I’m Taking The Remote & Switching Channels

Children, I still won’t be around for much of the time, for all of Autumn and then some more, so I’m leaving you with the TV on. What could possibly go wrong?

Meet your new Nannies! They’ll feed your brain content that’s better than what you can find by endlessly scrolling/swiping or by letting the algorithms bring you whatever gets you riled up. If your attention span is fried, this may unfry it.

• (Ideas Worth Spreading) TED Talks
Subscribe on YouTube. To TED. There, they are mostly addressing topics related to culture, art, technology, and human progress in general. With different voices tackling different issues and matters. You will notice some quite assertive, others quite nurturing, others quite encompassing, and others quite… reviewing. I haven’t heard any yet that’d lead down a foul end. Perhaps they strictly vet ideas before platforming them, so that’s good. But as usual, DON’T FORGET TO USE YOUR BRAIN.

• (Cutting Edge AI Apps) ElevenLabs & Base44
Subscribe on TikTok. To ElevenLabs and to Base44. If you are a designer and/or developer looking to keep up with the newest tools and features, these accounts can keep you going. They bring snippets showcasing or even showing how to implement the latest into your work or your play. And even if you will do none of that, for any reason, it can at least keep you in the loop of what is going on in the present and, right around the corner, arriving in the future.

• (The 7th Art) Sony Pictures
Subscribe on TikTok. To Sony Pics at Home. Okay, maybe you’d rather not use so much brain power and would prefer to simply sit back for a while. Or have room for it, too. That’s fine. Get excerpts and compilations out of films that range from completely safe to eternally scarring. As though life is both a comedy and a tragedy. Because it is. So, might as well get acquainted with it through cinematic clips, potentially the whole movie if you can spare the evening and there is value in it.

This is all I currently recommend you tune into if you’re trying to reduce the noise and restore your ability to focus, getting education along with entertainment, seeing beyond and towards something grander than what you’re already used to.

They post often enough, not necessarily consistently.

I’ll be paying attention as well!

Winners & Losers

For me, personally, in the larger scheme of things, it isn’t a matter of winning or losing. If to “win” you must join in corruption, illusion, and other nonsense that ultimately leads to deterioration, then I’ll take being a “loser”. I won’t think highly or lowly of someone, myself included, merely because they “win” or they “lose” some game. I’ll look at the board, the hand they were dealt, and how they played instead. And if a session is “doomed”, then I’ll play to the best of my ability, making the most and the best of it, until I’m gone or it’s over. In that sense, by my own measure, I still win. I got what I could out of it. I dread the reality of missing out on this more than the reality of not having a “victory”. Again, to be clear, I’m not going down without a fight. But you won’t catch me switching up due to taunts and whatnot. I wholeheartedly welcome those with the same or a similar mindset!

Quick Posting

People, I beg of you, if you can, get a medium where you can just quickly type out your thoughts, feelings, and whatnot to post them (with or without added media). Not having to spend hours or even days, weeks, and months working on something bigger only to get one message across. I know it's wise to reserve artistic energy, and I truly encourage that you do. But if you're the outspoken kind, you should also have the means to be so!

I'm not fond of Meta and wish there was already a better platform for us, free of any shadiness, but it looks like, at the moment, Threads is the best one to keep up with quick shares like that - especially since you can easily categorize your feeds there and have them in chronological order. So please consider posting there, too.

My bandwidth for keeping up with the news is still pretty low. However, I'm already somewhat lurking there. Other platforms can be too much for a depleted being. (Except Tumblr, luv u 4ever, you lawless underground.)

Generative AI Prowess

I'm not completely sure how it all works, yet. I haven't had the chance to fully dive in. I intend to get as familiar with it as I possibly can, though. With its ins and outs, rather than simply marvel at its advancement, while only aware of the most obvious or readily visible. And I'll break it down here, too. Over time.

There are so many AI generations being made every second, automated or not, though. So the gallery is already vast. Do people always prompt their own from scratch, with anything from lazily vague to diligently specific guidelines, or do they pick up something already done and take it as it is, maybe make a few edits here and there? I don't know.

What I can say is that we live in crazy (and deranged) times.
I suggest keeping an open yet discerning mind!

BBL, Putting My Feet on The Ground

Friendly reminder that balance is important. If you've been engaging in contemplation too much for too long, and it is dizzying, you may require some grounding. Whether that's theorizing, hypothesizing, deconstructing and rearranging your entire reality, or going into the abstract in general, grounding exercises can serve you. It doesn't mean you will be negating the value in contemplation. It merely means that you are choosing to, in some amount, ground yourself in something firmer or more 'concrete'. So that you can remain lucid instead of falling into lunacy. Grounding work is such an emphasized concept among spiritual folks because it is so undeniably fundamental and essential to practice as often as it is due when dealing with the spiritual.

