#its the core of human mind with animal features

[baby-xemnas]

i got a big sketch backlog i want to draw many 🐯🐻‍❄️ i havent gotten bored yet trust me dude

[billveusay]

Why I love mechas/real robots stories

In 2023, I played Armored Core 4, For Answer, and 6. And I loved them. On top of being incredible games, there was something about them... something that seemed to scratch an itch just right in some part of my brain I never noticed. A few months later, I got into Gundam and apparently loved it enough for it to become my biggest special interest ever. And for a while, I wondered why. I didn't like every gundam show/movie I watched but the ones I liked... seemed engaging beyond their individual quality. Something about them giant robots just works for me. And after giving it some thought, I think I finally nailed why.

Coldest take ever : there's something appealing about works of fiction that get crazy with scale. Larger than life, you could say, whether it's in terms of worldbuilding, action or aesthetics. Galaxy spanning civilizations are cool, huge armies are cool, big monsters are cool, big explosions are cool. However, for me at least, there's a threshold where the scale gets so big it becomes meaningless. This is why I kinda bounced off DBZ and 40k. Through no fault of theirs, mind you (DBZ is awesome and 40k... contains awesome stuff), they just weren't what I was looking for. Because most of the time, what makes stories click for me is immersion, so for the stories that go BIG it often means a human point of view to put the scale in perspective.

Now, this can be done in every genre or medium featuring large-scale setpieces, using their respective tools. For example, many action movies emphasize the size of their setpieces with grounded directing, filming at shoulder height looking up and making the big stuff break frame. However it's also baked in the very core of several genres. For example, it's a building block of Lovecraftian horror.

But not only is this contrast between human-sized and big as balls a large part of real robot stories, they also let the human-sized humans bust some big-ass balls. You can have fight scenes on par with Avengers or DBZ but inside the 20 meters tall death machine, there are relatable squishy dudes, which is an immediate +5 in investment for me.

However, this specific kind of appeal is a hard balance to strike. Super robot animes and superhero stories with giant piloted robots often don't have that tangible feel. But there are also pieces of media that lean harder on the "realism" aspect, and those tend not to work as well for me, because they don't give off the same sense of awe at seeing something incredible from a grounded POV. Real robot at its best is a bridge between immersive storytelling through human eyes and wild, massive concepts, setpieces and action. It also provides nice theming if your story is about humans being small in the face of overwhelming forces beyond their control, like war or capitalism. Funny how often that happens.

In Armored Core 6, the titular mechs are 10 meters tall, and they're mostly used to showcase how everything is even more bloody gigantic. There's a robot worm that's 1,5 km long, a walking mining ship boss that's 5 km long and 1 km tall, and if you're not familiar with it, just google "armored core vascular plant". In most games, this would probably pull me out of the story, but somehow it works here. Because despite only interacting with them through radio comms, the characters feel very believably human. With human feelings, motivations and relationships. Also, they did a great job making all the technology look and feel grounded, which helps the immersion. So er... yeah. Can you tell me if that made sense ? Or if I was just pointing out the obvious, because I genuinely can't tell. In any case, thanks for humoring me in this longexplanation of why I didn't watch Gurren Lagann. Cheers!

[raptorish]

On Sapience, Longing, and the Lack Thereof

Written by Max on August 12th, 2024.

So I was at Othercon 2024 this past weekend - and like many who attended, I came out the other side with a new piece of my identity to chew over. This essay is me chewing over my thoughts on archaeosapience, as it connects to my velociraptor paleotheriotype, and why I genuinely don’t feel like I fit the label.

One of the panels I attended and thoroughly enjoyed was “Not Humans, Still People: How Inhumanity Interacts with Personhood,” by Goratrix bani Tremere of the Draconic Wizard Workshop and Chaiya Askari-Vykos of the Treehouse System. During the panel, Goratrix and Chaiya argue that personhood is different from humanity, defining personhood as, essentially, sapience - the ability to understand oneself, to make rational choices, to comprehend the world in not only physical ways, but also the abstract and symbolic. All humans are people, but not all people are humans - nonhuman personhood is experienced by many, many alterhumans, and this is an important distinction to keep in mind.

Another panel I adored, presented by Sivaan of Candlekeep, was “Archaeosapience: To Awaken as Ancient in a Modern Age,” in which he discusses the label and the intricacies of his own experience as an archaeosapien. Once again, nonhuman sapience is a key feature here - as Sivaan writes in xyr coining essay, “[t]he “sapience” in archaeosapience exclusively refers to our awareness of our existence as ancient beings,” as opposed to an inherent connection with the species Homo sapiens. Archaeosapience does not require one to be human.

An archaeosapien is defined as “an individual whose alterhuman or nonhuman identity is intrinsically rooted in prehistory, antiquity or mythic accounts of history.” And funnily enough, here lies my personal disconnect with the term, even though I identify as a velociraptor - a prehistoric animal well known to be extinct. To experience archaeosapience requires personhood, requires sapience, an understanding of oneself as an ancient being. And this is one thing that my theriotype utterly lacks.

Now, I’m not saying that I lack sapience. I am a person, one who reads and writes and learns about the world around me. I also identify as human, separate but intertwined with my personhood, and my humanity is as important to me as my animality. Both of these core parts of myself contribute to where I stand today - as a prehistoric animal person who is, somehow, completely at home in modernity.

Throughout this essay, I’m going to refer to my raptor self in the third person - it thinks this, it wants that. I separate myself from my theriotype in this way because I do not feel like I’m myself in a mental shift. My raptorial mind is not a person, but an animal. It is incapable of understanding abstract concepts or philosophical thought, living in the physical world where it gets food, water, rest, shelter, and enrichment. This does not make it any lesser than my sapient mind - it does mean that it has a different way of understanding the world.

My raptor brain, the instinctual animal side, does not feel like it’s an animal from another era. It doesn’t even know what time is, beyond the regular cycles of day and night. It doesn’t understand common features of modern human society, like computers or elevators or money - not because those things didn’t exist back in prehistoric Asia, 75 million years ago, but because it’s an animal. I could be a gecko from the modern day and still feel the same mentally shifted apathy and confusion about the things I need to live day to day as a human being. The raptor doesn’t know or care about its status as a long-extinct relic, because as far as it’s concerned, it is alive and well, healthy and fed and comfortable in a house with people it knows.

In fact, my raptor brain doesn’t even feel attached to a habitat. Early on in my awakening, as someone who knows where velociraptors used to live in the spacetime continuum, I felt a sort of connection with deserts - I’d look at them and think, that’s like the place my species lived! This was the part of me who’s a person, putting a label to a place that I’ve never been, thinking fondly of it despite never having lived there.

The part of me that’s not a person, that knows nothing but pavement and grass and many-walled shelters keeping out the wind, looks at the desert and bristles with distaste. It doesn’t like the idea of being somewhere it doesn’t know, with sand and scorching sun and no food it knows how to catch. It knows its home territory, a place with cooling wooden floorboards and a comfortable nest of mattress and blankets and a cache of good food that never runs out, and it likes its territory. It doesn’t like the desert or understand the significance of it. It can’t comprehend the idea of wilderness enough to miss it. It doesn’t want to be wild and free, it wants to live in a building with air conditioning and clean freshwater from the sink.

As you can see, my raptor self is perfectly content to be a modern animal. How about my human self, the part of me that can think about my theriotype and know that it’s a prehistoric animal? Do I long for ancient deserts, grieve and yearn for a world I never experienced because I know it might have once been home?

Well… no. I don’t. For better or worse, my humanity feels inexorably linked to modernity, to cities, to technology. I can’t go anywhere or do anything without running into electronics. I use the internet every day of my life to learn, entertain, engage with the world around me. I couldn’t imagine living a life where I didn’t have it. There’s no disconnect from the modern day for me, no longing for the past - only the sense that I’m right where I want to be.

As a person, I’m content with where I am today. As an animal, a raptor can’t yearn for a time it has never lived.

[whencyclopedia]

Arapaho Creation Story

The Arapaho Creation Story is the account of how the world was made from the mud at the bottom of the endless waters by Father (also given as Pipe Person in some versions) with the help of the duck and the turtle. The story is similar to one of the versions of the Cheyenne Creation Story.

Eastern Painted Turtle

Greg Schechter (CC BY)

Both of these accounts are also similar to the Lakota Sioux Creation Story as well as those of other Native American nations, many of which begin with the world as a great expanse of water and feature a central character – usually supernatural – who brings the earth into being with the help of waterfowl or the turtle. The Arapaho tale is also similar to that of the Cheyenne and others in that there is no mention of the concept of 'evil' or corruption. The Father, inspired by the Grandfather above, creates a perfect world, completely in balance. Any aspects of life humans will later find objectionable are entirely so because of their interpretation, not because of any flaws in the creation itself.

In some versions of the story, the Grandfather is the Creator God Be He Teiht (the Great Spirit) and Father (or Pipe Person) is understood as the First Arapaho, meaning the spirit of the Arapaho people, not the first man. In other versions, Father seems to be the Creator God and Grandfather is not mentioned or the Father figure goes by the name of Flat Pipe or, as noted, Pipe Person. There are also variations in how humans, plants, and animals are made in different versions, but, in all, the world is created for the greater good and its inhabitants, all related as family, are expected to share it generously with each other.

