Aug 06 24
Two of Swords
3. Difficulty at the Beginning
16. Enthusiasm
These first few lines are the general aphoristic returns for the week. They are raw and uninterpreted; there to use how you’d like. (The specific readings follow.)
From “M.S.”: So much of latter 20th century theory dealt with the exposure of the (false) binaries (or the lazy binaries or the involuntary binaries) underpinning common life. Thinking here of theorists like Butler, Kristeva, Barthes, Lacan, Derrida, etc. — regarding binaries or binary related concepts like selfhood/otherness, purity/impurity, différence/différance, multiplicity of meaning, male/female, reality/illusion, etc...
At times though, it can seem like their efforts, perhaps because of (something like) an unrestrained (though beautiful) zealousness of interest/passion — and perhaps an unwillingness to integrate/accept the broader limited realities of general human cognitive abilities (reasonable-time-scales-of-adoption) and patient laboratory-level trial and error integration — are possibly causing false binary/polar divisiveness to be rendered more starkly than ever before. Or, at least the indeterminacy caused by their unbridled (yet still lovely) research has created a situation of nebulousness, in serious tension with the implacable, supreme, human desire for stability of understanding/belief — is now being wildly exploited by (relatively) new platform-based technologies fueled by unsubtle binary juxtapositions — that is binary exacerbation profiteers (Mark Zuckerberg, Susan Wojcicki and Tim Cook seem fine bullseyes here for such villainous exploiters).
What can be done to encourage activism-level reorientation of binary exposure theories, away from corporate dogmatization/exploitation toward emphasizing the poetry, inherent discursive diplomacy (sophisticated compromise), beautiful/fertile ambiguity and the subtlety of the above cited authors and their theories?
We understand that an answer of “nothing is to be done, it is too late — people are too susceptible and corporations are too wealthy/strong” is possible — (though of course unwanted).
It is true that art, theory and speculation should be very wary of becoming exploitable dogma. Artists and theorists are not engineers, they are babes in a wood compared to the evil witches/wizards of capitalism and power. Power shifts hands, but doesn’t change its nature.
The web is an emergent technology of transcendental significance (a massive change). Change brings chaos. But after chaos comes order. This is true for “rocks”, “owls”, “humans”, and everything else.
For those committed to their tasks possessing a sincere ethos, they must proceed methodically but with deep humility.
So, it is said in the oracle that if a person commits to humble and methodical perseverance through a time of chaos, they will emerge unvanquished.
Complete Reading
This week we pulled the Two of Swords. If you are a realistic thinker then you are likely inclined to think that armistice is a more reasonable way of understanding interpersonal relationships, as opposed to a chill mutuality of overlap. This card relates to the former type described above (not the latter). Pay special attention to how you conceive of personal relations (significant others, coworkers). Are you too Pollyanna about connecting or too Machiavellian? Perhaps some sort of Pollyanna Machiavelli is best...
Our first hexagram this week is #3, Difficulty at the Beginning. Emergence, before an eventual rhythm arrives, is more often than not, chaotic. Chaos is of course a time of confusion and indeterminacy — it is difficult. It is not recommended in such times to make long term decisions — rather, be aware and light on your feet until things settle. “Times of growth are beset with difficulties... but these difficulties arise from the very profusion of all that is struggling to attain form... any premature move might bring disaster...” Ultimately “one must lend a hand and participate with inspiration and guidance.”
There were three changes this week of which the specific notes are: don’t force, rather persevere with humility, if you are called to act but lack the relevant power — act anyway (and seek help), if your actions are sincere (and you think relevant) but are being received with distortion and confusion, bide your time and proceed methodically (step by step) — do not jump ahead.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #16, Enthusiasm. “To arouse enthusiasm it is necessary for a person to adjust themself and their ordinances to the character of those whom they are to lead. The inviolability of natural laws rests on this principle of movement along the line of least resistance... only such laws as are rooted in popular sentiment can be enforced, while laws violating this sentiment merely arouse resentment...” That is, a leader must be in accord with the deep seated beliefs of those they are to lead — there is no other way. As well, the understanding of that which has occurred in the past must be in accord with the understanding of the outer cosmos. This doesn’t mean that one can fully understand the cosmos or the past, just that the mystery should carry a similar awe — not cynicism.
- Be mindful of your tendencies in significant relationships — are you too realistic or too much of a dreamer? Ignorance here causes stasis.
- In times of chaos and emergence, don’t make rash or long lasting decisions.
- In times of chaos and emergence, participate with “inspiration” and “guidance.”
