February 19, 2007
In Memoriam: Robert Anton Wilson
On January 11th of 2007, Novelist, futurist, Discordian and Subgenius Pope, Quantum Philosopher, and all-around hip guy Robert Anton Wilson died. Pope Wilson had suffered with post-polio syndrome for several years (but somewhat amazingly hadn't begun showing serious complications until 60 years after being cured from polio). And at 75 years old, he had lived a fuller life than most people get to.
My first reading of the Illuminatus! trilogy was very influential on me, just for being a serious joy of language and total mindfuck in concepts. But it was further reading that allowed me to really explore more deeply the message Wilson was carrying, a message that has been transmitted for millennia but frequently ignored. The mind is the best thing we've got but its unreliable, and if you're ever sure about *anything* then you're wrong. The mind filters information and recognizes patterns (and we're not talking just about the cognitive functions: hearing, vision, tactile senses also are constantly filtered and reinterpreted). The more strongly you have "belief" in something, the more likely your mind is to find evidence of it, and ignore contrary evidence. As Wilson himself says, this is not a new concept but rather one that Plato and Buddha both pointed out, and yet people still behave as though it were not true. Even science (in the form of the modified Copenhagen interpretation of Quantum Mechanics) confirms this core statement about the universe, and yet we all forget it every day (as RAW admitted he did frequently as well).
In any case, if you aren't familiar with Wilson's work, check out Illuminatus! or some of the writings or watch "Maybe Logic" the documentary on his life and thoughts. And if you've already been initiated, its a great time to pick them back up or maybe get further into the work.
I'll miss his insight. Bob was number 1 on my 1-person list of people I'd like to meet and have a conversation with (the previous 4 or 5 having already died). But its one more example: everything is temporary, and reality is a state of mind. Hail Eris and smooth sailing, Bob.
Notes:
While you're at it, if you want to follow a synchronous path, check out the RU Sirius podcast show,
Posted by ktismael at February 19, 2007 11:44 PMI believe very strongly that my strong beliefs about things obscure my ability to discern the truth about them. These beliefs cause me to see things falsely in a way that is self reinforcing.
I observe evidence of this all the time. Naturally, all of this evidence I observe reinforces my perception of the rightness of my originally stated belief.
I had some kind of snide comment to close with, but I've managed to confuse myself a little.
Posted by: andy at February 28, 2007 1:39 PM