Mind Control

IT WAS ONCE said of the nineteenth-century philosophy firebrand Friedrich Nietzsche that "before Nietzsche, philosophy was only philosophy... after Nietzsche, philosophy became dangerous."  (1, 2)

Truth has a certain ring to it, a reverberation recognizable to the trained ear - or one might say the expert eye, in the case of the written word.  But when we read, do the words not echo in our minds, as if privately spoken to us by a voice inaudible to any ear?

Back to truth.

Two years ago, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, of self-mastery.  I left behind many of my material possessions, including a penthouse apartment on the North Side of Chicago.  Every few months, I moved from from state to state, finding shelter with friends and loved ones.  Despite my nomadic lifestyle, I lived comfortably - all things considered - because my previous endeavors in business granted me a level of financial freedom that few people enjoy (I supported myself financially, and in some cases, I supported those I stayed with.  Rarely has the converse true).

I have kept only a few belongings with me through this journey:  Studiously highlighted copies of Robert Greene's books (every one, except the Art of Seduction), heavily annotated copies of Dr. HAHA Lung's work, and usually a collection of note cards and notepads.

At this moment - and I cannot help but think that Nietzsche would appreciate this - the three L's of the Christian apologist's argument known as the "Trilemma" comes to mind.  The argument, in its basic form, goes like this:  There are only three logical explanations for the story of Jesus Christ, as expressed in the four gospels:  Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

1)  Jesus was a LIAR, and he was not who he claimed to be - the Son of God, the Messiah.

2)  He was a LUNATIC - utterly bat shit crazy - and insanely believed himself to be the Son of God.

3)  He was LORD - he really is who he said he is; he really is the Son of God, he really is the Son of God.

If you listen closely to the ideas expressed in the video above, you might begin to have a different interpretation of the Trilemma all-together.  Suppose, for the moment, that Jesus was just a mere mortal, not truly immortal - not a god at all.  Suppose LIED to himself, and simply convinced himself that he was the Son of God.  What if he was simply enough of a LUNATIC to believe that he really was LORD, and that one day, billions of knees would fall in the dirt to praise his name.

What if he simply controlled his mind, and this led him to his destiny.  In the 33 Strategies of War, Greene states that warfare begins in the strategist's mind first, hence the reason he devotes the first four chapters to self-directed warfare.  Logic says, then, that the same notion applies to the concept of Mind Control, as iterated by Dr. HAHA Lung.

To control the minds of others, one must first learn how to control his own.

1)  ~ Dr. HAHA Lung, Mind-Sword, Mastering the Asian Dark Art of Mind Manipulation.  Introduction:  Skill and Skull.

2)  For a full fleshing of the power of philosophy, I refer the reader to the statements of Ayn Rand, and also Leonard Peikoff, in Objectivism:  The Philosophy of Ayn Rand.