No Internet Month Diary 2017 (part 3 - Atomic Energy , Acid and the Internet. Avoiding Meltdown)
December 3rd
Micro-dosing on LSD – the effect is remarkable – exactly like the description I read. Increased energy, concentration, focus – without any of the mind-bending effects usually associated with the drug. Quite subtle, it may even be a placebo effect, but I don't think so...
[Note: I have edited out much of the following five day's entries, interesting as they may be to some readers, they are mostly long, rambling trains of thought which do not greatly add to the findings of this scientific investigation into the psychological effects of internet use. This much remains...]
I've been having this train of thought which relates to my investigations into the internet... It goes something like this:
In the last century, there have been many technological advances – so many, in fact, that it would be pointless to list them all or say which has had the greatest impact on human society, relationships and consciousness – but three developments come to my mind which have certain parallels I think are worth exploring, as they are not usually associated in this way...
ONE
It was seventy five years ago yesterday (this was the last thing I read on the internet, so it sticks in my mind), in a squash court belonging to the University of Chicago, that the first ever nuclear reaction was carried out – in secret, in the middle of an American city.
The world's first nuclear reactor was called 'The Chicago Pile', because it was basically a pile of graphite blocks with lumps of Uranium embedded in them, crudely held up by wooden scaffolding, built by a small group of scientists, sworn to secrecy (this was in 1942, at the height of WW2) with, no-doubt, limited practical woodworking skills although they were experts in their respected fields. By all accounts there were no safety measures whatsoever. Nobody really knew what they were doing as it had never been done before.
By the grace of God (or whatever deity is responsible for preventing nuclear disasters) the Pile ran successfully for half an hour and was then shut down to prevent it from overheating and causing a meltdown in the middle of Chicago city.
After this, other 'piles' were built in more remote places, such as Los Alamos in New Mexico. Their job was primarily to produce plutonium for the firsts nuclear weapons. The idea of using nuclear fission to produce useful electrical energy came later. At this point, the most useful thing to those providing the funding, was to create the most destructive weapon it was possible to create.
The rest, of course, is history. When those weapons were showcased over two cities in Japan, nothing would ever be the same again.
Suddenly we (humanity) were faced with the reality of holding weapons so powerful, that with one push of a button, life on earth as we know it would be completely obliterated. Civilisation would be set back a thousand years. That was a first in human history. It completely changed the way we see ourselves and our place in the world. It changed a lot of things and we're still dealing with the fallout to this day.
Of course, there are those who believe that nuclear power, used in a controlled, limited, careful and responsible way is now the only way to save us from ecological disaster, runaway climate change, planetary meltdown. Maybe it's just a case of taking a very unbelievably powerful technology and using a fraction of its power to unlock its true potential...
TWO
The second significant discovery/development was LSD (something something something acid, discovered sometime soon after the first) - a chemical so powerful and potent that a single drop, taken by mouth (or like Jimi Hendrix, as legend has it – straight into the eye) could turn a person's whole world upside down and inside out – instantly taking them to a state of consciousness that in previous generations was reserved for mystics and madmen only.
Of course, for many people, seeing the whole universe suddenly alive, conscious and connected, the shock was too much. They suffered a meltdown. Like those first secret scientists of the Chicago Pile – nobody really knew what they were doing. They were trying out something new and powerful with no prior experience, guidelines or safety measures.
A massive dose in the sixties, coupled with the shift in consciousness brought about by the neutron bomb was what it took to usher in the new age... but of course there were casualties along the way.
The key, as ever, when handling ultra powerful new technologies is to proceed with some caution, until it becomes clear what measure is most beneficial, carrying the least risk – and how it can be used best to fulfil its higher purpose.. without ending up like Hiroshima or Hendrix.
THREE
Now, onto my third world changing, consciousness shifting, mind altering technological development with massive potential for good as well as harm...
Of course, it's the Internet that we all know and love, depend upon daily and couldn't live without – without suffering severe withdrawal symptoms (see NIM diaries 2015 and 2016)...
If you've been following my 'Investigations into Facebook Algorithms etc..' you'll know that my belief is that the Internet is in many ways a powerful mind altering substance/technology/phenomenon/whatever.. and as such should be approached with great caution, awe and respect – always keeping in mind if it is being used for its higher purpose and watching for ways it is being used by nefarious, secretive, militaristic organisations, governments and other criminal gangs – and also for signs of imminent meltdown...
Meltdown in this case can occur on a societal level, as well as a personal, psychological – so if you value freedom of thought, watch out that you aren't being mind-controlled. Again, you might think I'm taking this a bit far.. it is only facebook after all.. but once in a while it's worth checking where your thoughts come from, and if they're really your own...
The Russians are taking cyber-warfare very seriously. So should you...
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You can read my 'No Internet Diaries' from 2015 and 2016 at:
Check out ecoTrain For the best and latest, original, mind expanding content:
https://steemit.com/nature/@eco-alex/the-best-of-ecotrain-2017-highlights
Awesome post, Well written. Thanks for sharing @stillgideon
I may very well be in the midst of a meltdown right at this very moment...
Thank goodness there are real people I actually know attached to my current web of internets. Maybe I'll just wrap them up in some yarn next time I see them and keep hold of the other end...
My advice to someone having a meltdown on lsd would be.. hang in there, have some orange juice, it will pass. But in the case of a nuclear reactor meltdown, I would say.. shut it down immediately, pour concrete all over it and get as far away as possible. Take your pick with regards Internet induced meltdown.. the second option is probably safer, but don't do it if you're using someone else's computer. They might not be so understanding when they find their computer encased in cement, but you'll be far away by then anyway. .
😂