Fire Insurance

                                                                                           written 19 May, 2024

                                                                                        published 26 May 2024

  

            In unity reality, everything is connected, so any evaluation of a situation has only a relative "beginning" point.  In most cases, the "start" is when something rises to the point of unavoidable awareness.  A case in point is the home owner's insurance crisis.

            An arbitrary beginning might be the end of the last Ice Age, about 12,000 years ago.  Atmospheric CO₂, functioning much like a home thermostat, rose 50 percent over a few thousand years, and then held steady.  This warmed the planet enough to melt ice sheets several miles thick, allowing the rise of human civilizations.  All of recorded history has occurred within a stable temperature range.  

            Beginning a few centuries ago, humans began tapped into stored fossil energy, which living organisms had laid down over millions of years.  Beginning slowly, but increasing every year, the combustion waste products changed the atmospheric chemistry, slowly increasing the temperature.  As of today, humans have increased the atmospheric CO₂content by another 50 percent. 

            When the planet heats, droughts increase, and fires increase in both frequency and intensity.  The California fire season is now year around.  A few years ago, a fire burning into Redding became a tornado, with temperature up to 2,000°F.  Whole communities have been destroyed.  As we continually add more CO₂, this problem worsens.

            The fire insurance industry evolved during more stable times.  Historic records were reliable measure of future events, and insurance rates could be confidently established, giving a balance between homeowner affordability and insurance company profit motives.  However, as the atmospheric chemistry changes, the rate of asset destruction increases.  Historic records no longer accurately predict future losses.  As the companies pay out more than their premiums bring in, they risk bankruptcy.  

            In California, regional insurance companies can't raise rates arbitrarily, but are legally constrained in order to insure homeowner affordability, a socialist balance against the normal greed inherent in insurance.  Until recently, future forecasting of risk wasn't allowed.

            A further pressure on regional companies comes from the fact that they insure themselves with international reinsurance companies, which necessarily take long-term, global reality into account.  Decades ago, they began to notice the climate crisis was increasing losses they covered, and they began to raise reinsurance rates to the regional companies.            

            With climate driven destruction increasing, regional companies were caught between the legal inability to raise rates locally, and the constantly increasing re-insurance rates.  Rather than going bankrupt, regional companies began to quit the California market.  The California FAIR Plan is a state-run backup insurance plan, providing coverage that is more limited and more expensive.  However, a significant portion of the funds come from all the insurance companies operating within the state.  Consequently, if too many for-profit insurance companies leave the state, the FAIR Plan is also at risk.

            California has bowed to reality, and recently changed the rules to allow forecasting of future risk when setting rates.  This reduces the threat of lack of available insurance, which could have crashed the entire real estate industry and the banking system which funds it.  Uninsurable property loses 80 percent of its market value, threatening the property tax income of every level of government.  While allowing rates to increase might keep insurance available, it won't necessarily be affordable.  The bankruptcy threat shifts from companies to individuals, neither being socially beneficial.

            We pay about .4 percent of our home value in annual insurance costs.  Other states already pay from 3 to 13 times as much.  Florida has experienced 5 major hurricanes in the last 7 years.  Flooding and storm damage is increasing so fast that the entire state may become uninsurable.  Most of the US has yet to factor in the growing climate risks when it comes to insurance rates.  Increasing climate driven losses threaten to bankrupt all forms of insurance, which is beginning to get more attention.

            But adjusting insurance rates does nothing to deal with the root problem of our worsening atmospheric chemistry.  Effectively dealing with this has two parts: decarbonization and sequestration.  We are still adding ever more CO₂ every year.  Decarbonization is the process of re-engineering our entire economy to reduce that emission rate to zero as soon as possible.  Sequestration is the process of removing 1,000 billion tons of CO₂, returning to 300ppm, a level we know can sustain humanity.

            While canceled insurance gets attention, we have to do more to leave a habitable planet for our descendants. 

 

 

Blaming Others

                                                                                           written 12 May, 2024

                                                                                       published 19 May 2024

  

            In 1755, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Lisbon, Portugal, destroying the city, including all the churches.  Since geophysics was unknown in those days, the "cause" was attributed to "sinners" who had angered God.  Church leaders helpfully pointed out the guilty few, who were immediately lynched.

            The concept of scapegoat, "one that is made to bear the blame of others", is ancient, a tool used by fundamentalist in all authoritarian structures.  It presupposes the "problem" resides outside their community, and promises changes "out there" will fix things.  When the real problem is internal, external fixes ultimately fail.

            Despite the equalitarian concepts within the Constitution, America has always fallen short in practice.  From the beginning, voting was limited to only white men, disenfranchising Native Americans, people of color, and women.  America's "experiment" in democracy has slowly removed these limitations, at least in the letter of the law.  But the social structure has consistently distorted the legal system, effectively preserving those previous exclusions, slowing progress toward real "equal protection under the law".

            The book "Prequel", by Rachel Maddow, describes the authoritarian scapegoating in America in the decade leading up to WW2.  Capitalism and authoritarianism have significant overlap, both being based in the flawed concept of exclusive gain.  FDR was dealing with the economic collapse of 1929, using the power of the government for the benefit of the larger population, angering the wealthy elite, who traditionally felt entitled to their position.  

