Pearce (Chapter 5 and 6) & Electronic Reserves

Chapter 5
I think it is fascinating to think of our minds as a reflection of nature. Also, it's wild to think that there are so many things going on within each of our heads. Yet, we are like grains of sand on a beach in comparison to the entire world. We are even more minuscule when compared to the entire universe. Nevertheless, all things are tied together in a kind of cosmic symphony. It's nice to be a part of something greater, isn't it?
Chapter 6
The thing that stood out to me in Chapter 6 (besides all of the fire walking) was Voodoo. I believe in the power of Voodoo, not because I think that poking a little doll will actually make someone feel bad, but I believe in the power of suggestion. I believe Voodoo is very similar to the power of nocebos— the opposite of placebos. If a doctor tells his or her healthy patient that he or she is sick, the patient begins to manifest symptoms. In the most extreme cases, the patient is told that he or she has only 6 months to live and the patient dies. Voodoo is no different, but it requires strong belief from the victim to work. I find this quite fascinating. It illustrates the power of the human mind and the power of suggestion.
Law Enforcement
For the last six years, I have specialized in self defense instruction for law enforcement, military and special interest groups. I have trained members of the Carlisle Police Department, State Police, and Dickinson College Campus Police on a long term basis. I started focusing on members of law enforcement when I was an assistant instructor at one of the largest self defense schools in Pennsylvania. Eventually people started requesting me to teach them privately. That's how I became a private instructor. Anyway, on to Law Enforcement Against Entheogens.
Quite honestly, I despise drugs in all its forms. But the War on Drugs makes me sick. If this weren't an online forum/blog I would have a lot to say about the War on Drugs... and how much of a sham it is. From Bill Clinton and Barry Seal in Mean Arkansas to the Opium fields in Afghanistan... there is so much more to the story. Though, I think it is important to note that there are very honorable agents, with very honorable motives, who work for the DEA, FBI, BATF, and other agencies. They work tirelessly to get drugs off our streets... Unfortunately, their attempts are futile. While they work, a sea of drugs (and guns) is trucked, boated and flown in by money hungry individuals who could care less about the United States.
Okay, so now that I am done with my rant, lets focus on the focus on the reading... entheogens. The bottom line: no one should be persecuted for any reason, especially if they're not hurting anyone else. Yes, the Christian Missionaries were committing religious persecution... much as they have done throughout history. If Law Enforcement agents are putting people in jail for entheogen use, they should be ashamed of themselves, even if it's in the job description.
From my experience, most of the law enforcement people I have met or trained think busting people for hallucinogens and marijuana is a waste of time, especially if the "offenders" are not driving or putting anyone else's life in danger. There are far many more important crimes to worry about.
Psychedelic Society
The first page of this reading ties in with Pearce's rant about science. It seems that every civilization believes that they have figured out the cosmos.
When Pearce wrote, "Men get their egos tied up with their theories and their facts and fight one another for intellectual self-preservation." Maybe the same can be applied to societies. Perhaps civilizations have a collective egos. It's an ego that is wrapped up in the societies religion and experience. But in the end, it all comes down to a need for self-preservation. I suppose the question I am wrestling with in my own head is, are we wrong?
It is funny to think how scientific theories are produced, or better yet, how policies are established. It's even funnier (and sad) to see how quickly these theories can be undone. The real question is, who gets persecuted in the process?
This text, Psychedelic Society made a lot of sense. I agree, we are hindered by our own ideology. With the technology we have available to us, we have a rare opportunity to transcend that old way of thinking. We can come together, and launch ourselves into a new age of reason. Unfortunately, very few would go along with it willingly. I guess that is where mind control comes in. Change public perception and attitudes to such a degree that a universal change can take place.
The Internet, though it is an artificial form of unconscious, might be vital in the transformation process. For the first time in known history, the world is connected. We must take advantage of this. A new world order might be closer than we think.