be increasingly alert to them - until, eventually, they become completely disillusioned... An interesting conclusion which perhaps has parallels with Zen.

 

THE STATE-OF-THE-WORLD DELUSION

If you read Seneca or some of the other ancient philosophers - who've been well translated into modern prose - you'll be hard-pressed to distinguish their work, or their observations of other people of their time, from intelligent contemporary writing. This shows how little we humans have changed in thousands of years. Because we are so adaptable, to really change requires extremely powerful influences - or else millions of years.

So, essentially, only technology changes - we, as people, don't. The truth is, we are fundamentally the same inside as the original Bedouins and Aboriginals who followed a way-of-life that functioned successfully over many millions of years. Ever since several thousand years ago when we deviated from that, we've been heading for Armageddon. The massive increase in world population has accellerated this. To survive, we need either to change our approach, or else ourselves - which in the past half-century or so has become increasingly apparent. As yet we haven't even begun to contemplate doing either.

To avoid catastrophe on a massive scale we must alter our current methods of living (which is so out-of-key with the world and our inherent condition) to accord with laws that govern the biosphere which until now have worked fine for millions of years. This wouldn't mean returning to a nomadic life, or abandoning certain aspects of our various cultures. It would mean changing enough so as to OBEY those natural laws.

So the delusion here is: that our societies as they stand with their incessant consuming, fuel-burning and ever-greater economic growth and wealth and population.... is OK, when in fact they represent the actions of a race gone berserk, a race attempting to deny or oppose the very laws that govern everything that sustains life. What kind of fools are we?

It is the elite, with their ignorant political stooges who control these things, who are the architects of the current position - and who use propaganda that says: just elect us again, and all will be well. But they all carry the same crazy messages of denial. And any who don't, stand no chance of being elected - because of ingrained ignorance, endless propaganda and ever-more deeply embedded DELUSIONS. So even if 'democracy' wasn't the sham it is, catastrophic failure is the only possible outcome. The only question is - and this depends on technology - WHEN?

(See also the great money delusion - among others - on google zeitgeist - this is one two-hour video - alongside several others - but the first half-hour, including into the first minutes of part-2, may well enlighten a few otherwise shielded intellects...)

Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.
Socrates 470-399 BC

Intellect is invisible to the man who has none!
Arthur Schopenhauer. 1788-1860

For me the Jewish religion, like all others, is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions.
Albert Einstein. 1879-1955

 

THE SPORT DELUSION

This delusion is as big and universal as the political ones - perhaps even bigger because it forms a foundation upon which other delusions can build. It used to puzzle me how at school those who partook in sports (especially competitive ones like football or cricket) would get away with virtual murder during the week so long as they turned up for the big match on a Saturday afternoon. But like the sex delusion (below) this too - like virtually all delusions - is about power and authority.

Before I begin, though, I should clarify that no criticism of sport in itself is intended here. There's nothing better, I concede, than a good comradely game of anything - cards, tennis, five-a-side... whatever - for having fun and enjoying a more fulfilled life than would otherwise be possible. And there has, of course, to be certain rules that are reasonably kept to, otherwise a game becomes pointless. What I'm attacking here is not the game itself, but the way it has been usurped by corrupt authoritarian structures which have distorted it into both a powerful mechanism of social control and a lucrative corporate machine. This is made so much easier when kids are deliberately deprived at an early age of learning to organise their own time, and then later being given nothing to do. In this way, and by exploiting the tribal instinct and machismo of young guys especially, the Establishment uses sport as a herding process and thereby asserts its authority. One shouldn't be misled by the relatively trivial 'anti-authority' disturbances at football matches. These, in fact, create for the authoritarian-system an image of sport as being detached from their grip, and thereby acceptable to those who might otherwise advocate rebellion against the Establishment. Which makes sport a method of reining-in those who are marginally anti-establishment.

Notice, for instance, how all media - newspapers, radio and TV - elevate sport to disproportional heights. This is not, as is commonly believed, led by popularity - but the other way round: it creates popularity. And as we all know, it is the media that orders things: if Murdoch had been against the invasion of Iraq, then it would not have taken place - rest assured!

