...and we're back.

Think magically, act rationally.

I did a google and based on a cursory glance, I'm going to go with: "I came up with this saying." I was watching a debate between Sam Harris and Chris Hedges and while thinking about the subjects that were discussed I was trying to find an easy way to fuse my knowledge and ideas about the world–-both the objective, rational context and the subjective, experiential context––in a simple and straightforward way.

And it seemed to me that the best approach one could take would be to allow oneself no boundaries or limits on what one could think, but when it is time to act one should act in a rational, intentional, and compassionate manner.

So I came up with this quote: "Think magically, act rationally."

What does it mean to "allow oneself no boundaries on what one can think"? It means that, internally, one should be as agnostic about the Universe and all contained therein as possible. There should be no limits on what one allows themselves to think. Of course, one should maintain appropriate models and modes of thought (if I'm thinking mathematically, I probably don't want to think 5 + 2 = raisin unless I'm trying to fuse math and breakfast.) There are schools of thought and theories of everything that humans have apparently been hammering away at for a long time. We ignore traditional modes of thought at our peril. On the other hand, one should also allow oneself moments of "free thought" and follow chains of ideas no matter how disgusting, disturbing, or useless.

It also means that one should avoid such shortcuts as "God created the universe in 6 days" and confidently ascribing unanswered questions to mystical sources. Intellectual laziness has no place in the confines of one's own mind. One should strive to be honest, artful, articulate, aesthetic, precise, and intense when allowed the full freedom of thought.

It means that meditation, prayer, incantations, transcendence, illumination, and enlightenment are all mental toys to be played with, tested, retested, and cherished.

Next up: what it means to act rationally...

The subtitle.

For this post, let's break down the blog's subtitle to see what it could mean and what we might expect to see here.

"An attempt to synthesize the various,"

I've long had a suspicion that things tend to be connected more than disconnected. By this I mean that humanity has come up with many different ways of making sense of the world it sees and they are all have value to a greater or lesser extent. But they are all attempting to describe the same thing. We become more connected when we see the similarities.

"and a tribute to the mistress who makes the grass green,"

There's an old Zen koan: "Who is the master who makes the grass green?" I won't give you the answer (like there is an answer) but I will suggest that the greenness of the grass exists in the mind as much as it exists in "reality."

"while sitting atop Maslow's hierarchy of needs."

And this is the part where I accept that the only reasons I can waste my time and yours on these silly little thoughts are because I have food, a roof over my head, a beautiful woman to spend time with (including sexy time), a more or less stable job, the freedom to express, the education to enjoy, and the internet connection to clog up. Let me tell you what it's like, being male, middle class, and white.

I'll leave you with a quote from John C. Lilly, one that I have admired for some time now:

In the province of the mind, what one believes to be true is true or becomes true, within certain limits to be found experientially and experimentally. These limits are further beliefs to be transcended. In the mind, there are no limits.

The Applied Apophenia Blog

Against my better judgment but in deference to a dear friend, I hereby announce and christen the Applied Apophenia blog.

The name comes from an idea I've had for a while. Apophenia is a term coined in 1958 by Klaus Conrad which means the experience of seeing meaningful patterns or connections in essentially random and meaningless data. "Applied Apophenia" is my description of the fundamental problem of existing and the thing that human beings (and human consciousness) are engaged in whether they know it or not.

Applied Apophenia is the process I use to make sense of the world. I think I'm getting better at it.

Expect to see: thoughts and discussions on various topics. The occasional rant. Very little linking.

The one thing I'd like to leave you with is a bit from the Principia Discordia. Specifically, the analysis of "Starbuck's Pebbles."

Do these 5 pebbles REALLY form a pentagon?

Those biased by the Aneristic Illusion would say yes. Those biased by the Eristic Illusion would say no. Criss-cross them and it is a star.

An Illuminated Mind can see all of these, yet he does not insist that any one is really true, or that none at all is true. Stars, and pentagons, and disorder are all his creations and he may do with them as he wishes. Indeed, even so the concept of number 5.

The real reality is there, but everything you KNOW about "it" is in your mind and yours to do with as you like. Conceptualization is art, and YOU ARE THE ARTIST.