Sure, I voted. Sure, for Kamala after all. That wasn’t even a choice… simply the obvious selection ever. It was actually a vote in opposition to full fucking idiocy.
I’m tremendous curious to see what the outcomes are. Whereas I’d want to not expertise the whole fucking idiocy route, I do perceive that it’s very fashionable nowadays. Clearly lots of people are extremely motivated to expertise such a trip – really a descent – right into a actuality so richly plentiful in lies, racism, the nastiest betrayal of contemporary days, and extra from the dumbest, most malicious, self-centered jackass of U.S. President we’ve ever seen in historical past.
I voted by mail early final week. I’ve at all times been an unbiased, by no means belonging to any occasion. From my view one occasion has actually jumped off a cliff into the land of full nuttery lately, so I voted for the alternative one on each poll selection the place that was an element. Once more, not even a choice. It was like voting for “okay” versus “actually fucking dumb.” I voted for okay as a result of I want okay to actually fucking dumb. After all for many who align with actually fucking dumb, it’s gonna seem like the alternative.
I’m not looking for to affect the outcomes both manner. This time I really feel very a lot aligned with being in observer mode and permitting it to play out as it would. It’s fascinating nonetheless it performs out, like watching a sluggish movement video of a bullet blasting by way of an apple. I can see why these two paths are battling it out with such fervor.
Proper now I really feel essentially the most predictable final result is that Kamala wins, the alternative aspect throws a large hissy match (sore losers and all that – however losers nonetheless), nevertheless it all coasts ahead because of the backstop of Biden nonetheless being within the White Home to assist help the transition (and forestall plenty of nonsense). Many, many individuals breathe an enormous sigh of aid, not simply within the USA however throughout the globe as nicely. I believe it may even be extra celebratory than when Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon when it comes to the overall optimistic power output – just like the Ewok dance occasion on the finish of Return of the Jedi, if all of the Ewoks and their visitors took MDMA. (I’d take MDMA with the Ewoks in a heartbeat.)
I’m additionally ready for the alternative although. In that actuality Kamala loses and graciously concedes (despite the fact that it could most likely crush her on the within). There’s a large grieving course of to be undertaken… like a extremely, actually huge one for therefore many individuals. Persons are surprised. There’s lots of anger and outrage, which results in blame, not essentially hurled pretty however nonetheless comprehensible. And folks put together themselves for an lively expertise very like the descent into COVID’s blanket over our actuality… solely with the expectation of it being a lot worse this time. In the meantime within the different camp, there may be nice celebration of Energy’s seemingly remaining victory over Reality. The celebration on the Demise Star remains to be vigorous however extra muted, a victory that even those that are celebrating aren’t solely positive they needed. And now they know that they’re all going to be incels for a extremely, actually very long time. Wow… it’s like celebration on the floor but in addition one thing being mourned on the within. Victory with a really deep sense of loss. This aspect goes to wish one thing manner stronger than MDMA to get by way of this in the long term. Enterprise for psychedelic therapists can be by way of the roof for positive – treating either side by way of limitless swirls of juicy trauma.
Both manner – to me – it’s a wonderful final result. As sure, I do have to have interaction my sadist aspect to see and admire the complete richness of it. Collective cooperation is gorgeous, however so is collective grieving. Whereas on a human stage, I’d solely really feel like celebrating a Kamala victory, I really feel that my deepest internal self is already pre-satisfied and even pre-delighted by each outcomes. They’re each such wealthy and intense human experiences available. One is sort of a romcom whereas the opposite is sort of a horror film (with a twist of thriller), and so long as you keep the notice that each will be legitimate and significant human experiences, you’ll be high-quality both manner.
What I really like about this election cycle is the depth of it. Both manner it’s a captivating trip by way of the realm of human existence. Whichever manner this goes, I really feel like part of me will nonetheless mourn the absence of the opposite actuality, understanding that it too would have been intensely wealthy and significant to expertise firsthand. However alas, this can be a chokepoint, and we have to choose one or the opposite.
When you’ve got the choice to vote on this election and haven’t executed so but, I encourage you to make the leap. It’s a significant expertise to take part. I didn’t train this selection for many of my grownup life and solely lastly registered and voted for the primary time after I was in my 40s. I at all times instructed myself that mathematically it doesn’t matter. Different instances I instructed myself I didn’t like every of the candidates. Keep in mind how I shared in a latest video that it’s very easy to speak your self out of experiences by elevating seemingly rational objections to them.
