Memetic Desires
Nov. 12th, 2021 05:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithThis article talks about memetic desires and how they can turn harmful.
Memetic desires come from social context rather than personal interest: keeping up with the neighbors, following fashions, etc. One of the worst effects isn't even on humans, but the devastating impact of "fast fashion" on the environment. You can work against this by choosing sustainable clothing and/or creating a personal uniform.
Memetic desires are real and troublesome, but not everyone is equally susceptible. Some people care enormously about what other people think, some really don't, and a few actively oppose whatever is popular. A handful of traditions really focus on shucking outside influences and attachments. You can use these to discard any memetic desires that bother you. They're just ideas. You don't have to accept them.
Buddhists specialize in nonattachment, including the skills of unwanting things, as a way to relieve suffering.
Dadaism explores deliberate irrationality and nonsense through art and literature as a way of challenging cultural norms.
Discordianism, the worship of Eris, is a religion of chaos and irreverence. You can even be your own pope.
Freethinkers are quirky folks who cultivate a habit of challenging all thoughts and beliefs, their own or other people's, to find hidden assumptions and seek a path of maximum freedom.
Robert Anton Wilson has written some excellent material on reality tunnels and how to wash brains. Once you know that, it's easier to avoid or break brainwashing. This includes all the cultural baggage that people try to heap on you.
Of course, doing these things will put you in conflict with mainstream culture. But if you're reading this, you probably conflict with mainstream culture already.
Memetic desires come from social context rather than personal interest: keeping up with the neighbors, following fashions, etc. One of the worst effects isn't even on humans, but the devastating impact of "fast fashion" on the environment. You can work against this by choosing sustainable clothing and/or creating a personal uniform.
Memetic desires are real and troublesome, but not everyone is equally susceptible. Some people care enormously about what other people think, some really don't, and a few actively oppose whatever is popular. A handful of traditions really focus on shucking outside influences and attachments. You can use these to discard any memetic desires that bother you. They're just ideas. You don't have to accept them.
Buddhists specialize in nonattachment, including the skills of unwanting things, as a way to relieve suffering.
Dadaism explores deliberate irrationality and nonsense through art and literature as a way of challenging cultural norms.
Discordianism, the worship of Eris, is a religion of chaos and irreverence. You can even be your own pope.
Freethinkers are quirky folks who cultivate a habit of challenging all thoughts and beliefs, their own or other people's, to find hidden assumptions and seek a path of maximum freedom.
Robert Anton Wilson has written some excellent material on reality tunnels and how to wash brains. Once you know that, it's easier to avoid or break brainwashing. This includes all the cultural baggage that people try to heap on you.
Of course, doing these things will put you in conflict with mainstream culture. But if you're reading this, you probably conflict with mainstream culture already.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-11-13 12:47 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-11-13 05:01 am (UTC)Yay!
Date: 2021-11-13 06:15 am (UTC)I've always favored that approach myself because it stretches the budget so much further.
Re: Yay!
Date: 2021-11-13 06:07 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-11-13 07:16 am (UTC)Yes ...
Date: 2021-11-13 07:33 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-11-13 08:50 am (UTC)I'm reminded of this exchange:
Reporter: "What do you think of American Culture?"
Gandhi: "I think it would be a good idea."
Yes ...
Date: 2021-11-13 09:28 am (UTC)