I used to wonder why my ancestors stopped here, along the shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario (Dad: Buffalo-Erie, Mom: Hamilton-Ontario). Yes, that’s where the jobs were. But from the 30,000 foot view it’s where the freshwater was and is. I am fortunate to live a short walk way from a whole lotta reasonably clean water in a pinch. And I’m glad that our good Canadian neighbors have something to say about messing with the Great Lakes.
The thing that always blows my mind is how we figured out the poisonous stuff from the delicious. How many people died before we figured out the delicious mushrooms from the deadly? Alexander Supertramp brought a whole book of whats ok and what’s not and he still got it wrong. The other thing that blows my mind (it happens a lot) is these highly invovled esoteric steps to take something inedible and turn it into something delicious. Like Coffee, Chocolate, Mezcal. I mean the patience and focus. Reading your article it makes more sense; our ancestors didn’t have the luxury of living to eat versus eating to live
I love thinking about that aspect, like how we figured food out. Lots of sacrifices must have been made so that we can all enjoy a nice buzz or satisfying feeling after finishing a cup of coffee or a beer. On the other hand, that gives us some idea of just how important being in this altered state was to our ancient ancestors.
I would love to revisit that mindset today. We get a lot of things right about being human, but altering our perceptions isn't considered sacred or even important any more, whereas back then, I think folks really really cared about these rituals. We cared about unlocking parts of our mind that weren't in play before, about the power of ultra-free thoughts. Those were good things we seem to have left behind as a group.
Yeah, in small pockets, sure. I'm talking about the culture that seems to pervade most of the planet these days, where it's all about the void and escape. Now don't get me wrong! Mere escapism has its place, but there's a great deal more value in these things than just a party or whatever. I guess that's what I'm trying to say.
Yeah as I was typing that I was thinking of rituals like Vision quest/peyote and I’m with you those only exist in the fringes now at least in America. I wonder if it’s because we feel like we understand many of the things like natural disasters and whats in the sky when we look up that our ancestors were trying so very hard to figure out?
For sure, part of it is having answers to some of the questions we asked. We might have looked to commune with the gods or with the universe back then in order to discover something we can just look up today, so that's part of it.
I think part of it is also idiocracy, where we just find the hedonistic aspect of literally everything and then only focus on that. Sure, drugs feel awesome! But they're tremendously more valuable than some trivial good physical feeling, and have vastly more value beyond that. I include caffeine, alcohol, weed, and everything else in this grouping, for what that's worth. Maybe even refined sugar, but to way less of an extent (my brain activity is certainly different with sugar involved).
Great, now I'm hungry and need a drink.
The needs of the Michael matter too!
In the words of famous nutritionist Marie-Antoinette, "Let them eat cake."
Problem solved. Easy.
What kind of cake are we talking about?
Chocolate, probably. Or cheesecake perhaps?
Cheese is one of the major food groups, so that one sounds more nutritious.
Then a carrot cake for some healthy veggies, and we've got everything covered.
Now we're talking! If the entire world is to eat this cake, we had better make sure there are no peanuts or animal products used.
I used to wonder why my ancestors stopped here, along the shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario (Dad: Buffalo-Erie, Mom: Hamilton-Ontario). Yes, that’s where the jobs were. But from the 30,000 foot view it’s where the freshwater was and is. I am fortunate to live a short walk way from a whole lotta reasonably clean water in a pinch. And I’m glad that our good Canadian neighbors have something to say about messing with the Great Lakes.
Excellent observation, Frank: people are going to settle near where the fresh water is, and that is even true today!
The thing that always blows my mind is how we figured out the poisonous stuff from the delicious. How many people died before we figured out the delicious mushrooms from the deadly? Alexander Supertramp brought a whole book of whats ok and what’s not and he still got it wrong. The other thing that blows my mind (it happens a lot) is these highly invovled esoteric steps to take something inedible and turn it into something delicious. Like Coffee, Chocolate, Mezcal. I mean the patience and focus. Reading your article it makes more sense; our ancestors didn’t have the luxury of living to eat versus eating to live
I love thinking about that aspect, like how we figured food out. Lots of sacrifices must have been made so that we can all enjoy a nice buzz or satisfying feeling after finishing a cup of coffee or a beer. On the other hand, that gives us some idea of just how important being in this altered state was to our ancient ancestors.
I would love to revisit that mindset today. We get a lot of things right about being human, but altering our perceptions isn't considered sacred or even important any more, whereas back then, I think folks really really cared about these rituals. We cared about unlocking parts of our mind that weren't in play before, about the power of ultra-free thoughts. Those were good things we seem to have left behind as a group.
Hmmm without oversharing I think the use of psychedelics is alive and well at least in the little slice of life I’m privy too
Yeah, in small pockets, sure. I'm talking about the culture that seems to pervade most of the planet these days, where it's all about the void and escape. Now don't get me wrong! Mere escapism has its place, but there's a great deal more value in these things than just a party or whatever. I guess that's what I'm trying to say.
Yeah as I was typing that I was thinking of rituals like Vision quest/peyote and I’m with you those only exist in the fringes now at least in America. I wonder if it’s because we feel like we understand many of the things like natural disasters and whats in the sky when we look up that our ancestors were trying so very hard to figure out?
For sure, part of it is having answers to some of the questions we asked. We might have looked to commune with the gods or with the universe back then in order to discover something we can just look up today, so that's part of it.
I think part of it is also idiocracy, where we just find the hedonistic aspect of literally everything and then only focus on that. Sure, drugs feel awesome! But they're tremendously more valuable than some trivial good physical feeling, and have vastly more value beyond that. I include caffeine, alcohol, weed, and everything else in this grouping, for what that's worth. Maybe even refined sugar, but to way less of an extent (my brain activity is certainly different with sugar involved).
Do our modern day temples count - brewpubs, wine bars, coffee shops, hookah parlors, ice cream stores