REFLECTIVE INSIGHT #042 - DAVE'S NOT HERE, MAN: WHY SOME OF US IN THE NORTH NEED TO BACK OFF THE WEED
The Checked-Out Reality
We’ve all heard the old Cheech and Chong bit where one's knocking on the door and the other keeps saying, "Dave’s not here, man." It’s a classic, but when I look around our beautiful Taitokerau, I see too many of our tāne and rangatahi living in that punchline. They are physically present, but the "Universal Constructor", the part of the human spirit designed to transform reality, has effectively left the building.
My Favourite Shirt
Now, I’m not wearing it today, but my favourite shirt actually has that exact quote on it. It’s funny, but when the laughter fades, we have to look at the truth. To move from a "Static Society" to a regenerative one, we need our "Universal Explainer" capability to be sharp. When our senses are dulled, we lose the Mana required to collapse the wave function of potential into a reality of abundance.
Not Preaching Madness
I want to be clear, I am not here to preach "Reefer Madness" or act like the "Devil’s Lettuce" is the root of all evil. I am not interested in disparaging a plant created by God. In the right hands and appropriate situations, it is a very useful rongoā (medicine). This isn’t about the plant itself; it’s about the state of our collective wairua and our ability to lead our region forward.
Taking One for the Team
Now, I’m not suggesting that we all quit tomorrow, but some of us need to take one for the team. For most of our tāne, having a smoke isn't a problem; they can handle their mahi, look after their whānau, and stay present. However, there is a subset, I’d say about 10%, who are genuinely being held back. If you aren’t sure if you are in that 10%, go and ask your wife, your mum, or your smartest friend. They will tell you the truth about whether you are actually showing up.
Wāhine and Balance
I am not being sexist, but our wāhine seem to get by fine with the occasional to frequent puff while doing a great job at work, keeping the household running and the community connected. But for that specific group of tāne and our rangatahi, the effect is evident. It interferes with our dopamine control systems, making us think everything is fine exactly as it is. That is exactly what the "Babylonian" extractive system wants, a population too relaxed to notice the "Leaky Bucket" draining our resources.
The Babylonian Trap
Babylon thrives on our passivity. It is a system of "Social Entropy" (disorder) that prefers "Static Subjects" over "Universal Constructors". When we choose to stay in the fog, we are effectively choosing to let the "Newtonian Error" of separation continue its work, treating our lives and land as disconnected resources.
Protecting Our Future Generations
Our rangatahi genuinely need to develop the parts of their brains responsible for long-term vision and ambition. We need them to be "Digital Tohunga," mastering AI and geothermal engineering to build Te Ōhanga Mauri, the economy of life force. We must stop the thermodynamic leaks and start observing abundance into existence.
A Step Toward Light
Is all of the above fact-checked, peer-reviewed, and medically sound? I’m afraid not. But through the lens of the Mauri Model, we can see that chronic use often leads to "Mauri Heke" (declining life force) rather than "Mauri Ora" (+2). Would Yeshua be ok with this kōrero? I believe He would say "Love Thy Neighbour" and recognise that freeing our minds from the fog is a step toward "Te Whenua Taurikura", The Thriving Land.
