C-Realm Podcast #59: Reflexive Memebots

[KMO]

Episode 59: Reflexive Memebots (http://www.archive.org/details/Episode59ReflexiveMemebots_731)

http://pics.livejournal.com/kmo/pic/0004hyer (http://www.archive.org/details/Episode59ReflexiveMemebots_731)

In this episode, KMO talks with novelist Brian Trent about
ideologically reflexive behavior that the echo chamber corporate media
has instilled in us. Later, KMO revisits the clashing belief systems
of 2012 prophets Whitley Strieber and Daniel Pinchbeck.

I still can't access Podomatic, but I've posted this week's episode to Archive.org.

Brian Trent is an acclaimed columnist, journalist, and the author of
the historical novels Remembering Hypatia: A Novel of Ancient Egypt and the recently released
Never Grow Old: The Novel of Gilgamesh. His articles have appeared on
Populist America, American Chronicle, The Humanist, and numerous other
venues including being featured in last year's National Debate on
civil liberties. Trent writes from a nonpartisan, freethinking
perspective and tackles a variety of subjects on culture, religion,
technology, and politics.

Website: http://www.briantrent.com/

[Xochipilli2012]

Hey KMO,

As often occurs when I listen to your show, I learn things I might not ever encounter otherwise.

I was already somewhat familiar with Daniel Pinchbeck's thinking from what I've read of him, and some talks on the Psychedelic Salon. I haven't read Whitley Strieber's Communion but was aware of his alien abduction story. I had no idea he was hosting Art Bell's old show.

If people want to check it out for themselves, they can listen online at:

http://www.unknowncountry.com/media/?cur=359

Unfortunately only paying subscribers can download past programs, so you'll be stuck next to your computer for the duration of the interview to hear it.

Both of them got a bit goofy, in my opinion, engaging in what amounted to personal attacks, perhaps due to an over-abundance of testosterone.

Essentially, the Pinchbeck objected to Strieber's pessimistic outlook on the future, particularly the latter's personal conviction that humanity is facing a near-certain 'die back.' He went so far as to suggest that Strieber was being influenced by his alien abductors, whose motives Pinchbeck felt were potentially malevolent.

Strieber took strong issue with this, and with what he might be inclined to characterize as Daniel's Pollyanna-esque, "everything's gonna be all right" approach to the future, viewing it as unrealistic to the point of being "dangerous," because taking such a stand would leave humanity inadequately prepared for the troubles ahead. I could try to parse it more than that, but it's best to listen and draw your own conclusions.

To Daniel's credit, once he realized how much his angry outburst hurt Strieber's feelings, he calmed down and tried to make amends. Whitley seemed to have dug in his heals a bit, and while they both finished the interview in a professional, civil manner, things were left feeling pretty frosty once the heat died down.

All in all it was a very interesting interview

Here is Whitley's blog entry where he spins what happened, having had some time to process the strong emotions that came up:

http://www.unknowncountry.com/journal/?id=300

Blessings, and huzzah for Ungo!

[Xochipilli2012]

"Getting Away with Shit on TV"

There is a scene in one of Admiral Adama's (Edward James Olmos) flashbacks where he and former president, Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) are smoking what looks like a blunt and appear a tad stoned. The censors were supposed to assume it was just some kind of cigar. The writers had something else in mind.

If you are a fan of the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, you owe it to yourself to check out developer and executive producer Ronald D. Moore's podcasts (http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/downloads/podcast/season03/), as they add a lot to the enjoyment of this already-awesome show. Grace Park (who plays multiple Sharons) and Tahmoh Penikett (who plays Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon) join Ron and his wife for this episode, which added greatly to the fun.

You can download the podcast (http://media.scifi.com/battlestar/downloads/podcast/mp3/309/bsg_ep309_FULL.mp3) and listen for yourself. It's even better if you watch the episode along with it, as that's how they were meant to be enjoyed.

At the 15:40 mark, Ron Moore talks about "getting away with shit on TV" and everyone on the podcast has a huge laugh when the weed scene comes up. Grace even refers to "the object" as a "fatty," and given that the show is filmed in Vancouver, you know there's got to be a few stoners on the show!

Super-fun, man!

And given all the boxing in this episode, there's even a mention of Muay Thai (go BB!).

This was one of my favorite episodes from last season.

And so say we all!

[KMO]

To Daniel's credit, once he realized how much his angry outburst hurt Strieber's feelings, he calmed down and tried to make amends. Whitley seemed to have dug in his heals a bit, and while they both finished the interview in a professional, civil manner, things were left feeling pretty frosty once the heat died down.

Yeah, they came back after a break and Whitley was saying how he and Daniel were not and never would be friends, and Daniel said something to the effect of, "I can disagree with someone and still be their friend," but Whitley was having none of it. In my opinion, Whitley took things WAY too personally.

[KMO]

f you are a fan of the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, you owe it to yourself to check out developer and executive producer Ronald D. Moore's podcasts (http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/downloads/podcast/season03/), as they add a lot to the enjoyment of this already-awesome show. Grace Park (who plays multiple Sharons) and Tahmoh Penikett (who plays Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon) join Ron and his wife for this episode, which added greatly to the fun.

