Communication is Key, However...

Is love, or at least care, there? There is a huge difference between being with someone who is willing to learn about you, understand you, meet you in the middle (or even a few steps further), figure out how to be there for you, and put forward what they can offer you AND being with someone who wouldn’t bother with it if they had the option. It might not be enough.

There are so many guides and pieces of advice all around, about how to make someone fall for you and/or do what you want or need them to do, that lead away from genuine bonds and connections. Do they work? Well, they do, if an empty or even fake relationship is something you’re fine with or even looking for.

However, if that’s not what you’re aiming at, you should steer clear of any tactics and strategies that ask you to behave in a desperate manner (begging, manipulating, forcing) for the illusion of ‘having’ someone with you. Relationships do take work, rarely do they smoothly and perfectly click together without any issue, not to mention trial and error, but you ought to watch where it’s coming from.

Are they drawn to you? Do they appreciate you? Would they consider you? And likewise, are you drawn to them, do you appreciate them, would you consider them? As a person, not merely as somebody to fill that role of granting you a relationship or certain benefits that come with it? Is this compelling to put in the effort?

In the best of cases, there may be misunderstandings. One or both of you may be having an off or low day. Possibly, something happened that caused a block or perhaps exhaustion. Therefore, the popularized phrase, albeit quite useful, “if they wanted to, they would,” doesn’t always apply. So you can’t always expect an eagerness to respond. Nonetheless, you often can still tell when somebody cares and, under different circumstances, would gladly show up for you. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re obligated to stick around, that’s a decision to make, but the more you know...

When the willingness is there (and it is not terribly obstructed somehow), communication is easier. The undivided attention and the attentive listening aren’t things you have to repeatedly fight for. Your words don’t get frequently misconstrued for the worst. You are not ‘too needy’ for expressing what you require to be and remain close to them. You are in this together, not against each other.

Unfortunately, this is not the norm, but an ideal that you’re fortunate to find if you do. Emotional maturity and responsibility don’t come by that often. And that’s without getting into compatibility and the odds of it. 

Many give up and, despite their wishes, settle for less. But if that seems unbearable to you, making being alone preferable, then keep your standards.

3 Habits for Longevity

Doing your best and giving your all is great. Being intensely invested, hyper-focused, and making the most of every second can indeed get you far, may even come with a thrill. But that will be short-lived, causing you to then fall behind, if you don’t also factor in what would promote longevity.

• Taking Care & Resting
We know we have to and we hear we ought to. Yet, so often, we’re guilty of neglecting this extremely important matter. There is always an emergency or an urgency with something somewhere. And it’s natural to be compelled to tend to it. Furthermore, life gets shorter and shorter, and that makes it more and more tempting to fill our schedules and our to-do lists with as much as we could possibly cover. It is good to be that motivated into action. However, in order to continue to be so, we must also make sure that we are properly taking care of ourselves and resting the appropriate amount. It may seem like a setback in the moment, but it is instead ensuring that you continue to be motivated and taking action, without that gradually or abruptly declining.

• Unwinding & Meditating
What happens if you start throwing various items, of different kinds, into a room? What if they keep coming, more and more, without an end to it? The pile of items grows while the room remains the same size. Soon, you’ll start harshly pushing them in to ‘make space’ for more, though with little success. Some may even break. Many will bounce back. And then, when you try to find anything, what a mess! Not only that, you completely miss out on which items went with which other items. Does this seem like an ideal, or even reasonable, situation to you? This is basically what happens when you don’t take time to unwind and meditate. You’ve inundated your psyche with information that you haven’t processed (or, if due, released). Quite likely, it will make you restless and irritable too. Not to mention clueless and confused. You might eventually explode, along with carrying a sense of heaviness that gets worse and worse. So next time you feel like sitting back and staring into the distance, there’s a chance it is more productive than it may seem.

• Being Selective with ‘No’ and ‘Yes’
And firm about it. There is only so much that you can take on. And not only that. There is only so much that does align with you, is meant for you, and will take you closer to your highest you. A majority of things are mere distractions and delays, many of them harmful to your being if not just depleting. You might not always be able to tell which is which, but as soon as you realize that a ‘No’ is merited, you can give it without remorse. This doesn’t exempt you from accountability and responsibility, however, do not get it twisted out of convenience. This is reserved for what would actually keep you or hold you back from your greater version, where you can be abundant and generous. And be able to say ‘Yes’, to more that’s worthwhile, without issue.

Take a moment to reflect. What is lacking in you that could use some work? What can you work on personally developing now?

Types of Brands you will Encounter as an Artist

As an artist, and in other roles too, there are different types of people that you will encounter. They may prove to be anywhere from extremely favorable to extremely unfavorable to you. Here are only a few (more might be added in the future). Not necessarily in descending order from best to worst, but grouped by how recommendable they are or not to be invested in. And under this category, as brands.

Recommendable
• The Solution
What you’ve been striving for or struggling with, the mission or task that you’ve been on, that you are better not doing on your own, they take over and solve it for you. And no, it is not a ‘they tried’ or ‘they had the intention to’. It is an undeniable solution to your problem. Problem solved, literally. You can sigh in relief now. And spread the word in solidarity. Definitely worth it.

• The Complement
What you’re working or have worked on can go side-by-side with what they’re working or have worked on. You could do without them, but you’re bigger and/or better with them. Your ‘much’ is ‘muchier’. And bringing them along is like introducing a missing piece and revealing more of the picture. It may be a luxury, but of the fine kind.

• The Small/Local
They’re often assumed to be unserious, but it can be quite the opposite. In certain cases, you will find the most devoted and dedicated people, giving their all to offer the best quality they can, intensely invested in their craft. They just haven’t, for one or another reason, scaled up. And having your own criteria to figure out which is which, and to dismiss vanity metrics or even peer pressure, speaks highly of you. Plus, it shows support.

• The Public Service
Especially after becoming and while being abundant, looking for those who genuinely help others and helping them will not only help you sleep better - it will also help make the world around you better. Which, whether that directly or indirectly positively affects you too or not, can bring you profound fulfillment and set an example for others to go along with.

Tolerable/Manageable
• The Trending
It is an opportunity, and maybe a quite worthwhile one at that, but it could be one to quickly evaporate. Being too eager to jump into whatever is trending can keep you from considering whether or not something is truly meant or at least suitable for you. And over-relying on chasing trends can leave you without solid ground to stand on, as well as have you looking frivolous. If there’s more to it, great. But if not, eh.

• The Irrelevant
If there is room to spare, you could fit it in. However, it’ll come across as desperate or undiscerning on your part. And for those keeping up with you and what you do, it could be a tedious or even annoying ‘added ad’ they’d rather skip over. Why are they being put through this if it has nothing to do with you? Some may even view it as a lack of respect and consideration for their attention. You would have to keep its display to a minimum.

Not Recommendable
• The Public Disservice
This is what net negative means. By little or by much. The bad outweighs the good. Usually in the form of waste and/or harm. They leave a trail of destruction that they don’t make up for. You can repeat “the end justifies the means” all you want, but it is not applicable here as far as reality is concerned. It may go overlooked for a while, unbeknownst to most, but it is likely to eventually come out and be what they’re identified for. Enabling them further makes you a part of the issue.

• The High Cost/Low Value
We know that value can be subjective as well as abstract (or seen in the potential), so it can be missed. But this is not the case here. Here we’re talking about how, no matter where you look at or from, there is very low or no value at all, especially when contrasted with the cost. It screams tacky wannabe. The sort of mentality that goes ‘this is expensive, so it’ll give me status’ while having no taste. Alternatively, it is the lazy thinking that has you assuming that high cost = high value. Worse if you’re aware and promote it regardless, then it’s just scammy.

• The Fraudalent
They talk a big game to compensate for the lack. Or what faults they may be attempting to hide. It is because of this that the “too good to be true” saying came into rotation, casting doubt and skepticism onto everything that sounded promising, including what is legitimate. They will view you as just another fool to fool. And once they’re exposed, the embarrassment of associating with them will probably not be easy to handle and dispel.

• The Guinea-Pigger
They do not care, at all. You, and mostly everyone, are just a number. How much can they push it? How much can they get away with? How much can they profit and save? And how much can people buy and fall for it? It isn’t about innovation or testing, though those may occur. It is about having no humanity and no remorse as they position themselves. No guilt and perhaps not even shame. It can get twisted beyond belief. Horror clowns.

