Sure, I voted. Sure, for Kamala in fact. That wasn’t even a choice… simply the obvious alternative ever. It was actually a vote in opposition to full fucking idiocy.
I’m tremendous curious to see what the outcomes are. Whereas I’d desire to not expertise the entire fucking idiocy route, I do perceive that it’s very talked-about as of late. Clearly lots of people are extremely motivated to expertise such a trip – really a descent – right into a actuality so richly plentiful in lies, racism, the nastiest betrayal of recent days, and extra from the dumbest, most malicious, self-centered jackass of U.S. President we’ve ever seen in historical past.
I voted by mail early final week. I’ve all the time been an unbiased, by no means belonging to any occasion. From my view one occasion has actually jumped off a cliff into the land of full nuttery in recent times, so I voted for the alternative one on each poll alternative the place that was an element. Once more, not even a choice. It was like voting for “okay” versus “actually fucking dumb.” I voted for okay as a result of I desire okay to essentially fucking dumb. In fact for many who align with actually fucking dumb, it’s gonna seem like the alternative.
I’m not searching for to affect the outcomes both manner. This time I really feel very a lot aligned with being in observer mode and permitting it to play out as it’ll. It’s fascinating nevertheless it performs out, like watching a sluggish movement video of a bullet blasting by means of an apple. I can see why these two paths are battling it out with such fervor.
Proper now I really feel essentially the most predictable final result is that Kamala wins, the alternative facet throws a large hissy match (sore losers and all that – however losers nonetheless), however it all coasts ahead because of the backstop of Biden nonetheless being within the White Home to assist help the transition (and forestall a number of nonsense). Many, many individuals breathe an enormous sigh of reduction, not simply within the USA however throughout the globe as properly. I believe it may even be extra celebratory than when Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon by way of the whole constructive power output – just like the Ewok dance occasion on the finish of Return of the Jedi, if all of the Ewoks and their company took MDMA. (I’d take MDMA with the Ewoks in a heartbeat.)
I’m additionally ready for the alternative although. In that actuality Kamala loses and graciously concedes (although it might most likely crush her on the within). There’s a large grieving course of to be undertaken… like a extremely, actually massive one for therefore many individuals. Individuals are shocked. There’s loads of anger and outrage, which ends up in blame, not essentially hurled pretty however nonetheless comprehensible. And folks put together themselves for an brisk expertise very like the descent into COVID’s blanket over our actuality… solely with the expectation of it being a lot worse this time. In the meantime within the different camp, there’s nice celebration of Energy’s seemingly closing victory over Reality. The celebration on the Dying Star remains to be full of life however extra muted, a victory that even those that are celebrating aren’t completely positive they needed. And now they know that they’re all going to be incels for a extremely, actually very long time. Wow… it’s like celebration on the floor but in addition one thing being mourned on the within. Victory with a really deep sense of loss. This facet goes to wish one thing manner stronger than MDMA to get by means of this in the long term. Enterprise for psychedelic therapists shall be by means of the roof for positive – treating either side by means of infinite swirls of juicy trauma.
Both manner – to me – it’s a phenomenal final result. As sure, I do have to interact my sadist facet to see and admire the total richness of it. Collective cooperation is gorgeous, however so is collective grieving. Whereas on a human degree, I’d solely really feel like celebrating a Kamala victory, I really feel that my deepest internal self is already pre-satisfied and even pre-delighted by each outcomes. They’re each such wealthy and intense human experiences available. One is sort of a romcom whereas the opposite is sort of a horror film (with a twist of thriller), and so long as you keep the attention that each might be legitimate and significant human experiences, you’ll be fantastic both manner.
What I like about this election cycle is the depth of it. Both manner it’s an enchanting trip by means of the realm of human existence. Whichever manner this goes, I really feel like part of me will nonetheless mourn the absence of the opposite actuality, understanding that it too would have been intensely wealthy and significant to expertise firsthand. However alas, it is a chokepoint, and we have to choose one or the opposite.
In case you have the choice to vote on this election and haven‘t completed so but, I encourage you to make the leap. It’s a significant expertise to take part. I didn’t train this selection for many of my grownup life and solely lastly registered and voted for the primary time after I was in my 40s. I all the time advised myself that mathematically it doesn’t matter. Different occasions I advised myself I didn’t like every of the candidates. Keep in mind how I shared in a current video that it’s very easy to speak your self out of experiences by elevating seemingly rational objections to them.