            Hitler knew that it was important to keep America out of the war in Europe in order to consolidate his desire for empire.  To that end, beginning in the mid 30's, a massive, well-funded, dis-information propaganda campaign was launched in the US to divide the society, keeping it neutral.  

            Hitler was portrayed as a white Christian strong man savior, willing to take a hard line on the "undesirables" who he claimed were the root of all evil: Jews, communists, and immigrants of color.  Many influential Americans avidly supported with words and funds.

            White Christian nationalist organizations in America at the time were enlisted to Hitler's goals, including the KKK, the White Camellia, Catholic priest Charles Coughlin, America First Party, American Gentile Protective Association, American Nationalist Confederation, American White Guard, and the Silver Shirts.  

            Among the authoritarian supporters were Republican Senators and Representatives, who read German propaganda into the Congressional Record, and then sent it to massive mailing lists, using federal tax dollars.  Henry Ford had fascist newspapers in every Ford dealership, and put fascist literature in every Ford sold.  

            Several people understood what was happening, and began to investigate on their own.  The FBI and Secret Service weren't interested at first, because their focus was on communists, not fascists.  However, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and Germany declared war on America in alliance with Japan, everything changed.  

            The popular tolerance of fascism collapsed.  Domestic German propaganda organizations were broken up, and dozens were indicted and tried for sedition.  But the domestic supporters of authoritarianism prevailed.  The biggest trial was ridiculed in Congress.  The trial was marred with unruly behavior by the multiple defendant’s lawyers.  It was all cast as partisan Democratic zeal.  Eventually, a mistrial was declared, and very few ever saw any consequence for their actions, as the tide of the war in Europe shifted to the allies, and German fascism lost completely.

            More than 8 decades later, we are witnessing a sequel.  White Christian nationalism is on the rise again, courted by another malignant narcissist.  Putin is presented as a white Christian savior, fighting a war in Europe.  Authoritarian propaganda, some originating from Russian Intelligence services, is read into the Congressional Record by Republicans.  Powerful media organizations support autocracy over democracy, and the Internet gives widespread, unfettered access unimagined in the 40's.  The issue in this next election is again between autocracy and democracy.  

            What is new this time is the climate crisis, a fundamentally unifying experience.  Last week saw flood inundation in Brazil, Uruguay, Kenya, Netherlands, Germany, Oman, Dubai, Afghanistan, China, Texas and Tennessee.  Lethal heat is beginning to hit southeast Asia.  More numerous, and stronger, tornados are hitting the US Midwest, extending further north and east.  This year is already hotter than 2023, which was the hottest year on record.

            At some point, humanity will awaken to our collective fate, and transcend the apparent outward differences to address our inherent unity.  The only real alternative is social collapse, with possible species extinction.

 

 

 

Access To Inspiration: part 2

                                                                                            written 5 May, 2024

                                                                                       published 12 May 2024

  

            In 1965, two clinical psychologists, Helen Schuman and William Thetford, were frustrated by how ineffectual their therapy forms were in the real world, and felt "there must be another way."  Shortly thereafter, Schuman began hearing a voice in her head, which said: "This is a Course in Miracles, please take notes."  

            Schuman did take notes, which she shared with Thetford, who offered to type them up.  Schuman was a devout Catholic, and described the process as inner dictation from Jesus Christ.  The underlying premise is that the greatest miracle is simply becoming aware of love's presence in a person's life.  Even though the information was disturbing to her traditional religious upbringing, she persevered.  

            Dictation continued over the next 7 years, resulting in three books: a text, a workbook for students, and a teacher's manual.  From the beginning, the document was shared with other psychologists, who were excited about the information revealed.  Growing interest brought funds for publication, and the books went on sale in 1976.  

            They became popular, with sales increasing every year since publication, especially after Marianne Williamson discussed them on The Oprah Winfrey Show, in 1992.  A Course in Miracles is now translated into 27 languages.  

            The text is a detailed presentation of a unity view of reality, a new conceptual way of relating.  The workbook is a series of 365 daily lessons, which gradually brings our unconscious programming up to awareness in the moment, allowing for growth and transformation.  The very first lesson is: "Nothing I see means anything", followed by the second lesson: "I have given everything I see all the meaning it has for me."   

            As I mentioned last week, the increasing understanding of our material world, as exemplified by the rise of quantum mechanical technology, demands a shift in in our culture, economy, and consciousness, from the illusion of separation to the experience of a connected, unified world.  This shift involves recognizing the ways we have unconsciously internalized incomplete patterns from the past, accepting them as accurate definitions of reality.            

            Another aid to this type of growth is "The Choice for Consciousness: Tools for Conscious Living", published in 2011 by Veronica Torres, channeling Eloheim and The Council.  It begins with: "Living from the soul's perspective is only achievable by Being in the Moment.  Being in the Moment is only achievable by not having baggage with you in the Moment.  Not having baggage in the Moment is only achievable by becoming conscious of your baggage.  Becoming conscious of what's going on in the moment is only possible if you are willing to break habits.  Breaking habits is only possible if you're willing to confront the biology that says, Change is too scary.  Confronting the biology is only possible if you have courage."  The courage to change result is "Being in the body, but living from your soul's perspective."  The rest of the book describes various tools for achieving this transformed awareness and terms for understanding an evolved perspective on life.         

