My philosophy of ‘numbers’ key to my viewpoint on economics/finance! Two mentors, Aristotle and Plato!

Economic reality is based upon one’s philosophy on this issue of: what are ‘numbers’? Are ‘numbers’ items which emerge from ‘matter’ (as Aristotle thought) or are ‘numbers’ derived from a ‘higher realm’ called the mind/consciousness (as Plato thought)? One’s viewpoint on this important issue is KEY to one’s forcast of reality going forward!

I was taught (in fourth grade) by my teacher that ‘time’ and ‘numbers’ were derived phenomena. They were derived from our inner/mental/conscious realm. My teacher was a believer in the philosophy of Plato (rather than Aristotle). Most teachers (I have discovered) are thinkers who accept the philosophy of Aristotle. This mindset assumes that ‘numbers’ are REAL items which emerge from observing reality.

Aristotle thought that we all observe objects in nature (say four chickens in a pen) and then this observation reveals that the ‘number’ four is a reality. In other words, ‘numbers’ emerge from matter (the observation of four chickens in a pen). Four is therefore an ‘objective’ reality and all observations (using ‘numbers’ are therefore objective realities). I say this is NOT valid thinking!

My philosophy is based upon the mindset of Socrates/Plato. This mindset (philosophy) says that ‘numbers’ are merely abstract items of the MIND. Numbers emerge from a separate (higher) realm of reality which Plato called ‘forms’. Forms are merely ‘ideas’ of the MIND which have NO existence within observable reality. The four chickens observation (for Plato) was man applying a ‘number’ to the observation. The ‘number’ came from the MIND of the observer (this number (4) was derived from mental ‘imagination’. This makes all ‘numbers’ essentially ‘imaginary’ phenomena (of our consciousness).

As an ‘appraiser’ who ‘valued’ houses, apartment buildings, office buildings, etc. I noticed that all my ‘valuations’ were assumed my me (initially) as objective valuations. If I valued a office building at $500,000, this meant that this ‘value’ was an objective number (which I viewed as REAL). But what did I discover in 1980 and after (the results of the Savings and Loan crisis? Were my valuations ‘objective’?

What I discovered is that all my so-called ‘mathematical’ valuations declined with the crisis that occurred within our Economy. All these ‘valuations’ were essentially ‘dependent’ on an economy that did not seriously DECLINE. But, in reality, the S & L crisis was real. Valuations of most houses, office buildings, and apartment complexes, all declinedI in ‘value’ with the economic crisis? What did this mean for my philosophy (re: numbers)?

I realized (from 1980 and after) that all my so-called ‘valuations’ (which I assumed were objective valuations) were REALLY ‘subjective/imaginary/mental’ valuations (which had been ‘derived’ from my MIND or Consciousness). The ‘numbers’ which were derived did not emerge from ‘MATTER’ (as teachers who accepted Aristotle had assumed) but they actually were mere ‘imaginary’ numbers (called ‘valuations’) that came from the MIND of appraisers (who all derived different mathematical results), called VALUE! So what did I learn from this S & L financial crisis of 1980?

What I learned from this financial CRISIS is that this idea called ‘VALUE’ is really a product of the human MIND. The so-called ‘numbers’ that I had derived for dozens of houses and buildings were essentially products of my ‘imagination’ (my MIND). The ‘numbers’ were not items derived from MATTER (as Aristotle had taught to his students) but they really were items of one’s HIGHER consciousness/mind. The ‘numbers’ (valuations) were all ‘IMAGINARY’ and could decline to ZERO!

Today, I live in a world of ‘virtual/digital’ numbers (all appearing within this space called ‘cyberspace’. Some 97% of all financial transactions are now ‘virtual transactions. The ‘numbers’ are ‘virtual’ and the entire transaction (the valuations) are virtual. This means that all these ‘virtual’ numbers are actually products of the human MIND (who created the ‘numbers’ that we observe on our computer screen). It is the human MIND which creates ‘numbers’ and these ‘numbers’ LIVE within my/your ‘consciousness’ (our inner/higher self/mind). These ‘numbers’ called dollars/euros/krona/rubles/yuan, etc. are really all ‘IMAGINARY’ units of nothing! WOW! Who understands???

