Cabal and Kook: Another dichotomy hiding the real issue.

Editorial by Dave Hayes


Recently, an astounding thing happened to me. I finally had a Kook call me a "Cabal member".

This was such a shock to me. The accusation itself was one thing, but the way it was made and the attitude behind it. It reminded me exactly of when a "Cabal" member has called me a "Kook". It was so similar I began to have a spiritual revelation.

"Cabal" and "Kook" are two sides of a dichotomy!

Yes, like "Christan" and "Satanist", "Liberal" and "Conservative", or "Black" and "White"... you name it. It's all the same. Two sides that miss the silence in between. Two self-made foes who can never know peace when the other side exists. Two opposites which generally never learn to see the other's side.

Once I got this, I was finally done with news.admin.*. After many years, I no longer needed to go out and talk to dishonorable people who simply can't handle the truth. Finally, I could rest after throwing my pearls before swine. Thus freed, I could restrict my words to those who -can- listen and understand. (This was not possible before.)

Don't worry, Free Speech Lovers. I'm not done yet. Not by a longshot. However, my next plans will remain hidden for a time. You will know when they take fruit. (Everyone will, in fact.)

The rest of this editorial is directed to those who can see. It refers to Cabal and Kook alike, since the mindset is common to both.

What is the real issue?

Most people can't handle real interaction. They cloud themselves with illusions designed to keep them from facing their own issues. The sum total of human interaction for these people is the constant and unconscious reinforcement of their own assumptions about the way things are. New data is discarded unless it fits, reinforces, or is constrained by those assumptions.

As an example of this behavior, many years ago "enlightened" society believed the world was flat. This belief had such a need for validation that people were literally burned alive for daring to disagree with this idea. The current behavior on USENET is no different than this. If you want to experience this for yourself, go into any news.admin.net-abuse.* group and proclaim that "spam is good".

Why can't they handle the truth?

It's not that they aren't capable, ultimately. It's that they lack the necessary experiences and correct interpretations of those experiences to see clearly. Many people have been confused by my statements of "You cannot understand this". Not only was this self-referential, but it was an assessment of their current state at the time. Many interpreted it as a slam or insult, which not only reinforced my assessment of their unreadiness, but was an erroneous interpretation. For an example, someone who has not learned algebra cannot learn calculus.

It's like learning to ride a bicycle when you've never heard of a bicycle in the first place. First one has to acknowledge that such a thing exists. (Incidentally, this is where most humans fail, since they are generally unwilling to entertain ideas that aren't familiar and comfortable to them.) Next, one has to locate a bicycle. This can be harder than it seems, because one has to correctly determine that some object is, in fact, a bicycle. Thus, one might have to first learn how to identify a bicycle. Finally, one has to know what to do with a bicycle once one has located it. They may not know, for example, that the feet are used on the pedals, and may try using their hands. In this case, it may be that the person gives up trying to ride, having tried once (the wrong way) and failed. Persistance is required, even when one assumes the correct position and riding stance. Training wheels may be required, or even a Teacher. Only then can a person ride a bicycle.

In the same manner, a person seeking Truth has to start with basics. First, they have to acknowledge that they might not know the Truth, or that their data is inaccurate. (Incidentally, this is where most humans fail, since they are generally unwilling to entertain that their ideas may not be correct.) Next, one has to locate Truth or a Source of it. Since one might not know the truth, or know what the Truth is when one sees it, correctly deterimining a Source of Truth can be very difficult. Thus, one might have to first learn how to identify Truth. Finally, one has to know what to do with Truth once one has found it. They may not know, for example, that Truth implies an ability to See and Learn in certain ways, and may try using their mind. In this case, it may be that the person gives up trying to see Truth, having tried once (the wrong way) and failed. Persistance is required, even when one assumes the correct Sight and Learning stances. Training wheels may be required, or even a Teacher. Only then can a person find Truth.

Consider the following definitions:

These definitions, correctly applied, are Training Wheels.

Dave Hayes
Editorial Copyright (c) 1998, Dave Hayes. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is done only by your dishonor.