#the role of cosmic inflation

[academic1995]

Cosmology

Cosmology is the scientific study of the universe's origins, evolution, and ultimate fate. It explores the large-scale structure of the cosmos, the nature of time, space, and matter, and investigates phenomena such as the Big Bang, dark matter, dark energy, and black holes. Cosmologists seek to understand how galaxies form and evolve, the role of cosmic inflation, and the mysteries of the multiverse. This field combines astronomy, physics, and mathematics to unravel the most profound questions about the universe's existence and our place within it.

Website : sciencefather.com

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[homestuckreplay]

when your friends don't invite you to the matching username party :(

Now that we've seen all of John's friends talk at least a little bit, I wanted to deep dive into their usernames, and see what they might be able to tell us about the characters we don't know yet. For sure I've seen some weird usernames in my time on sites like MSN Messenger, but these seem especially weird, and not like words most kids would use.

There's also a weird pattern - all three of John's friends only use words beginning with T and G in their screen names. We have TT, TG and GG, so if they were doing a bit together we'd expect John to be GT, but instead he's EB - not even close. Could this be a sign that he feels disconnected from the friend group, not fully part of things, doubting that they want him around? Is it possible that the other three are all each other's 'real life' friends while John only talks to them online? Did John not want to be GT, or did nobody ever tell him there was a theme? Was he GT before, but then got mad at his friends one day and change it to spite them? Or is there another GT we have yet to meet?

Discussion of all four known chumhandles under the cut - only ~1k words :)

ectoBiologist - As discussed in my in depth John thoughts, the strict definition of this is 'someone who studies outside/external biology', which could relate to a huge variety of very niche fields - but, knowing John, almost certainly refers to the biology of ectoplasm, slime, and ghosts, a field which doesn't exist in reality but which John might consider himself a pioneer of.

As a sidenote, if John was GT, he might go in a different direction with his username. We know from TT that John regularly wears disguises while talking to her / interacting with his dad / just in daily life, and that he's into comedy and pranks (NOT clowns). Reflecting those, I came up with guisecladTrouper as a chumhandle that would fit the modifierTypeofguy pattern, as well as the letters. If anyone has any other GT ideas for John, I'd love to hear them!

turntechGodhead - TurnTech is a Chinese company founded in 2001 that makes scientific and educational software. This probably isn't the reference, but you never know; this kid could be really into science, happen to own a piece of software from this company, and have liked the word. I also think it could be short for 'turntable technology', which can be a few different hobbies - records/DJing, railroads, or sculpture/ceramics/metalwork. DJing fits his vibe but I think it'd be so cool if he was a train guy. 'Turn' relates to shaping or forming as well as changing direction, so he could be someone who develops his own technology.

This also fits really well with 'godhead', which is the true or essential nature of God in several major world religions. So this could be a suggestion of a guy with delusions of grandeur and a massively inflated ego, or, it could be someone who takes on the role of a god himself - some kind of creator. I really think this kid is going to be into invention, metalworking, and engineering. Built his own computer from scratch type of guy. I bet he owns a soldering iron and uses it for fun.

tentacleTherapist - Lots of living things have tentacles, including snails, squid, jellyfish, coral, moss animals, caecilians, the star-nosed mole, some carnivorous plants, Squidward, and mind flayers. Tentacles are generally associated with sea creatures, horror media, or both. Therapist, meanwhile, is a person who helps to heal someone's physical or psychological problems. The words sound really good when said together, but don't have an obvious link.

One idea is that she's someone who either lives near water or owns weird pets - a tank of snails or jellyfish seems reasonable - perhaps caring for or rehabilitating them from the wild. But the idea of her being into cosmic horror creates a fascinating parallel between her username and John's. John is a biologist; he studies, analyzes and understands academically, while TT is a therapist; she rehabilitates and understands emotionally. John works with ghosts and slime, while TT works with aliens and deep sea horror. It's delightful to me that they might have bonded by nerding out over paranormal lore, an interest probably neither of them shares with many people around them.

gardenGnostic - I keep reading this as a shortening of 'common or garden gnostic' as in 'your average, everyday gnostic' which, out of all the four usernames, might be the wildest one for a 13 year old to be. Much like 'godhead', 'gnostic' carries a very strong religious theme, especially with the capital letter - I know it's the syntax, but the words could be this way round for a reason. I'm definitely going to do some background reading on Gnosticism as we get to know this character to see how well it fits.

The first word could also be referencing the Garden of Eden, the original sin and the tree of knowledge; the combination indicating a character with a drive for spiritual knowledge and self-understanding above all else. In a more literal sense, I'm imagining someone who spends a lot of time outdoors and who would think nothing of a few injuries from the Slimer pogo ride in the yard. This chumhandle is also only a few letters away from 'garden gnome', which makes me think of someone who enjoys the ornamental, decorative, and whimsical.

Just as John and TT's usernames are a pair with similar themes, TG and GG's handles also match up. (Sidenote: does this mean these are the pairs of 'best friends'? Feels weird considering TT is the only one of the three who didn't wish John a happy birthday). Both TG and GG have chumhandles strongly related to religion, creation, and origins, with TG representing the mechanical and technical side of things, and GG representing the natural and environmental side.

So, that's our four chums! The most interesting thing to me is how well these pairs of usernames work together, despite John being outside of the letter pattern. Both these things feel very intentional and not like I'm reaching; they definitely mean Something in the themes, but it's too soon to say what. I'm so impatient to see more of these characters and learn anything concrete about them at all.

If you've made it this far, here's a quick poll!

[mysticstronomy]

COULD DARK ENERGY TRIGGER ANOTHER BIG BANG??

Blog#324

Saturday, August 19th, 2023

Welcome back,

Could the universe's end be different from a bang or a whimper? Two theoretical physicists suggest a new possibility: the universe might be perpetual. These scientists explored dark energy's role in cosmic expansion, proposing that it could intermittently switch on and off, leading to cycles of growth and contraction.

This process could trigger new Big Bangs, giving rise to new universes.

Currently, the universe is rapidly expanding due to mysterious dark energy. If this expansion continues, the universe could ultimately stretch infinitely, tearing matter apart. This echoes the extreme conditions during the initial Big Bang, followed by a phase of rapid inflation.

The physicists' study, published on arXiv, examines a model where dark energy always played a role, aiming to understand its connection to both early and present accelerated expansions.

The theory suggests that the universe might go through repeated cycles of expansion, contraction, and rebirth, driven by evolving dark energy.

Certainly. The concept of the universe undergoing perpetual cycles of expansion, contraction, and rebirth is intriguing and challenges our traditional understanding of its fate. This new model proposes that instead of a single linear trajectory, the universe's evolution might resemble a continuous loop of creation and destruction.

In this scenario, the universe's existence is characterized by phases of expansion driven by dark energy. As the universe grows to a certain size, dark energy undergoes a transformation, causing the universe to contract in what's referred to as a "big crunch."

However, before reaching a point of infinite density, the dark energy changes course again, initiating another rapid phase of inflation and starting the cycle anew.

If this theory holds true, it would address some of the fundamental questions that cosmologists have grappled with. For instance, it could provide an explanation for the nature of dark energy itself, which currently remains one of the most enigmatic forces in the universe.

Additionally, it could shed light on the mysterious processes that occurred during the initial moments of the Big Bang and the subsequent period of inflation.

However, this model also raises its own set of challenges and questions.

While it offers an intriguing solution to the problem of a singular beginning and the expansion's eventual fate, it would require further evidence and testing to gain broader acceptance within the scientific community.

Nonetheless, the exploration of alternative theories like this one continues to push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe and its complex dynamics.

COMING UP!!

(Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023)

"DO SHADOWS APPEAR ON THE MOON'S SURFACE??"

[hughgrants]

Narcissistic traits in Arthur Fleck (Joker and Joker:FaD)

I have done a lot of study in the client and layman roles on personality disorder traits and find them endlessly fascinating. This movie provided a lot to chew on and my thoughts (lengthy but I hope informed) are below. Spoilers to follow of course.

During the trial, Arthur is stated to have been evaluated clinically and adjudged to have narcissistic traits. The term 'narcissist' is thrown around a lot in our culture and often mistaken for just selfishness or thoughtlessness for others. It's more complex than that, and involves an inflated yet fragile sense of self.

NPD (narcissism in a clinically significant sense) means a person exhibits at least 5 out of the 9 of the following pervasive traits:

DSM 1: Grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievement and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements);

DSM 2: Fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love;

DSM 3: Belief in being “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should be associated with, other special or high-status people (or institutions);

DSM 4: Requires excessive admiration;

DSM 5: Sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations;

DSM 6: Interpersonally exploitive, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his/her own ends;

DSM 7: Lacks empathy; is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others;

DSM 8: Envious of others or believes that others are envious of him/her;

DSM 9: Arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.

The film floats the theory that Arthur and Joker are separate entities at first, but demolishes that idea toward the end. Here are specific pieces of evidence for the traits above appearing in Arthur/Joker during the film, noting that he was adjudged to have narcissistic traits not full-blown NPD (so he may have a handful of the traits but fewer than 5, or they may not all be present at the same time or in potency enough to get diagnosed).

