02-17-2011, 09:37 PM
.
Jody wrote:
I don't have too much to add to my earlier thoughts, except to articulate the same thoughts a bit further. I'd reemphasize that the spectrum and the way colors overlap is a matter of physics fact:
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Dr. William P. Blair, Astrophysicist and Research Professor
Department of Physics and Astronomy, The Johns Hopkins University
"There are no hard boundaries to each spectral region; they just blend together into a continuum of smoothly changing wavelengths. Even the boundaries themselves are ill-defined, which is why in the diagram above we show overlaps in some of the ranges. The spectral regions are just convenient definitions that are used for reference, and can be modified as needed."
http://fuse.pha.jhu.edu/~wpb/spectroscopy/em_spec.html
"Colors that can be produced by visible light of a narrow band of wavelengths (monochromatic light) are called pure spectral colors. The various color ranges indicated in the diagram on the right are an approximation: the spectrum is continuous, with no clear boundaries between one color and the next."[9]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visible_spe...ral_colors
[9]Thomas J. Bruno, Paris D. N. Svoronos. CRC Handbook of Fundamental Spectroscopic Correlation Charts. CRC Press, 2005.
And that I think about psychological factors only to understand peoples' responses, whereas it's axiomatic that transitions in physical phenomena are subjectively experienced in terms of time, ie that in the example, a caterpillar experiences becoming butterfly in its own timescale, which to it is not very quick, any more than human childbirth is to the mother or child! I think it's telling that the examples of discrete and quick being pointed to are all smaller in scale than the human - events that only to humans are quick, not to the electron or caterpillar. In other words, I think that only anthropomorphically can we think of these events as quick, but that's grafting human timescale onto a smaller, shorter lived example. So I base my hypothesis on the psychophysiological fact of human timescale perception, as well as on Ra's saying there is / will be a 100-700 year transition period. In fact, Ra's saying that may be the most direct evidence from the material that harvest and transition are a gradual process - all conclusions other than that are based on personal interpretations of word gloss and context, which can be useful and reliable, but perhaps less so than the statement of the 100-700 year transition period.
But in terms of practical preparation, an ascension scenario might not seem to require earthly preparation (except to polarize positively, but that too requires concrete actions, and collapse preparations are some of the most relevant), whereas a gradual scenario requires earthly preparation, whether in terms of psychological, community or physical resources. In other words, there's no downside to preparing for a gradual scenario, but there is significant downside to not preparing, so preparing is the wisest response. And that's really my only point.
I'm not seeking certainty, rather making a rational observation of earthly circumstances and choice of action. Not making such a choice of action, and by not acting, making the default assumption that the technical and resource supports of modern 'civilization' will remain is not a viable approach, not worthy of the thinking and adapting creature we've evolved to be.
The evolutionary spur Ra described in the human loss of bodily hair and physical strength in order to give incentive for learning to cooperate remains in effect and relevance! Human history is just a record of the attempt to deny and evade that choice, and I think it is a central point of transition and harvest that the necessity of making that choice is made undeniable.
Being a pater familias, having to provide for others has made me very aware of the necessity for practical preparation, a natural extension to prepare for winter, not just spring. The planet faces a basic food supply crisis, which will likely be the major cause of die-off, along with a breakdown in sanitation and health. The spiritual dimensions are interesting, but yes, speculation, and I am now more interested in furthering learning practical relevant skills such as gardening and handtool work and loosely integrating into community in some way.
Collapse may be slower, which would be great, but that's just taking the bandaid off slow, not changing the fact that it's coming off. We can consider earthly life transient, but starvation, freezing and urban breakdown are not pleasant. While on earth, we move toward the One by eating, staying warm and being contributing members of community, however loosely and eclectic - my preference!
And in light of the significant downsides to not preparing, I do think the psychological factors to that choice of response are relevant, and there is much extremely useful and positive discussion of these factors and productive responses in the Transition Towns, Relocalization and Collapse groups. I don't feel called to talking about that as I did to talking about wanderers, as preparation is more a matter of doing than talking. So while I don't mind my thoughts being posted, I don't want my email given out or to be invited to discuss. The information and research breadcrumb trail is there for any who are interested. Many relevant websites list further links. As you say, Gary, "Running out the clock" is not a calling.
