Category: philosophy

mausoleums and paranormal mechanics

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It’s weird; for an agnostic who believes only in what is, I sure write a lot about what isn’t.

Because maybe it is somewhere. In enough universes, enough dimensions, who knows what the baselines might be?

That’s the fun of it. I actually loved the idea of imagination being a primary power source for dimensional travel in Black Science. It makes perfect sense.

And as I struggle to lay the basis of the lore of Nggoth, I can’t help but wonder…

What else is out there?

What else could possibly be?

There are no limits save those we place on ourselves, at least in the dimensional teleports of imagination.

Target: 1600 words
Written: 1683 words, novel: Father Lightning

Read: The Stand, Stephen King
Comics: Invincible Universe 1-3, Invincible 102
Music: Full Swing: Act 1, Various, but mostly for the Big Rude Jake

is kindness only meaningful in anonymity?

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I’m not sure that’s entirely true, because sometimes, I would think publicity would be impossible to ignore. One isn’t always unseen, and kindness rarely limits itself to one-on-one interactions.

But do we do it solely for the glory? For the good feeling?

I think that’s the rub. It’s okay to feel good about doing good things; one should feel good about doing good things. But it shouldn’t be the motivator, the only reason.

Good deeds done selfishly, in order to feel good, can still do good, however. Of course, it should never be contingent on that.

If it is, it’s little better than running a charity for the social status; it may do some good, but it’s probably more about lining your pockets and getting you access than doing good for others.

In a case like that, the ‘others’ are bound to be neglected.

It becomes about the appearance of good, instead of actual good. I think that’s what a lot of my fellow lefties tend to forget. It’s not the optics that matter. It’s the results.

Hence, why I get pissed as social media liberals, more interested in cultivating a reputation for being on the right side of things than actually being on the right side. It’s why there’s so little rational evaluation of the outrage generated by ‘cancellation’.

(And don’t get me wrong – the right wing are the king of snowflake hysterics. They get their nuts all in a twist over trans athletes that don’t even exist, for pete’s sake, or the “war on Christmas”, which has yet to even become a skirmish anywhere except in their own minds.)

Anyways, my point is, whether people know it or not, it’s good to be good to people. We don’t do it for the glory; we do it because it’s the right thing to do.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds – Matthew 5:15-16.

Of course, that sounds like you need to let everyone know you’re doing good, but hey, that’s a discussion for another day.

Target: 1600 words
Written: 899 words, novel: Father Lightning

Read: The Stand, Stephen King
Comics: Invincible 95-96, Guarding The Globe v2 2-3
Music: Fueling The Flames Of A Revolution: A-F Records, Anti-Flag

rainy day card games

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And other such fun. We did get out for lunch, which was nice, but yeah. If I’m going to be stuck in my cabin all day, maybe it shouldn’t be with the whole gang, and no time to read, and a goddamned plugged toilet minutes before I go to bed (not my fault).

I’ll be honest. I am short-fused when I don’t get that sweet, sweet alone time.

It is something I wish the people around me truly understood.

It is something the world, in its current incarnation, barely understands, with its constant notifications, constant connection, constant updates.

Never was a world more lonely than the one where no one ever shuts up.

Target: 1600 words
Written: 2604 words, novel: Father Lightning

Read: The Stand, Stephen King
Comics: Invincible 68-69, Invincible Presents: Atom Eve & Rexsplode 1-2
Music: Frizzle Fry, Primus (fuck, I forgot what a killer album this is)

the water

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Today, I return to the cold depths of Lake Temagami.

I cannot wait.

It’s like anywhere we go with the water – rivers, lakes, oceans or otherwise.

It is the lungs of the earth. The heartbeat.

There is no better way to commune.

Target: 1600 words
Written: 1611 words, novel: Father Lightning

Read: The Stand, Stephen King
Comics: Dynamo 5 22-23, Invincible 64-65
Music: Friction, Baby, Better Than Ezra (what a dick you must have been to have someone name a band after how much better than are than you)

i’m in awe of cj

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As I start the second Faded Sun book, I am again obliterated by the depth of C.J. Cherryh’s creations, the sensitivity of her character creation, the solidity of her cultures, the fluidity of its machinations.

I’ve read a lot of science fiction, and I have yet to find anyone who creates so much depth, so many instantly memorable characters.

Vanye and Morgaine are breathtaking in their complexity; the mri and Sten Duncan fascinating in their mystery.

C.J., if you’re out there, you are far, far too underrated.

I am lost in your worlds.

Target: 1600 words
Written: 800 words, novel: Father Lightning

Read: The Faded Sun: Shon'jir, C.J. Cherryh
Comics: Dynamo 5 15-16, Brit v2 8, Noble Causes 36
Music: Freak Magnet, Violent Femmes

for the record, charity

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I don’t think charity is necessarily a negative or that it’s always motivated by selfishness.

