I read somewhere that every major civilization in history (those that have had "true culture" at least in one stage of development) has been based on a clear and believable explanation of cosmic and human reality. In our own cultural background, the truth of the Judeo-Christian faith was largely accepted. As the cultural centers moved to a purely materialist cosmology, our "network of meaning" disintegrated. Our recovery of cultural competency needs to begin with the endlessly exciting question of whether our world is merely a long fluctuation of atoms, or is nested in a transcendent Divine Romance. Do we really know that the God of Genesis, Exodus, Matthew, Mark, and Luke is a 5,000 year hoax? Did Shakespeare and Michaelangelo know something of which we are unaware?
Lucas, thank you, ‘cultural competency’ is a really great description.
I feel we need to go way outside these limited cosmologies. I don’t even feel we know what the makings of the new one is, it’s beyond the current consciousness even though it will spring forth from it. The new is so unchartered that it would be crazy to taint it with any of the past. All we have learned from the artists, religions and philosophers has simply got ut to the point, that is it. The next part unfolds all by itself, like a fresh rose, or maybe a cabbage, who knows.
That sounds quite revolutionary: almost as though your premonition of humanity’s future vaguely reflects Christian eschatology. In gesturing to something beyond the scope of most people's cognitive framework, do you mean something like a hegelian synthesis that would be categorically analogous to developments in the past, or do you mean there is growing potential for an altogether novel state of human existence? If the latter, what is something that has contributed to this potential? Is it related to computers and digital media, or something else?
We are under the background auspices of nature, the ultimate algorithm.
It will come through the natural forces, they are a consciousness and beyond the limited powers that we tinker with. Now, we could be involved, yes and it could come through us but nature will be pulling the levers, not us. If you’ve read C.S.Lewis’s ‘That Hideous Strength’, it is the Earth’s forces combined with cosmic assistance that wins out in the end. Now a bit like a soccer game, it did go to extra time and a penalty shoot-out, but earth and cosmos got the transformation needed. I’m hopeful. 😎
There's so much to dig into here. The pseudoculture in art and media is something I've had a problem with for a while, though I didn't know that term. I've referred to much of what we consume as 'fake' human. It has the appearance of deep meaning, but is actually just a repetition of narratives. A copy of a copy in a way. I think that's the same thing you were speaking of in your music and trauma example.
What I still can't wrap my head around is what meaning a real culture can create that goes beyond illusion. A connection to nature and spiritual development I understand, but still, what is the ultimate meaning here? Although, I realise that I'm likely so disconnected from real meaning that I cant even comprehend it.
Thanks for your reply Ben. Yes there are many ways to describe what we are living in or what has been put together, I like your 'copy of a copy', I do think some things were left out in the copying process though. ; )
For your second paragraph would you mind if I did a new post on my Substack that looked to address what I feel you are asking?
I love this! This alternative to pseudo culture needs to be organic and have some friction and grit.True life with soul isn't sanitised.Just as there is a white dot in the black of a ying yang and a black dot in the white side.By grit I mean getting outdoors and sometimes feeling cold or wet, walking up steps,not taking elevators,feeling the seasons, smelling the earth.There are so many spiritual and health benefits to being outdoors.And it shouldn't cost a lot of money.Too many people 'buying' an experience to feel better.Take your friends, a written ritual,your drums and go to the woods good people!🙏🙂🌳🌳
I read somewhere that every major civilization in history (those that have had "true culture" at least in one stage of development) has been based on a clear and believable explanation of cosmic and human reality. In our own cultural background, the truth of the Judeo-Christian faith was largely accepted. As the cultural centers moved to a purely materialist cosmology, our "network of meaning" disintegrated. Our recovery of cultural competency needs to begin with the endlessly exciting question of whether our world is merely a long fluctuation of atoms, or is nested in a transcendent Divine Romance. Do we really know that the God of Genesis, Exodus, Matthew, Mark, and Luke is a 5,000 year hoax? Did Shakespeare and Michaelangelo know something of which we are unaware?
Lucas, thank you, ‘cultural competency’ is a really great description.
I feel we need to go way outside these limited cosmologies. I don’t even feel we know what the makings of the new one is, it’s beyond the current consciousness even though it will spring forth from it. The new is so unchartered that it would be crazy to taint it with any of the past. All we have learned from the artists, religions and philosophers has simply got ut to the point, that is it. The next part unfolds all by itself, like a fresh rose, or maybe a cabbage, who knows.
That sounds quite revolutionary: almost as though your premonition of humanity’s future vaguely reflects Christian eschatology. In gesturing to something beyond the scope of most people's cognitive framework, do you mean something like a hegelian synthesis that would be categorically analogous to developments in the past, or do you mean there is growing potential for an altogether novel state of human existence? If the latter, what is something that has contributed to this potential? Is it related to computers and digital media, or something else?
We are under the background auspices of nature, the ultimate algorithm.
It will come through the natural forces, they are a consciousness and beyond the limited powers that we tinker with. Now, we could be involved, yes and it could come through us but nature will be pulling the levers, not us. If you’ve read C.S.Lewis’s ‘That Hideous Strength’, it is the Earth’s forces combined with cosmic assistance that wins out in the end. Now a bit like a soccer game, it did go to extra time and a penalty shoot-out, but earth and cosmos got the transformation needed. I’m hopeful. 😎
Pseudoculture is the experience. True culture is what we need. Thanks for pointing that out in such a poignant manner.
Thank you Anna, that’s actually a very succinct way of describing it.
There's so much to dig into here. The pseudoculture in art and media is something I've had a problem with for a while, though I didn't know that term. I've referred to much of what we consume as 'fake' human. It has the appearance of deep meaning, but is actually just a repetition of narratives. A copy of a copy in a way. I think that's the same thing you were speaking of in your music and trauma example.
What I still can't wrap my head around is what meaning a real culture can create that goes beyond illusion. A connection to nature and spiritual development I understand, but still, what is the ultimate meaning here? Although, I realise that I'm likely so disconnected from real meaning that I cant even comprehend it.
Thanks for your reply Ben. Yes there are many ways to describe what we are living in or what has been put together, I like your 'copy of a copy', I do think some things were left out in the copying process though. ; )
For your second paragraph would you mind if I did a new post on my Substack that looked to address what I feel you are asking?
That sounds great. Looking forward to reading it.
Ok will do, thank you.
Love this! Nailed it.
Thanks Lane, I appreciate it. Not an easy topic to get across.
I love this! This alternative to pseudo culture needs to be organic and have some friction and grit.True life with soul isn't sanitised.Just as there is a white dot in the black of a ying yang and a black dot in the white side.By grit I mean getting outdoors and sometimes feeling cold or wet, walking up steps,not taking elevators,feeling the seasons, smelling the earth.There are so many spiritual and health benefits to being outdoors.And it shouldn't cost a lot of money.Too many people 'buying' an experience to feel better.Take your friends, a written ritual,your drums and go to the woods good people!🙏🙂🌳🌳
Don’t forget the Cosmos and the Ancestors. 😉