Dr Dims 'Alternative' Emergency Broadcast (by the Ready-to Party)

Since we were amoeba we've clambered over each other to try to reach firmer ground. Out of the primordial trenches we may have evolved from a rather basic lifeform towards something that at least resembles less of a soup yet potentially more of a mess. Certainly, nature (as distinct from anything remotely artificial) goes round in cycles. We shouldn't be afraid of regressing necessarily, therefore, yet there are some who still believe that human intelligence surpasses anything else - at least upon planet Earth. Of course, as Dr Dim has previously highlighted, we do now have AI (artificial insemination) so we must be wary of the self-perpetuating dairy herd. Indeed, it may be the case that the cattle can now break out of their pens (which were always mightier than the sword in any case) then overwhelm human defences and, ultimately, lead the vanguard into the next dimension! But, where does this leave us poor humans as our humble planetary resources diminish, our population booms and our pollution destroys the very fabric of our own (plastic) existence? Needless to say - barring an extraterrestrial intervention [and one lives in hope] - our time may have been and gone. That's cool. It was a groovy party while it lasted. Perhaps it is time to climb back into the trenches, let the cockroaches (or cattle) do their thang, for a wee bit anyway, all in the name of the Grand Cyclical Nature Of Reality! When all's said and done life itself is transitory. The sun will die, the universe may collapse but somehow we have existed through the spaces in-between. Life is precious. Make the most of it. Love your neighbour. Love each other no matter what you perceive your differences to be. Love the cockroaches and whatever you do treat the cows with utmost respect. One day they may be sitting on the throne passing judgement on all our collective actions! Peace to all. DD ✌🏻

Dr Dim's 'Alternative' Christmas Message

Stay cool! There's a lot of heat in The System as a direct result of The Man losing The Plot. But, we should be asking what is The Plot given that we're in uncharted territories especially with regard to amazing technical advancements defining Our Age? AI - Artificial Insemination - 😊 has a chance to reshape our breeding landscape. Our cattle will never be able to thank us enough (unless, of course, they acquire the power of speech instead of simply chewing the cud and farting all of the time). So, as The Man wonders how best to use AI or it's distant cousin IA - Intelligence Assets - then maybe we need to be thinking about combos? Combining AI with IA we could engender a greater sense of social responsibility within our herds, for instance, enabling cattle to self actualise by controling their own destinies. The cows could run farms across the lands thus enabling farmers to take a well earned rest. As to whether cows could pitch up at the local corner shop to deliver their wares is anyone's best guess. Dr Dim doesn't necessarily do fortune telling (unless the price is right: billions of rubles)! However, can we foresee a time when we just sit on our protruding behinds and allow the animals to take over the farming business? Really, could the animals do a worse job than us humans? Someone far cleverer than Dr Dim once wrote a book about that particular scenario. Clever chap. Chip off the Old Block. Safe to say those of us getting too long in the tooth won't be so bothered about The Mess we leave behind. No wonder youths are rebelling. If The Man can't stay cool then The Heat has to be vented somehow/somewhere - we don't wish our social constructions to simply implode. Look out for each other; it's getting very cold with all this heat. Peace, DD. 

Dr Dim's (Belated) Alternative Christmas Message

Ego. You have it, we have it, they have it - yes, we all have it! It's often said that money is the root of all evil but seriously (setting debates about good versus evil aside) is it really ego? Without ego perhaps we wouldn't have conflict. Whilst this particular scourge upon the planet seems a mostly undesirable part of the human condition is it possible, through practice of 'none ego' to prevent wars? Is it simply (usually) men with little other chance of projecting their ego upon the world who invoke the terrible consequences of suffering and death? If we could all put our egos aside for a minute would the world be a far better - more sustainable - place to inhabit? It certainly has to be worth trying as the potential advantages (as proffered herein) far outweigh the disadvantages. However, we only have to look at the way out globalised societies are currently constructed to realise that the encouragement of tempering our ego would be difficult given the ongoing processes in the opposite direction. That is, we're often cajoled into expressing our ego through peer interactions, advertising, (social) media and the like especially as dominant socioeconomic forces in the world centre their philosophies around this expression. So, do we need alternative systems of exchange in order to effectively encourage alternatives to ego based expressions? Probably. It is obviously a tall order given the central role of ego in current forms of human interaction. But, if the stakes are high enough - a possible end to suffering (which is increasing in the world it seems) -  then isn't it worth a go? Peace, Dr Dim.

