Electronic Reserve; Pearce Chapters 5 and 6

Psychedelic Society

I thought it was interesting that the author mentioned that it was pointless to have beliefs. I guess I am blinded because I like having a belief system, rather than a direct experience. I don't think there is anything wrong with our society or our scientific approaches. McKenna wrote, "Our ability to destroy ourselves is the mirror image of our ability to save ourselves." I think that is a little risky, especially because I think everything is perfectly fine the way it is. Yes humans do act somewhat like machines, but why is that bad? Each person is unique and views the world differently, but isn't that individual uniqueness similar to a personal direct psychedelic experience? Everyone has his or her own experience and reality, and the ideas are always changing from person to person. What is the point of pschedelics?

Law Enforcement

I do not think that drugs, such as entheogens, that are used for religious purposes should be illegal. In fact, I don't think any drugs should be made illegal, unless they are extremely harmful to a person. I think when drugs are made illegal, then people are more curious, and thrive on doing them. This article seems to show that not all drugs are harmful. I don't think society should make everything illegal, for the simple fact that they are trying to protect everyone.

Pearce Chapter 5

It is interesting that this chapter says that a man's mind is a mirror of the universe. I guess it shows that each person sees themselves and the universe differently. A lot of people are wrong, but they don't want to admit that they are wrong. Science is the explanation of the universe, but often the theories are wrong. For example, people once believed that the earth was flat. Now we believe it is round. Will it be square some day? I feel humans are a long way away from having definite truths and laws about the whole universe. Also, David Bohm believes, "...that all things are interconnected and influenced by contingencies with all other things, traceable to so remote an interrelation that they may be considered chance for all practical purposes." I'm not sure I completely understand this quote, but I do believe that everything is interconnected. I feel like understanding the universe is like trying to put together a puzzle, with an infinite number of pieces.

Pearce Chapter 6

Well this is crazy. I don't understand how a woman could carry a red-hot pot on her head and not show any signs of scorching. I can't believe the whole story of Mohotty. I mean it just seems impossible, to me. He had total faith in his gods? I never had a religious experience, but I still don't understand how it could be that powerful. This Mohotty does not sound human. No drink or drugs??? I believe in mind over body, but only to a certain extent. I don't even know what else to say. This whole idea is mind boggling to me.