My mindset or philosophy is totally BASED upon my perceptions of REALITY. For me, reality is subjective/derived/mental. I derive all my perceptions from my viewpoint on this issue of WHAT is reality (in the NOW). For me, my prior EXPERIENCES reveal to me that ‘numbers’ are units of my ‘imagination’…not real items of this substance called MATTER. Aristotle was a philosopher that most thinkers assume had it right on this issue of ‘numbers’ (they were items derived from MATTER). I say he was mistaken and Socrates and Plato had it right. These philosophers revealed that ‘math/numbers’ are really abstract units of our consciousness (and they ‘live’ within our higher mental world of abstractions). Numbers are really ‘imaginary’ units…not real units derived from MATTER. 😲 WOW!!!

Conclusions: my philosophy is based upon my prior experiences (primarily my experiences with ‘numbers’ and ‘valuations’). I have experienced what I believe are valid ideas which the many seem to ignore. In reality, I think my fourth grade teacher had it right (numbers are units of one’s imagination)…not items that exist within nature. Numbers are used to assist us with economic transactions. But these transactions are like shadows of reality when fully understood. Today, our financial transactions are lived within a computer screen (called cyberspace). We assume that all these financial transactions (the numbers) are real and objective representations of reality. But are they? My philosophy says that these financial ‘numbers’ (called money or currencies) are really illusions of the human consciousness/mind. We are now living in Plato’s allegory of the cave (with respect to our beliefs in ‘numbers’). Numbers are really the ‘shadows’ that appear on the wall of the cave. These ‘numbers’ are not objective or real (in the sense of containing a substance that exists).

Numbers create the ‘shadow’ (appearance of reality). When fully understood, numbers are really non-physical units of our invisible ‘consciousness’. Numbers are called virtual units of reality. But a virtual unit is a ‘shadow’ unit…it does not technically ‘exist’. At some point all these ‘numbers’ (called money) will start a financial DECLINE and then each/every ‘number’ will disappear and vanish from our assumed reality of objectivity. Give the below video on Plato’s Cave some reflection (as you apply the lesson to today’s financial world of cyber numbers).

The financial crisis of 1980 and then the later financial crisis of 2008 were real lessons for me. These financial events demonstrated (to me) that we live within our consciousness/mind and all ‘numbers’ derive from our human consciousness/mind. Today’s virtual reality reveals (to me) that ‘numbers’ within cyberspace (our computer screen) are really units created from the human mind. Our financial authorities create these ‘numbers’ (using their computers) and we all live within our personal mental environment as we do our buying/selling/investing and our financial transactions.

It is all subjective (at the core) and we WILL experience another serious financial crisis in the near future. Numbers (disappear) when this crisis happens. Values decline when this crisis happens. Currencies like the dollar can disappear within our computer screens (cyberspace) when this happens. This means that items like gold/silver/copper/whiskey could act as substitutes when our ‘imaginary’ currencies decline and disappear. Think on this philosophy and then derive your own viewpoint on issues of reality! Have a great day!

I am: Donald Brynolf Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, http://kingdomecon.wordpress.

I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopoher, https://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.

The ‘war’ train is speeding towards its end game! Iran/US/Ukraine/Russia!

It is very disappointing to report that WAR is now clearly on the horizon (for most of mankind). Trump desires his ego to be satisfied with a WIN over the regime of Iran. Putin requires his ego to be satisfied with a WIN over the regime in Ukraine. Both these man-ruled nations require that their egos be satisfied with their military conquests. There is no other option for these leaders who need to WIN to remain in political power. Then we have Netanyahu of Israel with a similar mindset. He says the end game is the elimination of the political regime in Iran (he will influence Trump to accomplish this goal).