Carolyn Baker is one of a number of psychologists who now work in 'collapse counseling' and write on these issues, and has written the practical-psychospiritual book "Sacred Demise: Walking the Spiritual Path of Industrial Civilization’s Collapse":
http://carolynbaker.net
Another is Kathy McMahon:
http://www.peakoilblues.org/blog
Transition Towns
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transition_Towns
Relocalization
http://www.postcarbon.org/relocalize
Jody wrote:
I don't have too much to add to my earlier thoughts, except to articulate the same thoughts a bit further. I'd reemphasize that the spectrum and the way colors overlap is a matter of physics fact:
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Dr. William P. Blair, Astrophysicist and Research Professor
Department of Physics and Astronomy, The Johns Hopkins University
"There are no hard boundaries to each spectral region; they just blend together into a continuum of smoothly changing wavelengths. Even the boundaries themselves are ill-defined, which is why in the diagram above we show overlaps in some of the ranges. The spectral regions are just convenient definitions that are used for reference, and can be modified as needed."
http://fuse.pha.jhu.edu/~wpb/spectroscopy/em_spec.html
"Colors that can be produced by visible light of a narrow band of wavelengths (monochromatic light) are called pure spectral colors. The various color ranges indicated in the diagram on the right are an approximation: the spectrum is continuous, with no clear boundaries between one color and the next."[9]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visible_spe...ral_colors
[9]Thomas J. Bruno, Paris D. N. Svoronos. CRC Handbook of Fundamental Spectroscopic Correlation Charts. CRC Press, 2005.
And that I think about psychological factors only to understand peoples' responses, whereas it's axiomatic that transitions in physical phenomena are subjectively experienced in terms of time, ie that in the example, a caterpillar experiences becoming butterfly in its own timescale, which to it is not very quick, any more than human childbirth is to the mother or child! I think it's telling that the examples of discrete and quick being pointed to are all smaller in scale than the human - events that only to humans are quick, not to the electron or caterpillar. In other words, I think that only anthropomorphically can we think of these events as quick, but that's grafting human timescale onto a smaller, shorter lived example. So I base my hypothesis on the psychophysiological fact of human timescale perception, as well as on Ra's saying there is / will be a 100-700 year transition period. In fact, Ra's saying that may be the most direct evidence from the material that harvest and transition are a gradual process - all conclusions other than that are based on personal interpretations of word gloss and context, which can be useful and reliable, but perhaps less so than the statement of the 100-700 year transition period.
But in terms of practical preparation, an ascension scenario might not seem to require earthly preparation (except to polarize positively, but that too requires concrete actions, and collapse preparations are some of the most relevant), whereas a gradual scenario requires earthly preparation, whether in terms of psychological, community or physical resources. In other words, there's no downside to preparing for a gradual scenario, but there is significant downside to not preparing, so preparing is the wisest response. And that's really my only point.
I'm not seeking certainty, rather making a rational observation of earthly circumstances and choice of action. Not making such a choice of action, and by not acting, making the default assumption that the technical and resource supports of modern 'civilization' will remain is not a viable approach, not worthy of the thinking and adapting creature we've evolved to be.
The evolutionary spur Ra described in the human loss of bodily hair and physical strength in order to give incentive for learning to cooperate remains in effect and relevance! Human history is just a record of the attempt to deny and evade that choice, and I think it is a central point of transition and harvest that the necessity of making that choice is made undeniable.
Being a pater familias, having to provide for others has made me very aware of the necessity for practical preparation, a natural extension to prepare for winter, not just spring. The planet faces a basic food supply crisis, which will likely be the major cause of die-off, along with a breakdown in sanitation and health. The spiritual dimensions are interesting, but yes, speculation, and I am now more interested in furthering learning practical relevant skills such as gardening and handtool work and loosely integrating into community in some way.
Collapse may be slower, which would be great, but that's just taking the bandaid off slow, not changing the fact that it's coming off. We can consider earthly life transient, but starvation, freezing and urban breakdown are not pleasant. While on earth, we move toward the One by eating, staying warm and being contributing members of community, however loosely and eclectic - my preference!
And in light of the significant downsides to not preparing, I do think the psychological factors to that choice of response are relevant, and there is much extremely useful and positive discussion of these factors and productive responses in the Transition Towns, Relocalization and Collapse groups. I don't feel called to talking about that as I did to talking about wanderers, as preparation is more a matter of doing than talking. So while I don't mind my thoughts being posted, I don't want my email given out or to be invited to discuss. The information and research breadcrumb trail is there for any who are interested. Many relevant websites list further links. As you say, Gary, "Running out the clock" is not a calling.
Carolyn Baker is one of a number of psychologists who now work in 'collapse counseling' and write on these issues, and has written the practical-psychospiritual book "Sacred Demise: Walking the Spiritual Path of Industrial Civilization’s Collapse":
http://carolynbaker.net
Another is Kathy McMahon:
http://www.peakoilblues.org/blog
Transition Towns
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transition_Towns
Relocalization
http://www.postcarbon.org/relocalize
Explanation by the tongue makes most things clear, but love unexplained is clearer. - Rumi
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