NEWSTROM – Taking a trip down the rabbit hole

NO MATTER how close that Saturday night deadline, funny things happen on the way to write this column.

Now that I find myself with 10 toes, 10 fingers, two eyes, two ears, two legs, two arms and ‘choosing’ to perceive I am alive and down the rabbit hole I have to digress (always a benefit) to investigate just what ‘down the rabbit hole’ means for me. If I have time I may be able to suggest what it means for you.

Helper One,

Google Dictionary reads rabbit hole is, “…used to refer to a bizarre, confusing, or nonsensical situation or environment, typically one from which it is difficult to extricate oneself.”

Helper Two,

Urban Dictionary gives, “…metaphor for the conceptual path which is thought to lead to the true nature of reality. Infinitesimally deep and complex, venturing too far down is probably not that great of an idea.”

Helper Two, adds that, “…taking hallucinogenics can be considered ‘tripping’ down the rabbit hole, but it is also explored through philosophical and existential thinking.”

Helper Two further adds that, hallucinogenic drugs, “…are chemicals that alter, block, or mimic chemical reactions in the brain. This causes an alteration of the body’s normal processes, causing physical or mental changes.” They include a brief nod to “new thought processes.”

Enough of this inane drivel. Here is some concrete Self Help…

Although the above helpers include some “true nature” thinking I disagree with fundamental parts of both definitions.

Both definitions seem to imply that whatever is ‘infinitesimally deep and complex’, doesn’t make sense or is ‘bizarre’, is to be gotten away from.

Unless an obvious, unpredictable danger, no scientist worth his salt or professor worth her tenure ever shied away from such bugaboo distractions.

The desire to ‘extricate oneself’ from the rabbit hole is to let go of our responsibilities as global citizens.

Even with what would at first appear to be uncomfortable pursuits in knowing about ourselves, others and the world around us, this is when the fun begins. ‘Just ask Alice when she is 10 feet tall.’

The “infinitesimally deep and complex” is an invitation to adventure, an opportunity to be welcomed! The Urban Dictionary definition calls the rabbit hole “a conceptual path which is thought to lead to the true nature of reality”.

‘True’ and ‘reality’ are underlined. Clearly, we need more truth and a better moral understanding of the real.

This is what we can explore in existential and philosophical reading. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy lists 75 articles on existentialism. There that’s your homework.

Okay read the first five.

Oh, okay, read any five.

Read one for Chrissakes!

The Urban Dictionary definition also mentions the rabbit hole of hallucinogenics. If you want confusion, keep on with your street drugs.

Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll only helped me spend money and pass time. I didn’t need any help with either.

I used to think God made marijuana grow out of the ground, therefore it was a sin, yes, a sin not to smoke as much as possible.

The Urban Dictionary’s reference to ‘new thought processes’ is probably about creativity. While I recognize that The Doors of Perception was about thinking in new ways I now know I can leap through far more doors, windows and even walls as a clean and sober recovering addict than I ever could in my drug addled writings and fanciful ideations.

It’s so comfy down here in the reality rabbit hole. Come on down.

Elon Newstrom is a Kamloops resident and sometime university student.