The Microtubular Origin of Consciousness

The mystery of consciousness is the nexus of our understanding reality with our experience of it.

Science can be used to investigate the mechanisms that give rise to conscious thought, but there will always be a somewhat magical quality to it. If one looks at the world through a mystical lens, then no amount of descriptive explanation will erase the feeling of wonder that the world inspires.

In my efforts to learn more about science and the nature of the mind, I came across the theories of Dr. Stuart Hameroff, an anesthesiologist who used his knowledge of controlling the mind state of patients to study the origin of conscious experience. He has been working with physicist Roger Penrose to uncover the nature of the mind.

I recently saw an article regarding Hameroff's theory on the website for The Resonance Institute, which was started by Nassim Haramein. Listening to one of Nassim Haramein's lectures about Sacred Geometry and the Unified Field was a rare instance where I had a complete cognitive breakthrough that gave me a drastically new outlook on reality. I felt a similar mind-expanding experience after listening to Hameroff's theories.

Resonance Science Foundation:

Confirmation of Quantum Resonance in Brain Microtubules

I would suggest watching Dr. Hameroff's many videos online where he elaborates his ideas.

The gist of his theory is that the conscious activity which we recognize as "mind" is not simply a function of neurons firing & interacting at the cellular level.

Consciousness is actually an emergent phenomenon, that begins at the quantum level and is facilitated by microtubule structures below the cellular scale. These tiny biological structures act with the unique molecular properties of water, to operate like interconnected quantum computers. They are working on a subatomic level, collapsing wave functions to create coherent states of experience.

I'm not sure if I'm describing the process exactly right, but his theories would bridge the fundamental level of quantum energy with the levels of neural cells & the brain as a whole. His ideas also address the transmittal of information across a range of scale, explaining how consciousness forms through these different levels within the brain.

Science Daily:

Discovery of Quantum Vibrations in 'Microtubules' 

Inside Brain Neurons Supports Controversial Theory of Consciousness

I feel like this is the right path toward a deeper understanding of our own mental activity, and how it arises from biological processes that result from interdependent complex systems.

Here is an animation of the energy dynamics of microtubules within a neural cell. It gives a sense of the rapid, interconnected exchange of information being carried out at the microscopic level, in every cell of our body.

Yoda & the Wisdom of Age

Today I mark another year of my life, and I feel grateful for all I've seen and experienced in my almost 4 decades in this world.

Despite being what is considered my mid-life years, I try to keep a youthful mindset and a fresh outlook on everything. I am engaged to the woman of my dreams, saving for a house, finding new avenues in my professional life- in many ways I feel like I'm just getting started!

One of my life-long favorite fictional characters, who has deeply inspired my outlook on philosophy, religion, personal conduct, and Reality itself, is Jedi Grand Master Yoda from Star Wars.

I saw this awesome image by Meg Owenson on Reddit.com/r/ImaginaryJedi/ of a serene Yoda standing in the swamps of his planet of exile, Dagobah. It embodies the mindset I try to cultivate- one of tranquility, wisdom, and attunement to nature & the living spirit that flows through everything.

ILM Finalist- "Yoda"

by Meg Owenson

I might not live to be 900 years old like Master Yoda, but I plan to live to at least 140!

Self-Portrait at Age 142

"Buddha" by Octavio Ocampo

Today I had a student write me, asking about a painting I posted about a few years ago.

The Monkey Buddha Archives: 

"Evolution of Man" by Octavio Ocampo

In going back and researching more about the artist, I found a gallery of his fantastic artwork.

Visions Fine Art Gallery-

Octavio Ocampo

I really was struck by his portrait of Buddha, with the superimposed images of his life and the spiritually symbolic composition.

NYC Toy Fair 2017

This weekend I made my annual trip to the Toy Fair trade show, held in midtown Manhattan at the Javitz Center.

It is a huge convention, featuring new products from toy & game manufacturers from around the world. I love seeing all the cool, fun things that are coming out on the market. There's definitely a lot to see, and I covered a lot of ground in the day that I was there, walking the whole show in 5-6 hours.

I also used the opportunity to make contacts with game publishers and toy companies to pitch ideas I'm personally trying to get to market, as well. I am especially focused on getting the strategy game I created, "Da Vinci's Challenge", published for retail again. Recently, a new edition of the game was produced, to be used as a promotional item by Swiss watchmaker, IWC Shaffhausen. I'll post up pics here soon.

Here is an album of all the photos I took at Toy Fair:

NYC Toy Fair 2017

Here are a few highlights, but click on the link above to see the whole album:

 An oversized monkey mask

 A cool figure of my favorite superhero, The Green Lantern.

I was feeling spaced-out around The Teletubbies.

 Samurai-styled Darth Vader & Imperial Royal Guards

 This awesome, life-size Dr. Strange statue had glowing rings of magical energy.

A googly-eyed Yoda doll sitting cross-legged.

BREAKING NEWS!!!: President Trump is Revealed to be Andy Kaufman

This would be the ONLY way that any of this makes any sense at all... 

