Re: Re-ality

Reality- the state of things as they actually exist; as defined by Wikipedia

The Real World
Clear your mind. Now envision a jungle. Envision lush green vegetation in that jungle. Walk through the jungle and feel the damp humidity. Look above your head at the colorful birds, the acrobatic monkeys swinging through the trees, and the blue sky above.  Walk ahead, all the way to that clearing. Pull back that large green leaf right in front of you. Do you see it? That large elephant in the clearing. Imagine how large it is. Imagine how intimidating it is. Look at its...Pink spots, and how they cover its entire Purple body. Can you see it in your minds eye?   Now answer me this: If I am able to describe this elephant to you, and you are able to see it in your head, does that make it real?

The obvious answer is, NO, of course. In reality there is no such thing as a Purple elephant with pink spots. In reality it does not "exist".  Yet the elephants non-existence does not prevent you from envisioning it and in theory, believing in its actual existence.  This thought experiment is simply a tool to illustrate the point that existence of something (reality) is not a prerequisite for belief and reliance upon it.  Not only is belief and reliance on non-reality possible, but is in fact the default position of our society today.  Reality is no longer important in our society, only belief and reliance on that belief. In short, the real world is no longer "real".

The Real Delusion

The interplay of objective reality and subjective belief in that reality has been a theme of philosophy, religon, and science since man first looked up to the heavens and tried to understand what animated them.  This essay will largely ignore the "Big" question of how to determine what is real (possibly for another essay) and focus more on the point that as a society we have moved away from reliance on reality to reliance on "un-reality" (I decided not to use the term "virtual reality" due to its connotation of a electronically created world, which as it stands, fits under the more inclusive "un-reality" term).  So what is un-reality?  In a general sense it is the exact opposite of reality, meaning a state of things that actually do not exist. Which on it's face seems obvious enough, until you stop to consider how many things in our everyday life actually exist in "un-reality" and we assume exist in reality.

Take for example the average everyday regular dollar bill.  As a literal and physical item the green piece of denim actually exists. You can manipulate it, fold it, tear it, and hand it to someone. But ask yourself can you manipulate the "value" of that dollar? Well obviously no you can not. I hear you say "Whats the point, a dollar is a dollar and the value is part of that". Well yes and no. Ask yourself this, is a really masterfully made counterfit dollarbill the same as a regular dollarbill? Even if they are made the exact same way the answer is no, because the real dollar has something the counterfit does not...legitmacy.  And what gives that dollar legitimacy? Belief in it.  Now this isn't a rant about US money, but the point is a relivant one. The real dollar is no more real then the counterfit with the exception of the belief and reliance upon the belief that the real dollar was printed by a legitimate source. 

It is that belief that is the, excuse the pun, "Real Delusion" that we undertake every day. Our society has increasely relied more and more on these un-reality fictions to function.  Don't believe me, ask yourself how often you actually touch your own money, i'll wait.  Most people today never even see their checks. It's "directly deposited" into their account. In reality the employer sends a digital string of 1's and 0's to the bank that stores this digital information in your un-real account accesed by your account number which you access with a plastic card.  Now of course human society to some extent has always had to rely on these ficticous realities to cope in the world. I chose currency as an example because it's universally used in some form or another in every culture rather it be paper bills, precious metals, or shells and beads.  Religions are another famous example of a belief system inheriently built on what can not possibly be said to exist in any real way.  Yet today's society relies on un-reality in a way and with a more strong dependence then anytime before. 

Really Now

The digital revolution has altered what it means for something to be "real" and has made society more reliant on un-reality to survive.  From the PC to the Ipod to the Kindle more and more of what we consider "Real" does not exist in any way that is recgonizable.  For example imagine starting a new Facebook page.  You fill in the info that is requested: name, birthdate, email, interest, personality and about you. Now imagine you are creating a "Sim" character and you input all of the exact same information. Is this Sim that was created as real as the actual you? Of course it is not "real" it is an avatar created in a digital world to display characteristics...the same as the facebook account you created. Which begs the question how can any person reading the facebook account be sure it is real? They cant! The same can be said for email, bank accounts, anything digital.  The more and more we rely on these tools the further and further we move away from reality and what actually exist. We find ourselves more and more relying on un-reality or things that do not actually exist. We are relying on beliefs of things that have no basis in reality.  We are seeing purple elephants with pink spots. They dont actually exist, but we can envision them and if we infer a legitimacy they are said to be "real".

