Human rights: Food for a vanishing thought ‘HR and the dying of democracy’

HRR 726

[TLDR (too long didn’t read): If you are reading this, chances are you care about HR. This Reader is about what neither the Left nor the Right are even close to solve when it comes to democracy. For a quick overview, just read the bolded text]. Traducitraduire los/les Readers; usautiliser deepl.com

--Times of war are the supreme test of democracy. When civilians and soldiers are killed and others are made captive, when millions of people live in terror and dread, when emotions run high and the blood boils --it is precisely at these times that democracy is tested. (Haaretz)
--As my occasionally quoted reader Alberto Portugheis facetiously said: “Democracy has never existed. Religions made sure of that”.

Only by reinterpreting the past can the present be explained

--Let us start here with Voltaire (1694-1778): "A well-organized country is one in which the minority makes the majority work, is fed by it, and governs it".
--The political Right in Europe and in Latin America (and elsewhere) share a common historical background: their contempt for democracy. (Marcos Roitman)

1. The common thread between what was-the-Left and what continues-to-be-the-Right is that both bow to the infallibility of the market; undoubtedly, this only increases the apathy of citizens to participate in elections. It should not be a surprise to you that, ultimately, elections select members of the pre-existing (market-beneficiary) elites. Is, then, the slogan of ‘participatory democracy’ a pleonasm (use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning, either as a fault of style or for misguided emphasis), or an oxymoron (contradictio in terminis)? May well be the case. On the other end, there are those who, therefore, push the rationale for the practice of ‘direct democracy’.* These two versions of democracy leave us with the question: Is electoral abstention becoming the predominant form of expression of the majorities? It seems clear that, for many, the question is not ~who to vote-for, but why to vote.~

*: Many, in France, in Chile, in Tunisia, in Egypt, and in numerous other countries, advocated for the call of a bottom-up Constituent Assembly as the only way to (re)install the people, the citizens, at the center of power and of the decisions which concern them. (Louis Casado) This highlights the fact that, for an active democracy to work, claim holders must be the ones to formulate social strategies that are acceptable to them, as well as put forward strengthened policies that will effectively protect human rights (HR). These policies will further mandate defending ecological limits, as well as securing fairness and well-being for all --most critically giving a stronger role for women, minorities and trade unions.

Let us not confuse 'politics' with 'the political'; they are notions whose graphological proximity hides an enormous conceptual difference (Roberto Bruna Henríquez)

1. Sovereignty, as an element of true democracy, no longer rests with the people but, as said, with the markets. It is the market that dictates political decisions and has managed to impose itself as a decision-maker over governments, parliaments and magistrates, all elected by supposedly popular vote. The technicalities of elections have been perfected over the centuries to ensure that the results of 'free elections' always correspond to the interests of those who organized them. [...the first duty of the prince is to remain a prince, Machiavelli said five hundred years ago. In other words: the first duty of power is to remain in power]. When it happens that, by an oversight or an unfortunate involuntary mistake, the results do not coincide with what was predisposed... there remains what Alejo Carpentier (Cuban novelist, 1904-1980) called ‘the recourse to the method: the coup d'état, the ~dictatorship, the military intervention…~**

**: Already in 1549, Étienne de la Boétie (French magistrate 1530-1563) wrote: "There are three kinds of tyrants. Some rule by election of the people, others by force of arms, the last by hereditary succession". Three centuries later Karl Marx decreed that bourgeois democracy is but a form of dictatorship. (L. Casado)

“The importance of electoral democracy is better appreciated when you have suffered a dictatorship...” OK, but:
· Who said that voting was an expression of democracy?
· What interest can be aroused by participation in elections whose objectives are so limited and so far removed from the issues of concern to the majority?
· If the right to vote was extended little by little over decades, was it not mainly because those who hold the handle of power realized that the miserable are easily influenced and their votes bought?

1. Even if democracy is far more attractive than authoritarian/dictatorial regimes***, if the rules of the economy and of geopolitical power relations do not change, countries and peoples will continue to be oppressed and kept poor. No wonder that in many cases, people will try and seek refuge in right-wing populist parties that now promise order, stability and some sort of welfare. ~(Francine Mestrum)~

***: Beware: Many 'bourgeois democracies' of the North today consider a series of criminal regimes in the South as valid and legitimate. (Juan Pablo Cardenas)

Bottom line: Democracies are dying

1. For democracy to work, let organized difference of opinion be expressed! But for that, one needs common points of references. It seems as if now, we are slowly entering a period in which words are totally dissociated from true intentions and that means, our democracies are dying. This reflects the fact that we have no common references anymore on which to have differences of opinion. However difficult to define, ‘truth’ and ‘facts’ in the-information-we-are-fed, are at the heart of democracy and our possibility of having different opinions, discussing them, and living together in peace has been too often shattered. Obviously, opinions are closely linked to power relations… (F. Mestrum)

Claudio Schuftan, Ho Chi Minh City
Your comments are welcome at [schuftan@gmail.com](mailto:schuftan@gmail.com)
All Readers are available at www.claudioschuftan.com

If you do not want to receive these Readers anymore, do send me a message with ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject line.

Postscript/Marginalia
--Talking about the information we are being fed, it would probably be good to take another look at the failed idea of the 1970s and check what was said in 1980 about a New International Information Order, one that treats information as a key resource for building truths and trying to reach a new equilibrium with, as the Sean McBride (1904-1988) Report talked about “Many Voices, One World” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBride_report. Because of the controversy that surrounded the Report --and the withdrawal of support to it by the UNESCO leadership in the 1980s for the ideas it ventilated-- the Report went out of print and was difficult to obtain. A book on the history of the United States and UNESCO was even threatened with legal action and forced to include a disclaimer that UNESCO was in no way involved with it. The MacBride report was eventually reprinted in the US, and is now also freely available online. The report had strong international support. However, it was condemned by the US and the UK as an attack on the freedom of the press. (Federico Mayor Zaragoza)

