My Dear Mr. Kappus

One of the most valuable parts of reading prime source essays and treatises on political matters for me has been coming to realize how subtle and multifaceted the opinions range. Men who crafted schematics for whole systems of society based many of their foundational assumptions on their own idea of human nature. Why can Locke and Hobbes hold such varying opinions about humanity in a state of nature? We cannot be so inconstant, that both theories accurately apply. But all actions must be taken in light of their observer. We are subject to influence to our perceptual frame, perhaps more than our moral core is susceptible to suggestion. Which might explain how we can feel in one way consistent, and yet have these varying levels of acceptance and abhorrence towards ourselves and others in society. The actions may be the same, but our understanding of them changes as we see the world through new biases.

Just as Ed Bernays grew to see the masses as a mindless swarm of selfishness, governed primarily by instinctual inclination, he yet appealed to a much more sophisticated part of people to implement his consumer propaganda. To dissolve a societal taboo against women who smoke, he appealed to an archetypal female, a wealthy, rebellious, confident, idealistic type of woman on the ostensible forefront of progressive thought and paradigmatic transition. this woman was not simply smoking for sex appeal, she was smoking because it was an indulgence that had been reserved for men. It was a symbol of male power, a ritual ingrained in male custom and associated with independence, risk, freedom. The act of taking fresh smoke into oneself, feeling a seeping rush of nicotine, eyes dilated, lips pursed, mind in repose, prometheus’ gift in the clutch of the hand. These are not the symbols of mindless desire. It is a highly sophisticated presentation of images that soak into the mind and paint the colors in which we view ourselves. Bernays could snicker and scoff at the foolishness of people because they were willing to follow his trail of crumbs, despite the horrible consequences. How many people have died from smoking related illnesses since that taboo was shattered? Does smoking really give women their own version of a Promethean penis? No, not really. If anything it weakens them, corroding their body, becoming an addiction of mind and chemical.

But I will not adopt Bernays’ outlook on the masses. Or Spinoza’s. Or Strauss’. Lying to people produces distrust in every facet of life. Lies in politics creates suspicion in the main artery of our united existence. People could better determine the value of things as presented to them if they had not already been so biased by the narrow choice of perceptual tinges. We are adaptive beings. It is perhaps what separated us from other creatures before the predominance of our reason. We can adjust ourselves cerebrally to our surroundings as an octopus can morph the texture of his skin to blend into the landscape. And it is a beautiful trait. On top of all the immense variety of this world, the number of species, of natural laws, of atmospheric wonders,  there is in addition the myriad of possible perceptions found in humanity. Those that see nature as an illusion, as a neutral force, as a collection of supernatural deities, as a benevolent mother, as a raging jealous warlord, as a calm synergy, as a ghost, as a blanket, as an empty expanse, as the form of beauty itself….

But this adaptability does not lack its significance problems.   Mental discord, societal strain, physical shutdown, all occur when we are forced to continuously ignore and cover over a clashing internal contradiction. If something constant does remain in us while we are flowing and adapting with our world, then we begin to breakdown if this thing becomes ever and ever more deficient. Perhaps like a neglected muscle it atrophies, or as we adapt to smaller and smaller habitats, it is required that we do away with more and more of this internal something. What is it I am talking about? A part of us that does not kindly present itself in words. It does not succumb to accurate accounts. It is not logos, it is more complex than thumos. It is our inner furnace, our right hemispheric magnetism. It is our expansion, our pure creation. It is something so vital, so vibrant, so pure, so rich, so embracing, so unspeakably beautiful that exists in us all. How many people have lived their whole lives out on earth, having never come to understand that this power exists? How many more? What is required is that we break out beyond our confining points of view. The conventional values, behavioral norms indoctrinated trivialities.  The were set in place to ward off this innate force of human potential. Freud convinced so many of its dangers, they were unhesitating in stamping out the flames.  But they weren’t seeing the true power I’m talking about. It was a deformed, fragmented version of it, already suffering and sputtering from strict society suppression. Like taking a sick rabid feral cat as the norm of the species. Why do we fear our power as beings? Why can’t we allow ourselves to be free?

So many cannot understand. It’s tragic. They see a swarm of dancing bodies and think it appalling. They watch meditation and chant and think it a waste of time. They try to appease the quiet, distorted voice of their own calling from within, by drinking and fucking and only end up driving it further within.  They cling to their faith but miss some of the major lessons. Why don’t they meditate on the fury of Christ’s peace? The intensity of his love? These are not faint notions, they consume other forces. To be meek is not the same as to be weak, and empty. Depressed and frustrated. It is to be so overcome with an internal presence, cohesion with all, spiritual satiation, that the soul treads with gentle sway over the canvas of earth’s back. If our sensitivity is heightened, then the smallest delight echoes with pleasure throughout our being. But part of adaptability is losing sensitivity. And once it’s gone, it’s very difficult to get back.