So, I had a pretty wonderful trip yesterday, and I got to thinking about the Nexus, as I often do while tripping.

I think I finally discovered the real reason I am a part of this community. It only took me a little over a year!

Knowledge follows some interesting patterns. Take Einstein, for example. He did a pretty profound thing. He fundamentally reshaped the the landscape of physics, and the models thereof which held sway for hundreds of years to that point. He was a genius by any account.

If I was one of only a few humans that exist, say living a solitary existence, there is no way I could devise such a profound theorem as Relativity. Simply because Einstein existed, and died before I was born, am I actually able to understand Relativity. Granted, I certainly do not understand it at the same level of Einstein, but I am privy to it. Given enough work, I can learn something that would have been far beyond my abilities to discover. This being the case, I am raised up by Einstein's genius.

This is simply one case of so many. My level of practical intelligence is raised up by those around me of higher intellect. On a societal scale this is true, as well. Humanity in general operates at a much higher level of intelligence than its average. It is this way because knowledge flows freely. Knowledge builds upon itself, and as a result, we all share in the benefits.

The communal nature of knowledge also helps to rectify falsities. When the truth is told, it is generally more easily accepted than a falsity. By the fact that people communicate, often the net change in the collection of people's minds is towards accuracy, towards the truth, and towards greater understanding.

This is exactly what someone like myself needs. Given enough seclusion within my own mind, I am sure I would come up with some pretty ridiculous ideas, theories, and concepts, that really hold no weight in consensus reality, or any reality for that matter. When I discuss these ideas, and they do not pass the test of other people's judgement, I am brought back towards the truth. My feet are brought down from their lofty perch to reside safely on the ground.

So, given that none of us really know for sure what we are dealing with when we take such powerful substances, the only thing we can do is talk about it. We stretch the limits of language, treading new ground in places that the words simply do not exist to describe. We bounce ideas off one another, and further our understanding of what is likely the greatest of mysteries any of us will likely encounter, beyond the mystery of existence itself. We may never get to the bottom of this thing, but perhaps that is the point.

I just know, the only way we have any hope is to be connected, to share in the knowledge gained form others. That is what I hope to contribute, and it is what I came here to get from others.

It has taken me more than a year to realize this, but it is the fundamental reason why I decided to join this community. The brilliant minds here serve to make me brighter, and for that I give my most sincere gratitude.

Thank you.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:17

We sharpen each other here at the Nexus.

Thanks for this post.

Nice one P

"The communal nature of knowledge also helps to rectify falsities. When the truth is told, it is generally more easily accepted than a falsity. By the fact that people communicate, often the net change in the collection of people's minds is towards accuracy, towards the truth, and towards greater understanding.

This is exactly what someone like myself needs. Given enough seclusion within my own mind, I am sure I would come up with some pretty ridiculous ideas, theories, and concepts, that really hold no weight in consensus reality, or any reality for that matter. When I discuss these ideas, and they do not pass the test of other people's judgement, I am brought back towards the truth. My feet are brought down from their lofty perch to reside safely on the ground. "

I can understand your point, but at the same time..I would not be basing my paradigm of the world on what most people I encounter think of the world.

You know there was a time, before Columbus for instance..and no one thought the world was flat..yet today most people believe that before Columbus everyone thought the world was flat. People believe all kinds of crap passed off as consensual knowledge/understanding. It does not always mean that it is correct.

The kind of responses we get from the majority, can tell us much about the beliefs, dogmas of a culture..we can get a picture of the angle they are coming from etc..but we don't necessarily get the truth from those responses.

yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Thanks for the responses everyone!



That is wonderful. I can think of no better way to put it. Thank you!



I understand your point, and I do realize I presented an idealized version of the way it should work. Yes, groups of people can be misled, and lose their way. History tells us this loud and clear. Also, I am not about to just go dump some ideas I have, simply because others don't like them. It's up to me to find the words to help others understand what it is I really mean.

On a mass scale I believe any group of people who speak to each other will trend towards the truth. Lies and misinformation may hold say for certain lengths of time, but do not hold up to the staying power of the truth. This can be seen in many examples, take the view of cannabis, environmentalism, or the decline of violence. As counter-intuitive as it may seem, the statistics support the fact that humanity in general has had declining violence.

I just know that this site and the people here have fundamentally shaped how I think about certain things. I think that I could not have continued my journey with entheogens if it wasn't for the wisdom of others. I certainly would not have come this far in my quest for knowledge without the Nexus.