The Snake Cult of Consciousness is a speculative theory that posits a unique origin for human self-awareness and cognitive modernity. According to this theory, self-awareness in humans did not exist until a pivotal event around 15,000 years ago, when early humans, already capable of speech and social interaction, experienced a significant cognitive shift. This shift is attributed to the use of snake venom in early rituals, which acted as a psychedelic and led to the invention of introspection, extending the mind’s body map to include the ego. This theory proposes that the discovery of self and ego identification marked the true emergence of cognitive modernity in humans.
The theory attempts to explain several historical and anthropological puzzles, such as the widespread presence of snakes in creation myths across various cultures (the ‘Sapient Paradox’), the delay in the development of complex behaviors despite the existence of anatomically modern humans, and the origins of schizophrenia and temples before agriculture. It also suggests a connection between global myths and linguistics, emphasizing the diffusion of ideas and practices rather than independent development. The proponent of this theory believes that the comparative study of mythology and linguistics, along with the analysis of universal beliefs and odd coincidences like the Sirius-dog association across disparate cultures, supports the idea of diffusion. However, the theory acknowledges challenges in substantiating claims that stretch back several millennia and seeks further feedback and discussion on the topic.
ACX Montreal Meetup February 17th 2024
Come on out to the ACX (Astral Codex Ten) Montreal Meetup! This week, we’re talking about Andrew Cutler’s “The Snake Cult of Consciousness”. I recommend this audio narration on The Bayesian Conspiracy.
There is also a summary by GPT-4 at the bottom of this post, but I really recommend reading the post.
Venue: Ye Olde Orchard Pub & Grill, 20 Prince Arthur St W.
Date & Time: Saturday, February 17th, 2024, 1:00-5:00 PM.
Please RSVP. It is not mandatory, but it helps with planning the event and encourages others to come.
Please also join the mailing list and our Discord server if you haven’t already.
ROBOT SUMMARY
The Snake Cult of Consciousness is a speculative theory that posits a unique origin for human self-awareness and cognitive modernity. According to this theory, self-awareness in humans did not exist until a pivotal event around 15,000 years ago, when early humans, already capable of speech and social interaction, experienced a significant cognitive shift. This shift is attributed to the use of snake venom in early rituals, which acted as a psychedelic and led to the invention of introspection, extending the mind’s body map to include the ego. This theory proposes that the discovery of self and ego identification marked the true emergence of cognitive modernity in humans.
The theory attempts to explain several historical and anthropological puzzles, such as the widespread presence of snakes in creation myths across various cultures (the ‘Sapient Paradox’), the delay in the development of complex behaviors despite the existence of anatomically modern humans, and the origins of schizophrenia and temples before agriculture. It also suggests a connection between global myths and linguistics, emphasizing the diffusion of ideas and practices rather than independent development. The proponent of this theory believes that the comparative study of mythology and linguistics, along with the analysis of universal beliefs and odd coincidences like the Sirius-dog association across disparate cultures, supports the idea of diffusion. However, the theory acknowledges challenges in substantiating claims that stretch back several millennia and seeks further feedback and discussion on the topic.