Time Heals All
or
Sic Transit Gloria
June 3-6, 2017
George O’Bradovich
1
Recently, while “pondering the nature of the Universe”, our mind wandered to Tyler, who we have known for over ten years. In December of 2015, Tyler informed that I should become the person that he thought we were when we initially met and, now, when we conform to his expectations, he will be our friend again. At that time, we wrote that we wondered how we would overcome such a personal loss, but either “Nature hates a Vacuum” or Beaky intervened; and what we subsequently found was more valuable than either what I had believed we lost or what we previously sought. In conclusion to this part, we can state that our research can be divided into three periods: Initial efforts and Inquiries, Apprentice Tyler or “Wasted Breath”, and the HighSchoolers™ or Success.
We are prone to dismiss sayings encapsulating conventional wisdom, yet time does, in its own way, lessen the impact of pain, trauma, or tragedy. However, we are reluctant to write “heal” as the implication that the discomfort is past, yet, bodily wounds can be healed and leave physical scars. Such is the ambiguity of the word “heal”. Yet, the implication is that one survives, and hope, that quintessential quality of rational man, follows survival.
Before I was a Christian, I was an American, and before I was an American, I was a scientist. The conservativeness of a Capricorn, both in actions and reaching conclusions, is demonstrated by our reticence and our unwillingness to accept certain premises or suppositions. Taken as a whole, earth signs are the least likely to demonstrate a wide range of behavior, although we concede the cardinal sign may have more latitude than the other two signs. With that being said, we can assure the Gentle Reader that our behavior, in public and in private, varies by degrees, not kinds. The Gentle Researcher may confirm our opinion regarding our actions, both as a public persona and as a private citizen, through his own efforts.
Charlatans, or those not seeking facts, let alone wisdom, but filthy lucre, would have entitled the website “I am the Greatest Occultist of the twenty first century”, “I am the Greatest Occultist”, or such wording to imply what is not, to beguile “simple souls”. Clearly, “Some people” is conditional phrasing, not all encompassing, and, as a result, touches upon reality and is amusing.
We are prone to dismiss sayings encapsulating conventional wisdom, yet time does, in its own way, lessen the impact of pain, trauma, or tragedy. However, we are reluctant to write “heal” as the implication that the discomfort is past, yet, bodily wounds can be healed and leave physical scars. Such is the ambiguity of the word “heal”. Yet, the implication is that one survives, and hope, that quintessential quality of rational man, follows survival.
Before I was a Christian, I was an American, and before I was an American, I was a scientist. The conservativeness of a Capricorn, both in actions and reaching conclusions, is demonstrated by our reticence and our unwillingness to accept certain premises or suppositions. Taken as a whole, earth signs are the least likely to demonstrate a wide range of behavior, although we concede the cardinal sign may have more latitude than the other two signs. With that being said, we can assure the Gentle Reader that our behavior, in public and in private, varies by degrees, not kinds. The Gentle Researcher may confirm our opinion regarding our actions, both as a public persona and as a private citizen, through his own efforts.
Charlatans, or those not seeking facts, let alone wisdom, but filthy lucre, would have entitled the website “I am the Greatest Occultist of the twenty first century”, “I am the Greatest Occultist”, or such wording to imply what is not, to beguile “simple souls”. Clearly, “Some people” is conditional phrasing, not all encompassing, and, as a result, touches upon reality and is amusing.
incipit excursion
Until Beaky informs us otherwise, we attribute my initial encounters with the HighSchoolers™ as an accident, as there was no apocalypse, intention, or forethought that I would engage them more intensely on a certain long forgotten day than we had on dozens of previous occasions. Such is the unanticipated nature of accidents, or fate, or fortune, or chance.
On multiple occasions, we have observed that external influences inspire or compel Yours Truly to write, compose, or paint. As Apprentice Tyler’s curiosity was essentially one dimensional, this was indirectly reflected in my work, however, with the horde of HighSchoolers™, our efforts are more varied, more insightful, if not profound. While we must wait to discover if the HighSchoolers™ are an accident of history or heaven sent, the Capricorn, during the interim, has seized, pursued, grasped, and sought every reasonable opportunity to talk with them and engage them, either as a group or as individuals. In conclusion to this part, we have not been disappointed, for it seems that almost all encounters are serendipitous.