Trait #1 – Grandiosity – this is the entire movie but especially the musical numbers. Grandiosity is present in mood disorders like bipolar, in those cases it looks like elevated mood/mania, increased energy, unusual goal-directed activity and feelings of euphoria. He clearly exhibits this during the musical numbers where he sings of the idealized love he has for Lee and his reinvigorated view of the value of the life he's living (stated later when he says, "The difference is I'm not alone anymore"). We can also note that the dream he shares with Lee is symbolized by the phrase, "We're gonna build a mountain out of a little hill." The mountain is the grandiose delusion of outsized achievement or importance they both share. Dancing on the stairs in the first film is obviously euphoric behavior as well.

Trait #2 – Which leads us to fantasies of success and idealized love. In the first film, he has fantasies of unlimited success as a comedian and in the second film as a cabaret performer or duo with Lee a la Sonny and Cher. He sees himself in his head as a skilled entertainer with an adoring audience. Murray Franklin greets him in the first film in his fantasies as an intimate friend, and Arthur (who has not developed the skill of a consummate entertainer like a Bob Newhart or Steve Martin etc.) imagines himself being greeted with as much praise as a career comedian who has achieved those accolades. And of course, he doesn't simply like Lee, but it is grander than that: she is hearing him sing his love to her through the TV, they are connected by airwaves and an almost cosmic shared belief in his exceptionalism which now includes her. That is certainly folie à deux.

Trait #3 – Belief in being 'special' is literalized in the story Arthur's mom told him that his laugh (a result of a neurological or other condition) exists because he was put on the earth to make people laugh. He literally believes he's special in that way and destined to be an entertainer.

Trait #4 – Requires excess admiration – literalized when, during his imagined Joker & Harley variety show, he interrupts the song to let Harley know she is insufficiently paying attention to him. "This song is supposed to be about you loving ME!" He is jealous even of the audience because the focus should be on him receiving her admiration. This is re-stated in the courtroom when he says, "Look at all of these people, who are these cameras looking at!" Again, the purpose of the audience and the cameras is to admire him.

Trait #5 – His sense of entitlement/special treatment could be argued to be present when he represents himself as an attorney in his own trial. Without legal experience ("Maybe I should read a law book," he tells Harley), the expectation of being competent or effective counsel should be zero. I'm not sure if he actually expects to achieve success with his pro se representation, but it's certainly overreaching for him to try. He also negotiates his right to wear Joker makeup during the trial, which certainly would be special treatment for a defendant. It reminds me of when Ted Bundy represented himself pro se and submitted a motion for ‘change of menu’ because he was sick of eating the same lunch every day. A cute pun on ‘change of venue,’ but getting little perks like that and access to law library and tools of a lawyer did not change that outcome either.

Trait #6 – He is shown to be interpersonally exploitative – or at least thoughtlessly destructive – when Gary Puddles explains how the experience of watching Arthur commit a gruesome murderer in front of him traumatized and permanently altered his view of life and his own safety. "Gary, I like you!" Arthur says, as though that makes a difference under that circumstance. How could Arthur think his relationship with Gary wouldn't suffer from that event? Gary is collateral damage that Arthur simply never considered.

Trait #7 – He is further shown to 'lack empathy' or perhaps perspective/awareness re: how his interaction with the neighbor he was infatuated with in the first film caused her to suffer after the events of Joker. Like Gary, she suffers trauma and even stalking for her involuntary role in those events. Arthur didn't deliberately want to hurt Gary or that neighbor IMO but he certainly didn't add their pain to his calculation because his own was so vivid and all-encompassing. That's fair, I know when I've been in pain from psychological events I lost the ability to gauge others'. But Gary at least could certainly have been predicted to suffer from Arthur's actions.

Trait #8 – The grandiose traits Arthur shows (noted above) also connote his belief that others are jealous of his role as the star of the trial (see quote above: all of the people in the courtroom are there for HIM). He also fires his competent and compassionate lawyer because he doesn't care for her strategy of showing his weaknesses and evidenced failures to deal with reality in an unvarnished way, which punctures any grandiose view he has of himself. By firing her, he steps into her role and makes himself the star of the proceedings, to his own detriment.

Trait #9 – Arrogant and haughty behaviors – look no further than the Atticus Finch southern lawyer impersonation he does, with accented 'h' sounds simply to achieve a level of pretentious mockery of the proceedings, the lawyer/judge, and everyone who is taking reality seriously.

The above is by NO means a takedown of Arthur or anyone with NPD. I’ve met someone with an NPD diagnosis who was very charming, but the suffering engendered from an unstable view of oneself and requiring constant admiration is great. Lee is a good fit for him (at first) with her BPD traits, which I can go into at length as well. I think this movie is very fruitful for psychological analysis.

[saintmeghanmarkle]

the forthcoming war attacks from Markle and Harry via the minion Scobie.... by u/ElectricalAd9212

the forthcoming war attacks from Markle and Harry via the minion Scobie.... So the never ending holy war from the throbbing skull of Markle and her simp, via the creepy minion Scobie takes place 4 years after their exit from the royal family and less than a year since the two supposed nuclear bombs they dropped via Netflix and Spare.Instead of bringing the royal family and Britain to its knees, the nuclear bombs strengthened the royal family, like how radioactive spider bite turned Peter Parker into an amazing superhero, and left Markle and Harry loathed and ridiculed and eviscerated.Now comes 'Endgame' from the creepy weirdo. The strategy was that Netflix and Spare would destroy the royal family. There would be a populist uprising in Britain, with left wing media cultists of Markle leading the way. Riding the 'social justice' wave, they would be acclaimed as victims and the true lights of the monarchy, and King Charles, Prince William and Princess Catherine would be bending the knee to Markle and Harry in response.So this book 'Endgame', was supposed to be the final (metaphorical) bullet to the head of the Monarchy, and the final clearing of the pathway to Markle and Harry receiving the cosmic justice and divine rights they demanded from the start, of all the demands they made of Queen Elizabeth, to be anointed as equals to William and Catherine, in and out, receiving everything, permanent monarch level security paid for by the British people, changes in parliament to freedome of speech laws in order to protect Markle, money for their demands, plum roles in glamorous royal occasions, and total freedom to merchandise their royal titles to make Markle rich.That is why it was called 'Endgame'. Scobie imagined he would be returning to Buckingham Palace as their right hand man, their liege and aide. How they imagined their triumphant return! The House of Windsor a smouldering wreck, as Markle is bowed down to, and Harry smirks as William apologises to him publicly, and Princess Diana in Heaven smiles upon Markle as Catherine kisses her hand, and Scobie is back to his rightful place as the convenor of Chanel, Dior, Prada, Versace and Cartier and their gifts to his Queen.Instead, this grotesque cabal of grifters are humiliated, loathed, desperate, and exposed.The world faces war, danger, fear, inflation, economic turmoil, and they act like the world shall listen to the pleas of these hoaxing self pitying liars and think they are victims to be cared for.Little did they know as they sneered smugly about calling the book 'Endgame' that they would be coining the name of the epitaph of their schemes and malevolence.God Save the King, God Bless America!​ post link: https://ift.tt/3xFOEDl author: ElectricalAd9212 submitted: October 31, 2023 at 08:41PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit

[ultrimio]

Quantum Fluctuations and the Genesis of Primordial Black Holes: A Novel Perspective

The formation of primordial black holes (PBHs) is a topic of intense research in modern cosmology, with implications for our understanding of dark matter and the early universe. Recent studies have suggested that PBHs could be a viable candidate for dark matter, but the exact mechanisms governing their formation remain unclear. Investigations into the role of quantum fluctuations in the early universe have shed new light on the genesis of PBHs.

Coherent Oscillations and the Amplification of Quantum Fluctuations

During the epoch of cosmic inflation, the universe underwent a rapid expansion, leading to the formation of quantum fluctuations in the density and energy of the universe. These fluctuations can be thought of as "ripples" or "waves" that propagate through the universe, influencing the formation of structures on large scales. Findings have revealed that these fluctuations can occasionally become coherent, leading to an amplification of their effects. This coherence can be understood in terms of synchronized oscillations, where individual fluctuations begin to oscillate in sync, creating a more powerful and cohesive pattern.

The Impact of Coherent Oscillations on PBH Formation

The collapse of these coherent oscillations could lead to the formation of PBHs, but recent discoveries suggest that this process might not be as common as previously thought. The coherent oscillations can be viewed as a "cosmic guitar string," where the synchronized vibrations of the string create a more complex and powerful wave pattern. In the context of PBH formation, this means that the collapse of these oscillations might not be sufficient to create the necessary conditions for PBH formation. This challenges the prevailing view that PBHs are a natural consequence of cosmic inflation and highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the underlying mechanisms.

Implications for Dark Matter and the Early Universe

The implications of these findings are far-reaching, with potential consequences for our understanding of dark matter and the early universe. If PBHs are not as abundant as previously thought, alternative explanations for dark matter must be considered. Furthermore, these discoveries suggest that the early universe may have been more complex and dynamic than previously assumed, with coherent oscillations playing a key role in shaping the universe's evolution. As we continue to explore the mysteries of the early universe, these findings provide a new perspective on the intricate dance of quantum fluctuations and their role in shaping the cosmos.

Future Directions and Prospects

These discoveries open up new avenues for exploration, including the development of more sophisticated models of PBH formation and the investigation of alternative explanations for dark matter. The upcoming observations by terrestrial gravitational wave observatories, such as LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA, will provide a unique opportunity to test these predictions and further our understanding of the early universe. As we continue to probe the mysteries of the cosmos, these findings serve as a reminder of the power of interdisciplinary approaches, combining insights from quantum mechanics, cosmology, and gravitational physics to shed new light on the universe's most fundamental questions.

