Basic Human Care: An Introduction
December 21, 2018
G.D.O’Bradovich III
background
“All children are disappointments” is a an observation we made during our tenure at Columbia House. For the first rate psychologist, this phrase provides insight into the creator of the aphorism, perhaps more than the the validity of the statement itself.
Leo Strauss noted that when reading great books, potential Occultists are “guided by certain obtrusively enigmatic features in the presentation … obscurity of the plan, contradictions, pseudonyms, inexact repetitions of earlier statements, strange expressions, etc. All books of that kind owe their existence to the love of the” Great Occultist “for the puppies of his race, by whom he wants to be loved in turn: all exoteric books are "written speeches caused by love."
The “obscurity of the plan” is an indication of esoteric writing, and this form is utilized exclusively to entice a select audience- young men who like to think. Those who are compelled to think should not be confounded with those who like to read. For those who like to think, the obscure plan compels the reader to revisit the work.
The modern style of writing is to inform the reader of what will be read, tell the reader the point, and then, in closing, remind the reader of the topic. This manner of explicit writing does not involve any challenges or unresolved questions for the Gentle Reader.
An example of hidden meaning would be sequential paragraphs covering related topics such as Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Venice, Europe, and Russia, where the initial letter of each section reveals the esoteric topic for consideration. Of course, such a technique is so obscure as to be of questionable value.
Leo Strauss noted that when reading great books, potential Occultists are “guided by certain obtrusively enigmatic features in the presentation … obscurity of the plan, contradictions, pseudonyms, inexact repetitions of earlier statements, strange expressions, etc. All books of that kind owe their existence to the love of the” Great Occultist “for the puppies of his race, by whom he wants to be loved in turn: all exoteric books are "written speeches caused by love."
The “obscurity of the plan” is an indication of esoteric writing, and this form is utilized exclusively to entice a select audience- young men who like to think. Those who are compelled to think should not be confounded with those who like to read. For those who like to think, the obscure plan compels the reader to revisit the work.
The modern style of writing is to inform the reader of what will be read, tell the reader the point, and then, in closing, remind the reader of the topic. This manner of explicit writing does not involve any challenges or unresolved questions for the Gentle Reader.
An example of hidden meaning would be sequential paragraphs covering related topics such as Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Venice, Europe, and Russia, where the initial letter of each section reveals the esoteric topic for consideration. Of course, such a technique is so obscure as to be of questionable value.
1
“First, do no harm.”
-Hippocrates
-Hippocrates
For several years, we have expressed a sincere desire to meet the parents of the Apprentices for the purpose of confirming our opinion concerning their involvement with the Apprentices. We recall being in our teen years and how awkward it was to introduce our peers to the parents, so we expected that the Apprentices, in toto, would be reluctant to introduce us to their parents, and we have not been disappointed- for if all children are disappointments, then all parents are potential, nay, certain, embarrassments. Whatever truth there is to these observations, it is evident that grandparents and grandchildren are exempt from this phenomenon- the embarrassed and disappointed alternate generations. We can easily imagine dozens of generations of ancestors and dozens of generations of descendants during the time of the Patriarchs, who would be motivated by slights, both perceived and real, from hundreds of years ago. We agree that “the earth was filled with violence.”
The cohort that we have labeled “The HighSchoolers™” are graduates from the years 2015 to 2019. At various times, we have informed them, either individually or in a small group setting, that they will be successful. Of course, we were not ingratiating ourselves to teenagers, for what could they offer a Great Occultist? We were conveying a highly probable outcome, yet, we did not consult the Tarot, the Magick 8 Ball, nor did Thoth [“Beaky” to his friends] provide inside information. Our conclusion was based primarily on the modern opinion of psychology- the two pillars flanking the entrance before the Temple of “Well Being”, namely “Friends” and “Family”.
We have observed the HighSchoolers™ and noticed there are typically two or three Apprentices in a “subgroup” that interact with other “subgroups”. These interactions, coupled with their associations with other high schoolers, or extended friends, is sufficient evidence that their friends constitute a support system.
For years, we have rampantly speculated, both in public writings and in personal thoughts, that the parents of the Apprentices are a valuable support. However, with no observations either between or among Apprentices and parents, validation of this idea was impossible.
