I like the point you are making but i am wondering if this is also applicable for people who are directly targeted by totalitarian regimes. It feels to me more like a luxury to „simply“ have this internal exile rather than openly challenging and fighting the oppressive system. And this luxury is only available for few people (e.g. white middle-class). And if those people who can afford this inner exile resort to only building inner resistance and not using their energy to loudly externally rebel and fight against the oppression then the responsibility of that fight will remain with marginalized and directly oppressed groups who are in greater risk of actually becoming martyrs.
What I am saying is, while I like the concept of the inner exile I think this article should mention that this might not be available / applicable to everyone and therefore can be only one form of resistance that should not lead to white people being comfortable doing nothing about oppressive structures.
A vital manual for Cognitive Survival. While the collective demands total transparency, the Internal Exile recognizes that Privacy is a Thermodynamic Shield. By performing the necessary social rituals (Outward Compliance), we minimize Systemic Friction to protect the only domain that matters: the "Forest Passage" of the mind. Essential reading for the unprogrammable.
''Find avenues, however subtle, for authentic self-expression. Art, writing, music...''. And, if you never really had this burning, irresistible desire to do these things ( I have, for most of my life now, for me it never was a choice; but to me it is a gift, not a burden) don't just see them as trivial hobbies. And don't tell anyone, or if others know, don't talk about it, don't tell anything. Keep that world strictly private, where you can do anything and be anything. There's no judges there, you own your domain.
''It’s a subtle form of resistance that emphasizes survival and the preservation of personal integrity over futile confrontation. This approach recognizes that the most vital battle is often fought within, for the soul itself...''
Beautifully put. Thank you for introducing this interesting philosopher to the rest of us, and for representing his thought so clearly and well.
It all reminds me of something Bruce Lee said: 'BE with the disease. That is how 'you get rid of it'.'. Adaptation, but not to comply with others, but to keep yourself sane in a mad world.
''Read forbidden books, listen to hushed voices, engage in critical thinking.''
Of these three, the third one is undoubtedly the one who doesn't need the other two at all, thus the most independent, and powerful of all. Everybody should have made an effort to learn critical thinking seriously, this always makes a much better version of oneself.
''Instead, the ‘Anarch’ is one who outwardly complies with the regime, observing its rules, participating in its rituals, and attracting no undue attention. But within the sanctuary of their own mind...''
For me, that's it. I completely believe all this and I identify with all this. I don't break the law, I observe the rules, and never, never attract attention. I have never been in a mass protest: to me, it's like joining a horde of ignorant people who know little or nothing themselves, to protest against people who are worse than them.
I totally believe what the old philosophers like Epictetus said: be a partisan of no man (because they are all bad). Choose to live in obscurity. In a contemporary world where you can be publicly shamed for anything, no matter how little, I believe this to be the best personal strategy, to be a complete outsider, an observer, and keep yourself and your mind safe.
And I do have a garden in my own mind as I am a musician. I have never let anyone or anything take it away from me.
''Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.''.
Only a great individual like Frankl could put it so perfectly. Don't rely on the external world, because it's a madhouse. Rely more on yourself. Completely ignore social media, do not exist in there at all, do not read anything there, only read credible sources and instructive websites such as Philosopheasy.
''....you should regard the world as a kind of Hell, in which you can consider yourself lucky if you have a little room to yourself, to keep away from the fire.''.
I like the point you are making but i am wondering if this is also applicable for people who are directly targeted by totalitarian regimes. It feels to me more like a luxury to „simply“ have this internal exile rather than openly challenging and fighting the oppressive system. And this luxury is only available for few people (e.g. white middle-class). And if those people who can afford this inner exile resort to only building inner resistance and not using their energy to loudly externally rebel and fight against the oppression then the responsibility of that fight will remain with marginalized and directly oppressed groups who are in greater risk of actually becoming martyrs.
What I am saying is, while I like the concept of the inner exile I think this article should mention that this might not be available / applicable to everyone and therefore can be only one form of resistance that should not lead to white people being comfortable doing nothing about oppressive structures.
A vital manual for Cognitive Survival. While the collective demands total transparency, the Internal Exile recognizes that Privacy is a Thermodynamic Shield. By performing the necessary social rituals (Outward Compliance), we minimize Systemic Friction to protect the only domain that matters: the "Forest Passage" of the mind. Essential reading for the unprogrammable.
''Find avenues, however subtle, for authentic self-expression. Art, writing, music...''. And, if you never really had this burning, irresistible desire to do these things ( I have, for most of my life now, for me it never was a choice; but to me it is a gift, not a burden) don't just see them as trivial hobbies. And don't tell anyone, or if others know, don't talk about it, don't tell anything. Keep that world strictly private, where you can do anything and be anything. There's no judges there, you own your domain.
''It’s a subtle form of resistance that emphasizes survival and the preservation of personal integrity over futile confrontation. This approach recognizes that the most vital battle is often fought within, for the soul itself...''
Beautifully put. Thank you for introducing this interesting philosopher to the rest of us, and for representing his thought so clearly and well.
It all reminds me of something Bruce Lee said: 'BE with the disease. That is how 'you get rid of it'.'. Adaptation, but not to comply with others, but to keep yourself sane in a mad world.
''Read forbidden books, listen to hushed voices, engage in critical thinking.''
Of these three, the third one is undoubtedly the one who doesn't need the other two at all, thus the most independent, and powerful of all. Everybody should have made an effort to learn critical thinking seriously, this always makes a much better version of oneself.
''Instead, the ‘Anarch’ is one who outwardly complies with the regime, observing its rules, participating in its rituals, and attracting no undue attention. But within the sanctuary of their own mind...''
For me, that's it. I completely believe all this and I identify with all this. I don't break the law, I observe the rules, and never, never attract attention. I have never been in a mass protest: to me, it's like joining a horde of ignorant people who know little or nothing themselves, to protest against people who are worse than them.
I totally believe what the old philosophers like Epictetus said: be a partisan of no man (because they are all bad). Choose to live in obscurity. In a contemporary world where you can be publicly shamed for anything, no matter how little, I believe this to be the best personal strategy, to be a complete outsider, an observer, and keep yourself and your mind safe.
And I do have a garden in my own mind as I am a musician. I have never let anyone or anything take it away from me.
''Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.''.
Only a great individual like Frankl could put it so perfectly. Don't rely on the external world, because it's a madhouse. Rely more on yourself. Completely ignore social media, do not exist in there at all, do not read anything there, only read credible sources and instructive websites such as Philosopheasy.
''....you should regard the world as a kind of Hell, in which you can consider yourself lucky if you have a little room to yourself, to keep away from the fire.''.
- Arthur Schopenhauer