From: Horse (horse@darkstar.uk.net)
Date: Thu Aug 12 2004 - 08:53:51 BST
OK - just wondering.
Horse
On 11 Aug 2004 at 9:32, Valuemetaphysics@aol.com wrote:
>
> Hi Mark
>
> And your point is...?
>
> Hi Horse,
> I conducted a survey of those involved in the Integral Institute, and a picture began to emerge.
> All the members review and contribute to each others work. X reviews Y, and Y reviews, W. W
> reviews X and Y, and X reviews W. The reviewers themselves may turn out to be people who sell
> retreat packages and run meditation classes.
>
> The overall impression is one of pseudo academic integrity; there is no criticism at all. For
> example, existential philosophy is hardly ever mentioned, at least not in the Sartrian way. Sartre
> provided a philosophical alternative to Freud, and is therefore not to be mentioned because
> Freud developed psychoanalytical theory. This is interesting for me personally, because Sartre
> explored Nothingness.
>
> One interesting use of this method is the very large number of internet hits it generates. Although
> the hits generated are large, they all emerge from the same geographic centre, and as stated,
> there is no criticism in any of them. This centre uses the Integral Institute for 'outreach.' There
> appears to be an application of memetics here; the internet is flooded with a large number of
> memes which in effect promote or indicate spiritual development. Sartorial memes are absent, as
> are those indicating Quality.
>
> Delving a little more deeply, it becomes clear something is being sold. Very often, that something
> is loosely connected with the Integral Institute, but as there is an emphasis upon Integration, all
> those who contribute can claim to present a 'partial truth' as Ken Wilber puts it, and so exactly
> what is sold doesn't really matter. It's still a partial truth, and the institute provides a platform it.
> One member has his own brand of herbal tea! Others sell business philosophies, others still sell
> books. The ultimate product is an on-line degree from the institute itself. This degree is
> presented via an Indiana University - an interesting departure from the Californian centre.
> (Berkeley is one of the best Universities in the US, and is based in California!)
>
> Whatever the product, all other members are on hand to say a few words as and when it is
> appropriate and thus a patina of socially approved intellectual value is applied - but not
> necessarily perceived depending upon your Intellectual status.
>
> One hit recognises the future development of this strategy - a new religion of sorts. Historical
> precedents are examined and parallels drawn directly to Ken Wilber, who's genius, it is clearly
> stated, cannot be replaced. Thus, one may become aware of the social domination of intellectual
> patterns here; without the iconic status of Ken Wilber, the value of the enterprise is lost.
>
> In contrast, one may wish to reflect upon the MOQ? Here, the idea has the most value. The
> MOQ stands or falls on it's intellectual Quality.
>
> I think this was bound to happen. Ken Wilber and the internet go together very well - if you wish
> to examine everything, and then discover what everything has in common, and then synthesis
> from commonality, the internet is an enormously helpful tool. Aristotle would have loved it, but
> Aristotle, for all his faults, was far more sincere than Ken Wilber in facing those troublesome and
> inconvenient pieces of data which fly in the face of your pet theory.
>
> Add to this a deliberate proliferation of iconic status and it is clear that a cult is in the offing. It
> may be argued that this particular cult is being engineered to be benevolent and sincere in its
> goals, but this is a dangerous assumption to make in a Dynamic reality, especially considering
> the force and domination of social patterns within the US. Watch this space.
> My own feeling is that the Institute will fizzle out and close. Before this happens, the big guns of
> the enterprise will go all out for maximum promotion. Exactly what tactics they will choose to
> employ is open to debate. Fear usually does the trick.
>
> The MOQ becomes another meme to add to the rest of them. This is ironic, because the MOQ
> has the most important message and says it succinctly. You can't buy that.
>
> All the best,
> Mark
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