Manga one coming straight after this!
Now I don't know many animes translated from Light Novels or Web Novels, but I have read and watched: Re:Zero Rascal Does Not Dream of a Bunny Girl Senpai Konosuba Sword Art Online
In my opinion, this question is a lot deeper than you think. This is because there is no inherent better option, as both anime and light novels convey emotions in different ways, with anime being more condensed and easier to follow and light novels using description and time to build scenes up better. So I'm not going to outright say out of these 4 which is the BETTER one, but I will give pros and cons for the animr and light novel as well as my personal preference based on them.
Re:Zero: This is a tough choice. With Re:Zero, I can't really choose between . I prefer watching anime more than reading, but subjectively, even I have to agree the writing of the light novel is just amazing. Every nitpick of the anime (Season 2 being too drawn out, Episode 13, Subaru's annoyingness at the start) is both explained and remedied in the light novel. The light novel highlights character development even more than the anime, and interactions happen more in the Novel than anime. The arcs are written so witty but professional, so it feels like you're reading the first place winner of a short story contest throughout the whole novel. If you ever just read the PROLOGUE, you'll understand how good the writing is. It's almost like Tappei Nagatsuki's internal Montague is the one reading us the story. BUT, and this is a huge BUT, the anime has the best soundtrack when it comes to correlating scenes. It's very smart to play the ED during good scenes to emphasize the importance of those scenes, and the EDs are so emotional in itself that they triple the emotional impact of whatever scene is happening. The overall soundtrack also has the same effect. This is why it's so hard to choose between light novel and anime.
Rascal Does Not Dream of a Bunny Girl Senpai: I think this is a another toss-up depending on which form of media you prefer more, as both the light novel and anime/movies are absolutely incredible. Much like Re:Zero, the light novel is very detailed, going very into depths of scenes in the anime and giving the reader a lot more time to digest the emotional impact of the scene. Mai and Sakuta in the light novel is written more lovey-dovey, while the anime versions of the two of them tone that down a little (like a teeny tiny bit) and focus more on the tsundere aspect of Mai and the cleverness behind every word of Sakuta. The thing the book lacks though is the music that plays an integral role in creating such a large emotional impact when watching the anime. Seisyunbutayaro is the track most people think of when considering an emotional scene, and hearing it definitely makes scenes feel more important to the viewer. Also, the OP and ED, on top of being some of the best ever, play such an emotional role into making each episode feel unique (OP shows Sakuta's perseverance and will to help everyone, and the ED shows the girl with the Adolescence Syndrome for the episode).
Konosuba: Hear me out. The anime is a more enjoyable experience for me than the light novel. Yes, I admit, the writing is excellent, and the light novel is funny as heck, the parodies slap, but there's something about the anime's hilarious exaggeration of everything that just WORKS. It's such a fun watch and isn't afraid to do silly things to get watchers to laugh. It's more or less the same in the light novel, but the comical expressions and lovable cast presented in anime form hit different for me. Music is used to a great extent, and the voice acting is amazing.
Sword Art Online: I think the general consensus is that the light novels are better than the anime, and I... kind of have to agree with this one. Don't get me wrong, I like the SAO anime, I think it's an... interesting watch, but the severe condensing of major plot points, completely unnecessary camera angles, very uncomfortable scenes and removal of important traits from main characters like Kirito really do affect the anime more than it should. The light novel, while also with its flaws in writing, is am overall more enjoyable experience to me. Kirito has more of a personality, the relationship with him and Asuna is much more fleshed out and even BETTER than their anime relationship because it covers more of it, and the Progressive series extends the Aincrad Arc and gives readers more or less what they were expecting from the anime (all floors of Aincrad). Uncomfortable scenes in the Novel don't feel as bad as witnessing the scenes in the anime. The one thing the anime has that is more enjoyable than than reading the light novel is the use of music and the brilliant sounding OP and ED for basically every season.
What animes do you consider better or worse than it's Light Novel?

I’m not the best at this but hear me out.

