bullshit

A question for our times: what does Free Speech even mean anymore?

MattLeave a comment

Why do ‘free speech’ advocates all seemingly believe and say the same shit as one another?

‘Free Speech’ is in their online names or their biography or its what they say on the radio or the TV.

‘Free speech’ has become their rally call, in the name of ‘just asking questions and speaking the truth.’

All these phrases sound innocent, no, worse they sound like good intentions. Should we have free speech? Yes, sounds good. Should we ask questions? Certainly its one way to learn, and make corrections. Speak the truth? Of course! Who wants to be lied to? Who doesnt want to believe that even in their toughest spot they’ll heroically speak the truth!

Yet, I am increasingly finding that anyone who spouts the most about truth telling and seeking are anything but truth telling or seeking.

People who spout the loudest about free speech all seemingly network with one another and have the same belief systems, and talk on similar if not the same topics. And there is an irony to be had that I can listen to them at all, since they all proclaim that they cannot say the things they’re saying without being silenced.

Ah, and where is that goddamn silence! Peace please!

In their defence sometimes they have been ‘silenced’ by the BBC or wherever else they used to hang their coattails.

Sometimes its because they have ‘controversial’ opinions, which is perhaps a questionable reason to ‘silence’ someone. Other times you look more into it and find out just that, there is much more to their ‘outcast’ status. Or in some cases there is no ‘outcast’ status and simply a seperating of ways!

They do the rounds loudly on podcasts, podcasts that as mentioned previously all seem to have the same political opinions and biases.

Its the perfect rallying call ‘free speech’ who can question it? Who wants to argue against free speech?

Ironically their rally call can be used as a good stand in for a censor.

All these phrases that sound good on the surface have been weaponised by people whose real fear is consequences of speech or disagreement more than the actual censoring of speech itself.

They have themselves a cushy corner, they can spew their beliefs (some of which i view as bigotry) spread it as truth and say ‘free speech!’ when someone says they’re full of shit. Note that telling someone they’re full of shit is not silencing them. But ‘free speech’ is their siren and they’re obviously free to use it.

They have themselves a cushy corner where they can whine about people on the opposite side acting like victims(some people do. A grain of truth, and people grab hold like a dog with a bone) while acting like victims themselves because they have been ‘silenced’

If no one is around to hear them speak, do their voices still make a sound?

I guess I’ll never know.

The good news is that the ricky gervais specials on netflix are muted for obvious reasons.

Meditation Diaries: Random rambling about meditation

MattLeave a comment

A post pinned to my blog says enlightenment is bullshit.

I still think the same thing today.

I don’t meditate for religious reasons or reasons to do with any enlightenment.

Something that often radiates from so-called ‘enlightened’ people I’ve come across through the years is….their absolutely massive egos. For people that often speak about ‘killing the ego’ they appear to have a lot of it themselves.

Of course, If I say to them, “You seem egotistical to me,” they have a ready answer.
Something like, “Of course I appear more egotistical to you, it’s your ego that is lying to you because you’re intimidated by the idea of enlightenment.”
Because my ego is in the way of such personal growth.
My ego is trying to sabotage my own personal growth by calling out enlightened people in an attempt to bring them back down to my level. Etc… Etc.

Which of course in those answers reveals a lot of modesty….. Right? Because that also comes from enlightenment doesn’t it, modesty?

So the more modest you are the better than everyone else you are… Right?

Why am I rambling on this topic?

Because I was doing some research into the more negative aspects of meditation.
Some people claim mediation made their anxiety worse. Which someone else will reply to with, “You’re doing it wrong.”

Or worse someone talks about mediation possibly causing hallucinations or some other weird experiences some of which include seizures! And one reply to this may be, “This is good! This is a sign of progress. These negative things are just you releasing that negative energy!” Always back to the new age bullshit about energy and cleansing oneself.

While I don’t deny the existence of ‘energy’ existing within a feeling, this idea of cleansing oneself always manages to irritate me.

The truth about meditation is that there can be negative side effects.

The truth about meditation is that if you’re looking for enlightenment you’re probably going to end up putting more pressure on yourself than you should. And perhaps more likely to have negative side effects.

The truth is (And I’m learning this the hard way), people seem to have a default disposition towards certain perceptions and moods. My default is typically quite moody and grumpy. My humour is moody, my humour is also grumpy.
To some people, this grates on them, “Why you so grumpy?”
They sometimes misunderstand that while I am grumpy I’m not grumpy in a hostile, necessarily unhappy way. Though unhappiness sometimes plays it’s part.

But what I’m trying to say is, be wary of your expectations with mediation. It probably won’t change your default, if that is something you’re trying to change. Though it may change your temperance towards yourself and your default which in of itself can be a big enough change that I guess it could feel like you’re more ‘enlightened’ than before.

Be wary of bros and sisters who keep misspelling entitled as ‘enlightened’ because I swear it, anyone who says they’re enlightened with no irony is full of bullshit.  You know the type I’m talking about, those that talk in riddles all the time and always talk as if they’re doing a perfume ad. Or think they’re talking straight because “They know the truth muh red pills, muh society is full of sheeple and I’m not a sheeple” type.
People who listen to Alan Watts and nod along and think everything he says is profound. God, I hate listening to his talks when I’ve come across them on youtube, he sounded so pompous to me.

I’ll never forget that one video I saw with him sat in some field with a teacup talking in his boring way while making some special herbal tea no doubt, pouring it ever so carefully. I know, I’m supposed to think he comes out with some wonderful ideas but I’m just a Gorilla and I’d rather sit in silence than listen to him. I’m not saying he was always wrong, just that I prefer to not hear his voice.

Anyway on the note about perfume ads making no sense..