The Sordid Skeptics

Today we will be reviewing a couple of books, and discussing the many levels of human consciousness. How do we pull ourselves from the pits of despair? How do we orient ourselves towards something more meaningful? What is the cost of remaining in a low state of Consciousness? Join us on a journey to find answers to these questions.   Tower of Babel: https://www.amazon.ca/Tower-Babel-Retelling-M-Couturier-ebook/dp/B08DL8YBRR/ref=sr_1_33?keywords=the+tower+of+babel&qid=1639445743&s=digital-text&sr=1-33   Power vs Force: https://read.amazon.ca/kp/embed?asin=B00EJBABS2&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_8T7HYJRRE9WEN07JMCXP

On Today's episode we will be reviewing They Live.  This John Carpenter classic from 1988 may have been more prophetic than we initially realized.  How do the central themes of this film reflect our current cultural predicaments? Join us as we take a deep dive into the world of propaganda, control, and fear, while we discuss some possible solutions to these threats to freedom and liberty.

On today's episode we continue to discuss the source of our current predicament. Is it the Left? The Right? No... it's all of us, and a particularly insidious superstition that we all share. Check out this book by Larken Rose: https://www.amazon.ca/Most-Dangerous-Superstition-Larken-Rose/dp/145075063X Discussed today: The Nature of Compliance, and the underlying psychology. The preservation of Self, the incorporation of the Shadow, and childhood trauma. Examples of non-compliance The spin of the Mainstream Media The Dunning Kruger Effect Ghandi and Passive resistance Social consequences of the lockdown Political Fallout in Canada

Obey the Narrative, don't think for yourself, and whatever you do, don't question anything. This is what we are expected to believe, and how we are supposed to act.  If this doesn't sound like freedom to you, tune in to this episode of The Sordid Skeptics as we take a deep dive into the prevailing narrative.  As usual, our opinions are our own, and hyperbolic vitriol is for entertainment purposes only. No medical advise is provided.

Today we discuss the psychological effects of social isolation, compared to solitary confinement in prison populations.  What are some of the effects of lock down? Both psychological and economic. What are some of the documented effects of solitary confinement from the perspective of prisoners? How can we recover from isolation? How will Collective Trauma impact future generations?    

If people can't control their own emotions, then they have to start trying to control other people's behavior.  Today we will be working through this argument. Emotional Immaturity leads to controlling behavior, which leads to authoritarianism.  Top 10 Signs of Emotional Immaturity What is Emotional Maturity? What is Controlling Behavior? What are Boundaries? How have Academia and the Media become corrupt?   Links & sources: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/resolution-not-conflict/201603/can-you-spot-10-signs-childish-adult https://www.aifc.com.au/emotional-immaturity-linked-to-depression-and-anxiety/ https://exploringyourmind.com/5-traits-emotionally-immature-people/ https://www.theschooloflife.com/thebookoflife/5-signs-of-emotional-immaturity/ https://www.abuseandrelationships.org/Content/Behaviors/subtle_control.html https://www.supportiv.com/relationships/controlling-behavior-signs-causes-what-to-do http://www.guidetopsychology.com/boundaries.htm https://psychcentral.com/lib/10-way-to-build-and-preserve-better-boundaries/ https://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-a-Controlling-Person https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/behavior/dealing-with-controlling-behavior-in-relationships/ https://www.thepostmillennial.com/social-justice-controls-people-with-the-exact-same-tactics-as-cults/ https://www.thepostmillennial.com/cults-and-sjws-exercise-full-control-over-members-environments      

We ain't afraid of no Woke. In today's festive episode we look back on the past year to reflect on those who suffered 'cancellation' or the attempt thereof. Some fared better than others, and we are going to reflect on why that is. What is Cancel Culture?  How does one go about getting cancelled? Is there anyway back from exile for the cancelled? Who was cancelled this year? How have our movies and TV shows been affected? We will review Terminator Dark Fate Vs. Terminator 2 Judgement Day, Ghostbusters 2016 Vs. Ghostbusters, Charlies Angels. Who are the unintended victims of cancel culture?    

Today Tim and I make the case for Truth, Critical Thinking, and Skepticism.   We need to honour and value Truth more than ever since we are experiencing what I would call a truth, meaning, freedom and morality crisis.  If you're paying enough attention you can see that we are swimming in a sea of lies being transmitted in our day to day lives at work, through the media, in politics, in religion, in schools and perhaps where it matters most, at home.  Let me ask you: Aren't you tired of constantly being told lies in whichever level of analysis you can sense them? The Mode of Psychological Equivalence Sigmund Freud: Ego Defences The Reflective/Mentalizing Stance The Foundation of Advertising Deontology vs Teleology The Divine Command Theory Post Modernism https://www.dailywire.com/news/seattle-public-schools-teaching-math-ethnic-studies-asks-who-gets-to-say-if-an-answer-is-right Media Malfeasance The Narrative™ What to do about it?  