Therefore, we consider ourselves fortunate to have meet the parents of a certain Apprentice and, although it is not prudent to extrapolate from one couple and their parenting style, to multiple parents, we feel such an exercise is acceptable, since we are not seeking absolute certainty, only a high degree of probability.
We have observed the HighSchoolers™ and noticed there are typically two or three Apprentices in a “subgroup” that interact with other “subgroups”. These interactions, coupled with their associations with other high schoolers, or extended friends, is sufficient evidence that their friends constitute a support system.
For years, we have rampantly speculated, both in public writings and in personal thoughts, that the parents of the Apprentices are a valuable support. However, with no observations either between or among Apprentices and parents, validation of this idea was impossible.
Therefore, we consider ourselves fortunate to have meet the parents of a certain Apprentice and, although it is not prudent to extrapolate from one couple and their parenting style, to multiple parents, we feel such an exercise is acceptable, since we are not seeking absolute certainty, only a high degree of probability.
The Apprentices all possess what we regard as our highest virtue: productivity. We are uncertain if they also understand that we, in our own manner, are productive. The Apprentices may also have additional qualities that we admire, but, for us, being a productive human being is the pinnacle of becoming an adult, as we do not separate productivity from reasoning.
Certain philosophers have suggested that natural man, or man in the state of Nature, is the proper disposition of man and this hypothetical man, we are told, would be happiest in this natural state. These philosophical speculators believe that Nature generously produces her bounty, both to man and beast, and the pre civilized man had nothing more to do than meander to take advantage of the low hanging fruit. The critical issue with these opinions is that a man who is devoid of thinking, and work for man, unlike animals, is a processing of thinking or reasoning, is not fully man in the fullest, or proper, understanding. It seems that these speculative thinkers did not realize, or fully appreciate, that man is poorly adapted for any climate found in our world.
In the Garden of Delights, the man, Adam, was not completely free to “hangout” and “chat up”the the talking serpent or the easily beguiled woman, but he had “to dress” the Garden and “to keep” the Garden. Its seems that even in the shadow of Creation, man’s existence was not to be carefree, but to involve some exertion.
Certain philosophers have suggested that natural man, or man in the state of Nature, is the proper disposition of man and this hypothetical man, we are told, would be happiest in this natural state. These philosophical speculators believe that Nature generously produces her bounty, both to man and beast, and the pre civilized man had nothing more to do than meander to take advantage of the low hanging fruit. The critical issue with these opinions is that a man who is devoid of thinking, and work for man, unlike animals, is a processing of thinking or reasoning, is not fully man in the fullest, or proper, understanding. It seems that these speculative thinkers did not realize, or fully appreciate, that man is poorly adapted for any climate found in our world.
In the Garden of Delights, the man, Adam, was not completely free to “hangout” and “chat up”the the talking serpent or the easily beguiled woman, but he had “to dress” the Garden and “to keep” the Garden. Its seems that even in the shadow of Creation, man’s existence was not to be carefree, but to involve some exertion.
At times, the HighSchoolers™ exhibit a certain behavior that, to an unbiased third party seems malevolent, at best, and thoughtless, at worst. Although they insist these commonplace scenarios are humorous, which we are at loss to understand and, frankly, we find this behavior annoying. Yet, this “humor”, which is universally understood and practiced by the Apprentices, is an example of tribalism; the practical application of “us versus them”; the insiders contrasted with everyone else.
Perhaps the most noteworthy example of tribalism among the High Schooler's is the use of nicknames, such as Lord Nil, Lord Osif, Jonathan, Jop, Lord Scurr, and Lord Bray. Even Yours Truly has a nickname which, surprisingly, is not the expected “Master” [of the Occult Arts and Sciences], but “Sethlon”. As Nietzsche noted, “To behold suffering gives pleasure, but to cause another to suffer affords an even greater pleasure”; and we have found Apprentice Jonathan susceptible to certain personal accusations which cause him much consternation, and us much amusement; not that we have favorites ...
Perhaps the most noteworthy example of tribalism among the High Schooler's is the use of nicknames, such as Lord Nil, Lord Osif, Jonathan, Jop, Lord Scurr, and Lord Bray. Even Yours Truly has a nickname which, surprisingly, is not the expected “Master” [of the Occult Arts and Sciences], but “Sethlon”. As Nietzsche noted, “To behold suffering gives pleasure, but to cause another to suffer affords an even greater pleasure”; and we have found Apprentice Jonathan susceptible to certain personal accusations which cause him much consternation, and us much amusement; not that we have favorites ...