Versions of the Story & Arapaho Religion

These different versions of the Arapaho Creation Story are all fragmented and some incomplete because they were passed down through oral transmission by the people's storytellers, and so many of these were killed by US troops and settlers in the latter part of the 19th century – in conflicts such as the Sand Creek Massacre – or died of diseases or malnutrition on reservations that the story was almost lost completely. The best-known and most complete version comes from Traditions of the Arapaho by George A. Dorsey and Alfred L. Kroeber in 1903, given below.

In this version of the tale, after the duck and turtle have brought up the primordial mud, Father creates the earth and then the sun and moon before creating humans out of clay. In another version, he accomplishes this through prayer-thought – purposeful thought generating change – and literally thinks the world into being. All things, therefore, come from the mind of the Father, and are all closely related. This is a core belief of Arapaho spirituality – the close connection of all living things that inhabit the World House together. In the World House, every living thing is a brother or sister and all children of the same Father. This belief informed Arapaho rituals, including the Sun Dance, as well as the "medicine" objects (spiritual artifacts) the people carried. Scholar Loretta Fowler comments:

the Arapaho origin story focuses on Pipe Person's creation of the earth from mud below the surface of an expanse of water. Pipe Person, through prayer-thought, created all life, including the first Arapahos. Arapahos henceforth kept a replica of the Flat Pipe as a symbol of their covenant with the life force or power on which Pipe Person drew. Rites centered on the pipe bundle helped ensure the success of Arapahos generally and of individuals specifically. Seven men's and seven women's medicine bags contained objects and implements that symbolized forms of power, and these passed from one custodian to another. Prayer-thoughts could affect events and lives, and the sincerity of a petitioner's prayer-thought was validated by sacrifices of property or of the body by flesh offerings and fasting. (1)

Although the Arapaho observed the Sun Dance, they did not engage in the self-torture aspect of that ritual as the Sioux and other Plains Indians did. The "flesh offerings" Fowler mentions would be sacrifices of an individual nature, though still performed for the greater good. The Sun Dance was known as the Offerings Lodge to the Arapaho and, instead of self-torture, they would donate personal items or space (land) to the community. The flat pipe was (and still is) central to the Offerings Lodge ceremony – as it is to other Arapaho rituals – as it symbolizes their connection to the Creator just as the Sioux ceremonial pipe does to that nation. When the Arapaho separated into Northern and Southern, and were then forcibly relocated to reservations, the Northern Arapaho kept the flat pipe with them, and the Southern Arapaho kept the sacred stones symbolizing the pipe. These are still used in rituals today.

Native American Sun Dance

Jules Tavernier and Paul Frenzeny (Public Domain)

In yet another version of the Arapaho Creation Story, this one incomplete, the flat pipe is featured prominently. In this tale, the Creator God is known as Flat Pipe and he walks about on the endless water with his pipe (a flat pipe) looking for some place where he can safely rest it. His entire purpose in creating the world is for a place to securely rest the pipe because, from this pipe, he will draw the power to begin the work of creation. He appeals to a flock of ducks flying past and they dive down into the water for him, bringing up some mud. This is not enough to create land from, however, and so he then asks various other creatures for help. One by one, they dive into the deep, six times, but none of them are able to reach the bottom. The seventh time, the turtle goes and brings back the right amount of mud for creation to begin.

Although the name of the main character and certain details differ in these versions, the central message remains the same: as all things were brought forth by the Creator, all are related to each other as family. One should therefore treat the earth, plants, animals, and others as kindly as one would one's own blood relatives because, in fact, that is what they all are.

Continue reading...

[kanguin]

Hi, idk who's going to see this post or whatnot, but I had a lot of thoughts on a post I reblogged about AI that started to veer off the specific topic of the post, so I wanted to make my own.

Some background on me: I studied Psychology and Computer Science in college several years ago, with an interdisciplinary minor called Cognitive Science that joined the two with philosophy, linguistics, and multiple other fields. The core concept was to study human thinking and learning and its similarities to computer logic, and thus the courses I took touched frequently on learning algorithms, or "AI". This was of course before it became the successor to bitcoin as the next energy hungry grift, to be clear. Since then I've kept up on the topic, and coincidentally, my partner has gone into freelance data model training and correction. So while I'm not an expert, I have a LOT of thoughts on the current issue of AI.

I'll start off by saying that AI isn't a brand new technology, it, more properly known as learning algorithms, has been around in the linguistics, stats, biotech, and computer science worlds for over a decade or two. However, pre-ChatGPT learning algorithms were ground-up designed tools specialized for individual purposes, trained on a very specific data set, to make it as accurate to one thing as possible. Some time ago, data scientists found out that if you have a large enough data set on one specific kind of information, you can get a learning algorithm to become REALLY good at that one thing by giving it lots of feedback on right vs wrong answers. Right and wrong answers are nearly binary, which is exactly how computers are coded, so by implementing the psychological method of operant conditioning, reward and punishment, you can teach a program how to identify and replicate things with incredible accuracy. That's what makes it a good tool.

And a good tool it was and still is. Reverse image search? Learning algorithm based. Complex relationship analysis between words used in the study of language? Often uses learning algorithms to model relationships. Simulations of extinct animal movements and behaviors? Learning algorithms trained on anatomy and physics. So many features of modern technology and science either implement learning algorithms directly into the function or utilize information obtained with the help of complex computer algorithms.

But a tool in the hand of a craftsman can be a weapon in the hand of a murderer. Facial recognition software, drone targeting systems, multiple features of advanced surveillance tech in the world are learning algorithm trained. And even outside of authoritarian violence, learning algorithms in the hands of get-rich-quick minded Silicon Valley tech bro business majors can be used extremely unethically. All AI art programs that exist right now are trained from illegally sourced art scraped from the web, and ChatGPT (and similar derived models) is trained on millions of unconsenting authors' works, be they professional, academic, or personal writing. To people in countries targeted by the US War Machine and artists the world over, these unethical uses of this technology are a major threat.

Further, it's well known now that AI art and especially ChatGPT are MAJOR power-hogs. This, however, is not inherent to learning algorithms / AI, but is rather a product of the size, runtime, and inefficiency of these models. While I don't know much about the efficiency issues of AI "art" programs, as I haven't used any since the days of "imaginary horses" trended and the software was contained to a university server room with a limited training set, I do know that ChatGPT is internally bloated to all hell. Remember what I said about specialization earlier? ChatGPT throws that out the window. Because they want to market ChatGPT as being able to do anything, the people running the model just cram it with as much as they can get their hands on, and yes, much of that is just scraped from the web without the knowledge or consent of those who have published it. So rather than being really good at one thing, the owners of ChatGPT want it to be infinitely good, infinitely knowledgeable, and infinitely running. So the algorithm is never shut off, it's constantly taking inputs and processing outputs with a neural network of unnecessary size.

Now this part is probably going to be controversial, but I genuinely do not care if you use ChatGPT, in specific use cases. I'll get to why in a moment, but first let me clarify what use cases. It is never ethical to use ChatGPT to write papers or published fiction (be it for profit or not); this is why I also fullstop oppose the use of publicly available gen AI in making "art". I say publicly available because, going back to my statement on specific models made for single project use, lighting, shading, and special effects in many 3D animated productions use specially trained learning algorithms to achieve the complex results seen in the finished production. Famously, the Spider-verse films use a specially trained in-house AI to replicate the exact look of comic book shading, using ethically sources examples to build a training set from the ground up, the unfortunately-now-old-fashioned way. The issue with gen AI in written and visual art is that the publicly available, always online algorithms are unethically designed and unethically run, because the decision makers behind them are not restricted enough by laws in place.

So that actually leads into why I don't give a shit if you use ChatGPT if you're not using it as a plagiarism machine. Fact of the matter is, there is no way ChatGPT is going to crumble until legislation comes into effect that illegalizes and cracks down on its practices. The public, free userbase worldwide is such a drop in the bucket of its serverload compared to the real way ChatGPT stays afloat: licensing its models to businesses with monthly subscriptions. I mean this sincerely, based on what little I can find about ChatGPT's corporate subscription model, THAT is the actual lifeline keeping it running the way it is. Individual visitor traffic worldwide could suddenly stop overnight and wouldn't affect ChatGPT's bottom line. So I don't care if you, I, or anyone else uses the website because until the US or EU governments act to explicitly ban ChatGPT and other gen AI business' shady practices, they are all only going to continue to stick around profit from big business contracts. So long as you do not give them money or sing their praises, you aren't doing any actual harm.

If you do insist on using ChatGPT after everything I've said, here's some advice I've gathered from testing the algorithm to avoid misinformation:

If you feel you must use it as a sounding board for figuring out personal mental or physical health problems like I've seen some people doing when they can't afford actual help, do not approach it conversationally in the first person. Speak in the third person as if you are talking about someone else entirely, and exclusively note factual information on observations, symptoms, and diagnoses. This is because where ChatGPT draws its information from depends on the style of writing provided. If you try to be as dry and clinical as possible, and request links to studies, you should get dry and clinical information in return. This approach also serves to divorce yourself mentally from the information discussed, making it less likely you'll latch onto anything. Speaking casually will likely target unprofessional sources.