[lonesurvivorao3]

Cosmic Inflation

In 1983, it was shown that inflation could be eternal, leading to a multiverse in which space is broken up into bubbles or patches whose properties differ from patch to patch, spanning all physical possibilities. Basically.

The course of Eris Shepard's life hangs in the balance after Torfan, dependent on whether Kaidan, who is already in a committed relationship with Jennifer Hackett, decides to visit her during her initial psychiatric hold.

In one bubble universe, Kaidan chooses not to visit Eris. As a result, she was labelled Cat 7 during her trial and was subsequently transferred to the highly classified White Room facility. She doesn't regain her freedom until Nihlus Kyrik insists she is the only candidate he will consider for the position of Spectre.

In another, the continuation of Red Flags and Long Nights (which is all canon for Eris), Kaidan does choose to visit Eris. During his visit, Anderson informs him that Eris has an archaic but still legal protocol in place, of which he is the named person.

In Acta Non Verba, Eris and Nihlus spend six months training (and falling in love) before the events of Eden Prime. As a result, another bubble universe forms in which Nihlus Lives. (Kaidan has a much bigger role in that story than I’d originally intended).

In In Ruins, this protocol severs all legal ties with the Alliance, granting him Power of Attorney. Faced with this, Kaidan decided to take her back to the secluded cabin on the family orchard he had renovated and hidden away from the world after the incident at BaAT.

Canon timeline for both Shepard’s until Torfan - chronological telling of Red Flags and Long Nights (A Soft Place To Land):

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53461246/chapters/135315739

Acta Non Verba:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/50330581/chapters/131642656

Eden Prime, Shenko Verse:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53272444/chapters/134814259

Cerberus, Shenko Verse:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53326741/chapters/134960812

[famousmoonwalks]

Famous Moonwalks

Nestled in the heart of the Lone Star State, Houston, Texas, stands as a testament to the captivating blend of tradition and modernity. This sprawling metropolis, often hailed as the "Space City," boasts a rich tapestry of culture, innovation, and diversity that sets it apart as a dynamic urban oasis.

Houston's cultural landscape is a mesmerizing mosaic, reflecting the vibrant diversity of its inhabitants. With a population representing a multitude of ethnicities and backgrounds, the city embraces a wide array of cultural influences. From the lively Chinatown to the bohemian vibes of the Montrose district, each neighborhood contributes to the city's vibrant tapestry.

The city's commitment to the arts is palpable, with institutions like the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Contemporary Arts Museum providing a feast for the culturally curious. The Houston Theater District, one of the largest in the nation, hosts a symphony of performances, from Broadway shows to experimental plays, ensuring there's always something for every taste.

Houston's nickname as the "Space City" is not just a moniker; it's a testament to the city's pivotal role in space exploration. Home to NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston has played a crucial role in the Apollo moon missions and the Space Shuttle program. Visitors can embark on a journey of cosmic discovery at the Space Center, where interactive exhibits and astronaut encounters bring the wonders of space closer to Earth.

Beyond its cultural and scientific prowess, Houston stands tall as an economic juggernaut. Fueled by a robust energy sector, the city's skyline is punctuated by iconic skyscrapers housing the headquarters of major corporations. The Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, further cements Houston's status as a hub for innovation and healthcare excellence.

Houston's culinary scene is a tantalizing fusion of flavors, reflecting the city's global identity. From sizzling Tex-Mex and mouthwatering barbecue to international cuisines that span the globe, Houston's restaurants are a testament to the city's gastronomic diversity. Food enthusiasts can explore the diverse offerings at the iconic Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where the culinary trail is as thrilling as the rodeo itself.

For those seeking a breath of fresh air, Houston provides ample green spaces and outdoor escapes. Memorial Park, Hermann Park, and Buffalo Bayou Park offer a welcome retreat for nature enthusiasts and urban explorers alike. The Buffalo Bayou, meandering through the heart of the city, provides scenic trails for jogging and biking, inviting residents and visitors to embrace an active and outdoor lifestyle.

Houston, with its dynamic spirit, cultural vibrancy, and economic prowess, stands as a city that defies expectations. From the marvels of space exploration to the rich cultural tapestry woven by its diverse communities, Houston beckons individuals to explore, innovate, and celebrate the symphony of life in this thriving Texan metropolis. As Houston marks another year of growth and achievement, it remains an enduring testament to the limitless possibilities that arise when tradition and innovation converge.

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[child-of-the-new-contagion]

asmr sutra 1/x

HANDS WARMedUP.

Judiciously stringing out beads of dram, creating an interference pattern with the tendency toward fear and guilt - trying for vigilance but succumbing to frustrating laziness - creating future periods of drowse and preparing for a long plateau of smooth surfaces overlapping in pleasing stratas, nothing too steep or jagged. Venting inertial damper exhaust to compensate for quantum fluctuation.

Careful staggered doses of dram will keep things delirious but sane. The fog of extra-thick sensation will soon pass, so I'm looking strategically well beyond this next couple hours to a good dozen of good vibes. Don't worry, be drowsy. We'll make it fine, somehow, see what we can get away with.

It'll be a sutra. It'll have floofy cats with curly fur walking across the desk. I can leave this in the hopper, indefinitely, to encourage honesty, if that's what's necessary... but I don't care, actually, I'll be indelicate and still honest-ishy.

What does that kitty want from me? Wish I could give it to her. If only I knew. If only I could trust anything I think cause I got no instinct. Some paranoid hallucinations. Some ability at the best of times to think of the universe as a conspiracy to help me [a subset of the big meta-theory that we're all playing an entertaining role in the cosmic opera, taking turns.] I guess hearing Alan Watt's articulation of the Maya theory did influence me a lot, just not in a brainwashing way, more in the way where I'm willing to become wishy washy about the distinctions between me and you, friend and enemy. Maybe I just wanna be sedated, better yet opiated. I'm not enough of either of those two things.

I don't know how I would contort this into something fit for squeezing through za medium of twitter. My writing is like ensure, force-fed to prisoners to break a hunger strike. That's a good emblem, at least, for the perverse banality of my writing, anyway, let's say, with imagery not worthy of such a medium, like cheapening the holocaust in a third-rate film adaptation of a second-rate stephen king novella.

Let it all flow as it's all disposed to around me. A prayer of thanks for what is, not yearning. Having modest needs taken care of. Modest. In this second, in enjoying the enabling of all this by a vast assemblage of toil from generations past to be here now.

I'll write about "them" all astounding me later.

*

Value inflates to the size of dream symbology, then restricts like a trap, all the air is sucked out, I'm naked, in a vacuum tube. A metaphor too outside your experience to get. 

Let it flow. Fake flow til it goes. 

Savouring the sucking out of nicotine laced propylene glycol from the vape, taking two long drags without a breath of air so I get winded yet vindicated from the dopamine hack I guess, pretending to be higher than I am. Willing it into existence cause I can play in the realm of magic like a lucid dream. 

Savouring the simple pleasures of this weird life circumstance is a good thing to do, often, and dispute how all the problems seem to be piling up on all sides. No problemo, take another puff, it's like quaker oats, the right thing to do. It's moral righteousness. You can shake and quake along with my supine slack if you want. Everyone has their own route to god if they're lucky enough to be able to find one. Alan Jensen found a direct route to God, but he found it profoundly disturbing, ultimately unbearable, so he sold his soul to his ego, bought back a functional life. No flashbacks. 

Savouring watching another failarmy compilation on YouTube with Erin is a good thing to do in these end times. It wouldn't be worth hardly anything doing it by myself, but it's a couch experience way more than the sum of its parts with her.

[votivecandleholder]

Best Laser Lights For Parties: Your Ultimate Guide

New Post has been published on https://lightsforparty.com/best-laser-lights-for-parties-your-ultimate-guide

Best Laser Lights For Parties: Your Ultimate Guide

Having the best laser lights for parties plays an instrumental role in setting the mood for celebrations. It has the power to transform ordinary spaces into immersive environments, evoking a range of emotions and amplifying the overall laser party experience. With their vibrant colors, dynamic patterns, and the ability to sync with music rhythms, laser lights offer a visually stunning and interactive atmosphere. Whether it’s a house party, a wedding reception, or a music festival, party laser lights are an increasingly preferred choice for creating memorable and exciting ambiance.

Join us as we explore picking the best party laser lights, checking out top products, sharing safety tips, and spicing up parties with creative laser displays!

What Makes A Good Laser Light?

When choosing the best laser lights for parties, several factors contribute to creating the perfect atmosphere. Brightness is pivotal; party lights should be vivid enough to illuminate your setting, but not overly bright to cause discomfort.

Green Red Laserlights Top Angle View Stairs Disco Lights For Party

The next aspect to consider is color options. Multiple colors can enhance the party mood, so look for laser lights offering a variety.

Projection laser lights

Control features are also crucial, allowing you to customize the light show to the rhythm of your music or specific themes. Lastly, always prioritize safety. Ensure your party laser lights are compliant with safety standards and are suitable for your intended use, to prevent any accidents or damage.

Purple Laser Dark Lights For Party

Top Laser Lights For Parties

The market is filled with a variety of top-rated laser lights that can elevate the party atmosphere. SUNY laser lights, for instance, offer a wide range of patterns and colors, along with an impressive sound-activated feature that syncs with your music’s beat. If you’re aiming for a starry night effect, consider the BlissLights Sky Lite laser light projector, which can transform your party space into a mesmerizing cosmic display.

