Outlandish solutions to life’s challenges
‘Stealing Fire’ is skewed towards an idealistic view of the world, writes John Harvey
AS THE WORLD was still celebrating the miraculous rescue of a young soccer team from a flooded Thai cave, billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk was on his soapbox insulting just about anyone who played a role in bringing the boys back up.
Clearly incensed that the rescue co-ordination team had declined his offer of a state-of-the-art mini submarine, Musk lashed out first at the head of the joint command centre for his “lack of expertise”, before turning his attention to a British cave diver who he baselessly called a “pedo”, or paedophile.
Even by the standards of Silicon Valley prima donnas, it was an astonishing display of petulance, apparently driven by an incredulity that his inventions could be shunned by those of mere mortal standing.
In the book by Kotler and Wheal, a national bestseller in the United States, a very different picture is painted of Musk. We are introduced to a man who draws inspiration from Burning Man, the worldfamous Nevada desert festival where minds meet in a hedonistic celebration of drugs, art, music and tech, ostensibly creating a “oneness” among its followers.
The juxtaposing of the realworld Musk, that is, brash and self-centred, and the benevolent, free thinker of Burning Man fame is important, because what Kotler and Wheal posit in Stealing Fire is heavily skewed towards an idealistic view of the world, and let it be said, from a privileged position at that.
The authors contend that high-functioning people in the military and the business world are bringing about a revolution of consciousness, unlocking new ways of thinking that enable them to reach the pinnacle of success and out-perform the competition.
From meditation and yoga to mind-altering drugs and intense music synthesis, the titans of warfare and industry are engaging in it all in a bid to discover new and far-reaching solutions to modernity’s challenges.
Clearly having quaffed the Kool-Aid, Kotler and Wheal all but champion the consumption of legal and illegal narcotics (in moderation of course), citing, for example, the psychological healing properties of MDMA (street name: Ecstacy) on post-traumatic stress disorder patients.
EDM, or electronic dance music, festivals are also exemplified to show the connectedness of consciousness that can arise between large numbers of people. “Never before have so many people been able to come together and follow the beat right out of their minds,” is the conclusion.
Essentially, what the writers are saying is that in order for people to break out of their traditional thought patterns and fears, they need to “switch off ” their minds to be open to new experiences in the less explored pyschological dimension, which in turn brings a new focus upon their return to the so-called real world.
If all this sounds familiar, it’s because it is.
In the 1960s, LSD proponents like Timothy Leary were outspoken in their beliefs about the power of altered states, and how this was a threat to prevailing ideologies and restrained thinking. While Leary was hounded by the authorities, the 21st century is defined by far more liberal attitudes, with greater freedoms to experiment with new forms of narcotics or even spirituality.
But there is a major problem with all these contentions: they are predicated on the belief that people, even if not now, will one day be able to easily access technology or “digital shamans” – brain imaging devices or designer drugs – to expand their minds.
Furthermore, if one considers that half the world’s population lives on less than $2.50 (R36) a day, it is hardly likely that the poor and destitute will be spending hours pondering the consciousness spectrum. Expensive research and studies into transformative experiences and mindfulness will benefit some, but it won’t be anyone wondering where their next meal is coming from.
All the digitally enhanced Kumbaya in the universe will not change that fact, nor will it change Elon Musk’s public behaviour. The book, as a result, comes across as nothing more than a bull **** shill for the multimillion dollar tech and wellness industries, so realists look away.