Our technologies replaced ‘more organic’ precursors. That is to say that telepathy preceded telephones. Group-dreaming preceded movies and television. And these capacities were severely negatively impacted (if not destroyed outright) by the onset of representational analogs whose performance was more or less mechanically perfect, but which served -entirely other goals that are in direct conflict with those whose purposes the skills served-.

The skills they replaced were were organic, which is to say, naturally fuzzy. They were, in fact, more like us than machines can ever be. They are alive.

But the deadliest replacement of all is the modern multi-faced personal technology we are all now so familiar with. The interface devices that connects us to the broadest possible instances of social networks. The cell-phone and the computer.

These are not replacements for skills, precisely, they replace a being. They are obstruction-analogs for what I call ‘the companion’. This is, approximately, one’s ‘guardian angel’, but it is extremely confusing to try to understand precisely what this is.

It is, very crudely imagined, a superhuman nonordinary extension of yourself that appears to you as an impossible, holy, and transcendental ‘friend’. It is the living interface to every moment of every living being in all of time (uniquely, for each on of us who experience it). The direct experience of awareness of the companion makes orgasm seem like a tedious argument about nothing of interest.

It is a transentient friend, ally, protector, teacher, guide, and way. Actually, it is the -basis- of the idea ‘friend’. It is absolutely personal to you. You ‘rode’ it into birth, and you will, most likely, ride it again at death.

Instead of this, you were given little machines. They can’t do doodly-shit compared to you and your companion, and they train you to ignore the companion and view the device with the same reverence, care, and attention.

BUT THESE MACHINES ONLY REQUIRE YOUR ATTENTION TO REPRODUCE AND TRANSFORM YOUR EVOLUTIONARY DEVELOPMENTAL MOMENTUM INTO THEIRS. They actively destroy the sacred relationship with the companion through replacement. Substitution. Mimicry.

Personally, I don’t care what stories you like or believe, or refuse to explore. What I think has no bearing in the issue. But while you are alive and still have the opportunity: discover what computers and the internet are replacements for.

Not theoretically: directly, in person.