Real Life in a Virtual World - Part 5

Every society is conditioned to believe that modern life, the here and now, is better than any other previous civilization in the history of mankind. Who or what determines that? ~T. Glady

Continuing scrutiny of the Matrix...

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You can find 

Part 1- Easy - HERE 

Part 2 - Experts - HERE

Part 3 - New - HERE

Part 4 - Doublespeak - HERE

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Dragons, Serpents and Other Normal Things

“it’s not easy being green.”  - Kermit the frog

Adding to Kermit’s observation I’d have to say it’s not easy being in this world but not of it either. Once surrendered to Christ, one has a lot of shedding to do. A lot of coming ye out. Easier said than done, regardless the era. 

Here in the Matrix the discernment it takes to distinguish what is of this world has been successfully dimmed by emersion. Once all things have been blurred together and amalgamated into one big feel good lump, nothing stands out as unclean so what’s the big deal? In an anything-goes world, everything is acceptable. Anyone who dares to speak out that perhaps there is something evil afoot, is pounced upon and quickly silenced. 

In the Matrix there is no such thing as evil. All things are good. Serpents and dragons are good and kind and have been much maligned over the eons. Biblical symbolism is unfair and not at all egalitarian which as any good citizen of the Matrix will tell you is a standard to be strived for. Equality for all creatures is the mantra even if they tend to breath fire, have a poisonous bite and/or desire to devour you and take your soul. 

We’ve been had. We dozed off and the serpent slithered in. It didn’t happen quickly and has been a long time in the works though. We are like crayons in a melting pot, each individual colored wax stick slowly blending into all the others, we’ve become one dark, colorless glob. We don’t even remember standing out from one another, having different shapes and uniqueness to contribute to the creation of the whole. The Matrix functions best when everyone is equally dumbed down, dull and malleable. Equally enslaved to an altered reality.

Anyone who knows me will attest that I have often said that God speaks to us in the way we can hear. I tend to be on high alert nowadays for whatever bits of wisdom God might be gracious enough to give me. Sometimes He just shows me. He puts things in front of me and opens my eyes to see. If he shows me in multiple ways in a short timeframe I pay particular attention. I’m going to share just such a showing even though I realize few will understand. What do I have to lose, at this late hour, by trying?

I took my grandson to see How To Train Your Dragon 2. Funny, entertaining, incredible animation kid-friendly movie. It was somewhat different in theme from the original but about half way in I noticed several subtle modern messages. Did the artists of Dreamworks knowingly write the storyline with the intention of gently engineering young minds to the new Matrix Think? I doubt it. The love of dragons has been a theme in entertainment and literature for some good while. But there were new twists.

The first thing I noticed was the righteous crusade of the star character, Hiccup. Against all odds, he was determined to make peace. He believed he could convince the villain that dragons were good, helpful creatures and should not be used as tools of war to gain power. Okay, hard to argue that. Then (spoiler alert) Hiccup meets his long lost mother who left him as a baby to go off and save the dragons because, as she told him, she thought “he would be safer left behind” with no mother. Saving dragons was a good and noble choice for her. Motherhood not so much apparently. Okay. Motherhood is highly overrated anyway in the Matrix–gotta reinforce that. 

As the conflict to save the dragons reached its climax I had already read deep into the storyline that we are the masters of our destiny. We choose. We fight the good fight against evil and thus can rise triumphant. We can choose to make peace with the enemy and all live in harmony. 

So, okay, I get that is a common theme in children’s stories, in fact, most fiction but the enemy is not who we’ve been told it is. That’s the twist. I came out of the theater pondering how different the old theme was molded around this modern meme. I thought of Jeremiah 6:13-15

(13) For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain, And from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. (14)They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, 'Peace, peace,' But there is no peace. (15)Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD.…

Even as I was still wrestling with what I came away with from the movie, I took my grandson to my favorite craft store, Hobby Lobby, where I am not afraid to openly declare I am a Christian. I’ve been a customer and staunch supporter of this Christian based company since the early eighties when I frequented store number 2 in Tulsa. I stand with the owner and his right to run his business according to his faith and conscience. So, what I found there not only disturbed me, it confirmed for me that no matter what we think we know about our walk, we are always under fire and can be gently coaxed to slip slide down the slope without even realizing the topography has changed. If we aren’t vigilant.

