God, Mushrooms & Algebra
there has been some buzz in the online news world this past week regarding the findings of researchers studying the longer term effects of some hallucinogenic drugs. a posting in one online digest went like this:
Subject: psychedelics: as good as religion
> "...researchers at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland, have for the first time >demonstrated that mystical experiences can be produced safely in the laboratory..." >"...Interest in the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs is growing around the world. In the UK, >the Royal College of Psychiatrists debated their use at a conference in March for the first time >in 30 years..."
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/
article1171389.ece
also: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/
521710/?sc=dwhn
and my favorite:
>Well f**cking DUH!!!
>http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/health/
HealthRepublish_1682610.htm
> .. At least that's what I've heard ;)
The gist of these articles is that the longer term effects of using this particular class of drugs, (in this case, psylocibin---"magic mushrooms"), is characterized by subtle changes in ones perspective on things and events, and is very similar to the effects of a religious experience or bonding. At least one article reported, frankly (and I am sure with a straight face), that science was able to use drugs to "push the God button" in the human brain.
At this time I will respectfully decline to offer wisdom or analysis, save that this is not a new sentiment, (only that it is now backed to some degree by 'research'), and that the belief is more widely held than may be immediately recognizable.
So where does algebra come into this?
Algebra is a systematic method for manipulating mathematical statements. It is, in my view, all about the ' = ' sign. I cite that property known as 'commutative" when I say that if psychedelics can push the God button, then it holds that God can push the psychedelic button as well.
Chew on that with your peyote buttons.
Subject: psychedelics: as good as religion
> "...researchers at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland, have for the first time >demonstrated that mystical experiences can be produced safely in the laboratory..." >"...Interest in the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs is growing around the world. In the UK, >the Royal College of Psychiatrists debated their use at a conference in March for the first time >in 30 years..."
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/
article1171389.ece
also: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/
521710/?sc=dwhn
and my favorite:
>Well f**cking DUH!!!
>http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/health/
HealthRepublish_1682610.htm
> .. At least that's what I've heard ;)
The gist of these articles is that the longer term effects of using this particular class of drugs, (in this case, psylocibin---"magic mushrooms"), is characterized by subtle changes in ones perspective on things and events, and is very similar to the effects of a religious experience or bonding. At least one article reported, frankly (and I am sure with a straight face), that science was able to use drugs to "push the God button" in the human brain.
At this time I will respectfully decline to offer wisdom or analysis, save that this is not a new sentiment, (only that it is now backed to some degree by 'research'), and that the belief is more widely held than may be immediately recognizable.
So where does algebra come into this?
Algebra is a systematic method for manipulating mathematical statements. It is, in my view, all about the ' = ' sign. I cite that property known as 'commutative" when I say that if psychedelics can push the God button, then it holds that God can push the psychedelic button as well.
Chew on that with your peyote buttons.
posted by eccentric recluse at 11:17 AM
1 Comments:
I have noticed the disturbing similarities between the head lolling and speaking in tongues in some primitive Baptist churches and certain segments of Woodstock footage...aunt Ida in her Sunday best out in the aisle in a twirling situation.
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