... if the national embarrassment that we now have as President was actually subversive comedian Andy Kaufman - still alive & pranking the world with an elaborate disguise.

(seen on Weird Wide Web)

After listening to Trump's ridiculous & obnoxious media-bashing press conference yesterday, I don't know which is more unbelievable- how much of a narcissistic moron the guy really is, or that there are still people who actually listen to his self-centered ramblings and aren't disgusted by what a clueless shithead he is.

In fact, it's apparent from reading comments from his supporters that they actually think the press conference was an awesome beatdown of the "fake news". This is as delusional as claiming that a braying jackass is singing Italian opera. Trump looks and sounds like an absolute dope to anyone not brainwashed by right-wing propaganda & their own cognitive biases.

I think Howard Stern was right when he said Trump just wanted to run for President to get exposure for his brand & TV show. After he actually won, it quickly became clear that he was in waaaay over his head. His incompetence and conflicts of interest are already catching up to him in his first month. We'll see how long this flaming train wreck can barrel along, but maybe there's still a chance that the mask will be ripped off to reveal it was all just a big joke.

Shadow President Steve Bannon

We're only a few weeks into the Trump Presidency and it's already as crazy as anyone with the least bit of foresight could have predicted.

He just asked for the resignation of Michael Flynn, his National Security Advisor- because due to his illegal collusion with Russia, he was a danger to national security! This falls in line with Trump picking the worst possible candidates for high-level government positions, like Betsy DeVos for Education, Rick Perry for Energy, Tom Price for Health & Human Services, and on & on & on...

Trump is truly an ignoramus, and he has been busy signing executive orders that he doesn't understand fully. These hastily-crafted orders either have no chance of being implemented, or have already met resistance from the court system, due to their questionable constitutionality. It's clear that the administration is testing the limits of our system of checks and balances that limit Presidential power. Trump & his sycophants are autocratic fascists and would love to have authoritarian control with no oversight.

So the question is, if Trump isn't formulating these executive orders, who is pulling the levers behind the scenes? There are a few close advisors who have been in the spotlight. Probably the most important is former editor of pro-Trump propaganda outlet Breitbart news, & consummate asshole, Steve Bannon.

Cosmo:

Who is Steve Bannon?

Bannon was Trump's campaign manager, and was rewarded for his influence with the position of chief strategist and senior advisor in The White House. On top of these roles, Trump elevated him to a role on the National Security Council, while limiting the roles of the military and intelligence advisors. This completely insane move would be as if President Obama placed Arianna Huffington, Bill Maher or some other liberal media figure on the Security Council.

People see Steve Bannon's fingerprints on most of the actions & orders The White House has undertaken since the inauguration. This is very disturbing to anyone who is not caught up in the Trump cult of personality, because of Bannon's warped worldview and ideology.

Politico:

The Anti-Democratic Worldview 

of Steve Bannon and Peter Thiel

Bannon has a long history of offensive statements and wacked-out views. However, there are a couple of direct quotes that I think sum up the danger of this man being the controlling force behind the most powerful office in the world:

"Darkness is good," says Bannon, 

"Dick Cheney. Darth Vader. Satan. That's power. 

It only helps us when they..."

(I believe by "they" he means liberals and the media, 

already promoting calls for his ouster) "...get it wrong. 

When they're blind to who we are and what we're doing."

-The Hollywood Reporter

“I’m a Leninist,” Bannon proudly proclaimed.  

Shocked, I asked him what he meant.  

“Lenin,” he answered, “wanted to destroy the state, and that’s my goal too. 

I want to bring everything crashing down, 

and destroy all of today’s establishment.” 

-The Daily Beast

Communism, Hypnotism, and The Beatles

About 5 years ago, I came across this cover of a pamphlet from 1965, entitled "Communism, Hypnotism, and The Beatles".

I thought it was humorous & ridiculous, so I've had it sitting in my emails, but never posted it. Recently, on BoingBoing I saw more about this weird convergence between the rise of rock n' roll and the "Red Scare".

BoingBoing posted a link to a PDF of the full pamphlet, and also a YouTube video with an audio version & lecture by the author himself, David A. Noebel (who sounds like a really fun guy...).

The Beatles are definitely my favorite band, and I believe they were geniuses who were unparalleled in music history. They were a huge influence on my Dad, when he was a kid in the 1960's. The first band that he joined emulated the style & sound of The Beatles. He exposed me to the amazing catalog of music The Beatles produced when I was very young. So, I grew up appreciating the wide range of styles & creative depth of their work. 

Therefore, when I hear people like Noebel talk about the music of The Beatles as 'subversive', 'communist infiltration' or 'mind control', I immediately feel revulsion at the simple-minded dismissal of their artistic brilliance.

After reading the pamphlet, his main premise appears to be that The Beatles music "hypnotizes" the listener through specific beats and other harmonic effects that alter the nervous system. Yeah, well, no shit! The purpose of music is to effect the nervous system and the energies of the body. Where Nobel goes off the deep end is to claim that The Beatles music was specifically engineered by communist scientists, to warp the minds of the Christian youth & destroy Western culture.