Whereas I can not argue with the mathematics and the unappealing nature of among the selections, what I can say is that experientially, it does matter. On the within, I discovered voting to be a really totally different expertise than not voting. It does have its tedious aspect – I wish to learn by way of all of the poll initiatives and make knowledgeable selections there, which takes time – however there’s additionally a side to it that feels enjoyable, vigorous, and interesting. It’s laborious to explain in the event you haven’t skilled it, so in the event you can expertise it, particularly this election cycle, I’m positive you’ll achieve one thing treasured by making it a actuality. Contemplate that your actuality presents this selection to you for a purpose. It’s a worthwhile human expertise to have, and by taking part you’ll be taught one thing about your self. Look past the numbers and your seemingly rational objections, and simply go have the precise expertise. Look down and see that you just’re nonetheless carrying your human go well with, and observe that that is an invite to do one thing uniquely human.
I say let’s have enjoyable right now – no matter occurs. Let’s be just like the Klingons all ingesting and celebrating collectively within the bar within the ST:TNG episode “Redemption” – one among my favourite two-parters of the collection. Despite the fact that they’re on totally different sides, they nonetheless all acknowledge one another as fellow Klingons, participating in an awesome battle, combating just like the true warriors they’ve at all times strived to be. (And heartfelt kudos to Tony Todd for enjoying the function of Kurn so ridiculously nicely!)
So despite the fact that my human self persistently computes that Trump supporters are really essentially the most idiotic, blindly obedient, loathesome creatures to slither throughout this world, on the spirit aspect I’d nonetheless be delighted to drink blood wine with them (the vegan model) and have fun the complete richness – and madness – of our human journeys collectively. I’m admittedly impressed by spirits that select to set their human character intelligence dials so ridiculously low in an effort to have that sort of expertise right here. I can’t see myself eager to have that sort of expertise anytime quickly, however I can at the very least see the enchantment of it from a sure perspective. It makes me marvel in earnest the place all their character factors went as a substitute. Please let me get a couple of drinks forward earlier than we work together although. I’m not a lot of a drinker, so it shouldn’t take lengthy.
Simply be clear although… we’re nonetheless not gonna invite such wretches to hitch us in CGC as a result of that sort of dumbshittery would drag the membership down a lot, voiding its raison d’être. However that doesn’t imply we nonetheless can’t share drinks collectively on impartial floor every now and then.
I don’t learn about you, however I actually benefit from the distinction of taking a look at this election cycle by way of varied lenses, usually biking amongst them – the human lens, the spirit lens, the “every little thing is ideal as it’s” lens, and so forth. These pictures mix right into a wealthy tapestry, one which teaches me lots about myself and how much human I most resonate with being. If you happen to resonate with a really totally different a part of the human spectrum, nice for you. I’m delighted with the alternatives I’ve made for myself, and my best want for you on this life is that you just discover your candy spot of enjoyment right here on this actuality too.
I like being a political unbiased on this life. I nonetheless really feel no want to hitch any explicit occasion. I additionally like taking part and making selections that align with my values. I’d like to see the alternatives changing into richer and extra refined in future years. Deciding between okay and actually fucking dumb doesn’t precisely put me to the take a look at, however I’m nonetheless comparatively new to voting, so possibly actuality is dishing up the simple ones first. I bought extra from the opposite selections on the poll, each making me first think about what sort of human I needed to be when making the choice. I particularly appreciated it when the query was primarily asking me the place I needed to position my belief.
I do know this can be a tough trip for some individuals, and for that you’ve got my real empathy. I get it. So much is at stake right here. I don’t search to attenuate or dismiss that. However please do think about the attitude that this human expertise is a treasured and momentary one, we’re all taking this superb trip collectively, and it’s all deeply purposeful. It’s going to be a wealthy and significant – and really human – expertise it doesn’t matter what the result.
We’ll all find yourself collectively on the opposite aspect anyway, and that can finally convey main perspective shifts once we’ve shed these squishy but scrumptious human our bodies. Please don’t put your self within the place of Regretting Tomorrow earlier than it occurs. Let’s intend and permit at the present time to be a wonderful one. Magnificence. Magnificence. Magnificence. It’s throughout you in the event you care to take it in.
Don’t panic… until you get off on panicking, through which case you’re free to panic as a lot as you want.
As a aspect observe, in Acutely aware Progress Membership our Intention Infusion experiment this month is to collectively maintain the intention to “dump the luggage,” so I’m additionally curious to see if the manifestation of that has some connection to this election as nicely. A technique it appears slightly apparent whereas the opposite manner it nonetheless appears apparent, simply with far more constipation and a for much longer releasing course of. Both manner I believe my human actuality is in retailer for a extremely good dump quickly.
Replace 11/6/24: Okay, I’m including pics of democracy, racial justice, girls’s rights, management, fundamental intelligence, and Endor (the Ewok planet) to my Día de los Muertos ofrenda. I wish to assist make sure that they’re remembered and hold the pathway again into this world open for them. Fascinating instances forward. 😉
Right here’s my Wordle for right now (11/6). I didn’t cheat. By some means it simply got here out like this.
Fascinating how right now’s reply has an R and an L with U caught within the center. After which within the final column of my guesses… Y Y Y. Certainly.