If our actions vis-à-vis the HighSchoolers™ seem unorthodox or “sketchy”, then we readily admit this appearance and, as an amoral Occultist who lives at the “fringes of society”, the end of our work- the Great Work, Magnum Opus- justifies our means- inquiring of those who may, possibly, through chance, lead us to the goal.
We are obligated to add that our intellect is internal [“Some People Call Me the Master of the Obvious”], while nearly all impetus to be productive and creative, as a Libra rising, is external, otherwise said, “I can do nothing by myself”. Although our methods are not typical, so our insights, results, and writings have become exceptional.
Of course, the culmination of our work is the “Brayden Trilogy”, where “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”, we realized our goal and we knew more than what we had suspected was possible, hence, the haircut that would never come to pass, happened- the long hair as a physical manifestation of an unseen personal vow pronounced in hushed tones years previous.
At times, we have written “End of the Quarter” papers that have various thoughts and random observations that are not sufficient material for a proper or complete development, but, nonetheless, should be recorded for the future benefit of the Gentle Researcher.
The Seniors will be graduating soon and during the previous weeks we have seen experiences either that we didn't have in high school or that we don't recall. Our issue is, and always has been, that high school graduation is a given, it is available to all, it is mundane, it is not exceptional. What we not did understand then, we don't understand now.
Of course, We have not asked the HighSchoolers™, even the ones that we consider that we know best, the significance of this event, because, it should be obvious, but it eludes us. Therefore, we do not feel that we will “miss out”, by skipping either the graduation ceremony or the graduation parties. We know we will be joyous for them when they get married, happy when they have children, [“Uncle Sethlon” is a role we look forward to playing.] and relieved when they graduate college. [The culmination of vicarious living would be achieved by addressing any one of them as “Doctor”.]
Apprentice Brayden is typically positioned as a “food maker” where his natural abilities at multitasking are effectively utilized, but on this nondescript Saturday, he is on “front cash”. Not allowing multiple opportunities to engage a Cancer Gemini to be wasted, we were not disappointed with our conversations.
We may say that the following exchange, “How’d you get so smart…?”, “I didn't do anything, it was a gift.”, was not the highlight of our involvement, but then, not everything that transpires should be recorded.
However, we will relate that in our exuberance of having a quasi captive audience, we said “Cancer Geminis are fascinating creatures”. Not surprisingly, Apprentice Brayden caught this strange expression, and we continued my monologue without the typical philological segue through “fascinate” and “creature” to possibly justify, and definitely obscure, our meaning.
In general terms, we explained to Apprentice Brayden that we don't make personal inquiries of Cancer Geminis and the conclusion is that direct questions are neither conducive nor beneficial to a long term relationship with Cancer Geminis. We talked of an unnamed third person whose virtues and qualities we recognize to illustrate my experiences and erudite insights. We believe that Apprentice Brayden understood, in his own way, what we were attempting to communicate.
We are aware that we are a spectacle to messengers and to men, if not to the Cosmos, but we would like to know Apprentice Brayden’s opinion of Yours Truly. Alas, it shall not come to pass, as the well intentioned concern of possibly, nay almost certainty, of “hurting my feelings” is not shared by Yours Truly.
For our recognition of the reality, regarding both his virtues and his qualities, will neither be impacted nor be diminished by his truthful opinions.
Our excursion and various adventures in “Cancer Gemini Land™” was unexpected, but it is always welcome. If Apprentice Brayden has difficulty in understanding our response, “It is a gift.”, then it is certain that he would be perplexed if we earnestly said that he and the Highschoolers™ were not an interruption of my work, but the purpose of my work.
