Whenever someone utters the word economy, what comes to your mind? Bunch of out-of-touch people in clothes more expensive than someone’s house, plotting on how to harvest your organs in the most innocent-looking way? A circle-jerk of wannabe “business people” masturbating over graphs and non-sensical numbers?
Well, I’ve bad news for you because I’m not going to talk about these ghouls. Or maybe I will but I’m afraid your image is very narrow because, believe it or not, every single one of us can fit this description. And I’m here to yet again put a mirror in front of many, to some extent everyone.
“Really? You don’t want one of your own to get a better life?”
“No, I don’t want better life. I just can’t stand them being happy.”
Above is an excerpt from a rather dark “joke” that I stumbled upon on one of my social dives. I personally wouldn’t call it a joke for not only the fun factor isn’t really there in the first place and these days it’s not even a joke by gallows humour standard anymore but more of a factual statement. It’s telling when people say satire is dead because it’s difficult to distinguish from reality. Same comes with humour when it becomes a coping mechanic instead of a “spice of life”.
But why do we continue on this path? Why do we willing remove parts of our humanity, let alone the positive ones and dive deeper into the swamp of misery? Why instead of looking for ways to brighten up the world we only looks for excuses to justify wrongs and punish those who even think about enjoying good moments that happen?
Woof’s feeling a little sentimental again and well, the title says it all. What prompted it? A quote-response from Raigho to an “at the first glance silly” post. The response reads:
Friends that feel more like family. They have your back and they always make you feel at ease the minute you're around them.
I'll always value people like that.
It made me remember how I value people that got me through the hardest times, despite their own hardships. And how big has the rift between me and my bloodline become over the course of time. I know one of them will probably read this and put in the effort to understand it. And maybe the question will come up: “Why didn’t you say something?” Why? Because I never felt safe to do so. Because I haven’t felt I’d be trusted and understood and I sadly still don’t believe I ever will. Otherwise I wouldn’t need to write these lines.
This is something that's been lingering on my mind for quite a while. So often we hear people screaming at one another “You're being controlled! They're brainwashing you! DO YOUR RESEARCH, !” I'm utterly allergic to the last one in particular for obvious reasons.
But where does it come from? How did we get into the state where things that were usually attributed to lunatics are now mainstream? The possibly and not completely outlandish answer is: “You're being mind-controlled.” Wait, what? Did I just say this? Did I seriously say the exact thought that I've been mildly mocking just seconds ago? Well, yes, I did. And you read Soatok's post on being under influence, you're probably starting to get an idea where I'm about to go with this. I'm not going to delve into the ins and outs of the field because our resident dhole has already done so. What I'd like to point at is how terrifyingly easy it has been to mind-control entire droves through a seemingly innocent technical feat and the general laziness of people. So, grab a snack, your favourite beverage of choice and let's dive in.
I was originally thinking about putting this as a “Questioning the Quoted” episode featuring Geralt and his iconic quote (which might still be a thing) but I’ll make it into a “regular” post while keeping the quote relatable. In past few weeks, things happened which made anyone with a functioning brain, no matter how much brainrot one might be consuming on a regular basis, shudder in horror and/or facepalm so hard their hand went straight through their forehead. Now, I’m not here to judge how everyone reacted. I’m not an arbiter of morality for such thing is less universal than many try to tell you. That said, there’s definitely something that has been coming back to me ever since I started being more active in the virtual and meatspace and watching the overall reactions. And now it’s time to explore what and why.
Commencing start-up sequence ...
Life support ... Nominal
Power Plant ... Nominal
Engines ... Powered up and ready
Frame Shift FTL Drive ... Ready
Sensors ... Online
Testing Thrusters ...
Horizontal RCS ... Nominal
Vertical RCS ... Nominal
Lateral RCS ... Nominal
Main Thrusters ... Nominal. Maximum speed rated at 550 kph
“Alright, Frostfire, it's been a while but you're still going strong. Command, this is Commander Rawen, ship identification Krait II, callsign Frostfire, ship ID RA-28K; requesting permission to depart.”
“Copy RA-28K, permission granted. Observe safe speed limit of 100 kph inside and within close vicinity of the docking port. Safe travels, commander.”
With a soft purr of the main thrusters, Frostfire lifts off of the platform, quickly reaching the maximum allowed speed. Rawen gently leads his “beast” out of the port and into an open space. “Alright, bud, give me the roar!” says Rawen as he hits the “Boost”. And the beast obeys, filling the wolf commander's ears with the simulated sound of the engines. “Oh yes, I missed this. Ok, time to plot the course.” Rawen opens the map and sets destination to the GER system, planet HMBG, station CCH.
“Frame shift drive, charging ...”
The sound of the FTL drive slowly spinning up fills Rawen with anticipation.
“Ready to engage. Accelerate to maximum speed and proceed outside of the range of any gravity well.”
Rawen hits the boost once more to get Frostfire out of the masslock. The moment the ship reports no masslock, FTL drive kicks in:
4 ...
3 ...
2 ...
1 ...
ENGAGE!
That's right. Woof has been on an adventure again. This time a bit closer to my home as I could travel by land (despite my Elite-themed intro). Visiting the one and only Eurofurence in the German metropolis of Hamburg. How was it? Well, let's embark on the journey beyond the frontiers of known universe.
Ok, it’s offical. I’m making this a series. This time I’m going to pick someone whose name might not sound familiar at the first glance but he’s quite important and his quote is very relevant; Frank Colletti, the consigliere (chief advisor) of Don Ennio Salieri from the Mafia game series.
Says the whoever fash-shit propagandist is now “hot”. Well, I already own barely anything. And believe it or not, it’s not because of the “degenerate Left”. In fact, when I look at folks who would fit into the “modern Left” box, they own quite a lot. And I mean own not possess. What’s that? I’m toying with words again? Oh yes, for it is slowly but surely becoming one of my favourite mental exercises. There’s a reason people told me I’d make a good lawyer. And this is among the reasons I never will. But enough sidetracking. Let’s dive into this idiotic screech from the “saviour slavers” and tear it apart like a swarm of piranhas.
And it’s you who is the abuser. Yes, you. The very person who has been suffering and probably still are. You hold so much anger inside and it wants out. But where? Where to vent it? Outside? At whom? You don’t want to hurt anyone, do you? So it goes in. Either in a form of self-abuse or an edgy joke so it’s easier to brush off, right? Sure, you chuckle but did it feel good? No, no it didn’t. In fact, you betrayed the one person you should never ever betray; yourself. So tell me, why do you do it? Why do you keep hurting yourself? Well, let me share a story with you.
“On this day, it was only a month until you’ve blessed this world for eight decades. But sadly, life decided otherwise.” It’s been 4 years already since my grandma passed away, exactly a month before her 80th birthday. It was during one of the last restriction-filled periods of 2021 so I wasn’t even able to be around. And true, she would’ve largerly disapproved of who I am right now, for her faith was stronger than her own self, but with the passage of time, I can understand why. And as I’m remembering her today, I’ve decided to write down this little exercise of mind; what would I do if I could talk to my relatives who already passed away for one more time?