Love is

I wake with a shudder, alone and cold.

Absent of purpose and will.

Cascading along the infinite, I am but a grain of sand.

Irrelevant, unimportant, my passing unnoticed.

 Basic meaning, basic life.

But then, what is this, a stranger in time?

I become an inhibited version of I.

Function deterred by forces unknown.

Lost logic replaced by pure whim.

             “My         

name

                                   is        ”     

I have purpose.

 I have meaning.

Feelings of irrational bliss.

An illusion of cohesive existence.

Two people, two souls,

an impossible occurrence.

              A greater                            

                     equation of life.

Ignorance: An Addiction

Originally I was going to entitle this article Ignorance is bliss, but it seemed a little too cliché. Ignorance: An Addiction, now that’s a title.

Before I begin I’d like to make it known that the views and statements presented in this article are solely that of my personal opinion. The truths (as I believe them to be) that I’m about to reveal may offend and/or shock certain readers. If the “Invisible Government” sounds like something that you don’t want to know about then I suggest you stop reading right now._­

Okay, I assume that if you are reading this particular sentence that you have now committed to reading the entirety of this article. Good on you! It’s not everyday that you get to read about things that you are about to read right now. I’m going to stop my incessant ranting now and get straight to the point.

Before I can begin to explain the Invisible Government, I must first briefly discuss the four things that give a population power: transportation, information, education, and communication. If any one of the four is not present in a society the population becomes too worried about its own problems (or to ignorant) to even be aware, let alone think about usurping the powers that control them. Control is a strong word I know, but it is the reality we are all facing every minute of everyday. We have chosen to live in a world in which the misfortune and suffering of the many is necessary in order to appease the insatiable greed of the few. We have also chosen to live in a world in which we are controlled.

 

“No one controls me! I have free will! I make my own decisions!” Is probably what most of you are thinking right now, but does free will really exist?  What if your beliefs, ideas, music preference, taste in movies, and political agendas are simply the results of careful and coordinated mass manipulation? The reality is that our modern society cannot function without the constant and invisible manipulation of the masses. Both the information we receive and the way we are educated contribute to the formation of opinions that are intrinsically not our own. Why does the word “terrorist” inspire images of a bearded Arab holding an Ak-47? Why do I believe that a democratic republic is the only real way to govern a population? Why is the formula for success so conveniently laid out in front of me? These are the type of questions we should be asking ourselves, and yet all we seem to really care about is who’s going to get eliminated from The Voice, and/or if our crush likes us back or not.

Ignorant, that’s what we all are. You, me, him, her, no one is no better than anyone else because we are all guilty of being selfish. What is the real price of our comfort? We all seem to be ok with the death of millions as long as we don’t see, know, or hear about it. Have you ever thought that the world’s rampant poverty could actually be the fallout of the cushy lives those of us fortunate enough are able to live? Sure we all know about the millions of preventable deaths, and yet we seem to waive such trivial matters aside to focus on more “important” things, like playing videogames and shopping.

The crazy thing is that none of us are really to blame for our selfish, ignorant behavior. We were manipulated into thinking the way we do, and understanding why, how, and by who is the first step towards any real change.

First off we need to ask ourselves “why?”  It all comes down to one thing really, one thing that we cant imagine a world without. It drives people insane, its power over us knows no bounds, and no matter where you are its presence is like a looming shadow. Its money my friends, money is the real opium of the masses, the most addictive and most dangerous substance on planet Earth. Who ever thought that giving colored paper imaginary value could be used to justify so much evil? Think about it, what better way to control the population than imprinting upon them a constant and insatiable thirst for wealth? We are consumed by a thirst for money so powerful that it makes us ignore the suffering of other human beings. We presently cannot fathom a world without money, why? Because it has been imprinted on us, by the forces that control us, as to make us conform to their idea of a perfect society.

The real controllers are not the people we vote into office, there is in fact an Invisible Government that works behind the scenes. They are the ones making the real decisions; the truth is that the destinies of billions are systematically planned out by a small contingent of powerful people who think they have right to control the world. The power of the Invisible Government comes from their ability to manipulate the masses. They are at the mercy of the population in the sense that they can only function if they are publicly accepted, or if the public is too ignorant to be aware of their presence. Why are we controlled? Why are we ignorant? Here’s where it gets crazy, because we asked to be. 

In a “free” market society, order can only be achieved though intensive social organization i.e. the focusing/narrowing of choice. How is this done? Well, people who share the same ideas and interests are bound for common action, aren’t they? You may think your choices are your own, but they are in fact the result of a mixture of impressions that have been consciously and subconsciously imprinted on your mind by outside influences. We have asked to be treated this way. We asked for it when we allied ourselves with political parties. We asked for it when we were given a “sure” path to “success” (Elementary + High school + College = Job = Happiness). And we asked for it when we were given different religions to believe in. We were asked to vote for either personal satisfaction or communal happiness, and our selfishness won in a narrow landslide.