Dr Dim's New New Year's Message

A long time ago in galaxy far, far away a budding Director penned a saga with the subtitle A New Hope. Whilst we may be unsure what hope means to most folks to Dr Dim it's almost tantamount to a reboot; starting over. That is, we jettison all the accrued rubbish in our lives and try to reinvent ourselves free of past shackles.

Of course, lots of people try to make New Year's Resolutions but - much like it says on the tin - they just go round and round and round not really getting too far at all. We need, as a race of conscious entities upon this precariously perched planet, a little faith (for want of a better word) in our spirit, or ability, for salvation.

All a little too religious (in an organised way at least) for Dr Dim but the idea of a rebirth certainly rings a bell. We do not need to drag our collective bad karma with us into this New Hope.

Whilst we can't simply flip a switch to undo the harm we've been causing all around the world there are no universal laws stating that we should be retaining bad ways of being in perpetuity.

Humans can learn! We can learn to co-create a life for us all that ensures harm lingers in the history books, for instance, that the present is comfortable - for everybody - and, finally, that the future gives us all A New Hope.

Dr Dim's 'Alternative' Christmas Message

CANCELLED.

There is no Alternative Christmas Message this year due to UNforeseen circumstances. Dr Dim would like to apologise for all too human failings at this time. He wishes everybody a peaceful festive period and better insight into current predicaments in the New Year. Cheers.

Dr Dims 'Alternative' Christmas Message

It is a little early to be renouncing the year as having already passed perhaps but as the frantic Christmas clamour commences, evidently, round about then let's try to put time into a little perspective? A fascinating subject in itself time really is quite illusory. It is measured as if a quantity yet often we experience something quite different. That just about sums up human interpretations of the world around us. We often seem to say one thing yet see, feel and do another entirely different thing! Why is that - I hear that exceedingly attentive Dr Dim Student inquire at the back there? Well, you see it's all to do with that gap between our whole and the mysterious 'other' that we often call "reality". Whilst I do not necessarily agree that we inhabit an artificial creation of someone else's making it is really rather apparent that we often like to feel, au contraire, that we are the one's doing the creating ourselves. Its a very egocentric viewpoint that always puts us at the centre of our our own 'universe'. It worked (after a fashion) for some time now but much like Bagpuss that particular conception is seemingly now falling apart at the seams. That is, we are not Supreme Beings - as we are beginning to experience - and instead are simply visiting reality as if passing through a seaside holiday destination. Our time here, as a species, came and is more than likely going to one day pass. We have to ideally grab that particular bull by its horns and, frankly, deal with it. We can build bunkers, prep for every conceivable eventuality and construct advanced arguments that serve to propagate our own sense of worth and claim to immortality but, alas, it seems quite obvious that we will leave as we came. So, how do we deal with the very Achilles Heal of our existential dilemma? How, as a cogent whole populace can we begin to accept our own fate? Perhaps that is again where beliefs step up to the mark and crucially what Christmas SHOULD be all about. For some on this perilous planet Christmas is a time of remembrance, hope and joy. We would do well to try to adopt such a frame of mind as Hard Times encroach upon our well fortified senses of self belief. Frailty does not have to be a negative experience if we can learn to be more accepting. Whilst resilience is often at this time in our development touted as a primary quality to be upholding we could learn to be more forgiving to ourselves. Letting go is not easy when we invest so much time (and effort, etc) in our existence yet if we could release our delicate hold upon reality life could actually be so much more comfortable, rewarding and enjoyable. Merry Christmas.

Dr Dim's 'Alternative' Christmas Message

 

Much like the Sorcerer's Apprentice I cannot help but feel that we've allowed our egos to take over directions within this realm that may ultimately prove to be our downfall. However, the 'doom and gloom' scenarios prevalent from numerous vantage points of cultural associations do nothing to help our predicament. So, how can we instigate actions (as opposed to simply talking about the problems) that seek to address the impending downfall? Of course, there are many solutions on the table that might help avert the Disaster Scenario. However, the table is in danger of becoming overcrowded with key ideas falling off its edges in to an abyss beyond!