Christmas Laser Lights

The Chauvet DJ laser light combines laser, strobe, and rotating derby effects to create a dynamic, multi-dimensional lighting experience. Lastly, the Sumger Professional DMX512 LED stage light stands out for its high brightness, diverse patterns, and remote control features, allowing for customizations that suit your party’s theme.

Christmas Laser Lights

How To Safely Use Laser Lights

Safety should always be at the forefront when using laser lights for parties.

Firstly, never point laser lights directly into people’s eyes as they can cause harm. Position them high up, targeting walls or ceilings.

Secondly, consider the use of fog machines or haze to make the laser patterns more visible without escalating brightness.

Colorful Laserlights Dark Room Disco Lights For Party

Thirdly, ensure your rave laser devices are compliant with local regulations and safety standards, usually indicated by an FDA/CDRH certification for US-based events.

Finally, don’t leave the laser party lights running unattended for extended periods, and allow time for it to cool down intermittently to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards.

Creative Ways To Use Laser Lights At Parties

Laser lights can be used creatively to amplify the party atmosphere and make it memorable. For a cosmic-themed party, you can pair the BlissLights Sky Lite laser light projector with inflatable planets and constellation decals to create an immersive interstellar experience.

Laser lights for outdoors

Colorful Laserlights Ceiling Gym Led Lights For Parties

Try using the rhythm-sync feature of SUNY laser lights for dance-offs, making the lights a dynamically interactive part of the competition. Sumger professional DMX512 LED stage laser light’s pattern customization can be used to create unique light codes for different party segments, like slow light waves for chilling out or rapid flashes for high-energy dance times. Lastly, combine your laser party lights with fog machines to transform your backyard party into a mini music festival.

Laser Light Show Setups

Top-rated laser lights such as SUNY laser lights, BlissLights Sky Lite laser light projector, Chauvet DJ laser light, and Sumger professional DMX512 LED stage laser light each offer unique features to match different party themes and moods.

Green laser lights

Green Laserlight Outdoor Night Dark Disco Lights For Party

Green Laserlights Ceiling Led Lights For Parties

Red laser lights

Lights For Halloween Stairway Indoor Decoration With Red Dot Laser Lights

Blue laser lights

Colorful Laserlights Blue Backlight Dj Booth Disco Lights For Party

Laser Light Suppliers

Amazon

Target

Walmart

Party City

efavormart

Oriental Trading

Finally

In conclusion, choosing the best laser lights for parties can significantly enhance the atmosphere of your party. The factors to consider include brightness, color options, control features, and safety standards. Safety is paramount when using party laser lights; avoid direct eye exposure, use fog machines for visibility, ensure adherence to safety standards, and avoid unattended or prolonged use. Get creative with these best laser lights for parties, sync them with the party’s rhythm, or create unique light codes for different segments. Make your party memorable with the best laser lights for your party.

[thxnews]

LiteBIRD Mission Unveils Cosmic Secrets Worldwide

  UK's Role in Cosmic Exploration

In a pivotal contribution to the quest for understanding the origins of the universe, the United Kingdom is set to play a crucial role in the pioneering LiteBIRD mission. Led by Japan, this ambitious mission aims to trace patterns in light from space, taking us on a journey back to the very birth of the cosmos, a monumental leap in our comprehension of the universe's beginnings.   Probing the Big Bang The LiteBIRD mission, short for 'Light satellite for the study of B-mode polarization and Inflation from cosmic background Radiation Detection,' focuses on analyzing variations in the light that was left behind after the Big Bang. Its primary mission is to scrutinize the prevailing cosmological inflation theory, which describes the rapid expansion of the universe immediately following its creation.  

A section of a detailed representation of the distribution of CMB radiation density. Photo by NASA - WMAP Science Team.  

UK's Investment and Contributions

The UK Space Agency has committed an initial investment of £2.7 million to support the LiteBIRD mission. This financial backing will serve two primary purposes:   UK Scientists at the Helm Firstly, it will enable a group of UK scientists to engage in designing critical components of LiteBIRD's specialized science instruments and analyzing their findings.   Cardiff University's Unique Expertise Secondly, Cardiff University, renowned for its unique expertise, will produce the lenses and filters required for the telescopes. This distinct capability positions the university as the sole institution worldwide capable of creating these specialized components.  

Future Commitments

The UK Space Agency's commitment doesn't stop here. It intends to inject a total of £17 million throughout the mission's lifespan, slated for launch before 2030. This reaffirms the UK's dedication to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and deepening its collaborations, particularly with Japan.  

A Growing UK-Japan Partnership

The LiteBIRD mission is but one facet of the growing partnership between the UK and Japan in the field of space exploration. The commitment to this mission was unveiled during the International Astronautical Congress in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the UK pledged £1.7 million from its £20 million International Bilateral Fund to support Viasat's In-Range telemetry relay service, designed for Mitsubishi Heavy Industry's H3 launch vehicle, scheduled for liftoff in 2025. George Freeman MP, Minister for Space at the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "This initial £2.7 million investment... is a great moment for both UK space science and technology and our deepening science, technology, and innovation collaboration with Japan."  

A Game-Changing Mission

Dr. Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, anticipates that LiteBIRD will be a game-changer in the field of cosmology, enabling scientists to put prevailing theories about the universe's origins to the test. He described it as: "incredibly exciting for the UK to be at the forefront of this mission."   Challenging Cosmological Inflation At the heart of LiteBIRD's mission is the challenge to the cosmological inflation theory. This theory postulates the existence of "primordial gravitational waves" observable within the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the lingering light from the early universe. LiteBIRD intends to examine the pattern of B-mode polarization in the CMB to either confirm or disprove this influential theory.  

JAXA Exhibiting at the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport. Photo by DLR German Aerospace. Flickr.  

A Multinational Endeavor

Coordinated by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the LiteBIRD mission is poised to deploy a combination of high-, mid-, and low-frequency telescopes. These advanced instruments aim to detect B-mode signals in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) with an unparalleled level of sensitivity. The UK's active involvement is seamlessly integrated into this collaborative effort. This partnership operates through a European Consortium, masterfully led by the French space agency CNES. Notably, CNES holds the responsibility for delivering the high and mid-frequency telescopes, further enhancing the mission's scientific capabilities.   Leading Optical Development Cardiff University takes the lead in optical design and component development. Additionally, they receive support from other prominent UK universities, including Cambridge, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Oxford, Manchester, and Sussex. Professors Peter Hargrave and Erminia Calabrese will spearhead the UK's contribution from Cardiff University. Their primary focus will be on designing and building optics for two telescopes and filters for the third, which is Japanese-built.   The Search for Gravitational Waves Professor Hargrave, LiteBIRD UK Consortium Principal Investigator, shared his excitement, noting that LiteBIRD's mission will "confirm or rule out broad classes of inflation models, and greatly enhance our understanding of the origins of our Universe." Dr. Kuninaka Hitoshi, DG, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), highlighted the international cooperation behind the mission and the invaluable contributions of the UK, including Cardiff University's unique technology.  

Beyond LiteBIRD

In addition to its role in the LiteBIRD mission, the UK Space Agency is also supporting experts at the University of Aberdeen in designing an instrument for a future JAXA Mars rover. Named "Habit," this device will explore the habitability of the landing site, provide environmental information, and demonstrate In-Situ Resource Utilization technology for future Mars exploration.  

Looking for Traces of Cosmological Inflation

The concept of cosmological inflation and its connection to LiteBIRD's mission is a fascinating area of study. The theory asserts that immediately after the Big Bang, the universe underwent exponential expansion, leaving traces observable in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) as "primordial gravitational waves."   The Cosmic Microwave Background The CMB, composed of remnant light from the early universe when it was a hot plasma, appears largely uniform but contains subtle variations. These variations, corresponding to gravitational waves imprinted on B-mode polarization signals in the CMB, hold the potential to shed light on the universe's immediate post-Big Bang history.  

UK Space Agency's Support and Engagement

The UK Space Agency's involvement in the LiteBIRD mission extends beyond financial support. It encompasses a group of UK scientists tasked with designing the mission's specialized telescope optical instruments. Moreover, Cardiff University's unique expertise comes into play as it manufactures the lenses and filters essential for LiteBIRD's telescopes.   Collaboration in Action The mission operates within a European Consortium, led by France's CNES, with the UK taking a prominent role. Much of the optical design and component development are overseen by Cardiff University, with support from various UK institutions.   Optics and Filters Cardiff University's team will design and construct optics for two telescopes and filters for the third, all of which are pivotal for LiteBIRD's success.  

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is pictured docked to the space-facing port on the International Space Station. Photo by NASA.  

Unveiling LiteBIRD's Mission

LiteBIRD, a mission led by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has a noble aim: to uncover compelling evidence that supports the cosmological inflation theory. Crafted and meticulously manufactured by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) in Japan, this spacecraft will carry a weight of approximately 450 kg. Furthermore, it will be launched into the cosmos using the powerful H3 launch vehicle.   Detecting B-Mode Signals LiteBIRD's primary objective is to detect B-mode signals within the CMB. This data will provide conclusive evidence regarding the nature of the universe's expansion in the moments following the Big Bang.  

