[PDF] Prayer For The Annihilation And Assassination Of My Enemies
Gifford Brickley
The other day I was amused to read a critique of The Coronation in which the author was absolutely certain that I am a closet conspiracy theorist. He was so persuasive that I myself almost believed it.
During the time of Covid-19, another level of conspiracy theory has risen to prominence that goes way beyond specific stories of collusion and corruption to posit conspiracy as a core explanatory principle for how the world works. Fuelled by the authoritarian response to the pandemic (justifiable or not, lockdown, quarantine, surveillance and tracking, censorship of misinformation, suspension of freedom of assembly and other civil liberties, and so on are indeed authoritarian), this arch-conspiracy theory holds that an evil, power-hungry cabal of insiders deliberately created the pandemic or is at least ruthlessly exploiting it to frighten the public into accepting a totalitarian world government under permanent medical martial law, a New World Order (NWO). Furthermore, this evil group, this illuminati, pulls the strings of all major governments, corporations, the United Nations, the WHO, the CDC, the media, the intelligence services, the banks, and the NGOs. In other words, they say, everything we are told is a lie, and the world is in the grip of evil.
Ironically, another kind of ignorance pervades both these efforts: the ignorance of the terrain. What is the diseased tissue upon which the virus of ignorance gains purchase? The loss of trust in science, journalism, and government reflects their long corruption: their arrogance and elitism, their alliance with corporate interests, and their institutionalized suppression of dissent. The conspiracy myth embodies the realization of a profound disconnect between the public postures of our leaders and their true motivations and plans. It bespeaks a political culture that is opaque to the ordinary citizen, a world of secrecy, image, PR, spin, optics, talking points, perception management, narrative management, and information warfare. No wonder people suspect that there is another reality operating behind the curtains.
It is a myth with an illustrious pedigree, going back at least to the time of the first century Gnostics. Gnostics believe that an evil demiurge created the material world out of a preexisting divine essence. Creating the world in the image of his own distortion, he imagines himself to be its true god and ruler.
To this question I would respond with another: Given that I am not an expert on any of these matters, why do you want to know what I think? Could it be to place me on one side or another of an information war? Then you will know whether it is OK to enjoy this essay, share it, or have me on your podcast. In an us-versus-them war mentality, the most important thing is to know which side someone is on, lest you render aid and comfort to the enemy.
Have you ever noticed that events seem to organize themselves to validate the story you hold about the world? Selection bias and confirmation bias explain some of that, but I think something weirder is at work as well. When we enter into deep faith or deep paranoia, it seems as if that state attracts confirmatory events to it. Reality organizes itself to match our stories. In a sense, this IS a conspiracy, just not one perpetrated by humankind. That might be a third truth that the conspiracy myth harbors: the presence of an organizing intelligence behind the events of our lives.
I would like to offer the same invitation to those who reject the conventional view. Find the most scrupulous mainstream doctors and scientists you can, and dive into their world. Take the attitude of a respectful guest, not a hostile spy. If you do that, I guarantee you will encounter data points that challenge any narrative you came in with. The splendor of conventional virology, the wonders of chemistry that generations of scientists have discovered, the intelligence and sincerity of most of these scientists, and the genuine altruism of health care workers on the front line who have no political or financial conflict of interest in the face of grave risk to themselves, must be part of any satisfactory narrative.
If there was a verifiable set of data points/narrative to explain everything, the jig would be up, thus, it is always up to the discerning observer to attempt to see through the veil for themselves, based off of their own objective investigation of whatever is presented to them. The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence.
Thank you for writing this Charles, and thank you for the goodly mind and soul labours you share. This essay is a much needed third space, and a beautiful articulation of complexity. Thank you for helping to compost us-them duopolies and brew up so much potential for post correct/incorrect ideologies. Much warmth from near winter Australia.
This is the most intelligent piece of writing I have seen on the current issues. Well done. I hope many people will read and absorb. We need people like this author advising our leaders. Please share this to every possible place to be read by the masses. Thank you
Trying to prove that the government has engaged in inappropriate or illegal activity is extremely difficult, if not impossible. However, there is no need to prove that such activity COULD take place. This is what needs to be addressed. Political conduct cannot be left to the integrity of politicians. It is a ridiculous situation.
I know that hero worship is probably the last thing you want, but you are my hero, Charles! I am sharing this widely and it will be required reading for anyone who wants to debate either side of the issues with me. THANK YOU!!!
A marvelous essay. As Joseph Campbell said, a myth is neither true nor false; it is either living or dead. And as you have elegantly pointed out, sub-myths can exist within larger ones. Our stories are fracturing, and this is revelatory of a deeper narrative that has fractured our relation to Earth.
Sadly, this is true for most of us. It is only by checking our views at the door and approaching alternate views with curiosity and a willingness to understand, will we move ahead together as a species.
A lot of conspiracy ideation is the result of inability to understand or think critically, pay attention to what is actually said instead of implied, and the lack of differrentiation between what one knows(rational, logical, forebrain analytical; type 2 thinking) and what one believes(irrational, subconscious, lizard brain; type 1 thinking)
From a perspective of compassion for these dominators, whose illusion of seperateness compels them to control us. If we could get them to see we are one being, one organism then a new health system, economic system etc might come into being. But they are not going to give this up. And within this illusion they think nothing of squashing anything which challenges the status quo.
Sorry Charles, I had actually thought this essay was going somewhere and saying something of value, but I truly feel I wasted my time on a good body of writing that said nothing. You did succeed however in fluffing my pillow.
And so, the real dilemma is not determining what of conspiracy is real or not, since in a war such activity is already a given, including deception as part of strategy. The crisis for each of us consists of not knowing who the enemy is.
My conclusion: Your Obama admin either lied or had no access to the Deep State reality. You really think the Dems that are still locking down their States are doing it for the people? Your naivete is surprising and until you can unravel the history of the hidden governments, the NGO agendas, etc etc, I wish people would at this take your stance and investigate for themselves. If you go to the weforum.org site and look at strategies you might conclude something else. How about Bill Gates proclamation of killer vaccines as the only cure? I guess time will tell but if anyone still believes that their government is operating in their best interest really is not paying attention. If anyone wants to investigate for themselves they do have to overcome cognitive dissonance and an acceptance that there is real evil in the world.
Thank you Mr. Eisenstein for your contributions both to clear thinking and psychological health along the way. I suspect it will be a long time before your gifts to society and culture are fully appreciated: likely posthumously. Please forgive me for indulging in a little partisanship here in defense of this essay:
This position is dismissive of the significant hardships that have been caused by lockdown measures, disproportionately affecting the poor and the middle class (thankfully not myself or my family who are government employees): it only makes sense to listen to the dominant authorities if you believe their narrative.
Good piece, but the part on right wing conspiracies is disappointing and missing some important history. Conspiracy claims by the right wing long predate even the existence of a real left. Claims of anarchists and communists behind every labor movement, Jews behind every newspaper, and foreign enemies of all kinds conspiring to destroy America came along in the 19th century, if not earlier.
Dear Charles!
Thank you for this insightful essay, particularly the call for humility and openness to inquire into both sides of the story. I take a lot from your words and I find them so relevant, specially when I am putting myself out there more in my own native language.
Love and blessings
Funny you did not mention 9-11. That was a true conspiracy of the most evil kind and one that is much more off-limits to discussion than the Kennedy assassinations. There are truly evil conspiracies that are not myths. I wish I had an explanation for 9-11 and knew who was to blame.
As always, after having read your texts, I am feeling grateful. For years your writing has ressonated wonderful to my being and thus been a great comfort. I think you are one of the most important voices in our time.
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