• Akademiks said that a “huge rapper” is secretly beefing with drake
• Akademiks says that the rapper has big songs with Drake(Sicko Mode is one of the biggest raps songs in recent history)
• Fans think it’s Travis Scott, (I also think its Travis, here’s why)
• Travis Scott was plastered all over the WDTY album, an album who’s rollout is centered around beefing with Drake+ Recently announced a shoe collaboration with Ye, who called for “The elimination of Drake” not too long ago
• Travis is known for being neutral during beefs(Let Drake is diss Ye on Sicko Mode, Let Drake diss Pharrel on Utopia{Pharrel is also on Utopia})
• But, this time I think it’s different, he’s definitely on a side, he SPECIFICALLY requested Metro/Future to play “Like That” at Rolling Loud
• But lets give Travis the benefit of the doubt, the version played at rolling loud wasn’t the Kendrick Diss version and “allegedly” Kendrick sent his verse last minute so maybe he aint know
• But he reposted the WDTY cover when it was about to drop, has 2 features and was in the Type Shit MV with CashXo(Also dissed by Drake)
• Travis knows Future/Metro are beefing with Drake he is showing them ALOT of support for a neutral guy
• I know what your thinking, there’s too much evidence that Drake and Trav are still cool such as the rumored European Tour, The floating Travis head at Drakes concert, and the “Travis got you wiped down” lyric on “push ups”
• I think these are all cover ups/smoke screens
• Starting off with the European Tour Rumors, it was hinted at via the grapevine on Twitter and Drake made a post hinting at it.
• But, Travis just announced his European/Worldwide leg for his tour, Drake is not involved, the Drake/Trav joint tour rumors are just rumors but if the rumors were actually true, this would mean Drake got removed from the tour. Well not “removed” but Travis didn’t wanna tour with him anymore.(Blind Items suggest that Drake doesn’t wanna go to the UK/Europe due to sex trafficking allegations)
• Next is the floating Travis Head that Drake shoots at, during Drake’s most recent tour this year, he had a massive Travis Scott head floating across stage whilst preforming “Meltdown”-
• Fans thought this was a jab at Travis, others think it’s “appreciation” or a “shoutout”
• I mean it’s obviously a shoutout right? Why would Drake have a massive Travis Scott head floating across stage if he didn’t like him?
• Let’s take look back at Drake’s character,
• On his most recent album “For All The Dogs” Drake has a song called “What Would Pluto Do” a song dedicated to his “friend” and long time collaborate, Future
• Fans loved the song and saw no maliciousness behind it, it’s a tribute song to Future, the title compares him to Jesus, and he’s rapping about how he’d fuck someone else’s girl because Future would do it. Great song displaying a friendship!
• However others found it weird that Drake didn’t feature Future on the song
• Nor did Future acknowledge the song, not even a post bumping it on his story
• Why would you pay a song made by your “friend” that’s shouting you out complete dust?
• Because he’s not shouting Future out
• It’s a massive sneak diss
• He’s bragging about fucking Future’s girl, and justifying it by saying Future would do the same to him
• “What would Pluto Do, He fucked the hoe so I did it”
• “What Would Pluto Do he definitely fucking on this hoe”
• So massive that no one knew it was a diss song until 5 MONTHS LATER, on the release of “We Don’t Trust You” “Sneak dissing I don’t understand dawg”
• It’s right there in the title track!
• The point is Drake is a massive sneak disser and bit extra/petty
• There has been smoke before the fire though, Future was allegedly mad at Drake for doing “Her Loss” instead of “WATTBA 2”
• But Drake was the first to publicly diss him
• Ye said “When Drake disses you, only you will know”
• If he can fake a an entire diss song towards Future, and mask it like they are still good friends publicly, he can do the same to Travis with the floating head.
• Not to mention, Metro was invited to IAAB tour in September 2023 and Drake first dissed Metro on a Metro beat with “More Ms” in November 2022 (He might’ve dissed Future there too)
• Don’t fall for the show antics, Drake hates these guys
• But there’s been tension before the sneak antics with Metro and Future but none with Travis, so maybe I’m just wrong.
• Next is Push Ups
• Everyone thinks the “Travis got you wiped down” bar is a Drake shouting out Travis
• But I think it’s something else, (I got the next point from a twitter dude)
• Drake wasn’t praising Travis, the point was to downplay Kendrick’s commercial success by naming other rappers and artists that are not Drake that outsold him
• He names Sza and 21 Savage, (21 Savage collab album with Drake sold 404k first week, Sos sold 318k, which is more than Mr Morales 295k)
• Other than Sza and Savage, how many other rappers/artists that are friends with Drake can say they “wiped down” Kendrick?
• He can’t say “Yeat got you wiped down, Sexyy Redd got you wiped down,” Durk Cole etc. They all sold less than Mr Morale.
• Therefore, he threw in Travis’s name as a placeholder to diminish Kendrick’s commercial success and add into the “he’s irrelevant” theory.
• Along with pretending to the public that he and Trav are still cool.
• The next part of my theory is all within the song Push Ups.
• On 4/12/24 after the release of Metro and Future’s second diss album, “We Still Don’t You”(Which had even more Drake disses) “Push Ups” leaked online
• It was the demo version that leaked and gained traction, Drake saw it and sent Akademiks the finished version, and dropped the song officially a week later.
• There’s some significant differences between the leaked version and the official, the beat is different, and the spoken word outro is cut off, but the lyrics within the song stayed the exact same, apart from two lines
• The Diddy Line
• And the “BM kiss and tell” Line
• Let’s start with the Diddy Line, when Drake was dissing Rick Ross in Push Ups, he brings up the Diddy raids
• Well not “brings up” he subtly mentioned it, didn’t even say his name
• “Every song he got it on the chart it came from Drizzy, worry about whatever going on with you and-“
• It cuts right before he mentions Diddy name which is supposed to be a subtle nod, but why is he scared to say Diddy name like he’s the boogeyman or something? Even on an unreleased demo
• The line is replaced with “Spend that lil check you got and stay tf up out by buisness”
• Could it be that Drake mentioning Diddy, and associating his name with sex trafficking could lead to some repercussions for Drake?
• Drake fans love bringing up the Diddy beef from a decade ago to insinuate that Drake is not involved with the weird sex stuff going on but Drake has been friends with Diddy for the last couple years.
• He drops a like on a Diddy ig post in September 2023, just months before Diddy’s first lawsuit accusing him of rape and abuse on Cassie
• This sub just revealed that Drake and Diddy are definitely associates via Nissan
• Drake would be the first rapper(Aside from 50, but first to do it in a song) to publicly call out Diddy for his sex crimes if he followed through with that line, the biggest one at that
• Drake saying that line would be throwing Diddy under the bus publicly.
• The blind items(which may or may not be true idk) suggest that Drake was throwing Dutchavelli under the bus with his sex crimes, and that another pedo rapper gossiped in jail that Drake should be with him
• And that’s exactly what Drake is doing, throwing Diddy under the bus
• Diddy still has access to social media and we know that other rappers, (Chris Brown, and Meek Mill friends with Drake) were at the Diddy parties fondling with minors.
• Drake follows Diddy son on IG, Diddy son was also partying with minors and sex workers, he’s just as complicit
• Could it be that if Drake name dropped Diddy and hinted at him being a pedo/trafficker in a song, hence throwing him under the bus, Diddy would have responded too? Would Diddy response be dragging Drake down with him? Is that why Drake deleted the line?
• “You gon make a nigga bring back Puff” could have a double meaning
• Kendrick can mention Diddy all he wants ”The Embassy bound to get raided TOO” Diddy can’t bring him down with evidence/confessionals.
• If Drake goes down, everyone else goes down, the industry is cooked, that’s why Metro had a tweet about “sparing the both of us”
• Kendrick isn’t going down, he’s not at these freaky rapper parties, he lives a boring life.
• But Drake?
• Who knows
• Keep in mind, when Push Ups first leaked, fans thought that Drake did it himself as a soft launch to test the waters and claim AI if the public thinks it’s ass
• But Akademiks(reliable Drake insider) says that the track may have leaked without Drake’s knowledge
• Also The Weeknd, who just had a song dissing Drake for having “leaks in their operation” posted a meme of him laughing the minute the song leaked.
• A reference track for Jumbotron Shit Poppin, made by Lil Yacthy also leaked a couple days after.
• If Drake does have a leak, and push ups leaking was a result, it adds onto the theory that Drake does NOT want to mention Diddy due to the potential consequences, and that the fans were not meant to hear that one.
• But Drake isn’t gonna publicly say “Guys don’t listen to that one I mentioned Diddy and I might get in trouble”
• He played it cool and changed the lyrics, no ones gonna notice
• Ok back to the main theory Drake V Travis Scott
• Another lyric change is “Rolling Loud stage y’all was turnt y’all was slick as hell, shit’ll change if your dog lil BM start to kiss and tell.” to “Shit’ll change if your Bm start to kiss and tell”
• Interesting…….
• We know that Push Ups is a direct response to Future/Metro, their “dog” is definitely Travis Scott, who was performing at Rolling Loud with Future/Metro, along with requesting “Like That”
• We know Drake hates the song, considering that according to Metro, he tried to block the song on radio.
• Travis Scott Bm is Kylie Jenner
• We know that 99% percent of Drake beefs center around women, if a rapper beefs with Drake their wife/significant other is getting mentioned. Unfortunately Travis on the receiving end.
• But this isn’t the first time Drake and Kylie have been paired together in a romantic context, theres been loads of dating rumors between them throughout the years
• Ye said ”Drake lives across the street from my wife and fucks all her friends” in a leaked phone call with Taylor Swift in 2016 . Does Kylie count as Kim’s “friend?”

EDIT I FORGOT THIS -Drake even has an unreleased song where he says”Real Shit, Kylie Jenner as a side piece, I got 20 damn Kylies”
EDIT AND THIS -Drake apologizes for the song later, but still weird to say that about a girl who you first met when you were a grown ass man and she was a minor?

• Drake would be the first to break his silence on these rumors and CONFIRM them by saying he smashed Kylie for the sake of the beef.
• Drake has known Kylie ever since she was young as 16, if Drake came out and said he smashed Kylie, people would make the connection that Drake fucking a girl that he first encountered as a minor, would be grooming
• And Drake definitely doesn’t want that label on him, considering that he “expected” it. So he changed the line and made sure it was directed at Future and Future only.
• The only lines that changed in the released and unfinished versions of Push Ups are coincidentally, the ones that cause Drake to Freudian slip himself(Kylie) or get him in trouble(Diddy)
• Hence why the track was leaked by a hater inside OVO and not Drake

In Conclusion IF the rapper beefing with Drake is Travis Scott it’s probably because of Kylie, if Drake smashed Kylie before/during/afte her relationship with Travis, he’s a certified pedophile. He doesn’t want the public to know that though, that’s why he removed Travis sub in Push Ups, we weren’t supposed to hear that, along with the Diddy line. There’s a leak in OVO, and that’s why the Travis beef is “secret”
Thank you to everyone who read through this, I apologize for it being a bit unorganized, I’ll add photos/tweets as evidence for the stuff in here soon. If I made a mistake/missing something lmk. If someone can make a shorter TDLR version that’s be appreciated ✌🏾.
UPDATE:Akademiks confirms the secret rapper is Travis right as I post this 😂

Exion has finally started to respond to my posts. It would be easier if Exion would unblock me and engage with me directly but they still refuse to do so. It would also be nice if they linked the posts they are responding to so anyone reading his posts can look up my posts. I made sure to do that for all his posts. In this post I’ll be responding to https://www.reddit.com/Quraniyoon/s/98oVSczZYe.
For the list of parts in my series see https://www.reddit.com/Quraniyoon/s/01K9X3Pjxj

In this post, I will be answering and refuting the individual who keeps writing posts about me and comments every second he gets trying to "refute" me and "expose" me. I am only doing this because some brothers and sisters have allowed themselves to be fooled by this dude.

