I hope that the title of the essay "Seeing is Beholding" is not to be taken literally. If this is the case, I can only "see" that this author is a stoner and I can only "behold" the understanding that he is basing a very large theory on experiences of a hallucinogenic trip instead of hard evidence.

Douglas Rushkoff writes his essay with the intent of showing how a worldwide language is possible without words being shared. The information he uses to back up is claim is drawn, sadly, on experiences that are neither credible nor real, giving me the impression that his hypothesis is just nonsense. Rushkoff argues that hallucinogenic drugs enable the human race to speak to each other without using mouths. He says that we can create a "visible language" (37) by the experiences that we have everyday, each one being shared by average people through mind waves only.

Rushkoff has developed a theory that can most easily be compared to a world of ESP, or extrasensory perception, and VR, or virtual reality, all rolled into one big joint of drug-related fun. He makes the statement that "psychedelics and VR are both ways of creating a nonlinear reality, where self-expression is a community event" (37). Although colors and designs can be seen in virtual reality and on a "trip," I don't see how there is a logical comparison between the two.

I disagree with Rushkoff's argument of a "visible language" (37) that is understood by people without being spoken. The data that he presents to back his claim, such as drug-induced experiencess, do not have a concrete basis upon which an idea of this magnitude can be based. Drug use is the alteration of all normal brain functions. Therefore, if all people are not under the influence of the same drug, their thought processes will be unaltered or basically normal. This will in turn only create a "visible language" for drug users; it will exclude non-drug users whose brain patterns have not succumbed to such a drastic change. I have many different ways of thinking. Unless I use a substance to "unify" my mind with the mind of another person, I will never see their ideas in the same manner as they do. In the event that I induce such a change in my thinking patterns, I am still not guaranteed to think the same thoughts. In conclusion, I believe that Rushkoff's claims are inconceivable. I do not think that we can base human language ability on drug-induced hallucinations and expect every person in society to think the same way. The theory needs better information and research with more concrete information backing up such an incredible claim.

Rushkoff, Douglas. "Seeing is Beholding.". Douglas Rushkoff. CyberReader. 2nd ed. Ed. Victor J. Vitanza. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1999. 36-48.