Downloading it now. Can't wait for Razor!

[earthmansurfer]

Great show KMO. I was a bit moved by that Daniel P. “reading” you gave.
Let me explain. You ever have a talk with someone who approaches a topic
with only rationality? You want to discuss the topic, but you need to give
resources, facts, etc. That is all good, but what about that part that you can't
prove or quantify? What about that part you can almost taste? What about feeling? How
does one describe taste to the “tasteless” ;), or sight to the blind, etc. Well,
that reading sort of hit that mysterious side in me. It resonated in me, something
about it. That part of you that gets touched, but you can't... box it, prove it, share it logically, you
see where I'm going?


There is this big mystery to life. Many of us here have experienced glimpses
of it. When I heard what Daniel channeled, well, it touched a part of me.
I had a particularly interesting experience in Peru, and, as crazy as it may sound,
I could relate to what he said during that channel. Lets just say, we are coming to the grand finale and I think Daniel is on to something.

Earthmansurfer

[WakingSleep]

I've never known too much about Whitley Strieber. Not really anymore than an add for his new book and the few times he's mentioned in articles and books and forum posts. I do have to say I was a little put off, though, when I learned that he allowed the film rights to his new book be sold to Michael Bay. Michael Bay, the ultimate big-Hollywood-big-Action-big-cliché director who so systematically destroyed one of my greatest childhood passions- Transformers. Michael Bay, who seems to be anathema to concepts like "story" and "character development." He will be directing a movie about 2012. Way to make us all look like typical placard-carrying dooms-dayers. Anyway, I digress...

Daniel Pinchbeck I've been familiar with for a few years now, and enjoy his writing quite a bit. The way in which he shares his observations and experiences through written language is very moving at times.

So that being said, I found it a little difficult going into listening to their row on Strieber's radio show (which I had never listened to before) without an obvious sense of bias. Though I did my best.

I do agree that Daniel kind of blindsided Whitley with his ideas about Whitley being under the employ of daemonic forces; I got the impression Daniel had been waiting a long time for an opportunity to ask Whitley these questions. I found it kind of humorous how the interviewer and interviewee role-swapped for a bit. In any event, I can understand Whitley being somewhat taken aback, but in the end, Daniel did offer an apology, which I respected very much. Whitley seemed to act a bit like a child- "We are no longer friends!"- declaring he would willingly forever hold a grudge, which I find to be somewhat distressing. We're supposed to be working on turning dark into light- not the other way around, aren't we?

And I really did try to look at it objectively. And truth be told, my opinion about it really wasn't all that strong. Still.... (and now I finally get to what I actually wanted to post about.....) listening to KMO read Whitley's journal entry about it (which I did read prior to listening to the interview) back to back with the passage from 2012 (which was done quite well I must add) it occurred to me.... all of that... all of that bad energy that was thrown around- despite Daniel's attempted respite and reversal.... and it just seemed like they are saying the same thing, but in two very different ways.

I could be wrong of course... I haven't had that much time to ponder this. Did anyone else think anything similar?

And KMO- I didn't find what you said at the end- about being in our own boxes, and talking about some of our possibilities, one of which is to just keep maxing out our credit cards and getting in our cars and driving to our cubicles where we earn just enough- to be negative or pessimistic in the least. I found what you said to be quite moving and poetic. I just started a cubicle job- and hour from my home, in a different city, for a giant multi-national corporation, where I feel more isolated than I've ever been in my life- and it's quite horrifying that this is what I must endure to perpetuate.

So if it's sarcastic to point out how ridiculous humanity's propensity to choose a path of suffering and isolation is, when there are so many other paths right there before us that will bring us love and joy... then, by the feathers of Quetzalcoatl, let us be sarcastic!

[KMO]

Thank you for taking the time to provide detailed and heart-felt feedback, Wakingsleep. Love your icon.

[Hy Bri]

I bought Daniel Pinchbeck's book the other day 2012 The Return of Quetzalcoatl. This is a very nice read and I wold suggest it right along with KMO. Thank you for binging this whole idea to the table KMO. I just recently started listening to your podcast and I think it is absolutely brilliant. I am working on listening to all of them. I love the whole chicken/rooster thing and enjoyed the podcast where you interviewed the woman who is an expert on chickens. I live in an urban area right now but I am looking for a place in a more rural area. Once this happens you better believe I will be hosting a pen of chickens. Though they can sometimes annoy you with all the noises they make I imagine the whole experience would be very relaxing. Not to mention, organic sunny side up's every morning. :) Keep up the great work KMO! Inspiring

[KMO]

I live in an urban area right now but I am looking for a place in a more rural area. Once this happens you better believe I will be hosting a pen of chickens.

That's wonderful! Knowing that someone started keeping chickens after getting the notion while listening to the C-Realm Podcast would count as quite a reward for my efforts. Thank you.