You and I are Silly Monkey People with Delusions of Grandeur Being Played Like Pawns in a Game of Chess

In a discussion at my friend CNu's blog, Subrealism, a regular commenter, nanakwame, posted a quote in a comment:

Human nature is not rational; there is intelligence only in what encompasses him.
- Heraclitus

Of course, I constantly laugh at the name we have given our species - Homo sapiens, or Wise Man. Especially given that supposed 'wisdom' of ours is full of egregious, gaping holes. In fact, these holes are so huge I would say that we are anything but wise or rational and that we are also likely barely 'conscious' too.


Here are a couple of my favorite Men in Black quotes:

Edgar/Bug: Y'know, I've noticed an infestation here. Everywhere I look, in fact. Nothing but undeveloped, unevolved, barely conscious pond scum, totally convinced of their own superiority as they scurry about their short, pointless lives.
Zap-Em Man: Well, yeah. Uh... don't you want to get rid of 'em?
Edgar/Bug: Ah... in the worst way.

Edwards: Why the big secret? People are smart. They can handle it.
Kay: A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow.

Anyway, CNu responded with:

lol, not only is human nature not rational, sophisticated governance ruthlessly exploits vulnerabilities in the configuration of human psychology and culture to maximize control exerted through and by what must now be considered (in the modern context) cognitive defects; Supernormal Stimuli: How Primal Urges Overran Their Evolutionary Purpose

Now, how exactly would an SMP aspiring to be rational start looking to find which governance systems might be in place controlling their lives? These control systems --

• encourage emotionality over rationality
• value beliefs and feelings over facts
• 'feed'/encourage cognitive biases
• stimulate the brain's dopaminergic systems
• interfere with the brain's sertoninergic systems
• organize hierarchically
• isolate individuals
• encourage SMPs to proselytize the system

Eliminate or reduce your exposure to these systems and constantly question what you think you 'know' to break free and learn to think for yourself.