We live in a World where ‘might makes right’ (according to our man-ruled political systems). Current man-ruled leaders are Trump, Netanyahu, and Putin (with respect to the situation in Iran and Ukraine). The regime of Zelensky will soon be finished (due to the MIGHT of Russia). The regime of Iran will be seriously challenged (due to the MIGHT of America and Israel). There is no other alternative to the use of ‘military’ might to solve political problems that challenge the hegemony of the Big Bullies who rule this world of man.

My review of our world history makes it clear that political leaders (who all have their ego’s to deal with), will demand that some type of ‘military’ solution be used to END a regime which they view as a problem. Trump views Iran (this Muslim nation) as a real problem for the West (especially Christian America). Putin views Ukraine as a real problem for the continuance of Russia’s perceived security and their perceived progress for its citizens. The regimes of Iran and Ukraine are viewed as LESSER in military power…and lesser in their ability to WIN a war of MIGHT with these two Bullies (Trump and Putin). It is obvious, to me, that WAR will be used until some END GAME arrives! It’s HISTORY for planet Earth! WAR must end the game of MIGHT makes RIGHT! It’s been some 6,000 years of history where WAR temporarily ends a regime that challenges the egos of Bullies!

As I write this missive, Trump is making news with his vision of Annihilating the entire regime of Iran via the use of America’s military might. Trump’s ego demands that he is perceived as WINNING this war with Iran (the IRGC). Netanyahu is demanding that the end game for Israel is the elimination of the regime of Iran. Both Trump and Netanyahu seem to be on the same page with respect to their military goals. War must not end until these ‘goals’ are achieved (so it seems to me)!

The war between Russia and Ukraine is now nearing some type of end game IMO. As I write, Putin is closing the ports of Odessa and bombing the capitol city of Kiev so as to create a serious economic/political problem that Zelensky cannot overcome. The military POWER of Russia is now sensing that some type of end game is near. The people of Russia want Putin to create this end game NOW. This war has continued since 2022 (over 4.5 years) and there has been no real winner. But the ego of Putin is now being tested by his people and his Duma. The end game must arrive!

As I write this missive, I sense that new military actions will occur within days. Trump is likely to act militarily this month. He wants an ego WIN prior to the mid-term elections (November 3, 2026). Putin is now under stress from his Parliament and his citizens to end this war with Ukraine. Elections are being held in Russia as I write. The mood of the Putin administration is END the war NOW! What does this mean?

Prepare for some NEW military actions the next couple of weeks. I sense that our man-ruled leaders (Trump, Putin, Zelensky, Netanyahu) demand more military actions within the nation of Iran and Ukraine. Military MIGHT must be used so as to create a new environment for an ego led peace (which is pure illusion). War never creates any REAL peace or justice for this man-ruled planet. It’s all illusion and delusion when fully understood. We live in a world of ILLUSION and DELUSION. The end will never bring us any REAL peace, justice, security, or happiness! That is my viewpoint! Think for yourself as you watch world events in real-time!!!

The FINAL SOLUTION to a man-ruled planet is our Creator God’s solution. This solution is the Government of our Creator God (ruling planet Earth). This solution has not happened these past 6,000 years. But my sense is that it will happen! We are now at the END of our man-ruled political systems! The Kingdom Age is arriving!!!

I am: Donald Brynolf Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, https://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.

Reality: what is ‘Consciousness’? Can it be defined?

The most difficult idea to describe or define is this idea of ‘what is consciousness’. I will give you my viewpoint on this difficult issue. The Swedish way of describing reality (which I learned during my youth) is to ‘point’ to an object and then give the ‘object’ a label/name. If I point to a thing in front of my vision I might say ‘this is a tree’. The label/name ‘tree’ describes the object within my ‘vision’. Can this approach be used for describing ‘consciousness’?

The problem with this Swedish approach to describing reality is that the idea called ‘consciousness’ is technically NOT an ‘object’. In reality, ‘consciousness’ is the SOURCE of beingness (being/experience). Consciousness (the Source) is beyond any easy definition (since it is NOT an ‘object’, it is not visible). Beingness (the Source) acts, however, so as to describe all reality (both visible and invisible).