2
Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in
prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.
Horace
prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.
Horace
Since the Apprentices exhibit the highest virtue that we recognize, we can factually state that we love them, since we, unlike certain modern philosophers, can not separate behavior from the individual. We love them and we have never explicitly wished them happiness, rather, we offer our “Best Wishes”. On the contrary, we want them to suffer, and not for our pleasure, nor to witness their suffering, but for their development, for their “own good”. Of course, to suffer, for suffering’s sake is simply sadism. To undergo pain and hardship for a laudable goal will convey nobility, provided there is a hierarchy of values directing the individual’s actions, and man can be noble, to be more than what he thought was humanly possible. This potential to be ennobled is available to the reasoning man who has values, not to the beasts of the field.
One’s sons and daughters will always be one’s offspring, but they will not always be children, however, many parents neither adjust their views, opinions, or behaviors as their offspring matures. The vast majority of parents never realize the real world implications that their children are humans first, regardless of their age.
Failure, along with suffering, are two facts of being human and we acknowledge that loss and disappointment are agonizing, otherwise said, “long and painful experience”. Failure and suffering are normal aspects in the lives of man and if a child is prevented from any failings, or if failure is presented as a character flaw, the child will develop both neurotic traits, such as not seeking new experiences, and an abnormal fear of failure.
3
The best Occultists are worthless and an inconvenience, but not wicked.
Plato, The Republic, Book 11
Plato, The Republic, Book 11
From the lessons taught by HighSchoolers™, albeit without their knowledge, we have learned how to successfully navigate the socially perilous times that are the High School years. An ancient maxim of the Occult is that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear, yet we wonder what benefit this lesson can offer us, so late in our career.
Long ago, we accepted our various and continuing failures and our acceptance of this reality was with the knowledge that we were not adversely affecting anyone else. Our failures, like our successes, were ours alone. A certain Apprentice recently provided an opinion that had not considered, of course, this Apprentice’s many attempts at profundity typically miss the mark and these have rarely exceeded the wisdom of fortune cookies. We were told we are “inconvenient”. As we sincerely solicited his opinion regarding certain personal episodes, we thanked him and reflected on this insight for several days.
Long ago, we accepted our various and continuing failures and our acceptance of this reality was with the knowledge that we were not adversely affecting anyone else. Our failures, like our successes, were ours alone. A certain Apprentice recently provided an opinion that had not considered, of course, this Apprentice’s many attempts at profundity typically miss the mark and these have rarely exceeded the wisdom of fortune cookies. We were told we are “inconvenient”. As we sincerely solicited his opinion regarding certain personal episodes, we thanked him and reflected on this insight for several days.
We believed that the parents were, for lack of a better wording, horrible individuals for such egregious behavior such as leaving notification that grandmother had passed on the answering machine; which action was to be repeated twelve months later. Are people so insensitive?
We believed a horrible person would tell me that mother had three months to live, but neglected to say that the diagnosis was made three months previous. An oversight? Is this typical behavior?
We believed that only a horrible person would give me less than two days notice for my aunt’s funeral in southern Indiana. I called in favors to get the time off from work. In retrospect, I wonder if I was expected not to attend, as dad was surprised when I was there.
Until 2007, I never missed a funeral; that service was in Arizona, and since dad wasn’t going, I could not attend. I should say I never missed a funeral that I knew about, as I later realized there were some familial deaths that were not communicated.
We thought it horrible that no one informed me of my great aunt’s passing, but left a message on the answering machine, that we duly heard on the morning of April 24, wondering why Yours Truly was not at the visitation. As though I was expected to imagine a lively four hour debate among the family regarding why I was absent, until the moment they realize in unison, as soon as the visitation ends, that no one told me.
We thought it was horrible that “family” could omit our name in the obituaries of an uncle and an aunt, and such an omission could be explained, as though there are a plethora of nephews, and we could be easily overlooked.
We believed a horrible person would tell me that mother had three months to live, but neglected to say that the diagnosis was made three months previous. An oversight? Is this typical behavior?