It Is Crazy but So Is This

I love creative writing. Because while you can 'create' a whole universe and that pretty much gives you permission to do whatever you fancy and go wherever your whims take you, you can also choose to be very strict about how logically coherent and congruent it is (within itself and consistent across a multiverse). Though I appreciate imaginative works, I've always enjoyed the most when art imitates reality (so that we can learn through and from it). Therefore, for a story to appeal to me, it has to make sense at least to the degree that it MIGHT be possible somewhere and sometime. The project I'm currently on has landed me on topics of the after life (with ghosts) AND above life (with 5D beings). And of course, that can sound insane if merely blurted out with no rhyme or reason. However, I'll be happy to include theories and hypotheses on how and why this or that isn't too far-fetched. I can't claim which one explanation it is for sure. I'm just a mere mortal with limited senses, processing, and access to data. But I can present the possibilities that come to me and let the viewers/readers consider them and maybe realize and ideate more from there, matching or dismatching them. This is also forcing me to stretch my own mind and gather more information, which, as usual, I'm grateful for.

I See What's Becoming of Everything and...

I’m still alive. I’m not switching teams. Even if I’m the last one standing here, I will stand here. I'm with humanity. The other option is much more dreadful to me. You mean to tell me I oughta abandon all rationality and, with it, virtue to join in a mass delusion and denial because a few pieces of sh*t could steamroll over others without remorse and now they want to make the world in their image and/or at their service. Nah. I literally would rather die.

That said, I know I’m not alone. I’m not so special as to be the only one who is this "stubborn". Just oughta survive this wave of nonsense and, ideally, find each other to find more strength in numbers. It is nonsense. And nonsense may spread faster (like a smelly fart), but truth ultimately has the last word, as we make sense of it all (clearing the air). Just gotta keep putting it in the forefront so it isn’t buried for too long (and we don't die from intoxication).

If you prefer to keep your sanity, even as everyone else goes insane, and not even in an artistically inclined manner, stick around those who note, breathe, and speak truth. We might not solve all your problems, but we’ll keep you from being absolutely consumed by lies. Not by telling you what to believe, but by sharing the view.

Then again, I repeat, not even I (so-called horror girlie) can withstand being constantly bombarded with awful news about everyone and everything. I’ll have days when I can tune in and days when I’d rather not. And if you find yourself stressed, overwhelmed, and debilitated, I’d suggest you do the same or similarly. Put the news away or aside when you must. Others who are more capable of handling it in greater doses will keep doing their job. And maybe you can help them be able to do their job instead of trying to do it with or for them, too. 

I’ve come to terms with whatever it will be. Not to be resigned, but to keep doing my best without sabotaging myself with worries and panic. I have plenty on the way, and knowing that puts me at ease, but the more the merrier. Use your gifts and the advantages and privileges you have, and join in contributions to fostering better conditions and circumstances for goodness to flourish.

We definitely can and should do better. Not twist and break ourselves to coddle and enable those who are incapable of leading but still wish to “lead”.

That is... Art

Creative people really be looking at the most disgustingly raw materials you've ever seen in your entire freakin' life and be like, "Yup, I can make a masterpiece out of that." 😵

Hustler Much?

It is as if, hustling, as a last resort, is being idealized and romanticized. To cope with it, to deny the harm it can do. When you overdo it. 

There will be people taking pride and bragging about how they wear themselves to the ground, over and over, and how you should, too. But if you ponder it, what is really in it? Is the work they do even truly helpful, all things considered, directly or indirectly, to merit that sort of sacrifice? Sadly, you will find that, quite often, it is not. On the contrary, rather than a net-positive, it is a net-negative.

There is going to be work that you don’t love, but still ought to do, and there is no denying that. Sometimes you must push yourself to meet a standard, a deadline, a quota, when you’d rather be resting. But if you are severely jeopardizing yourself in the process, continually overlooking your deterioration, who is that going to help? You could lose what made you qualify in the first place, becoming bitter, fried, numb, or even end up suffering from complications that fully disable you and disqualify you.

It is not about being a lazy bum, which won’t be that enjoyable after a while, either. It is about preserving yourself so that you can continue or start giving your best. And depending on your field and what it requires from you, this would be more or less imperative.

