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Concentric is a framework I developed to produce neutral insight from courage or potentially from cowardice. Neutral insight is never offensive. Only people who don't comprehend what they've read get offended. Only people with bias get offended. This framework connects you with someone to determine one thing: is delusion fueled by cowardly bystanders? Not only do I believe so, it's systemic.
The God of reality is delusion. Delusion is the endeavor to achieve the impossible. Concentric is just another one of my many delusion #fingerscrossed. What does impossible look like? Make a living avoiding reality. This is a very popular delusion. Factor the dynamics of relationships and you have a big problem. The ultimate delusion is securing approval. Not winning approval, but securing approval. The best way we can "secure" approval is by lying to each other.
What Concentric reveals about us is that delusion is fueled by cowardly bystanders hoping to secure approval through lies. As you grow more comfortable with the process you dig deeper within until you pluck free the insight you need to accept your flaws. That's Concentric.
You start the experiment by creating two groups of three words. The first group you must describe yourself honestly (in the moment) within three words. The second group you must take each word from the first group and record the opposite. Use Thesaurus.com and look up the antonyms. These words can change based on recent events and mood.
Your partner will do the same. When you are both done, swap your group of groups with each other to see how your partner sees themselves. Ask each other the following question but do not respond with an answer.
"Which of my groups best describes me?"
DO NOT respond. Make a mental note for later.
You will continue the exercise creating neutral statements based on your partner'sConcentric. Why? If you get offended by a neutral statement (based off of your own honesty), you don't have ignorance or offense as an excuse to fall back on. You either accept the insight or get offended at the prospect you are not perfect.
Arrange the two groups into a triangle formation. A triangle is the simplest shape I know of. At each point you have a pair from each group. The default selections are the words you've recorded with honesty. The opposite selections fuel by cowardly bystanders.
Pay attention to the red dotted ovals. Within is the following "Cowardly bystanders will likely respond with." They will likely respond dishonestly. Classic example: No-no, you're not fat...you're big-boned. When bystanders speak dishonestly it can fuel your delusions. The motivation (to be dishonest) is there because few have the courage to offend with honesty. That's why from personal experience, no matter how much you beg and plea for honesty you'll never get it. Even when you pay for it. Why? People are desperate to secure repeat business. Keeping you delusional makes their ends meet. #fucktheuser
Delusion/Confidence
The reason why the outcome of -DELUSION never changes is because -DELUSIONAL people task others to judge their trek as an endeavor. Cowardice motivates bystander’s to express compassion not honesty. The cowardly response is polar opposite to the reality we fear is true. Fear is impulsive. We are responsible for the reality we fear is true.
If their trek is not identified as +CONFIDENCE (by the bystander), the outcome defaults to -DELUSION. Without an intervention, -DELUSION will grow far beyond bystander’s courage-to-offend (or praise); with honesty.
The -DELUSIONAL worship their own mind. That’s vanity. We should worship something better than ourselves. That’s why outside opinions are crucial. Therefore -DELUSION is fueled by cowardly bystanders.
Gullible/Trusting
The reason why the outcome of -GULLIBILITY never changes is because -GULLIBLE people task others to judge their trek as an endeavor. Cowardice motivates bystander’s to express compassion not honesty. The cowardly response is polar opposite to the reality we fear is true. Fear is impulsive. We are responsible for the reality we fear is true.
If their trek is not identified as +TRUSTING(by the bystander), the outcome defaults to -GULLIBILITY . Without an intervention, -GULLIBILITY will grow far beyond bystander’s courage-to-offend (or praise); with honesty.
The -GULLIBLE worship their own mind. That’s vanity. We should worship something better than ourselves. That’s why outside opinions are crucial. Therefore -GULLIBILITY is fueled by cowardly bystanders.
Weird/Eccentric
The reason why the outcome of -WEIRDNESS never changes is because -WEIRD people task others to judge their trek as an endeavor. Cowardice motivates bystander’s to express compassion not honesty. The cowardly response is polar opposite to the reality we fear is true. Fear is impulsive. We are responsible for the reality we fear is true.