We believed that only a horrible person would give me less than two days notice for my aunt’s funeral in southern Indiana. I called in favors to get the time off from work. In retrospect, I wonder if I was expected not to attend, as dad was surprised when I was there.
Until 2007, I never missed a funeral; that service was in Arizona, and since dad wasn’t going, I could not attend. I should say I never missed a funeral that I knew about, as I later realized there were some familial deaths that were not communicated.
We thought it horrible that no one informed me of my great aunt’s passing, but left a message on the answering machine, that we duly heard on the morning of April 24, wondering why Yours Truly was not at the visitation. As though I was expected to imagine a lively four hour debate among the family regarding why I was absent, until the moment they realize in unison, as soon as the visitation ends, that no one told me.
We thought it was horrible that “family” could omit our name in the obituaries of an uncle and an aunt, and such an omission could be explained, as though there are a plethora of nephews, and we could be easily overlooked.
While it is possible that these action are, in fact, horrible, it is also a valid conclusion that we are an “inconvenience”. In fact, we suggest that we two have been an inconvenience since our coming into being. Yet, the conventional opinion is that “friends” and “family” are to be inconvenienced from time to time. Since the cause of “indifference” produces the same effect as “inconvenience”, we can not determine which one, if either, applies.
The Apprentices enjoy inflicting suffering upon one another, generally, and upon Yours Truly, specifically, yet suffering is not synonymous, and should not be confounded, with inflicting harm. Although the Apprentices have various shortcomings and flaws, we have never seen, or have heard reports that they have, either as individuals or in concert, ever caused harm to anyone. Therefore, my high level of trust vis-à-vis the Apprentices is justified. In conclusion to this part, causing “another to suffer affords” a great pleasure.
The “Irrational Parenting Game”, which can be played by anyone, is to assign all “good” behavior or traits expressed by the child to the parents superior parenting skills, but all “bad” behavior to the child proper. This method can also be applied to commentary upon historical episodes- people who lived long and prosperous lives are to be deemed blessed by God, while those who suffered violent deaths are said to be cursed by God- witness the entirety of the Old Testament. An added bonus to this game is that child is conditioned that his actions are to be considered separate from his being, that he can be “loved” even for his flaws, shortcomings, and assorted “sins”, that a duality, or double standard, exists between intentions, which are mostly “good”, and outcomes, mostly “bad” and unforeseen.
During our formative years, we had no interest in sports, extracurricular activities, or dating. One of the benefits of not being concerned with opinions is that poor opinions can not motivate us, anymore than guilt or fear are motivating factors. Poor opinions and uninformed opinions seems to outnumber good and informed opinions. Regardless of our high degree of self awareness and Nature’s singular gift, we were unaware of what typical adolescent behavior should be, as we had neither recollection of it nor the motivation for it, thereby justifying what “the folks in town said with prejudiced eyes “That boy's not right.”
The pillars of support for typical, or statistically normal individuals, are acknowledged, yet, what do we make of those individuals who cannot form stable relationships with either family or friends? Of course, within this paradigm of lacking trust, dating is an impossibility. To state that one does not have friends or family is similar to telling a medical doctor that we do not have access to family medical history, as this information is classified by the state of Indiana. While this wording is colorful and arresting, it is not altogether inaccurate.
We have written about foster care and learned that children in foster care suffer stress at rates twice that of war veterans, abuse drugs, have low graduation rates for high school, suffer higher rates of unemployment, of homelessness, and of suicide than the general population. Clearly, foster care must be a stressful environment to produce individuals who are consistent failures that they cannot meet the basic expectations of modern society. We make no legal distinction between foster care and adoption, as the circumstances are similar: stranger care, otherwise said, stranger danger. The state, by fiat, cannot create parents where none exist: “History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of man.” While familial support seems a given, “you don’t know half the abuse”.
Those parents who both allow their children to make errors in judgment and to learn that mistakes are not fatal flaws, should be commended for treating their children as human, as these mistakes can be corrected and “making mistakes is a part of life's imperfection”. However, the incessant insistence on “correct” behavior, and promoting the false dichotomy of “good” and “evil”, creates neuroses in children and, ultimately, is counter productive for a successful citizen: eventually creating a belief that no accomplishment is sufficient and personal failures are to be expected.