Do not ask for citations, ask for links to relevant articles. ChatGPT is capable of generating links to actual websites in its database, but if asked to provide citations, it will replicate the structure of academic citations, and will very likely hallucinate at least one piece of information. It also does not help that these citations also will often be for papers not publicly available and will not include links.

ChatGPT is at its core a language association and logical analysis software, so naturally its best purposes are for analyzing written works for tone, summarizing information, and providing examples of programming. It's partially coded in python, so examples of Python and Java code I've tested come out 100% accurate. Complex Google Sheets formulas however are often finicky, as it often struggles with proper nesting orders of formulas.

Expanding off of that, if you think of the software as an input-output machine, you will get best results. Problems that do not have clear input information or clear solutions, such as open ended questions, will often net inconsistent and errant results.

Commands are better than questions when it comes to asking it to do something. If you think of it like programming, then it will respond like programming most of the time.

Most of all, do not engage it as a person. It's not a person, it's just an algorithm that is trained to mimic speech and is coded to respond in courteous, subservient responses. The less you try and get social interaction out of ChatGPT, the less likely it will be to just make shit up because it sounds right.

Anyway, TL;DR:

AI is just a tool and nothing more at its core. It is not synonymous with its worse uses, and is not going to disappear. Its worst offenders will not fold or change until legislation cracks down on it, and we, the majority users of the internet, are not its primary consumer. Use of AI to substitute art (written and visual) with blended up art of others is abhorrent, but use of a freely available algorithm for personal analyticsl use is relatively harmless so long as you aren't paying them.

We need to urge legislators the world over to crack down on the methods these companies are using to obtain their training data, but at the same time people need to understand that this technology IS useful and both can and has been used for good. I urge people to understand that learning algorithms are not one and the same with theft just because the biggest ones available to the public have widely used theft to cut corners. So long as computers continue to exist, algorithmic problem-solving and generative algorithms are going to continue to exist as they are the logical conclusion of increasingly complex computer systems. Let's just make sure the future of the technology is not defined by the way things are now.

[from-a-legends-pov]

Star Wars Legends Highlight of the Week: Honor Among Thieves by James S. A. Corey

This is a new feature where a fan will share one thing they love from Star Wars Legends – a book, a comic, an author, a character, an event, or anything else they want to highlight – and tell us more about it.

If you, too, love Legends, follow @from-a-legends-pov and check out our upcoming Star Wars Legends fanfiction event, From a Legends Point of View, HERE. Signups open April 28 - please encourage your favorite Star Wars writers to participate!

Today’s highlight is Honor Among Thieves by James S. A. Corey (actually the pen name of writing team Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, whom you may recognize as the writers of The Expanse), a 2014 Legends novel, and we’re talking with Dessi (@otterandterrier).

Tell us about your Legends highlight. What is it? What’s it about?

Honor Among Thieves is the second novel in the Empire and Rebellion duology (the first one being Razor’s Edge, a previous Legends highlight), and one of the last books published in the Legends universe by Del Rey. This book is Han’s story, and is told entirely from his POV.

The story is set about a year after Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, and our heroes start off scattering through the galaxy in their respective missions. Han and Chewie are sent to the Core to retrieve Scarlet Hark, a high-level spy who is after a thief in possession of secret, deadly information stolen from under the Empire’s (and her) nose – and that the Empire is willing to do anything to get back. Han doesn’t want to get involved, as this is way above his paycheck. But then he realizes that Leia is at a gathering on Kiamurr, the very same planet their thief is headed to, which means the Empire will be hot on his heels. That makes up his mind about helping Scarlet get there first!

The plot is quite the wild goose chase, and you have to suspend your sense of disbelief many times and forget specialized bits of lore in order to buy it. Even so, it’s really fun and gripping, and I appreciate the way that the main conflict is used to give us excellent insight into our favourite smuggler’s mind.

What makes this a Legends highlight for you? What do you love about it?

This is one of my favourite Legends books, because I love Han Solo. I love the intensely caring, occasionally dorky, bad at flirting, barely concealing a soft interior Han Solo that somehow we were fortunate enough to get in the Original Trilogy and, somehow, so many people missed. And that’s the Han Solo we get here! I love getting to see the narrative peeling off his self-admitted layers, contemplating his involvement with the rebellion, his new relationships, and the man he could have been had circumstances not put him on the path of an old Jedi and an idealistic farmboy, by setting up a contrast with an old acquaintance that shows up. We also get to see how competent and clever he really is, something that is often neglected.

Favorite moment or scene?

There’s this scene where the group is walking through a jungle, and a character is about to shoot at a large mud creature that scared her—but Han stops her. He explains that the creature is harmless, then he pats its snout and tells it to look out for humans. Leia calls him an animal lover, to which Han replies: “If everyone got to kill anything that looked big and scary, Chewie would never be able to leave the ship.” I love this little moment because it shows that soft, caring, yet practical side of Han that not many people get to see, and it’s also a nice moment of connection between Han and Leia. Han’s concern over creatures that are “just trying to make it through another day” also gets called back towards the end, rounding off Han’s overall spot-on characterization—although that’s all I can say without spoiling the book.

Anything else you’d like to share about it?

A few other reasons I love this book:

It develops Han and Leia’s early relationship: as a shipper, the UST and the moments of deeper understanding between them here make me squeal. We see Leia through Han’s eyes and beyond his façade, and how he goes from “I can’t stand her” to “I will kill anyone who tries to hurt her.”

Scarlet Hark FTW: This OC is a bit of a perfect male fantasy, but I like her a lot. Intelligent, badass, take-no-shit female character? Yes please! I particularly love that she and Leia get along so well and it’s never a competition between them. She’s a really interesting character to explore, and I’d love to see the OT gang teaming up with her again.

Han and Luke’s relationship isn’t forgotten: I really appreciate that the authors gave this friendship the importance it deserves, with Han thinking several times that he’s sticking with the Rebellion mainly to look after Luke (which is a better motivation than him staying because he wants to sleep with Leia).

To learn more…

If you’d like to read more about Honor Among Thieves, you can check out its page on Wookieepedia or find the novel at your favorite library or used bookstore (like Razor’s Edge, it seems to be out of print for new copies, sadly).

And be sure to check out @from-a-legends-pov and our From a Legends Point of View fanfiction event; as another reminder, signups open April 28, 2024!

[adetolasblog]

Sapphire Hopes

Chapter 1

An OC story

Note: I hopped on the bandwagon of black magical girls with PPIDWBAMG. Lantern corps were always magical girl core to me anyways, so why not merge the two?

LOOSELY based on the comics. I haven't read them in a while...

Trigger warnings: sparkles, frills, bows and a whole lot of magical girl speak.

Mostly dialogue

All characters besides my oc belong to DC comics.

Horribly ooc

"So, you're saying with this ring i can fly and create constructs?"

"yep"

"and its powered by hope?"

"Mh-hm"

"And im now a space cop?"

"Something like that"

"But i need a green ring to supercharge it and unlock all its features like using a paid app for free, where you can technically do stuff on it, but its basically useless unless you pay for it?"

".... Pretty much"

"This is just like a magical girl anime. Can i name myself? I'd like to be called 'Cure Hope'!"

"Nope, sorry, you can't do that. You're a blue lantern. That's it."

"Bummer"

"you're taking this surprisingly well."

"Yeah, well, I dont think my brain has completely registered all this as real yet."

"Its alot to take in. I get it."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did."

"Oh, haha. No, but seriously. Why are you teaching me about blue lanterns when you're a green lantern?"

"Because I'm the only human so far who has been a blue lantern."

"Oh. How do they choose who to... Y'know."

"They stalk you for a while, test you to see your hope level. You apparently passed with flying colours since you have a ring now."

"So why couldn't my stalkers come teach me this stuff. No offense."

"None taken. I would be confused too. To be honest, I don't exactly know."

"So I'm a superhero now?"

"If you want to be."

BEEP BEEP BEEP

"Oh, shoot! I have a lecture in 10 minutes! Im gonna be late! I have to go now, Thanks Mr. Rayner! See you whenever!"

Ireti said hurriedly, dropping some notes on the table and dashing out of the cafe. She was so glad they were on campus and near where her next lecture was located. Metropolis City University was unnecessarily huge for no reason. It took forever to get from one place to another.

She made it to the lecture hall just on time, before her professor came in. She plopped down in her seat, opened up her laptop and prepared for class. Eventually her professor came in and began teaching, but her mind was elsewhere. It seemed to be finally sinking in. She was specifically chosen by aliens to be a space cop and had a free trial-type ring that only unlocked full power when a green lantern was in the vicinity.

She sighed, examining the details of the ring. It was pretty, she had to give it that. Though, she looked better in warmer colours. Was she gonna be a washed out looking superhero/space cop?!