It seems like everybody wants a slice of a dwindling pie. That is, numerous agendas are vying for attention each believing they are our salvation. So, we must ask ourselves how do we choose among so many alternatives to try to prevent the existential crises? Is it even possible to make such a choice or should we instead be throwing all available resources at preventative measure before the faeces really does hit the proverbial spinning contraption?

Well, when all is said and done we have to realise that human beings are fallible. We will, more than likely, never be one hundred percent efficient at life. For example, we can pretend to be interested in sustaining this world for generations to come yet still wage war and entertain conflict despite these best intentions.

We're really not robots to be shoehorned into little boxes of others' decrees either. We do possess 'free will' (to a lesser or greater extent). But our self-belief should not grow out of all proportion. For, this is when the brushes and buckets of The Sorcerer's Apprentice run amok along with our egos.

There may not be an old wizened wizard to come to our rescue in the Real World. Instead we should realise that we may well be the masters of our own destines and begin to act accordingly. Precisely what that actually means is yet to be decided. Decisions made today will affect all our futures. So let's ensure we make good, well informed choices that truly represent all Earthly inhabitants and not simply those most empowered or who shout the loudest. This is key: representative decision making. We have the tools now to stop the runaway magic of our past overindulgence. Let's use them sensibly for once...peace.

Dr Dim's 'Alternative' Christmas Message

Christmas is usually a time for forgiving. It is a time for spreading joy and merriment especially prominent in traditional Christian cultures. Of course, the central tenet that Christ was born at this time of year mainly falls by the wayside these days almost as if people do not have time to have a faith perhaps? Certainly, we are all rushing around like that proverbial headless chicken (or should that be turkey). At the moment we may feel as if we're all stuffed too. Times are definitely 'challenging'. But, haven't they always been? Humans have faced many challenges as we developed upon this globe. These do not need to be spelled out here. Suffice it to say that humanity has - to date - endured. We are quite a resilient species, after all. Perhaps that's why we are top of the food chain? So, whilst media portray numerous doomsday scenarios with which to peddle their particular wares please do remember that it's not over till the body mass to fat ratio of the disadvantaged (female?) citizen vocalises appropriate melodies. Hmm...

So, resilience is more than just finding the latest technology to solve whatever problem besets us at a particular point in time. Resilience, we may contend, is really about common values rising to the fore in hard times so that solidarity ensues and we work together in the face of adversity. There are detractors from this modus operandi - there always will be - those who perhaps feel that should humanity ultimately find commonality then their schism of especially hierarchical social control will become redundant. They would lose their 'power' and those common values would help work towards ensuring a more peaceful coexistence for all upon our increasingly fragile planet. This in turn would obviate the need for the miltary-industrial-pharmaceutical complex that currently dominates global economics. We would need another reason - such as happiness - to help orient our belief systems towards less 'productive' reasons for life and instead focus upon a more inward looking senses of worth.

Who knows that the next year will bring. That story has not yet been written. We can guess. We can cross palms with silver and read tea leaves. We'll most likely never entirely be sure about the future. However, the past is another story entirely. We are imbued with an intelligence as a species that allows us to learn by our mistakes. Its time to heed the warnings of the past here in the present and help each other aim for that future that we'd all like to share. We're getting old - humanity - but we need to ask if we are getting any wiser along with that?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

DD.