We have written about foster care and learned that children in foster care suffer stress at rates twice that of war veterans, abuse drugs, have low graduation rates for high school, suffer higher rates of unemployment, of homelessness, and of suicide than the general population. Clearly, foster care must be a stressful environment to produce individuals who are consistent failures that they cannot meet the basic expectations of modern society. We make no legal distinction between foster care and adoption, as the circumstances are similar: stranger care, otherwise said, stranger danger. The state, by fiat, cannot create parents where none exist: “History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of man.” While familial support seems a given, “you don’t know half the abuse”.
Those parents who both allow their children to make errors in judgment and to learn that mistakes are not fatal flaws, should be commended for treating their children as human, as these mistakes can be corrected and “making mistakes is a part of life's imperfection”. However, the incessant insistence on “correct” behavior, and promoting the false dichotomy of “good” and “evil”, creates neuroses in children and, ultimately, is counter productive for a successful citizen: eventually creating a belief that no accomplishment is sufficient and personal failures are to be expected.
Since we love productive individuals, it is not surprising that we are incapable of loving newborns and babies. While we cannot love them per our definition of love, we recognize that that the caregiver is gravely accountable for the welfare and development of a potential fully developed human being. Certain philosophers are so enamored with the natural state, that they forfeit any rational analysis. After the time of breastfeeding is finished, the human offspring would would be left to fend for itself in the lagoon seeking the low hanging fruit. Clearly, any progress by man from the natural state to the present was not easy, the path was dangerous and difficult, however, we are the culmination of those initial endeavors.
After an indeterminate time to domesticate animals and to commence agriculture, the advent of civilization were not automatic, it is not a given for the human condition. The city had to be brought into being, through an act of the will, not through a consensus, but by the vision of an individual who could reason and think abstractly, for politics, and its benefits, are abstract. Man needed to communicate the real benefits of living together in a village, and later, a walled city. The division of labor allowed the possibility of the genesis of the arts and sciences, and men would explore unknown areas, first by land, then by sea.
After an indeterminate time to domesticate animals and to commence agriculture, the advent of civilization were not automatic, it is not a given for the human condition. The city had to be brought into being, through an act of the will, not through a consensus, but by the vision of an individual who could reason and think abstractly, for politics, and its benefits, are abstract. Man needed to communicate the real benefits of living together in a village, and later, a walled city. The division of labor allowed the possibility of the genesis of the arts and sciences, and men would explore unknown areas, first by land, then by sea.
A black screen for several seconds and a flicker of light in the top right corner that slowly expands over the screen. The camera pans to the left slowing revealing a mass stretching beyond the horizon. The mass should be understood as all of humanity. As the camera zooms in, a group is forming in the crowd and moving through the majority, who are either standing or milling about.
The group gains individuals as it moves. Soon, certain individuals can be identified and the voice overs from the moving group are heard yelling, “Sethlon! Sethlon!”. The group eventually surrounds an individual forming a circle as the camera moves in and reaches eye level revealing one half of the circle that is addressing the subject. The camera is behind the unknown subject and there is one voice asking off camera, “Sethlon! Sethlon! Did you always know?”
The group is silent as the viewer hears:
The group gains individuals as it moves. Soon, certain individuals can be identified and the voice overs from the moving group are heard yelling, “Sethlon! Sethlon!”. The group eventually surrounds an individual forming a circle as the camera moves in and reaches eye level revealing one half of the circle that is addressing the subject. The camera is behind the unknown subject and there is one voice asking off camera, “Sethlon! Sethlon! Did you always know?”
The group is silent as the viewer hears:
No. No, I didn’t.
[one beat]
But, I believed.
[two beats]
I believed.
the essay
Although I am not a parent, I have experienced both what I believe to be poor parenting and the results of poor parenting. The sham argument is that since I am not a parent and, therefore, I have no insight into parenting and have no valid reason to criticize people who are “trying their best”. It is an invalid premise, as I’m certain everyone has seen a “bad” movie, although this negative review does not originate from anyone with directing experience, while the director “tried their best”.
conclusion
The question, “Is it so wrong to be human after all?”, must be answered by the Gentle Reader.
As always, the Gentle Researcher will reach his own informed conclusions concerning child care, Constantinople, and contemplating the Divine Essence.
As always, the Gentle Researcher will reach his own informed conclusions concerning child care, Constantinople, and contemplating the Divine Essence.