Dissociation of Ideas, 1

The term “dissociation of ideas” was coined by the French philosopher Remy de Gourmont, based on the Pavlov-ian discovery that the brain usually works in conditioned or habitual associations. To become more conscious and intelligent, de Gourmont proposed, examine all your habitual associations and try negating them.

For instance, if you mechanically associate technology with badness, try making a list of ten inventions that you really would not want to do without, starting with the printing press that brought you this intriguing experiment. Then add ten more. By then your dislike for technology should be somewhat less all-inclusive and more reasoned.

On the other hand, if you robotically associate technology with goodness, make a similar list of 20 things we could damned well do without, starting with the hydrogen bomb. Your allegiance to technology should then be somewhat more conscious and less mechanical.

Try the excercise every day, testing a new association each time. After all, the Sufis say if you can live even ten minutes without conditioned reactions, you are Illuminated.