Knowledge is Power (an essay)

[F L E S H]

After some debating of evolution vs creationism, and after reading some of Jack Herer's book, it just hit me like a ton of bricks, and I thought I'd share this thought with all of you (if you care, that is )

Knowledge is Power. Yes, most of us have heard that a million times on School House Rock on Saturday mornings, but it means so much more than they could have ever imagined.

Knowledge is the ultimate weapon and the ultimate defence. Since the dawn of civilization, the powerful have restricted the Knowledge available to us common folk, and that is precisely how they maintain their power.

One of the best examples of this (and because it's currently very fashionable (and fun!) to bash them) is the Catholic Church. Make no mistake, I'm Italian and the Church has always been very important in my family. However, since the very beginning, that is since around 100 A.D., it has consistently withheld Knowledge from its followers. But HOW did it gain so many followers so quickly? By claiming a monopoly on Knowledge right from the outset, by being extremely exclusive, moreso than any other religious cult in recorded history. Think about it: during a time of great crisis (as the 3rd century certainly was for the Roman Empire), a time when barbarians are invading the empire from all angles, a time when the Roman elite seemed incapable of defending their own population, out comes this religion which claims that it and ONLY it has the ability to save people for eternity. It has the ultimate Knowledge, Eternal Life. Seriously, who wouldn't be seduced?

For ever since then, as Christianity claimed the majority of the population, it became easier and easier to ostracize and destroy those would go against it. Think about the Crusades, the Inquisition, the thousands of people burned at the stake because they claimed to have some Knowledge or other.

Think about evolution versus creationism. Creation is in the Bible, the holy book of Christianity, therefore the Church cannot possibly admit that it is just a story with a moral lining. For better or worse, the Church claimed a monopoly on Knowledge and it will not let it go without a fight.

Think about the story of Creation. Adam and Eve get kicked out because they ate the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Strangely, eating from the Tree of Life was just fine and dandy. Good little Christians (and Jews too, for that matter) are told from the time they are very young that God kicked Adam and Eve out because they knew too much. It's ok to live forever, but you can't have Knowledge. Even God doesn't want man to have Knowledge!

Think about Copernicus and Galileo. They were the first to say that the Earth goes around the Sun, and look where it got them. Excommunication, threats of being burned at the stake for their heretical views. But as Knowledge spread, as it inevitably does, the Church came to realize "OK, OK, we'll give 'em that one." Will the same happen with evolution? You bet. (By the way, you know when the Church officially apologized to Galileo? 1969, at the council Vatican II. Galileo died in 1642, alone and isolated under house arrest.)

I guess I really went off against the Catholic Church, but it is not the only corporation guilty of this crime against humanity. ALL governments do it, whether it's Stalin, Mussolini, Hitler, Bush or Clinton. All those who have power keep Knowledge from the people they dominate so that they can retain power for as long as possible. Goddamn it, even Microsoft does it. Apple is the superior product, yet I bet 90% of us (myself included!) use Windows and IE.

Just consider the ban on Marijuana. It's not deadly, it doesn't cause criminal behavior, it's even a very helpful plant, yet it's illegal. Tobacco kills millions, causes cancer in smokers and non-smokers alike and alcohol leads some people to very violent behavior, yet these two substances are perfectly legal, simply because it is convenient to them (government). But who knows these things? Only us, in these forums. The vast majority are ignorant about these things.

Fuck government, fuck religion, fuck anyone who will keep Knowledge from you. Go out there and get informed, learn, read, and most importantly keep an open mind and engage in healthy (and respectful, always) debate.

The conclusion is this: armed with Knowledge, we can defend the freedoms of man, and we can attack the establishment when it flagrantly hides it from us. Knowledge will set you free.

Toke on people.


P.S.: I know this is long, but it's late at night and I'm a little stoned and the creative juices were flowing!

F L E S H Reviewed by F L E S H on 01-06-2005. Knowledge is Power (an essay) After some debating of evolution vs creationism, and after reading some of Jack Herer's book, it just hit me like a ton of bricks, and I thought I'd share this thought with all of you (if you care, that is :D) Knowledge is Power. Yes, most of us have heard that a million times on School House Rock on Saturday mornings, but it means so much more than they could have ever imagined. Knowledge is the ultimate weapon and the ultimate defence. Since the dawn of civilization, the powerful have Rating: 5

[RESiNATE]

Excellently written post, FLESH

I have to agree - Knowledge is power.
It has been one of my favourite sayings since I began to open my eyes (some 15yrs ago).
Ten years ago, I began to notice the protocol and it's manipulative power. The protocol that subliminally controls the way we think and feel, and feeds us pertinent information to coerse our opinions and emotions.
Blip-Verts and propoganda, socio-schematic demands, not to mention the lure of exoticism, are all designed to keep us in the loop - dependant upon the very thing that we seek to escape.

The success of the protocol depends upon the most simplest of mathematics - percentages...or, probability.

You see, in any given group of 100 people, I would reckon on at least 4 of those people would be of the disposition to take advantage of the others in the group.
The question is; how do the minority gain advantage over the majority?
Futhermore, how can that advantage be obtained, whilst at the same time, maintaining order and discipline?

[sToNeDpEnGuIn420]

all i can say is wow because well i cant even respond to that just know that u made me think

[NowhereMan]

was a good read
took me one jiont to finish it

nice one
happy tokes to you

[az666]

yeah i really enjoyed that..it made me think aswell..........nice one

[F L E S H]

You see, in any given group of 100 people, I would reckon on at least 4 of those people would be of the disposition to take advantage of the others in the group.
The question is; how do the minority gain advantage over the majority?
Futhermore, how can that advantage be obtained, whilst at the same time, maintaining order and discipline?

By claiming a monopoly on Knowledge, a smaller group can easily control a larger group. In other words, by saying "we have the answers you're looking for." That way, a dependency is created.

You know, I always hated philosophy, and here I am...

[RESiNATE]

Ah, but philosophy gives one so much to think about

[juggalo420]

good post flesh. i agree knowledge is power, and the only way the powerful can stay in such power is through making sure the populace remains ignorant. but the one point i differ from you is that in the case of the U.S and other western countries, they are not suppressing what or what not thr populace can learn or read or say, this very post is proof enough, they rely on the general lazyness of the population. The goverment knows the truth about their activities can be found out, they just know the vast majority of the population are too concerned about their eveyday activities to do research or hold them accountable, or to say it more frankly people dont give a shit. I think the same can be said about the modern christian churches, i mean why would people want to destroy their own hope that theres a god and a heaven, to say it even more simply most people are happier ignorant. And for the ones who know the goverment and religious institutes all lie they know theres far too few of us to make a change. Well that will finish my rant, i have no idea how to change the situation(make people give a shit) i mean the knowledge is there for anyone looking. anyone else have any ideas?

[maryjanemama]

Well that will finish my rant, i have no idea how to change the situation(make people give a shit) i mean the knowledge is there for anyone looking. anyone else have any ideas?

I have an idea about how to get some more ppl to understand the truth about cannabis. That would be to get a well respected scientist, researcher, or doctor publish an article in a largely circulated paper like the New York Times, and try to get it right on the front page. Soon, news channels everywhere would pick up the story and interview the author. At least then more average, everyday ppl that would not normally do the research, would learn the facts. What the general public does with the info is an entirely different story, though.

[robert42]

GREAT POST NO REPLY BY ME CAN MATCH THAT LOL WELL DUN FLESH

FLESH FOR PRES!!