The Swedish mindset of giving objects (from my experience) a ‘label/name’ does not work for this idea called ‘consciousness’. But it is SELF evident that my ‘beingness’ must be active if I am to ‘experience’ reality (in any form). So, for me, ‘consciousness’ is best described (not defined) as the SOURCE of beingness. We could say the SOURCE of all experience.

It is obvious, to me, that anyone with a thinking mind should be able to recognize the reality of ‘consciousness’. Thinking implies ‘consciousness’. The use of words (labels/names) implies the reality of ‘consciousness’. I am conscious because I can ‘name’ things (objects) that are important for me to describe. A person walking on the street (that I know personally) is identified by their ‘name’. I say HI! This process of identification requires that I be ‘conscious’. It is ‘self-evident!

The problem with many thinkers (say like Richard Dawkins, and many secular scientists) is that they desire to define ‘consciousness’ as emerging from brain activity. But this description does not get to the core of beingness. The core must be described (as the Source) not some ‘thing’ which exists separate from this Source. Life starts with recognizing ‘experiences’ (in the NOW). The NOW is self-evident…as reality is always experienced IN THE NOW. I cannot experience reality if I am not living in the NOW. It’s impossible! The core concept of reality is living in the NOW! That is my perspective…and living in the NOW requires ‘consciousness’!

The idea called ‘time’ is really a NOW experience. Successive moments of NOW is how I live my life. I am ‘aware’ in the NOW (during my entire lifetime)! I experience reality in the NOW (continually)! My beingness is experienced in the NOW! The SOURCE of all my life experiences happens in the NOW! Consciousness is required so as to experience reality (in the Now)! Wow!

We all can identify ‘consciousness’ when we think and relate to persons in the NOW. The best description of ‘consciousness’ is my awareness of the NOW! I cannot be ‘aware’ without also being ‘conscious’. I cannot experience reality without also being conscious. I say consciousness is ‘SELF-EVIDENT’.

Thomas Jefferson is said to have stated that a CREATOR GOD is self-evident. He meant that his vision of reality (when observing nature) IMPLIES that there is a CREATOR GOD (behind the scenes). The experience of ‘observing’ nature gave Thomas the viewpoint that an ‘intelligent’ SOURCE was behind his observations. It was, for him, SELF-EVIDENT. I say that ‘consciousness’ is similar (it is self-evident). Give these ideas some reflection when you think about these issues of reality. That is my ‘viewpoint’! Have a great day!

Think 🤔 of consciousness as an ‘invisible’ source that derives from an ‘invisible’ Creator God!!!

I am: Donald Brynolf Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, https://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.

Reality: life involves ‘uncertainty’! Absolute ‘truth’ is not possible! Questions prevail from birth to death!

After living some 84 years on planet Earth, I am convinced of certain principles. The idea that I can ascertain ‘absolute’ truth is an illusion. The idea that life can be totally stable and predictable is an illusion. The idea that ‘certainty’ is possible is an illusion. I live on this planet with ‘grayness’ and absolute black and white realities are impossible to realize.

I have learned to live with ‘grayness’ and ‘uncertainty’. My beliefs are constantly changing as I live my life in the NOW. I seek ‘truth’ but also recognize that any ‘absolute’ truth is impossible to ascertain. A pure ‘black’ and ‘white’ reality is not realistic or possible. I must accept ‘grayness’ as a continuing reality as I live my life in the NOW. I also realize that ‘seeking’ truth is a wise endeavor even if I can never attain this reality. Truth does rule over all realities…even as absolute ‘truth’ is not achievable.

My mentor on this reality is this Philosopher called Socrates. This Philosopher who lived from 470 BCE to 399 BCE, recognized that seeking reality is based upon asking ‘questions’. Socrates would ask his political and educational friends questions about the nature of reality. What is ‘truth’? What is ‘justice’? What is ‘happiness’? etc., etc. Questions would reveal the real understanding of the person being questioned. Socrates discovered over and over that asking ‘questions’ would reveal that each person would reveal their ‘uncertainty’ and lack of full ‘understanding’ of the issue!