First of all, let me say that this is not meant to be a criticism nor an attack on this company. This is just a wake up call for me. I’m tuned into the way I can hear.  We are  surely in the last days where open eyes ought not to blink. If we are truly past the point of no return and what is facing us is not stoppable, then our whole perspective needs to shift from hoping we can change/reverse or stop it to standing, full armor on. Eyes and ears open.

Strolling the aisles we stopped at the summer craft display. I stared at one item in particular trying to wrap my brain around the image on a fan as line art to be colored by the crafter. It was a snake. A happy snake coiled on a skateboard, ears covered by headphones. The caption was: Life with God is a wild ride. Really? A snake? Life with God is a wild ride?

Here I am, a few days later, still sorting through this. I wondered, given David Green’s vigilance in all other ways, from the careful selection of Halloween products sold to the music coming over the intercom, does he monitor and approve all products for all 550 plus stores? Is this even possible? Did he miss this? 

Do not misunderstand, I am not inclined to stop shopping at Hobby Lobby because I was taken aback by one product. I am simply sharing that my eyes are open and what I see is how easy it is to reorder the steam of consciousness with the tiniest of tweaks, and the tiniest moment of not paying attention. It is in the slow accumulation of these minute moves that has brought us to this place. We are now in the state of blind acquiescence. 

Am I hyper sensitive and over-reactive? Maybe but what my open eyes see is that the line is being drawn in the sand. We are warned not to compromise. Period. As the things the world approves of begins to encroach upon every nook and cranny of our lives, if we don’t say no, if we don’t say, that’s not acceptable, we are eventually melted into the mass, indistinguishable, inseparable. 

Unacceptable.

For Him,

Meema 

(1 John 2:15) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

(Corinthians 6:16-18) Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. (17) Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. (18) And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.

Real Life in a Virtual World - Part 4

Every society is conditioned to believe that modern life, the here and now, is better than any other previous civilization in the history of mankind. Who or what determines that? ~T. Glady

Continuing scrutiny of the Matrix...

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You can find 

Part 1- Easy - HERE 

Part 2 - Experts - HERE

Part 3 - New - HERE

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Doublespeak

Lies and liars have been embedded in the human operating system since Satan promised Eve, “thou shalt not surely die.” Unfortunately, even from the outset, Satan knew the most vulnerable spot to slip in. He knew that Eve would believe him because... well... because she wanted to. 

Lies are nothing more than tools and specifically contrived to persuade and control and do their damage by sliding in through the weakest point. Persuasion is the primary purpose of lies whether that which is wholly or even partly untrue, sometimes referred to as a ‘white lies’ and ‘lesser truth’. Regardless all lies always have an agenda. Truth is what it is, nothing hidden. Like it or don’t. The inherent weakness of ‘self interest’ in humans more or less prefers that which seems to be better than true rather than that which is plain old true. 

“Oh, I won’t die. I can eat that forbidden fruit and get really smart, and be like...God!” 

I’ve often pondered that pinnacle moment in history. I’ve wondered if Eve paused even a millisecond to consider why this strange creature would be interested in whether or not she ate what had been forbidden by her Creator. What was in it for him? Why did he care about her? Did she wonder if he had her best interest at heart? Apparently not. She not only ate the fruit, she convinced Adam to eat as well. Clearly he could see with his own eyes that she had not surely died. What more proof then was necessary? If you can’t believe your own eyes what can you believe?

And thereby Satan had employed the first known example of Doublespeak by cleverly redefining the word, ‘die’. 