If their trek is not identified as +ECCENTRIC (by the bystander), the outcome defaults to -WEIRDNESS. Without an intervention, -WEIRDNESS will grow far beyond bystander’s courage-to-offend (or praise); with honesty.
The -WEIRD worship their own mind. That’s vanity. We should worship something better than ourselves. That’s why outside opinions are crucial. Therefore -WEIRDNESS is fueled by cowardly bystanders.
Tune your relationship by using your partner's honesty against them.
I know that sounds malicious but trust me it's necessary to hear someone agree and repeat out loud the reality you had feared was true (and awful). When you create your Concentric each triangle is comprised of three words. These words must be made into sentences. You begin at the top and spin counter-clockwise until you reach the third word. This is the order your partner intended for you (if they were honest). This order increases your immunity from any backlash you may experience from your partner.
Even with their own honesty, in their order...you could still offend them. Deal with it. That's the safest route. However if you want to take "liberties" with the process, you can arrange the words in different ways. It will increases the risk to offend your partner, and it also increases the reward if you can create a better insight (into your partner). Neutral insight is the game. Look below for the different configurations:
You are not allowed to swap words. For example, you cannot swap word two with word three to improve your odds of writing a neutral insight. The starting point and the direction is allowed to change. You cannot swap words.
Note: you are limited to "one" word per corner. Multiple words may require me to take liberties and condense the two words to one. This may annoy or aggravate you; I'm happy to do that. Whatever drives discussion. I am not a psychic, I'm a Sardonic Poet. This is not a guessing game where prediction is the sole factor whether you should be left satisfied. I'm here to stoke the flames if it's fuelled by bias.
Describe in three words each honest word and give them their own triangle. This is what I call a Concentric.
There are three triangle per group. Each triangle contains three words. There's a beginning word, a middle word, and an end word. Starting from the top in a counter-clockwise flow, create one sentence that contains all three words.
Neediness makes your gullibility stubborn. Giving to a certain point is like accepting your own foolishness. Being honest and unfiltered means it’s a plea for acceptance.
Underline your favourite honest neutral statement.
Create another Concentric triangle using the opposite words.
There are three triangles per group. Each triangle contains three words. There's a beginning word, a middle word, and an end word. Starting from the top in a counter-clockwise flow, create one sentence that contains all three words.
It’s admirable to be a man of action delivering with perfect execution. Paternal support provides comfort to those sharing a bond. Being honest and unfiltered means it’s a plea for acceptance.
Underline your favourite opposite neutral statement.
These are neutral statements that have been filtered through the concentric triangle. Ok so what John...how does this help me determine if my partner or bystander is fueling my delusion? Look down at your partner's concentric triangles. The triangles that belong to your favourite neutral statements, if placed together in a stack would the two triangles overlap?
Ouch! I am Gullible and Trusting. That hurts. Sounds like someone who is EASILY deluded. Do you see now how it's simply easier for bystanders to support my delusions to avoid telling me what I need to hear? It's futile. Now, reveal your answer to the question to your partner (from the beginning of the exercise) by selecting one of the two neutral statements you are left with. In my case:
1. Giving to a certain point is like accepting your own foolishness. 2. Paternal support provides comfort to those sharing a bond.
My wife chose the first one. That neutral statement corresponds to the gullible triangle. Congratulations, we have confirmed my partner at least has been honest with me. You are steps closer to trusting their opinions regarding your delusion.
Continue the exercise
Let's continue. Now we are making two more Concentrics based on our results. From the 'honest' side, gullible was selected. Now we are going to repeat the process of making neutral statements and see what happens. Gullible is depicted by the middle red triangle.
There are three triangle per group. Each triangle contains three words. There's a beginning word, a middle word, and an end word. Starting from the top in a counter-clockwise flow, create one sentence that contains all three words.