The Telescopes of LiteBIRD

LiteBIRD will execute a comprehensive three-year full-sky survey from the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point (L2). In order to achieve this ambitious goal, it will employ three telescopes. Moreover, each of these telescopes will cover a range of light frequencies: the Japanese-delivered Low-Frequency Telescope (LFT) and the European-delivered Medium-High Frequency Telescope (MHFT). Furthermore, these telescopes will utilize cutting-edge technology, including around 4,500 transition edge sensors spread across 15 observational frequency bands.   Cutting-Edge Technology LiteBIRD's telescopes are equipped with state-of-the-art lenses and specialized frequency filters. Consequently, they will operate at a cryogenic temperature of around 100 mK to minimize thermal noise and employ superconducting polarimeters for exceptionally sensitive measurements of B-mode signals' polarization. In a groundbreaking cosmic exploration endeavor, the UK's involvement in the LiteBIRD mission signifies a significant leap forward in our understanding of the universe's birth and early evolution. Furthermore, as the mission sets its sights on the cosmic microwave background and the traces of cosmological inflation, the UK's scientific and technical contributions play a pivotal and indispensable role in advancing our knowledge of the cosmos. With a mission launch anticipated before 2030, the world eagerly awaits the revelations that LiteBIRD will bring to the forefront of cosmological research.   Sources: THX News & UK Space Agency. Read the full article

[jhavelikes]

We present a successful realization of supersymmetric μ-hybrid inflation model based on a gauged U(1)B−L extension of the minimal supersymmetric standard model, with the soft supersymmetry breaking terms are playing an important role. Successful non-thermal leptogenesis with gravitino dark matter yields a reheat temperature in the range 2×107≲TR≲5×109 GeV. This corresponds to the predictions 2×10−18≲r≲4×10−13 for the tensor to scalar ratio, and −2×10−6≲dns/dlnk≲−5×10−11 for the running of the scalar spectral index. The B−L breaking scale is estimated as 6×1014≲M/GeV≲1016, calculated at the central value of the scalar spectral index, ns=0.9655, reported by Planck 2018. Finally, in a grand unified theory setup the dimensionless string tension parameter associated with the metastable strings is in the range 10−9≲Gμcs≲10−6 corresponding to a stochastic gravitational wave background lying within the 2σ bound of the recent NANOGrav 12.5-yr data.

[2202.07386] $μ$-hybrid Inflation, Gravitino Dark Matter and Stochastic Gravitational Wave Background from Cosmic Strings

[tomatograter]

What are your thoughts on JuneVris?

I like the ship, but sometimes I wonder if the romance is really There or if I just want to complete the Junevrisrezi Triad or w/e. I loved how their friendship developed over the course of homestuck, I just keep getting stuck on the pesterlog where June tells Vriska that she "kind of hates her". Ultimately they're still friendly after that, with June joking with Vriska by saying "if you ever need someone to punch you in the face again, I'll be there" and all that, but I wonder if June would ever really want a commited relationship with Vriska after that

June says a lot of negative things she doesn't fully mean or, if she means it, she has not taken into account how it will affect others; if jake is on the high end of the constantly-performing-for-acceptance spectrum, june is somewhere at the bottom.

The ease with which she can detach herself from her entire friendgroup and go into extended periods of complete isolation— marked by her friends worrying about her but that worry not being reciprocated, since she's mostly stewing on her own fog of bitter NEET malaise— is something that marks june's biggest flaw but also cements her story-role; she's the Protagonist. Things are secondary to her, not the other way around. She can tune the whole world out of her sight and focus only on whatever she deems worthy.

When she seeks affirmation and justification or even comfort, its not from her Fellow Friends, it's from the general cosmic ideal of... her doing something. The importance/meaning of her existence. The fact that She Needs To Do Something to fulfill her own abstract expectations, and keep busy. Of course our biggest point of comparison for this is when she's still not out to anyone, not even herself, so I'm partial to saying the self-actualization she desperately craves but can't even name has something to do with how she's transgender, and realizing that can be a great step 1 to getting out of that headspace, and moving on.

But related to the above statements and more closely tied with the purpose of your ask: June can and does designate certain people as stand-ins for why "things are going wrong" - and with nobody else to turn to safe for a big boss, these people are mostly her friends. This doesn't mean june is justified or right, and this also doesn't mean she doesn't truly love her friends, just that her feelings are easily overtaken by frustration, and from that frustration surges anger and spitefulness, a trait she closely shares with Jane.

They toe the flimsy line of meanness and arrogance, and sometimes blow up spectacularly. Their sense of inflated self-importance makes them transform everyone else in a liability, under the absolute lens of "I am justified, you are not."

June will holler to the skies that davesprite has somehow driven her out of her mind with his idiosyncrasies, and that her once favorite movies are truly fucking stupid shit for stupid fucking babies, and that roxy is a subhuman robot entirely out of her goddamn mind, and that vriska is a freak phony psycho she wants nothing to do with and is embarrassed to ever have liked; and she feels righteous in her fury. The excuses work, it doesn't matter if they're real. Make up a guy and get fucking mad at him! He's ruining your life! Doesn't that make you feel better? Doesn't that instantly give your life a clearer objective, and the assurance you are better than them? It's so easy. Here's a big red game target; catch it. kill it. scream at it.

It doesn't last, though. And in the aftermath the only thing it reveals is more of that same familiar emptiness.

The frustrations she has personified in her friends are still there, and they remain unaddressed, because the root often laid in june herself. She's mad her friends aren't exactly as she pictured them to be, or else she's mad at herself for ever making something out to be what it wasn't— or she's mad because she believed they could hold all the answers to make life better for her, but they don't.

The june-vriska example is particularly relevant because 'vriska' is part of june's dream of utter escapism; from seemingly nowhere, here comes a cool girl that knows exactly what june has to do always, and shes quirky, snippy, not like the other girls, and she has aaaaaaaall the answers. Except that personality shield has a complex and bloody backstory to all its 'epic' antics, and just as soon as vriska reveals her fragility the dream breaks a little. June has to cope with the fact vriska has flaws she cannot understand or justify, and after having looked up to her for so long she defaults to the emotion "maybe you always sucked after all." - it simplifies the situation. It makes her feel better about projection. That's where "I kind of hate you." comes from. She could have said 'i envy you/want to be you/am frustrated by you/disappointed in you' but the former is quicker.

The words 'June' and 'committed relationship' aren't really some i'd easily associate (She has a bit of a permanence=stagnation problem), but I do think her Protagonitis can only be put in check by the story's own favorite. Vriska can dish it out, and she has a backlog to argue she's important - if not MORE important than june, providing some perspective. Similarly, they can just sort of hang out sometimes and not feel utterly bored by each others presence, as they're picky in similar ways.

When I picture junevrisrezi, it is with june coming and going after vrisrezi have figured it out. They will always be a bit more partial to each other than they are to june, and june's drive to be constantly moving isn't exactly the same as two women who basically spent their childhoods in a murder-happy hellscape and could use a little slowing down, actually. It's not bad, they just have different priorities.

[mysticstronomy]

DARK ENERGY COULD LEAD TO A SECOND BIG BANG??

Blog#280

Saturday, March 18th, 2023

Welcome back,

Will the universe end in a bang or a whimper? A pair of theoretical physicists have proposed a third path: perhaps the universe will never end.

In a study that attempts to define the nature of dark energy — a mysterious phenomenon thought to be causing the universe to expand faster and faster every moment — the physicists find that cosmic expansion isn't always a given.

Rather, they write, dark energy may periodically "switch" on and off, sometimes growing the cosmos, sometimes shrinking it down until the conditions are right for a new Big Bang to occur — and for a new universe to be born.

Our universe is currently experiencing a phase of runaway expansion: the cosmos is getting bigger faster with every passing moment. Cosmologists do not understand the cause of this acceleration, which they name dark energy.

If this acceleration persists, then our universe will eventually expand into oblivion, with all matter and radiation torn apart.

This wouldn't be the first period of runaway growth. In the earliest moments of the Big Bang, the energies and densities were so extreme that existing physics cannot cope — it predicts a singularity, a point of infinite density where the math breaks down.

After that, the universe experienced a period of incredibly rapid expansion known as inflation, which is also poorly understood.

Astronomers have long wondered if these two phases of accelerated expansion — one in the earliest moments of the Big Bang and one in the present epoch — are connected to each other, and whether an entity that drives both of them avoids the problem of the big bang singularity.

To answer that, a pair of theoretical physicists published a study Feb. 7 in the preprint database arXiv which examined a model of the universe where dark energy has always played a role. Previous research modeled dark energy "switching on" at various times to drive cosmic expansion, but the new research proposes a more realistic model that includes matter and radiation.

They wanted to see if dark energy can avoid a Big Bang singularity, drive inflation, and accelerate the late universe.

To avoid that initial singularity, the universe can't begin from a point of infinite density. Instead, the universe we live in would have to be one in an infinite series of repeated "Big Bounces."

In this scenario, dark energy drives the universe until it reaches a certain size. But then the dark energy transforms itself, forcing the universe to contract. The cosmos then suffers a big crunch, but right before reaching a state of infinite density, dark energy turns around again, driving a period of incredibly rapid inflation and starting the cycle anew.

Originally published on livescience.com

COMING UP!!

(Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023)

"WHAT ARE QUARKS MADE UP OF??"

