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Ronnie Rocket's avatar

God Forbid! I think this was kind of chilling, Mary, as in "icy certainty". Yeah, right! We don't want no stinkin' common sense or ancient wisdom to confuse us. Just the so-called facts, more ones and zeroes, please! no need for individual thought, interpretation, or intuition.

You never disappoint, Mary, well done.

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Thanks, Ronnie! I'll take "chilling" as a description, for sure -- it means I achieved a goal with this piece!

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Tereza Coraggio's avatar

Delightful and prescient!

I was just listening to Bo Burnham's brilliant Welcome to the Internet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1BneeJTDcU.

And I love that divinity is female. I've been reading a book called When God Was a Woman. Did you know that was true for 9500 years? It's been a mere 1500 since God's sex change.

And for some reason I woke up thinking about apples in the inversions of stories. Genesis says that Eve ate from the tree of 'the knowledge of good and evil.' What is that but judgment? However she's the one judged Ev(il) by the omniscient narrator who usurps her divinity for Himself (sic). He steals Judgment, which belongs to Her, the mother who only ever judges innocent and wants happiness for all her children.

And what about that golden apple thrown in front of Aphrodite? Was that another masculine trick blamed on a woman? The masculine side of the brain is the one stuffed with information that replaces intuition and beauty, the Venusian astrology in which we are currently suffused.

And then there's the wicked stepmother/ witch with her poison apple. Who made women so dependent on men that they'd have to trade on their beauty and lose security to a younger rival when it was gone? During the 9500 years when God was a woman, property succession was matrilineal. No primogeniture! And mothers were seen as the single parents of their children, with sperm donation not counting as shared ownership! So Snow White, if her mother died, would have been cared for by her aunts and grandmother, not some money-grubbing second wife. The house would have belonged to our hero Snow, not her father, so there would be no money to grub!

I think that Information should be portrayed as an adolescent boy, like all the ones who are promoting it, whether they look like robots or have sagging skin. Don't smear women with this seduction!

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Thanks, Tereza! I knew you'd have lots to say about the feminization of Information. As per usual, you make excellent points. But that's the way it came knocking on my creative door, so I honored it...

Thank you, too, for introducing me to Bo Burnham. Wow, is all I can say right now. xox

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Sounder's avatar

I love it, as I often say; What we need now is not more information, rather we need new ways to arrange our information. More poetry!

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Yes! Connecting the dots, not more dots! Thanks, Sounder.

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Michael Warden's avatar

I like the way that is put!

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Science is Political 2.0's avatar

So you need the Connecting Dots for Dummies book or what? I did steal that meme.. I may post this week... ROFL.

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EJay's avatar

A part of the allure is that information...the knowing & pursuing...makes me feel "responsible" and all the connotations...mature, knowledgable and capable. But all of that edges out my fears and doesn't leave much room for God. I hate Alice in Wonderland but sadly I keep ending up in rabbit holes. 💔🤷‍♀️😑

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Beautifully stated, EJay. I've felt that same sense of responsibility and maturity -- almost a "duty" as an "informed citizen" -- and I think that in some cases, I've made better choices as a result. But most of the time, I feel unduly burdened by information that actually has zero relevance to my life. And that burden translates into a contracted, squelched spirit. So it's all about balance for me -- walking that fine line every day.

Thanks for your comment!

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KatWarrior's avatar

Amen, EJay. Well put. Thank you for putting words so accurately describing what I experience and feel so deeply.

I, however have found time and space for God every morning. It helps tremendously set a healthier tone for the day.

Gardening is a relatively new obsession that is so wonderful. The benefits are simply immeasurable! I highly recommend it for all Type A’s. There is no perfection, just the glorious process!

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Surviving the Billionaire Wars's avatar

Spoken directly to my internet addiction ...

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

You and me both...

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Oh Mary, you wizard with words, what a beauty you've constructed here. Really, expertly honed in on that ongoing seduction - so succinct! - and the price we pay in exchange.

(Eve and the apple offering, again and yet again. Right from the start an inversion, since the absorption with information, the collection of bits as if they mean anything outside feeling and cohesion of bits into a whole - is far from feminine - but that's been part of the trick hasn't it? How the information is offered, the feminine is softer and we trust that more readily.)