Inside the Matrix, which is constructed by the intricate layering of lie upon tiny lie, half truths and lesser truths, illusion is the primary manufactured product upon which all else is created. This building process is implemented through carefully devised language manipulation. If a definition or use of a word or concept can be reordered to turn a truth upside down, to confuse and or eliminate the opportunity to even ask a logical question, to dissolve doubt, then Doublespeak is able to control all thought and manipulate outcome.  

Edward S. Herman describes in his book, Beyond Hypocrisy the principal characteristics of Doublespeak,

“What is really important in the world of doublespeak is the ability to lie, whether knowingly or unconsciously, and to get away with it; and the ability to use lies and choose and shape facts selectively, blocking out those that don’t fit an agenda or program.”

And in his essay, Politics and the English Language, George Orwell observes that political language serves to distort and obfuscate reality. Orwell’s description of political speech is extremely similar to the contemporary definition of doublespeak;

“In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defence of the indefensible… Thus political language has to consist largely of euphemism, question-begging and sheer cloudy vagueness… the great enemy of clear language is insincerity. Where there is a gap between one's real and one's declared aims, one turns as it were instinctively to long words and exhausted idioms...”

But Doublespeak in politics is a given and therefore expected. Doublespeak woven into everyday life is more subtle but the insertion in daily life softens and prepares a population to accept political Doublespeak even as they know politicians lie. Thus, in the Matrix we are surrounded with Doublespeak, immersed and inundated. It comes at us so hard and fast the chance at asking logical questions is swept away by the waves of lies flooding us.

It comes in all manner of ways, often promoted by political agenda but more often in the constant daily bits and pieces of untruth presented to us in advertising that slowly wears away and divests us of our ability to recognize what is true and what is not. With apologies to George Orwell, I refer to this as Doublespeak Conditioning because the process of conversion of a civilization from one that honors what is true to one that doesn’t care what is false, must be carefully manuevered, over time. 

Recently, sitting at a table in my favorite Cracker Barrel, I looked up and studied a framed Seven Up poster.  The photo of a dad playing with his son appeared to be from the fifties or early sixties. At first I was charmed by the nostalgia it represented overall. Then I read the copy.

It proclaimed that the beverage was a “Fresh Up” Family Drink! At the bottom it encouraged the reader to “keep a case at home for your family and guests!” Your family was underlined.

Okay, it’s advertising. The company that produces Seven Up wants to sell product. I get it. The ad agency that created the poster had to fill up the space with something that would entice people to want to buy it by the case.  

But paying attention to the overall sales pitch. I noticed it didn’t mention taste or benefit or cheap price. It used a type of Doublespeak in the choice of photo, and use of comfort words, like FAMILY. But the revealing zinger is at the very top where the copy proclaims in random display all the other places this ad appears. Life, True Story, Look, Parents, etc., and PLUS The comic sections of 169 Sunday Newspapers! Exclamation point!

Can you discern the Doublespeak? 

All the places this ad appeared were listed as proof of the soft drink’s popularity. What are you waiting for? EVERYONE ELSE is seeing this ad in hundreds of places and running out to buy a case to have on hand for their FAMILY AND GUESTS. Exclamation. Point.

Classic Doublespeak. Create a lessor truth and use it to take the place of what is absolutely true. This tactic is common in the Matrix, because the ability to discern what is true must be replaced with acquiescence so that any lie, big or small, can easily be accepted even if it is reversed the next day. Believe this. No forget that, now believe this. Do not recall what was true yesterday!

One has to wonder how far along we are now. I know that some can still see what is true, but apparently these kind are not the majority. What happens when the Matrix builders determine its time to complete the task and decide to do away with the pesky holders on who refuse to be persuaded by Doublespeak? 

For Him,

Meema

(Revelation 13:16) And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead;  (13:17) and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, [even] the name of the beast or the number of his name. 