In his last post before he started addressing my criticisms he made it clear he wouldn’t engage with my criticisms. It’s only after the mods told him to either respond or they’d remove his posts, as can be seen here https://www.reddit.com/Quraniyoon/s/c1XSgLQlZe, that he started responding to me. Given those facts I find it hard to believe his reasons given here for responding to me.

He begins by discussing my translation of the word "ישוחח," which I interpret as "argue" or "put forth."

That’s not where I begin. There is some important context before that. The first part of my first post was about showing the general sloppy nature of his posts using examples which he acknowledged his mistake, are things someone who knows Hebrew would be unlikely to make, and which he later copied elsewhere without fixing the mistake. The issue of ישוחח is just one part of this.

Firstly, in Biblical Hebrew, verb forms such as Qal and Piel (often referred to as Polel in some grammatical traditions) are distinguished by their specific diacritic markings (i.e., vowel points and consonantal diacritics).

Nope. The difference between the Qal and Polel forms in this case are not just in the diacritical marks but also have consonant differences.

Since I believe that the Masoretes distorted the Old Testament by adding these diacritics to reach a deviant interpretation, I do not consider them at all. I read the Old Testament without any diacritics. This is something he has yet to understand

Again in this case it’s not just the diacritical marks. I also understand Exion rejects them and in my responses I give reasons why his diacritical mark suggestions don’t work.

He later argues that the ancient Christian manuscripts (such as the Codex Sinaiticus, Septuagint, etc.) must agree with my claims and not with the Masoretic renderings of the Hebrew text, a conclusion he bases on thin air. I ask: Why is that so? Can you give us one good reason for this conclusion? You can't! He says this only because he considers these Christian manuscripts as divinely revealed criteria and translations.

Note the Septuagint was written by Jews not Christians. I’ve also given my reasons for why those should agree with Exion. He ignores those reasons and then attributes different reasons I never said. I’ll repeat again, Exion’s theory that he’s stated multiple times is that when the Masoretes added the diacritical marks they intentionally added ones that change the original meaning of the text to cover prophecies about Mohammed and Islam. He then claims he is discovering the original true meaning of the verses. If this is true then pre Masorete texts would still have the original meaning. Also any sources from after the Masoretes but which weren’t influenced by them should still have the original meaning. Also any before Mohammed and Islam wouldn’t have the same motivation to hide prophecies about Mohammed and Islam.

The Masoretes could even have been influenced by Christians and their manuscripts,

This is a textbook example of an ad hoc assumption. An ad hoc assumption is when an assumption is added without any evidence to modify a theory for the sole purpose of avoiding falsification of the theory by some evidence. Since these sources that should agree with Exion don’t agree he added a new assumption without evidence to modify his theory to avoid falsification.
It’s also a problematic assumption. The Masoretes were Jews. Jews and Christians were split a few hundred years earlier and so didn’t really influence each other. For the Septuagint this was written even before Christianity. It’s so far before Islam and Mohammed that it’s extremely unlikely they were trying to hide any prophecies about them. It’s one of our oldest sources for the text making them a good source for how early Jews understood the text. It serves as an excellent source for testing Exion’s claims since if they’re true we’d expect, at least a significant portion of the time, they’d agree with Exion. If no one else in history, even before the diacritical marks were added, agrees with Exion then Exion is not speaking the same language as everyone else.

In other words, both Qal and Polel essentially mean the same thing.

Here is what Exion said previously, “Regarding the phrase "Who will argue...", an alternative rendering could be "Who will claim..." However, using the word "argue" may be more faithful to the original text, as it carries a connotation of "complaining" or "disputing" rather than simply making a statement or engaging in ordinary conversation. This nuance helps capture the intended meaning more accurately.”
They specifically note the nuance of the meaning ‘complain’. What they failed to notice is that meaning is only part of the Qal form not the Polel. Both their original and new dictionary citation show this. Since the verb in question is in the Polel form that meaning doesn’t apply. Both source clearly listed the two different forms and the meanings for both. Either this is another case of Exion not reading his sources properly or he didn’t realize the correct form of the verb. Either way it shows the general unreliability of Exion.

Thus, he has fixated on this specific word, insisting it is (without a shadow of a doubt) in the Polel form (because his Pauline forefathers said so)

Actually I insist it’s in the Polel because I understand the different verb congregations. It’s not just diacritical marks but consonant differences as well. A key way we can tell is that the final consonant, ח, is duplicated.

Let's see if the Polel form does anything to save him:

This whole section is a lengthy that follows completely misses the point. Here is the original discussion, https://www.reddit.com/DebateReligion/s/f3XrmqDNqi. Like back then his response misses the point. I go on to note how is translation depends upon connecting two parks of the sentence where the diacritical marks have a break. I asked given all the mistakes he’s made up to that point, with the mix up of the Qal and Polel being the most recent at that time, why should we trust him over the Masoretes. The idea was to show how Exion is unreliable and doesn’t know Hebrew so he can’t be trusted over Hebrew speakers. He doesn’t justify why we shouldn’t take a break at that section, we’re just supposed to trust him but with all the mistakes he makes we can’t trust him. Furthermore after adjusting his translation to accommodate the Polel meaning the next day he copied his post to this subreddit without making the same correction but leaving the mistaken Qal meaning.

I believe (if I remember correctly) that he translates it as:

Nope. I never gave my own translation for this verse. He could have just checked the discussion but instead he made another sloppy mistake where he misrepresented what someone else has said. The discussion is public for anyone to read it themselves and see I never said that.

He goes on to say that I quoted from a fictitious source, which is not true at all. I simply didn’t bother looking through my entire library to find a quote I mistakenly mis-referenced, mainly because the quote turned out to be quite irrelevant, and I don’t waste my time like that.

That’s just an excuse. After giving the original citation a few people tried and couldn’t find it. He was pressed on the issue. Finally after some back and forth he gave a new book name and new author. However, the citation still couldn’t be found in that new book. It was at that point where he just ignored any further requests for proving the source exists. This is the first time since then he’s acknowledged it. Given that course of events it’s strong evidence the citation doesn’t actually exist. Until he provides proof the citation actually exists we should take the citation as fictitious. Though even if the source does exist his acknowledgment of a wrong citation is still evidence of his sloppy work and unreliability with representing sources, something he does very often.

So, I will not bother to refute every single point of the old stuff that I’ve already conclusively answered.