Alternatively, as a brand, do you see yourself among the Not Recommendable or the Tolerable/Manageable and don’t like it? Start/keep working on your improvement.

How's The World's Culture Progressing This Year, 2025?

This year has been unhinged and deranged. And not even in an edgy way. Regressively so. All the way back into denial and delusion. For the comfort and convenience of people who cannot be bothered to be more cultured.

This isn’t my first time writing about cultural progress, so you can check for more of my views and opinions on my previous World’s Cultural Progress articles.

My Personal Stance
Still, again, it remains the same! As it has been from the very beginning, I stand for what is truthful, effective, and fair. I don’t yet have all the answers, but I do my best to consider and weigh different views and opinions to grasp the reality of the matter and find solutions to issues. Generally, I see that people are either ignorant, confused, misguided, malicious, pushing an agenda, or a combination of two or more of those. And I try to have patience, but it can run out.

Cultural Progress in 2025
Now, as it turns out, not only do we have to worry about regular folks and established reporters spreading misinformation and disinformation while lacking reason and/or compassion, but also about the rapidly increasing amount of bots and paid actors, along with the mess of AI, taking over platforms and playing the algorithms - that can turn the tide in one or another direction. The times when you could come online to have honest and enriching debates with others have been coming to an end and are approaching that end. You’ll have to find your group of people who genuinely care about learning and dig through the vast amount of trash, with skepticism and discernment turned up, in order to retrieve anything you can of value, so that you can then discuss it.

Points
Overall, it looks to me as though a lot of people don’t want to think anymore and are not even trying to hide it. As if progressives were frying their brains, with either valid arguments or plain nonsense, and it’s bouncing back with all the force. However, we’re also generally living in a more stressful, overwhelming, and exhausting period that barely allows any deep or thorough thinking. The ability to be level-headed is a luxury nowadays.

• “Your way didn’t work, so we do it my way!”
There’s no pausing to see where, exactly, things took a turn for the worse or went too far. It’s a no-nuance jump-to-conclusion. "You got these movements wrong? That means they were all COMPLETELY WRONG." And now we have people casually considering that, ~actually~, maybe slavery, rape, etc., are all fine. Yes, it is getting THAT bad.

• “I miss the good old days…”
When, though? People are looking at the supposedly preferable past as if it were some ideal epoch where none of their current problems existed, and neither any other kinds of issues that they’re now fortunately free of. New generations, too, are romanticizing the past while overlooking everything that many fought and worked hard to leave behind for the better.

• “WHITE MEN, YEAH!!”
Nothing says “I lack worth and I’m insecure about it” like insisting on somehow having more worth than others on the mere basis of having been born white and male (I can’t even call them ‘men’ at this psychological development level). If anything, the unfounded belief that you’re superior solely because of that will lead you to not put in the effort to be truly competent because, according to this logic, you magically are. “But the statistics!” Look, it is not that simple. It really is not.

And again. That’s all for now. I may still sporadically engage and elaborate on various topics, but expect the continuation of this post next year. Please stay lucid and keep improving!

What Are You Showing Up As?

Hey, kids, play-pretend is fun! Not only is it fun, though, it is also practice for your imagination, your reasoning, your empathy, and even your motor skills. When you choose to get into somebody else’s shoes, see from their point of view, and take and handle everything as they would, you gain points and level up in consciousness and awareness. May even unlock a few talents while you’re at it. As if by the art of magic! 

Venturing into the unknown, and possibly the forbidden, can be spooky indeed. Therefore, it makes sense that it can become taboo, if not also terribly warned against and opposed. But shadows are merely shadows. And blindspots are merely blindspots as well. So, if you’re a curious one, armed with courage and cadence, chances are you will be fine. Potentially thrilled by such ‘mischief’. 

You should, nonetheless, be cautious. That’s no lie. If there’s a path you’d rather not take, a door you’d rather not open, a stranger you’d rather not trust, a monster you’d rather not face… do not ignore that. And even when it is tempting… pause and ponder. You might not be prepared enough for that or, regardless, it would stray and/or delay you from what is more suitable to you (and your cosmic growth). Magnificent tricks and treats await you, across and at the end of the scary maze of twists and turns, but you ought to stay alive and remain free to go for them! 

Now, let’s take a closer look at one creature. 

Why not start with the most essential kind?   A GHOST  . Perhaps you or others will show up as one to the party, wander around the neighborhood, or join in the jokes and pranks. For better or for worse.

Ghosts are incorporeal beings, made of spirit. Their body may be elsewhere, while their soul lingers. In that sense, they are alive. They exist within planes that connect everything, where time and space are less of an obstacle. Watching, nudging, whispering, maybe appearing. Some might need help communicating, incapable of being fully present. They’ll point and hint as much as they can, but the rest is up to you (or the psychic medium) to decipher. Some are unsettled, craving peace, while some have found peace, and are bringing ease. Having a ghost on your side means standing alone but, SURPRISE, not really.  

Abilities might include, yet are not limited to:

• Invisibility

• Teletransportation

• Signals

• Influence

• Possession

Vulnerabilities might include, yet are not limited to:

• Boundness

• Ambiguity

• Mutedness

“Seeing is believing. Believing is seeing. 

You could detect my activity, but could you prove it? 

Now you see me. Now you don’t.” 

Last but not least, overindulging or not, don’t forget to visit your dentist!

Care for your teeth. You, enchanting/menacing creature!

Information Processing & More…

You can be a student for life! There’s this myth that, once you become an adult, you stop learning. Something that, to be honest, used to frighten me. However, turns out that it is not the truth. You only stop learning once you stubbornly believe that you already have all the answers and cannot be bothered to question anything anymore. You may have more responsibilities, more that’s taking up your time and energy, or even your focus, so you can no longer devote yourself to being a full-time student, but, unless you’re physically impaired, it is more a matter of psychology. Are you welcoming knowledge, lessons, and wisdom?

Attitudes for Fluent Learning

Your attitude determines plenty, if not all! You can be resistant and in refusal, which would make you nearly impossible to work with or just insufferable in a classroom. Or you can be eager to discover more of what’s out there, filling up the gaps and revising the patches in your worldview. The formula for Fluent Learning is essentially having Curiosity (interest and excitement), Receptivity (perception and flexibility), and Discernment (judgment and structurization). All of this is fundamental so that you can be led to truthfulness rather than misled to falsehood. All while staying engaged enough to follow through the ups and downs and the maze that comes with learning and, especially, deeper and greater learning.

Uncertain & Unproven Ideas or Claims

Many people miss out on going further, making discoveries, having realizations, and reaching extraordinary levels of consciousness because they firmly stick with what is tried and true. And that is totally okay if that’s how you prefer to go about it (we need overly reliable people like that). However, if you like to push boundaries, go into the unknown, wonder about the what-ifs, and philosophize about existence, not only in the concrete but also in the abstract, that is valid too and should not be dismissed. Nevertheless, it is recommendable to make it a habit to frame and state what hasn’t yet been sufficiently proven for certain as Possibilities (or, if more applicable, as Fiction) instead of as facts. This will keep your credibility intact and potentially make you someone intriguing and entertaining to listen to, whether or not you will later come back with proof and certainty to share the facts as facts.  

Information Processing

Let’s say that, for whatever reason, you’ve been under a rock and have missed all the news. Or worse, you’re barely coming out of some nasty brainwashing. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you have nothing of value to contribute to the conversation. You can still process information. Whatever you’ve been chewing on has been exercising your mind and you can continue to exercise your mind by chewing some more. Yet, this time, on more correct and accurate information. 

And perhaps you do have a rich knowledge base, but it is outside of what is being discussed and considered as relevant. There are likely parallels that you can draw out of that to further illustrate an issue! Anecdotes that enhance the experience and even the understanding could also come into play every now and then.

But you don’t have to teach, either. You can simply be a student. If you know what you don’t know, you can seek out those who do know what you do not know. Be attentive, take notes, and make your teachers proud (or at least have respect and gratitude for them).

Arguments and debates are not banned; they are intellectual sparring that can yield innumerable benefits. But they do have a place and time - which can be tricky to figure out (so much to consider). Formulating arguments and participating in debates, alone, can be a sophisticated art to master. But if you wish to get that far, preparation helps and practice makes perfect.

