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.

Let’s view the World from the MACRO level! Who has ruled our planet…and who should rule?

If we want to understand rulership, we need to view our world/planet from the MACRO level. All the ‘think tanks’ on this planet (West and East) view the World from this Higher Level. Any new MODEL for this planet must start at the Macro level. We will soon need a New Model IMO. So let’s (briefly) review the prior rulership of this planet and then Speculate on WHO should rule this World/Planet today!

When I look at our World today I notice the few leaders who attempt to rule this planet from their desk. We can divide the planet into those who rule the WEST and those who rule the EAST. Since the end of WW II, the WEST has mostly ruled this planet. America was the leading MILITARY power on this planet during and after WW II. America also had the world’s leading National Currency (the dollar). This made America the leading candidate for leadership of the WEST and also the entire planet. The EAST (Russia/China) did not have the clout of the WEST.

Prior to WW II, the British Empire ruled most of our planet. The British currency (the Pound) was the world’s leading currency. The military might of the world was mostly within the British Empire. Some 25% of our planet was owned by the BRITS. All this changed after WW I and WW II. America received the blessing from our religious institutions and from the BRITS. This made America the new ruler over planet Earth.

The key leaders of the WEST (after WW II) were Dwight D. Eisenhower (America), Winston Churchill (Britian), Charles de Gaulle (France), and Konrad Adenauer (West Germany). America started the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe and the above leaders started NATO to create a military alliance for the West. The key leader of the EAST were Joseph Stalin and then Mao Zedong of China.

Our entire planet was mostly ruled by the above political men after WW II. A challenge emerged between these rulers and then the military might of NATO and the Warsaw Pact was created. These two military alliances were the military MIGHT that ruled this planet. America was part of the West’s alliance, NATO. Russia was the primary power that promoted the Warsaw Pact Alliance. So, in effect, Eisenhower and Stalin were the KEY rulers of planet Earth after WW II. Both created nuclear BOMBS to give them credability over all the other nations on this planet. Wow!

Today, our situation has evolved and the rulers have changed. Today, we have new personalities who attempt to rule this planet (from their desks). Donald John Trump tries to rule the West from his desk in Washington D.C. Vladimir Putin tries to rule the East (with help from Xi Jinping of China) from their desks in Moscow and Beijing. The Donald gets help from Western rulers in Europe like Emmanuel Macron, Andy Burnham, Friedrich Merz, and a few others. But the Donald thinks he is the KEY ruler over the entire WEST. Putin probably thinks he is the KEY ruler of the EAST.

We all live on a planet of some 8.2 billion people. These people are agents/servants of the above political rulers. The West says they are promoting DEMOCRACY for the planet. The East says they are promoting authoritarian or state-led political systems for their people. The West (mostly) calls the East Fascist/Communist. The East calls the West a collective system of misrepresentations (an Empire of Lies). So we have various political leaders (with their institutions of military power) ruling this planet of 8.2 billion people. When push comes to shove the STATE rules and the people become slaves. There is NO option for the individual given our current man ruled political systems. The individual is viewed as sub-serviant to the STATE (and their rulers).

As I write, the entire planet is under severe stress from these man-ruled political systems. Personally, I view all the KEY political leaders on this planet (as of today) as mostly mentally ill. They do not seem to comprehend what they are doing (politically) and (militarily). The war with Iran is an insane military conflict that is based on the key political systems in America and Iran. The war in Ukraine is another insane military conflict based upon the ideas of Putin and Zelensky (both of whom are killing thousands of their own citizens as they attempt to conquer each other). Ukraine currently has some 28 million citizens (down from some 40 million in 2022). This results in some 12 million who left the nation or were killed since this war started.

The situation in the Middle East is no better. Trump and Netanyahu (rulers of America and Israel) have killed thousands of civilians and military personnel since this war started, February 28, 2026. Trump has even threatened to eliminate the ‘whole civilization of Iran in one night’. Is this generational saver-rattling or what? Some say he is now threatening to use ‘tactical nuclear weapons’ so as to WIN this war with Iran. Is this leader ‘insane’ or what?

Our planet is now in serious trouble due to our man-ruled political systems on this planet. Why should a few insane politicians RULE this planet? America is dying from their political system ($40 trillion in national debt). The entire WEST is dying from debt and financial issues. The EAST is in a similar condition. The use of military power is also now dysfunctional. Nuclear weapons are the LAST resort for these insane man-ruled politicians. Who is going to WIN given this insane system?

We all need to start thinking about reality from this MACRO level going forward. Why? Because we need a NEW MODEL for this planet. The current man-ruled MODEL is not working for the PEOPLE (now some 8.2 billion people on planet Earth). We all need to get involved so that the NEW MODEL which emerges is beneficial for the common man (the individual). By viewing the MACRO level we can discern the key issues that we need to address going forward! Give this some consideration after you READ this missive.

View these images of our man-ruled leaders for context:

Our planet Earth consists of some 8.2 billion people. WHO should rule this planet???

I think you know my view! Our invisible SOURCE in the highest realm rules this planet! We can call this Source I AM WHO I AM!!!

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

Europe in ‘Chaos’: Germany, France, U.K., Sweden, heading for real ‘change’!

My sense is that all of Europe (some 27 countries) are heading for political chaos over the next couple of years. As I write, Germany is now rejecting their leader, Frederich Merz. The AfD party is gaining influence and this means that Merz is likely to fall from power within weeks or months. Sweden has their elections for Parliment on September 13 and this could mean a new leader for Sweden.

We already have a new leader in the United Kingdom and France will select some new Senate leaders later in September. France will reject Macron when his election happens in 2027. Hungary just chose a new leader and some seven countries within the European system will also choose new leaders. All this means that the current trends will change significantly and new trends will emerge.

As I said in my recent blog, the situation in Ukraine is ‘dire’. Zelenskyy is holding on to power by a thread. His popularity is waning and if elections are ever held, Zelensky would lose IMO. As I write, Russia is planning a Mega Military attack on Ukraine this next week. The Witkoff, Kushner, Trump, peace plan did not work. Putin and most of the Russian leaders rejected any plan for a ‘ceasefire’. This means that huge military operations will happen against Ukraine and against Russia in the next few weeks.

My sense is that Ukraine’s economy will crash as Russia bombs warehouses, super markets, and gas facilities. Food lines will occur in a few weeks and Ukraine will then blame Zelensky and his leadership. The military superiority of Russia will emerge in the next few weeks and this means serious trouble for Zelensky and his NATO supporters. Germany is losing support for Ukraine with their new elections. Can the U.K. continue to support this losing proposition?

We are heading for total chaos within all of Europe in the next 12 months. Immigration is a problem. Energy is a problem. The younger generation is a problem. All this means serious change within all of Europe within the next year. I also expect the Trump administration to lose popularity by November 3 (the mid-term elections). The support for this war with Iran is declining rapidly. Trump is losing his political sanity and many now think his leadership will collapse by the end of 2026. I tend to agree!

Watch what happens over in Germany, the U.K., and Sweden this next couple of weeks. Then watch the coming elections in France. The voters are turning against the status quo and the YOUNG are rejecting all the current crop of leaders. This means major change later in 2026 and 2027. Personally, we all should reject the current crop of political leaders. They are ALL flawed (seriously) in their political philosophy. We need new leaders (peacemakers) and leaders who follow non-violent solutions! The MEANS is the KEY to the END! Think on this!

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