Nourish the soul with selflessness. Modesty is key to be grateful of a bond. Mischief must be scolded to teach fools to be repentant.
Underline your favourite honest statement.
Let's continue. Now we are making two more Concentrics based on our results. From the 'opposite' side, trusting was selected. Now we are going to repeat the process of making neutral statements and see what happens. Trusting is depicted by the middle red triangle.
There are three triangle per group. Each triangle contains three words. There's a beginning word, a middle word, and an end word. Starting from the top in a counter-clockwise flow, create one sentence that contains all three words.
With life we hold sacred something worthy of protection. Calm leaves me satisfied long enough to forget there is no peace worth dying for. Blood in spirit, solid in treaty, unbreakable hoax.
Underline your favourite opposite statement.
These are neutral statements that have been filtered through the concentric triangle.
Definitely some variety, and a more promising description. Let's look at the two sentences I picked.
1. Modesty is key to be grateful of a bond. 2. Blood in spirit, solid in treaty, unbreakable hoax.
Because I'm a poet I felt it necessary to deal with a cryptic collection of words. This is a good tip for you in case you get stuck. I hope you can see the potential with Concentric because there's endless combinations you can try by yourself or with a partner. You can share your Concentric online and people can respond with their neutral insight.
Let's put it all together.
Now I'm going to put together all 12 sentences and create a paragraph. The paragraph is pretty raw so now's the time to refine. Below I'll show you the raw example and then I'll show you the refined example.
Raw Example: 113 words
"Neediness makes your gullibility stubborn. Giving to a certain point is like accepting your own foolishness. Being honest and unfiltered means it’s a plea for acceptance. It’s admirable to be a man of action delivering with perfect execution. Paternal support provides comfort to those sharing a bond. Being honest and unfiltered means it’s a plea for acceptance. Nourish the soul with selflessness. Modesty is key to be grateful of a bond. Mischief must be scolded to teach fools to be repentant. With life we hold sacred something worthy of protection. Calm leaves me satisfied long enough to forget there is no peace worth dying for. Blood in spirit, solid in treaty, unbreakable hoax."
Refined Example: 109 words
"The goal of neediness is to make your gullibility stubborn. Giving to a certain point is like accepting your own foolishness. Being honest and unfiltered means it’s a plea for acceptance. It’s admirable to be a man of action delivering with perfect execution making ends meet. Paternal support provides comfort to those sharing a bond. Nourish the soul with selflessness. Modesty is key to be grateful of a bond. Mischief must be scolded to discipline repentant fools. With life we hold sacred something worthy of protection. Calm leaves me satisfied long enough to forget there is no peace worth dying for. Blood in spirit, solid in treaty, unbreakable hoax."
This says something about me that I can share with others. There's nothing offensive, it's a neutral statement. It really showcases "experience." Those with the experience to pare down words to fit the Concentric vs those with the inexperience to scrape together words to fit the Concentric.
"Securing your wives' approval is the ultimate delusion."
Wives do not enjoy "the chase" but it's the only thing that motivates their husbands to seek their approval. Wives don't like "the chase" because they can't control how their bait motivates their husbands. Wives know once they surrender their bait (approval) to their husbands, they will no longer be motivated to chase delusional projects. What?! Why? The delusional project is the securing of our wives' approval. Ironically...THAT is true.
This is where my system plays its hand. It disarms emotional baggage and creates neutral insight. Once you have confirmed your trust, you have the freedom to be honest with each other about deep rooted problems. Why is this possible? Concentric disarms honesty by swapping the definitions. Your partner's definitions are the building blocks for your neutral insights. What was once a daunting task is now an endeavor to be honest. Neutral statements are not offensive.
Neutral statements (using your partners honest definitions) means they cannot rely on ignorance or offense to trigger their victimhood. Nor can you fall back on cowardice because your partner will be invested to know if they can trust you to choose the correct answer. Delusion is an epidemic. We have to figure out a way to dwell in reality long enough to make important decisions.