Topic: Boycotting the hype

I've noticed that issues and events often come up in the media that seem to demand your opinion. There's something about the way these topics are presented that forces people to take a side and to start debating and/or gossiping immediately. The strange thing is the sense of urgency transmitted with these news items. It seems like the point is to make sure that when you hear a story about the latest celebrity dirt or controversial ethical question, you must not think too deeply about it, but must react immediately with your position. No research is to be done, no time of reflection is to be had, and no related issue is to be discussed--the story is designed to make you open your mouth and speak reflexively.

This sort of thing happens on the internet, too. Stories spread like viruses, and threads at discussion forums balloon up with opinionated posts and heated debate. I'm not referring to Noble Realms, as we generally do not take things at face value. We know we won't get ridiculed here for asking questions. This breaks the whole spell for whomever is pouring these items into the collective consciousness. But at other large forums where people are afraid of stepping out of line, you'll generally see a huge explosion of polarized but completely uniform opinions when one of these "stories" breaks. Everybody scrambles to state their opinion with a post that expresses their indignation with the "other side".

For the past few years, I've been engaging in a silent boycott of these subjects whenever I spot them. Sometimes I slip up and respond, but usually I just ignore them. When someone brings up Janet Jackson, Paris Hilton, Terri Shiavo, gay marriage, abortion, or any suspiciously polarizing issue, I just try not to respond. No matter how you react to someone who is stuck in the dualistic black/white paradigm, you lose. Only when you can bypass the face value of the story and discuss things like its symbolic significance, its misdirectional purpose, its usefulness to the powers that be, and other hidden components, do you actually stand a chance of learning anything. Otherwise, the information will use you for its purposes.

It seems to me that one of the purposes for these stories is to periodically "shock" the social organism that is the modern human communications network in order to see how it operates. It's like injecting radioactive dye into a person's bloodstream so that their circulatory system shows up better in an x-ray. When the story is injected into the mass mind, the powers that be can analyze the way it travels from person to person, from system to system, across all demographics. This is useful to them for many reasons. It shows which nodes are most efficient at spreading propaganda, which subjects are most useful as carriers of propaganda, how fast it spreads, who is immune to it, how it mutates, how long it lives, what its lasting effects are, and probably a lot more. As the media shifts from monolithic TV news outlets to the fractured system of blogs and social circles of the internet, it's important for the powers that be to understand how this complex system works. If they get locked out, they lose control.

On the personal level, I think it's healthy to avoid discussing these "engineered" stories with people in the dualistic mindset because of the polarizing effect it may have on you. Of course, if you are strong enough to avoid getting sucked into a debate and losing energy, and if you can use the discussion to dissect the person trying to infect you with his paradigm and the system that infected him, then more power to you! Just look out for any wrong assumptions that the information may be using to get a hold on you--such as the assumption that you have the whole story.

Is anybody else engaging in such a boycott? What are your thoughts on the meaning of these memetic stories that explode every few weeks? How are they constructed? How do they infect? How do you stay immune?

--Justin

2 (edited by Auendove 2005-04-02 11:11:52)

Re: Boycotting the hype

czyx wrote:

Is anybody else engaging in such a boycott?

For the time being I don't have to deal with people "out there" too much, so there's not much for me to boycott.

Outside of NR people I only discussed Schiavo with two other people, and one of them for only a few brief moments... because this person thought of her feeding tube being removed as a "survival of the fittest" thing... and I wasn't going there. It wasn't worth the fight. A heated debate between the two of us would have served to no positive end.

If thrust  into the world at large, if in proximity of a charged group discussion, I would likely say very little, most likely nothing, because I'm rarely understood. You know, it's like I speak a completely different language from  mainstream communication. I usually turn and walk away, I'd really rather have fun.

I look to explore the symbology also, and most people can't slow down enough to get-it, that there's a bigger picture. I don't know how many times in public, mostly in college, where I have been "crucified" for speaking my Wanderer mind. After a while a gal just gets tired of getting nailed to the wall. I finally just learned to say "To each their own". Although I admittedly did have an interim period where I said "What a bunch of ignorant jackasses" before I enveloped the tolerance to say "To each their own".