The reality is that we no longer need reality.  Not only do we not need it, we don't even notice that it is slowly being replaced by something more and something less. A new un-reality is taking hold where belief  in the existence of something is more important then its actual existence.  "Reality-TV" can be as scripted as it wants to be, but if it is called "real" and viewers believe that it is...well it's still not real, but it no longer matters. This is not to say that un-reality is in itself bad. Again, humanity has used societal fictions to sustain itself since the dawn of time (i.e. religions, manifest destiny, divine right of royalty, currency) but today's heavy reliance on un-reality puts us in a precarious position.  One where believing in something that is not real is not only more important then what is real, but preferred. And that...is really something.

What Grinds My Gears?

You know what grinds my gears?

Inside Jokes. Far too often must we all sit in public settings and hear someone shout something unintelligible to the rest of us. It could be a name, place, phrase, or color. Then only a select few people laugh. Guess what? Its not F***ing funny! Youre not funny! Inside Jokes should remain as such, inside. Dont bring that crap to dinner, bars, clubs, or public transportation because it just makes you look like a Jackass. My cohorts and I have inside jokes but guess what douchebag, they remain between us.

Cougars. This is getting out of hand. Ok it is almost every mans fantasy to hook up with an older woman. But there are limits. Generally a 20 year limit. Anything older and your pushing it. Unless of course your on that Pam Grier/Susan Sommers aging plan. The other day I was disgusted by the number of 50+ backsides that I saw in heels and leggins. Cut it out. Your probably a grandmother and im probably not gonna bite (barring any drunken influence). 

Canada. Ive always just had this feeling about Canada. Its like that one friend of a friend that you just dont like and you cant figure out why. Thats you Canada. You just irk me. Pick a national language already, or let Quebec go. And grow some balls. Its embarassing to be neighbors with such a shoddy military power. And for gods sake stop legalizaing everything. Have some respect for yourselves because otherwise your gonna take our entire drug seeking population. And im gonna go ahead and say it, I HATE the way your shaped. What the hell is that about?

Andy Rooney. Naw, just kidding. He rocks!!!!!!!!!

Homewreckers. When I was single you never said a word. Now that Im in a relationship you come and just lay the cookies out on the table. Well I dont want your deceitful cookies. Well I do want them but I got a better brand at home, Skank. Fellas I know you hear me on this one. 

That Guy/That Girl 2010. You see em at every party and every club. That guy/girl that just goes a little too hard on the drink/pill/herb. They get extra sloppy and are known to (a) fuck something up (b) fuck someone (c) fuck up your night. Lemme tell ya. I used to be that guy. But back in my day you could respect that guy/girl. We partied hard and always made it home. We partied so hard people wanted us to come back. Hold your liquor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fear Tactics: Economic Conditions

Fear is an effective tool for uses of propaganda and coercion.  The media uses it.... your parents used it.... employers.... civic groups.... police.... dictators.... presidents.... kings.... you.....  everyone uses it.  Sometimes you have good reason to fear.

Other times there is nothing to fear.  The agents of communication simply threw you a red herring.  The fear tactic I have an issue with concerns this simple phrase,

Due to current economic conditions...

The sight or hearing of this sentence opener immediately strikes fear into the listener and empowers its speaker.  I have heard these words, right before I was laid off, as have others at my former employment, akin to the millions and millions of people. 

The economy, that near invisible and omnipotent entity second to the higher power we may or may not believe in, apparently rules all.  Like the golden rule, whoever has the gold makes the rules.  Apparently, the conditions of the economy have led to mass job loss and downfall.  I want to say to you all that don't let this phrase scare you anymore.

I think in the recession's infancy this phrase was legit, however, I'm under the impression now it is used as a fear tactic.  This is not a plea to act a ass at your jobs or with other things, however, don't get scared because the money is tight.  If you know you are on the up and up, don't be convinced that because the doors are breaking down with applications that you should fear for your own welfare.  The reality is that while applications flood in, 95% are discarded.  Yep.  They're not even read.

It is to my understanding that many people have cut back for one reason or another.  On the other hand, some people have made zero alteration to their spending habits.  I'd like to believe that if we spend, the money wheel will keep spinning.  That means using our own resources and not getting flimsy loans that landed us in this mess in the first place!  The economy is run by people.... People that can be like yourself!

Sticking to your guns and using your own resources is how we can evade this fear tactic.  Stop living in fear of something that YOU CAN CONTROL!

Social (Un)Networking

*Drags soapbox to center of the stage, adjust mic stand, and clears throat*

So I'm the first one up then huh? Well here we go...

Im calling out social networks and people who over use, wait, abuse them.  I'm particulary talking to anyone that tries to communicate with me through them, and then proceeds to tell me to check it.  I refuse to respond to a message on facebook or follow you on twitter to find out information you could just as easily tell me yourself.