She was about an hour into the lecture, taking as many notes as she could when she felt a buzzing sensation. At first she thought it was her phone that she was holding, but after dropping her phone, she realized.

It was the ring.

She excused herself from the class and made her way to the restrooms where she locked herself in a stall

"Now," she wondered. "How do I answer?"

She tried pressing it, prodding it poking it, but to no avail. Nothing happened. This was getting frustrating. She sighed angrily as she tried to get the buzzing st stop. Finally it stopped and a holographic image shone from it.

"Do you usually take so long to pick up your calls?"

"Sorry, Mr. Rayner, I didn't know how to pick up. I don't even know what I did.."

"Nevermind that, we have a mission. The perfect opportunity to learn to use your powers. Meet me at the park."

He hung up before she could say anything in reply. She heaved another sigh. Now she had to get to the park? She wasn't liking this hero work, and she hadn't even started yet.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Julian Adorney, Mark Johnson, and Geoff Laughton

Published: Jan 10, 2025

Many critics, including several featured in these pages, have been actively combating Social Justice Fundamentalism (SJF) at the intellectual level. This is vital and necessary work.

However, people rarely adopt ideologies solely because they find them intellectually compelling. As social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explains in The Righteous Mind, “Intuitions come first, strategic reasoning second.” What this means is that we often embrace ideologies because they appeal to us on a psychological level, and we then use reason to justify the beliefs we already desire to have. Haidt notes that our moral reasoning is “a skill we humans evolved to further our social agendas—to justify our own actions and to defend the teams we belong to.” He warns that our stated reasons for holding certain beliefs are “mostly post hoc constructions made up on the fly, crafted to advance one or more strategic objectives.”

Haidt’s insights prompt a crucial question: If intellectual arguments fail to address the core reasons people are drawn to SJF, what other strategies might effectively counter this ideology at a deeper level?

Addressing this question is vital, given the numerous negative impacts of SJF ideology on society.

Firstly, SJF is detrimental to the state of science. Science is supposed to be about advancing the frontiers of human knowledge and seeking truth. However, when peer-reviewed papers describe how participants waded into the waters of the Great Salt Lake to marry brine shrimp (no, really) and then “ma[de] love to the lake,” it’s hard to see how this advances science’s noble goals. When academic papers suggest that infants are inherently “queer” and proceed to sexualize them, science’s goal is being bastardized. When SJF scientists argue in a paper on HIV transmissions that we ought to normalize “barebacking” (having sex without condoms), they risk doing immense harm to at-risk populations. When scholars receive advanced degrees and professorships by publishing such nonsense, it is bad for the academy, which plays a vital role in creating and disseminating knowledge.

SJF ideology also has harmful effects on our social norms. It is bad when prominent scholars advocate for bestiality (the sexual abuse of animals) or when scholars like Michel Foucault, the grandfather of Social Justice Fundamentalism, support the sexual abuse of small children. Similarly, it is harmful when psychiatrists present lectures titled “The Psychopathic Problem of the White Mind,” which move us away from the goal of racial integration towards judging people by their immutable characteristics. While no culture is perfect and in any given culture some social norms may need to evolve, many SJF ideologues want to take a sledgehammer to the foundations of our society because they assume that all social norms—even those against sexually abusing children—are premised on racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression.

SJF, despite the noble intentions of many of its followers, lends itself to divisiveness. It lumps people (generally inaccurately) into either an “oppressor” or “oppressed” group, and frequently scapegoats or torments members of the group it has deemed the oppressors.

This divisiveness is partly due to Social Justice Fundamentalists exhibiting a high level of self-reported empathy. But empathy is inherently selective. As Paul Bloom, a professor of psychology at Yale, argues in Against Empathy, “Empathy is a spotlight focusing on certain people in the here and now.” This spotlight is bright but narrow; just as it bathes a couple of people in light, it casts everyone else in deeper darkness. Bloom points out that empathy “makes us care more about [the people we empathize with],” but it also renders us “blind…to the suffering of those we do not or cannot empathize with.”

In an ideology that divides the world into oppressors and oppressed, hyper empathy for the latter can coincide with—and even foster—remarkable indifference or even callousness toward anyone seen as part of the former group. This explains why many SJFs responded with glee to the murder of an insurance CEO earlier this month. Former Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz remarked that she felt “celebratory” about the murder. Why? Because “If you have watched a loved one die because an insurance conglomerate denied their life-saving treatment as a cost-cutting measure, yes, it’s natural to wish that the people who run such conglomerates would suffer the same fate.” When you lay all the world’s problems at the feet of a certain group of people, it becomes easy to root for the pain and suffering of those people.

This divisive narrative extends to immutable characteristics as well. For many SJFs, an individual’s value depends on factors like skin color and sex. Saria Rao and Regina Jackson dedicate their book, White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism And How to Do Better, to “all Black, Indigenous, brown, and non-white girls, women, and non-binary identifying folks who are sick and tired of white women’s bullshit.” A piece in the Washington Post suggested that black and white women could never be friends because the author, a black women, didn’t trust white women on principle. Another Washington Post article put it even more bluntly: “I Refuse to Listen to White Women Cry.” Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) recently posted��on X, “Dear White People, I don’t know why I feel the need to keep talking to you.”

SJF allows its adherents make pariahs of entire groups based solely on immutable characteristics.

This same story can be seen in our politics. In the Huffington Post, Andrea Tate describes how her sympathy for the (so-called) “oppressed” people, potentially harmed by a Trump presidency, led her to act with cruelty and callousness towards her Trump-supporting husband and his family. On X, a post by John Pavlovitz garnered 72,000 likes when he declared, “I will never forgive my family members and former friends for voting for him [Trump]. Never.” Empathy toward one group can result in callousness and cruelty toward another. These strains of SJF are deeply divisive.

Moreover, SJF ideology can negatively impact the mental health of its staunch supporters. A survey by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which examined the mental health and politics of 55,102 students across 254 schools, found a clear correlation: the further left a student leaned politically, the poorer their self-reported mental health.

One possible reason for this correlation might be the divisiveness of the ideology itself: a belief system that promotes cruelty and hostility toward opposing groups likely harms the mental health of its followers. Another reason might be the prevalence of a victimhood-focused worldview with little emphasis on personal agency among many SJFs. In their book Is Everyone Really Equal?, Robin DiAngelo and Özlem Sensoy use the metaphor of a birdcage to suggest that marginalized people cannot advance in society. In this metaphor, each problem is one bar on a cage, locking the person in an inescapable situation. This ideology encourages an external locus of control, suggesting that society is structured to oppress marginalized groups, and that these people can never overcome this oppression. However, fostering an external locus of control is terrible for our mental health, as it instills upon us the belief that our problems are insurmountable and our lives can never improve.

This ideology has even infected many therapists, who ought to know better than to inculcate feelings of helplessness in their clients. As professor of psychiatry Mark L. Ruffalo told us:

There are some therapists who simply see their patients as passive recipients of experience who make no active contributions to, and have no responsibility for, their ongoing life problems. This approach aligns neatly with ideologies that cultivate a certain victim mentality--the idea that all or most of life's problems are due to external forces: society, the economy, various social ills, etc.

The most prominent strains of SJF ideology appear to exacerbate societal issues and harm their adherents.

For all of these reasons, it is essential that we do more to tackle this ideology. Simply refuting its principles intellectually, although necessary, is not sufficient. We must understand at a deeper level the reasons why people are drawn to SJF ideology in the first place.

Fortunately, talented scholars have already explored much of this terrain. In A Time to Build, Yuval Levin discusses the allure of this ideology:

...the activists are motivated by their commitment to an orthodoxy backed by powerful moral imperatives. They see their struggle as on behalf of the oppressed against oppressors…Their aim, as they understand it themselves, is not to crush dissent or dominate society, let alone to relativize the core philosophical underpinnings of the West. It is to combat the systematic, structural mistreatment of oppressed groups and to recognize their distinct experiences and challenges. As they perceive it, they act on behalf of justice…They implicitly seek to cleanse and to redeem society through acts of performative outrage against oppression and various forms of calling out oppressors. …this can be very powerful. The culture of activism in the university exposes students, often for the first time, to the argument that there exists a pervasive structure of social oppression in our society and simultaneously gives them means to address that injustice. It offers an entire moral system to students who feel as though society at large offers them no other such framework that they can respect.

Essentially, SJF offers its adherents a clear morality play—hero versus villain—and equips them with the tools to become (at least in their own minds) the hero. It provides meaning, purpose, and an organizing worldview, all of which are currently in short supply in the West these days. In short, it connects with its adherents on levels far deeper than mere intellect.

As April Lawson, a board member at Braver Angels, puts it:

A vacuum has opened up in campus moral culture—and in moral culture in America writ large—such that the vision offered by the social justice leaders is speaking to a deeply felt hunger. The movement’s ferocity comes from this hunger, and until we find other ways to speak to it, we will find that measured, logical rejoinders à la “I agree with you that racism is a problem, I just think your way of addressing it is counterproductive” will fall on deaf ears.