Powerful piece - have you sent it to Douglas Murray? - who may not know it, but is one of its more recent, obvious, victims.

it is you, only you

who will chart

the correct course

of humanity

with icy certainty

that you know better,

Thank you! More poetry please. XOX

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

YES! Thank you for really seeing this piece, Kathleen, and the intentions behind it. My artist-self feels totally gratified.

Hahaha! I love the idea of sending it to Murray. Can't imagine he'd recognize himself in it, but ya never know...😜

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Susan P ...'s avatar

Powerful - thank you much Mary, you nailed it. The past 5 years I've been relying more on intuition & Divine Wisdom coming from Source. Detaching from the madness of the world & attaching myself to Truth, Health & Spirit. The answers are within ...

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Thanks, Susan. I've done the same. It's the only way I can stay sane!

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Steve Martin's avatar

Still reeling from your most recent Next! post, and still sitting on a worthy response to that challenge-vitation. But I just had to share a quick bravo over this gorgeous piece of word wizardry. Would love to hear this translated into a tone poem along the lines of Lyle Mays ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8UoV0xBsVI

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Ooh, I'd love that, too. I'd never heard of Lyle Mays... what an artist! Fabulous. Thanks for the quick bravo; your engagement with my work always brings some delight...xox

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The Critical Middle's avatar

wow truth so artfully and profoundly stated

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Thanks, CM! And for the restack, too 🙏🏼

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David Nelson's avatar

I wasn't prepared to have a mirror held up to my wh*ring. You have well captured this Age. "NEXT!"

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Thanks, David! 😂

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Barbara Sinclair's avatar

Amen to this, Mary. I have three planets in Sagittarius, and we have an insatiable hunger for knowledge and Truth and what-is-the-meaning-of-life. But, the internet has even made my Sag self weary of all the information. Enough already.

Yesterday, I gingerly stepped onto slippery mossy rocks to sit in the middle of the stream. I had to stop my mind from its incessant chattering, but when it finally stilled, I felt like I'd crossed into another dimension. It's a conundrum. I love to read and I love to write, but I find myself extricating more and from the information machine. I guess balance is the answer? Without it, I wouldn't have the stream or your wonderful words. XOXO 💦 ✍️

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Yes to balance. The Madhya, or "middle path," seems to always be my friend. It may not be wildly exciting - -okay, it's definitely not -- but it sure is a healthier place to reside.

When I was growing up in Ohio, I lived in a suburb called Rocky River, naturally named for THE Rocky River. I used to ride my bike down into the valley, along the river, until I found just the right spot where I could park my 10-speed and wade into the current. There were lots of suitable rocks, but I had a favorite, and I sat there for an hour or more, basking in the warm sun like a turtle.

As you said, it's another dimension. Not one we can stay in forever, but one we must visit again and again. XOX!

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elle morgan's avatar

Holy Smokes Mary! That made my toes tingle in my shoes! I hope you will lend this artful perspective to a Scene or a song in the “Epic Musical.” Art will, if not save us, guide us! Toward beauty! This piece and you are beautiful.

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Thank you, elle! I couldn't agree more on the "art will save/guide us" sentiment. Keep me in the loop on your Epic Musical, for sure... xox!

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elle morgan's avatar

In fact, I can see the character you have created in this poem as a character! AND, I believe there are lyrics there for the seducers song!!

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Zanzibar McFate's avatar

Outstanding. So well done. It hits a deep truth inside. "5 things you need to survive the..." Endless teasing stoking one's fears for just one more click.

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Great example of the seduction, Zanzibar! And thanks for the kind comment...

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Visceral Adventure's avatar

I see a theme popping up for you lately: honoring the art, the real, the divine and forgoing the artífice, the imitation, the mechanical. Letting go of “knowing” and returning to the Knowing that begs to be remembered.

Another lovely poem, sweet friend. Thank you!

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

100%! I think it's my innate response to The Machine.

"...returning to the Knowing that begs to be remembered." Oh my, that makes me sigh with delight. Thank YOU. xoxox

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Michael Warden's avatar

'Divinity, the unprovable wench' cast out by this dark and poisonous seductress... this is such a soulful and poignant reminder of where we are and what the other, much needed, choice is!

You hit the mark again dear Mary!

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Thank you so much, dear Michael! xox!

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Science is Political 2.0's avatar

NO I don't "want it".. and I especially do not "WANT UNSPECIFIED "IT"" during HOLY WEEK. So on that note: HAVE A REALLY BLESSED HOLY WEEK. :) because HE IS RISEN!

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