- Don’t use force in difficult times, rather, persevere with humility.
- If you are called to act but feel you lack the relevant power — act anyway (and seek assistance).
- A leader must be in accord with the deep seated beliefs of those they lead — there is no other way.
- If your actions are sincere/relevant but are being received with distortion and confusion, bide your time and proceed step by step — do not try to jump ahead.
- “The Past” and the cosmos are similarly mysterious, thus should be met with awe, not cynicism.
From “M.S.”: So much of latter 20th century theory dealt with the exposure of the (false) binaries (or the lazy binaries or the involuntary binaries) underpinning common life. Thinking here of theorists like Butler, Kristeva, Barthes, Lacan, Derrida, etc. — regarding binaries or binary related concepts like selfhood/otherness, purity/impurity, différence/différance, multiplicity of meaning, male/female, reality/illusion, etc...
At times though, it can seem like their efforts, perhaps because of (something like) an unrestrained (though beautiful) zealousness of interest/passion — and perhaps an unwillingness to integrate/accept the broader limited realities of general human cognitive abilities (reasonable-time-scales-of-adoption) and patient laboratory-level trial and error integration — are possibly causing false binary/polar divisiveness to be rendered more starkly than ever before. Or, at least the indeterminacy caused by their unbridled (yet still lovely) research has created a situation of nebulousness, in serious tension with the implacable, supreme, human desire for stability of understanding/belief — is now being wildly exploited by (relatively) new platform-based technologies fueled by unsubtle binary juxtapositions — that is binary exacerbation profiteers (Mark Zuckerberg, Susan Wojcicki and Tim Cook seem fine bullseyes here for such villainous exploiters).
What can be done to encourage activism-level reorientation of binary exposure theories, away from corporate dogmatization/exploitation toward emphasizing the poetry, inherent discursive diplomacy (sophisticated compromise), beautiful/fertile ambiguity and the subtlety of the above cited authors and their theories?
We understand that an answer of “nothing is to be done, it is too late — people are too susceptible and corporations are too wealthy/strong” is possible — (though of course unwanted).
It is true that art, theory and speculation should be very wary of becoming exploitable dogma. Artists and theorists are not engineers, they are babes in a wood compared to the evil witches/wizards of capitalism and power. Power shifts hands, but doesn’t change its nature.
The web is an emergent technology of transcendental significance (a massive change). Change brings chaos. But after chaos comes order. This is true for “rocks”, “owls”, “humans”, and everything else.
For those committed to their tasks possessing a sincere ethos, they must proceed methodically but with deep humility.
So, it is said in the oracle that if a person commits to humble and methodical perseverance through a time of chaos, they will emerge unvanquished.
Complete Reading
This week we pulled the Two of Swords. If you are a realistic thinker then you are likely inclined to think that armistice is a more reasonable way of understanding interpersonal relationships, as opposed to a chill mutuality of overlap. This card relates to the former type described above (not the latter). Pay special attention to how you conceive of personal relations (significant others, coworkers). Are you too Pollyanna about connecting or too Machiavellian? Perhaps some sort of Pollyanna Machiavelli is best...
Our first hexagram this week is #3, Difficulty at the Beginning. Emergence, before an eventual rhythm arrives, is more often than not, chaotic. Chaos is of course a time of confusion and indeterminacy — it is difficult. It is not recommended in such times to make long term decisions — rather, be aware and light on your feet until things settle. “Times of growth are beset with difficulties... but these difficulties arise from the very profusion of all that is struggling to attain form... any premature move might bring disaster...” Ultimately “one must lend a hand and participate with inspiration and guidance.”
There were three changes this week of which the specific notes are: don’t force, rather persevere with humility, if you are called to act but lack the relevant power — act anyway (and seek help), if your actions are sincere (and you think relevant) but are being received with distortion and confusion, bide your time and proceed methodically (step by step) — do not jump ahead.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #16, Enthusiasm. “To arouse enthusiasm it is necessary for a person to adjust themself and their ordinances to the character of those whom they are to lead. The inviolability of natural laws rests on this principle of movement along the line of least resistance... only such laws as are rooted in popular sentiment can be enforced, while laws violating this sentiment merely arouse resentment...” That is, a leader must be in accord with the deep seated beliefs of those they are to lead — there is no other way. As well, the understanding of that which has occurred in the past must be in accord with the understanding of the outer cosmos. This doesn’t mean that one can fully understand the cosmos or the past, just that the mystery should carry a similar awe — not cynicism.