Scripted News and History

Television networks and movie producers typically test audience reactions using tools such as pilots, movie trailers and surveys. Based on responses, they decide which scripts, characters and endings to release. Suppose that what we call the news and history are handled in a similar way?

Rather than having a single explanation of events, those who control events have several versions. They can release tentative versions in the media and gauge public reaction.

For example, in the recent Boston Marathon bombing, the following story was released about a Saudi man being questioned:

FBI Grills Saudi Man

This is all very tentative, however. It remains to be seen whether this person will be blamed for the event. While we might take the straightforward explanation that it all depends on whether evidence implicates him, is it not just as likely that they are still trying to decide how to play the event?

Those who get their information from the alternative or “conspiracy” media should be aware that so-called conspiracy theories could also be included in releasing these “scripts.” They might orchestrate a few contradictory explanations for the same event, all of them fabricated.

This theory can also be applied to events such as the JFK assassination, 9/11 and other large scale events. You end up with so many conflicting theories that at some point they all end up sounding equally plausible or implausible.

How, then, do we know what is “true?” There’s no simple answer. Does this mean that the only reasonable reaction is total paranoia? Not necessarily. One can just as easily take the position of detached agnosticism –remaining skeptical and open to multiple possibilities without claiming to know the absolute truth.

A good lesson in this type of thinking can be found in the underground classic, The Illuminatus Trilogy, by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea. This book is equal parts serious social commentary and tongue-in-cheek satire. In a world where almost nothing is certain, you have to maintain a sense of humor as well as a healthy dose of skepticism.

Krystle Cole & art

Thoughts on Psychedelic Research & an Interview With Krystle Cole

 

One of the most radical results of the U.S. presidential election, which had nothing to do with either Obama or Romney, was the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington.

Marijuana is clinically classified as an hallucinogen, placing in in the spectrum of psychedelic drugs like LSD which are widely associated with 1960s American counterculture. However, their uses date back to antiquity and many cultures continue to use mind-altering substances in shamanic ceremonies today. In the western world, the introduction of psychedelics into popular culture represented a real threat to the established way of life and efforts were made to stamp them out.

This is ironic considering that these are nonaddictive substances that have caused far fewer medical, psychological or societal problems than alcohol, cigarettes, prescription pills and many other readily available legal drugs. Over the last few decades, LSD and other psychedelics have become less associated with evil and insanity but remain marginalized. And recently, there have been signs that research is being considered more seriously on this topic.

While we’ve had people like Terrence McKenna (who died in 2000) contribute a great deal to our understanding of human consciousness and the potential role of psychedelics in our evolution, on the whole these efforts have been confined to the outer fringes of society.

For example, Dr. Rick Strassman has been doing some clinical research on the effects of DMT on people. The documentary The Spirit Molecule gives some fascinating and hopeful insights into what this substance can unlock in our minds.

MDMA, better known as Ecstasy, has long been associated with the rave culture that began in the 80s. However, there is also evidence that MDMA can be effective at treating depression. See: MDMA and Depression.

One modern current researcher on psychedelics is Krystle Cole, author of the book Lysergic, which describes her experiences working in an LSD lab from 2000 to 2003 that was eventually raided and shut down by the feds federal government. She also runs an website, NeuroSoup, which has links to many videos and other resources that educate the public on psychedelics and related topics.

What follows is a short interview I conducted with Krystle (pictured above with some of her art).

LC – Have you noticed any change in public perception regarding psychedelics since you first got involved with them? Are people more open and tolerant to using such substances for therapeutic reasons or even recreational use? Do you think, for example, that recent steps towards marijuana legalization (however limited) may eventually extend to psychedelics?

KC -Yes. I believe there has been a change in public perception regarding psychedelics over the past 10-12 years. I think that academics and researchers are becoming more willing to look at the medical potential of hallucinogens. For example, MDMA in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and ibogaine in the treatment of substance abuse disorders. Nevertheless, I think most mainstream folks still believe that hallucinogens are “bad drugs” alongside heroin and cocaine. Obviously, this is not the case.

I do think that the recent cannabis legalization in Colorado and Washington are a step in the right direction when it comes to drug law reform. And, technically, cannabis is classified as a hallucinogen. Since this hallucinogen has been re-legalized for some of us, I hope that other naturally growing hallucinogens like psilocybin mushrooms will eventually be re-legalized as well.

LC – What do you see as the most significant uses and benefits of psychedelics in the future? Do you think they have the potential to transform society in a fundamental way? Help people overcome psychological problems?

KC -As I mentioned before, I think that MDMA has real potential in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. I also believe that ibogaine and ayahuasca may be useful in the treatment of certain substance abuse disorders. Beyond these medical uses, I believe that the most significant benefit of psychedelics in the future will be their ability to assist in personal growth.

LC – Which substances, plants or “drugs” do you see as most promising for bringing about positive transformation in individuals and/or society? DMT and ayahuasca, for example, have shown promise in helping to cure addictions and helping people reach higher states of awareness. Are there any less known substances you would like to call attention to?

KC -I think that the substances with the most promise are already widely known, for example MDMA, DMT, LSD, ibogaine, and psilocybin. The newer hallucinogens, which are considered to be research chemicals, may also potentially be useful. That said, more research is needed in order to understand the positive effects and the negative effects attributed to the use of these newer substances.

What I Dread About This Election

On the eve of this presidential election, my main worry is that it’s never going to be over. No matter who wins, we’re going to have to hear endless complaints, demands of a recount, accusations of fraud, claims of how Hurricane Sandy distorted the results, etc., etc.

Considering how little is likely to change regardless of who wins, it’s an incredible amount of energy expended on a high profile, absurdly expensive public spectacle. I know it’s considered practically blasphemous to say this, but I just don’t care very much who wins. I just hope it’s settled without excessive whining, controversy and fanfare so we can move on.

To qualify the above comments, I’m not quite as cynical as I may sound. I think real, even radical change is very possible in the near future. I just don’t see it coming through the old guard political system.