He never did. For the issue about copying the verse number and making it part of the verse all he could say before is that it’s a minor mistake that I’m overblowing. However, as I note the error is not a minor one but actually requires several points of failure, some of which are hard to accidentally make. E.g. removing the space between the verse number and first word after copying takes intentional action. For the pronoun suffixes his response boils down to just claiming every single person who has ever translated it is wrong and he is right. He refused to give a general account of pronoun suffixes that supports his translation along with a source to back up his account. I on the other hand took a picture of my Hebrew textbook showing the full chart to prove he is wrong.

Regarding the stone God mentions that was to be placed in the Temple of God, he says that it is saying

Notice in this section of his response he changes his original translation to include the second instance of the word stone that he previously missed. This acknowledges that he was originally wrong and missed that word. He just tries to rework the translation have that second occurrence of the word stone while still referring to God’s stone. Let’s see if it works.

The next word is אל: This is taken as a preposition according to them, and it generally means "to" or "toward," and never "upon." It is used to indicate direction or movement towards something. While the following word is, again, a stone "אבן."

I deal with his simplistic view of Hebrew pronouns in my pt 2. Once again we have the same problem. The relationship between pronouns in Hebrew compared to English is complicated. The pronoun in my pt 2 analysis has 8 pages in the BDB. אל has 2 pages. For על, which we be relevant in a moment, it has almost 6 pages for the proposition part. It’s far more complicated than giving a short list and only limiting translation to that list.
Regarding אל the BDB under note 2 points out there is a tendency to use it interchangeably with על. For על it lists upon as one of the meanings. Exion goes on to argue the limited set of meanings he gives don’t make sense and from that argues אל should instead be taken to be God. However, when we realized prepositions are more complicated than he makes them out to be and that אל can mean upon this argument fails.

Here, "אל־אבן" would translate to "God's stone" or "stone of God."

Here is the chapter from my textbook on the construct relationship singular. https://imgur.com/a/TWa8x4B. Take the first example. The first word on Hebrew is סוּס which means horse. The second word is הַמֶּלֶךְ which means the king. The translation given is “the horse of the king”. The second page gives examples of how this is translated into English with a ‘s. Based on that “the horse of the king” would be “the king’s horse”. This example shows us if we accept Exion’s claim אל means God and this is a construct relationship then the translation would actually be “God of stone” or “stone’s God”. Exion has flipped the words in his translation.

Thus, the phrase "מטרם שום־אבן אל־אבן בהיכל יהוה" would be understood as "before placing a stone as God's stone in the temple of YHWH" or "before placing a stone, God's stone, in the temple of YHWH"

Actually with the correct word order we’d have “before placing a stone, God of stone, in the temple of YHWH”.

Or you could simply not take "El" as a construct state. In Hebrew, a noun followed by another noun can indicate possession without needing a construct state (i.e. the equivalent of adding 's in English). This is often called "smikhut" or construct form, but it is not always necessary to explicitly form it.

This is confused. He thinks construct state refers to a specific different form or the noun but the possession meaning doesn’t require that different form. My textbook shows that’s mistaken. Yes it’s true the possession meaning doesn’t require a different form, however it’s still called the construct state. This is evident from my textbook. It notes at the bottom of the second page the construct state is sometimes the same as the absolute state. I didn’t mean to say Exion was taking it as having a different form from the absolute state but was pointing out he takes the phrase as indicating possession. That’s why I said if we add the missing word at take the phrase as indicating possession we’d get “stone’s God’s stone”.

This is something he doesn't know because, well, who knows why.

As my textbook proves it’s him that doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Explicitly contradicting your claim that it doesn't exist, but you didn't know that because you have probably never even read the entirety of the chapter to begin with. The Temple was already there. A stone was to be placed in it, God's stone, the black stone of the House of God, and not that it was to be built or built anew. This is why I even wrote the article, because the temple of God was already in existence. How you could have missed this, if you've read the chapter in it entirety, is very baffling to me.

What’s baffling to me is how someone can be so confident and condescending while being so wrong. Not only did Exion fail to research the historical context of the literature he tries to interpret, he failed to notice my summary of the history. Haggai gives explicit historical markers for when the prophecies were made. “In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest:” Haggai‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬. This places the prophecy in 520 B.C. This was after the Babylonians conquered Israel (specifically the southern kingdom as the northern was already conquered), brought them into exile, destroyed the first temple, the Persians conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews back to Israel to rebuilt the temple. They started to built the temple but stoped when opposition arose. Haggai’s prophecies are about pushing the Jews to continue rebuilding the temple. You can read about the fall of Israel by the Babylonians at the end of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. You can read about the return to Israel in Ezra and Nehemiah (note the events in Ezra are before those in Nehemiah).
Exion mentions Haggai 2:3 to disprove me. This is another case of him misrepresenting his sources. Let’s analyze it carefully part by part.
"Who among you is left, who saw this house in its former glory?” The word former indicates it had that glory in the past but no longer has it. That is because the previous temple was destroyed.
“And as you see it now”. This calls to attention a comparison of the former glory with the current glory.
“is it not as nothing in your eyes?" This expresses the current glory calling it nothing in their eyes. That’s because the previous temple was destroyed and not yet rebuilt.
Also check out these verses: ““Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.” Haggai‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭11 ‭ESV‬‬. It’s pretty clear the previous temple lies in ruins and God is calling them to rebuild it.

This is why Jacob

Jacob lived long before the temple was built. His life is recorded in Genesis. There is a lot of history in between Jacob’s life in Genesis and the building of the temple in 1 Kings/2 Chronicles. Either Exion is completely ignorant of the history he is commenting on or he’s cherry picking which parts he wants to accept.

Lying and adding words to the Word of God to make it look like another House would be raised.

But that’s literally what happened in history. The first temple was destroyed and the later rebuilt. Again check out the books I mentioned for the historical background, especially Ezra which records the events during the time Haggai was prophesying.

The preposition "the" is not there before "Chemdat," while it is before "Goyim" (heathens), which makes sense because "Chemdat of all the heathens (will come)" and doesn't translate to "The treasure of all the heathens (will come)," as they have it.

Exion takes the lack of the definite article before chemdat as indicating it shouldn’t be translated with a “the” as its indefinite. He then argues taking chemdat the traditional way doesn’t make sense without the definite article so we should instead take it as a name. This again shows he doesn’t know Hebrew.
Note Exion translates it as Chemdat of. He interprets it as possession indicating he takes the Hebrew as being in the construct state. I linked above the chapter on the construct state. The first page notes a noun in the construct state never has the definite article. Instead the the last noun as the definite article then the noun in the construct state is also definite, and if the last noun is indefinite then the noun in the construct state is indefinite. Exion also acknowledges the last noun as having the definite article. When we actually understand the construct relationship we see that while there is no definite article on chemdat it’s still definite since it’s in the construct form with the last noun having the definite article. This undermines his argument for why chemdat is a name.

The phrase "הגוים" (ha-goyim) translates as "the heathens,"

The BDB lists this word as meaning nations/people. Heathen has very negative connotations which are not necessarily implied by the word.

