Homo rationis

On my recent vacation in Italy, I was struck by the scale of devotion to religious beliefs.  Town upon town had gone to immense effort and expense to erect cathedrals, some of which were massive architectural and artistic undertakings.  All this for something imaginary, nonsensical and morally reprehensible.  I'm sure some saw it as a holy duty, and others simply went along with the majority like the sheeple they are.  I believe it is hard-wired in us to suspend skepticism and embrace the dogma of delight.  It is in all civilizations at all times.   The same sort of irrational devotion continues to this day although it is widely dispersed across celebrities, politicians, and various other causes.  There is a growing minority that has dispensed with this very human tendency.  They are mostly atheists, but they need not call themselves by any name.  They have a high level of  skepticism and are not influenced by religion, propaganda, advertising, or societal norms.  If it hard-wired to be  true believers than it may be hard-wired to be a skeptic.  If this is the case then this represents an evolutionary next step for Humanity.  The arrival of Homo Rationis, who will live with and among Homo Sapiens much like Neanderthals lived, and there is evidence for, bred with modern Humans.  Hopefully Homo Rationis will have an evolutionary advantage over Homo Sapiens and eventually replace them.  This is speculation because Homo Rationis must live in a world built for the irrational.  Time will tell.  

The Vatican is Disneyland

Just recently got back from a trip to Italy.  Spent most of the time in the Umbria and Tuscana regions but spent a couple of days in Roma to see the sites.  The wife wanted to take in the vatican museums and I have to admit I wanted to see what I had previously only seen in Art History class lectures, so I spent about 35 Euros to get the tour.  35 Euros to those pedophile protecting sons of a bitches, c'est la vie.  About half way through the combination of great art and crushing humanity I started to get a sense of deja vu.  I identified it as the last time I was in Disneyland.  Crushing masses, endless lines, and gift shops at every turn with the fucking pope's grill plastered on coffee mugs and buttons.  I actually saw a Buddy Jesus bobble-head outside of St. peter's square.  I wonder how he got away with that.  Anyway, the similarities are obvious:  cult following of salivating  masses giving up their hard-earned money to revel in fantasy.  On my few trips (always a mandatory social responsibility) to disneyland I always would do a quick calculation on the amount of people times the entrance fees plus the average amount of souvenirs.  Good money if you can get it.  And the pope gets it.  That facility must generate tens of millions in pure profit.  I'm sure he gets a cut from the vendors outside the vatican walls.  I guess humanity (of which I no longer count myself as member) are hard-wired to worship.  Disney, the church, celebrities, politicians; they're all worshiped for reasons I don't understand.  Reason being the operative word, because I use reason therefore I don't worship.  Which is the second revelation of my trip and will be edified in the next post.