Today, Tim and I will be discussing the nature of Archetypes. What role do they play in your decision making? And how do they describe patterns of behavior? The Innocent Goal: Remain in safety Fear: Abandonment Response to dragon/problem: Deny or seek rescue Task: Fidelity, discernment Gift: Trust, optimism, loyalty   The Warrior Goal: Win, get own way, make a difference through struggle Fear: weakness, powerlessness, impotence, ineptitude Response to Dragon/Problem: Slay, defeat, or convert it Task: High-level assertiveness, fighting for what really matters Gift: Courage, discipline, skill   King/Ruler Goal: A harmonious and prosperous kingdom Fear: Chaos, loss of control Response to Dragon/Problem: Find its constructive use Task: Take full responsibility for your life, find ways to express your deeper Self in the world Gifts: Sovereignty, responsibility, competence   Magician Goal: Transformation of lesser into better realities Fear:  Evil sorcery (transformation in a negative direction) Response to dragon/problem: Transform or heal it Task: Alignment of Self with cosmos Gift : Personal Power   So stay tuned as we wax lyrical on Archetypes, the challenges we face today, and strategies to overcome adversity.

Today we review the concept of Natural Law, as defined by individuals from Mark Passio to Thomas Aquinas.  What can this perspective tell us about living in harmony with reality? Topics include: Why bother with Natural and Spiritual Law? Moral Relativism is the disease that is destroying humanity Occultism that misuses the critical knowledge of Natural Law The era of deception and ignorance To be Sovereign means to be above rulers or control Cicero and the 'Greater Good' Ancient Greek Philosophy to the major religions.

Are we too late to turn back the decline of the world we know and love? We certainly hope not. Today we dive into the dark side of culture to see what distractions await us if we don't manifest enough meaning in our lives.  This one gets pretty heated, and is probably NSFW. As usual, our opinions are our own, and any hyperbolic vitriol is for entertainment purposes.   Today's topics include: Politically Correct Culture, “erasing” or re-writing history, the oppressive lens. Polarization and Projection. The shallow, destructive, and deceitful aspects of our own culture. The lack of appreciation for what came before us, and what was built for us. Absent fathers and a focus on toxic masculinity. Ideologically infused and supremely hollow education. The Marxist focus on the oppressor vs. the oppressed. The Nihilism that results from a rigged game, and the meaningless pursuits it generates. Our own lack of self awareness / unsortedness. A lack of care for our future self. For Nihilists, life and morals mean nothing.

Today Tim and I review a number of topics regarding Western Civilization: Freedom of Speech The Non-Aggression Principle Free Markets Private Property Rights Volunteerism The Rule of Law Due Process Judeo-Christian Values Philosophy Faith Nihilism? Motherhood & Family Values Liberty Individualism   Can these concepts be preserved?  

What is self esteem? Has this concept changed over the years? How can you ensure your self esteem is properly grounded in reality? These are some of the questions we try to digest in today's episode. We draw from Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden (http://a.co/g8UdGEE), and break it down with some examples from our own lives.    

Today Tim and I discuss The Shadow, and how it can be properly integrated. How much of your potential can be unlocked by integrating your 'dark side'? Join us on a journey into Depth Psychology as we explore Carl Jung's concepts, and learn how to incorporate your repressed tendancies to become more whole.

The Golden Mean is the idea that a balance between two extremes will allow us to walk the path of virtue. Virtue can add to the quality of your life in a number of different ways, and in today's episode we break down how that works. Stay tuned as we discuss various extremes, and how to balance them.   Courage Generosity Ambition Modesty Honesty Good Humor Friendship Temperance Composure Self Control

Anxiety is an all encompassing emotion that is linked to many different psychological aspects of our lives such as fear, worrying about the future along with symptoms of feeling irritated and nervous.  Anxiety can be used to describe phobias, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.  But it's normal to feel anxiety when facing many of the common life challenges we face like a job interview, an exam or first date. The problem lies in the degree to which we experience anxiety, whether its constant and overwhelming and when it gets in the way of our relationships and daily activities. Anxiety leads us to avoid or leave situations where it might occur.  It also encourages doing things perfectly along with trying to control events to prevent danger or from being overwhelmed. Thoughts associated with anxiety include an exaggeration of danger, an underestimation of our ability to cope and help that's available and the thoughts of worry and catastrophe.  Some of the physical reactions of anxiety include: sweaty palms, muscle tension, racing heart, flushed cheeks, and lightheadedness. Anxious thoughts are generally future oriented and often predict catastrophe. They begin with “What if...?” and end with a disastrous outcome.  Someone with a fear of public speaking may think “What if I mix up my words or forget my notes. What if people think I'm a fool and don't know what I'm talking about?”  This could be followed up with an image of the danger itself. With relationships one may be concerned about being judged, rejected, or embarrassed.  Thoughts such as : “What if I get hurt or what if the other person senses my weaknesses and takes advantage of me?”    Generally, the three responses to anxiety are “fight, flight, or freeze” which are responses that can be adaptive when we face danger. Existential Anxiety Anxiety as part of human nature Freud's perspective on Anxiety Neurotic Anxiety Moral Anxiety How Distorted Thinking increases stress and anxiety: All or Nothing Thinking Overgeneralizing Mentally Filtering our experience Disqualifying the Positive Jumping to Conclusions (Mindreading) Catastrophizing (Magnifying) Relying on Emotional Reasoning Using Should Statements Labeling yourself and others Personalization The Upside of Anxiety Solutions to Excessive Anxiety  

Our pilot episode dives right into the deep end with a personal dialouge between Shredder Steve and Tapping Tim on the difficulties dealing with depression. No punches are pulled, no stones unturned. What is it? What causes it? What can we do about it? Join us on this journey and realize that you are not alone in your suffering.