Dr Dims 'Alternative' Christmas Message

The shifting sands of time, like an eternally changing desert landscape, seem caught in an endless loop of humanity's own making. All over this humble planet human beings are questioning what it means to inhabit a small rock especially as our existence to date has had such a huge impact upon it's well-being. Identity is a complex phenomenon akin to the many skins of a bitter onion at times yet simple in its outward appearance that may actually be better likened to the tip of the disappearing icebergs? As sea levels rise and whole civilisations consider their fate others intend to carry on with their business-as-usual approach to life; actually increasing the damage imposed upon our planet. The planet is actually beginning to become so uninhabitable - wildfires, storms, earthquakes, etc. - that those who have previously benefited from that business-as-usual approach are now beginning to contemplate life beyond our own rock by gazing to distant worlds which they may in turn, no doubt, decimate (given time) driven my profit and the loss of natural resources. So, what is it that actually drives such seemingly innate, carefree plundering of the natural world given that human beings do tend to (mostly) wish their genes to survive and, furthermore, propagate rather than embark upon behaviours more reminiscent of suicidal tendencies? Do we humans really possess a 'kill switch'? That is, somewhere, deep in our psyche are we cognisant of the stark fact that time is now drawing to a close for our species and that we should have one good old hell of a party before the whole shebang goes up in flames? Certainly, society has become so complex that previous structures to 'control' it (party political democratic mechanisms in particular) seem strangely out of kilter with that complexity. As democracies, together with nation states, struggle with their very own identities is a new reality staring back at humanity pointing a finger of blame at the central tenets of the human experiment? Whilst it is true that throughout history all civilisations have ebbed and flowed there now seems to be an overarching consensus that this current version of life upon planet Earth has finally reached a crescendo. There may not be the chance for an encore too given these very existential dilemmas our human actions have predicated? And so, those shifting sands of time may actually be seeping through the hourglass of our beings heading in one direction this time around; a direction aided by time itself that could ultimately help this planet and any remaining species take a well earned rest to recharge any batteries able to be salvaged. Dr Dim wishes you a Merry Christmas and a thoughtful New Year. Please make the most of any 'down time' to slow down for a minute, take stock and just simply enjoy the planet. We may be the last generations to do so with any degree of comfort. PEACE. DD.

Dr Dims 'Alternative' Christmas Message

Out with the old and in with the new? But, old habits die hard. And, it takes three wise men [sic] to find a babe in the woods! So, what a year huh? Seems to Dr Dim like the Human Experiment is becoming more than a little jaded. History often repeats itself as has been duly noted but when this repetition comes at the price of 'progress' (however we may choose to define this slippery concept) then should we begin to question our raison d'etre? From a sort of evolutionary perspective humanity exists to further its existential goals (a little tautological but bear with me). Of course though we have evolved (supposedly) a little beyond our evolutionary programming to develop a consciousness that is able, for instance, to imagine the creation of artificial versions of ourselves be they biological, silicon or indeed a mixture of the two. However even those artificial testaments to our superiority are prone to the same kind of Achilles heel that has plagued us since the year DOT! Notably, we are most commonly our own worst enemies. We love to fight each other and more often than not will find the slightest excuses to prolong the arguments. Indeed whole economic systems of earthly existence have become so intertwined with this propensity for conflict that imagining a life without war of some sort or other is impractical for those we bestow 'leadership' responsibilities upon. And so those artificial versions of ourselves also become extensions of our fragile egos and hence weaponised to further particularly nation state and blocs' aims. Of course, there are some who realise that this inevitable battle between 'good' and 'evil' just like some fantastic science fictions blockbuster is simply a narrative albeit a convincing one (for the majority) replete with its heroes and villains. So, whilst the mainstay of society focuses upon trying to impose their own version of how we should be inhabiting this planet (with others looming just a stones throw away) some do try to find 'alternatives' that do not depend upon this ultimately dualistic conflict at the heart of a 'good/bad' delineation. Meanwhile, time marches on and our species becomes increasingly out of touch seemingly with its one main goal; that of SURVIVAL. We do all we can to fight each other in the name of all manner of complex arguments which, frankly, most have lost sight of. And so this brings me to the end of 2017 and my own Delirious wishes for a peaceful New Year for you, yours and the random strangers we all encounter on our travels upon this particular planet we are blessed to share. Please do not forget that existence is a privilege bestowed upon the Human Race to respond to accordingly. Peace. DD.

