The Serpent's Wisdom

The percentages people gave in response to the questions of my poll Monday:

I have thoughts that seem to be intrusive or come from 'outside' of 'me.'
yes: 22 (53.7%)
no: 19 (46.3%)

I have done things and not known why I did them.
yes: 25 (61.0%)
no: 16 (39.0%)

I have watched myself do things and it was almost like it wasn't 'me' doing it.
yes: 25 (61.0%)
no: 16 (39.0%)

Most of the time I deal with other people I feel I have to pretend to be something I am not.
yes: 16 (39.0%)
no: 25 (61.0%)

I feel like a 'whole person.'
yes: 26 (63.4%)
no: 15 (36.6%)

I have given names to different sides of my personality.
yes: 20 (48.8%)
no: 21 (51.2%)

I have other reasons to think I am in some way 'fractured.'
yes: 17 (41.5%)
no: 24 (58.5%)

Now, it's worth pointing out that the selection of people who answered do not represent a random cross-section of society. You who did are, on the whole, far more intelligent than average, far more introspective, and far more attuned to occultism and mysticism. This means you are much more likely than the average person to be keenly aware of what is going on in your body and mind.

You are also somewhat more likely to be "outside the norm" in various ways, though it is unclear how exactly that would affect the outcome of my poll.

All in all these percentages are higher than I anticipated seeing. For example, half of you who answered have given names to different aspects of your personality. 40% of you feel you are pretending to be someone else when you deal with other people. 60% of you have done things without really knowing why or have watched yourself do things as if you were watching someone else.

The implications are fascinating, but I'm not sure yet what the deeper meanings are.

Talked to Jamie Joy earlier and offered to help with the task of bringing MindCaviar back online. She doubts she will allow the page to become such a huge project. She was working on it 40 hours a week, and making no money from it -- a true labor of love. But I feel its absence sorely.

There may also be another Eroticon in the works, but not this year. The first one was a success, not just financially, but as a gestalt -- it set in motion a project that could easily take on a life of its own. While last year it consisted of a night of readings and performances, the idea was to make it eventually a full convention focusing on literary and fine erotic art.

( I am another you; on lost paradises and immanent eschatons )