So, what alternatives can we offer to replace the ideology of SJF in people’s lives? We propose an ideology of unity and pro-humanism. We can affirm the fundamental truth that ideas, words, and actions may be worthy of condemnation, but no human being should ever be condemned. We can adopt and uphold the following mantra:

“I may disagree with what you say; I may even take action to limit your ability to harm other people; but I will never stop loving you as my brother or sister.”

This ideology is not a case of empty “anything-goes” moral relativism. It permits robust disagreement and the prosecution of criminals. The one thing it does not permit is the debasement of our fellow humans. We can attack peoples’ ideas and lock up violent criminals to protect the rest of society from them. However, when opposing a person’s ideas or actions, we must always maintain a profound love for the individual.

This pro-human ideology is the ideology of Pauli Murray, a queer-identifying black episcopal priest who proclaimed in 1945 that, “When my brothers try to draw a circle to exclude me, I shall draw a larger circle to include them. When they speak out for the privileges of a puny group, I shall shout for the rights of all mankind.” It is also the ideology of Martin Luther King Jr., who reminded his followers of Jesus’ words: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you.”

It is the ideology of Daryl Davis, a black musician who has convinced hundreds of Klansmen to abandon the Klan simply by being willing to see their humanity beneath their noxious beliefs. It is the ideology of Jamie Winship, a counterterrorism expert who has guided thousands of militant extremists to lay down their weapons and find peace by recognizing the shining human soul beneath the grime of their worst words and actions.

This ideology isn’t merely a nice-sounding idea. Every spiritual tradition worth its salt teaches the infinite value of every human being. Jesus encouraged his followers to love their neighbors as themselves. Indian-American spiritual teacher Prem Rawat emphasizes the need for every individual to recognize “the value and the preciousness of [their] existence.” Author Eckhart Tolle teaches that “we’re all one” and that “The recognition of the other as yourself in essence…is true love.”

Importantly, while these traditions are traditionally spiritual, there is nothing in their teachings inherently incompatible with a secular or materialist worldview.

This ideology has far more to offer than an intellectual refutation of the core tenets of SJF. It taps into the same hunger for meaning, purpose, and an organizing worldview that SJF ideology does. It invites us to become heroes by acknowledging the radiant worth of our fellow humans. It also fosters a sense of connectedness that is sorely lacking in our culture of atomized individualism.

In practice, this ideology looks very different from the expressions of SJF that we have discussed. Whereas SJF ideology often manifests as cruelty and callousness towards the outgroup of the day, pro-humanism looks like a rediscovery of the Golden Rule. It manifests as practicing safe sex, driven by genuine concern for one’s own health and that of both current and future partners. It looks like mourning the death of a fellow human, even if he worked in an industry that we dislike. It looks like sitting down at the kitchen table with people who disagree with us, understanding that differing policies do not diminish their worthiness of love.

On a larger scale, it looks like the Civil Rights Movement. This pro-human ideology offers the same morality, force, and sense of unity, providing a platform to stand together against injustice and oppression, as demonstrated by the millions of Americans of all races and ethnicities united by the firm belief that we are all our brother’s keeper.

If we can demonstrate the value of this ideology to SJFs, we can deal the most toxic strains of SJF ideology a crippling blow—which would be good not only for society but also for the Fundamentalists themselves.

[satoshi-mochida]

ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist adds PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, and PC versions; launches in Early Access for PC on March 25

From Gematsu

ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights sequel ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam on March 25, followed by a full release across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC at a later date, publisher Binary Haze Interactive and developers Live Wire and Adglobe announced. The PlayStation, Xbox Series, and PC versions are newly announced—the 2D action adventure RPG was originally announced for Switch on February 21.

The Early Access release will feature one village and the first four areas of the game, with unique enemies and bosses in each area, characters that can become allies in each areas, the core actions and skills of the main gameplay, skill enhancement and shop mechanics, and various optional features. More areas, unique enemies, player actions, and bosses, as well as enriched game mechanics and story elements will be added throughout Early Access. It is planned to remain in Early Access for approximately six months to one year depending on user feedback.

Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

About

Decades after the events of ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights, Homunculi—sorrowful, artificial life forms—roam the land. In this dark fantasy Metroidvania, face formidable enemies and explore a bewitching post-apocalyptic world. Humans and Homunculi—what awaits at the end of the quest for their salvation?

Story

Set in the Land of Fumes, this prosperous magical superpower is home to vast quantities of magical resources lurking underneath the surface. In hopes of advancing their kingdom’s development, artificial life forms known as Homunculi came into being. Regrettably, toxic Fumes from the underground drove the Homunculi to madness, turning them into feral monsters. You play as Lilac, an “Attuner” who possesses the power to save the Homunculi. Upon waking, you find yourself in a laboratory deep in the underground. There, you will become acquainted with the Homunculi closely involved in the kingdom’s downfall. Together with the Homunculi, set out in search of your lost memories and precious friends in the Land of Fumes. Follow the journey of destruction and rebirth in a post-apocalyptic world, decades after the disastrous Rain of Death.

Scenario

ENDER MAGNOLIA is a dark fantasy 2D side-scrolling action RPG where you venture through the desolate Land of Fumes trying to save both humans and Homunculi. At the forefront of magical and mechanical development, the kingdom comprises of a hierarchical societal structure. Here, you’ll come across abandoned cities, discover laboratories oozing with heinous mysteries, a grand Sorcerer’s Academy, colossal factories, and much more. The hauntingly beautiful yet gruesome world of ENDER MAGNOLIA will unfold before you. Journey with Homunculi and help those who have lost their minds to the Fumes. Fight fearsome, powerful enemies, purify their souls, and rally your companions. Who will you save at the end of your quest—humans or Homunculi?

Gameplay

-Experience the revamped battle system that elevates your gameplay and exploration beyond that of ENDER LILIES.

Explore the mesmerizing yet grim world at your own pace and take on menacing enemies with the help of your companions.

Find your battle style using 30 different unique skills acquired from your companions.

Collect and upgrade loads of equipment, relics, and items.

Featuring new difficulty levels, you can choose to have a challenging experience or enjoy the gripping storyline at your leisure.

-Gorgeous 2D art, animation, and music all come together to create a whimsical world.

Humans and Homunculi live together in the kingdom known as the Land of Fumes.

Venture out, get to know people, and help one another while unraveling the mysteries of the world.

Witness poignant cutscenes and enhanced character interactions with your companions.

Music

After lending their sweet and somber music to ENDER LILIES, Mili is back with new compositions that bring the mysterious world of ENDER MAGNOLIA to life.

Watch the announcement trailer below.

Announce Trailer

[commenter2]

"Cabin Fever" review

Here is my review on episode 4 of Murder Drones. A camping, slasher flick themed episode! Let’s see if Uzi and the other will survive.

Again Glitch Productions, please make a longer intro theme.

Now at first I wondered why the Drones would think bringing a bunch of teen Drones to the surface is a good idea given how dangerous it is for them, when I realized that they only know of the 3 Disassembly Drones and since Uzi killed J, and N and V are good (or controlled in V’s case) logically there really isn’t anything for them to be afraid of about the surface…until J 2.0, Tessa, and potentially other Disassembly Drones appear, likely in this episode.

Given their robots, the idea of vehicles being animal like makes a bit of sense while still being funny. Does that make the pods N and the other DDs came in birds XD

So these must be the new cannon fodder I MEAN characters for the episode. We have a stoner, female nerd, the jock/bully and his girlfriend, and the self-centered jerk. I wonder how they will change as the series goes on…XD

THAD AND LIZZY ARE HOLDING HANDS! BLASPHAMY! Though I do see it adding tension to the love triangle/quadrangle ideas I’ve talked about in the past.

Uzi’s backpack has wings, making her a bit like a Disassembly Drone. Foreshadowing? :3

Uzi’s mom is strangely happy about the core blowing up. Also what Khan said seems to confirm my theory from my last episode review about how this 3rd drone type was able to blend in with the Worker Drones.

Khan: Your mom was a catch!

Uzi.EXE has stopped working XD

Khan’s room has various door designs XD

If the idea of Khan immediately proposing to Uzi’s mom after she told him to make doors doesn’t become canon, we should boycott the show!

This singularity thing will be cool to learn about later. One quick prediction I have is that it’s some kind of electrical hive mind system that connects all machinery, and it’s a part of robots like Uzi and others. It also seems to give them visions. That or some kind of BATDR like vibe given some of the drawings.

If you can ignore the the cool S drawings (a difficult challenge, I know) you'll noticed that Khan is 3 for 3 of being a better father then he was in the pilot.

Seeing the teacher wearing a stereotypical tropical outfit may seem odd given its snowing, but I bet this kind of weather is pleasant for robots trying to relax. Same with the nerd robot making a cross symbol but Uzi did mention a robo Jesus in the pilot.

We better get camp counselor N and V plushies in the future!

WOAH! Poor robot guy. I feel bad for whoever has to tell his parents.

The book the nerd girl is carrying is called “Final Girl” XD

Nice to see Thad and Lizzy being nice to N and V WAIT DID Lizzy just pickpocket the dead drone’s watch!

Sad to see how the others are scared of Uzi to a point they would befriend robots that were killing them some time ago, or seconds in V case.

