Gary Dean - Posts

Why Self-Aware People Step Back from Superficial Social Life

 – Inspired by Arthur Schopenhauer

Have you ever felt like you're watching the world from behind a glass wall—close enough to see, yet too distant to join? Have you ever sat in a room full of people and felt an overwhelming sense of hollowness, as if everyone was speaking a language you once understood but have long forgotten? If so, you're not broken. You're not antisocial. You're simply awake in a world that rewards sleepwalkers. Arthur Schopenhauer didn't despise people; he despised illusions—the illusion that belonging is virtue, that being liked is meaningful, that noise is connection. He saw the truth few dare to name: the clearer your awareness, the less sense society makes. The self-aware mind does not isolate itself out of disdain for others; it withdraws because it can no longer sustain illusions. This isn't about elitism—it's about clarity. It's about standing still in a stampede and realizing no one k

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Applied Anthropology

 – Bridging Theory and Practice for Real-World Impact

Applied anthropology is the practical application of anthropological methods, theories, and insights to address real-world challenges. It serves as a bridge between academic anthropology and actionable solutions, engaging with contemporary social, cultural, economic, political, and environmental issues. By leveraging its interdisciplinary nature, applied anthropology fosters collaboration across diverse fields, including sociology, psychology, public health, environmental science, and economics. This article explores the core aspects, historical evolution, key areas of application, challenges, and philosophical dimensions of applied anthropology. --- ### Core Aspects of Applied Anthropology #### 1. **Definition and Scope** Applied anthropology transcends the boundaries of traditional subfields—cultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological anthropology—drawing from al

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Script: Defining Dharma

 – A Journey to the West

# Introduction > [On-screen title: *Defining Dharma: A Journey to the West*] > [Cut to a slow pan across ancient stone carvings, manuscripts, and cultural rituals from various parts of the world. Soft ambient music plays.] The word *dharma* is one of the most enduring—and yet most misunderstood—concepts in human thought. In the Western world, it often arrives as a borrowed term, loosely associated with Eastern spirituality, karma, or moral law. But this is a distortion—an oversimplification of a far more complex and adaptive idea. Dharma is not a singular doctrine. It is not confined to any one religion, region, or historical period. It is not merely a rulebook, nor is it a metaphysical abstraction. It is a way—a path, a framework, a structure—that holds together the ethical, social, and existential dimensions of human life. > [Cut to black-and-white portr

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Bizarre YouTube Censorship

 – wtf? SRSLY? :facepalm:

Some friends and I have a YouTube channel called ['a secular dharma?'](https://youtube.com/@aseculardharma). This channel has long -- often boring -- discussions about the nature and definition of dharma, and about life in general. In Sept 2024, YouTube removed a video entitled "Metaphysical Thinking - Father Xmas - Cargo Cults", _posted more than 4.5 years ago_, claiming that it violated their **"Violent extremist or criminal organisations policy"**. This is a transcript of the section deemed "problematic" by YouTube: --- And that is the basis of a collective vision of a collective belonging to something. And I mean, and the QAnon phenomenon is pretty much the same thing. It's a cargo cult in some ways. Absolutely, yeah. Yeah, it's relief from their suffering because I mean, obviously the people who believe this are the ones who are suffering in America. And

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Defining Dharma

 – ways, paths, cultures, outlooks

## The Etymology of 'Dharma' The word *dharma* is one of the most enduring and multifaceted terms in human thought, with deep roots in ancient Indian languages and cultures. While it is often associated with religious or spiritual traditions, its etymology reveals a concept that transcends doctrinal boundaries. Understanding the origin of the word provides a foundation for exploring its evolution into a dynamic framework for ethical living, social cohesion, and existential orientation. ### Linguistic Roots The term *dharma* originates from the Sanskrit root **dhṛ** (धृ), meaning "to hold," "to support," or "to sustain." This root conveys the idea of that which upholds or maintains the structure of reality—whether cosmic, social, or individual. The noun *dharma* (धर्म) thus came to signify "that which holds together" or "that which maintains order." T

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