Elon's Grandfather, a Bizarre Cult, and Motivations that Guide the Mayor of Mars
This is Part II in a series dealing with an incredible (but legit) prophecy naming Elon Musk the founder of Martian civilization.
It is often said that “truth is stranger than fiction.” Lord Byron wrote these words in Don Juan, back in 1823.
"'Tis strange,—but true; for truth is always strange;
Stranger than fiction; if it could be told,
How much would novels gain by the exchange!
How differently the world would men behold!"
And boy, is that accurate. But sometimes, fiction turns out to be the actual truth. I’ll remind you of the premise of Part I of this series, with that article being named, “Elon Prophesied (by name) to Rule Mars by NASA Nazi Scientist...in 1948.” The title might sound like click bait, which of course, is the point. But it’s very true.
The name ‘Elon’ was given for the first leader of Mars, in a fictional book written by Wernher Von Braun. Von Braun, if you recall, played an essential role in the development of NASA, and was one of 1,600 Nazi scientists brought into the United States during Operation Paperclip. Von Braun was the inventor of rocket propulsion, as well as liquid rocket fuel, and was the primary figure getting America on the moon.
In 1948, Von Braun wrote the fictional account (it was laced with legitimate scientific information), designed to motivate humanity to go to outer space and in particular Mars, entitled The Mars Project. The book was published in 1953 and NASA has called it the single greatest book ever written to inspire the colonization of the Red Planet. And in that book, the leader of the Martian planet was given a name…Elon. You can read that article for free here.
The next part in this series will be diving into Musk’s grandfather and his literal, actual quest to uncover ruins he attributed to the Nephilim, and how that relates to the Trans-humanism of Musk. But before we get there, we need to understand this other bizarre aspect of Musk’s family tree.
JOSHUA HALDEMAN
Joshua Norman Haldeman (November 25, 1902 – January 13, 1974) was an American-born Canadian-South African chiropractor, aviator, and politician known for his involvement in various political movements and his later support for apartheid in South Africa.
Born in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, to John Elon Haldeman and Almeda Jane (Norman) Haldeman, Joshua Haldeman’s mother became the first known chiropractor to practice in Canada. He attended several colleges including Moose Jaw College, Regina College, and Manitoba Agricultural College. He graduated from B.J. Palmer's Palmer School of Chiropractic in Iowa in 1926.
In 1950, Haldeman moved to South Africa, where he supported apartheid, expressing views some call racist, and promoting what some people call “conspiracy theories” (my use of scare quotes are intentional). He spoke often of the superiority of "White Christian Civilization."
A lot has been written regarding Haldeman’s searches for the fabled Lost City of the Kalahari, but we’ll get into that next time.
He married twice; first to Eve Peters, with whom he had a son, and then to Winnifred Josephine Fletcher, with whom he had four children, including Maye Musk, mother of Elon Musk. He died in a plane crash in 1974 in South Africa.
TECHNOCRACY
The Technocracy movement, in which Joshua Haldeman played a significant role, was a socio-political movement that emerged in the early 20th century, particularly gaining traction during the Great Depression.
The movement was initially inspired by the works of Howard Scott and M. King Hubbert in the United States, where they founded Technocracy Inc. in 1932. The philosophy was based on the belief that industrial society should be run by engineers and scientists rather than by politicians or business leaders. The central premise was that technical expertise should govern societal resources and production.
Instead of a monetary system, Technocracy proposed an economy based on energy credits, where the energy used to produce goods would be the currency of exchange. This idea stemmed from the belief that money as a medium was no longer suitable for the scientific and industrial age.
Advocates of this scheme argued for a society where all decisions regarding production, distribution, and consumption would be made by technical experts to maximize efficiency and sustainability.
Technocracy sought to eliminate political parties, elections, and traditional governance, replacing them with a technocratic elite who would manage society based on scientific principles.
Haldeman became the leader of the Canadian chapter of Technocracy Inc. His zeal and organizational skills helped spread the movement's ideas across Canada.
In 1940, the Canadian government banned Technocracy due to fears it could undermine war efforts or be subversive. Haldeman was arrested but later acquitted, although the movement was effectively suppressed in Canada.
At its peak, Technocracy Inc. had significant membership, with estimates suggesting tens of thousands of members in North America. The movement influenced public discourse on how society should be organized, especially in the context of the economic crises of the 1930s.
Technocracy influenced various science fiction narratives, where societies run by technocrats are often depicted, sometimes dystopically, in literature and film.
While the movement in its original form has largely faded, the concept of technocracy has seen a revival in discussions around governance by experts, particularly in areas like cyber security and public health.
Does any of this sound like Elon to you?
POLITICAL MOVEMENT OR CULT?
At its core, Technocracy was grounded in scientific rationalism and engineering principles. Some technocrats, including prominent figures, expressed skepticism towards religion, viewing it as part of the old order that needed to be replaced by a more rational, scientific approach to governance. They saw religious influence in politics as one of the reasons for societal inefficiency and inequality.
While not overtly religious, the movement's vision for society had elements that might be likened to a secular utopia, where human life would be improved through technology and science, offering a kind of salvation from economic and social woes without divine intervention.
Critics sometimes likened the movement to a cult due to its strong leadership and charismatic figures like Howard Scott. It had an almost evangelical zeal in spreading its message, especially during its peak in the 1930s.
There's an argument to be made that technocracy shared some traits with secular millennialism, where believers in the movement saw themselves at the dawn of a new age where science and technology would lead to a utopian society. This isn't religious in the traditional sense but reflects a kind of faith in progress and technology.