He then says He will fill this house, which they saw as nothing, with glory. The house already exists;

Again look at the historical markers Haggai gives and the historical books for the historical background. Also look at the passage I quoted from Haggai 1 which clearly mentions the current temple in ruins and God calling the people to rebuild it. The promise God is making in Haggai 2:7 is about the new temple being greater than the former.

Going back to Haggai 2, the 18th verse also confirms that the Temple already was there:
"Consider, please, your heart from this day and onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the temple of the Lord was founded, consider your heart."

This particular section is Haggai 2:10-19. By this time the Jews started rebuilding the temple again and had laid the foundation. Haggai 2:15 and 18 are parallel passages calling the people to consider the time since that work on rebuilding the temple was done. God then points to the blessing they’ve experienced since then. That is in contrast to the hardships listed in Haggai 1:10-11 that God says we’re because they weren’t rebuilding his temple.

Nevertheless, he is right about one thing regarding this chapter: it does not mention the new moon to new moon and the end of the Sabbath—that was in Isaiah 66. My mistake.

Yes it is a mistake and it is one of way too many to count where he messes up representing his source in some way.

the second phrase can be interpreted as an end (if we interpret "Shabbat" as "End")

Actually it can’t. I missed this in my post but u/c0d3rman caught it in his comment on Exion’s post. The definition Exion gives in his post is the verb “to cease”. However, “an end” is not a verb but a noun. His translation doesn’t match his own definition.

but it is Biblically and generally interpreted as "Sabbath."

Because as a noun it means Sabbath.

A literal translation of the phrase in the 23rd verse would be:
‎>שבת (shabbat) - "Sabbath"
‎>בשבתו (be-shabbato) - "His Sabbath"
‎>יבוא (yavo) - "it will come"

Putting יבוא as part of this phrase has 3 problems. First it breaks the parallel in grammar and idea with the previous phrase. Second the subject of the verb then becomes the sabbath but that’s not possible. The gender of the verb and subject need to match but sabbath is feminine while יבוא is masculine. Third Exion’s translation has יבוא translated twice, both as part of this phrase and as part of the following phrase. However the word only occurs once in Hebrew so it can’t be translated twice into English as a part of 2 different phrases.
I also explained how this phrase is an idiom in my first post. I referenced the BDB which explains how we know it’s an idiom and what the idiom means, which corresponds to the traditional translation. The verse is not talking about a sabbath coming to a sabbath or coming to an end. It’s saying the frequency that all flesh shall come to worship before God.
I’ve mentioned the BDB often as a source. For those unaware there is an online version where words can be searched, https://www.sefaria.org/BDB. I’m mentioning this because unlike Exion I want to be sure people can easily find the sources I reference. If anyone has trouble finding any particular word I’m not sure how to link to specific words but I’m happy to take pics of my physical copy.
u/TheQuranicMumin you said “If he fails/refuses to do this, we will remove his posts for misinformation.” Can we agree already this counts as a failure to respond and consider his posts misinformation or do I really need to continue addressing his posts/responses?

Hi my name is Jenna! I’m 21 and from Nebraska USA.
I don’t have very many friends and growing up I’ve always loved the idea of having a penpal/ online friend!
Some things about me:
My style is alternative I love studio ghibli I like to watch anime occasionally and I read manga/webtoons a lot My current top artists would include Chappell roan, benson Boone, Conan gray, with confidence and Melanie Martinez My hobby is crocheting I like to collect Kuromi things
If any of you are similar in age and may share some common interests feel free to dm me!! :)
To add: also would be interested in snail mail too!

SN 35.146 Kammanirodhasutta: Kamma
https://daily.readingfaithfully.org/sn-35-146-kammanirodhasutta-kamma/
“Bhikkhus, I will teach you new and old kamma, the cessation of kamma, and the way leading to the cessation of kamma. Listen to that and attend closely, I will speak….
“And what, bhikkhus, is old kamma? The eye is old kamma, to be seen as generated and fashioned by volition, as something to be felt. The ear is old kamma … The mind is old kamma, to be seen as generated and fashioned by volition, as something to be felt. This is called old kamma.
“And what, bhikkhus is new kamma? Whatever action one does now by body, speech, or mind. This is called new kamma.
“And what, bhikkhus, is the cessation of kamma? When one reaches liberation through the cessation of bodily action, verbal action, and mental action, this is called the cessation of kamma.
“And what, bhikkhus, is the way leading to the cessation of kamma? It is this Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.
“Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught old kamma, I have taught new kamma, I have taught the cessation of kamma, I have taught the way leading to the cessation of kamma. Whatever should be done, bhikkhus, by a compassionate teacher out of compassion for his disciples, desiring their welfare, that I have done for you. These are the feet of trees, bhikkhus, these are empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent, lest you regret it later. This is our instruction to you.”
Read this translation of Saṁyutta Nikāya 35.146 Kammanirodhasutta: Kamma_by Bhikkhu Bodhi on SuttaCentral.net. Or read a different translation on SuttaCentral.net. Or _listen on SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.
Or read a translation in Deutsch, বাংলা, Bahasa Indonesia, 日本語, မြန်မာဘာသာ, Norsk, Português, Русский, සිංහල, ไทย, Tiếng Việt, or 汉语. Learn how to find your language.
Signup to get these suttas in your email inbox every day: Daily.ReadingFaithfully.org

My advice for those who want to change:

• Delete the sportsbook apps.
  • Forever, do not re-download
• Self-exclude yourself.
  • Asking a gambling venue to exclude you from the venue or a gambling activity offered by the venue.
    • Lifetime ban, if not the maximum years
• If you have a loved one, they will be affected by it in some way, come clean to them what you are doing. If it gets pushed back and not talked about, It could be worse in the future.
  • Gambling addiction is one of the most secretive addictions out there, stop hiding from your loved one and tell them EVERYTHING
• Attend a GA meeting (online or in person)
  • [https://gamblersanonymous.org/ga/](#)
• Find a therapist that specializes in addiction.
• Make better habits
  
  • Hit the gym
  • Watch what youre feeding your mind
    • Nutrition
    • Social media
    • Books
    • YT videos
  • Read books
  • Learn about the gambling addiction
    • When you learn enough, you’ll eventually feel disgusted you started
• If sports gambling is the main culprit, STOP WATCHING SPORTS
  
  • Watching sports for us compulsive sports bettors is the gateway drug.
  • Delete all sports apps
  • Unfollow all sports teams and fan pages from social media
• Give control of your finances to a trusted person
  
  • For gamblers, seeing money in a bank account could increase the risk of gambling, thinking we could turn that $100 in the account to $1k is not the right mindset to have.
  • If you have a line of credit, cut up your credit cards, close the accounts.