Real Life in a Virtual World - Part 3

Every society is conditioned to believe that modern life, the here and now, is better than any other previous civilization in the history of mankind. Who or what determines that? ~T. Glady

Continuing scrutiny of the Matrix...

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You can find 

Part 1- Easy - HERE 

Part 2 - Experts - HERE

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New

Once upon a time, back in real life, ‘new and improved’ was the end result of creative innovation. The process was fueled by unfettered creativity that easily found its natural place in the free market. A thing could still work but a new thing might work better or have more features so it was offered up to the public. A person then had a choice to either continue using the thing that worked or upgrade to the newer thing. 

Please keep in mind the old thing still worked and could easily be repaired to continue working for a long time.

Apparently, the choice to do or not, to buy or not, was too broad an option for the Matrix builders. It allowed too much independent free-thinking and not quite enough addictive consumerism which was the necessary step to help complete the new construct. 

Therefore, Planned Obsolescence was implemented–the first layer of an emerging Matrix. 

Things could break on cue and the day after the guarantee expired and thus need replacing. Darn! Quickly, as demand for replacements grew, manufacturing expanded even to far away places where labor was cheaper. Soon things became so plentiful and so inexpensive it cost far less to buy new rather than repair so more things were made with one-use disposability in mind rather than long term usability.  As people who made a living doing repairs on things eventually became unnecessary, more land fills were needed to accommodate the growing mountains of disposed of things. 

Then, micro replaced macro. Digital and virtual slowly replaced real until the obvious next step was taken to simple licensing, meaning one doesn’t really own a thing, one pays to borrow or lease it, which has at last evolved to the final phase, it will only work until the next upgrade is released and you will want that because you have to want it because the previous version will no longer be supported. And you can only use it on a specific number of devises. Individual ownership must be eliminated for the common god. [<-----not a typo]. Regards, Your Matrix Masters.

In the now fully functional Matrix, ‘new and updated’ is a beast that must be fed, not annually or monthly but daily. It’s like a creepy sci-fi movie where the citizens discover they have been obeying an alien that looks all benign human but turns out to be a putrid flesh-eating monster. That’s probably the first reason the illusion is maintained. People do tend to recoil at the sight of flesh eating monsters. So, the Matrix Masters work overtime keeping lipstick on the pig and the truth away from the citizens all the while coaxing them gently into the hypnotic state of eagerly desiring to feed the monster, without even knowing it through the process of frenzied social engineering.  

Remember in Soylent Green when Charleston Heston discovered the truth about the suicide death clinics and what happened to the bodies? Or when Rod Taylor in The Time Machine by H.G. Wells went into the future and found human beings called Eloi treated like cattle by the monsters called Morlocks who lived underground? The Eloi were herd-able because they had no memory of their origins. Think along those lines. That’s why historical evidence and memory of everything old that might revive interest in the way things used to work and work and continue to work, must be eradicated, eliminated in the best interest of keeping the Matrix operational. It’s a model for a darker agenda.

Long term memory is not compatible with the operating system of the Matrix because it is so prophetic. Therefore history, or anything that offers proof of the consequence of repetitive action is deemed old, antiquated, useless, unnecessary. Sin? What’s that?

PAY NO ATTENTION TO HISTORY! STAY FOCUSED ON THE NEWEST THING!

In order for the Matrix to continue to fuel the monster that sustains it, all things deemed old must constantly be replaced by all things new. New stuff, new religions, new ideologies. If the norm in the Matrix is a constant replacing of old with new and if new is accepted blindly and without question as being always better, then what happens to the tried and true, the proven by time? 

Does disposable become a condition that applies to humans as well? What about souls?

I ask again, is there a price to be paid for ease of doing? Is there a price to be paid for trusting anyone and anything just because it wears a tag “Expert”? Is there a price to be paid for replacing that which works with that which is new just because it is ... new? 

Sometimes all we need is the original thing, not the new thing.

For HIm,

Meema 

[Ecclesiastes 1:9] That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.