TRANSHUMANISM
If you’re unfamiliar with the religion of Trans-humanism, please consult my article, Transhumanism, Starlink, Neuralink, and Evangelicals Arguing About Hussies. I wrote…
Trans-humanism is the ultimate and penultimate lie told by Satan, to man. It is that men can be something other than what God created them to be. To be able to recast ourselves according to our imagination is, effectively, to become God.
Trans-humanism was the second lie, that “surely you will become like God” (Genesis 3:5). Trans-humanism was also the first lie, that “…you will not die” (Genesis 3:4). God then cast them out of Eden.
The point of that article was to explain that Trans-humanism is perhaps the oldest known religion because we see it proclaimed by the serpent in the Garden of Eden, it’s what motivated the builders of Babel, and the religion is making a comeback. It’s also being spoken of favorably by countless people today.
In the landscape of contemporary thought, trans-humanism stands out as a movement that envisions a future where human beings transcend their biological limitations through technology. But as this philosophy gains traction, a provocative question emerges: Is trans-humanism, at its core, a form of religion?
One of the strongest parallels drawn between trans-humanism and religion is the pursuit of immortality. Religions like Christianity, Hinduism, and many others offer narratives of life after death or reincarnation. Trans-humanism, with its focus on life extension, cryonics, and the potential for uploading human consciousness into machines, seems to echo this ancient human aspiration. The promise of overcoming death through scientific means can be seen as a secular version of the religious promise of eternal life.
Trans-humanists often speak with a level of certainty about future technological breakthroughs that resembles faith. Critics argue this optimism, sometimes bordering on belief without empirical evidence, mirrors religious faith. The conviction that technology will solve all human problems, from aging to cognitive limitations, can seem like a belief system where technology plays the role of the divine.
While trans-humanism doesn't have traditional religious ceremonies, its conferences, workshops, and online communities can serve similar functions. These gatherings are places where believers come together to share ideas, celebrate technological advancements, and mourn the limitations of the human condition. The act of cryopreservation or the commitment to biohacking might be seen as modern rituals aimed at transcendence.
It’s odd but true, that cryonics facilities (where bodies or brains are preserved for future revival), resemble sacred spaces where believers place their hopes for resurrection.
Trans-humanism often comes with its own set of ethics, particularly around the enhancement of human capabilities and the responsible use of technology. This can be compared to religious moral codes, where specific behaviors are encouraged or discouraged based on the doctrine.
Like religious communities, trans-humanists form groups based on shared beliefs about the future of humanity. This community aspect provides identity, support, and a sense of belonging to those who subscribe to its vision. The identification with trans-humanism can be as strong as religious identity, giving members a worldview that shapes their life choices.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRANSHUMANISM AND TECHNOCRACY
Trans-humanist goals require a technocratic approach to policy-making, especially in areas like bioethics, AI regulation, or genetic engineering laws. A technocratic government might be more inclined to support trans-humanist initiatives, viewing them as part of societal progress.
The advancements that trans-humanists advocate for, like brain-computer interfaces or genetic modifications, would necessitate the kind of technological infrastructure, research, and public policy support that technocrats might be better positioned to provide or advocate for.
In other words, Trans-humanism is the end, but Technocracy is the means by which is can be accomplished.
The reason why technocracy failed when it was being pushed by Joshua Haldeman is that the government didn’t support it. But if government were to support technocracy, then trans-humanism appears just a breath away (so they think).
MUSK AND TRANSHUMANISM AND TECHNOCRACY
Musk has suggested that humans might need to merge with AI to stay relevant in an increasingly automated world. In 2017 at the World Government Summit in Dubai, he stated, "Over time I think we will probably see a closer merger of biological intelligence and digital intelligence," arguing that this would help humans avoid becoming irrelevant or "useless" in the face of advanced AI. He envisions this merger as a way to enhance human capabilities, essentially turning humans into a form of cyborg.
Musk's company, Neuralink, is working on developing brain-computer interface technology. He has articulated that the goal is to help people with neurological conditions but also to achieve symbiosis with A.I. In interviews and presentations, he's talked about the potential for humans to communicate with computers directly through thought, suggesting applications from curing diseases like depression to enhancing human cognitive abilities.
Musk is on the records stating that his goal is for humanism to be merged with “super-intelligence.” He has also talked about the “simulation hypothesis,” suggesting there's a high probability we're living in a simulation, which ties into transhumanist ideas about the nature of reality and consciousness.
But what about technocracy? In 2019, Musk tweeted, “accelerating Starship development to build the Martian Technocracy.” It sounds like his technocrat grandfather, right? That’s because they share the religion.
THE (CORRECT) CHRISTIAN VIEW OF TRANS-HUMANISM
Christianity holds that human beings are a unique creation with a soul, suggesting that there are aspects of humanity that technology cannot address or should not tamper with. Trans-humanism, by contrast, sees the human condition as something to be improved upon, potentially leading to a redefinition of what it means to be human, which might conflict with traditional Christian views on the sanctity of the human form.
Christianity also places ultimate agency in divine hands, with God as the creator and sustainer of life. Trans-humanism, however, focuses on human agency, suggesting that humans can and should take control of their own evolution.
Christianity's promise of an afterlife contrasts with trans-humanism's pursuit of physical or digital immortality. While trans-humanism might advocate for technologies that could enhance moral or ethical behavior, Christianity might argue that true moral improvement comes from spiritual growth and relationship with God, not through technological means.
In days to come, Christians will need to grapple with a rapidly changing world, and must contend with the concept of trans-humanism. And we also need to understand that, given the power, Elon Musk could potentially go from being seen as the great liberator of humanity, to its enslaver. While this sounds far-fetched, if you take into consideration that Musk’s life seems to supernaturally parallel the ambitions of both his grandfather, Joshua Haldeman, and the incredible prophecy by Wernher Von Braun, you’ll understand why we very much need to keep an eye on him.
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