My personal opinion is that all charities should exist to solve a problem (solve, not just mitigate), then close up shop and let donations flow elsewhere.

Where money is involved, there will be corruption. That’s an inescapable fact of money.

Where exists the possibility for greed, there will be greed. And greed has no place in charity or kindness.

That’s the point I’m getting at – after all. the Trump family runs numerous charities and we all know they don’t give a shit about anybody but themselves.

Solve the problem and get out. Exist only on what you need to exist; make sure the bulk goes where it’s needed, not where it’s desired.

And remember – kindness need not cost a damn thing.

Target: 1600 words
Written: 1617 words, novel: Father Lightning

Read: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, Jules Verne
Comics: Dynamo 5 14, Brit v2 5-6, Noble Causes 34 (reading this version of Brit makes me feel like I'm having a stroke; or the writer is having a stroke, or the writer's first language isn't English, and has used 2006 Google translate to create the English dialogue.  The sentences don't even make sense, and if it's for effect, the effect is unintelligible pseudo-babble.)
Music: Frankenchrist, Dead Kennedys (okay, Frank Turner on hold, getting too into it)

charity

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Is charity the same as kindness? It certainly can be.

It can also be a way of keeping people dependent. Or making oneself look good at the expense of someone else’s suffering.

Is charity truly kindness, or does that depend entirely on circumstances?

Certainly, there are hundreds of charities that exist solely to be someone’s write-off, a billionaire’s scam, a business where the CEO still pays themselves like a Fortune 500 CEO (see Way, United).

An act of kindness does not have to be charity.

It does not even have to be nice. Sometimes, the greatest kindness is telling someone a hard truth. It may not seem kind, but lying to them, or allowing them to continue to live a lie is far more cruel.

Sometimes, the kindness is in saying nothing at all.

Sometimes, it’s not helping at all. Letting someone find her own way.

Sometimes, charity is another word for condescension. Another word for oppression.

Another word for kindness.

Context and perspective are everything.

Target: 1600 words
Written: 570 words, novel: Father Lightning

Read: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, Jules Verne (here we go again with the cannibals)
Comics: Noble Causes 32-33, Dynamo 5 12-13
Music: Undefeated, Frank Turner

forty nine

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One year short of a half-century. Half a century use to seem ancient.

Would that I could start over. What I could do, how I could live, with the things I know now; I don’t mean specific knowledge.

I mean the whole how-to-live thing. What’s important. What to focus on.

When to take action. When to relax.

Wouldacouldashoulda.

Target: 1600 words
Written: 1534 words, novel: Father Lightning

Read: Wizard At Large, Terry Brooks
Comics: Invincible 33-34, Noble Causes 22-23
Music: Fossil Fuels: The XTC Singles Collection 1977-1992, Discs 1-2, XTC

i still have thoughts

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But they’ll have to wait for tomorrow – today, I’ve learned that our newest cat and our oldest dog have odd looking growths on their gums and butt respectively, and now, all I can think is that I’ve had nowhere near enough time.

Hold tight to those you love; they could be ripped away at any second.

In this dangerous world, love is a gift, to be given freely and without remorse.

Until it’s gone.

Then, there can be a little remorse.

Or a lot, if it’s as special as my Mazy and Sami.

Target: 1600 words
Written: 1806 words, novel: Father Lightning

Read: Enchanter's End Game, David Eddings (okay, I know, I know, Eddings is a problematic, kept the kid in the basement and fed him fish heads with my wife kind of problematic, but this was still a strong series, and it ended beautifully.  I teared up a little at Polgara giving up all her power at the end, and then... well. I won't spoil it.  It's a goddamn shame that these days, no one can be brilliant without the caveat of cancellation.  I'm not saying he was right in what he did; I am saying we don't know what his eventual response was - this was all pre-publication.  Maybe he learned from it.  Maybe he grew.  Maybe his philosophies were shaped by his mistakes, in a way that opposed the error of his ways.  All I'm saying is that there are zero people in this world that are perfect; what matters is growth and change, not perfection.  If we insist on perfection, we end up with heartbreak.  Best to take a wider approach).
Comics: Marvel Team-Ups 14, Noble Causes 17-18, Invincible 28
Music: Forth, The Verve (sully on)

exhale

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The anger is going.

It is not gone, but the only way to truly forgive oneself is to let go.

Let go and take action.

That’s all one can do.

One cannot be free until one lets go of guilt, and then moves to make amends.

Or at the very least, not to repeat the mistake.

Target: 1600 words
Written: 1594 words, novel: Father Lightning

Read: Enchanter's End Game, David Eddings
Comics: The Pact 1-2, Noble Causes 10, Invincible 0
Music: For Tomorrow, Blur