“I keep telling them that they must talk to the dead. They look at me as if I am insane. Those who do not immediately dismiss the matter are bewildered. They ask, “How?”

This always startles me because they must believe they can use their minds or mouths without doing this. It is a peculiar form of myopia that cannot see what it sees with. Or say what it speaks with. It is not impossible, you know. You can speak of your mouth. Or see your own eye.

One or two generations of your own body is currently alive. Billions of generations and relationships that are intimate to your longbody are dead. And they are you. And all their relations… are your relations.

Here’s the thing, kiddo: you -are- the dead. Most of you is [a lot of] the dead. When you speak, they speak. The problem is, you think you’re you. Well, if your fingernail is your arm, maybe. Otherwise, no, I think your body is your body and your fingernail is the extension.

Anyway, that’s how it is except most of our time-body is dead. And the fingernail is alive. And that’s us. When we speak? They speak. So, you know, talk to the dead. But don’t lie about it. Once you realize this you will realize you know far more dead people than living people. I don’t mean a few. Through all of the dead parts of you, you are a network unthinkable in extent and endless of intimacies.

Look, don’t be scared. There are benefits. In fact, it’s practically all benefit. The dead are more polite, more interesting, friendlier, more intelligent, more creative and more connected than you might imagine. They aren’t generally greedy, and don’t care about religion or politics. They like to help.

I keep telling them. They look at me as if I am insane. Except for one or two children.

The adults don’t seem to understand -because they have religions about it-. That’s the sign of a problem. If you had a religion about your friend, or your intelligence, you’d be feeding yourself to [redacted]. You don’t have a religion about walking or smiling. I hope you don’t. In fact, I simply hope you don’t have religion. That word is worth some research.

There are adults who have remembered this. Some of them are old and isolated. But listen. You don’t have to be old. Talk to the dead. After all, you’re doing that right now. Isn’t it interesting?”

— some old casenut