You can challenge yourself, improve your strengths, and develop past your weaknesses. But you can also be systematic and strategic enough to minimize strain and maximize return. Work with rather than against yourself. It shouldn’t be a race to be the most damaged, but to be capable, competent, and ultimately formidable. And for that, you OUGHT to stay in shape. Mentally, emotionally, physically…

Yet, part of staying in shape, in more than one aspect, is to go through the ‘tasks’ of rest, repair, and refill. Even machines do it, and you believe yourself above it? Book that as though it is part of your job, because, if you make art, it is. And save yourself from “mysterious” illnesses and injuries. Or just pathetically low or merely mediocre performance. If you have control over your schedule, there is no excuse.

Look at how much more you can accomplish when you bounce back from effective breaks. How your mood affects your mindset, how your mindset affects your outlook, how your outlook affects your approach, and how your approach affects your results. It is worth it.

It’s True, Though, It Shouldn’t Be Imposed

I just want to make it extra clear that I do believe that, if you are wounded, you should take your time and go at your own pace, in order to repair yourself. I would never want to be someone who rushes or even forces ‘recovery’ onto others. 

Some things are way more complex, profound, and delicate than they may appear on the surface. So, “just get over it” wouldn’t do. And I believe it is especially important to have a place and people with whom you can feel and be safe from careless or clumsy attempts at ‘fixing’ you. Or worse, demand that you “forgive and forget”, then open yourself to even more harm. But yes, indeed, being sheltered is ultimately not enough. Ideally, you’d eventually, likely gradually, get to the point where, if you haven’t already, things don’t bother you as much or at all anymore, where you are not triggered to relive trauma or sent into a state of fear and panic. That begins with security on the outside and is completed with security on the inside. Furthermore, even as a fully healed person, there are simply experiences that you’d rather steer clear of, as both your time and energy are precious (and for you to invest accordingly), and you should be free to do that too. 

Live your best life, not a life attempting to prove to anyone that you ‘matured’ and ‘evolved’ and can again and again endure and tolerate stuff that you’re better off without. I’m with you in that. And I'm wishing that the means for it never lack and are always within your reach. ✌

Following the Herd? Don't Go There!

Don’t do the thing everybody else is doing, as though it is okay, even though it is not. If you have already started, it is never too late for you to stop (whether or not you have forever lost good people because of it). But especially if you have NOT done it, do not start now. It is not okay, no matter how many people are doing it. Maybe they are vile or maybe they have an extremely valid reason for it that justifies it (and you do not). If you habitually do the wrong thing, at most, you only have potential for others as a 'convenient asset', nothing more. And that may be generous and/or have you on "thin ice".

People-Pleaser Much?

Is being a people-pleaser worth it? When you’re the book definition of a people-pleaser, the only people you really please are other people-pleasers and abusers - people who are more than happy to endlessly be catered to and pleased.

All while increasingly losing yourself to a fog of falsehoods because your true thoughts and feelings may not be compatible with what you would believe would be ‘pleasing’. You may even stop having your own, as you no longer pause to ask yourself what you feel or think about a situation. Instead, you instantly go to ponder or (in even more lousy attempts) assume what another or others might prefer from you.

Don’t get it twisted, however. To stop being a people-pleaser, as described above, you don’t have to go all the way opposite to it and become a “people-displeaser”, choosing only yourself at all times or even going out of your own way to ‘prove’ that you won’t bother at all about others. That would likely put you in the abusers category.

The issue is that, if you wish to be authentic, whole, and secure in yourself, being a people-pleaser won’t take you there. You might get applause, acceptance, and belonging, but that’s not truly directed at and embracing all of you, is it?

People-pleasing can be a requirement to survive dangerous and dire situations, and a lot of us come from or go through that in life, so it is understandable. However, when it is carried out without a legitimate need for it, it can turn into something far uglier. What may have started as a habit then becomes manipulation for status and more, whether within an individual’s priorities or within a group’s hierarchy. And perhaps you are all playing that same game as if it is the norm, while secretly resenting each other or just having lower opinions than those shared. And if that is your world, you are free to stay in it.

Nevertheless, when it comes to actually having and showing humanity, the drive to please others comes from different motivations. And calling you a ‘people-pleaser’ when that is the case would be inaccurate. It is not about pleasing. It is about considering others, caring for them, and wishing to contribute to them, for their sake. Yet, simultaneously, doing so, if they are worthy of such gestures (or you are merely, unfortunately, under that impression), it will bring you fulfillment, too. Especially if you were able to contribute from parts of you that are unequivocally you. You are simply being, existing as you are, and that is enough.

So when you take yourself into account, respecting and loving yourself, not only do you discover more of who you are, but you also treat yourself to what you both need and want, as a human, which will literally be filling you with more to give, making you more abundant. In what? Who knows! Whatever your particular brand of human is.