 

The same is true of religion - a delusion which I don't intend to address in detail just now because for one thing it's such an obvious delusion, and for another it deserves a page of its own. Suffice to say: there might be little wrong with the teachings of Buddha or Jesus, for instance, but those are light-years from the vast rigid strictures that have been cooked-up and refined over the centuries by established authoritarian churches (or mosques), fundamentalists and other megalomaniac elitist groups that hijacked the name 'Christ' (or some other prophet) to further their heinous aims to dominate, control, exploit and crush, etc. Their efforts to spread ignorance and implant absurd notions that contradict obvious reality were boundless. It has always astonished me how people - who are apparently, on the surface, so much more intelligent than any other creature we know to exist - can actually be so easily tricked into believing such incredible nonsense as is contained in most religions. I guess it's because I haven't studied psychology. How gullible and accepting, though, the masses have been in adopting the mad notions propagated by those religious bigots representing a corrupt establishment. And the ignorance feeds on itself - until a handful of intrepid rebels (with the same kind of gall and determination as Jesus) stands up to challenge it. But the religious madness continues in spite of everything. (see also: 'The GREAT JuJu at the bottom of the sea') Indeed, it is an inherent trait of the elite to seize ANYTHING to further its power and control - religion, sport... - which brings us back to the issue in hand.

In playing most sports, kids aren't generally interested beyond a basic level - which is often slightly chaotic. It's only when adults start shoving their heads full of mad ideas about always obeying rules and always having to win and always getting practice and so on, that the whole issue takes on a new and insidious complexion. I say 'mad ideas', but the whole essence of these demands - obeying rules, driving oneself (to 'win') and practice (ie: work, work, work) - fits precisely the requirements of the ruling elite. It's what the elite think we exist for.

Inherently, kids aren't interested in intricate rules, nor in always winning, and as for engaging in endless practise - I can't say that I've ever known anyone who didn't need constant goading and encouragement. It is predominately (though by no means all) those with an unhealthy obsession which has been encouraged or drummed into them - and which makes it possible for them to relentlessly drive themselves - who are likely to reach the top of their field in any activity. But these are very much in the minority - they are the performers, not the audience I'm examining here. And it depends on the nature of the 'obsession': whether it derives from genuine spontaneous interest, for instance, or develops as a tactic in attaining supremacy (or even a means of escape from something else - ie, Alan Sillitoe's 'Long Distance Runner'). Either way, the true dedicated pursuers of personal excellence actually constitute a very small percentage when set against the vast numbers who follow.

Most kids, in contrast, have a naturally improvising and egalitarian outlook - and are more likely to have a broad range of interests. Which means they're inclined to take a less serious approach, to prefer rules that are flexible, and at the same time recognise that occasions arise when to give the 'other side' advantages improves the game - creates challenge when opposing sides are unmatched, for instance. (Although a world run that way might be a deal more congenial and pleasant - it would, alas, be far less orderly and reliable, and certainly less profitable to the ruling elite.) What kids ARE interested in, though, (pre teens, that is) is in pleasing adults.

It's adults who dish-out the praises; it's adults who have the power to reward - even if that's merely in the form of allowing the kid to enter the fringes of their 'adult' terrain, join their exclusive little club and associate with people who do 'adult' things. This is especially true for boys, who seek - and are encouraged to seek - that allusive masculine image, crave that mysterious world of machismo, of aggression, of pseudo-authority... and most crucial of all: approval (which is otherwise unusual or non-existent). For who in this world doesn't constantly seek approval in almost everything they do? Well, there are some - including observers of Zen.

Because of the enormous power that this adult APPROVAL has over pre-teens, together with the sense of status that goes with it, it transcends into a 'belonging' - one belongs to the approved group and thereby gains still more approval. One becomes a respected member.

We inherit at least a vague tribal instinct, a feeling of safety and comfort from belonging. But this 'belonging' - with all its inherent esteems and advantages - is actually a means of control. There can be a vast difference between living alone and living with others. And although our susceptibility varies, we are influenced by the personality of those around us, whose mere presence can have a controlling influence. In the same way, one is controlled by the culture of the group one belongs to. And if you fail to conform you risk rejection - unless you find another group that better fits your perspective.

As kids get older and less adept at partaking in sport, the ADULT emphasis in their approval and control transfers from doing to supporting, and (for the followers) the source of approval transfers from adults to peers - most of whom will be inclined to conform (that is, in their role as team supporters). Even if you support a different team, you can still BELONG because you're 'playing the game'. Only those who support no team risk being ostracised to the margins or even altogether. These days - and maybe it's always been the same in moderate societies - to be ostracised with regard to sport is actually a minor issue, and would only alarm and influence those with low self-esteem (a handicap that, in a disguised way, is inculcated early in most people's lives - though not if you're middle-class or Jewish).

Incredible as it might seem, to be a supporter of a football or cricket or whatever team, and to gallivant all over just to watch them perform, underscores the essence of many people's social lives (in the UK, at any rate). Although winning matters (of course, they have to keep winning - though not too much; the system is designed so the same teams always win enough to survive and create excitement as they move between 'divisions') it's the supporting that counts, the following, the attending of matches and related events.