Ignorance & Confusion V.S. Awareness & Comprehension

How well do you know what you’re talking about, though? If you’re aiming to master a subject, any sign of ignorance on your part should be taken as an invitation to move toward awareness, and any sign of confusion as an invitation to move toward comprehension. Rather than doing that, we often shy away and create a comfort zone, as if an impenetrable barrier, that keeps us from growing and evolving. Sometimes you are aware of little but comprehend it much. Sometimes you are aware of much but comprehend it little. The goal is to be aware of and comprehend much. Alternatively, failure is being stagnant within ignorance and confusion.

Sources Matter

Open-mindedness, hearing from different sides, is encouraged, yes. Regardless, without restraint, it can be awfully counterproductive. If a source has demonstrated, over and over again, that it is not trustworthy, is your investment in it justified? There’s a chance it’ll spit one or two truths, here and there, but this might be so infrequent, or so mixed up in misinformation and disinformation, that it is actually disingenuous to your learning to keep dwelling in it. Manipulation, propaganda, gaslighting, and more are all too common and you might not be as immune to them as you’d like to believe. Continuous exposure, without effective counteraction, will eventually cause cracks to slip into and have you convinced of something that’s not. So, be selective about who you consider and for how long. 

The world, the universe, and everything in it is so vast and complex. It can be overwhelming to try to wrap your head around it all. But remember that you can give yourself time, take it in bits, go step by step, and eventually catch up enough that you are not so behind in it. 

Do you View your Partner as a Partner?

Or even just as a person. It may be bypassed, but it is key to much. When you have a partner, whether that’s for casual or committed activities or endeavors, how you view them affects how you treat them which affects what becomes of the partnership. So what are they to you? What is the person who is your partner?

Whether you realize it or not, and whether it is intentional or not, you may fall into one or more of the following views, failing to check and correct yourself: An object for your pleasure. A milestone for your sense of accomplishment. A trophy for recognition. A slave to delegate labor to. A money-granting machine. A sperm donor/incubator for your offspring. A piece of evidence of your orientation. A prompt for your inspiration and motivation.

That’s not to say that having a partner that fulfills any of those roles, and that you happen to acknowledge it, is the problem. The problem arises when it stops at that. Because then it is more, or all, about what they do for you rather than what you two can do - and be - for each other. And you may say, “Well, I do things for them too!” Maybe. But how willingly? How many times do you have to be asked, begged, complained, and yelled at, or even “punished”, for you to start doing your part? Does it take the threat of losing them or the reality of such for you to start being a proper partner to them? And even then, you’re still trying to get by doing the bare minimum to keep them around? At that point, you’re already a major disappointment.

To view your partner as a partner and be a partner to them, you must take into account their needs and their wants - and work toward meeting them. With clear communication, maybe a few compromises, and continued efforts to harmonize with them. Intuition and empathy if you’re capable of grasping more with those. If that seems like too much for you, then it’s likely that either you’re not a match or you’re simply looking for somebody to exploit for your benefit (taking without giving). If the former, you should come to terms with it and make way for someone who is more aligned with you and what you can offer (and for someone else to be what you couldn’t be for them). If the latter, may what has to happen to you happen.

So you do care about doing right by your partner? Then sit and ponder.
- Have I been honest about my intentions?
- Do I respect and honor them as an individual separate from me?
- Do I look for ways in which I can be a complement and enhancement to them?
- Do I improve instead of allowing myself to be a hindrance and detriment to them?
- Does bringing joy and relief to them bring me joy and relief as well?
- Does sharing our burdens and struggles lighten the load as we assist each other?
- Am I content to get closer and bond further or do I become guarded and avoidant?
- Am I getting to know more about them so that I can understand (and anticipate) what they require?
- Am I recognizing and rewarding their contributions or taking them for granted?
- Are they supported, encouraged, and safe to be their most authentic and greatest self with me?

Some people are simply not ready to have a partner. Please admit this to yourself when it is the case. Don’t drag others into your ambivalence, nonchalance, and/or unavailability because you’re somehow convinced that you shouldn’t be single or that your mere attraction is a gift to others. If they’re attractive, that’s on them. Chances are that you’re not going to be the first or last person to be drawn by what is valuable in them. Please work on yourself or leave others alone. You’re not owed a partner for desiring one.

Learn to be a partner to your partner.

3 Attitudes For Excellence

Previously, 5 Traits to Stand Out were brought up. Adding to that, here is more toward excellence.

If you’re doing the work and wish to keep going forward, it is fundamental to adopt certain attitudes with which you will receive and respond to most if not all things. Let them sink down into the core of you to operate by default on their own. If you dare.  

• Competing Against Yourself

When you don’t have a point of reference, it is indeed constructive to look around and compare yourself to others to then compete against them. However, this has a few pitfalls. What if what they’re good at is not what you ought to be good at? And what if you’re already the best one around at that particular thing? What happens then? You’re led astray or you hit a cap. Therefore, it is important to learn to push yourself based on higher and higher standards that you set for yourself regardless. It is not about taking it easy and letting yourself fall behind. On the contrary, it is about constantly taking a look at yourself and admitting where you’re failing or lacking on your path toward actualization and addressing it.

• Maturing & Evolving

There is often such needless resistance to mature and evolve. And that’s understandable as this is (mistakenly) associated with dying and losing yourself. However, there is still joy and wonder in moving onto the different phases and newer versions of you. Becoming cynical and complacent aren’t signs of maturity and evolution, they are signs of giving up - and that’s a significant distinction to make. You don’t have to keep repeating the same mistakes, over and over again, stuck in a loop, to be alive and remain “yourself”. You can instead take what life throws at you and see how it can best shape and forge you into someone greater.  

• Embracing Truthfulness

None of this will happen with ease if you have trouble accepting the facts, what is real and ultimately true. Yes, the truth hurts. And yes, too much of it can be debilitating and even paralyzing. But you ought to make room for it. Cushion it and counter it with softer and sweeter truths if you must. Have it in moderation, at intervals if that helps. But at some point, you must welcome it in. And you might find, after all, that the highest truths are the most liberating. And that the most wounding and poisoning “truths” weren’t so true. With practice, you could end up seeking it as much as water and air. And it’ll make it all clear to you.  

Take a moment to reflect. What is lacking in you that could use some work? What can you work on personally developing now?

Types of Allies you will Encounter as an Artist

As an artist, and in other roles too, there are different types of people that you will encounter. They may prove to be anywhere from extremely favorable to extremely unfavorable to you. Here are only a few (more might be added in the future). Not necessarily in descending order from best to worst, but grouped by how recommendable they are or not to be invested in. And under this category, as allies.

Recommendable
• The Champion
Loud and bold, they’re comparatively unafraid of conflict and going against the grain. They would take the lead and face the consequences before others, pushing forward while enduring the first hits for daring to stand out and fight for something. With them on your side, there is hope of making progress against the odds.

• The Compass
Moral and ethical, they’re in tune with what is right and what is wrong. And more likely than not, they would feel so strongly about it that they’d readily speak out if things are going (or seem) stray. They’ll watch for hypocrisy, too, looking into people’s principles and values and how consistently they adhere to them. During dilemmas, they are able to weigh and sort out matters and issues.

• The Strategist
Both theoretical and practical, they’re able to bring ideas to reality. Or at least as much as it is possible to execute and produce. They can make the hard decisions, knowing that sometimes compromising is necessary and that something is better than nothing. You may not like the options suggested to approach and solve a problem, but they would be realistic and effective. Perceives the underlying formulas and formulates plans.

• The Historian
Attentive and retentive, they’re basically archives of what happened, when, where, how, and why. Able to recall relevant information that could break or make an argument or policy. And whatever they don’t know or aren’t completely sure of, they’ll gladly research to be as informed and accurate as they can be.

Tolerable/Manageable
• The Affected
They may lack talents and skills, or even be handicapped in some way, but as someone personally affected, they can provide valuable input by sharing their first-hand experience through their own perspective. However, depending on the gravity of what they went through, they may be anywhere from easy to difficult to exchange with.

• The Unvirtuous
They lack the virtues that others possess, but are not necessarily ill-intended. They may be a blank slate that is there to learn, or someone with plenty to unlearn but who also is compelled to join and try. They could be successfully guided toward merit but not much can be expected of them until they arrive there.