The following list is not exhaustive, but is sufficient evidence for the significant influence of the HighSchoolers™ in the quantity, quality, and variety of our work:
On multiple occasions, we have observed that external influences inspire or compel Yours Truly to write, compose, or paint. As Apprentice Tyler’s curiosity was essentially one dimensional, this was indirectly reflected in my work, however, with the horde of HighSchoolers™, our efforts are more varied, more insightful, if not profound. While we must wait to discover if the HighSchoolers™ are an accident of history or heaven sent, the Capricorn, during the interim, has seized, pursued, grasped, and sought every reasonable opportunity to talk with them and engage them, either as a group or as individuals. In conclusion to this part, we have not been disappointed, for it seems that almost all encounters are serendipitous.
If our actions vis-à-vis the HighSchoolers™ seem unorthodox or “sketchy”, then we readily admit this appearance and, as an amoral Occultist who lives at the “fringes of society”, the end of our work- the Great Work, Magnum Opus- justifies our means- inquiring of those who may, possibly, through chance, lead us to the goal.
We are obligated to add that our intellect is internal [“Some People Call Me the Master of the Obvious”], while nearly all impetus to be productive and creative, as a Libra rising, is external, otherwise said, “I can do nothing by myself”. Although our methods are not typical, so our insights, results, and writings have become exceptional.
Of course, the culmination of our work is the “Brayden Trilogy”, where “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”, we realized our goal and we knew more than what we had suspected was possible, hence, the haircut that would never come to pass, happened- the long hair as a physical manifestation of an unseen personal vow pronounced in hushed tones years previous.
At times, we have written “End of the Quarter” papers that have various thoughts and random observations that are not sufficient material for a proper or complete development, but, nonetheless, should be recorded for the future benefit of the Gentle Researcher.
The Seniors will be graduating soon and during the previous weeks we have seen experiences either that we didn't have in high school or that we don't recall. Our issue is, and always has been, that high school graduation is a given, it is available to all, it is mundane, it is not exceptional. What we not did understand then, we don't understand now.
Of course, We have not asked the HighSchoolers™, even the ones that we consider that we know best, the significance of this event, because, it should be obvious, but it eludes us. Therefore, we do not feel that we will “miss out”, by skipping either the graduation ceremony or the graduation parties. We know we will be joyous for them when they get married, happy when they have children, [“Uncle Sethlon” is a role we look forward to playing.] and relieved when they graduate college. [The culmination of vicarious living would be achieved by addressing any one of them as “Doctor”.]
Apprentice Brayden is typically positioned as a “food maker” where his natural abilities at multitasking are effectively utilized, but on this nondescript Saturday, he is on “front cash”. Not allowing multiple opportunities to engage a Cancer Gemini to be wasted, we were not disappointed with our conversations.
We may say that the following exchange, “How’d you get so smart…?”, “I didn't do anything, it was a gift.”, was not the highlight of our involvement, but then, not everything that transpires should be recorded.
However, we will relate that in our exuberance of having a quasi captive audience, we said “Cancer Geminis are fascinating creatures”. Not surprisingly, Apprentice Brayden caught this strange expression, and we continued my monologue without the typical philological segue through “fascinate” and “creature” to possibly justify, and definitely obscure, our meaning.
In general terms, we explained to Apprentice Brayden that we don't make personal inquiries of Cancer Geminis and the conclusion is that direct questions are neither conducive nor beneficial to a long term relationship with Cancer Geminis. We talked of an unnamed third person whose virtues and qualities we recognize to illustrate my experiences and erudite insights. We believe that Apprentice Brayden understood, in his own way, what we were attempting to communicate.
We are aware that we are a spectacle to messengers and to men, if not to the Cosmos, but we would like to know Apprentice Brayden’s opinion of Yours Truly. Alas, it shall not come to pass, as the well intentioned concern of possibly, nay almost certainty, of “hurting my feelings” is not shared by Yours Truly.
For our recognition of the reality, regarding both his virtues and his qualities, will neither be impacted nor be diminished by his truthful opinions.
Our excursion and various adventures in “Cancer Gemini Land™” was unexpected, but it is always welcome. If Apprentice Brayden has difficulty in understanding our response, “It is a gift.”, then it is certain that he would be perplexed if we earnestly said that he and the Highschoolers™ were not an interruption of my work, but the purpose of my work.
