Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"A fractal is, according to the Fractal Foundation, a never ending pattern that repeats itself on different scales. We see fractals all the time in nature. For example, a tree branch, a lightning bolt, river networks, and blood vessels all have pretty much the same pattern while having vastly different purposes." — Ben Kissel
"The map is not the territory. It is an essential quality of chaos magic that you have to understand." — Marcus Parks
"Nothing is true, everything is permitted." — Unknown source, discussed by hosts.
This episode of Last Podcast on the Left continues its exploration of chaos magic, building upon previous discussions. The hosts introduce the concept of fractals as a foundational principle, explaining them as self-repeating patterns observed in nature, mathematics, and art. They posit that understanding fractals helps to grasp the interconnectedness of things, from the universe to the human mind. A key tenet discussed is "the map is not the territory," which emphasizes that models, beliefs, and systems are tools for understanding and interacting with reality, rather than reality itself. This allows for flexibility and the adoption of different perspectives as needed.
The discussion then moves to the famous maxim, "nothing is true, everything is permitted." The hosts elaborate on this by explaining that it empowers individuals to choose and adopt beliefs for specific purposes or rituals without being bound by them permanently. This situational adoption of belief is presented as a method for achieving desired outcomes, likening entities or systems to "servitors" or tools that can be called upon. The episode highlights that the effectiveness lies not in the objective truth of the belief, but in its utility and the practitioner's intent.
Further topics covered include various "magical models" used in chaos magic: the spirit model (reliance on external spiritual entities), the energy model (manipulation of subtle energies), the psychology model (interpreting phenomena through the lens of the unconscious mind and symbols), and the cybernetic model (information-based manipulation of reality, akin to hacking the universe's code). The importance of intent, clear statements of will, and the creation of personalized tools like sigils are also discussed as methods for enacting change. The episode concludes by emphasizing the need for discipline, honor, and flexibility in practicing chaos magic, stressing that the ultimate goal is personal efficacy and having fun with the process.