Post by Antonius on Dec 1, 2007 14:15:22 GMT
i came across this article:
www.timboucher.com/journal/2005/03/21/conspiracy-theory-alchemy-gnosticism/
some more from the same person on this:
www.timboucher.com/journal/2005/04/09/inner-and-outer-conspiracies/
this actualy describes exactly how i got here,
and expresses things ive been unable to...
www.timboucher.com/journal/2005/03/21/conspiracy-theory-alchemy-gnosticism/
Jung believed that through the quest to turn lead into gold, medieval alchemists utilized exterior physical objects and processes which enacted deep psycho-spiritual changes within themselves. I’d like to put forward the possibility that conspiracy theory either does or could serve much the same practical purpose for those of us today who are interested in it. I’ve written about conspiracy theory elsewhere from a religious perspective, but it seems the idea is worth exploring even farther.
Conspiracy theory is a practical technique whereby we rearrange outward semiotic structures, and in so doing make psychological and spiritual changes within ourselves. Conspiracy theorists concentrate their time on transmuting the “base matter” of current events, official stories, propaganda and public relations into the gleaming golden truth buried within. They do this through the very right-brained activity of uncovering and inventing connections between disparate elements. They concoct story-systems to understand and explain events - essentially a religious activity. For whatever reason, it’s much easier for us to deal with our internal contents by projecting them into the world around us. These outward signs inevitably become carriers of the archetypal content and psychodrama latent in the seeker.
Conspiracy theory also overcomes the strictures of literalism and the problems of simplistic thinking by experimenting with multiplicity of meaning. Ordinary events, people and signs become symbols bristling with complex, malleable, even contradictory meanings. Mystery is revived and idealized. Facts become more than the sum of their parts. Theory becomes poetry and even theology.
By setting off in search of the “philosopher’s stone,” alchemical conspiracy theorists actually seek to transform themselves - to rise above the level of understanding of the common man, and take part in the unfathomable mysteries of their universe, and the hidden “True Order” of things. Many of course go too far and tumble headlong into acute paranoia or worse. Alchemists too were said to fall victim to the mania of the lead. In their case, there may have been a chemical component to the madness they encountered. The potential certainly exists for any person who delves deeply into the tangled realms of the subconscious to fall flat on their face. But in fact, this alchemical dissolution and reintegration may become an essential step of the transformation process of the self.
Part of the reason I like gnosticism so much is that it offers modern conspiracy theorists in the alchemical mold an over-arching story-system in which to fit their understanding. Rather than giving in to paranoia or despair, I think gnosticism could be of use as a philosophy for conspiracy theorists because it provides a system of ethics based on personal liberation, the quest for knowledge and love of something greater than the world as we see it. And it does so in a mythical-symbolic context which speaks deeply to the type of internal psychological processes that are going on for people involved in conspiracy theory. Gnosticism shows you that whatever kinds of crazy shit you encounter in your quest, that you always have the answers in your heart. It counters the conspirators mantra, “The Truth Is Out There” with the equalling stunning revelation that “The Truth Is In Here” too.
some more from the same person on this:
www.timboucher.com/journal/2005/04/09/inner-and-outer-conspiracies/
this actualy describes exactly how i got here,
and expresses things ive been unable to...