Not Recommendable
• The Illusionist
They only care about their image. What’s underneath is, to them, of no importance. They can move and operate solely on impressions, staying on a shallow plane, and may even lack the awareness to realize that they lack substance. It is about “being on the right side” so that they can reap the benefits of that and avoid liabilities of otherwise.

• The Clouter
They collect “clout” like it’s a game. As if scoring points that, as they accumulate, put them in higher and higher positions of authority. So that their claims are less questioned and their statements treated as law. And in this pursuit, they could be quite underhanded.

• The Swayed
They switch sides like there’s nothing holding them in place. Influenceable and reactive, a few empty words or even senseless propaganda could be enough to change their mind. They might like to believe that they are being rational and accepting the facts, but they are losing touch and sight of all else that should be factored in as they are persuaded.

• The Vicious
They are only there for the excuse and justification to tear others apart. The cause is their shield for their cruel actions. They’ll look for any opportunity to lash out, attack, and destroy. Could mercilessly nitpick and make mountains out of a molehill. They’ll turn on you as soon as there isn’t anything else to take out their vices on.

Alternatively, as an ally, do you see yourself among the Not Recommendable or the Tolerable/Manageable and don’t like it? Start/keep working on your improvement.

Types of Teammates you will Encounter as an Artist

As an artist, and in other roles too, there are different types of people that you will encounter. They may prove to be anywhere from extremely favorable to extremely unfavorable to you. Here are only a few (more might be added in the future). Not necessarily in descending order from best to worst, but grouped by how recommendable they are or not to be invested in. And under this category, as teammates.

Recommendable
• The Unifier
They can and will mediate. Outstanding communicators and even diplomats. Able to smooth things out but also address tensions, obvious or not, that may be impairing relationships. They are acutely aware of the importance of having a sense of belonging and connectedness, but also of the individual needs for space as nothing forced is lasting.

• The Challenger
They may accept where you are currently, applaud it even, but they won’t overlook your potential for more. Not fond of stagnation, they may encourage you to take on tasks and goals that push you to grow further. Could engage you in friendly taunts for it if not just point to the areas you have yet to expand onto.

• The Tutor
They’ll pay close attention to your progress, as if you’re one of the few personal projects they are deeply invested into. They genuinely wish to see you do and be well, excel even, and would celebrate your triumphs as they take part in making them happen. Whether they’re three or more steps ahead of you, they’d gladly help you catch up until you can continue on your own or they have nothing else to show you.

• The Reliable
They are there for what you need. Not necessarily for what you want, as catering to your whims is not their job, but if you do genuinely require assistance with something, chances are that, if it is within their abilities, they’ll give you a hand with it. And you can count on a satisfying delivery.

Tolerable/Manageable
• The Restless
They cannot be still for long. And while that can be contagious for the better, mobilizing others, there will be times when it is counterproductive. Potentially turning into a nuisance. Pacing and pausing at times is not a luxury but a necessity. And that’s something they don’t seem to grasp or put into practice.

• The Climber
They want to go up. It is certainly fine to strive to improve and reach higher levels, whether that means you surpass others or not. But watch out for the people who do it primarily to be “above others” and would even use and discard others as stepping stones. This fixation can turn destructive fast.

Not Recommendable
• The Finger-pointer
They always have something to complain about. But not in themselves (at least not as often or to the same degree), in others. They’ll pick flaws and shortcomings whether or not it will be conducive to any betterment. They would do it out of habit or worse. In attempts to distract from their own by making another seem worse. The hypocrisy can and does become evident, but fighting it at every turn isn’t worth it.

• The Dimmer
They bring the morale and the overall enthusiasm down. It’s not about redirecting toward a more suitable path. It is about keeping others in low spirits. It may be intentional or not, but the result is the same. Performance drops as people become doubtful and/or indifferent about what they’re doing. Uncalled for remarks abound that are more a poison than a remedy.

• The Infiltrated
They aren’t part of the team, but you don’t know that. Physically, they’re there. Mentally, maybe so as well. But not in heart and spirit. They may do the bare minimum to pass as one or even go above and beyond so they aren’t suspected. However, ultimately, they are bound to leave or even betray once they get what they were after - which wasn’t agreed upon.

• The Divider
They sow discordance between others. Gossiping, comparing, triangulating, and just generally inciting conflict, suspicion, and anything that would erode the team’s cohesion for no valid reason. They could truly have personal issues that cause them to behave this way, unable to be a part of something else. Or they could be doing it on purpose for the sake of breaking things up. Whatever the case, they are a disease.

Alternatively, as a teammate, do you see yourself among the Not Recommendable or the Tolerable/Manageable and don’t like it? Start/keep working on your improvement.

Types of Partners you will Encounter as an Artist

As an artist, and in other roles too, there are different types of people that you will encounter. They may prove to be anywhere from extremely favorable to extremely unfavorable to you. Here are only a few (more might be added in the future). Not necessarily in descending order from best to worst, but grouped by how recommendable they are or not to be invested in. And under this category, as partners.

Recommendable
• The Once-in-a-Lifetime
You inspire and motivate each other without even trying. Not only do you click, but it’s as though your prayers have been answered with bonuses. Or they are what you didn’t know you needed or even wanted, but now that they’re there, you feel blessed. It may be mutual or not, but you’re fortunate and they’re glad regardless. Whether it lasts for life or only for a period of it, you come better out of it.

• The Match
You’re a great fit. You complement and/or enhance each other. There’s no sense of superiority or inferiority between you two. And anyone comparing you both for it is missing the point. You work well together, quite effortlessly. And it is beneficial. It might be a pleasant surprise as you feared you were without one. But they exist.

• The Devoted
It isn’t perfect, but they care enough to get as close to it as they can manage. They’ll pay attention, correct and improve themselves, and strive to contribute positively to you and what you’re doing together. They are invested and committed.

• The Dealmaker
Sentimentality may be absent, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t taking it seriously. They are so professional about it that you can rest assured that what has been agreed upon will be delivered. And failure to do so will be handled maturely, with due apologies and/or compensation. Things will be clearly stated and outlined, so you’re on the same page about what’s expected.

Tolerable/Manageable
• The Malleable
May seem favorable but leaves some to be desired. You might feel alone, making all the decisions, without any significant input to steer you in any direction. If you’re wrong, they won’t be the one to tell you. You might even be worried about the influence you have on them, wishing they had more of a say for themselves. But otherwise, someone you can guide into being of help.

• The Conceited
They’ve been indulged and it shows. Their standards are high and they could be bratty about them. All while not meeting them themselves. However, not being a matter of malice or worse issues, they can still be set right for a more even exchange. Whether that extra hassle is worth it (or inescapable) is another matter.

Not Recommendable
• The Deadweight
You don’t usually nag but, with them, you turn into a nagger. Because you’ll kindly ask for something reasonable once, and they’ll put it off or find excuses. So you’re tempted to ask for less and you do. But they’ll also put it off or find excuses. And you go for less and less, but it’s still the same. You figure it’s easier to handle yourself what you can. But then, even when you ask for the bare minimum, it is a problem. They’re only slowing you down.

• The Saboteur
They speak and act like they’re on your side, but they’re really not. Consciously or subconsciously, they don’t want you to succeed. Maybe they don’t want success for themselves either, so they’re taking or keeping you down with them. Or maybe they’re undercover, simply there to sabotage you.

• The Narcissist
They’re a leech and not even a logical one. They are so unreasonable that they cannot be reasoned with. You cannot even predict their moves by assuming they have their best interests at heart, because they’re stuck in toxic cycles and absorbing others into them. They’ll say and do whatever they believe is most convenient to them, and you be damned.

• The Psycho
Dangerous if not just terrifying, taking things too far. Could become overly attached, ignoring and crossing boundaries, and justify any and all of their actions as ‘inevitable’ because this is how you or this is making them. Chaos and destruction thrill them.

Alternatively, as a partner, do you see yourself among the Not Recommendable or the Tolerable/Manageable and don’t like it? Start/keep working on your improvement.

How's The World's Culture Progressing This Year, 2024?

We’re in my third year of religiously publishing my views and opinions on culture and how it is progressing (or regressing). You can read my 2022 article and my 2023 article, too.