Whereas I can’t argue with the mathematics and the unappealing nature of among the selections, what I can say is that experientially, it does matter. On the within, I discovered voting to be a really completely different expertise than not voting. It does have its tedious facet – I wish to learn by means of all of the poll initiatives and make knowledgeable selections there, which takes time – however there’s additionally a facet to it that feels enjoyable, full of life, and interesting. It’s onerous to explain should you haven’t skilled it, so should you can expertise it, particularly this election cycle, I’m positive you’ll acquire one thing treasured by making it a actuality. Think about that your actuality presents this selection to you for a motive. It’s a worthwhile human expertise to have, and by collaborating you’ll be taught one thing about your self. Look past the numbers and your seemingly rational objections, and simply go have the precise expertise. Look down and spot that you simply’re nonetheless sporting your human go well with, and word that that is an invite to do one thing uniquely human.
I say let’s have enjoyable as we speak – no matter occurs. Let’s be just like the Klingons all consuming and celebrating collectively within the bar within the ST:TNG episode “Redemption” – one among my favourite two-parters of the collection. Regardless that they’re on completely different sides, they nonetheless all acknowledge one another as fellow Klingons, participating in a fantastic battle, preventing just like the true warriors they’ve all the time strived to be. (And heartfelt kudos to Tony Todd for enjoying the position of Kurn so ridiculously properly!)
So although my human self constantly computes that Trump supporters are really essentially the most idiotic, blindly obedient, loathesome creatures to slither throughout this world, on the spirit facet I’d nonetheless be delighted to drink blood wine with them (the vegan model) and have a good time the total richness – and madness – of our human journeys collectively. I’m admittedly impressed by spirits that select to set their human character intelligence dials so ridiculously low with a view to have that form of expertise right here. I can’t see myself eager to have that form of expertise anytime quickly, however I can not less than see the enchantment of it from a sure perspective. It makes me surprise in earnest the place all their character factors went as a substitute. Please let me get a number of drinks forward earlier than we work together although. I’m not a lot of a drinker, so it shouldn’t take lengthy.
Simply be clear although… we’re nonetheless not gonna invite such wretches to hitch us in CGC as a result of that form of dumbshittery would drag the membership down a lot, voiding its raison d’être. However that doesn’t imply we nonetheless can’t share drinks collectively on impartial floor every now and then.
I don’t find out about you, however I actually benefit from the distinction of this election cycle by means of numerous lenses, typically biking amongst them – the human lens, the spirit lens, the “all the pieces is ideal as it’s” lens, and so forth. These photos mix right into a wealthy tapestry, one which teaches me rather a lot about myself and what sort of human I most resonate with being. For those who resonate with a really completely different a part of the human spectrum, nice for you. I’m delighted with the alternatives I’ve made for myself, and my biggest want for you on this life is that you simply discover your candy spot of enjoyment right here on this actuality too.
I like being a political unbiased on this life. I nonetheless really feel no need to hitch any explicit occasion. I additionally like collaborating and making selections that align with my values. I’d like to see the alternatives turning into richer and extra delicate in future years. Deciding between okay and actually fucking dumb doesn’t precisely put me to the take a look at, however I’m nonetheless comparatively new to voting, so perhaps actuality is dishing up the straightforward ones first. I acquired extra from the opposite selections on the poll, every one making me first think about what sort of human I needed to be when making the choice. I particularly appreciated it when the query was primarily asking me the place I needed to position my belief.
I do know it is a tough trip for some individuals, and for that you’ve got my real empathy. I get it. Rather a lot is at stake right here. I don’t search to attenuate or dismiss that. However please do think about the attitude that this human expertise is a treasured and momentary one, we’re all taking this superb trip collectively, and it’s all deeply purposeful. It’s going to be a wealthy and significant – and really human – expertise it doesn’t matter what the result.
We’ll all find yourself collectively on the opposite facet anyway, and that can finally deliver main perspective shifts after we’ve shed these squishy but scrumptious human our bodies. Please don’t put your self within the place of Regretting Tomorrow earlier than it occurs. Let’s intend and permit at the present time to be a phenomenal one. Magnificence. Magnificence. Magnificence. It’s throughout you should you care to take it in.
Don’t panic… until you get off on panicking, wherein case you’re free to panic as a lot as you need.
As a facet word, in Acutely aware Development Membership our Intention Infusion experiment this month is to collectively maintain the intention to “dump the bags,” so I’m additionally curious to see if the manifestation of that has some connection to this election as properly. A method it appears reasonably apparent whereas the opposite manner it nonetheless appears apparent, simply with far more constipation and a for much longer releasing course of. Both manner I believe my human actuality is in retailer for a extremely good dump quickly.
Replace 11/6/24: Okay, I’m including pics of democracy, racial justice, girls’s rights, management, fundamental intelligence, and Endor (the Ewok planet) to my Día de los Muertos ofrenda. I wish to assist be sure that they’re remembered and preserve the pathway again into this world open for them. Fascinating occasions forward. 😉
Right here’s my Wordle for as we speak (11/6). I didn’t cheat. Someway it simply got here out like this.
Fascinating how as we speak’s reply has an R and an L with U caught within the center. After which within the final column of my guesses… Y Y Y. Certainly.