I guess I would say I'm a 95% boycotter... I'm always ready to walk.

Noble Realms is my safe haven where I feel free to express myself, and where I at least have a hope and a prayer of being understood.

czyx wrote:

What are your thoughts on the meaning of these memetic stories that explode every few weeks?

Fundamentally there is something to be learned from them, whether one is exploring them being from everthing like a sociologist and exploring the workings of a societal/ethical disaster to being a like Conspiracy Theorist (CT), and seeing the fire for the smoke.

I just think everything we see, feel, touch, and hear is an opportunity to learn. I'm not saying it's always a palatable education, but ugly truths are just as vital to understand as are beautiful truths.

I'm momentarily thinking of it this way--

Is all that we see, touch, etc., what is known to most Noble Realmers as "The Grand Illusion", aka life, an ugly truth or a beautiful truth? .... Kind of a hard question to answer, eh? It's a two edged sword.

The same with the "memetic stories". The polarization they create is nothing short of ugly, IMO, but therein is an opportunity to grow and learn if discernment is practiced, even if it is a bittersweet education.

On a sidenote--memetics was a large part of my Senior Thesis class when I was in college, it took me a while to get into it, but I finally got it wink . Just the word itself is strange--meme... reads like me-me, but pronounced meam? I dunno roll... where do they come up with this stuff?

czyx wrote:

How are they constructed?

Good question czyx! And kwap, but I sure as heck don't know the answer to this one.

Hmmm... but I'll give it a lame shot, again going with the sociologist/ CT example--a sociologist would backtrack through the institutional structuring of the particular meme. They would trace all roads to a common source. (now that was a lame explaination!)

A CT would blow all that hooey off and go straight to the uncommon source... something not easily identified, such as 4th/5th density STS entities and agenda. But, how do they do it? GACK! I haven't a clue.

czyx wrote:

How do they infect?

Don't have a clue about this one either, but for all we're seeing as of late... it's not a hard thing to do. Maybe they infect through the open consciousness pathway that is ignorance.

czyx wrote:

How do you stay immune?

Heeheehee... boycott the dis-ease? big_smile

There's also always the Trekkie way--"Shields up Scotty, there's incoming torpedos!"

lol

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
------
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
------
If you spin around on your chair really fast, things around here will make a lot more sense.

lol

Re: Boycotting the hype

I honestly don't keep up with news media at all, the only way I'll hear about it is if someone begins talking about it (in class, friends... etc)  when I'm around or I so happend to 'bump' into it through my own path way of life for whatever im doing

Re: Boycotting the hype

czyx wrote:

I've noticed that issues and events often come up in the media that seem to demand your opinion. There's something about the way these topics are presented that forces people to take a side and to start debating and/or gossiping immediately.  The strange thing is the sense of urgency transmitted with these news items.

Yes, this is what I cannot STAND about TV.   The hyped up urgency.  That's what I was ranting about in fact over in my Pope thread.    Being that I don't normally watch TV, during those rare times I do see it at work, it shocks me.   Just the way it is, the relentless hammering of ideas in such a hyped up urgent way.   It's bizarre.


czyx wrote:

It seems like the point is to make sure that when you hear a story about the latest celebrity dirt or controversial ethical question, you must not think too deeply about it, but must react immediately with your position. No research is to be done, no time of reflection is to be had, and no related issue is to be discussed--the story is designed to make you open your mouth and speak reflexively.

Yup.  That's exactly it.....don't think.   Just react.    And most importantly:   Talk talk talk talk TALK about it!   And then talk some more.   



czyx wrote:

For the past few years, I've been engaging in a silent boycott of these subjects whenever I spot them. Sometimes I slip up and respond, but usually I just ignore them.