[carlsaganlunatic]

La Déesse Dedans/The Goddess Within: Anime and Ego

       In the biblical story of the “Tower of Babel”, humanity attempts to build their way to heaven. God, in order to inhibit the prideful undertaking of the humans, casts a magic spell to diversify the spoken languages of those audacious people, effectively enabling them from being able to converse and communicate (The Bible). The attempt to become gods is a foolish one. In theology and philosophy, sentience is a necessary hierarchy that separates gods from men. Through self-contemplation and existential crises, the vast majority of humans are guilty of muling over their purpose in life. Reminiscent of the “Tower of Babel”, this search for truth in the uniquely “human” paradigm is a fruitless endeavor grounded in egotism.

       We like to believe we’re special. Ptolemy and Aristotle believe that Earth was the center of the universe in which bodies in the solar system revolve. Furthermore, the absence of evidence for alien intelligent life helps drive the fantasy of humans being the sole observers of the Universe. An innate bias programmed into our worldview filters down into our actions, inflating our egos to unreachable heights. Conflict plays a major role in the cyberpunk anime Ergo Proxy as the characters struggle to find meaning in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. In this dismal world of demons and gods, humans create robots resembling humans called Autorievs programmed to perform tasks in society with precision and automation (Ergo Proxy, 1). Chaos breaks loose as the Autorievs begin to fall victim to the Cogito Virus, a programming malfunction that forces the robots to become self-aware. Humans fear the evolution of their sentient creations as it challenges their own superiority complex of intelligence and awareness, clearly reflecting the god complex of many humans that challenges the ultimate divinity of n’importe religion. Pattern denounces breaking the natural hierarchy of the world through any attempt to evolve a being’s set level of sentience.

       Suffering is an inevitable condition of the human experience. Suffering ensues from our inherent curiosity about the ways of the world and the ultimate reality of existence. Ultimate truth implies the possession of omnipotence- a capability beyond the likes of mortals. Certitude renders the search for meaning a futile effort. Nihilism argues that, because there is no essence or implied meaning to reality, life is meaningless and reality is not even real. The plot of Ergo Proxy creatively depicts this meaningless search for meaning as its main characters struggle to reconcile their existential anguish. For example, Re-I, grand-daughter of an elite government official in their dystopian society Romdeau, sets off on her own journey for truth after coming face-to-face with a Proxy (Ergo Proxy, 1). Proxies, like Autorievs, are a creation of the technologically-advanced humans, previously intended to act as rulers of the domes or societies of the Earth-based humans in hopes of reinstating order to the ruin that Earth fell into. Proxies, though, possess powers that threaten the authority of human-beings as they are more advanced in their consciousness. After coming into contact with one of these evolved beings, Re-I becomes impassioned to seek for an explanation to the awe inspired by this glimpse of divinity. Her curiosity quickly becomes the bain of her existence as she suffers endlessly to piece together the meaning of her place in this world of gods and women. Re-I’s egotism is a commonality shared by all human beings. Anthropomorphic views blind our rationality, leading us to reach beyond the limits of our knowledge and almost always ending in tragedy.

       Hubris or excessive pride misleads humans to their tragic downfall as they overestimate their mortal capabilities and emulate the qualities of gods and goddesses. In the myth of Icarus, our tragic hero flying too close to the sun, reached too far beyond his limits and was incinerated in the process. Ergo Proxy explores this concept seen in the Greek mythological story of Icarus referred to as hubris. Vincent Law, the male protagonist of Ergo Proxy, suffers similarly to Re-I in his journey to self-realization. Being both human and Proxy, Vincent cannot understand his place in the world and tortures himself by trying to reconcile the meaning of his existence. From a nihilistic point of view, Vincent’s efforts are meaningless as he cannot possibly know what significance he has in the Universe as no essence is prescribed to his existence. Interconnecting nihilist philosophy with the idea of anthropomorphism as a bias in perspective of reality necessitates a new term. I would like to introduce the term “tumidism” as the belief that humans’ egocentric search for a truth beyond their own level of sentience is the effect of a meaningless existence. Our selfishness leads us to assume some meaning beyond the evidence seen before us. We invent gods and demons to fill the gaps of our understanding of the Universe as, we as mere mortals, cannot possibly comprehend the vast nature of the Universe. In Ergo Proxy, Autorievs infected with the Cogito virus drop to their knees and pray as they develop an overwhelming sense of awareness that materialized from a void. Following a sequence of references to the mythology of Icarus, the final episode of Ergo Proxy famously shows one of the Proxies retreating to the heavens in an array of light rays, reminiscent of Icarus’ flight towards the sun (Ergo Proxy, 23). The Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud claims that humans have a tendency to explain away phenomena unknown to them through religion. Coined the “God of the Gaps” theory by Friedrich Nietzshe, famous German nihilist philosopher, this pattern emerges from religious beings assigning gaps in their understanding of the Universe to be direct evidence of God's existence. Nietzshe recognized the egocentric nature of humans in believing themselves capable of making sense of the mysteries of the world. Ergo Proxy’s Autorievs reaching towards human sentience, humans reaching towards god-like omniscience, and Icarus reaching towards the sun, we all form a rung on the ladder of hubris, destined to fall.

       Without evidence for extraterrestrial intelligence, humans remain in possession of the highest level of sentience among beings. This supposed uniqueness of humanity inevitably leads to a sense of pride in our intelligence. A pattern repeated throughout history, the hubris of Icarus from ancient Greek mythology heeds warning to reaching beyond one's limits. This quality, derived from human’s anthropocentric and ecocentric worldview, defies the natural order of intelligence as it is a forced evolution by humans to become gods. The post-apocalyptic anime series Ergo Proxy shows the progression of suffering that results from searching for an ultimate truth beyond one’s capabilities of comprehension. Art mirrors life as the characters of Ergo Proxy realize the inferiority of humanity on the Universal time scale.

       Nietzsche’s nihilistic philosophy combined with the anthropomorphic tendencies of humanity brings to light the catch-all term- “tumidism”- describing the downfall of humanity as placing their own selfish meaning to a reality otherwise meaningless as far as human-sentience is concerned. With latin root “tumid” meaning goddess, god, or divinity, tumidism effectively unifies egotism and heroic tragedy. Vying for equality as no single person is above or beyond another, tumidism thereby grants universal equality to all breathing beings. Whether the respiration source is oxygen or methane is of unimportance. In a world accelerating towards climate catastrophe, it is clear that the selfishness of humanity does indeed yield a price to pay. All that exists was birthed from the same cosmic origin. Whether or not some divine being set off this creation is not the most essential question. The significance is within the fact that all beings, humans included, are kin in the cosmos.

       Assigning unique importance to any one species of being is plain ignorance. I, for one, am awaiting the day where humanity realizes the cosmic commonality shared between all creatures and can set aside our egos to simply admire the beauty of the world. “Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?” (Adams). Messiahs aside, we are all one in the spirit.

Works Cited

Adams, Douglas. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Pan Books. 1979.

Ergo Proxy. Shuko Murase. 2006.

Nietzsche, Friedrich. Thus Spoke Zarathustra. 1891.

The English Standard Version Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments with Apocrypha, Oxford UP, 2009.

[cramulus]

Trance Dancing - The Rave

by Jason Keehn

(this essay was formerly posted at https://duversity.org/archives/rave.html, but it’s gone, so I’m saving it by copying it here)

Can trance-dancing save the planet

Can you imagine a crazier notion?

Thousands of bored youth pumping themselves up with drugs, going out to huge underground parties and dancing maniacally to electronic rhythms and psychedelic light-shows till dawn.

And this is supposed to help the world?

Shouldn't we be putting our time instead into ecological or political activism, or at least doing some kind of charity work? What about the serious spiritual disciplines that claim to offer the only true path to personal--and thereby social--transformation? What good does all our drug-taking and revelry do for the hundreds of millions of dispossessed, fucked over and starving around the world--not to mention all the untold species and eco-systems being destroyed?

Hard to answer. And yet some of us still have this inescapable feeling, maybe even faith, that what we are doing, confused, silly and commercialised as it often is, is at its core absolutely necessary. . . not just to us, but in the bigger picture, somehow. . .

Why is it that at the peak moments (admittedly rare) of the very best underground house/techno/rave parties, we get this miraculous sense of hope, of possibility, of transformation . . . a feeling that we're actually heading somewhere. . . together. . . towards a brighter future, one worth living in, one where we've returned to some kind of harmony with ourselves, with each other and with our planet as a whole?

Is it "just the drugs," a kind of consensus delusion, or might there be some basis in reality for these feelings, hard to justify as they may seem once we're back out in the normal world?

More dimly sensed than clearly expressed, the feeling for such a possibility permeates the entire global underground dance scene. Thousands of promoters exploit it to inflate their party invites with cheesy techno-spiritual imagery. It inspires and guides much of the music, and some small but key fraction of the hard-core partiers. The rest of the crowds who fill the floors at parties get off on it as a second or third-hand charge that sets the party apart from being just another club, without ever thinking about taking it seriously.

At moments, some hundreds, and maybe even thousands or tens of thousands, of "ravers" have probably found themselves sensing/feeling/wondering that what they were doing might be something really big, something that could really change things at a larger scale.

But of course only people who turn themselves inside out with large amounts of drugs would even conceive the question: Can trance-dancing save the planet?

