The Artist's RPG / Components: Globe

GLOBE

INTEGRATORS

WORLD - SOCIETY - LIFESTYLE

There are structures, rules, norms, and more that make up what this place is made of. Perhaps exclusively so. Limits, too, that we may be tempted to cross and venture out of. That we could or could not get past, regardless of our wishes. You are seeing how it is all shaped and, whether you realize it or not, it is shaping you.

“Is all you have seen all there is? Aliens exist! And hopefully, heroes too.”

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We all start somewhere. We are born or come into a place we haven’t been in before, or do not have, for one reason or another, a recollection of. It is unfamiliar, so we look around and step forward, gradually familiarizing ourselves with it.

There are structures, rules, norms, and more that make up what this place is made of. Perhaps exclusively so. Limits, too, that we may be tempted to cross and venture out of. That we could or could not get past, regardless of our wishes. You are seeing how it is all shaped and, whether you realize it or not, it is shaping you.

As you move through, within, or around, meeting characters, making choices, facing challenges, and overcoming obstacles, you are a part of it and further become more of it. Ironically, even as you try to be anything but it, because even that differentiation is forged from that place. You still came from it. And possibly, if you decide, you could go elsewhere. And again, it could leave a lasting impression.

Traveling across the globe expands your horizons as you get to witness and experience different ways of existing and co-existing. Agreeable or not, questionable or not, recommendable or not. And let’s not forget the souvenirs you could collect. It is enriching.

Yet, as varied and complete a globe may be, there are more out there, far away. Their configuration could be similar, and allow life, or so beyond what we know that it is difficult to imagine, and still allow life. What is it like over there? 

Could it be conceived based on what is here? Maybe not, but we can wonder and wander.

What Even Is All This?

So you’ve stepped into a world that’s pretty much a mess. Even worse, you blinked and, suddenly, it became. It seems impossible to keep up, let alone begin to figure out what it is all about. Pick your battles, though, because you cannot possibly cover everything at once.

Technology keeps advancing, at a rate that seems to quicken exponentially. Or maybe merely the releases do. Whatever the case, the world is changing, and that can work in your favor or against you. And you must keep up at least to the extent that it won’t render you obsolete.

But wait! Where is your childlike eagerness to wander off? To be curious about all that the world has to offer? Well, it may still be there, somewhere within you, but with the amount of responsibilities that you currently have, you cannot simply yield to that yearning.

The good news is that, although there is indeed much to get into and grasp, there is also much available that is ready for you to try and utilize. Paths have been paved, mysteries have been solved, cures have been found, monsters have been defeated, and, overall, plenty has already been illuminated.

The problem now, however, is how much of that gets buried under the mess. Misinformation and disinformation run rampant, along with bots, and all the spammers and scammers around that couldn’t give less of a damn. You might have to dig, discern, and become a curator. If not, rely on a trustworthy curator who skillfully does this. But even then, get involved. It is important for you to learn to distinguish between what is true and what is false, what is valuable and what is worthless, and what you just cannot really tell.

 AI is practically everywhere, forcing you to recognize that, yes, you have already stepped into a ‘futuristic’ era, as if straight out of a science-fiction movie. And this can be terrifying, to say the least. Photos, sounds, videos, all can be fake, fabrications posing as real humans. Algorithms feeding you content are… questionable. Connected smart devices and robots, pretty much normalized. Money still rules the world and a dangerously high percentage of people are morally bankrupt. Not only that, many even seem to lack the foresight (or care) to see that they’re leading to their own destruction. In that sense, the future doesn’t look too bright.

It can be fun to play with all these modern tools, but at what cost? Many of them weren’t made ethically, disregarding the harm they caused while being built and the harm they can cause you and your surroundings while in use. Until it affects them. And that’s just something to keep in mind so you don’t naively believe that everyone and everything has your best interests at heart. In fact, only a few do.

That said, this is indeed an astonishing time to be alive. Perhaps you are old enough to remember life unplugged. So you get to see the before and after. Quite a significant transition in history, if you ask me. It could be worse; you could be in a period completely devoid of humanity and human progress. And we are not, not yet.

Ascendant Overview

In the case of the Ascendant, it primarily affects your outer personality and initial approach to life. The Ascendant, just as it marks the zodiac point rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth, represents the threshold between the inner self and the outer world. Essentially, the Ascendant stands for the default mode of operating in given situations. And it is in and through it that adaptability, presence, and personal style develop.

What are Planetary Placements?

For context and more of relevance, please read about The Zodiac.

Planetary Placements

There is more to your astrological composition than what your Sun sign has to say. Typically, we only hear about our Sun sign, as if it is the be-all and end-all. And while the Sun, indeed, has a prominent role, there is still much else to factor into the equation. Numerous stars and placements make up what is called a Birth Chart.

Planets and more might be working with signs that are anywhere from very favorable to very unfavorable to their nature. However, interesting and even valuable traits can manifest from any combination.

For context and more of relevance, please read about The Zodiac.