Questions did help with understanding reality even as new questions would also reveal the ‘grayness’ and ‘uncertainties’ within the mindset of each person. Absolute ‘truth’ was not possible as new questions revealed that each person has less then full knowledge and understanding of an issue. Socrates finally concluded that we all should admit that ‘we really KNOW nothing’! He concluded that wisdom begins with acknowledging one’s lack of full knowledge!

The final philosophy of Socrates led to a conflict with the ‘authorities’ within his venue. An Athenian court legally (so they say) convicted Socrates of ‘impiety’! The authorities disliked his education of the young as the young would question the beliefs of these authorities. This led to these authorities concluding that Socrates was corrupting the beliefs of the ‘youth’. This mindset developed over time…as these authorities desired to assert their so-called ‘absolute’ viewpoint on all issues of reality!

The key student of Socrates was Plato. After Socrates died (from drinking a brew of hemlock)…the poison within this brew killed Socrates and then (after his death) Plato developed a forum where he taught the philosophy of Socrates to willing students. This philosophy became popular and many thinkers adopted the Socratic mindset of questioning reality (to reveal insights that others missed in their learning). The Socratic mindset of questioning everything is still a popular stategy for learning about today’s realities. My personal philosophy is based upon this idea that reality can best be discerned via ‘questions’ and more ‘questions’. I start my life (after birth) with questions. I end my life (eventually) with new questions. I never ascertain any real ‘certainties’ that are changeless. All my endeavors are ascertaining relative ‘truth’ that is never fully ‘absolute’. Absolute TRUTH is not possible is my conclusion. I must live with ‘grayness’ and a life where ‘black and white’ are DISCERNED only relatively. I never attain full CERTAINTY or full absolute TRUTH.

This means that I must accept ‘questions’ as the best MEANS for ascertaining reality in the NOW. Questions help me ascertain reality even as they also reveal that my quest is always LESS than absolute! I must ask new questions as I live my life in the NOW. Is this mindset (which started with Socrates) a sound/valid mindset? I think so! Today I discern many realities which are uncertain and changing. My nation is polarized over beliefs, rules, and policies. I must question my politicians, theologians, and educators on all issues of reality. Those who claim to KNOW truth are dismissed by me as deluded. The certainties of Trump are not accepted as final reality for me. The certainties of religion are not accepted as a final reality for me. This goes for all beliefs that I encounter in our marketplace. Economic reality is uncertain. Political reality is uncertain. Spiritual realities are uncertain. Wow! Is this our reality today???

My sense is YES. Reality is not certain (on planet Earth) and I must accept a ‘gray’ view of reality as I live my life in the NOW. Does anyone KNOW reality? My sense is YES…but not any human being! God KNOWS even as we humans do not ‘know’! Socratic thinking is, therefore, the BEST that we can attain on planet Earth. Wisdom is recognizing this reality!

Think on this idea that REALITY is always less than ‘absolute’! Think of relevant ‘questions’ to ask (on all issues) as I/You live our life in the NOW!

I am: Donald Brynolf Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, https://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.

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Understanding our CASINO fantasy financial markets! It’s not sustainable!

Few seem to comprehend that we now live with VIRTUAL (fantasy) financial markets (globally). Our financial markets are not based upon ‘material’ reality (as they have been historically). Our currencies are ‘virtual’. Our prices of commodities are ‘virtual’. All of our financial transactions are now ‘virtual’. This means that we live in a world of ‘virtuality’ (does anyone comprehend)???

The reality of a ‘virtual’ image is what I/You witness within today’s financial transactions. Let’s summarize the basic issues that we face and why our financial markets are now ‘manipulated’ and ‘managed’ by electronic computers.