A few of us, myself included, have made public fools of ourselves already by answering in the affirmative, and even giving some tentative reasons why. Here I want to try to introduce a new way of thinking that complements and deepens what already been proposed by people like Fraser Clarke and Terence McKenna. They see psychedelicized mass trance dances as the only quick, viable antidote to the egotism at the base of the western, techno-industrial mega-machine maniacally chomping away at the life-fabric of the planet.

This different line of thought is based on a simple but profound idea first expressed by the philosopher and teacher of temple dances G. I. Gurdjieff, who died in 1949. His idea is almost completely unknown, outside of his hard to read book All and Everything.

If true, it has staggering implications for ourselves, for our planet, even for our entire solar system. I don't expect anybody to automatically take it as Goddess's given truth, but its worthy of some serious attention.

Energies

As all "ravers" know, there is a mysterious something that makes a rave different from just another club or party-scene. We call this "the vibe"--a mixture of intangibles impossible to find anywhere else, except maybe at a dead show or a rainbow gathering. Roughly put, the vibe consists of: an attitude of openness, sharing, empathy and playfulness; intense, unselfconscious dancing; a collective altered state of consciousness, thanks to the combined effects of specific rhythms, lights and psychedelic drugs; and, at its height, a melding of group feeling and energy into an ecstatic, orgasmic release that feels nothing less than spiritual or religious--albeit in a form that has little resemblance to any type of spirituality or religion we are familiar with.

We all know that "energy" is somehow key to all of this. We know we raise and release energy through our dancing, our feelings, and our interaction on the dance-floor. Energy was one of the main buzzwords of the early English rave scene. The vibe is all about energy--vibration, after all.

But what is this energy? What does it consist of, where does it come from, where does it go? Are there different kinds of energies? Do they have different purposes?

Back around the turn of the century, Gurdjieff and a group of friends travelled back and forth across the Middle East and Central Asia investigating humanity's true history, the nature of the cosmos, and the possibilities for humans to evolve consciously, from their own efforts. In the process, "the seekers of truth," as the group called themselves, also encountered the Masters of Wisdom still alive in that part of the world (the Khwajagan). The Khwajagan were considered to be the bearers of some of the highest spiritual knowledge on the planet, handed down continuously for thousands of years.

One of the focuses of Gurdjieff's research was the transformation of substances and energies--both chemical and subtle--in the human organism. He also learned a large number of temple dances, which he understood as databases in movement intended to preserve ancient knowledge.

Eventually, Gurdjieff returned to the West and presented his synthesis of these searches as a "system of ideas" and a practical method for self-transformation.

Feeding the Moon

Gurdjieff's quest was guided by the basic question, "what is the sense and significance of human life on earth?"

His conclusion, expressed in writing only towards the end of his life, was that humanity does not exist for itself, but to supply the planet, the moon, and the solar system with a particular gradation of energy which they need to thrive and grow. At times he called this principle, "feeding the Moon," though it is not clear whether he meant this literally or merely as a handy symbol.

He believed that the entire universe is in some sense alive and in a process of continuously evolving (and if not evolving, actively devolving). In what could be compared to a cosmic fractal, the universe is in a process of unfolding and giving birth to itself, each birth at a new level mirroring in its unique way that of other levels (known nowadays as the principle of self-similarity). In what Gurdjieff called "the ray of creation," "God" or the Absolute gives birth to universes; universes give birth to stars, which give birth to planets, which give birth to organic life (viruses, bacteria, plants and animals) and to moons. Eventually a planet may become a star, its moon may become a planet in its turn, and "give birth" to its own moon, and so on, ad infinitum.

Just as all plants and animals need a variety of nutrients to exist, grow and reproduce, so our world and its siblings need a very specialised type of substance to fuel their processes--their planetary metabolisms, if you will. Supposedly, this special energetic substance can be produced only by human beings.

Reciprocal Maintenance

Gurdjieff's answer fits into what he called "the doctrine of reciprocal maintenance", the idea that every thing exists only insofar as it supports or "feeds" something else. Everything is part of a vast, interconnected and mutually reinforcing web of life. Or, "everything is something else's lunch," as ecologists like to say. This idea anticipated the science of ecology by at least half a century.

Examples: Bees don't just exist for themselves, they live to pollinate flowers. Algae exists to turn sunlight into more complex molecules, and feed other small creatures, such as plankton and krill. Krill feeds other slightly larger creatures, and even whales. Plants exist to turn sunlight and raw matter into organic compounds, and to feed animals. Worms exist to loosen soil for plants. Bacteria recycle waste into useable raw matter. Predators help to increase the strength and fitness of the herds they prey on by eliminating the weak and sick. Etc. etc.

In the scheme of things, humanity's essential role is that of a transformer of energy.

Human beings, according to this view, exist to serve the cosmic evolutionary process--and not the opposite, as the Bible would have it: that all of creation is merely a resource for us to use and abuse as we see fit.

Our possibilities as human beings are dependent on the degree to which we fulfil this function, a kind of "obligation" which nature imposes on us.

By Gurdjieff's view, this special energy could be produced two different ways: either involuntarily, at the moment of death, when a small "packet" is released into the atmosphere, or voluntarily, in greater or lesser amounts, through spiritual work.

Since Mother Nature, or Gaia, needs a definite quota of this energy from us, she will do whatever is necessary to make sure she gets it. If we don't provide the required intensities while alive, the total number of deaths will have to be increased in such a proportion as to yield the needed amount.

Devolution

Gurdjieff further believed that rather than progressing, the overall quality of human being (as opposed to externalizations like technology, culture, institutions, etc.) has actually been deteriorating over the last umpteen thousands of years, especially in "civilised" societies such as our own. He believed that in the very distant past, before the earliest recorded history, human beings had a much greater presence and power; in a sense, they were bigger, spiritually and existentially, than the vast majority of us today. He also believed that people once had a much greater life-span.

They were energy-pumps.

Gurdjieff had his speculations about what caused this decline in the quality of human being in the very remote past, perhaps even before the destruction of Atlantis (his theory of the "kundabuffer," explored at length in All and Everything). The upshot, though, is that humanity as a whole has "forgotten" how to perform its ecological function in the world--or simply no longer has the necessary juice to do it, which pretty much amounts to the same thing.

So if this is in fact the case--that we human beings generally no longer have the knowledge or ability to "pump" this energy intentionally--Gaia will be forced to increase the total quantity of human death to meet her needs.

This can be accomplished, of course, by 1) increasing the number of human births, and eventually deaths, and 2) by shortening the life-span of existing individuals, or 3) a combination of the two. The net results: Population increase. . . disease, and war.

Following this line of thinking, our increasing inability to properly transform and pump energy means that we have to be treated (by the Gaian mind, if you like) the same way we treat plants and animals, as something to be farmed, bred and harvested. Not a very dignified state of affairs!

So as the qualitative level of human being goes down, the number of human beings, and thereby of human deaths, goes up to account for the difference in energy. And of course, since organisms grow at different rates, with different energy requirements depending on their activities, we can imagine that there might be major fluctuations in the needs for our energies.

The Terror of the Situation

This suggests a radical, and terrifying, view of contemporary history: that the population explosion, famines, plagues, wars and massacres might not be due just to accidental or sociological and political causes but may be induced by the needs of the solar "eco-system" as a whole, with human beings acting for the most part unwittingly to effectuate these needs.

Think about all the horror and insanity that has gone done in the twentieth century, even just in terms of cold numbers: millions killed in World War One, hundreds of thousands wiped out in seconds at Hiroshima and Nagasake alone, millions massacred one way or another in the Nazi concentration camps; supposedly as many as twenty million Russians dying in combat in World War Two, not to mention another twenty million who died in the same period as a result of Stalinist persecution and forced famine. Millions died in the Chinese civil war, six or seven million in Cambodia under Pol Pot. Don't even bother counting all the famines in Africa and South East Asia over the last few decades.

Why the incredible surge of violent death all over the world, paralleled by an equally incredible population explosion? What is up with those peculiar humanoid beings living on the surface of Sol-III?

I'm not going to try to argue the merits of this scheme against other theories. Just chew on it for a while and see how it fits.

And so the picture painted is one of a race of hapless, deluded slaves to some kind of a cosmic food-chain the existence of which we don't even recognise. This is definitely insulting to all our best images of ourselves. But then how do we reconcile all our great assets, our supposed free will, intelligence, and creativity with the dismal facts of what we've done to each other for all of recorded history?

Are we really anything more than automatons most of the time?

Gurdjieff had what might seem to many a horribly bleak, cynical view:

that our ideas of free-will and individuality are a delusion, an image of our potential mistaken for a general fact of our existence. Bluntly put, we are blind products of genetics, conditioning and external influence; on an energetic level, we are next to nothing. We are less, in that sense, than most mammals even.

We have become experts at consuming energy and resources, parasites.

As a civilisation, we no longer transform energy into higher gradients and radiate it back out to the world, we just circulate like little ants in our vast urban hives and manufacture stuff, endless quantities of stuff. We know how to suck energy, make objects, and how to kill. Even if we're not killing each other off at a given moment, we're decimating untold numbers of living beings without even being grateful for their existence.

Sure, for the most part we don't feel ourselves that way, but anybody who's tripped a few times in public places probably had disturbing glimpses--at least--along these lines. We don't see other people--or ourselves--that way, because it's just too hard a vision to live with.

The path of return

This perspective provides a definite way of understanding the connection between our amazingly fucked up global situation and "spirituality"--or the lack thereof. Seen this way, spirituality has less to do with living according to some moral doctrine, or accumulating "spiritual" experiences and states, than with being able to transform and radiate energy of a particular quality.