The following list is not exhaustive, but is sufficient evidence for the significant influence of the HighSchoolers™ in the quantity, quality, and variety of our work:
Time Heals All
Highland Lawn I Will be like the Most High The Wonderful World of Occult ... For Young Men Who Like To Think My First Paper. “Hey, I was wondering…” Cool Kids Examined Isaac Acceptance: Part the Third Acceptance
Shock Subtle Intelligence Tests Terrible Truths Claims of Astronomy Examined A Brief Encounter with a ... PA Joey Limiting Myself The One whose Virtues I Recognize Exegesis of Confessions |
June 12, 2017
June 12, 2017 June 4, 2017
June 2, 2017 April 30, 2017 April 23, 2017 April 22, 2017 April 22, 2017 April 17, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Mar 20, 2017 Mar 17, 2017 Mar 14, 2017
Mar 12, 2017 Feb 10, 2017 Feb 4, 2017 Feb 6, 2017 Feb 5, 2017 Feb 3, 2017 Jan 30, 2017 Jan 26, 2017 Jan 10, 2017 Jan 10, 2017
Dec 22, 2016 Dec 6, 2016 Oct 31, 2016 Oct 30, 2016 Sept 27, 2016 May 16, 2016 April 20, 2016 April 15, 2016 April 14, 2016 Mar 30, 2016
Mar 16, 2016 Mar 13, 2016 |
Denver
Colton Various
Colton, Jonathan Joe RJ Jonathan Colton Denver Various Denver The Twins The Twins
The Twins Joe Jeffery Denver Brayden Joe Denver Brayden Christian Various
Various Brayden Brayden Denver Brayden Denver Various Denver Denver The Twins
RJ Brayden |
QED: The Highschoolers™, in toto, have been more than an adequate replacement for Apprentice Tyler as sources both of viable topics and of sustained inspiration.
Excpit Excursion
2
Therefore, whatever else the website may be, it is not designed for revenue or soliciting donations; in fact, it may be what we have long claimed-an educational website. Of course, the Gentle Reader and the Gentle Researcher will reach different conclusions regarding the educational value or purpose of our work. As always, price and participation will vary, and Fortune is not the same for all.
In a recent conversation with Apprentice Jonathan, we intimated there was no overall plan to the website, although we omitted hinting there may be an unintentional, but detectable, cyclical or seasonal pattern to the website.
Time, it seems, fills our lives with additional experiences, mostly joyful and happy, that place tragic events in a larger and fuller context, which allows a clearer perspective. This is not to suggest our profound feelings will fade away completely, but it will be tolerable.
We, as humans, have the almost supernatural ability to adapt and, if we are to believe the long running documentary series “Doctor Who”, until the end of the universe, which is more than sufficient for the purpose of this essay.
Our essay was finished, when Fate entered, stage left. Not wanting further coals to be heaped on our head, we knew we could not ask a youth about the significance of graduation, due almost entirely to their limited life experiences. Fortunately, Willie promptly arrived, and as he is near my age, we were certain he could explain the significance of high school graduation in such a manner that we would understand. As the Master said, seek and you will find. Willie explained that a diploma was a prerequisite for college, for the military, and for employment. We readily acknowledged these significant facts, but these statements were neither convincing nor helpful, yet, he continued and eventually said the word “accomplishment”.
At that instance, we knew. For only a “most wretched idiot” would confound “something that has been achieved successfully” with something unearned. For twenty three semesters, our grades exceeded my peers, whether here or in Iowa, while the ultimate semester was abysmal; and like a grotesque accounting principle, this loss carried forward to the two semesters at Purdue University, to Highschool 3.0, and, finally, to High School 2.0.
There was no integrity in being granted our high school diploma, it was, and remains, a sham by any objective standard. We now know why we never valued it, why graduation parties are inexplicable, and why our academic accomplishments peaked in our junior year. Significant accomplishments are rightly understood as recognizing the fraud of universal history, or discovering the manner of translating Egyptian hieroglyphs. Being “unsuccessful” negates “accomplishment” a priori, hence, the reason why we describe our diploma as a fraud.
We are compelled to declare that the conspiracy or “a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful” by the state, by the mob, and by the church converged.