Just started a discord server for anyone struggling or recovering from a gambling addiction. Feel free to join if this seems interesting to you: https://discord.gg/S2J4TJjw
Stay grinding, stop gambling. Life gets better. One day at a time.
geoffwinningdaily.blogspot.com

To all guys and girls reading this and to the super Mom of 5 who lives near Selden who I once knew and saw intimately and dated for over a year. First out of respect, I wish your health and your wellbeing is good and all the best for your kids.
I mean this letter in whole heart, respect and honest of how I felt and I am man who admits when im wrong and I feel Im Right about all of this. I came across a nice facebook post real, where it showed a nice Love scene from the movie “The notebook. by angel alure. (Look it up)
Yeah, you are probably thinking im crazy for maybe writing about a woman I once knew. To the woman I once knew:
That fact is, I’m crazy about being in love with you.- I do miss you and im willing to “maybe” sit down with you , maybe and I consider it again. But not yet. your friend T******* was right when I saw her in april 2024 on a food delivery run, that “the heart wants what the heart wants”. After I surprisingly I delivered food for her. I guess that isn’t a sign right too? That we are not mean to be together and then hitting up your friend N**** in april 2024 who didn’t want to date me because she was friend with you. – Yeah both signs in my eyes that maybe we are meant to be together but I know you don’t believe in Love signs. – I do!
I wanted to let you know that our ultimate missed connection was not forgotten. This is the ultimate 21 year “missed connection”. I give you this story and a nice “song story” after this missed connection story to a woman I once knew and the “song story” is a song she once loved and grew up loving and she probably still does like the song below. I wanted to let you know from the facebook reel and the notebook that "This love does exist for a season or a year with a woman i once knew. I’m keeping her name private out of respect for me and her.
I dated a woman and was with her for off/on a year. Then she went back to her ex for the 4th time , in between me, and current fiancé per her FB post from 2017 lol ( i guess he was the whole time) like and you cheated on him. Like every girl i know and here does and plays commitment games with a guy. – Yeah I saw that old post you still make public for me and people to see , and way to rub it in to a guy who maybe still loves you.
For you and for everyone watch out for a woman like this. Sometimes, they use a guy to fill a void from the guy they hate, so she said, or the home life they are depressed from, used my good qualities for months to a year,, then go back to the guy she loved and has 3 kids with in the first place (and two others with a former exbf) after one little argument we had over edibles and nothing and trying to see you! She told me she loved me and then went to him "cause they worked it out for the kids" BS!.
The love existed for a season but when the love stress gets tough, women aren’t mature enough to find a solution to make it work! You say, you thought I was mentally ill or mentally retarted to not know your social boundaries, I knew your social boundaries and sometimes, I just didn’t care and maybe I would have respect you more if your life wasn’t an anxiety attack on me. I was sure as hell stable and good when we were dating from November to april 2023- oh well., - oh well , It didnt work out but we still have the future and its never too late to change :) She last told me she isn't interested in me anymore back in February 2024 after "calling me by mistake " according to her and just dialed me after i said goodbye to her in January 2024 to start a new chapter without you!. - I call bullshit and I’m right because according to dating experts, girls "will say they call a ex by mistake" to play games and see my reaction.
– Well this isn’t a game, it was true love and we messed up at it due to you not fighting for me. I guess everyone online that i read about is wrong and you are right? Pssh You just lied to me on how you really feel and you didn’t want the hard road and the transition to being with me over one argument we had back in april 2023 and December 2023. Ohh my god. Big deal. Guess what? people who love each other fight! and then they work it out! Good, I feel so much better now and not dealing with your toxic moments anymore.
By the way,- When we dated, even in June to august, then November to December 23rd 2024 while you were with your BF M***, I wasn’t mentally crazy was i? NOPE, Was i a mentally ill? NOPE i was not and you adored me when we dated. I was stable. - Maybe If you didn’t have your ex around, i wouldn’t have to feel anxious. Maybe I would not have texted you a lot and I would have felt comfortable dating you with him not around and I would have given you the space that you and I like. Yes, I liked my space too- Maybe if you didn’t hide me from your kids, If would have been special and stable for me to treated you stable. - Your actions created my instability and your home life affected both of us.
Simple You secreted dated me and him at the same time! - I’m not stupid! You made me crazy with your unstable life and not listening to my advice. I don’t control anyone but we could have been special and developed a possible long term relationship, leading to marriage. - I felt it and sorry you didn’t! You are just a user and woman who used men for your desperate time, and yes, I would have helped you watched your kids, in time, and changed my life for you and for the better. You just used me to get over your negative home life since Nov 2022 and lost the best guy that would love you until the end of time and your death, - I hope you are happy , Have fun being mentally happy with your award winning fiancé who you cheated on. Yup! (you know who you are) Life goes on! ""
To any woman that was with me and wants to be with me, in the future, they will get go with me to my 5 star Miami beach hotel getaway, like I did in march and share my beautiful 5 star new bathroom I have - Yup, I improved myself and will be better to improve my life.
Love will maybe exist one day again for me with a stable woman who knows how to commit to dating and not being shady! - I am so happy in my life , in at peace and back to being a cool confident person like I was in 2022.
So cheers to you and Im happy i let you go and so did you but only because i chose to walk away originally, - Don’t forget it, it was my idea to let you be in Janaury 2024 because of you choosing him over me. I knew it then and every time you left me. It was because of him and your kids driving you nuts.
– Admit it! I did everything I could as a good possible boyfriend to you. I cherished our memories but now I cherish my peace and maybe I will consider and be open to sitting down and having a positive conversation down the road with you when you are no longer with your ex or current boyfriend, whatever you two are, and no longer LIVING with him for good, not just sharing his bed for a month, and he moves back in like you did in NovembeDecember 2023.
Yeah I knew you were going to let him move back in after not allowing me over on weekends you had the apt to yourself and telling me you told him, Keep your bed here. Doesn’t matter right?. - If not, Im happy with or without you . Im not saying i will or will not ever date you and be with you again, but i "might" be down to having a nice catch up conversation with you one day when more times passes and maybe we both want that and maybe when I run into you again in life. Who knows? Small world as I connect with your two friends post breakup. - . Just "maybe" - like you always said to me and mess with my mind - Just one day....If not and .If we dont meet again for a open conversation IN PERSON like real adults doo. Not over the phone or social media., oh well, I guess you will never know what our love "could have been" and what i am and what i do on the side (That i never told you about) that would make you or any woman feel good about me and being with a husband who helps people and certain individuals you love, all over the country.
Too bad, I guess we will never know and you never got to see and date me in a healthy way, without your ex and fiancé "again" around you in your home. - Good luck until then or see you in the next life. Happy being happy with or without you! - At the end of the day, I truly do miss you and our time together but i dont miss our toxic times and it could have been positive if you wanted it to be. You wanted him over me, simple.
Admit and tell the truth. Honesty is the best policy as my grandma used to say, Just like your grandma used to tell you, "If someone doesn’t want you in your life, Leave them the F alone" – Well I did leave you alone 4 times and I was a fool in love with you and you came back to me as well. Four times over. Did you tell your dad and family you did continuing seeing me? Who cares what other people think and I only cared about seeing you and that’s it and trying to be with you. You just cared about how me or anyone helps our your situation because you were desperate and its all About you right??? . What do you expect me to do? With a woman I’ve known since 2002.