It can be lonely; it is not a recipe for guaranteed and immediate popularity. But it is on you to decide whether you will invest in yourself, to bring forth your best version and reach your potential, or in some nebulous and evershifting concept you can adapt or contort yourself into. If the latter comes easily for you, it may be the sensible option. But if it is painfully unbearable, you should definitely look into completely dropping people-pleasing.

It Is Bad Out There

Affirm with me: If I do not have the power to change the world at large, I may have the power to affect significant portions of it. And if I cannot do that either, I may have the power to better the lives of many. And if I also cannot manage that, I may have the power to shelter and mend a few from the cruelties of the world. Aiming high, but I am taking what I can get.

Niceties & Pleasantries Not Required

When you know what you are doing, give yourself the chance to do what you oughta do. Not everybody has to understand it and accept it - or even follow along. You don’t need permission from others for every single step you take. You may have the option to report back and let them chime in, and that can go in your favor, but keep it from detracting from your work. Furthermore, you can minimize distractions (including socialization). Being "rude" in that sense won’t matter at all when results (and simply moving toward them) make up for it.

So You're Trying to be Helpful rather Than Unhelpful...

Surprisingly, not everybody is out only for themselves. There are still a few people around who, when they see another in pain and suffering, they are compelled to help. As though your troubles are theirs. Rather than completely eager to jump to the rescue, however, they may be guarded and overral reluctant, for one reason or another, but still wish they could do something about it.

These people, who are capable of both empathy and compassion, have likely encountered a handful of ungrateful and exploitative beings that took advantage of their caring nature. And if they haven’t, they may have been warned. And if neither of those, then… hopefully, they will somehow make it through when it happens. Without losing themselves. Without getting stuck in bitterness and cynicism. Without staying depleted, damaged, or even broken.

It is risky business, indeed. A “weakness” some would say, attempting to belittle or even discourage it. Yet, ultimately, it is a set of abilities that can be mastered to the point where it causes no harm. Not to others and not to yourself. Besides, some of us have found that ‘disowning’ that side of us leaves us lacking purpose, and literally debilitates us, so it is not really a recommendable option, not even for our own sake, to become indifferent or even selfish.

But how can you be helpful? When somebody is ill and/or wounded, psychologically or otherwise, it is a very delicate matter. So just wanting to be helpful won’t do. You will have to genuinely want the issue to be taken care of, whatever it takes for that to be. This means that this isn’t a moment for you to shine. It might turn out that way, if you successfully manage to tend to it, but that shouldn’t be the point.

Be attentive!

• Forget what you want. What do they need?

• Is your interference welcome or at least indispensable?

• Is there something to remove or clean up?

• Are there ways to lower or distract from the pain and suffering while working on it?

• Are they missing nourishment of some sort?

• How gentle, subtle, and discrete should you be about it?

• Would mere company, whether silent or validating, bring comfort?

• Is it time to step back and let time (and new experiences) do the rest?

It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: Being in a vulnerable position, unless you enjoy playing the victim, is not at all fun. It might be okay to bring some humor to it and lighten things up a little if that’s something you can pull off and they appreciate it. But making it so that it is humiliating to receive or require your help borders on or crosses over to being sadistic. Abstain.

All this said, if your intentions were good and you still messed up, apologize and (if due) make amends. Depending on the severity, it will be fine sooner or later. And you will be remembered as someone who tried.

Furthermore, always remember that you, too, matter. Overextending yourself will put you in a position where you can no longer help so well. And overextension can refer to anything from doing more than you can handle to doing for abusers what could have been done for somebody more reciprocal and honorable, or simply innocent.

That's Not Power

There is a difference between being powerful and having access to power (or being granted power). Quite often, powerless individuals lean on the latter to appear the former. The excessive displays of "power" tell on them. When they can hardly sit still or be quiet for long, when almost or even anything can rile them up, when the spotlight is not on them and they rudely act out to get it back on... that is a powerless person desperate to hold on to power that they do not legitimately have. And many people can see it.

As an Agent of Change & Progress...

You should take seriously what is serious. At one point or another, you become the adult. That is, the person who is responsible not only for yourself, but also for others. And it may be tempting to endlessly delegate this burden. But then you look around and realize that everything is going downhill because you haven’t stepped up as the grown-up.

Yes, it can be heavy, frightening even, and you may suffer from imposter syndrome, wondering about whether or not you are even capable of such a role, worrying you will make it worse rather than better. But this paralysis is not a valid excuse to forever put off what evolution itself is counting on you for. You are supposed to help carry things forward. Otherwise, what are you doing?