If it is true that we have been suffering a generalised decline over millennia, all our human institutions must participate in and reflect that decline. So everything we associate with religion, in all its multifarious forms, would generally be a product and mirror of a messed up situation; in other words, just another part of the problem.

At its best, the spiritual component of religious traditions points to a return to what should be our natural base-line of being, something so distant we can barely remember or taste it except at moments of "peak experience," or with the help of psychedelic drugs, or as a result of long, intensive discipline.

Our so-called "salvation" is really more a matter of somehow pulling ourselves back up out of a dysfunctional, disenabled, alienated state to something like a natural way of being--not transcendence or cosmic consciousness or union with God or whatever. We need to re-learn "how to be and to do."

According to Gurdjieff, the two key principles to following this "path of return," were intentional suffering and conscious labour. Through engaging in intentional sufferings and conscious labours we begin again to release the kinds of energies we were intended to give off.

Of course by today's standards, this sounds like a bummer of a philosophy. Isn't life just supposed to be full of fun and games? On the other hand, if we're realistic we know that there's always going to be pain, struggle, suffering in life. If there weren't where would the joy and pleasure and flow be? So maybe rather than seek to escape suffering, or just submit to it blindly, it might make sense to choose your form of suffering and make something out of it.

Intentional suffering. Again, if it's true that we exist in a chronic low-energy state, one of inertia and stasis, it makes sense that in order to get back to a point of being able to consciously transform energy we would need to somehow exercise an enormous effort just to break out of our passivity. "Only super-efforts count." If you're physically weak from illness, it usually takes an extra effort to get to the point of being able to exercise on a regular basis, to return to your previous level of strength. Or as they say, no pain no gain.

This can apply on a lot of levels other than just the physical. Pain can take the form of a kind of moral or spiritual suffering deriving from, say, breaking habits, or confronting bad traits in one's character, or doing exactly that which you least like to do. Suffering in the form of sacrifice is necessary to be there for others, to truly love.

Conscious labour assumes that most of the "work" we do, of whatever nature, is not really conscious to begin with. We are driven by culturally programmed priorities, survival, automatic emotional needs, obsession, neurosis, ego. To work consciously assumes that one must first have become aware of how unconscious one is most of the time, of how automatic most of how our thoughts, feelings, perceptions and actions really are.

To even get to this point itself requires a lot of intentional suffering, because what could make us suffer more than waking up to how we really don't "own" ourselves?

Forms of work

This general process is what people who study Gurdjieff's ideas and methods generally call "work-on-oneself," or just "self-work."

No doubt for many orthodox "Gurdjieffians," this path of return can only occur in the framework of decades of commitment to the "work," in the manner it has been passed down to them.

Much of Gurdjieff's practical teaching consisted of dancing and physical exercises used in combination with meditation and concentration techniques. Some of the dances Gurdjieff himself invented, many were direct copies of the ancient temple dances he found during his travels. (These dances are a closely held secret of existing Gurdjieff groups, and rarely if ever performed in public.)

Other important components of his method were the techniques of "self-observation" and "self-remembering," designed to bring "essence" back into balance with "personality."

What is little known to the world at large, and almost completely suppressed within existing Gurdjieff groups, is that Gurdjieff was interested in and worked with drugs. The references to "active substances" other than alcohol, opium and cocaine in his writings are rare, and even then oblique (he tried to set up a "chemical laboratory" in Russia at one point--for synthesising what?); it is known, but little discussed, that Gurdjieff administered certain substances to some of his students.

The monks of the legendary Sarmoun Brotherhood, whom Gurdjieff spent time with, themselves cultivated and used a psychoactive plant they referred to as the "Herb of Enlightenment." Curiously, Oscar Ichazo, founder of Arica, a 70s psycho-spiritual organisation that also incorporated psychedelics and movement-work, claimed to have accessed the Sarmounis as well.*

Furthermore, we know from Gurdjieff himself that he considered his students "guinea pigs," his groups a laboratory in which he was conducting certain undefined experiments.

According to J. G. Bennett, one of his major students and better interpreters, Gurdjieff experimented continuously with his ideas, techniques and overall approach. While Gurdjieff always talked about his system, it was never fixed in a way that most of his followers seem to believe and dogmatically transmit it to others.

If everything Gurdjieff did was a kind of living laboratory, how does anybody know what were really the goals and working hypotheses and what was just part of the experiment? What if he kept certain pieces of his puzzle secret, knowing perhaps they were too explosive to make public at the time?

The new trance dance

Here is a radically new take on Gurdjieff's philosophy and mission, one that has a direct bearing on our neo-psychedelic-rave subculture:

Is it possible that trance-dancing is one of the most basic forms of intentional suffering and conscious labour?

Is it possible that such dancing, performed by the right people in the right way with the right intentions, is capable of producing exactly that same energy Gurdjieff believed Mother Nature needs from us? Could it be that the use of psychedelics in conjunction with intensive dancing to certain specific rhythms, by a new breed of individuals, may be a way to fill our cosmic obligation without the life-long spiritual training otherwise required?

My intuition is that this is indeed the case--unlikely as it may seem to all the "old school" esotericists and spiritualists.

Perhaps, in fact, we are not really now at the point of being able to do this--being "youthful" as we are, and prone to all the naiveté and follies of youth. But this may be what a certain number of us are instinctively moving toward. Maybe this is just that mysterious something we cross over into as we're peaking and pulsing together on the dance-floor.

Think about tribal trance dances. What better description could you think of for endurance dancing to the point of fainting in the service of the gods than intentional suffering and conscious labour?

Under different names, tribal peoples seem to commonly believe that their dances are essential to the gods, a form of offering, sacrifice, or service. Something necessary to keep the balance, to keep the rain falling, to keep the sun coming up, to keep things moving. That's why they're sacred dances. And so maybe it's not just the form of the dance that's sacred, or even what the dancers experience, it's in what they do: the energy they collectively release.

Isn't it odd that just when most of the cultures that still do this are either being destroyed or forgetting their own traditions, just at that same moment a whole tribalistic, "neo-shamanic" dance craze develops among western youth?

Consider: How does someone behave who has a deep instinct, but in whom that instinct has been muffled by hundreds or thousands of years of habitual suppression and invalidation? Perhaps every now and then the instinct manifests itself in a crude, awkward outburst, only to be quickly silenced by the embarrassed ego and the lack of any proper name or place for it in surrounding society.

In some of Bennett's writings on this whole theme, there is a tendency to paint the "feeding the Moon" scenario in extremes: either one is energetically inert and useless; or else one sacrifices one's life to spiritual work and helps to make up for everyone else's lack.

But must it be such a dichotomy? Maybe that's how it tends to be nowadays, but maybe it wasn't always if people used to "be more" than they are today. Maybe once upon a time (and still in some remaining aboriginal cultures), you didn't have to be a spiritual athlete, a specialist (monk, shaman, priest/priestess, etc.), to return your two or three "cents" to Nature.

Maybe even now, everyone can return some energy, given the right circumstances and maybe the right "assisting factors" too.

And what about the effect of psycho-active substances? If there is anything we know about psychedelics for sure, it is that they act as catalysts. They temporarily shift our system's mode of functioning, our rate of vibration, and enable transformations that are otherwise difficult to achieve--again passing. But what if that transformation, in tandem with the right kind of dancing and mindset, is just enough to enable the release of some special energy?

Does it matter that much whether we're in that state all the time, or just that we have regular access to it and can use it to do what we need to do?

Sure, we have no tradition of sacred dance, and few ravers dance till they drop, few dance with conscious devotional feeling or intent. What we do have, or at least aspire to, is a basic attitude that sets the tone when we come together for our celebrations: Peace-Love-Unity-Respect. Not bad for a point of departure.

And yet, just how conscious do you have to be of your intent if your instinct IS your intent? Maybe as we get high and move together our intent resurfaces into consciousness, and for those few sweet timeless moments we actually DO it, . . . and then we drift back down into consensus reality where there is no name for it, and the veils gradually cover it all up and soon we once again think we were there for nothing more than a good time and some cool music.

But the taste and scent of that ineffable "juice" still lingers, and it keeps us going in the days ahead, going back to more parties, wearing the clothes we associate with it, compulsively getting high and listening to mix tapes round the clock, searching for that rare synchronicity of time, place, people and music where it might magically happen again.

In some of his late writings, Bennett speculated that recent decades are seeing the birth of a new kind of person, maybe even a new race of sorts, with spiritual capacities different from the rest of society.

Could that be us?

And just what is that "juice," that energy, that special nutrient so needed for all things to live and grow in harmony? That erotic radiant mix of thankfulness, joy, and compassion that just wants to fuck the entire cosmos? Could it be . . . L-O-V-E?

OK, admittedly there are a lot of big ifs here. To try to prove that

a) human beings do give off energy when they die;

b) that some can give off an equivalent kind of energy intentionally while still alive;

c) that most of us don't or can't do this anymore;

d) that people could once upon a time do it better;

e) that the planet or the moon or the solar system requires this energy;

f) that if they don't get it human birth and death will automatically be increased with no say on our side;

g) that this energy can be produced through trance dancing among tribal peoples; and

h) that this energy can also be produced by teenagers dancing at parties with the help of drugs. . .

To try to prove, or even argue, all of that would be at least another article in itself. . . or more realistically, the basis for a life-time of research.