JRE #561 – Bruce Damer

10/14/2014

This podcast features a conversation with Dr. Bruce Damer, a polymath scientist, designer, and general explorer. Damer shares his diverse experiences, from working on space missions for NASA to researching the origins of life. The podcast delves into provocative topics, exploring the limits of consciousness, the potential of technology, and the mysteries of ancient civilizations.

Major Topics in the Podcast

1. Damer’s Unusual Background and Experience at Burning Man During Hurricane Katrina: Damer’s background is described as “unusual,” showcasing his work in various fields, from space exploration to computer science. The podcast highlights a particularly bizarre and memorable event: Damer and a group of friends at Burning Man were able to access a Pentagon reconnaissance satellite during Hurricane Katrina. This incident highlights Damer’s resourceful nature and the sometimes unconventional approaches he takes.
2. The Transformative Power of Psychedelics: Damer and Rogan discuss the potential of psychedelics, drawing connections to the “stoned ape” theory and their impact on consciousness. They highlight ongoing research on psilocybin for various therapeutic uses, from addiction to end-of-life care. Damer also reflects on the transformative potential of psychedelics, using the example of British soldiers on LSD in the 1950s who experienced a shift in perspective and lost their fear of war.
3. The Rapid Advancement of Technology and its Impact on Society: Damer shares his fascination with the rapid pace of technological change, particularly between the years 1945 and 1970. He notes how technology has drastically altered everyday life, making our reliance on it both fascinating and concerning. The podcast explores the implications of this rapid advancement, considering the potential for societal collapse and the challenges of preserving knowledge in a digital age.
4. The Mysteries of Ancient Civilizations: Damer expresses his fascination with ancient civilizations, particularly their sophisticated architecture and engineering achievements, often achieved without the technology we consider essential. The discussion explores the potential for lost knowledge and the impact of catastrophic events on the preservation of history. Damer also mentions the “Georgia Guidestones,” a controversial monument containing cryptic messages that seem to anticipate a future world after an apocalypse.
5. The Role of Initiation and Boundary Dissolution in Human Development: Damer proposes a theory that our culture lacks a powerful, transformative initiation process, which he believes is crucial for human development. He points to the example of the Elusinian mysteries, a series of initiations that were central to ancient Greek culture. He suggests that the lack of such rituals in modern society could be a contributing factor to our current state of “juvenility,” leading to unhealthy reliance on technology and unsustainable consumption patterns.
6. The Technological Singularity and the Future of Artificial Life: Damer and Rogan discuss the concept of the technological singularity, a hypothetical moment when artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence. Damer presents a compelling argument against the feasibility of the singularity, suggesting that while technology continues to advance, it is fundamentally limited by the laws of physics and the limitations of our understanding of biology. He believes that our obsession with technology is part of a natural process, driving us towards the creation of artificial life forms.
7. The Role of Endogenous Visioning and the Limits of Technology: Damer describes his practice of “endogenous visioning,” a form of meditation that allows him to access profound states of consciousness. He believes that this practice can lead to valuable insights, especially in fields like space exploration and the origins of life. He argues that while technology has advanced significantly, it is still fundamentally limited by the constraints of its design and the inherent complexity of biological systems. Damer posits that the future of technology lies in a hybrid approach, merging computing with natural systems.
8. The Problem of Legacy and the Need for Disruptive Innovation: Damer criticizes our tendency to build upon existing technology, creating layers of complexity that often hinder progress. He uses the example of operating systems, noting how each new version often carries baggage from previous versions. He argues that disruptive innovation, such as the shift from desktop computers to mobile devices, is crucial for breaking free from these limitations and creating truly new and efficient technologies.
9. The Importance of Perturbing the Mind and Challenging Preconceived Notions: Damer emphasizes the importance of “perturbing the mind” to break free from limiting beliefs and access new possibilities. He argues that those who resist perturbation are often those who have never experienced it themselves. The podcast explores the value of psychedelics, meditation, and other practices that can expand consciousness and facilitate insights.
10. The Role of Isolation Tanks and their Potential for Personal Growth: Damer and Rogan discuss the benefits of isolation tanks, praising their potential to enhance introspective thinking and personal growth. Damer shares his own experiences with floatation tanks, highlighting their ability to quiet the mind and facilitate deep reflection. He believes that isolation tanks have been undervalued and underutilized, despite their potential to foster creativity and accelerate personal evolution.
11. The Ancient World and the Power of Undistracted Consciousness: Damer and Rogan explore the possible connection between the lack of distraction in ancient cultures and their extraordinary achievements. They theorize that the ancients were less hampered by the constant flow of information and stimuli that we experience today, allowing them to achieve a level of focus and clarity that enabled them to design and build incredible structures.
12. The Role of Shamanism and the Return of Ancient Wisdom: Damer suggests that the resurgence of interest in shamanism, meditation, and other ancient practices indicates a yearning for a more holistic and connected way of living. He believes that these practices hold the key to unlocking a deeper level of consciousness and returning to a more balanced way of existing in the world.
13. The Potential of Technology for Enhanced Understanding and Communication: Damer speculates on the potential of future technologies, such as brain-computer interfaces, to facilitate deeper understanding and communication between individuals. He envisions a future where access to memories and motivations will be more transparent, reducing deception and fostering greater empathy.
14. The Cosmic Giggle and the Power of Low-Probability Events: Damer describes his experiences with endogenous visioning, suggesting that his mind is capable of accessing information and insights beyond the limitations of traditional thought processes. He believes that these experiences point to the existence of a nonlocal intelligence, a universal consciousness that we can access through expanded states of awareness. He presents a concept he calls the “Cosmic Giggle,” the idea that the universe is capable of triggering low-probability events, leading to the emergence of life and complexity.
15. The Importance of Challenging Conventional Thinking and Embracing Uncertainty: Throughout the podcast, Damer emphasizes the importance of challenging conventional thinking and embracing uncertainty. He encourages listeners to be open to new possibilities, question established beliefs, and explore the edges of their own consciousness. Damer’s unconventional perspectives and willingness to explore the unknown make this podcast a thought-provoking exploration of human potential and the future of our world.

Memorable Quotes

• “The world’s most amazing teddy bear.” – Rogan describes Dennis McKenna, a renowned ethnobotanist and friend of Damer’s.
• “The cell phones run for a month. They’re like in rubberized cases.” – Damer describes the innovative technology developed by a Pentagon official who worked on extreme emergency relief efforts.
• “We seem to be hitting higher order brain functions.” – A psilocybin researcher explains that the drug appears to affect higher-order brain functions, rather than simply plugging up neurotransmitter pathways.
• “We’re the only animal that’s mesmerized by this the screening of a phone or, you know, texture patterns, movies, moving images.” – Damer suggests that our fascination with screens is hardwired into our brains due to our evolutionary history with snakes.
• “This planet is a womb, and it’s a tomb.” – Damer’s vivid description of Earth’s role in the cycle of life and death, emphasizing the importance of finding a new home for life to continue.