            Onenessofall.com is an online source that encourages this same shift in perspective, channeled by Marilyn Raffaele. 

            "This web site is dedicated to the promotion of truth and Light at this powerful evolutionary time.  Mankind has journeyed through lifetimes in which false concepts, beliefs, and fears were blindly accepted as the truth and in our ignorance, we gave away our power."

            "The Arcturians, one group of many highly evolved beings from other galaxies, wish to present their messages of love and guidance in order to assist the people of Earth to let go of the false fears that were given to and accepted by mankind.  They stand ready to offer spiritual and technical assistance when and if desired.  Free will does not allow them to step in unless asked."

            "It is time to embrace the truth of who we are and why we are here.  The answers are now pouring in from multiple Sources of Light.  Events of great energy and change began manifesting in 2012 and will continue.  It is crucial that mankind become informed and thus be prepared as changes occur."  

            "There is absolutely no need for fear.  For us and for Gaia; this is a graduation."

            The old ways of "knowing" have brought us to this point in evolution.  However, we are too powerful and numerous to be so ignorant much longer.  We are all alive today to participate in this graduation event.

 

 

Access To Inspiration: part 1

                                                                                          written 28 April 2024

                                                                                         published 5 May 2024

  

            Throughout the ages, people have experienced inspiration, often considering it communication from a transcendent divine.  This is so universal that I am offended when someone claims they have the "one and only" communication from God.  This is as foolish, narrow minded, and insulting as the materialist proclamations that matter is dead, consciousness is a biochemical artifact of brain complexity, and life is meaningless.

            Dating back thousands of years, in cultures all over the world, the "shaman" are individuals who are more sensitive to information beyond the ordinary safe and familiar areas of the culture.  Through inspiration, ceremony, and drugs, the shaman is vital to the survival of the tribe, directing where to hunt or how to heal the ill, validated by feedback from the real world.  

            All three major western religions describe individuals hearing the voice of God.  In Judaism, from Abraham through Moses, the burning bush, and the instruction of the ten commandments at Mount Sinai, communication from God is central.  Christianity is founded on the teachings of Jesus, who had numerous communications with God.  The entire Quran, the holy document of Islam, was transcribed by Muhammad, directed by the voice of God.

            More recently, the American clairvoyant Edgar Cayce, who died in 1945, left over 14,000 medical readings, all transmitted while Cayce was in a sleeping state.  These have been curated by the Association for Research and Enlightenment (ARE) in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Cayce did readings on people at a distance, stating all consciousness is united beyond time, and his subconscious was able to access information from this timeless source.  While Cayce has numerous critics and sceptics, the testimony of his thousands of successful healings is difficult to ignore.  Before his death, he had achieved a worldwide following.  ARE study groups are located around the world to this day.  

            When I was younger, living in San Diego, my friends and I were exploring metaphysical subjects, and discovered a local ARE study group.  The woman leading the group was a clairvoyant channel, and gave readings to new people, to give information before getting to know the person.  I had questions, and decided to test her validity by listening to hear her answer them, without my actually asking them.  On the ride home afterward, I was deeply disturbed, because she had passed my test, and I had to rebuild my entire world view.  Within a year, I had quit my engineering job and moved to the Mendocino coast.

            The Berkeley Psychic Institute, in Berkeley, California, was founded in 1973, dedicated to training clairvoyant readers and healers.  In the mid 70's an Institute graduate moved to the Mendocino coast and began giving readings and classes.  I took a few classes, and demonstrated to myself that any complete theory of the world had to include a psychic component, even though I wasn't drawn to becoming a reader or healer.  However, a good friend of mine did pursue that path.  She had deep sensitivity, which she experienced as disturbing nightmares before she encountered the psychic framework of life.  She has been making her living as a medical intuitive for almost half a century.

            The advent of quantum mechanics pushed consciousness front and center in the world of physics.  The act of observing affects what is observed, opening the door for considering that the ground of reality is not matter, but consciousness.  Non-locality, the transcendence of space and time, is now well demonstrated for both matter and consciousness, despite appearances to the contrary.  This truth challenges our traditional view of reality.  Even though hardware based in quantum physics (such as nuclear weapons, computers, lasers, LED's, and solar panels) repeatedly validates the theory, and has radically transformed our society, we still live in a culture of obsolete Newtonian billiard ball thinking.   

            Every individual has access to non-local consciousness, which we experience as empathy, intuition and inspiration.  This is intensely personal, completely independent of outside control, despite centuries of religious and cultural structures which teach we are all separate.  One of the ways to understand the social upheaval of our times is to see we are awakening from that illusion, beginning to experience our fundamental connection.  This is frightening to people who want to be told what to believe, or have gathered fortune and power by telling others what to believe.  But that world is falling apart as more people feel their innate connection with life.