My Personal Stance
Still, again, it remains the same! As it has been from the very beginning, I stand for what is truthful, effective, and fair. I don’t yet have all the answers, but I do my best to consider and weigh different views and opinions to grasp the reality of the matter and find solutions to issues. Generally, I see that people are either ignorant, confused, misguided, malicious, pushing an agenda, or a combination of two or more of those. And I try to have patience but it can run out.

Cultural Progress in 2024
I think calling it disastrous would be an understatement. We’re in a time when many people don’t know why things are or how they came to be - and they believe themselves to be free thinkers merely for going against what many others have been sacrificing and working hard for, that even benefits THEM, without a real basis for it other than being oppositional and standing out. It’s gotten messy and the point, more often than not, is missed. Shallow “understanding” reigns. You can still find a few beacons of light sorting it all out. But in such an increasingly fast-paced world, where being sensational is more rewarded than being thorough, indifference to the truth increases.

Points
This year, as we fear entering a “dark age”, where culture suffers for the worst, I’d like to cover as much as I can, while being brief and concise with each point, so it is all at least established and we don’t lose sight of it. But first, a lengthier paragraph on women’s liberation.

• Women’s Liberation
Men are being openly disgusting in more ways than I can stomach. Women wish to love and respect men, but a lot of them make it nearly impossible (or indeed impossible unless deluded). They miss “how things were before” and take their battered mother as the example that women should strive towards for them. They don’t like to compete with women and be outperformed (many of them don’t even grasp that most of us prefer to cooperate instead and that that’s also an option). They’d rather keep women down and “in their place”, and worry only about other men. They believe it’s more of a flex to have a woman they mistreat than it is to actually become a man who is not threatened by a woman’s success and freedom to choose, and is genuinely a catch. Lately, they’re being seen as ‘resentful closeted gays’ because they just hate women so much (but it’s more complex than that). It’s gotten to where the few men that do love and care for women have to actively justify themselves to others for such. Meanwhile, the term “pick me” is regaining serious meaning with more females willing to degrade themselves and throw the rest under the bus for male validation. Others are being the complete opposite (promoting using and discarding men like objects, basically becoming the worst that men have been, in retaliation or to make it even, sinking to their level) and giving men more confirmation bias as they miss the mirror reflecting their own behavior. The sides can argue forever and never gain perspective while being stuck in their ego and egotistical desires. But whatever happens, I will not respond nicely if anyone attempts to force me into unmerited submission and compliance in the name of gender roles. And I’m not alone in that.

• People of Color
Racism is dumb. Measure people based on the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Make amends if due. Check yourself, your privilege, and your prejudice. Whatever color you are.

• Homosexuality & Bisexuality
It happens in nature, it is something natural. And in the case of some individuals, it is something that cannot be denied or repressed. It doesn’t have to be “normalized” in the sense that everyone engages in it, but it should be normalized in the sense that everyone should know by now that it’s no reason to look down on others, mock, ostracize, or harm them in any way. “It’s deranged sexual behavior!” You know what IS deranged sexual behavior? Rape and any kind of lying, manipulation, and coercion to have access to sex. And that’s something STRAIGHT MEN do too often.

• Transgenders Transitioning
Having reached a mature age (at least 18 y/o), transitioning after you’ve reflected enough and concluded that you cannot gladly accept the body you were born in and would be happier in the body of a different gender? Okay. Transitioning because you hate yourself and that’s the solution that occurs to you? Not okay. Identifying as this or that out of whim or convenience without undergoing any significant revelation or transformation? Diabolical (think about all the ways that can go). There should be acceptance and accommodation for legitimately trans people, but the consideration should still go both ways. Gotta say it because I’ve come across a few quite awful ones: You’re not the only one with issues. Others, though? Brilliant and lovely people. Some of whom have gone through more pain than I wish on anybody. Also, trans or not, cross-dressing shouldn’t be a big deal - keep it a fun thing anyone can try whenever.

• Sex Workers
In my opinion, it must be kept legal and safe, taboo-free. I don’t even want to say why. Figure it out. Imagine how much worse it’d get without sex workers. I see no problem with it as long as it’s done willingly and compensated accordingly, with due security measures in place. The fetishes indulged and the negative effects that over-relying on sex workers can have are things to watch out for, though.

• Abortion
Why is this still being discussed? Men insist on having women as baby ovens against all reason. “But the declining birth rate!” Well, effing prepare and rearrange for it as you do for an increasing population. It’s like it’s not even the real reason. As if an overabundance of unwanted children is going to fix society. Said it before and I’ll say it again, having restraint and reservation to avoid unplanned pregnancy is important. But if it comes to be, we should have access to proper abortion assistance.

• Disability
I don’t know how to explain to you that you should care about others. Regardless of how ‘productive’ they are. Not treat them as a burden and suggest they off themselves. What have we come to?

• Immigration
If it’s legal, they’re well-behaved, and there’s room, what is really the problem? Most of them aren’t even ‘taking the jobs’ you’d like to take (or are qualified for).

• Narcissism
It used to be that people threw around those terms too freely. But lately, it seems narcissism and more are on the rise and you’d be fortunate to find someone who isn’t narcissistic or worse. Wanna guess what I blame for it? We all should be more educated on this and keep it from getting worse.

• It’s offensive!
This has been a problem for a long time and still lingers. Though maybe not as much anymore, with all the pushback (from both progressives and conservatives). In any case, it is always necessary to distinguish when something is merely offensive (because it contradicts your notion of how things are or should be - or fails to give you special treatment) and when something is actually harmful (wounds you psychologically, deteriorates your dignity, or impacts your place in your environment and community). Open and direct dialog is required to make genuine progress - without walking on eggshells, beating around the bush, or fearing ‘being canceled’ because you weren’t tactful and diplomatic enough. (If there’s intention to hurt in it, that’s another thing.)

And again. That’s all for now. I may still sporadically engage and elaborate on various topics, but expect the continuation of this post next year. Please stay lucid and keep improving!

What Happens when you Fall In Love with an Artist?

Valentine sweetheart this, summer love that. But what about being in love with an artist? It largely depends on what kind of artist it is, but there are a few peculiarities that might be encountered when falling in love with an artist:

• Wondering if they’re in love with you or in love with love.
• Not knowing if they’re still looking for tragedy for their art or for their happy ending.
• Worrying you won’t be stimulating enough, that you won’t inspire them and can’t be their muse.
• Concerned you won’t be able to keep up with them or that you’ll be holding them back.
• While intrigued and fascinated by their interests, and respectful of them, afraid it’ll be discouraging that you do not share them.
• Bizarre, to say the least, people in their circle that you’re not sure you’ll be able to stand for long.
• Inability to comprehend how they could even like someone as simple as you.
• Being such a fan of their work that you dread the possibility of it ending or drastically changing once with you.
• Wanting to express yourself as beautifully to them as they do to you and failing to (not necessarily bitter or resentful about it, though).
• Having the subtlest of signs noticed and hoping they won’t be misread or more disturbing than they ought to be.

Additionally, unless they've made it blatantly clear that you are their priority and their past is in the past, it could be confusing when they go over or bring back artwork that was made for and encapsulates their story with others, likely reconnecting with it too. And it is something to learn to be okay with because they cannot and should not give up their history and the artworks that came out of it.

This is not to discourage anyone from loving an artist, of course. Just things that happen (and must be discussed at some point). But totally worth it when they’re genuinely loving.

5 Traits to Stand Out

Many can get by and even get far with only one or two of these traits. But the more you have (and the higher they are), the better. These are traits that can help you excel and maintain your position in demanding situations. They are also traits that you can, on certain occasions, lean on when falling short in other aspects.

• Reliability

This means no lies, no false promises, no faking for convenience, but showing up as someone who can be counted on and being so. In this same vein, no flaking if you can help it. Drop excuses. This might mean that you will have to get it together and become stable enough to be firm and supportive. Avoid offering more than you can or will deliver. People tend to appreciate being told just how much they can expect from you rather than be left hanging for something that never came, even if it's not as exciting. 

