High-Concept Deep Dives

Cain Killed Meaning Not His Brother


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This discussion proposes a symbolic hypothesis that reframes the story of Cain and Abel as an encoded map of human consciousness rather than a literal historical account. In this framework, Abel represents a mental capacity for perceiving deep, interconnected meaning and "layered" reality, while Cain embodies the rigid, instrumental processes of civilization that prioritize efficiency and control. The narrative suggests that as societies grow more complex, they perform a symbolic "lobotomy" by sacrificing intuitive meaning for material mastery, leading to a modern world dominated by data and literalism. Ultimately, the text serves as a warning that we are living in a mechanistic reality built by Cain, urging individuals to engage in a "cognitive rebellion" to reclaim the fragmented capacity for participatory meaning.

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High-Concept Deep DivesBy Joseph Michael Garrity