A former juggler has been figuring out how the world works for the last 30 years sailing the seven seas. From Ray Jason at theseagypsyphilosopher.blogspot.com:
Uncommon Essays from a Thoughtful Wander
My quest was simple. I wanted to figure out “How the world really works.” Even as I began this task, I recognized that it was probably impossible.
Take, for example, the two most monumental events that had occurred during my lifetime – the murder of JFK and the attack on 911. These were indisputable turning points in human history. The world was different the next day.
Given the magnitude of these horrors, one would expect an enormous effort to discover what had actually happened. But those who should have been searching for the Truth, were erecting a barricade of Lies. Instead of honesty, we got “magic bullets” and “box cutters.”
*******
I was well-equipped for my quest, which began in June of 2013, when I launched my Sea Gypsy Philosopher blog. My long-ago college degree was in Political Science and that study was turbo-charged by the fact that I was on a full debate scholarship.
This meant that I spent dozens of weekends each year traveling the country and competing against some of the finest students in the USA. High-level collegiate debating requires top-notch research skills and the ability to speak clearly and persuasively.
My education, combined with my youthful (and misplaced) Idealism, made politics seem like my natural destination. But then they started gunning down my heroes. The murders of JFK, RFK and MLK hit me like a hemlock-tipped arrow.
When these men were assassinated, I questioned whether profound change could ever be achieved through traditional political systems. If WE can vote them in, but THEY can shoot them down, is there any real “Will of the People?”
I always enjoy your posts, and I am envious of your travels. For many years, I planned on investing in a sailboat and moving about from one jurisdiction to another, avoiding too much contact with authority and being free by being unobserved by any particular tyrant or followers of tyrants.
I was turned away from the belief of submission to authority when in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. I witnessed so many failures to accomplish what seemed to be objective war plans before I finally realized the goal was not to win or teach moral values; the goal was to sustain the war as long as it was tolerated, and winning or losing was irrelevant. Destruction of innocent lives was immaterial to the goal.
I married and had a family, always believing I could somehow change my place. I thought that free agency was such a simple and easily understood principle. If taught, people would desire it and readily accept its principles. It took many years before I realized that most people want slavery, not in name but in action. They prefer entertainment and being part of the herd, for that is where they feel safe, without realizing their danger.
I have concluded that not many will learn; they fear reality and the truth of their existence. I want to find a companion who I could share time with. My marriage ended in disaster; she had feigned acceptance of what I had tried to teach her but ultimately admitted to being a statist. ~ Chad Chadburn
Enjoy your travels.
Chad,
Perhaps I can encourage you a bit. Recall the breakdown I did in the essay of the Malignant Overlords, their Enablers, the Sheepsters and the Seekers. Just ignore the 95% as much as possible and dedicate your energy to the kindred spirits in the 5%. Know that there are others on your Path and that you are not alone. Hang in there!!!
Ray