Open Thread - Thurs 06 Mar 2025 - Four Layers of Reality
Four Layers of Reality
Lee Camp wrote an article a month ago about the 4 layers of reality, political and cultural reality basically, and what they are and mean.
The first layer is one we all see and participate in, I think, and one the media discusses constantly. It's the surface layer: who's running, who's going to win and so on. It's an important layer, but it is just a start.
These layers look good to me! Image from 600 acres.
The second layer is the one at which most of the media stops. This is the 'slightly deeper understanding that American oligarchs win each election no matter what.' They do this in many ways, such as making sure no one from any 'fringe' such as a 'commie' or a socialist can win, and also, by pumping in tons of money, and owning all the politicians, the governing bodies and so on. As Lee says -
What we, the American people, want to happen has no influence on American policy. The politicians tell you it does. They act like they care. But nothing you and I want ever gets done.
Layer three is capitalism and environmental collapse. Soon, the most powerful will own everything, and capitalism, as Americans understand it, will be gone. As the powerful take control, even more control, the environment will be destroyed. Lee uses Monsanto's Roundup as an example. It causes cancer, but it's still being sold. It kills all kinds of insects, and yet it's still being sold. Why? Because Bayer, the company that owns it, owns everything: the market, the politicians, the officials, the regulators and even the scientists. Gah!
The fourth layer is a true analysis of our reality. And yet, no one really talks about it. As Camp writes - layer four is
getting somewhat deep into the philosophical realm. So why don’t our media think the most basic questions of our existence are important at all? They don’t think it makes sense to occasionally talk about layer four, about the basis of our existence? I’m not saying make it the beginning of every newscast — “Hello nation, it’s 6pm and remember you’re a victim of wage slavery, forced to live in a seclusion box as your spirit is sucked dry.” I’m not saying that. But can’t the deepest echelons of our reality ever come up in the mainstream narrative? Or do we have to get this information by purchasing some hidden book in the basement of a bookstore run by a guy with food stuck in his mustache and one glass eye? Is that the only place we can learn about our reality?
Who controls our reality and why aren't we ever encouraged to learn about that by the media?
I thought Lee's take on reality was pretty good. What do you think? And, here's the open thread - remember, everything is interesting if you dive deep enough, so tell us about where you're diving!
Comments
Hello Thursday!
It's been an awful week. My father died with extreme dementia at 89 and 5/6 years old on Sunday, and dealing with that has been hard. I'm doing, for my mother, all of the post-death actions survivors must do such as notifying the government, getting death certificates, getting the will probate started, notifying social security (if Musk has left anyone there to accept the notification), etc, etc. So, I'm busy and haven't been able to do much here. And dang, I miss my Dad. At least I've got my hubby, and Nikko and the goats, cats and chickens, to keep me going!
Hope everyone else is having a much better week! Let us know about what's happening today
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Good morning, sima.
I am sorry to hear that your father passed on. I suspect the whole idea of "head of household" has been your layer of reality for some time now.
I am going to give you and all readers some advice about probate.
Clients come in with a will and all the grief, tears, confusion, and fears the atmosphere can absorb. Within a few minutes, I inform them that once a lawyer takes charge, all work, worry, research, scheduling, calculating, dealing with creditors, meeting deadlines, becomes the lawyer's burden. The client can go have a lunch with friends, walk their dog, go fishing, or whatever they enjoy.
Probate judges are keenly aware of the fact that everyone on the court docket, and virtually all people seated in the courtroom, are struggling to mend broken hearts, broken lives. They tend to be patient and understanding. It is not a frightening experience.
I wish I could tell your Mom I am sorry and say or do something for her, but please let her know she was the big blessing in her husband's life, and is deservedly admired and respected for that.
Camp is brilliant, otherwise he would not be banned and cancelled globally.
You have a lot on your plate, and still provided a great OT this morning. Thanks, chica.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Probate!
Thank you for these insights into the probate process. I have to admit to having been pretty confused about the whole thing, and a bit frightened. This makes it much better, much better. Luckily, about three years ago, my mother and father turned most everything over to me, making me the trustee of their 'living fund'. That has made a huge difference, because I can do my best to keep things running smoothly, despite the grief. And dang, I do miss my Dad.
Also luckily, I had the rough draft of this OT done early. Why? I dunno. Thank you again for your insights and experience, and for your care.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Buenas dias
.
.
layers and layers of spices and flavors -- Jimmy Buffet
Sincere condolences for the loss of your father.
I know it is a heavy burden to carry. Good that you can
help your mother with the arrangements. And the support
network in place should help.
Thank-you for the OT.
Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, and mankind the vessel.
-- August Hare
Thank you
Thanks for these kind words.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Oh, Sima,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent hurts terribly- both of mine have been gone for over a decade, and I still miss them every day. Give your Mom our love from Colorado as well. I’m so glad that you can be there for her, and she for you. Take time to grieve, and to breathe. Just know that it gets better, over time.
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
I knew others here have lost parents...
I hate to say it, but I am so thankful for everyone's experiences, so I can learn from them. I'm really sorry you've lost both of your parents, and I am sure learning about missing my Dad every day. It's a hard lesson, but one that is good too. As my husband, who has lost his father and mother said, 'Soon, mostly what you'll remember is all the good times they gave you, and your love will grow even as you move on without them.' Thank you for your kind words and feelings!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Sorry to hear of your loss
I lost my father to dementia. It's a hard and sad disease for all involved.
Dementia...