When I see people at a football or cricket match I'm reminded of that dog on 'Tom & Jerry' who one day was teaching its kid puppy how to bury a bone. When the kid asks: 'Why do we have to bury the bone, Dad?' the BIG daddy dog replies: 'I don't know son. It's what dogs are supposed to do.' This seems to sum-up so much of what people do.

But the truth is: it's about Power, Authority and Control: being trained to obey, and yield to propaganda: conforming, belonging, being part of the machine (an ant in an ants' nest). And, like a kind-of soporific, it keeps the masses socially occupied too. They've got you in work, now they've got you socially. Throw-in the TV soaps and that covers virtuially your whole life! If you wish to be an individual, someone with a mind of your own, a non-conformist... well then, watch out, because at the very least you will be denied certain privileges like the loss of approval, and you will either become a loner or will have to seek like-minded friends in the wider world (Hail the INTERNET). But if you do have the insight to spot and transcend the delusion, and can observe it from the sidelines, then you'll know and will be free (and might even then enjoy watching some of the highlights) - which is probably a more desirable situation than any of your tribal 'belonging' (fraternity).

The human vulnerability to surrender almost without thought to conformist 'elite' propaganda is perhaps the greatest and most devastating human weakness and folly of all. The other great folly is the one Jesus allegedly 'saved' us from: ie, our reluctance to rebel - principally against those who aim to control us: prevent free-speech, free will... imprison without charge (to cite a topical UK issue). From these follies are born the great destructive syndromes of greed, domination, exploitation, and so on.... because (in my experience) those whose minds are truly free don't exhibit those foibles... and the more who are free, the less effective will be the efforts of those who are not.

Several guys in their early 20s were here a few months back doing some building work. Most weekends they'd go to some football match to support their team. They'd get a coach up to Birmingham or Manchester or some mad distance away and on the Monday they'd relate to us all the hassle and expense. And I got the distinct impression that they hardy noticed the games they supposedly went to watch, but were more than anything wrapped in the 'magic' of the chase and the rigmarole, and learning about the players and all the intricate trivia surrounding them. So it was really the peripherals around which the support revolved that counted for most, and the actual game was a mere side issue - though, of course, as I've said, they must win as often as possible - and put up some kind of a professional performance - otherwise they'd fall from favour (which rarely happens).

 

THE SEX DELUSION

The issue of catholic priests in the US molesting children seems to wax and wane about as frequently as the moon these days. And it's an age-old problem they pose too: from schoolteachers to family friends and relations to (rarely) complete strangers. Yet the impression I get is that the problem is more a symptom of irresponsible parenting (and schooling) than of a corrupt pederast clergy, or anyone else, exploiting juveniles.

I should state straight away that I feel absolutely NO affinity for clerics or clergy of any sort, or any other ecclesiastic agent whether RC, C of E, Muslim or whatever else – less still for the insane and shady organisations that employ them. Nor do I hold any allegiance to anyone who harmfully exploits kids - or anyone else for that matter. I have no wish to defend any of them in any way. All I’m interested in here is in taking an objective view of a situation that seems to have ballooned to incredible proportions, but which at core represents a symptom that’s as predictable as sunshine.

First, the wildest delusion of all: that authority is to be trusted (see ‘The Milgram Experiment’.). This is about the most inept and self-evidently absurd delusion of all. Who, for instance, owns and operates the most hideous weapons on the planet? Who takes part in the killing of more people through starvation, wars and other (unnatural) means than anyone or anything else? Who owns almost all the wealth created by the perennially slaving working-class masses? And who, above all, supports this absurd situation? Answer: those in Authority! Who else? Nobody!

And who doesn’t know it? Everyone knows it. Everyone. So there’s no excuse. Why then, apart from where technical expertise is concerned (and even then their honesty can't be guaranteed** - see footnote), does anyone trust those in authority? The only feasible answer is: indoctrination and programming.

So that’s number one delusion.

Number two delusion is:  children can’t fend for themselves.

It’s entirely true that kids, as a rule, are physically weaker than adults, just as women are physically weaker than men. Yet instances where physical force is used, or threats of violence, are probably rare (at least in those clerical seductions) and if they are used then that constitutes rape, and shouldn't be confused with the separate issue of seduction - though I think most healthy kids over about age-7 are in fact quite capable of putting up a fight that would challenge even an experienced boxer - so long as the kid can see an ultimate escape route.

The central point is: can you imagine a single kid who, after a year or two in the kind of freedom provided at Summerhill, let’s say, would even so much as hesitate to reject an unwanted sexual (or any other) advance? Whether the advance came from an adult or a peer, whether it involved a bribe or threat, such a kid would see through the ploy, and with the confidence and natural awareness that results from that kind of freedom, they would feel no apprehension at unhesitatingly rejecting it - and nor would such a kid be in the least shocked or upset by the event.

Another wild delusion is: there are no instances where a kid can enjoy and benefit from sexual activity with an adult or a peer.