Dr Dims 'Alternative' Christmas Message

Christmas is traditionally a time for giving, sharing and extending peace to all men [sic]. In a time of advanced materialism and personal gain we could ask if this does any longer have any bearing whatsoever in our everyday lives? I would contend that giving and sharing may be about to form a part of a new kind of socioeconomic system which could supplant particularly global capitalism and find a place somewhere between the previous goalposts of capitalism and socialism. Numerous citizens are beginning to realise the benefits of sharing especially when coupled with the Internet to find like minded souls among disparate communities. Of course, this is not to say that the local should necessarily be eschewed for the 'less local' (I hesitate to say global otherwise we would be back where we started). Indeed, local economies could become essential parts of a devolved politics forming power bases far from the current influences of capital cities, for instance, thus further enabling more regional economies with concomitant narrower social segregation...And this is important for increasingly segregation is being 'blamed' for the ever widening gaps between our communities. If power could ideally be reinstated in the hands of those communities then it is the contention that segregation and the resulting ostracised communities could be welcomed back into the fold. This could create, for instance, fewer reasons for communities - of whatever religious or ideological persuasion - to be inclined to demonstrate their dissent especially through violent means. Hence, we arrive at the conclusion that if the current tendency to create a 'sharing economy' was to take a firm hold in the modern psyche then it may eventually lead to increased peace and security for all those upon this delicately poised globe. So, there are some important lessons to be learning from Christmas which, after all, was what it was all originally about. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! DD.

Dr Dims 'Alternative' Christmas Message

Its been a mixed up year or has it? The usual misunderstandings among our fellow human beings have been leading to the inevitable consequences - and that's not news. I suppose it depends upon your perspective. So maybe Stephen Hawking had a point after all, or at least one of the commentators upon his comments did, i.e. notably that in the 'grand scheme of things' humanity hasn't been in existence for all that long really and, in Hawking's scenario, is quite capable, therefore, of extinguishing itself in the blink of a cosmic eye! Whether it will be an AI that will lead to our eventual demise or something less benign (?) like our changing planetary climate only time will tell I suppose though time itself may be possibly prone to manipulation in the not to distant future. This could be our saving grace. Ultimately the survival of the species will be down to all of us acting together as we attempt to unravel where we may have been going wrong to date. Once we've all figured out the 'bad' stuff its then simply a matter of doing the opposite. I did try to point out this some time ago but everyone just put it down to the delirium! ;) Thanks Nature. And so we usher in 2015. I said some time ago that it could well prove to be a landmark year. It is a confluence of a number of global efforts attempting to reorient our path upon this delicate planetary system. I suppose these efforts will be heralded as a great success. I can imagine the self-appreciative speeches being penned already. However, again, it will be our willingness (or not) to act as one which will lead to the necessary change of tack of humanity's 'development'. This is not easy given the present tendencies to be interested in number one given the dominant socioeconomic system. And I may have argued elsewhere that a 'paradigm shift' (which others are actually alluding to now) could be our saviour - in addition to the manipulation of time and space! Ultimately many folks will sell you false hopes of a tenable future for our current species of humans, assuming you are willing to pay. Its not difficult to tell fortunes as long as the palm is crossed with silver. I guess post-humans will have different ideas though. Right now we do not quite know what these post-humans will be like though it possibly appears that our evolution - aided by technology of all kinds - is now increasing in pace more than linearly? Hmm...now you must excuse me, I've a time machine to complete. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! DD.

What To Expect?

Revelations! Not the kind of thing one finds in the 'good book' though. Instead, expect the kind of thing one may find in the 'bad book'! For sure, there are certain aspects of society which are still taboo. We don't like to talk anywhere close to the truth most of the time for fear we could harm someone (or ourselves) or worse still engender animosity towards those we hold dear? Well, let's start by declaring that all these books should simply be thrown out of the window - hopefully no passing strangers below will find them an inconvenience. So, taboos aside we should certainly tackle any stymieing blight upon our species head on for progress is more than just a by-word for radicalisation; the current 'bogey man' of our esteemed 'leaders'. Please do not be scared. Nothing untoward is likely to be declared within these hallowed (e) pages. In other words, as Douglas Adams once stated "It hung in the air in exactly the way that bricks don't". RIP.

Rebirth

The time has come fellow Delirians to bestow great effort upon quests as yet unknown in an attempt to right the wrongs that wrong the rights! And so it is that Dr Dim once again takes tentative steps upon the pages of cyberspace. Buckle up! It will be! ;)