Dumb & Awful

People think I'm arrogant and have a superiority complex when I snap at them for not being/doing better. But it's like... I'm dumb and awful AF, how can you be EVEN MORE DUMB AND AWFUL THAN ME, OMFG?!
Are we this DOOMED? 😫

What are The Odds?

Sometimes I don't know what's crazier, something extraordinarily exceptional happening by mere chance or by thorough planning...

Low Key Still Here

I have been far from in the mood of showing up in the flesh, and it’s looking like much of this year will continue to keep me in that state, but I’d rather not miss out on having a couple of ‘proofs of existence’ and markers of the passage of life, capturing what currently is and what later has been.

So, tired as I was (and still am), I pushed myself to do it, to go through the strenuous task of taking more selfies (hate to take them, love to have them). And also get to say Hi again!

I’m here, I’m around. Stressed, overwhelmed, exhausted, but still on this unbelievable ride that’s making me learn whether I like it or not. Much to process, but ignorance isn’t an option I’d take or recommend. Being a dummy? In this economy?! Can’t afford that!

Hello from your sleep-deprived student, dorm-room neighbor, self-proclaimed culture critic…

Reasoning The Evidence

I kid a lot. But the truth remains that I'm simply agnostic, all around. There's much that I can neither prove nor disprove. So I ought to roll with some variation of "Cool story, bro. Would be [something] if it were really the case!" Else, I'd be paralyzed or go insane.

The Artist's RPG / Components: Puzzle

PUZZLE

INTEGRATORS

OVERVIEW - DETECTION - MATCHES

This existence is but a giant puzzle. Made of countless puzzles more. And if you’re lucky, you stumble upon the pieces, notice them, pick them up, and can place them where they belong. It is not about forcing them to fit into a vision, but about letting them reveal the vision. What picture are they painting?

“It is a mystery until it is not. Inconceivable until not. Impossible ’til not.”

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Intrigue and fascination are ever-present. There is more to see, more to catch, more to put together. And far too often, something just seems off. Not quite right. Or not quite as simple. Can’t put your finger on it, not yet. And might not rest until you do.

There are trees, of course, beautifully intricate leaves too, but don’t miss the forest. Take a step back, or several, and realize how limited your point of view is or has been. Furthermore, how looks can be deceiving. Can you really be sure that you are seeing what is truly there?

All you know is that there is a, perhaps secret, order in the chaos of confusion, of all that has not been made sense of. And every now and then, here and there, you get a clue, you figure something out, it clicks into place. And it can be euphoric. It is all coming together in astonishing ways.

This existence is but a giant puzzle. Made of countless puzzles more. And if you’re lucky, you stumble upon the pieces, notice them, pick them up, and can place them where they belong. It is not about forcing them to fit into a vision, but about letting them reveal the vision. What picture are they painting?

The pieces may be laid in front of you, waiting for your attention and some organization, or scattered around, for you to search and hold on to until you are finally able to tell where they go.

How many times did you encounter a piece of a puzzle, ignore it, and later go back for it? They aren’t always so obvious. And even while getting a tingling of suspicion, you might choose to brush it off. Only to then be surprised by how relevant it ultimately was.

Overstimulating, So-So, Understimulating

Easier said than done, but you must always remember your ability to make the most out of situations. It is not always possible, granted, and often you can only do so much, but adopting a ‘How can I work with this?’ outlook goes further than a ‘Why won’t this go my way?!’ attitude when it is not within your hands to immediately change your circumstances.

Yes, things can be frustrating. And worse than that, they can be debilitating. Harmful and destructive even. And in such cases, you must fight to get to where you’re as safe as possible as soon as possible. Then, once there, you can get to work.

What is going on and how is it affecting you? Is it too much all at once? Is it too little all of a sudden? Or is it a happier medium in between? Though you can (and likely should) strive to set and maintain your ideal levels of stimulation, within some favorable range, it is not guaranteed that you’ll have control over what does or doesn’t happen for and/or around you.

You are not necessarily stuck, though. Chances are that this, too, shall pass. And while it is on, believe it or not, it could be a bundle of countless opportunities for you to do what you otherwise wouldn’t be able to. So take advantage of it while you still can!

Overstimulation? There is a lot happening? This is your chance to look and spot all the raw materials that can be useful to your craft, with an overwhelming amount of options, and ultimately select what you will be turning into art.

So-so? Something is somewhat happening? This is your chance to have a balanced approach between picking and packing what pertains to your field, with minor or no adjustments to your pace and approach, just doing some of this and some of that here and there.

Understimulation? Nothing seems to be happening? This is your chance to search within, into what you are already carrying with you, or to dive into what the past or the future may hold, via research and reflection, so that you can bring it forth as it deserves in your own manner.

It helps to keep in mind that, regardless, there is inspiration to be found and to be had. It’ll be on you to get yourself to where you can catch it, rather than be consumed and defeated by the irritation that comes with being overwhelmed or the boredom that comes with being underwhelmed. But nonetheless, things are probably not as helpless as they can intially come across. And who knows? Maybe you will later see, in hindsight, how it was in your favor.