• Accountability
Guilt, shame, ego and all that it comes from it can get in the way of being accountable for yourself - of recognizing, admitting, correcting, and compensating for your mistakes and shortcomings, as well as your wrongdoings. Ironically, it is often assumed that this will cause you to lose respect but, in front of respectable people, it is quite the opposite. Because they can already see how you're failing and they're waiting to see if you'll see it too and do something about it or not. And being in denial after it is brought to your attention will make it even worse. Furthermore, accountability puts you on a path of constant improvement that pushes you forward.

• Trustworthiness
What are your values and principles? Have you thoroughly revised them to properly form the beliefs that you're guided by? Do you believe in honesty, sincerity, genuineness, and authenticity but at the same time know that things aren't always black and white and certain circumstances require you to reason beyond them in order to do what's right? Can you abide by what you've sworn or are you tempted to betray? How able are you to say no when you should?

• Craftmanship
Of course, competency matters too. You must strive to do your job well and continue to take it to the next level. Although it is important to have virtues outside of this, you're likely to be forgiven much if what you do is done so well that it's worth it. It is not that you can't ever take it easy or be simple about it, but that you have and meet high-quality standards when you ought to. What these are depends on the purpose of what you do, so they may or may not be as evident and wildly differ. Tend to minute but significant details even when they're overlooked.

• Solidarity

Some may call it naivety, but it is essential for coexistence and existence in general. If you're only looking out for yourself, throwing others under the bus to get ahead, being no more than a leech whenever you can, not only will you be unlikeable (despite however you may try to mask it) but you'll also literally be a disease to the world or whatever environment you're in. And it's sad, but practicing solidarity isn't even as hard as others would attempt to convince you of. You can extend a hand in small ways, here and there, every now and then, and that's already working miracles. Be discerning and don't let others take advantage of you, but continue to assist.

Take a moment to reflect. What is lacking in you that could use some work? What can you work on personally developing now?

How's The World's Culture Progressing This Year, 2023?

I started doing this last year, with the intention of continuing with it each year around the same date. Basically, a summary and/or a few highlights of my views and opinions on culture and its progress. You can read my 2022 article if you haven't already and then continue with this one!

My Personal Stance
It remains the same! As it has been from the very beginning, I stand for what is truthful, effective, and fair. I don’t yet have all the answers, but I do my best to consider and weigh different views and opinions to grasp the reality of the matter and find solutions to issues. Generally, I see that people are either ignorant, confused, misguided, malicious, pushing an agenda, or a combination of two or more of those. And I try to have patience but it can run out.

Cultural Progress in 2023
This year, I haven't delved much into the area of LGBTQ+, as it looks like more of the same to me. Essentially, movements having started with certain valid aims but being taken to outrageous degrees that I cannot agree with in sane judgment. And people in and outside of them being reasonable or unreasonable about them. Ultimately a fight between truths and lies. What I ended up seeing more of this year is the current state of relationships (and the dating scene) and I'd rather expand on that this time.

Points

A few aspects of how relationships are taken and dealt with came to my attention and it's been both infuriating and disappointing to me, who's relatively fine being single. I can't imagine what a nightmare it must be for those for whom this isn't the case. And many of the problems seem to arise from blindly taking relationship advice from people who are not really qualified for it and may be speaking from their trauma, wounds, ego, assumptions, or mere inexperience and ignorance. 

• 50/50

Sounds fair, right? Except it rarely is. Too often, the 50/50 deal fails to take into account numerous relevant factors and, in its insistence on splitting everything (or what's convenient) evenly, makes the relationship entirely transactional. One or the two would be overlooking or taking for granted the investments and sacrifices of the other, as well as particular strains that would make things harder for one than for another. What should be an agreement to both do their best to contribute to the relationship becomes instead a poorly calculated deal - where one or both could be blind to their shortcomings and deluded about the value that they bring. In its short-sightedness, it also fails to take into account that, as humans, you may not always be able to contribute a steady percent; one day you may be able to give an 80%, another a 50%, another a 10%, then a 30%, or a 75%, and so on. And the relationship is not looked at holistically. 

• High/Low Value Man/Woman

Some would judge this value based on character and virtue as they relate to what would foster and maintain a fulfilling relationship, which would make more sense to me. But the number of people making superficial judgments and basing them on trivialities is concerning to me (to say the least). Yes, it is fine to have preferences for what you like and value a certain set of traits more highly than another for your personal choices. But when you're making "objective" calls on what is or isn't high value, you should at least try to see beyond yourself and your conditioning. 

• Masculine/Feminine

This has gone on in more ways than I can count, defining and redefining. I have my own notions of what can be considered "masculine" and what can be considered "feminine" and I know that, ultimately, they're just categorizations that facilitate descriptions. But I've been coming across a few takes that make me want to ask if they hadn't learned anything - until I realize that they probably never attended the same classes I did and I cannot expect them to be on the same page with me. Ultimately, this isn't set in stone and your own understanding of it can be quite flexible (not to mention, subject to epochs). But when people arbitrarily attribute traits to one side or the other or are completely going off outdated and shallow stereotypes, I have to breathe in and breathe out. Something I can appreciate, though, is the subcategorization I've seen come up plenty lately, of the Wounded Masculine/Feminine. This adds more dimension to it and is worth pondering, in my opinion. As would be the typical Mature and Immature, and the Healthy and Unhealthy versions of each.

• Situationships

Are situationships more common these days or did I somehow step into a a stream of them? I would guess that even if it is the latter, it is also the former to an extent. It's like they are more normalized and people don't experience as much guilt or shame over them - even when it's clearly making the other uncomfortable. And given how lifestyles have changed, with both pressure to operate in certain ways and freedom to do whatever you like, for countless different reasons, it has become the go-to for many. And maybe I'm just tired and they would have been fine for me when I was younger and could be fascinated by romantic drama and dilemmas, but I find them extremely frustrating when grown adults are involved. You can and should do better than that. 

• Battered or Bettered

There's a trend going on about the boyfriend and the girlfriend effect. And while not unbiased (mostly showing the girlfriend effect as favorable while the boyfriend effect as disfavorable), it does bring us to the reality that some relationships make you worse and some make you better. And this can be seen in how healthy and happy you look while in them. In bad relationships, your hair, your skin, and more suffer. You also seem uncomfortable and awkward in what you wear and how you present yourself. Not to mention tired. In good relationships, it is the opposite. And I find it insane that even at this point in time you can still find people who take pride in treating their partner badly. As if they deserve applause for getting away with being a lousy partner that would be a good riddance. If you look at your partner and you're not compelled to be and do what would make them and their life better, something or someone is seriously lacking.

• Loneliness Epidemic

Then there's the "loneliness epidemic". Something that many have laughed at and rightfully so. I mean, look at how careless people are being with others and their relationships with them. And then they wonder why so many are now choosing to be single and have accepted singlehood. Do you want people to suffer and be miserable when they could just not? And it's not a matter of having to force relationships and make it so they're a requirement for much, it's that people are not bothering to be worthwhile and have worthwhile relationships. That even the most tolerating and accommodating person would rather opt out of them. You're not entitled to a relationship in this regard ever, but even less when you don't show devotion to them. 

Again. That’s all for now. I may still sporadically engage and elaborate on various topics, but expect the continuation of this post next year. Please stay lucid and keep improving!

Types of Fans you will Encounter as an Artist

As an artist, and in other roles too, there are different types of people that you will encounter. They may prove to be anywhere from extremely favorable to extremely unfavorable to you. Here are only a few (more might be added in the future). Not necessarily in descending order from best to worst, but grouped by how recommendable they are or not to be invested in. And under this category, as fans.

Recommendable
• The Protector
They will protect you as though what affects you, affects them. They will defend and attack on your behalf. Maybe they’re natural debaters and can take it as a challenge and an exercise - and like and know you enough to be invested. Or they cannot stand to see any injustice done toward you and not do anything about it, regardless of how conflict-averse they are. Whatever the case, even if it pains you to have others “fight your battles”, they’ll take it up so you can keep doing what you do.

• The Collector
They adore you and what you do, so they will collect as much as they can of your work (making purchases and more) because, for one reason or another, it brings them inexplicable joy and fulfillment. They will cherish these things, possibly down to minute details and on to all that they entail. And this alone can inspire and motivate you to keep putting thought and care into your work to an extraordinary degree.

• The Promoter
You’ve impressed them and they figure you will impress others too, so they spread the word about you. This might be done selectively, where they only tell those that seem like they would enjoy your work too, or impulsively, where they simply cannot keep their mouth shut about you because they consider you that great - and everyone must know you! They might even be pushy or employ persuasion so that others will give you a chance and see how valuable you are.