Yes.   Me too.   wink   You mention in your next sentence:  "Janet Jackson, Paris Hilton, Terri Shiavo, gay marriage, abortion" -  Indeed, I have gotten into conversations with people on messageboards about some of these topics.   But in real life, no.   In real life I usually never talk about any current events stuff with people around me.    So you'll have to excuse those moments when I slip up around here and do that.   It's because I *don't* talk about it in real life with people.  (not that you were referring to me;  your statement was in general, for everybody, but in reading it I can't help but think of the times when I've done this too, those moments of "slip ups".)   



czyx wrote:

It seems to me that one of the purposes for these stories is to periodically "shock" the social organism that is the modern human communications network in order to see how it operates. It's like injecting radioactive dye into a person's bloodstream so that their circulatory system shows up better in an x-ray. When the story is injected into the mass mind, the powers that be can analyze the way it travels from person to person, from system to system, across all demographics. This is useful to them for many reasons. It shows which nodes are most efficient at spreading propaganda, which subjects are most useful as carriers of propaganda, how fast it spreads, who is immune to it, how it mutates, how long it lives, what its lasting effects are, and probably a lot more. As the media shifts from monolithic TV news outlets to the fractured system of blogs and social circles of the internet, it's important for the powers that be to understand how this complex system works. If they get locked out, they lose control.

Now that's a really interesting way of looking at it.    ! 



czyx wrote:

Is anybody else engaging in such a boycott?

In a way I guess I am, being that I don't normally talk to anybody in the "real" world about current events stuff.   Although I never considered it an official boycott, but, I guess that's what it would be, eh?  smile    It's just that it's boring for me to talk about that stuff.    There's just no point, for all the reasons you outlined in your post.   Programming, distractions, illusions, energy drains, time wasters and dualistic polarizers.



czyx wrote:

What are your thoughts on the meaning of these memetic stories that explode every few weeks? How are they constructed?

You know....this is such a simple question, but I think you've hit on something a lot bigger.  More than you may have initially realized.

How ARE these stories constructed?    ARE there conscious entities out there, somewhere, all working in cahoots with an actual planned agenda similar to the one you outlined in your post?   If we're going to acknowledge that these stories are all lies, bunk, garbage, distractions, illusions, programming tools and polarizers......then you have to take that to the next level and start dissecting "how" and "who".  The answer is bigger than any of us can even imagine.


czyx wrote:

How do they infect?

They infect through all aspects of the media.     


czyx wrote:

How do you stay immune?

Boycott the media and most avenues of entertainment.   That's pretty much it, in a nutshell.   Just Say No to the media.   No newspapers.  No TV.   No corporate owned radio stations.   No magazines.  No movies.  (or at least, pick and choose your movies very carefully.  Be discriminate.)   And limit your internet to that which would be useful, educational, and meaningful.    Boycott the media.   And in doing so, you've cut yourself off from their #1 tool for programming.    You'll be standing on the sidelines of the sweaty mass of screaming bodies, watching them discuss useless topics as you furrow your brows in confusion.  You won't have a clue what they're talking about, and you'll be much happier for it.   Then you can turn and walk away, and go off and read a damn good book, or go learn a useful skill or hobby.   wink

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit ... what a ride!"  - Anonymous
-----
"I get by with a little help from my (higher density) friends."
-----

Re: Boycotting the hype

All designed to make you think you are in the minority or worse, alone. Remember, "if you are not for us, your are (a terrorist) against us!!  Free thought left the building a long time ago.  One of the reasons that we homeschool. Keep the kids from having to join the Hitl** oops , Bush Youth.

Re: Boycotting the hype

I have a little more time now.  Everything is designed to pit black against white, rich against poor, etc.  It is all designed to keep our eye's off the ball, the really important things in life.  Have to step back and discuss the issues, instead of having "talking heads" tell you what you should think.  The other part of all this is to erode any absolutes that remain.  Relativism abounds.  With Terry Shiavo, it is just the beginning. Look at the parallels with Nazi germany.  Get rid of the lame, mentally retarded, any one or thing that the elites deem a "drag" on society.  Look at the parallels with ancient Rome and how they fell, it's scary.  The more that I read, and the more I talk to people, the more I know that there are a lot of people out there who at least know that "somethin' ain't right".  Usually however, it seems that life is a cocktail party of talking about nothing for 1 minute with 50 people, one at a time.  Can't even get my family (mom dad sister brother) to bite on talking about something challenging for once.  Instead, they stick with the same stories we have always told, and listened to. It can be a danger as well always looking at rense.com or listening to Alex Jones without taking a breath of fresh air from time to time.  Bottom line, there are still more of "us" than there are of "them". 
Life is not an event, it's a journey.

