The Illusion of Linear Progress: Unraveling the Myth
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Chapter 1: The Perils of Simplistic Narratives
In the words of Jorge Luis Borges, "The worst labyrinth is not that intricate form that can trap us forever, but a single and precise straight line." This thought resonates deeply as we examine the world around us, filled with predators that often seek a warm meal. The sudden snap of vertebrae and the rush of blood serve as grim reminders that many beings must consume life to survive. Chickens, for example, possess an instinctive awareness of this reality, a remnant encoded within their altered DNA. Staying motionless can be a defense mechanism against predators, albeit one that doesn't guarantee safety. Yet, they often resort to this strategy.
You can effortlessly hypnotize a chicken, a fact well-documented on YouTube, where cheerful farmers draw lines in the dirt to mesmerize these birds. This phenomenon even finds a mention on Wikipedia, which highlights how the U.S. military employs a similar tactic, referred to as "hypnotizing chickens." When faced with challenging questions from reporters, they may resort to tedious PowerPoint presentations, designed to lull the audience into a stupor—a modern-day equivalent of drawing a line in the sand to distract from more pressing issues.
Humans, too, are susceptible to quirks and vulnerabilities. While it may take more than a simple line to enchant us, it often requires surprisingly little.
We All Grasp Geometry
From a young age, we learn that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. However, this principle falters when we delve into the complexities of quantum physics, where light behaves unpredictably. In our day-to-day lives, we often conflate simplicity with truth. Society teaches us that education leads to good jobs and, ultimately, to the acquisition of material desires.
As a child, I envisioned toys and candies as my ultimate goals, struggling to understand why my parents didn't prioritize those forms of happiness. Yet, as we mature, we outgrow such desires while still clinging to the notion of a linear trajectory. The hypnotic grip of progress entices us, blurring the lines of our journey until we reach our destination, much like chickens fixated on the lines drawn before them.
“The streak of chalk bewitcheth the hen; the stroke he struck bewitched his weak reason. Madness AFTER the deed, I call this.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
The Cultural Belief in Progress
Our society thrives on the narrative of progress—from our primitive ancestors to sophisticated hunter-gatherers and beyond. Following millennia of survival, someone realized that seeds sown in autumn yield new growth in spring, paving the way for the rise of civilizations, governance, and private property.
While this trajectory could be termed progress, one must ponder the reality of their situation. Are we truly advancing? Does the hypnotic line we follow bring us joy, or do we sometimes feel as if it curves back, leading us in circles?
The Predators Among Us
We are urged to concentrate on the lines drawn for us, to admire their flawless execution. Yet, as we focus on these distractions, the true dangers lurk in the shadows, waiting to exploit our inattention. The adage holds: when something is offered for free, often we are the product. Perhaps it's preferable to be sold than consumed by an indifferent system that assures us we're on a path to fulfillment, all the while concealing its true intentions.
The Danger of Inaction
In some contexts, remaining still may appear safer, but this strategy can be a double-edged sword. It may feel wise to stay small and hidden, as our ancestors did, yet we are not merely designed to filter existence.
In the case of a bear attack, the response depends on the type of bear: playing dead for a grizzly, while fighting back against a black bear. The world is rife with predators, but more often, it is scavengers that thrive on the remnants of life, and we, too, are subject to this cycle. Remaining stationary can lead to our demise.
The straight line—the myth of progress—may be leading us toward extinction, guiding us through life in cattle cars. True vitality lies in the deviations and unexpected turns. While straight lines may hypnotize chickens, the belief in a linear ascent toward an imaginary future is perhaps the most dangerous illusion of all.
© Ryan Frawley 2022 All proceeds from this article will be donated to Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontiers.
Chapter 2: The Hypnotic Nature of Chicken Control
The first video, "Hypnotizing a Chicken (but does it work?)", explores the phenomenon of chicken hypnotism, demonstrating how simple lines can captivate these birds.
The second video, "Hypnotize A Chicken", further delves into this amusing yet thought-provoking topic, providing insights into the mechanics behind this peculiar behavior.