”Secret”, as not manifest; “lawful” with the force of the state; “harmful”, for being unnatural, discriminatory or “making an unfair distinction between different categories of people”, and prejudicial or “harmful to someone; detrimental”.
If state law were beneficial and just, then there would not be a distinction between births prior to the year 1994 and subsequent births, nor would the law need be altered again, effective July, 2018.
And if “conspiracy” sounds modern, all too modern, to the philologist, then let us use any of the following words that are appropriate for those bureaucrats, supposed authorities, either ecclesiastical or otherwise, and minor paper shufflers who haunt dark corners and justly fear the light:
In a recent conversation with Apprentice Jonathan, we intimated there was no overall plan to the website, although we omitted hinting there may be an unintentional, but detectable, cyclical or seasonal pattern to the website.
Time, it seems, fills our lives with additional experiences, mostly joyful and happy, that place tragic events in a larger and fuller context, which allows a clearer perspective. This is not to suggest our profound feelings will fade away completely, but it will be tolerable.
We, as humans, have the almost supernatural ability to adapt and, if we are to believe the long running documentary series “Doctor Who”, until the end of the universe, which is more than sufficient for the purpose of this essay.
Our essay was finished, when Fate entered, stage left. Not wanting further coals to be heaped on our head, we knew we could not ask a youth about the significance of graduation, due almost entirely to their limited life experiences. Fortunately, Willie promptly arrived, and as he is near my age, we were certain he could explain the significance of high school graduation in such a manner that we would understand. As the Master said, seek and you will find. Willie explained that a diploma was a prerequisite for college, for the military, and for employment. We readily acknowledged these significant facts, but these statements were neither convincing nor helpful, yet, he continued and eventually said the word “accomplishment”.
At that instance, we knew. For only a “most wretched idiot” would confound “something that has been achieved successfully” with something unearned. For twenty three semesters, our grades exceeded my peers, whether here or in Iowa, while the ultimate semester was abysmal; and like a grotesque accounting principle, this loss carried forward to the two semesters at Purdue University, to Highschool 3.0, and, finally, to High School 2.0.
There was no integrity in being granted our high school diploma, it was, and remains, a sham by any objective standard. We now know why we never valued it, why graduation parties are inexplicable, and why our academic accomplishments peaked in our junior year. Significant accomplishments are rightly understood as recognizing the fraud of universal history, or discovering the manner of translating Egyptian hieroglyphs. Being “unsuccessful” negates “accomplishment” a priori, hence, the reason why we describe our diploma as a fraud.
We are compelled to declare that the conspiracy or “a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful” by the state, by the mob, and by the church converged.
”Secret”, as not manifest; “lawful” with the force of the state; “harmful”, for being unnatural, discriminatory or “making an unfair distinction between different categories of people”, and prejudicial or “harmful to someone; detrimental”.
If state law were beneficial and just, then there would not be a distinction between births prior to the year 1994 and subsequent births, nor would the law need be altered again, effective July, 2018.
And if “conspiracy” sounds modern, all too modern, to the philologist, then let us use any of the following words that are appropriate for those bureaucrats, supposed authorities, either ecclesiastical or otherwise, and minor paper shufflers who haunt dark corners and justly fear the light:
Plan
Plot
Ploy
Ruse
Scheme
Trick
Intrigue
Plotting
Collusion
Connivance
Subterfuge
Machination
Collaboration
Plot
Ploy
Ruse
Scheme
Trick
Intrigue
Plotting
Collusion
Connivance
Subterfuge
Machination
Collaboration
Nunc Scio Tenebris Lux
“I now know the shadows come from the light.”
Many shadows indicate one light.
Multiple opinions suggest one fact.
If I despise the shadows as simulations of the single truth, then I must inquire:
“When and where did I become acquainted with this queer concept or this weird idea?”
On Sunday, Apprentice Brayden left work two hours before the ceremony and we intercepted him, offered an anticipatory congratulation, shook his hand and, as he pushed the door open with his right shoulder and walked backwards into the the outer world of the brilliant afternoon, he said, in the understated voice that is typical for such a fascinating creature who is “more special than he realizes”, “It’s an accomplishment.”