We are all addicted to ignorance because it makes us happy. Sure we are all aware of the tragedies that happen to our fellow man on a daily basis, but we are so obsessed with our own personal problems that we simply place that knowledge in the back of our minds. We have become so addicted to the invisible needs and wants that have been imprinted on us that we have lost site of our ability to uplift the sufferings of the impoverished. There is more than enough for everyone, but when the lucky ones who do have the power to change society are busy receiving their daily dose of addiction, the greedy hands that feed them free to hold the bread of the earth for themselves.

Main Reference: Propaganda (1928), by Edward Bernays.

The Price of Our Ignorance

We are all blind for we cannot see

The Price of our Ignorance, the blood we don't bleed.

Trivial at best are our problems,

So heavy is our phony weight of living.

Look not at what they wish you to see,

Open your eyes to the greater reality.

You are being controlled, manipulated, spoiled;

When others know nothing but toil.

Money my brothers and sisters is not our friend.

Seduced we all are by green paper men.

Each dollar stained by blood we don't bleed.

Enslaved we are by the powers that be.

  Billions of lives lost, and yet we stand by

Thinking of that sports car we all wanna ride.

The Price of Ignorance? Its Human life, that's right.

We've made it this way, its on us, its on you.

Don't blame Obama, Stalin, Bush, or Marx.

Take a look in the mirror for a start.

Its not just the man, its his tools;

For a captain cannot sail his ship with no crew.

Pacific Rim Review

Who loves giant robots?

Personally I try to distance myself from trailers, previews, reviews, interviews, and the like. I do this because I try to go into certain experiences without prior expectations. Most of the time I am unsuccessful though because our modern world is filled with sneaky ways that let seemingly harmless information influence our opinions and beliefs. But this isn't an analysis of modern propaganda this is a film review! Right off the bat let me just tell all you readers that Pacific Rim is a contemporary love letter to Mecha fans. If you enjoyed shows with, or even the idea of giant robots, then I highly recommend you immediately stop reading and go see this movie. This review is meant to persuade people who are on the fringes to watch the movie, and to give people who don't want to watch the film a reason to do so. 

What's not to love?

Pacific Rim begins in a big way. We're told that giant monsters called Kaiju have suddenly started appearing out of an inter-dimensional gateway at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Naturally they only seem to be interested in the complete and utter destruction of mankind. Mankind of course invents weapons of mass destruction to fight back; the Jaegers are said weapon, over fifty meters in height (rough estimate) they are humanity's last hope against the Kaiju's. Thankfully, the film's plot doesn't tell the story of how the first Jaegers saved the world; instead the film briefly showcases the great victories of the early Jaegers. The movie doesn't hesitate to deliver what it promises right from the start, meaning viewers should be ready for some shock and awe. 

Shock and awe.

The Jaegers are pretty impressive, but when the Kaiju's start getting bigger they soon start to fall one by one. In a desperate attempt to keep the Kaiju's in check humanity starts building huge Walls of Life around the world's coastlines, these walls of course fail miserably. Thus the last remaining Jaegers are summoned to prepare for a final offensive against the monsters. This is the gist of the notoriously thin plot of the film, but really, what did you expect? 

Despite the film's obvious weaknesses plot-wise it delivers on its overall promise of classic giant robot but kicking. By classic I mean that it reflects all the traits of the classic Japanese Mecha anime. A conflicted hero, a shy yet powerful female protagonist, the mad scientist, the great leader, the rival, etc etc; each character in the film reflects their archetype to perfection. Each archetype is played to perfection in the film; as a result the characters are very one-dimensional. Another trait that the film shares with the Japanese classics is the rich relationships that exist between the Jaegers and the pilots, there are points in the film that make it apparent how these massive weapons of death are more than just tools to those that drive them.

Verdict

Pacific rim is a must see for anyone who enjoys a good action movie, it is essential viewing for any Mecha fan, and it is a worthwhile experience for anyone who can appreciate the ambition and sheer scale of Guillermo del Torro’s vision. Shock and awe are the driving force of the film, and yet you also may find yourself genuinely caring about its plot and characters towards the end. If the film does anything right, it delivers for the first time on the big screen authentic giant robot no nonsense butt kicking action. I highly recommend you go see it.

Has more plot and depth than Pacific Rim ever will, but with no giant robots.

A fake history of the first manned mission to Mars

INT. INSIDE THE SPACESHIP S.S "NEW HOPE". YEAR 2041

Captain Kristof Kirilenko looks down though the window at the red planet. 

Kristof: We did it team, only a few hours left till the weather calms down. Only  moments to go till we set foot on Mars!

The Captain's statement is met with both cheers of excitement and scowls of doubt from his crew. Tatiana Arshavin, his second in command is practically bursting with glee. She has never felt more in love with Kristof until now, the Captain of  course has no idea of his lieutenant's affections.

Tatiana: (Russian) Can you believe it captain? You are going to be the first man to set foot on Mars!

Kristof: Please speak in English lieutenant. It is basic ISP (international space program) protocol. But yes, it is going to be quite the honor.

