JRE #136 – Daniel Pinchbeck (Part 1)

9/8/2011

This podcast features a conversation with Daniel Pinchbeck, an author known for his books “Breaking Open the Head” and “2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl”. The discussion touches on a variety of topics, including the end of civilization, psychedelics, the global economy, peak oil, and the potential for a shift in human consciousness. Some provocative and controversial topics are also explored, including the nature of reality, the role of the media in shaping our understanding of the world, and the possibility of a coming apocalypse.

Podcast Topic Breakdown

Here are the main topics discussed in this podcast, along with a summary of each:

1. Apocalyptic Premonitions & the End of Civilization

   • Pinchbeck, known for his writings about the end of civilization, sees evidence of a global transformation in the buckling of the economy, ecological crisis, and peak oil.
   • He acknowledges the debate surrounding peak oil but believes it’s a well-established reality, pointing to the increasing global competition for resources and the push for oil extraction in environmentally sensitive areas.
   • While not predicting a specific event like the 2012 doomsday prophecy, Pinchbeck emphasizes the inevitability of an end game for the current global civilization due to resource depletion and ecological strain.
   • This topic touches upon the need to re-evaluate our relationship with nature and the potential for a shift in human consciousness as a response to these looming challenges.

2. The Power of Psychedelics

   • Pinchbeck views psychedelics as a valuable tool for deconditioning our present state of consciousness, breaking down rigid belief systems, and fostering a deeper connection to the present moment.
   • He emphasizes the potential of psychedelics to challenge our assumptions about reality and the role of money, allowing us to see the world through a fresh perspective.
   • The discussion acknowledges the legality and social stigma surrounding psychedelics, but highlights their potential for fostering personal transformation and challenging conventional norms.
   • This topic delves into the potential of psychedelics for promoting personal growth and a deeper understanding of our place in the universe.

3. The Role of the Media in Shaping Consciousness

   • The podcast critiques the homogenizing and simplifying effects of mass media, particularly television, which is seen as a “lobotomy machine” that promotes passivity and consumerism.
   • Pinchbeck argues that the media often fosters a sense of fear and anxiety, presenting the world in a fragmented and disconnected way that hinders critical thinking and deeper analysis.
   • However, the emergence of interactive media like the internet is seen as a potentially transformative force, fostering interconnectedness, global movements, and direct democracy.
   • This discussion explores the evolving role of media in shaping our understanding of the world and the potential for both positive and negative impacts on human consciousness.

4. The Crisis of Capitalism

   • The podcast delves into the inherent instability of capitalism, arguing that it’s a transitional system that requires constant growth and expansion, leading to unsustainable levels of debt and resource depletion.
   • The bailouts of 2008 are cited as a prime example of the system’s flaws, where trillions of dollars were funneled into opaque financial systems with little transparency or accountability.
   • The discussion explores alternative economic models, such as the “Terra” currency proposed by Bernad Leotard, which aims to create a system based on real-world resources and a demerage charge that discourages hoarding.
   • This topic emphasizes the need for a shift in our financial paradigm to address the unsustainable nature of current systems and create a more equitable and sustainable future.

5. The Significance of 2012 & the Potential for Transformation

   • While acknowledging the hype surrounding the 2012 doomsday prophecy, Pinchbeck uses the date as a focal point for a global event to promote peace and unity, aiming to turn the fear surrounding the date into a positive catalyst for change.
   • He sees the current cultural moment as a time of unprecedented interconnectedness, allowing for the spread of ideas and the potential for global action on a scale never before seen.
   • The discussion explores the potential for humanity to transition into a more symbiotic and conscious state, where we act as a singular organism rather than fragmented individuals.
   • This topic raises questions about the nature of our collective consciousness and the possibility of a paradigm shift toward greater unity and cooperation.

6. The Hero’s Journey and the Need for Initiation

   • The podcast analyzes the recurring themes of the hero’s journey in popular narratives like the X-Men, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Avatar, where individuals discover and develop their psychic faculties.
   • Pinchbeck suggests that these stories tap into a deep human yearning for a transformative initiatory experience, which our society often denies or suppresses.
   • He argues that the lack of conscious initiation rituals in our culture can lead to destructive forces, including war and environmental destruction.
   • This topic explores the human need for ritual and ceremony to mark transitions and foster personal growth, suggesting that our society’s lack of such rituals may be contributing to our current crises.

7. The Role of Natural Cycles and the Limits of Control

   • Despite our technological advances and sense of separation from nature, we remain subject to natural cycles, including those of the Earth and the universe.
   • Pinchbeck argues that the current cultural shift is not simply a result of human behavior, but is part of a larger cosmic process that is affecting the planet and all its inhabitants.
   • The discussion explores the potential for the current changes to be a necessary part of a natural cycle, like the transition from childhood to adulthood, leading to a new state of being for humanity.
   • This topic challenges our assumptions about our control over the natural world and suggests that we may need to embrace a more humbling and interconnected perspective.

Memorable Quotes

Here are some of the memorable quotes from the podcast:

• “I think it’s an a natural cycle, man. I really do.”
• “We are a natural thing, and we are subject to the natural cycles of this earth, of this super organism, of the universe itself.”
• “I think that that thing that that’s missing from our culture is this direct initiatory process.”
• “It’s like it’s on an unconscious level. We’re kind of willing ourselves into a state of catastrophe to bring about an initiation and and thereby a transformation of consciousness.”
• “The longer you held on to a Terra, the less it would be worth. So instead of a gold standard, it would be based based on a bunch of different Exactly. A bun a bundle of resources that include fuel and wheat and processed foods and unprocessed goods and so on.”