• The Geek
Intellectually curious and insatiable, they will become experts on you and what you do. They’ll understand you better than most and even be able to make accurate predictions on you. Smear campaigns will have little to no effect on them because they have the facts. And if not, they’ll seek them out. And although they may entertain speculation and consider opinions, they’ll ultimately stick to what’s true. That being so, the truth will set you free.

Tolerable/Manageable
• The Trendy
It’s not so much that they personally appreciate you, it’s more so that you’re hip - or about to be! They move with what’s popular. Or at least with what’s fresh and different, shaking things up, even if only for a moment. They see others taking an interest in you and they want to do that too. To be part of the group or of the conversation. They might indeed like you after all, but are prone to move on with ease once you’re no longer the hot topic.

• The Competition
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” These people will study you closely, your weaknesses and your strengths, considering you a rival. They might be open about this or feign comradery. But take any chance they can or even throw you under the bus to get ahead of you. They’re not as concerned with their own potential as they are with surpassing you. Might copy you (or clumsily attempt to). You’ll have to be 5+ steps ahead of them so they won’t catch up.

Not Recommendable
• The Envious
You’ve got what they want and they can hardly bear it. They might love-hate you for it. Even if they are aware of it and keep it under control, it’s unlikely that they will be supportive of you. On the contrary, it’s probable that they will chip away at you with nitpicky complaints and passive-aggressive comments. Subtly and gradually or blatantly and abruptly demoralizing and devitalizing.

• The Harasser
They’re addicted to you - or to engaging you, pushing your buttons, and getting a rise out of you. They will actively and constantly pester you with questions and accusations with no regard for your peace. You may ignore them or even block them, but they may have managed to unsettle you anyway. And if they cannot get directly at you, they could try to get others to do it for them. Exasperating and exhausting.

• The Creep
Their admiration got out of hand. It became a concerning obsession. Not only for their own well-being, but for yours too. They’ll be out of line in what they say and do and may continue no matter how uncomfortable they are visibly making you. You might feel responsible for them, as though it’s your fault it got to that point, although that might not be the case. ‘No’ and setting boundaries might not be enough.

• The Stalker
Either they will be completely stealth or they will induce paranoia in you. As the latter, you may notice them knowing a bit too much about you or you may catch them in places where you didn’t expect them to be. You will be wondering if odd events are a coincidence or not. They will have no respect for your privacy, prying into your present and digging into your past beyond what you willingly share. They may try to justify this extreme behavior or even blame you for hiding something or not being transparent enough, whether or not you’re guilty of any crime.

Alternatively, as a fan, do you see yourself among the Not Recommendable or the Tolerable/Manageable and don’t like it? Start/keep working on your improvement.

Types of Clients you will Encounter as an Artist

As an artist, and in other roles too, there are different types of people that you will encounter. They may prove to be anywhere from extremely favorable to extremely unfavorable to you. Here are only a few (more might be added in the future). Not necessarily in descending order from best to worst, but grouped by how recommendable they are or not to be invested in. And under this category, as clients.

Recommendable
• The Funder
They look forward to your success. Not only do they want you to survive, but they want you to thrive in your work. Because of this, not only will they become a regular client, but may also make generous contributions every now and then. Be that as money or as other types of resources. They might become personally invested and assist your progress in various ways over time.

• The Tipper
They recognize the value of your work, the effort put into it, and/or how rough things have been or currently are. Therefore, besides paying the agreed-upon amount, they will add something extra in gratitude and consideration. Or they could just be generous by default and in the habit of always tipping. But perhaps they begrudgingly tip for another reason. In any case, you end up rewarded.

• The Appreciative
They will make you and what you do feel beyond worthwhile. Maybe they won’t show you in your preferred ways how grateful they are, but they will genuinely cherish what you made. Possibly be sentimental about it. Vocal or not, you can tell by how they treat it (or by the 5 stars or 10/10 rating they leave you afterward).

• The Flexible
Got a peculiar way of going about it? No problem! They can adapt. And while they won’t stand for scams or being taken advantage of, they can be quite understanding and even forgiving. If you miss a deadline or have to postpone it, they won’t be too appalled. If something comes up and you cannot deliver as expected, they will adjust their expectations. Don’t get too comfortable, though, because even they have a limit.

Tolerable/Manageable
• The Indecisive
They can’t make up their mind. They will ask for something, and then for something else contrary to that. Or they won’t ask for anything but ask you to present them with options - and then some more. They may be conscious and apologetic about it, but still have a hard and difficult time deciding. You may have to step in and make decisions for them or lead them into making favorable ones.

• The Flirt
Do they get special treatment if they seduce you? They will try to find out. It is possible to meet your other half through work, but this is unlikely to be the case. They will attempt to charm you for better deals for them or simply because they find you attractive and getting your attention thrills them. It gets in the way of productivity and efficiency and you will have to set firm boundaries.

Not Recommendable
• The “The Customer Is Always Right”
These people may have heard the phrase and ran with it out of context and proportion. They believe they know better than you, as though they didn’t come to you because you knew better than them. They will “correct” you and be petty, never satisfied unless it all goes their way. Which would be fine if they were indeed right, or at least within the bounds of acceptable, but they aren’t. Your talent and expertise are going to waste. You could please them and have an atrocity with your name attached to it in your history or remove yourself from the situation somehow.

• The Overentitled
You owe them. Why? Just because. There is little to no logic and rationality in it if you think it through. But it can be traced back to a belief in their grandiosity or the grandiosity of their cause. They may believe that they are doing you a favor or that it is an honor to serve them. May shame and guilt-trip you to get their way. They’ll come up with senseless arguments to try to convince you that it is your obligation to bend to their will and whims.

• The Stingy
Whether they can afford to or not, they’d rather not pay. They will bargain for lower prices, making excuses. And if those don’t work, they might begin attacking the price, claiming it is too high. And to argue for that, they will begin attacking your products and/or services, claiming that they are not of much quality or prestige to make it count. Even if they give up and pay the initial price, they will do so resentfully - perhaps after succeeding at shaking your confidence and sense of worth. And if they do get a discount, you’ll probably wonder if they deserved it.

• The Rusher
Zero patience. They must be your top priority and treated with the urgency of an emergency. Will they pay extra for that? Likely not. Are they an extraordinary client that has earned VIP treatment? Also likely not. May constantly check on you for updates and even delay your progress while doing so, then complain about how slow you are. Will they give you a hand to finish sooner? No, they won’t. Their insistence on speedy delivery is their contribution.

Alternatively, as a client, do you see yourself among the Not Recommendable or the Tolerable/Manageable and don’t like it? Start/keep working on your improvement.

Types of Bosses you will Encounter as an Artist

As an artist, and in other roles too, there are different types of people that you will encounter. They may prove to be anywhere from extremely favorable to extremely unfavorable to you. Here are only a few (more might be added in the future). Not necessarily in descending order from best to worst, but grouped by how recommendable they are or not to be invested in. And under this category, as bosses.

Recommendable
• The Faithful
Complete faith in you. They will entrust you with plenty of resources and also important matters, believing that you are capable and responsible. And even if you aren’t quite so, you might end up becoming it to not let them down. There might be some indifference involved on their part, not having much to lose, but it’s just as possible that they are indeed that confident, despite the risks, that you can and will handle it properly.

• The Aware
As conscious as they come. They are cognizant of actions and their consequences, what things entail and imply, which factors to consider and which are affecting the process and the result, how much potential there is, and how to fulfill it. They might know you better than you do and anticipate your needs and wants so that it all runs smoothly.

• The Accommodating
Willing to go the extra mile to make sure you’re fine. They make it a priority to provide you with what you require to do your best, aiming to boost your performance. Whatever is keeping you from being more productive or from making the most out of your abilities, they will take care of. You will run out of excuses.

• The Buddy
By your side. They may lead, direct, and correct you along the way, but as someone that walks with you rather than ahead of you. They don’t rejoice in being your superior and rarely act in ways that would remind you that they are. Threatening and disciplining you are the last resort. They’d rather have it loose and amicable unless a more intense and serious approach is required.