Cool to see that Uzi seems to have gotten use to her powers.

At 4:51 you can see that mystery human girl from N’s dream from episode 2.

It is funny seeing the other drones trying to use the canoes on a frozen lake and again having fun with N and V given they use to be afraid of them.

Since we haven’t seen N or V overheat yet, but see Uzi and Doll do so (more Uzi) does this mean the 3rd drone type overheat faster?

Bitch move V, scratching Uzi’s screen..face..whatever. It’s a good thing Uzi can heal herselWAIT A MINUTE!!!

A green bug! AND IT “TALKS”. It also seems to think Uzi is her mom. This plus how it seems to be a key to a lab, makes me wonder what the future of this series holds.

Even in the distant future audio to text features still suck.

Doll is back.

Where is Thad in the crowd?

Uzi has the power to turn inorganic matter into living things! This is some big Internecion Cube shit here. Fitting since Murder Drones and Internecion Cube are both made by Liam Vicker. It also seems to give us the main reason why the DDs are there, as robots like those could be very dangerous if they were to attack humanity. Heck Uzi seems to have caused a big problem without even trying! Also that thing she made looks like that image in the pile of papers near the dead drone where she found the green bug.

Now we get to the slasher stereotypes, starting with the couple going somewhere to make out.

Uzi is turning! Also totally called the backpack as foreshadowing!

While N is trying to turn on the computer, you can see a pair of red eyes (likely Dolls) behind him!

From analyzing the visions N sees, it looks like a robot went rouge and ate something organic, a severed organic arm was being held on by some lab equipment, and a giant black hole (likely the singularity) is near a house that looks like the one from N’s dream and the season 1 trailer. This gives me a small theory but more on that at the end.

Uzi’s unpopularity actually saved her from being exposed to the others. It would be funny if it wasn’t a bit sad.

Wait is Uzi’s tail organic? IT IS, and she has human arms on her wings! This is a nice change for the usual DD design and it reminds me of what J’s backup systems did in episode 2. This gives me hope that we will see different designed DDs later on in the series like I have been hoping will happen for some time now.

Lizzy is sassy even on the verge of death XD

The freefalling scene is a great moment. We get to see N’s caring side as well as some good Uzi X N content.

V is jealous :3. Please writers, gives us a love quadrangle. I mean if you can make me want to see one (and I usually hate that trope) then it has to be good.

Oh…Lizzy is alive…that’s good, I guess.

V likes the idea of being a diva.

So vehicles aren’t animals, there just hot-wired and when it acts up, they need to be treated like animals.

There’s Thad! I was wondering what happened to him.

It’s interesting to see V cover for Uzi. It also makes me wonder if at some point, because of V’s actions, the drone society will try and kick out N and V (maybe Uzi as well) for all the killings V have done…. Only for them to want them back when J and the other new DDs appear.

Uzi and N technically held hands!

Can’t wait to see what is on that tape. Actually Zombie Drones sounds like another nod to Internecion Cube.

That was an intense episode, as all slasher films are. I mean we now learn that if Uzi loses control she turns into a monster and why it seems the DDs were sent to the planet, we have a new “character/plot device" in the form of the robotic bug, N stumbling upon a tape that will likely explain everything, and we see V being jealous of how close Uzi and N are which I think could make her start to remember his life before she became a DD.

Only time will tell on what will happen next but I have some new theories based on what we saw.

After seeing Uzi’s ability to turn inorganic things into organic, I have this new theory that Doll is the mystery human girl we saw in this episode. See there was this old theory that went over the possibility of the drones being originally human or used human parts and something like this seems to be true, especially after seeing the lab machinery holding a human body part in N's visions. Maybe Doll’s mother was originally that girl in the flashback who use to own J, V, and N but died which made her father want her back as a robot. However, the inorganic and organic components resulted in their dangerous powers and had to be taken out, but failed and the the girl was able to escape where she had a robot daughter of her own AKA Doll. Also after seeing Uzi turn inorganic into organic matter, maybe Doll could do something similar but on a bigger scale as she could make herself look very much like a human.

I also have this theory that whatever gives Uzi and Doll their powers, its being used slightly for the DD’s. I mean thinking back to episode 2, that heart thing that came out of J gives me a similar vibe to the techno-organic substance Uzi was making in the episode. For all we know after the exoplanet incident, the tech behind it was perfected on Earth and they gave it to N and the other DDs to give them a fighting chance against the 3rd kind of drones. It would explain how they can make all those weapons and regenerate quickly.

What did you think of the episode? What did you like about it and do you have any theories of your own about the series?

[creamyclouds]

Master of Horror: Unraveling the Dark World of Junji Ito

In the realm of horror manga, there exists a master storyteller whose name strikes fear and fascination into the hearts of fans worldwide – Junji Ito. With an uncanny ability to tap into the deepest recesses of the human psyche, Ito has crafted a unique and chilling universe that leaves readers both spellbound and haunted. In this article, we delve into the enigmatic world of Junji Ito, exploring his artistry, thematic elements, and the impact he has had on the horror genre.

The Genius Behind the Pen

Junji Ito, born on July 31, 1963, in Gifu, Japan, rose to prominence in the 1990s with his eerie and imaginative manga works. His illustrations are instantly recognizable, characterized by intricately detailed, surreal, and grotesque imagery that lingers in the minds of readers long after they turn the last page.

Ito's fascination with horror and macabre art stems from his childhood, during which he devoured classic horror literature and developed a deep appreciation for the works of H.P. Lovecraft. This influence is evident in Ito's stories, as he skillfully blends cosmic horror with his unique Japanese cultural perspective.

Themes and Influences

At the core of Junji Ito's work lies a profound exploration of human fears, anxieties, and the unknown. He artfully weaves tales that transcend traditional horror tropes, often delving into the psychological and existential terror lurking within the human mind. Some of his most prevalent themes include:

Body Horror: Ito's mastery of body horror is unparalleled. He crafts tales where the human body is subjected to grotesque transformations and nightmarish distortions, often blurring the lines between the real and the surreal.

The Supernatural: Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese folklore and urban legends, Ito introduces readers to malevolent spirits, cursed objects, and vengeful ghosts that haunt his characters relentlessly.

Isolation and Madness: Many of Ito's stories unfold in isolated settings, with characters descending into madness as they confront the incomprehensible horrors before them.

Fatal Obsessions: Ito's characters are frequently driven by obsessions that lead them down dark and destructive paths, exploring the depths of human obsession and the price paid for pursuing forbidden desires and impulses.

Landmark Works

Junji Ito has created an impressive body of work that continues to captivate readers worldwide. Some of his landmark works include:

"Uzumaki": A chilling tale set in a small Japanese town cursed by spirals, where the obsession with the shape takes a horrific toll on its inhabitants.

"Tomie": Featuring the eponymous beautiful and deadly girl who inexplicably keeps returning from the dead, driving those around her to madness and murder.

"Gyo": A nightmarish story of walking fish-like creatures that bring pestilence and terror to the world.

"Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mu": A departure from his usual horror, this is a humorous autobiographical manga about Ito's life with his cats, Yon and Mu.

The Junji Ito Phenomenon

Junji Ito's influence extends far beyond the manga world. His works have inspired multiple adaptations, including animated series, live-action films, and even video games. Fans around the globe celebrate his genius by creating fan art, fan fiction, creating merchandise with his designs and participating in conventions dedicated to horror and manga.

Conclusion

As an artist who has read his book 'Uzumaki', I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience and think his attention to detail in each of his drawings, plus his endless imagination for truly horrific scenes makes him stand out compared to other artists. In conclusion Junji Ito stands as an artistic enigma, a brilliant mind capable of summoning the darkest nightmares and phobias with the stroke of his pen. His contributions to the horror genre have secured him a place among the most revered and influential creators of our time. Whether you are a devoted manga enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of horror, Junji Ito's works promise an unparalleled experience of terror and wonder, reminding us all that even in the darkest corners of our imagination, true artistry can be found.

Author -

Shannon McNeil

[bigmelonblog]

Title: "Attack on Titan: Unveiling the Epic Saga of Humanity's Struggle"

Introduction:

In the world of manga and anime, few series have managed to capture the hearts and minds of fans like "Attack on Titan." Created by Hajime Isayama, this dystopian masterpiece has taken the anime and manga community by storm since its debut in 2009. With its gripping storyline, complex characters, and breathtaking action sequences, "Attack on Titan" has earned its place as a modern classic. In this article, we delve into the epic saga of humanity's struggle as portrayed in this captivating series.

The Premise:

"Attack on Titan" is set in a world where humanity resides within enormous walled cities to protect themselves from gigantic humanoid creatures known as Titans. These Titans devour humans on sight, and the remnants of humanity have been driven to the brink of extinction. The story revolves around Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert, three childhood friends who witness the destruction of their home by a colossal Titan. This event sets them on a path of vengeance and discovery.

Themes of Survival and Freedom:

At its core, "Attack on Titan" explores themes of survival and freedom. The walls that protect humanity are a symbol of the fear that has imprisoned them for generations. As the story unfolds, the characters question the status quo, and a rebellion against the Titans and the ruling class ensues. This struggle for freedom and the quest to unveil the truth about the Titans drives the narrative forward.