Re: Boycotting the hype

There was something in the Signs of the Times a couple of days ago which applies
to this topic.  They were commenting about how the media seems to be grabbing
ANYTHING which can distract us from what is going on in Iraq.  Or in the world
outside the bubble for that matter.  You can bet the bigger the story the better
cover and distraction the guys behind the curtain are enjoying.

I agree that some of these stories are simply weather balloons to judge the
public's reaction and to identify those who gravitate toward each polarity.
The analogy of injecting radioactive dye into the patient's (the public's) bloodstream
in order to find problem areas is very astute and right on the money IMO.

Makes you wonder how many there are who aren't buying the BS.

TP

Re: Boycotting the hype

TP, the diversion may not end with Iraq. Despite the real violence and suffering happening there, it may serve as distraction from even more profound things. Not to say what's happening in Iraq is fake, hype, or insignificant, just that there's an even bigger picture and crusading against the Iraq coverup alone is falling short.

Funny how certain disinfo agents circulating around the alternative circles these days tend to be very supportive of political activism against Bush and the NWO -- but mention anything about hyperdimensional phenomena, aliens, energy/spiritual control, and they go roboto on you.

As always, one must ask: whom does it benefit? On one level, we have media hyping meaningless drivel in order to distract from Iraq -- this benefits the corporate, political, and military control structure. On another level, we have the Iraq attrocities begging futile efforts and mass expenditures of energy from those with an alternative bent -- whom does this benefit?

If people limit themselves to a political perspective, then yeah it seems to be a case of evil media vs alternative media. But from a hyperdimensional perspective where energy and spiritual control are the important factors, I bet negative forces could care less about keeping Iraq attrocities secret other than using the situation as a polarizing issue for purposes of energy/spiritual control and diversion. It may be as simple as getting you so worked up about the things you cannot change, that you neglect to work on the things you can change. So nothing changes and the Controllers stay happy.

But I agree that the media hype is just insanity and should be boycotted. If the majority of Americans cannot even see past that...well, that's just plain sad.

Acquiring fringe knowledge is like digging for diamonds in a mine field.

9 (edited by Tom Paine 2005-04-04 06:45:46)

Re: Boycotting the hype

Ah yes, Montalk,  now you've taken it to where the real rub is.
I personally keep answering these posts with the idea to
awaken people to these lower rungs of illusion while in the
back of my mind I've gone a lot further and experienced
"the terror of the situation."  But here on NR I guess I can
expect the readers to have more awareness than one would
normally encounter.
The point you make about getting people upset about things
they can't do anything about so they're not working on the
things they can do something about is the big issue. 
Certainly I have allowed myself to become embroiled in that
trap again and again. 
I'm currently working on that.
But I'm also avoiding the media.  If I could stop Comcast
from showing me all the silly crap they show on the opening
page I would be even more media free.

TP

10 (edited by Krazor 2005-04-10 08:11:34)

Re: Boycotting the hype

T. P.  and Montalk have no answer for the surveys. The mindnumbing expanse of emf that permeates everything. The control is driven into your very cells at an unknown KV. My fillings vibrate, eyes glaze over, and then the survey appears. There's only one thing to do. LIE. Give them nothing. Refuse to be smart, get weird. Be crazy on purpose.  Good Luck.

11 (edited by Tom Paine 2005-04-10 08:21:29)

Re: Boycotting the hype

Crazy on purpose. 
I like that.
I always lie on surveys if I even bother.

I even have trouble signing petitions for things I strongly agree with.
Don't want to get on too many lists.

Has anyone heard of Mao's Thousand Flowers?
At the beginning of the Maoist revolution in China, Mao called for
all artists, writers and creative types to publish their criticisms
of the new revolution.  Thousands responded.
Thank you very much.  You're all going to be executed.
And that took care of all the intelligent people who could oppose him.

How many lists are YOU on?

"Ve only vant the Jews to register, for our files.  No harm will come to you."

TP

Re: Boycotting the hype

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro"
Hunter Thompson (RIP)