Sucks, it just sucks. I'm sorry you lost your father to it as well. I have to admit, every time I make a minor mistake, like forgetting where I put my keys, I terrify myself that I'm sinking into dementia as well. But, it's not that (at least not yet), it's old age. Bleh.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Good morning Sima. There's a nice, trite hello, but
seriously, your late father would've wanted you to have the best possible, most excellent morning possible, so give it a shot. While you're at it, for the nonce, remember the highlights of those 89 plus years and not this last short period. For now, just remember, now and then throughout the day to simply sit back and enjoy something.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Good morning sounds fine to me
Not trite at all. And Dad would definitely want me to remember all the good things, all that he taught me and gave me, and so I will do my best to do so. Soon, when I see a pic of him, I will not have to see his last looks in my mind's eyes. Just the pic of him riding his horse, or gardening, or whatever. And that will be great! Thank you!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Losing a Parent
So sorry for your loss. Even though you were probably expecting it, it still hits hard when it does happen.
Take time for yourself to grieve. There is no right way to do it, no matter what anyone tells you. Take care of your mother. You might need to move in with her or have her live with you, even for a short time. Don't be surprised when the vultures and buzzards start circling around her. Somehow people think that getting rid of a spouse's belongings is the number one thing people need to do. It's only stuff. Chase them away if you have to. You don't even have to be nice to them.
Lean on your husband. I'm sure he understands. And as mentioned above, when you think of your Dad remember him as the big, strong man who was a good and decent father and husband.
Great advice...
Thank you so much. Luckily, in a way, Dad's death was completely expected. We had time to visit him for a couple of days before he passed. The memory care home he was in is really good and they helped a lot. I don't think getting rid of Dad's belonging is a major thing to do right now, I completely agree with you. As time goes on that will happen, but not right now. Not a chance. I 'll protect my Mom and sister from that, for sure. Thank you!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Been thinking on layers 3 & 4
What strikes me is that capitalism, and the government we have isolates us. The republicans are bootstrap you're on your own and responsible for everything that happens to you. The democrats split off little tribes of LGBTQ, Afro, Latin, women, whatever into smaller and smaller groups. Problem is, we need to work together to have a responsive government. The things most people need and want we have in common. Isn't that why we have government? We are becoming uncomfortable, often unwelcome, outside of our "tribes".
Also, when wealth accumulates to some astounding degree, what do the wealthy need? Do they need companionship, us? Or would they be content to have just enough factories and servants to keep them satisfied with material things and do away with the rest of us? It seems the wealthy enjoy slumming amongst us occasionally, but the rest of the time want to socialize with their kindred souls on walled and gated estates. Would the well off be happy to live on vast park like estates with the minimum amount of serfs and do away with the rest of us? Or would they keep enough of us around to torture for their amusement?
Very good points about layers 3 and 4
I wonder if capitalism always isolated us? I think maybe it did. The great movements in the 1930s and so on weren't about capitalism were they, they were reactions to it. And here we are, 100 years later, about to do it all over again. Gads. Years ago, when there was that footage of Bush in the supermarket not knowing how to check out at the register and so on, I realized that the rich really do not, EVER, know what life for us common people is like. I knew before that, but that incident really cemented it for me. And I think that people who become super rich, like politicians, lose whatever empathy and understanding, or learning, they had gained from being 'common' when they were young.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Yippee….a race
The Washington Generals should probably sue the Democrats for copyright infringement.
That was wonderful!
I was cheering and cheering for that horse. Thanks
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Sorry for your loss, Sima
I remember the loss I felt when my dad passed away 11 years ago. I still miss him dearly but am forever thankful for the time we had. The loss will fade with time but the memories will remain.
We come from dust. We will return to dust.
That's why I don't dust. It my be someone I know.
Thank you
I remember a few years ago, when Dad's dementia was getting deeper, how much I missed the person he had been. I think I was lucky, in way, that Dad's decline took so long. It gave me time to grieve and learn. Thank you for your wonderful, and hard learned through your own grief, words of wisdom about this.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Dear Sima, I am so sorry you lost your dad.
It is so good you all had family and he is assured your mom has someone to watch over her.
Spring is coming, so take time to notice the tiny flowers which start to come out. Smell the earth and trees. Feel the solidness of your furry friends.
Giving love you receive love.
All the best to you and yours. Dawn.
A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.
Consider helping by donating using the button in the upper left hand corner. Thank you.
Thank you, Dawn...
Spring is coming, the daffodils are up and about to bloom, the apples are starting to set out buds, and it is nice outside more often than not. I look at it all and think of Dad, of all the gardening and so on we did together, but it's a nice feeling, all the memories are good. Thank you!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Trump to cook the books
Gah..
Trump and Musk and all of them would do this. And if it happens you can bet the Dems won't do anything to fix it if they take power. Blech.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
So, Big Bear Eagles' 3rd egg pipped, also
first poppies of the season
apricot is blooming.
ribes are blooming
lemon is transitioning from buds to blooms
pear and orange have buds
apple is starting to bud
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Good stuff is happening!
Even if many bad things, like Trump's stuff, are happening too. And Spring rocks!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
At this point there is so much delusion floating about --
that most of the mass public has not even penetrated the first layer of reality. They think they've won, when in fact they are mere passengers on a bottom-floor level of reality with a tragic end. They have no idea. Think of all of that hubris under Biden about how the Ukrainians were winning the war against Russia. Now multiply it by every raw deal offered by the corporations and every lie told by the politicians, and raise it to the power of every human being who failed to develop a personality because nobody cared enough.
"The Democratic Party has been focused too much on pleasing people who matter too little in this society." -- Chris Cuomo