Complex Characters:

One of the series' strengths is its well-developed and multi-dimensional characters. Eren Yeager, the fiery protagonist, is driven by a burning desire to eradicate the Titans. Mikasa Ackerman, his adoptive sister, is a skilled and stoic warrior who will stop at nothing to protect Eren. Armin Arlert, their close friend, brings intelligence and strategic thinking to the group. The character dynamics, growth, and internal conflicts add depth to the story.

Mystery and Intrigue:

"Attack on Titan" is renowned for its intricate plot and the gradual unveiling of secrets. The origin of the Titans, the truth behind the walls, and the mysteries of Eren's Titan-shifting abilities all contribute to an ever-escalating sense of intrigue. As the story progresses, the mysteries become more convoluted, keeping readers and viewers on the edge of their seats.

Action-Packed Battles:

The series features intense, adrenaline-pumping battles between the human soldiers and the Titans. The Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, a system that allows soldiers to swing through the air and attack Titans from above, adds an element of high-flying action that's visually stunning. These battles are not just about defeating the Titans but also about the characters' personal growth and determination.

Impact on Pop Culture:

"Attack on Titan" has left an indelible mark on pop culture. Its compelling storyline and striking imagery have garnered a massive fanbase worldwide. The series has inspired merchandise, video games, spin-off manga, and even a successful anime adaptation that further propelled its popularity.

Conclusion:

"Attack on Titan" is a gripping tale of humanity's struggle for survival and freedom, wrapped in a shroud of mystery and action. With its complex characters, thought-provoking themes, and jaw-dropping battles, it's no wonder that this series has become a cornerstone of modern anime and manga. Whether you're a fan of dystopian fiction or simply looking for a thrilling story, "Attack on Titan" is a must-experience journey through the depths of human resilience and determination.

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[zenturiotech]

What Makes a Digital Product Truly Memorable?

Not every product leaves a mark.

Most fade into the background, replaced or forgotten within months. But every once in a while, something sticks. It might not even be the most feature-packed or beautifully designed—but it leaves a lasting impression.

So what makes a digital product memorable?

It starts with intention. The best products don’t try to be everything. They solve one core problem brilliantly. They understand the user’s pain at its source and create an experience that feels like it was built just for them.

That’s where empathy enters the equation.

Great design doesn’t come from a checklist—it comes from listening. From watching how people struggle and discovering what they wish existed. That’s why the first few seconds matter so much. When a user opens your app or site and immediately feels comfortable, it’s not by chance. It’s because someone thought through the moment carefully.

And it goes beyond just function or visuals.

The way things move, respond, and unfold—that’s the language of experience. A button that feels slightly more responsive, a transition that flows just a bit more smoothly—those are the tiny details that build trust without anyone noticing.

Consistency plays a big role too. A product that behaves the same across screens, devices, and time creates comfort. Users don’t want surprises—they want flow.

Then there’s rhythm. A good product has a pace. It doesn’t bombard users with too much at once, nor does it leave them lost. It guides them. It knows when to ask for input and when to step back. It respects attention.

But the real magic?

Emotion.

It’s easy to forget, but technology is emotional. When someone solves a problem with your product, they feel relief. When it saves them time, they feel gratitude. When it delights them, they feel joy. Those emotions build memory. They anchor the product in the user’s mind.

And that’s the key to longevity.

Too many teams chase engagement metrics while forgetting that the best kind of retention doesn’t come from push notifications or loyalty points. It comes from trust, usefulness, and care.

Sometimes, it’s a small thing—a tiny animation that brings a smile. Other times, it’s reliability when nothing else seems to work. But in both cases, it’s that feeling of, “This just gets me.”

If you’re building something digital today, focus less on features and more on flow. Less on being seen, more on being felt.

This approach is at the core of human-centered app design, where every line of code and every user interaction is built with emotion and experience in mind.

Because the products that are remembered are the ones that made someone’s day easier, smoother, or just a little more human.

[yourdigitalteacherposts-blog]

Digital Teacher New AI-Generated Content for High School

A Smart Classroom from Digital Teacher is a modern way of teaching that uses digital content to make lessons more interesting and easier to understand. It follows CBSE, AP, and TS syllabi and includes videos, animations, and interactive tools to keep students engaged and help teachers explain better.

The Future of Education is Here

The future of education is no longer in the distance—it’s already within your classroom. Digital Teacher is thrilled to introduce its newest innovation: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Digital Content for Classes 8th, 9th, and 10th, created exclusively as per the CBSE/NCERT syllabus (Code 417).

This modern-day e-learning resource is designed to make Artificial Intelligence not just comprehensible, but also fun and interactive for young minds.

Within Your Reach: AI Education for All

Artificial Intelligence is one of the most revolutionary technologies of our era. As a result, today’s students must be equipped to live and thrive in a world deeply influenced by it. However, one of the biggest challenges schools face in delivering AI education is the lack of trained teachers. Additionally, many institutions struggle with the time and resources needed to train existing faculty. Therefore, addressing this gap is crucial to ensuring students are prepared for the future.

That’s exactly why we developed this solution.

The AI Digital Content from Digital Teacher is entirely self-explanatory, enabling any teacher, regardless of technical expertise, to confidently deliver AI lessons. Whether it’s a science teacher, a computer instructor, or even a language teacher, our content allows them to teach AI with ease and confidence.

What’s Inside the AI Digital Teacher Content?

We’ve designed this AI content by keeping both students and teachers in mind. Here’s what makes it truly exceptional:

CBSE/NCERT Aligned Fully compliant with syllabus Code 417, ensuring schools meet formal academic standards.

Interactive and Visual Learning Features animations, illustrations, and graphics that simplify complex AI concepts into easy-to-digest visuals.

Simple English Narration Each concept is delivered in clear, easy-to-understand English, making it accessible for all students.

Real-Life Examples Uses relatable, day-to-day scenarios to help students connect classroom learning to the world around them.

No Special Training Required Teachers do not need any AI background. The structure of the content ensures smooth delivery and requires no extra training.

What Students Will Learn: A Peek Inside the AI Modules

The AI course doesn’t just tell students what Artificial Intelligence is—it shows them. Built around an “Excite–Explore–Understand” structure, the video lessons guide students through the key concepts of AI in a relatable and engaging manner.

Overview and Learning Objectives

From the outset, students explore the five key traits of human intelligence and how machines mimic them, fostering a deep understanding of AI. This approach reveals AI’s true nature: the science of enabling machines to think, learn, and act like humans. Consequently, students develop a clearer grasp of the connection between human cognition and artificial intelligence.

Understanding Machine Learning: How AI Gets Smarter

A core focus in our AI module is Machine Learning (ML)—the technology that enables computers to learn from data and make predictions.

Students will explore:

What machine learning is and why it’s important

Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

Real-life applications like how YouTube recommends videos or how Google predicts traffic

Fun activities like training a simple image recognition model using examples

Real-Time Examples:

YouTube recommends videos based on your watch history, likes, and viewing patterns—powered by ML algorithms that improve over time.

Google Maps uses ML to predict traffic jams and suggest faster routes by analyzing real-time location data from millions of users.

Amazon suggests products you may like, based on what you and similar users have purchased.

Face recognition in smartphones adapts to changes in appearance like hairstyles or glasses.

Classroom Activity: Using Google Teachable Machine, students can build a basic image classifier that recognizes objects like “apples vs. oranges” or hand gestures.

Natural Language Processing (NLP): Teaching Machines to Understand Us

In this engaging module, students discover how NLP helps machines understand and respond to human language.

They will learn:

How chatbots, translators, and virtual assistants (like Alexa and Siri) work

What sentiment analysis is and how computers detect emotions in text

How NLP is used in tools like Grammarly or Google Search

Hands-on activities like building a mini chatbot or analyzing mood from sentences

Real-Time Examples:

Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant use NLP to understand and respond to voice commands like “What’s the weather?” or “Set a timer.”

Grammarly analyzes grammar, spelling, and sentence tone in real-time using NLP.

Google Search Autocomplete predicts your queries as you type, thanks to NLP.

Chatbots on e-commerce websites help answer questions like “Where’s my order?” without needing a human agent.

Classroom Activity: Students can build a basic chatbot using free tools like Scratch, or try simple sentiment analysis to detect positive vs. negative sentences.

AI in the Medical Field: Saving Lives with Technology

One of the most inspiring additions to our e-learning content is how AI is transforming healthcare and saving lives.

In this medical-focused AI module, students explore:

How AI helps detect diseases like cancer, pneumonia, and eye disorders using image analysis

How wearable devices (like smartwatches) use AI to monitor heart rate, oxygen levels, and detect irregularities

How hospitals use AI to optimize patient care, automate medical records, and even assist in robotic surgeries

Real-world examples like AI being used during COVID-19 to predict outbreaks and assist diagnosis

Real-Time Examples:

Google’s DeepMind AI can detect over 50 eye diseases with accuracy similar to expert doctors.

Apple Watch alerts users about abnormal heart rhythms, helping them seek early treatment.