You are not alone in the fight and, even if you were, it can start with you. When it looks as though everyone is headed toward their own destruction, or the destruction of everything else that does not concern them, you must stand firm in being somebody who doesn’t just roll with it. Eventually spot or urge others to join you in it.

Then, if you have taken it upon yourself, against all 'convenience', how do you even go about it? How do you move toward better rather than worse?

• Work on yourself first and foremost. Not to get stuck there, solely invested in that, but as what’s by default. If you are in poor condition, there is only so much that you can successfully tend to. Check your ego, check your distortions, check your competence, improve yourself, and so on.

• Actively practice discernment with honesty. Truth hurts, and reality can be harsh, but you cannot make good decisions while operating upon illusions and lies. You might “get along” and “get ahead”, but you wouldn’t be working in alignment with what is. A lousy foundation to say the least. Take it in small doses if you ought to.

• Identify existing problem areas. Look around. What do you see? Search for problems that must be addressed and solved. How many of those are you equipped to handle or assist with? If there is nothing or little that you can do, you probably can bring attention to them for others more capable to take over. Prioritize as required.  

• Have a solutions-oriented mindset. Challenges and obstacles abound. And as if that’s not enough, likely sabotage too. You will be easily discouraged and even give up if you don’t constantly remind and ask yourself for what could be done about this and that. Instead of resorting to merely weighing how hard and difficult something is.

• Be resourceful and willing to get your hands dirty. You may have been taught or conditioned to seek perfection and set the perfect example, proving yourself and others how much you can properly accomplish, but this isn’t about you and your capabilities - this is about getting results towards what’s right.

Clearly, it all is infinitely more complex, but these are 5 points to carry with you, while under various sets of circumstances, and send you on your way.

It's Simple, Anywhere, with Simple Tools in Hand

Alright, there’s a whole bunch of stuff to take in, sort out, and ultimately solve. Whether that’s personal issues or work matters. These days, though, you can pretty much work from anywhere, with various tools accessible to you, so there’s no valid excuse to neglect your duties or make progress with your projects.

If you have a neat and comfortable spot at home, that’s fantastic. But if you move around frequently or could use a change of scenery, work can come with you. If you have a laptop or merely a tablet with additional accessories (keyboard, mouse, etc.), you can easily get plenty done while out and about (given that there aren't too many or grave distractions). However, beware of completely trading all of your opportunities for required rest and whatnot - those are essential!

For me, with how hectic everything is, how much is already on my plate, and how stressed and overwhelmed I can be, I prefer to keep my toolkit simple. Choosing applications with a simple interface that make their use simple. Yet, still efficient and effective for what I do. For example, there is…

For handling information:

Google Docs, Sheets, Slides.

For proofreading/writing revisions:

NaturalReaders.

For making quick pictures (and even videos):

Canva.

For making quick videos:

Capcut.

For generating AI images:

Leonardo.Ai

For generating AI BGM:

Suno.Ai

This is, like, the bare minimum. Like, if free time is nowhere to be found and you must make the most of what little you have, as someone who makes content, they are okay to start with. They’ll let you put together what you must without much hassle. How nice it ends up being is on you. And if you are serious about getting into art, being an artist and making artworks, you should strive to have space to instead handle and master tools that let you get more personal, particular, and peculiar with your craft. (These are user-friendly, some to a fault.)

For ideas:

Lastly, I prefer NOT to use AI tools, such as the (in)famous ChatGPT, for research, as I cannot trust them for that, nor for fabricating my own material, because of numerous reasons, but they are undeniably handy for wording and ‘brainstorming’ (ask for lists with many options to pick from and for suggestions to consider), as well as coding (if you ever have to do some of that too). Or just for those instances when you already know the answer, but cannot bring yourself to type it out, and it is not mandatory that you do. Get it to spell it out for you, check if it is correct, and make adjustments (if due) before passing it over.

Again, much more advanced and sophisticated tools exist if you’d rather get artsy, but if all you can afford is to make your work presentable, these will do. So they’re recommendable solutions. 

Even in unideal conditions, tempting as it may be, don't skip practicing critical and creative thinking, though! (People are increasingly becoming dumber, lacking appropriate brain exercise and allowing brain rust and rot. Let's not join in that!)

World, You Can Do Better...

Fundamentally, I want and need a world that is based on truth and structured toward legitimate progress for humanity and humankind. I cannot exist in a world that is held in place by ignorance and deceit while accommodating and enabling vices above virtues. That is a world that kills my spirit and I will not play a part in my own undoing.

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, remedies 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.