I recall from age about 9, certainly 12, and most definitely 15, when I nursed the hope that a certain person or other might seduce me – male and female. Maybe it was just fantasy, and maybe if the chance had actually arisen I'd have backed off; who knows? But the only circumstance I would have found truly objectionable would have been if the seducer were a parent or in the least threatening.

I recall too when aged around 8 or 9 playing ‘doctors & nurses ’ with other kids - this must be familiar to most people - and later indulging in various other fleeting ‘trivial’ and 'insignificant' sexual games with peers. I believe, though, that such ‘games’ were neither trivial nor insignificant, as they seemed at the time. They were, rather, a crucial part of growing-up, and meant that I developed no special curiosity or craving for relationships with pre-pubescent children of either gender.

It is true, I suppose, that kids and young people can sometimes appear attractive and sexually alluring – but this is mere appearance, which becomes obvious as soon as one reflects on their inevitable physical and emotional immaturity, and their inability to be suitably responsive... quite apart from the inappropriate physical scale difference. There are several famous examples of how an adult fell for a juvenile - Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson), author of 'Alice in Wonderland' for one.

Several times as a teenager I received advances from both male and female potential seducers. A couple were quite a bit older than me – both of them I politely and even apologetically declined. The fact is, I was flattered, and had no wish to offend. Nor for a moment did I feel threatened, shocked or worried. If anything, I was amused. If force had been tried, then the assailant might have had to contend with the same level of struggle envisaged above: could you fight off even a seven year old if they put up a tantrum? The situation would have been impossible. To achieve anything at all the assailant would have to threaten real violence, which would then constitute rape; and this, as I've said, is a separate issue because a rapist is a power-maniac; and ordinary people (who are not power-maniacs) are incapable of rape.

Also, what pleasure can there be in a relationship that is neither mutual nor willingly responsive? Only, I suggest, those who crave something that they have been prevented from naturally evolving through can anticipate any gain from such a situation – or power-maniacs who crave to dominate (the psychology of which I've never studied and don't understand).

 

So the obvious and simple solution to those clerical (or any other) seductions then is to free children from the risk of intimidation by authority. By allowing children to retain their natural confidence, to exercise their individuality and assert themselves when challenged by adults (or peers, for that matter) with whom they find themselves in conflict, will protect them against all but the most aggressive offenders.

This kind of liberation would have tremendous spin-offs. For its lack, one has to blame the parents and the culture they propagate (or fail to reject) - a culture of authoritarianism and blind obedience. Things have certainly advanced since the pre-sixties straightjacket, but only marginally, and they've slipped back recently. As Howard Zinn says: it's not disobedience we need to worry about, but its converse: obedience. A shame this wasn't understood in Nazi Germany. Yet no-one - NO-ONE - even mentions culture when failings like those clerical seductions are reported; only huge sweeping and pointlessly unconstructive condemnations of the seducers who are only partly to blame.

 

Child Porn

It’s the same with internet child-porn. I’ve seen some, who hasn’t? Purely from curiosity at those endless spam emails, who wouldn’t want to see what everyone’s making such a big fuss about? But it’s all the same over and over; and after an initial cringe, it's tediously boring. Although shots of kids who are unaware they are being photographed are harmless enough, some of the pictures appear to be taken under duress, which can only be harmful. These, in my view, are equivalent to rape - and assailants should obviously be stopped. But again, half the problem (quite probably) lies in the kids’ lack of confidence to assert themselves and to confront and reject the assailants' efforts.

As a kid I, together with other kids, went swimming in the river in summer and rightly saw no shame in nudity; and one has siblings, etc. This is not the same as parents watching their own kids as they grow-up – because probably it’s those parents who’ve lost out themselves as kids who are inclined to regard their own kids inappropriately and take advantage of them.

These days anyone can go and watch people naked, kids included, on the naturist beaches. Nothing wrong with that - any more than there’s anything wrong with looking at those fine paintings of Sorolla (see above and below), or Rubens or even good old Hieronymus Bosch. And if I was to so take pleasure in watching kids or anyone else bathe naked in the sea, it need not necessarily be to enjoy some kind of weird vicarious sexual fantasy but just as likely in order to appreciate (envy too, perhaps) their agility and natural beauty – though these days, with all the weird 'politically-correct' taboos, who would believe the latter? Remember, though, that it’s usually the greatest offenders – or potential offenders – who most vehemently condemn the innocent activities of others who they secretly envy (for their lack of inhibition); such activities they venture to distort into something immoral and so condemn because they themselves are repressed, too shy or introverted and consequently have become neurotically obsessed.

 

Who's scared of 'difficult issues'? Any other delusions?

I'll write about anything. suggestions: contact