Back in the Dark Ages of the presidency of George W. Bush, I used to get pamphlets by Lyndon LaRouche denouncing Bush, Cheney, & their neoconservative cabal. He also denounced The Beatles, claiming they were part of a Satanic social engineering program. This was something I just couldn't jive with, regardless of how much I agreed with the rest of his rhetoric against the corrupt government and elite.

These old-school, uptight jerks are just looking to divide everything into a simplistic view of "good" vs. "evil".  They are always looking to find an enemy in things they don't agree with. It also seems that they cannot comprehend the forces that move artists to create work that resonates and moves the masses. They dismiss this powerful creative influence as "mind control", that must be orchestrated by some nefarious, behind-the-scenes puppet masters.

Now, I'm not saying that there are no people or groups attempting subversive or downright evil influence through art & entertainment. There are definitely people with manipulative and even malicious agendas in control of various aspects of society. However, I think it's ridiculous to say that The Beatles were controlled by such a motivating factor. If anything, they were actually trying to open people's minds and break the cultural programming that so many other forms of media perpetrate.

They definitely helped expand my own mind to new ideas & modes of creativity. They are one of my biggest inspirations and have been a positive influence on countless people, especially musicians, spiritual seekers, and other artistic personalities. To say they were some kind of malevolent and corrupting force is just ignorance of the worst kind.

The Fascist Color Palette

As a designer, I am trained to find visual patterns. One of the many things I notice is color schemes used in advertising, art, & design.

Even political movements can have a visual identity. The word "fascist" has been thrown around a lot since The Gold Shithead, aka President A$$hole, Donald Trump defied all rational understanding of reality, by becoming President of the United States of America.

Let's look at the exact definition of "fascist" to see if it truly applies:

Fascism:

1. a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

2. a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control

If we take these definitions at face value, then yes, Donald Trump is the very definition of a fucking fascist:

Trump is the militaristic "law & order" candidate, despite never having actually served the country in any way at all • he thinks that he alone is the solution to all the country's problems • he absolutely cannot tolerate opposition or criticism in any form • dismissal by his administration of any news or information that contradicts their assertions as "fake" • he favors nationalist rhetoric over the idea of personal freedom • he is already creating a government "for-the rich-by-the-rich", that increases the already unacceptable gap between ultra-wealthy & the poor • he thinks he can just sign executive orders & do whatever he wants, with no checks or balances • and most of all, he fosters a devotional cult of personality where he seeks constant adoration.

I could go on & on, but I think this pretty well sums it up.

Since sometimes visual symbolism is more effective than words, I decided to make a graphic comparison using "The Fascist Color Palette"- consisting of black, red, & white.

These colors subconsciously represent danger and power. They were used most notably by the Nazi Party, and also by George Lucas in Star Wars to visually define The Galactic Empire- controlled by the quintessential fascist dictator, Emperor Palpatine and his fellow Sith Lord, Darth Vader.

It just so happens that these colors, including the black suit, white shirt, & "red power tie" make up the common wardrobe of Donald Trump, as well. Is it just a coincidence? Maybe. I'm just pointing out the obvious similarity. It's up to Trump & his administration to prove me wrong. Unfortunately, I'm not confident at all that he will...

(click to enlarge)

... and yes, I realize that other Presidents and leaders have wore this color combination. Any position of power, including the U.S. Presidency dances around the boundaries of fascism and authoritarianism. However, this has become Trump's signature look, and he has already tried recklessly stomping over that boundary, in a way that makes his administration's intentions clear. They would love a Trump™ Dictatorship with no opposition. The only things stopping them are the genius of our system of check's and balances, the free press, and the the resistance of the American people who didn't vote for this stain on our country's history.

"Flower of Life" Yoga Mat

I have started posting about examples of the "Flower of Life" pattern used in commercial design.

The Flower of Life is an ancient symbol of interlocking circles that I used to create a strategy game, "Da Vinci's Challenge". It is a beautiful pattern, so it is not surprising to see it used in design applications.

My fiancée bought her mom a yoga mat for her birthday, and The Flower of Life was used in the package art.

The company is Gaiam, and they also made the yoga block I posted about before. Their logo is actually the central floret of The Seed of Life. 


Considering they create products for yoga, meditation, and spiritual fitness, it is not surprising that they incorporate sacred geometry principles into their graphic design.

Cosmic Eye: Scale of the Universe

On Reddit's r/space, I saw this animated GIF that is one of the most important things a person can watch to get a glimpse of the nature of reality.

That scale tho...  (keeps going and going...)

It is a journey through the known scales of the Universe, from the farthest cosmic expanse (macrocosm) down to the subatomic quantum level (microcosm). The human being lies somewhere in the middle of this seemingly infinite continuum, the conscious nexus of experience.

Here's a video version in HD:

Cosmic Eye

There have been other attempts to visually represent the vast scales of inner & outer space, some of which I have posted before:

• Scale of the Universe 2

• Powers of Ten (10)

• The Known Universe

All these are tools for our minds to help comprehend the incomprehensible- the very nature of the Universe of which we are an integral part.