“Yes, it is, Brayden.”
Yes, it is.
Yes, it is.
3
Our essay was complete for several hours and we had no intention of writing further, for we were enamored of the ending, “Yes, it is.” However, Fate entered, stage right, and the former HighSchoolers™ and Apprentice Jonathan began arriving in due form.
For one of the few times in our life, we experienced pride or “satisfaction derived from a quality that is widely admired”, specifically, of finally grasping, after decades of bedevilment, the significance of high school graduation.
With our new and profound insights into the significance of a high school diploma, we earnestly approached the former Seniors and, with full knowledge and intent, stated my sincere congratulations while offering my right hand in fellowship, as they all have made sufficient progress in the preceding degrees.
None of them could realize the significance of our adherence to this convention, for no one would believe that until a few hours previous, we did not fully appreciate the significance of their accomplishment and all that it entails.
Enter Advocatus Diaboli, trapdoor.
As per convention and expectations, the former HighSchoolers™ duly offered their right hand in exchange, except one, who, perhaps owing to the strange belief that he has not one, but two astrological signs, and as a possible direct result of this supposition, may entertain the unsubstantiated opinion that he is more special than what reality would suggest.
For one of the few times in our life, we experienced pride or “satisfaction derived from a quality that is widely admired”, specifically, of finally grasping, after decades of bedevilment, the significance of high school graduation.
With our new and profound insights into the significance of a high school diploma, we earnestly approached the former Seniors and, with full knowledge and intent, stated my sincere congratulations while offering my right hand in fellowship, as they all have made sufficient progress in the preceding degrees.
None of them could realize the significance of our adherence to this convention, for no one would believe that until a few hours previous, we did not fully appreciate the significance of their accomplishment and all that it entails.
Enter Advocatus Diaboli, trapdoor.
As per convention and expectations, the former HighSchoolers™ duly offered their right hand in exchange, except one, who, perhaps owing to the strange belief that he has not one, but two astrological signs, and as a possible direct result of this supposition, may entertain the unsubstantiated opinion that he is more special than what reality would suggest.
Our essay was now, finally and irrevocably, complete when Fate appeared at the back of the dimly lit theatre, ran down the center aisle like an ecstatic game show contestant, scurried around various obstacles in the orchestra pit, vaulted on stage, and breathlessly ejaculated ...
The second rate psychologist is a frequent contributor to our investigations and we offer our underappreciated professional a capable collaborator, the modern social scientist, for our most pressing inquiry.
The modern social scientist has paradoxically provided both invaluable data and questionable conclusions during the preceding decades. Invariably, the modern social scientist is found behind the scenes, never on stage, and we feel that this oversight should be rectified, this deficiency filled. The limelight calls.
Generally speaking, our second rate psychologist and the modern social scientist have a singular interest, man, but man is an ambiguous term and this word brings uncertainty where clarification is urgently required. Man can be studied and understood as he is described in the Garden of Delights, as he supposedly existed in Nature, or as he is found in the city.
More capable minds than Yours Truly have adequately addressed the various issues confronting Adam, so any further commentary would be a disservice to the Gentle Reader. However, we must note that Adam was disobedient to the commandment of the Lord God, while Eve was disobedient to the tradition from Adam. We suggest that any explanations of how man behaved in Nature is based on speculation, hence, uncertainty abounds in any and all conclusions on this subject. Therefore, the Gentle Researcher, our second rate psychologist, and the modern social scientist must observe man as he is found, observed, and studied today: in situ, in the city.
For all of the authority ascribed to the modern social scientist, they possess only one objective tool- the normal distribution model or the “bell curve”, so called. This tool is utilized to determine the various percentages of a population that falls within certain ranges, and from this data, “normal” behavior can be determined, and the larger the sample, the greater the accuracy.