AI-based COVID-19 diagnostic tools helped doctors quickly analyze chest X-rays and CT scans during the pandemic.

AI-powered robotic surgeries assist doctors in precision procedures, reducing human error.

Classroom Connection: Students learn how AI in healthcare can be a force for good, inspiring future careers in medical innovation, biotechnology, or public health AI.

https://www.digitalteacher.in/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/4.jpg

Understanding the Challenges in AI Education with Digital Teacher

At Digital Teacher, we understand the real challenges schools face when it comes to introducing new-age subjects like Artificial Intelligence. Lack of trained faculty, limited resources, and curriculum alignment can often hold back innovation in the classroom. That’s why our content is built for immediate usability, helping schools overcome these barriers without requiring technical investments or specialized staff.

Here’s What Makes It Stand Out Even More:

Plug-and-Play Deployment For rapid roll-out—begin teaching AI in your classrooms within minutes, without any daunting setup

Created for Indian Classrooms Designed with Indian school infrastructure and learning styles in mind to maximize relevance and efficacy

Enhances Student Curiosity and Creativity Engaging modules with activities that encourage students to think critically, conduct experiments, and even create simple AI-based projects

Optimized for Digital Classrooms Fully compatible with projectors, interactive whiteboards, andsmart class setups—ensuring seamless integration

Bringing AI Learning to Life

With our new AI video content, students are not just reading about Artificial Intelligence—they’re seeing it in action.

Our videos are crafted to create a dynamic and immersive experience. Visual explanations, real-life examples, and storytelling formats help students absorb and retain complex AI concepts with ease. This boosts attention span and comprehension—crucial in abstract topics like ML, NLP, and medical AI.

Your Partner in Digital Transformation

At Digital Teacher, we are passionate about using technology to transform education. Our intelligent classroom solutions have already helped thousands of schools across India to:

Upgrade their teaching methods

Increase student engagement

Achieve better academic outcomes

With the launch of our AI Digital Content, we are taking the next leap forward—helping schools adopt future-ready teaching tools effortlessly. Whether your institution is just starting its digital journey or is ready to expand, this AI curriculum is the perfect value addition.

Get Started Today

If you’re ready to introduce Artificial Intelligence into your school’s curriculum, now is the best time. Explore our complete suite of intelligent classroom solutions and learn more about our AI Digital Content at: www.digitalteacher.in

Equip your students with the tools to understand and thrive in a tech-driven world—start today with Digital Teacher.

[karmakrafts]

The Hidden Frequency: Unlocking The Digital Pulse Of Angel Time 1111

In a world governed by logic and metrics, there exists a frequency too profound to be measured, too intricate to be ignored. As the digital age evolves, even the intangible finds its place within tangible systems. One such enigmatic alignment is angel time 1111—a phenomenon that transcends spiritual curiosity and begins to influence how we structure cognition, workflows, and even software design.

While many associate it with mysticism or synchronicity, forward-thinking technologists have discovered how such conceptual symbols can be engineered into actionable patterns. When abstract meaning meets concrete execution, innovation is born.

Recalibrating Digital Consciousness

The significance of 1111—long perceived as a symbolic gateway to clarity, manifestation, and alignment—is now being embedded into how teams coordinate digitally. Instead of dismissing such motifs as metaphysical fluff, today's most advanced systems integrate cognitive prompts to heighten awareness, improve focus, and guide intentional action.

A software platform inspired by the principles behind Angel Time doesn’t merely execute tasks; it elevates them. It understands that behind every checkbox ticked, there is a human seeking purpose. Thus, it crafts a framework where intuition collaborates with data.

Features Rooted in Mindful Design

This kind of tool is not your conventional digital planner—it is a consciousness-architect, blending structure with symbolism. Let’s unpack its defining features:

Intention-Based Task Initiation

Instead of listing tasks with impersonal bullets, users define the ‘why’ behind each entry. This mirrors the reflective nature often associated with 1111, where intent guides creation.

Mindful Notifications and Rhythmic Alerts

Rather than disruptive pings, the tool uses vibration cues, gentle animations, and time-signature-based reminders. Notifications often align with symbolic times (like 11:11 AM) to reorient focus with subtle cognitive reinforcement.

Vision Mapping Panels

This feature allows users to visualize not just tasks, but trajectories. Each project is represented not just by timelines, but by layered intentions, micro-goals, and transformative checkpoints. Clarity is no longer a goal; it's the default state.

Personal Energy Analytics

By integrating biometric data and user activity logs, the system evaluates productivity not in volume, but in harmony. Are your peak hours aligned with your deepest focus moments? Are you working with your rhythm, or against it?

Specifications That Resonate With Precision

Technically, this platform is built on a lightweight neural architecture, optimized for real-time responsiveness and low-latency input reflection. Its core operates with zero-delay task syncing, ensuring thoughts captured are never lost in digital limbo.

The UI/UX is symbolic-first, meaning shapes, colors, and interfaces reflect balance, duality, and symmetry. This reduces cognitive load, improves recall, and subtly influences a calm, decision-friendly environment.

Integration with AI-guided introspection modules allows the tool to recommend not just when to act, but why that moment may be best. It learns your rhythm, adjusts to your patterns, and synchronizes digital cadence with human clarity.

Elevating Purpose Beyond Productivity

What sets this software apart is its refusal to separate soul from system. In recognizing angel time as more than a spiritual token, the tool embraces the philosophy that meaningful work begins with conscious presence. Every design choice, every feature, every metric—points back to the same central thesis: productivity is a byproduct of aligned purpose.

This convergence of mindful intention and digital precision marks a new era in task management, where systems don’t just respond, but resonate.

Why Angel Time Is More Than a Number

Symbols become powerful when infused with structure. Angel time, once limited to mystics and dreamers, now guides engineers and creators alike. It is no longer confined to journals or dreams—it breathes in code, vibrates through interfaces, and manifests in how we manage work, one intention at a time.

By embedding its essence into functional architecture, we’ve moved from observing synchronicity to engineering it. We’ve built not just systems that manage time, but systems that understand timing.

You can also watch: Is Now the Perfect Time to Propose? Join AstroLive to know

Conclusion: Building With Meaning in a Mechanized World

In the pursuit of speed and scale, we’ve often abandoned subtlety and symbolism. But as the digital age matures, there is a renaissance of meaning. Angel time 1111 is not a relic of spiritual folklore—it is a design principle, a cognitive anchor, and now, a digital framework.

Tools shaped by such ideas remind us that beneath every great system lies a deeper pattern—one where timing, intention, and clarity coexist. And in this harmony, true innovation begins.

[anim8oryash]

Contemporary Animation Analysis :

My Father's Dragon - Cartoon Saloon

This is a Netflix feature film that is a fairytale in its core. With a lot of gags and interesting takes on known or familiar concepts. My first impression about the film is that its one that is catering the younger audience as the plot revolves from real world into a seemingly wonderland.

The Art Style:

Its most attractive feature for me is the art style. I blend of colors, the freshness in every frame makes it almost an ASMR experience for me. On looking further i realize that there is use of nolse or some grainy texture through the film.

My Father's Dragon

I also feel this Art style is heavily inspired by the Children's story books. That can be a direct connect for children when they just take a glance on it.

Children's Book Styles

Sub Characters:

There is also a completely unique approach on the way known creatures look. the exaggeration of features make even the scariest or bizarre creatures look like friendly, approachable beings.

My Father's Dragon Side Characters

The Dragon:

Dragon from My Father's Dragon

This took me by surprise. I couldn't have imagined a dragon look this cartoony its features look nothing like a dragon. Infact, If i were to take the dragon out of the context of this story, the fact that its a dragon would never cross its mind.

Dragon tales (left) and How to train your dragon (right)

Its not my favorite dragon design. It looks more like a pinata to me. But its very friendly. Has a lot of personality and all the human struggles. I could compare it to other dragons even in children stories like Dragon Tales or how to train your dragon and yet this seems like the furthest you can get to a typical dragon design.

My Father's Dragon - Breakdowns

Something Interesting for me was there, there was no animatics instead they went straight from a detailed storyboard to a more detailed storyboard and then went straight to the rough animation passes.

The animation however is extremely smooth and even the head shakes and tilts have a follow through. The Story is driven by Backgrounds and the fluid motions of character. Every character that speaks has a Precise lip sync despite how abstract they are with their mouth like even the crocodile.

Its a great watch but one which i wont be watching repeatedly as an audience. As an aspiring 2D practitioner, I like the intricate details (especially in the background) which makes me want to go through it frame by frame quite often.

References:

Cartoon Saloon (2023) My Father’s Dragon Trailer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHhmfNgQ2Bg.

Zinn, C. (2025) 'Children’s book illustration,' Pinterest. https://in.pinterest.com/pin/22236591907131638/.

Staykova, V. (2025) 'Children’s book,' Pinterest. https://in.pinterest.com/pin/8373949302796926/.

Tropes, C. to T. (2025) Dragon Tales (Western Animation). https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WesternAnimation/DragonTales.

Cartoon Saloon (2023a) My Father’s Dragon - Production Steps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsYSP0Em79g.