1. We use ‘virtual’ currencies (the dollar, pound, krona, yuan, peso, etc.). These currencies are composed of ‘nothing’ material. This means that our financial authorities (like our FED) can create these currencies (from their inner self/mind/consciousness). This means that ‘virtual’ algorithms create our ‘prices’. This means that all ‘prices’ (silver/gold/oil/bread/milk, etc.) can be ‘manipulated’ via our electronic computers (with select computers doing most of this manipulation). It’s a HOUSE of CARDS that I call a fantasy CASINO. Stock prices are manipulated. Bond prices are manipulated. Silver prices are manipulated. Gold prices are manipulated. Oil prices are manipulated. Wow!
2. Prices are ‘virtual’ numbers: our ‘numbers’ that reveal our prices are nothing but inner units of math. Math is derived from the human mind/consciousness (not our outer material reality). Look at your personal SMART phone for evidence of this reality. All you witness are ‘numbers’ and ‘names’ that indicate a ‘price’ in the marketplace. Algorithms (using source codes) create these ‘prices’. This allows our select computers (monitored by our select authorities) to ‘manipulate’ these prices (in real-time). Is this our REALITY today? I think so!
3. Our electronic Futures Exchanges: today we can trade a commodity on the CME Futures Exchange. Witness this exchange here. http://www.cmegroup.com/markets. This exchange allows me/you/billionaires to purchase ‘naked short’ contracts so as as to ‘manipulate’ commodity prices. The short contracts increase the ‘imaginary’ supply of a commodity (say silver) in the computer screen (our virtual financial markets). This increase in the ‘imaginary’ supply creates a PRICE decline within the real markets for SILVER (because prices follow a supply/demand reality). Select authorities can ‘manipulate the price of ‘silver’ with a purchase of these ‘futures’ contracts. All this was ‘illegal’ as there is no settlement of these contracts in REAL metal. All is settled in our ‘virtual’ dollar (an imaginary unit). It’s all a HOUSE of CARDS that I call a fantasy CASINO market.

As I write our DOW Index is up some 578 points. Bitcoin is up some 585 points. Silver is at $65 (a manipulated price). Gold is down to $4400 (also a manipulated price). Oil is at $99.67 (another manipulated price). The 10 year Treasury bond is at 4.94 percent (this is also manipulated). We live with ‘virtual’ prices which can be ‘manipulated’ by our computer algorithms in real-time (by select authorities). Our leaders like Scott Bessent can manipulate the bond market with his purchases of treasures. All this should be viewed as ‘illegal’ trading (but it isn’t)!

Our Fed Chairman can also ‘manipulate’ our trading markets with his actions and policies. He can create our ‘virtual’ dollar from his thinking (consciousness). He can purchase treasuries to influence bond yields. He can manipulate the Fed Funds Rate to manipulate ‘mortgage rates’ and interest rates for autos, houses, etc. He is one of the select authorities who operates behind closed doors. Wow!

Select authorities can ‘manipulate’ all prices and create decisions that distort all our markets. It’s all supposed to be legal (but it really is all illegal and corrupt). Our foundational document is our Constitution. This document declares that our money units should be tied to GOLD and/or SILVER (a material commodity). But this reality is ignored by our select authorities (Trump, Bessent, Warsh, etc.). Today, Trump is proposing a gift of $5,000 to each citizen who votes for Republicans in the coming Mid-term election. He calls this a ‘dividend’ as our economy is so rich and properous. But is this legal and constitutional? NO! This action would increase our national DEBT by some $1.5 trillion (my estimate). Trump cares less about this as he recognizes that ‘dollar’s’ (today) can be created OUT-OF-NOTHING (the human mind). All is VIRTUAL and few comprehend this reality.

We are living a FANTASY lifestyle today. All is ‘virtual’ and ‘imaginary’ (yet we visualize reality within our mind). So all SEEMS real to our thinking. But all is really a fantasy that will eventually CRASH into oblivion.

Give this missive some serious attention when you have time to contemplate the trends developing today. All is mostly FANTASY and this type of reality is not lasting. It will eventually CRASH to nothingness. But for the time being all seems SOLID. Our leaders probably KNOW these realities, but they also know that they can FOOL the markets with their ‘manipulations’. Wow! What a MESS!

I am: Donald Brynolf Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, https://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.