Let us state the obvious: the behavior of the typical male in a Federal Penitentiary will not be similar to the behavior of a typical male in New York City. The modern social scientist can inform the Gentle Reader of typical behavior for both groups, but the modern social scientist is incapable of offering opinions on the rightness or wrongness of man’s behavior. We can be informed whether an individual is a sociopathic or a genius, based entirely on the normal distribution of data. [Of course, we realize that a sociopath must possess certain behavioral traits as agreed upon by professionals, but our assessment is generally valid.] Therefore, due to considerable efforts over many years, we are reasonably certain how man behaves in the city. Even in the absence of the results of modern science, we can know how man behaves, as this behavior is accessible to all. However, we want to know how man, as man possessing reason and language, not man as citizen with the influence of poets and social conventions, should behave.
Otherwise said, our thought experiment seeks, firstly, to discover how a normal healthy man should ideally act when surrounded by people who have been negatively influenced by the stressful expectations of the city and, secondly, how he does behave. Of tertiary interest and of speculative curiosity only, we would inquire if a normal man, as the result of our primary and secondary considerations, would be manifest or unknown in the city?
The modern social scientist can inform us how the majority of people behave, up to a confidence level of 95, or even 99, percent, so we are reasonably certain that social scientists have observed normal men and abnormal men. Of course, the understanding of modern social scientists of normal men is how the subjects do behave, not how they should behave. Therefore, we propose that normal men have been observed, studied, and incorrectly labeled or categorized by modern social scientists.
Unfortunately, we are unable to establish any criteria for a normal man. For an example, the behavior of “hoarders” is neither typical, by the standards of social science, nor normal, by our standards. Confronted by the possibility that “hoarding” or any behavior may be acceptable, modern social scientists have additional criteria: if the behavior adversely affects employment or relationships or health, then this behavior is described as “detrimental”. Hence, hoarding is understood by professionals as “detrimental”. Yet, if “collecting” does not impact one's job, family, or health, then it is considered acceptable behavior. Therefore, it follows that sociopathic and psychopathic behavior that does not negatively impact employment, relationships, or health is also acceptable. Such would be the meager harvest from the field of modern social science if criminal activity were not amended to the diagnoses both of sociopathic and of psychopathic behaviors.
The most interesting types of human behavior are identified, not by objective scientific standards, but by laws or conventions that are generally subjective and punitive. We now know why modern social scientists avoid the spotlight.
In the Brayden Trilogy, we identified various characteristics of the gods and we left the “question of which god is more paradoxical- the unseen and unknown god or the seen and misidentified god” unanswered.
In light of the implications of our research, we must ask which normal man is more incredible to the Gentle Reader- Most inhabitants of the city who take no notice of the normal man, or specialists, so called, of the social sciences who observe, study, and misidentify the normal man?
As always, the Gentle Researcher will reach his own informed conclusions regarding the solicitation of HighSchoolers™ for Occult Research; the merits of the Brayden Trilogy; the implications of repeated references to Cancer Geminis, whether high schoolers or not; the nature of accomplishments, significant and otherwise; the tedium of repeated theatre references; and the likelihood that posterity will call me the Greatest Occultist of the twenty first century.
The second rate psychologist is a frequent contributor to our investigations and we offer our underappreciated professional a capable collaborator, the modern social scientist, for our most pressing inquiry.
The modern social scientist has paradoxically provided both invaluable data and questionable conclusions during the preceding decades. Invariably, the modern social scientist is found behind the scenes, never on stage, and we feel that this oversight should be rectified, this deficiency filled. The limelight calls.
Generally speaking, our second rate psychologist and the modern social scientist have a singular interest, man, but man is an ambiguous term and this word brings uncertainty where clarification is urgently required. Man can be studied and understood as he is described in the Garden of Delights, as he supposedly existed in Nature, or as he is found in the city.
More capable minds than Yours Truly have adequately addressed the various issues confronting Adam, so any further commentary would be a disservice to the Gentle Reader. However, we must note that Adam was disobedient to the commandment of the Lord God, while Eve was disobedient to the tradition from Adam. We suggest that any explanations of how man behaved in Nature is based on speculation, hence, uncertainty abounds in any and all conclusions on this subject. Therefore, the Gentle Researcher, our second rate psychologist, and the modern social scientist must observe man as he is found, observed, and studied today: in situ, in the city.