Their conversation is interrupted by sergeant Jon Anderson. The American officer dislikes being under the command of the Russian captain, but often his duty has to come before his personal vendettas. 

Jon:  Captain, there is a disturbance on the bridge. My scans indicate the presence of unknown life forms. 

Kristof: (Authoritatively) Unknown life forms? Are you certain of  this? 

Jon: (Insulted) Captain I am a first class military  astronaut hand-picked from a group of over three thousand of the USA's best and brightest. I do not claim uncertainties.    

Kristof: (Arrogantly) Ah, a simple yes would have sufficed sergeant. To the bridge then. 

INT. BRIDGE. 

The three arrive at the bridge to find no sign of extraterrestrial life forms. 

Kristof: (Angry) There are no aliens here sergeant! 

Tatiana: (Confused) What's going on Jon?

Jon: (Convincingly) I swear sir! My scans are always right. Let me just return to my lab for the proof.

  Jon steps out of the bridge leaving the two cosmonauts alone.

Tatiana:   Captain, I have a bad feeling about this.

Kristof: You must trust your fellow crew members Tatiana, we are all men and women of honor on this ship. 

(THUD!) The bridge doors close behind the two.

Tatiana: (Scared)  He's locked us in! 

Kristof: (Russian) Calm yourself down woman! I'm sure there is perfectly rational explanation for this.

Kristof walks towards the intercom and proceeds to call up Jon's lab.

Kristof: Jon! There seems to be a problem with the doors.

Jon: (Sadistically) There is no problem... Captain. 

Kristof: What is the meaning of this!

Jon: Did you really think America would allow a damn Russian to be the first man on mars? (Gallantly) You two will remain on the bridge while I as the 3rd in command will have to do my duty and take the first steps onto the planet myself, with an American flag of course. 

Tatiana: (Russian) That fucking Yankee! 

Kristof: (Angry) That's what this is all about? Being the first man on Mars? 

Jon: (Angry) Don't be coy with me you soviet cunt. Being the first man on Mars is EVERYTHING. (Smugly) I'll just tell mission control that you two locked yourselves on the bridge because you couldn't control your affections anymore. 

(Tatiana stands on attention with fear)

Kristof: They'll never believe you. The relationship between me and lieutenant Arshavin is completely professional. 

Jon: They'll believe me when I show them the good lieutenant's diary. "The Captain and I brushed hands today, I think he's starting to have feelings for me. Private Leliana was talking shit about the Captain during lunch, I wanted to punch her prissy little face in." Etc, etc. Amazing how easy it is to translate Russian over the net.

(Tatiana starts sobbing hysterically) 

Tatiana: (Sobbing) I'm sorry captain! 

(Kristof falls to his knees...  Defeated).

Jon: Now if you'd excuse me, I have to start preparing to take the single most important step in American history.

INT. HALL OF RECORDS. YEAR 2200. Mars

Librarian: And that is where the flight record ends. We assume that sergeant Anderson cut the feed off at this point. And that children is why Mars is considered part of the United Colonies of America and not a territory of the Human Alliance. This event marked the beginning of the war between the  UCA and the Human Alliance that still rages on today. 

Review: Grant Morrison's "Happy"

If you could see my thoughts in little clouds above my head while I was reading Happy you would have been treated to a spectacular visual display of "WTF's,""Ooooh's," and single sudden moment of "Oh shit!" That's because Happy is and forever will be one of the most immaginative and unique things I've ever read. 

Writer Grant Morrison is one of the very best writers in comics and his first project for Image does not disappoint. In Happy Grant further explores the power of imagination, introducing us to a obnoxious blue horse (unicorn?) that only the protagonist Nick Sax can see. The banter exchanged between Happy the imaginary horse and Nick is what you'd expect from a conversation between a disgraced alcoholic and a dopey imaginary friend to be.  

The beauty of Happy lies in how it serves as an homage to the potential of our imagination. Maybe the whole story was Nick's mind's attempt to escape from the torture he was receiving, or maybe its his journey though purgatory? I don't want to go too deep into the meaning of the story, so instead I invite all you avid comic fans out there to pick up a copy of Happy and have your own experience in the 5th dimension.

Happy #1-4
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Darick Roberston
Colourist: Richard P Clark, Tony Aviña
Cover Artist: Darick Robertson, Mike Allred, Cameron Stewart, Rian Hughes, Frank Quitely
Letters: Simon Bowland

Publisher: Image 

A Boy and his Bear part 1.5

Adam's Diary/December 12, 2013
     
       I guess I've always known... I mean, who ever heard of a Chow chow that climbs trees? The nice pet doctor man let me keep climber because he has never attacked nobody. I have to keep what climber really is from everybody; when I got back home I told my parents that the pet doctor said that Climber is just the type of Chow chow that needs to hibernate though the winter. They're exact response was: "Your so lucky to have a dog that knows how to take care of itself!" I have now begun to question the intelligence of my parents.