Tolerable/Manageable
• The Clumsy
Not the most competent around. May have to pick up after them or even do their job at times. It’s extra work but it could be worse. They may be trying but failing to gracefully tend to their duties. And if that’s the case, they’ll recognize your assistance and possibly be embarrassed by their shortcomings.

• The Stifling
Getting in your way. Whether it is through pessimism, catastrophizing, micromanaging, strictness, or something else. You are unable to function optimally because of their behavior and would have to verbalize this and ask them for room to maneuver.

Not Recommendable
• The Unaccountable
Not to be blamed. It’s never their fault, it’s yours - or someone or something else’s. They can be convincing and deflect as often as it is convenient to them. If you’re not alert and firm in the truth, you’ll believe there is something wrong with you or with others while continuing to be confused and unable to pinpoint what’s happening. Yet, continual exposure to this can leave anyone disoriented.

• The Tyrant
Enslaving and cruel. You owe them everything, they owe you little (or nothing at all). May keep you as an intern and make you do unrelated chores that you did not sign up for, for as long as they can get away with it. Pay is the bare minimum or below that. And don’t you dream about getting a raise. Complaining can get you fired on the spot.

• The Brute
Doesn’t get it. Claims that you’re oversensitive and that you should toughen up. Treats your job like labor that is void of intellectual and emotional elements. Expects you to just comply and deliver on command, repeatedly and with few to no breaks. Puts you in detrimental habitats and cannot grasp why your performance is so low.

• The Egotistical
It’s not about the work, it’s about them. Their power and their status are what drive them. They’ll look down on you and expect you to look up to them. Not doing so will be taken as a major offense. They surround themselves with those who flatter them and agree with them and will easily discard those that don’t. They haven’t quite earned respect but demand it.

Alternatively, as a boss, do you see yourself among the Not Recommendable or the Tolerable/Manageable and don’t like it? Start/keep working on your improvement.

How's The World's Culture Progressing This Year, 2022?

Before stepping into the last month of the year, which is a month I reserve mostly for celebrations to conclude the year, there’s something I’d like to do. I’d like to address where we are in terms of cultural progress.

Although I’ve written countless posts (here and on other sites) that revolve, relate, and refer to cultural progress, this would be my first time officially doing it as part of an ongoing series (and keeping the same or a similar format for it) to recap and summarize every year on this date. There will be years in which I’ll have more to say than in others, but I’ll still try to show up for it regardless.

My Personal Stance
As it has been from the very beginning, I stand for what is truthful, effective, and fair. I don’t yet have all the answers, but I do my best to consider and weigh different views and opinions to grasp the reality of the matter and find solutions to issues. Generally, I see that people are either ignorant, confused, misguided, malicious, pushing an agenda, or a combination of two or more of those. And I try to have patience but it can run out.

Cultural Progress in 2022
This year, after things got to such an absurd extreme that they cannot be taken seriously or given much tolerance to, I’ve seen many who have begun to stand up and speak up to bring things back to a more sensible medium. But just like the pendulum swings from one end to another, I’m also seeing many trying to reinvent the wheel and get us back to where we started or worse. As though things getting absurd automatically makes everything absurd.

Points
Browsing and scrolling, as well as being out in the world, online and offline, I’ve come across a few topics, and here’s what I’ll bring up:

• Sexism & racism
You can cite statistics or generalize based on personal experience and observation, ignoring sample size and other factors (e.g. history, conditioning, opportunities, etc.) that’d lead to inaccurate results, but no amount of confirmation bias will change the facts. Claiming that a certain sex or race is inherently superior to another and making quick judgments about everyone you encounter based on that, not only makes you rude - it makes you dumb. Yes, there are problems within specific demographics and the terms are thrown around without basis quite often. But if you’re assuming you know others and discriminate against them because of their sex or race, you’re not using your brain much. And can you guess what that makes you?

• Homophobia & transphobia
You don’t have to promote it, you don’t have to celebrate it, you don’t have to appreciate it, you don’t even have to agree with it - but, for various valid reasons, you must respect it. Your distaste for something is not an excuse to be cruel or downright atrocious to others. I don’t believe that homosexuality and transsexuality movements are flawless, nor that the individuals pertaining to these groups are perfect by default, but they deserve the right to at least safely explore who they are. Without being harassed or ostracized because of it. I’ve got a few opinions that can get me called homophobic or transphobic by some (e.g. wait until you’re older, say 21+ y/o and know enough of yourself and the world, to make any major life-altering decisions), even though I’ve been an ally since I could begin reasoning this stuff despite being surrounded mostly by conservatives, but ultimately, we’re all just people trying to learn to coexist in spite of our differences.

• Elitism & Classism
Look, I’m all in for having the freedom to hang with whomever you’d like to hang with, but some of y’all are way out of touch - whether you were born privileged or attained such privileges yourself. If you’re unable to see other human beings as equals despite your position, you lack awareness and may even be delusional. The worth of someone isn’t solely defined by how much society (or societies) have recognized and rewarded them. Actually, some of the most amazing people I’ve met are off the grid and would rather not play the game. There is definitely merit in seeking and having more for yourself by societal standards, along with the many benefits and capabilities that it brings, so I’m not discouraging that. But did you know that you can be glad and even proud of your attributes and accomplishments without forming a humongous ego over them? Overinflated egos are ridiculous and I won’t hold myself or anyone back from bursting them.

• Who’s paying?
It’s baffling to me that this has to be debated and disputed. It’s so effin’ simple. Yet, now you’ve got males whining about paying for females and females demanding males pay for them. Or males saying they would only pay for females if they subject themselves to shitty terms and conditions. It’s not about gender, godamnit! It’s about being a decent, courteous, and perhaps also generous human being. If you’re the one who suggests the activity, as an invitation, the onus is on you to pay for it as a way of treating somebody who’s humoring you. Unless you make it clear upfront that it is instead a request to be treated to it or that this will be a joint effort where bills are split, allowing the other to decide whether it’s something that they would enjoy or can afford. Furthermore, if there’s a significant wealth gap between you, the considerate thing to do (I’d even call it logical) is to not let the one whose pockets will be hurt pay and instead come forward, without making it awkward (let alone humiliating), to take care of it if you’re the more affluent. Don’t want to pay for others? Literally, have fun doing stuff alone or with people who don’t want or need you to pay for them. I’ll be having fun treating my friends when I can and being treated by them when they can. For real, some people are not just stingy, they are miserable.

• Pro-life vs. Pro-choice
No unwanted or unplanned child is likely to develop well. No child that grows up under unfavorable circumstances is likely to develop well. No child resented, neglected, or even abused by their parents is likely to develop well. More likely than not, they’re brought to suffer and made to deal with the psychological and physiological damage or lack that they suffered during their upbringing. It is not a noble thing to do to force yourself (let alone others) to carry on with pregnancy and birth that you’re not ready and wishing for. However, ending a life, no matter how small and prenatal, shouldn’t be taken lightly either. That’d be irresponsible and foster an uncaring attitude toward living creatures. So the least that you can do is abstain from or practice protected (as opposed to unprotected) sex as much as you can unless or until you’re ready and happy to have a child. If an accident still happens, that’s unfortunate and would call to make a difficult and conscientious decision. In addition to that, if men were more reliable as parents, maybe there wouldn’t be so many women reluctant or refusing to have children. Not me, though. Reliable partner or not, leave me childless. I’m fine with my nephew.

• Pedophilia
I’m relieved to see so many people fiercely fighting back against any attempt to push and normalize pedophilia. Being romantically or sexually attracted to a child when you’re no longer one and there’s a notable age difference is never okay or valid, even less so acting on those impulses. It’s messed up. If “childlike innocence”, read naivete, is appealing to you in those regards, it is a symptom of something rotten in you. And it’s you who must be fixed (or locked away), not people’s approval of it. Age gaps may be fine later in life, when all involved have matured enough to be able to be discerning and decisive, but not while someone is mostly clueless and prone to being exploited by somebody else that can and will take advantage of that. Even as a kink to roleplay with grown and consenting adults, it is disgusting and says much about you if you enjoy it. There are mature people with childlike features and traits, that are genuinely like that and are capable of entering relationships, and then there are literal children that must be guarded against gross predators.

That’s all for now. I may still sporadically engage and elaborate on various topics, but expect the continuation of this post next year. Stay lucid and keep improving!