For all of the authority ascribed to the modern social scientist, they possess only one objective tool- the normal distribution model or the “bell curve”, so called. This tool is utilized to determine the various percentages of a population that falls within certain ranges, and from this data, “normal” behavior can be determined, and the larger the sample, the greater the accuracy.
Let us state the obvious: the behavior of the typical male in a Federal Penitentiary will not be similar to the behavior of a typical male in New York City. The modern social scientist can inform the Gentle Reader of typical behavior for both groups, but the modern social scientist is incapable of offering opinions on the rightness or wrongness of man’s behavior. We can be informed whether an individual is a sociopathic or a genius, based entirely on the normal distribution of data. [Of course, we realize that a sociopath must possess certain behavioral traits as agreed upon by professionals, but our assessment is generally valid.] Therefore, due to considerable efforts over many years, we are reasonably certain how man behaves in the city. Even in the absence of the results of modern science, we can know how man behaves, as this behavior is accessible to all. However, we want to know how man, as man possessing reason and language, not man as citizen with the influence of poets and social conventions, should behave.
Otherwise said, our thought experiment seeks, firstly, to discover how a normal healthy man should ideally act when surrounded by people who have been negatively influenced by the stressful expectations of the city and, secondly, how he does behave. Of tertiary interest and of speculative curiosity only, we would inquire if a normal man, as the result of our primary and secondary considerations, would be manifest or unknown in the city?
The modern social scientist can inform us how the majority of people behave, up to a confidence level of 95, or even 99, percent, so we are reasonably certain that social scientists have observed normal men and abnormal men. Of course, the understanding of modern social scientists of normal men is how the subjects do behave, not how they should behave. Therefore, we propose that normal men have been observed, studied, and incorrectly labeled or categorized by modern social scientists.
Unfortunately, we are unable to establish any criteria for a normal man. For an example, the behavior of “hoarders” is neither typical, by the standards of social science, nor normal, by our standards. Confronted by the possibility that “hoarding” or any behavior may be acceptable, modern social scientists have additional criteria: if the behavior adversely affects employment or relationships or health, then this behavior is described as “detrimental”. Hence, hoarding is understood by professionals as “detrimental”. Yet, if “collecting” does not impact one's job, family, or health, then it is considered acceptable behavior. Therefore, it follows that sociopathic and psychopathic behavior that does not negatively impact employment, relationships, or health is also acceptable. Such would be the meager harvest from the field of modern social science if criminal activity were not amended to the diagnoses both of sociopathic and of psychopathic behaviors.
The most interesting types of human behavior are identified, not by objective scientific standards, but by laws or conventions that are generally subjective and punitive. We now know why modern social scientists avoid the spotlight.
In the Brayden Trilogy, we identified various characteristics of the gods and we left the “question of which god is more paradoxical- the unseen and unknown god or the seen and misidentified god” unanswered.
In light of the implications of our research, we must ask which normal man is more incredible to the Gentle Reader- Most inhabitants of the city who take no notice of the normal man, or specialists, so called, of the social sciences who observe, study, and misidentify the normal man?
As always, the Gentle Researcher will reach his own informed conclusions regarding the solicitation of HighSchoolers™ for Occult Research; the merits of the Brayden Trilogy; the implications of repeated references to Cancer Geminis, whether high schoolers or not; the nature of accomplishments, significant and otherwise; the tedium of repeated theatre references; and the likelihood that posterity will call me the Greatest Occultist of the twenty first century.
FRUSTRA
DITESCOMORI
CLAUSAEPATENT
VICTAIACETVIRTUS
SILENTIUMESTAUREUM
NUNCSCIOTENEBRISLUX
DISCIPULUSPOTIORMAGISTRO
FORTUNANONOMNIBUSAEQUE
VERBUMDIMISSUMCUSTODIATARCANUM
DITESCOMORI
CLAUSAEPATENT
VICTAIACETVIRTUS
SILENTIUMESTAUREUM
NUNCSCIOTENEBRISLUX
DISCIPULUSPOTIORMAGISTRO
FORTUNANONOMNIBUSAEQUE
VERBUMDIMISSUMCUSTODIATARCANUM