Obsidian Noise

Monday morning flip flops to work. It might be a bit cold, but it’s 9a and I can still feel my toes, so I think the timing is right. Not everyone can do this where I work. I’m not sure why I can. I’m wearing today what I would have worn yesterday. I guess I’m unintentionally living by Thoreau’s wisdom:

“Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.”

That I can do it without issue is interesting to me.

This work environment is unchanging. I’m standing at a desk now, comfortably. It’s a bit too warm but the windows are rattling from the wind and I know if I crack one open it’ll twist papers all over the room. The AC probably hasn’t been turned on for the building yet so unseasonably warm days are just endured.

Besides, I can always go outside or somewhere else. That option should remain in all circumstances, always, shouldn’t it?

The new Meshuggah record is outstandingly heavy and flawless.

There is no more art, there is no more culture in this city. It’s all consumer garbage. Commercial music, commercial pictures, consumer souls. The people making it don’t even know why or how because they’re not supposed to look at what operates on them. They’re supposed to make things that fit in, just like they try to make themselves fit in. But fit in to what? What is that thing? They tell themselves it’s a “Remix 2.0!”. No, fuckhead.

Just, no.

looks like the page with open commenting has gotten around too much. spam mixed with real people, too annoying to go through. check it out. if anyone has any suggestions for future open commenting, let me know…

When my jeans get sweaty enough from walking fast enough to not be late to a staff meeting at 9am, they start to smell like hay. It doesn’t matter how recently they were washed. It’s hay.

I don’t mind it.

Training today. Getting healthy again is affecting my mind. I like falling asleep sore. I like recovery. I like the feeling of growing. Eventually that will only be in the mind, and the only growing I will do will be related to wisdom only. Growing the mind high and wide is important. The body is part of the mind. There is no duality. The brain is the body. The nerve system that reaches out to every part of us is not “connected” to the brain, it is the brain.

We are walking brains, acting in the world. Some brains have broken parts. Some have big tits. Some brains are dangerous to other brains.

That’s the kind I am. But the only brains I’m a danger to are those that are a danger to other brains.

Foolish brains are all around. Like 6 year olds with big guns, having no idea what they’re doing. Following basic, infantile impulses. Get candy get candy get candy get candy get candy.

Some brains need to be covered in salt. Or glue.

Or sand. Buried and forgotten.

Sorry for the slow restart. It’s not because I haven’t been eager to get back into it, it’s just a matter of re-finding the routine. Daily m-f from now on.

It’s nice to be back. New York’s weather right now is excellent and I’m unusually cheery. I went to a museum over the weekend and was blown away by a spacial-audio installation, had a great philosophy class Monday night on one my favorite philosopers, Paulo Freire (“Pedagogy of the Oppressed” is one of the most important books you can read in your life), gave a lecture on social science simulations at a local college yesterday afternoon, and raced back for another class last night. LG.

Feeling stronger, my back is at about 95% health. There were some stiff days on the trip, particularly after long treks, but nothing too bad. Going down steep hills was pretty hard after a while, but survivable. My trip journal will be up soon.

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An ethics question: what do you think about an educational process in which the teacher prearranging and manipulates a situation for a person or group of persons without their knowledge, in order to teach them something?

In Rousseau’s “Emile”, he runs young Emile’s life as if it were a project, carefully crafting and planning and paying incredible attention to every happening, in order to create (nearly literally) a kind of superiorly happy and capable person.

Though many believe that a particular god does the same thing in our own lives (all things happen for a reason, etc.) to create a kind of “learning world” for another that is construed and crafted without the participant’s knowledge would seem awfully powerful. What are the possible unintended negative consequences of a project like that?

Back from the trip. It was extraordinary. Many stories to share, and pictures. Don’t worry so much.

Howdy all. Some significant changes to the itinerary due to the utter kickass-ness of Nagaland, very much a new favorite place in the world. Tribal, remote, intense. Many hikes, many great encounters, many, many pictures to share, some you won’t believe. Because of how things were going, I canceled my trip south to get more time in the Northeast.

Now in Jaipur relaxing for a couple days after passing through Assam and Delhi, and before heading up to Kath for a week of trekking and catching up with other friends. Have had very limited net access, so I’m guessing all pictures will have to wait.

This has been a great trip so far, here at the halfway point. I feel super charged. If only I could bring this feeling home. Why am I at my best– best mood, best brain, best life– when away in the funk of remote travel?

Holiness. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/strike-across-india-banking-transport-hit/234385-3.html

India has just shut down. Just in time for my arrival. I see the plan is well underway. This could be a total disaster zone and is exactly where I belong. Outstanding.

Nine hour sleep with red eyes. Everyone around my office is sick. If catch something before this 14 hour flight, I’m going to be pissed.

Sprinting through everything that could go wrong while I’m gone. There’s a good chance I’ll have very limited net access, so any big hangups will be really tough for my group if it can’t wait for 3.5 weeks.

I’ll see if I can get a guru to cast a protect spell, or something.

More later.