This chapter examines the intersection of shamanism and modern technology through the lens of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, as transformative tools for understanding consciousness. The speakers discuss how high doses of psychedelics can reveal insights into the mind and its complexities, drawing parallels between shamans and technologists. Personal anecdotes illustrate the profound and sometimes distressing experiences associated with these substances, emphasizing the importance of dosage and the potential for deep reflection.
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Guest speaker: Terence McKenna
PROGRAM NOTES:
In this recording, Terence McKenna discusses his wave theory, which he claims predicts every moment up until December 21, 2012. He addresses the common question of what happens after this date, suggesting a series of increasingly strange scenarios. A less strange scenario he proposes involves a sudden shift in human behavior where everyone begins to act appropriately, inspired by Buddhist and Taoist principles. McKenna humorously imagines that this might lead people to take off their clothes and go outside, although he admits he can't predict what would happen beyond that point.
Among other things, he says, "I think, in a sense, technology is the the alchemical journey toward the condensation of the soul, and the union of spirit and matter in some kind of hyper-object."