I guess you didn’t want your childhood crush and adult crush like I did.
You say, you cant force love? Well what do you call meeting you in 2002 at our legendary casino hotel?? What do you call talking to you over social media for decades? What do you call running into you again in 2012 at subway?
And chatting again on POF in 2014/2015 , which you never got back to me. yeah I remember “Ghost” - What do you call meeting you and reconnecting with you in 2017 at the very place we met in 2002? – what do you call re-connecting on tinder? Then we dated in 2022/2023 – Well I call it fate, you call it, taking advantage of a guy who YOU know always like you. You took advantage of my feelings. When we dated off and on - <- That why I hated you and miss you and was pissed at you in February 2024. – You used my feelings and energy to get back at your live in Ex boyfriend or finance now.
– Yeah, I still see your old post from 2017, I guess you always did love him while we dated. & you cheated on him from November to April 2023, June, July August 2023, Nov/Dec 2023. - Shame on you and you lied right to my freaking face. That you said “I hate him and I will never go back to my EX M*** in 2023 & end of 2022 - No, I cant get over you sometimes, because the heart wants, what the hearts wants.
Most of the time im good, but to be honest, whenever our songs come on, I have to let them turn off or I shed a tear and cry at work thinking of us. - However, I choose not to see you while you live with him and be with a unstable boyfriend and not go through what we went through again.
I choose my peace over us being toxic again. – IF you want it again, It could happen but it has to be healthy like IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SINCE NOV. 2022 AND IN FEBRUARY 2023 WHEN HE WAS SUPPOSED TO MOVE OUT? Did he really even move out by the way? Or was that another lie?
Now,. You said to me earlier this year, you don’t want to see me anymore, I call bullshit and I say you were confused. You wanted me in your life when you were with me, I just think you are confused and lost that loving feeling from you two exs or negative boyfriend. Im sorry you felt that way about me and you really lost out on a good and confident man! - Ohh well...and now I begin the process of becoming more confident and greater at loving myself and someone else then I ever did before! Have fun watching from a distance.
–P.S. I’m glad I didn’t date your so called friend N******A who you went to mall with in March. People like her need to give a guy like me a chance. Glad I avoided that train wreck and her thinking she is too good enough to date me because she is friends with you. – Who gives a fuck? Every girl and yes, I didn’t care about dating her either way, Tell her to stop showing her boobs if she wants a decent guy to respect her wishes lol. JK. See every girl has excuses to let love get in the way. .
Be well to you "super mama" Bella".. To give a happy ending, because I know you like one like a happy meal at McDonalds, and If you read this and got this far, I will now let you read a “song story” I wrote and tell you about a song that a woman I once knew grew up loving this song.
I will tell you a story about a little boy liking a girl he grew up with and fell in love with while he seen and was in love with her& did anything to just see her but with a twist……
.The song lyrics goes like this and maybe you know the song, not sure….but here goes…
“Once, I was seven years old, my mama told me "Go make yourself some friends, or you'll be lonely"
Once I was a seven years old and I started to learn about girls and wanted to make some friends.
“Once, I was 11 years old, my daddy told me "Go get yourself a wife, or you'll be lonely"
I was always dreamed when I was 11 years old of being and going down a wedding aisle with a beautiful brown skin girl and her kids but I couldn’t see her face after watching a lot of movies and love shows. – foundation of my love life 
Once I was 17 years old, and I met a beautiful brown skin Panamanian at a hotel party with friends who looked like Pocahontas and had the most beautiful face I have ever seen. – Ever! I wanted her like a hungry kid wanted McDonalds.
Once I was 18 years old and I heard she moved away from me. I asked a girl she grew up with me for her phone number but she didn’t give it to me or did not have it.I was sad and didn’t know how to contact her and wanted to be with her and going out on a date with her. I thought maybe we could be friends and maybe be in a relationship. I wanted love at that time and I loved her beautiful 1000 years and million dollar smile. – That move of her, was the start of the 21 year missed connection “Once, I was 20 years old, my story got told Before the morning sun, when life was lonely”
Once I was 20 years old & 21 years old and I thought about her in college and decided to write her on myspace or facebook. Don’t remember if she replied but I knew I wanted to see her millon dollar Panamanian smile. I missed seeing her in my college year. We chatted for years on social media or chatted through the years until my mid 20s and when I was 27 years old, Fated happen and we met again in October 2012
Once I was 27 years old and I met the beautiful brown skin Panamanian mom of two in front of and inside Medford subway sandwich restaurant, the same day I got out of the hospital in October 2012. I looked at her in surprise. She looked at me too but I don’t think she recognized me as she had her little girl and young son with her. I was too afraid to talk to her as I was feeling down that day. I watched her walk away from my life at that point and didn’t say a word. It just wasn’t met to be another “missed connection”
Once I was 29/30 years old and in 2015, I messaged her on a dating website called POF and I didn’t hear back from her for whatever reason, another internet “missed connection” we chatted for another 5 years until 2017.
“Soon, we'll be 30 years old, our songs have been sold We've traveled around the world, and we're still roaming Soon, we'll be 30 years old. Im still learning about life, my woman [I wanted a woman like her to bring] children for me [in marriage] So I can sing them all my songs, and I can tell them stories Most of my boys are with me, some are still out seeking glory And some I had to leave behind, my brother, I'm still sorry”
Once I was 32 years old and I met her again as a casino hotel where I shared a bed with her back in 2002. I had a talk with her and her boyfriend was somewhere there. She didn’t tell me that until after. I enjoyed reconnected and talking to her with her two woman friends, as she played the slots. – I certainly wanted her and I think she liked me then but didn’t wanted to say anything. We talked and then I left. We chatted all through the next 6 years until I met her again when I was 37 years old. – another missed connection or was it?
Once I was 37 years old, and I found out she “was single” through tinder. We dated in “sweet november 2022” and until april 2023. We broke up 2 times and then reconnected in July 2023 and then again in Sweet November 2023. I was so happy being with her off and on 4 times until the last day I saw her was in December 23rd 2024 to complete my Christmas wish. We also spend the days leading up to holidays together and I was so happy and in love with her.
Once I was 38 years old . I was unsure about her as I felt she used my feelings and she went back to her 4 times after she criticized my imperfections and made any excuse to just use my feelings since November 2022. I showed her good intent and her intent was to take advantage of me. throughout 2023, I was in love and hated our toxic times because of her home situation and her ex..
Once I was 38 years old and the beautiful brown skin woman saw me at night and slept over my place in November 2023 and December 2023. We had beautiful moments together and when we there for each other when times got tough for both of us. She saw me during the day when I was out of work and needed someone to talk to. I loved her as a friend , a possible dating girlfriend, a lover, a future girlfriend and maybe wife, but I think all she saw me was someone to make love to and use me for love and physical sex and love when it was convenient for her and she wasn’t getting it at home. I blame her and I don’t blame her. It was another truly good and bad missed connection at a shot at love that didn’t work due to whats written above this song story.
Once I was still 38 years old and once Im about to be 39 years old, I miss the woman I grew up with and miss the woman I want to maybe see one day over a conversation, when she doesn’t live with him or her boyfriend or ex finance anymore. If not, I will be happy and cherished our 21 year missed ultimate connection and cherish our times together. I will love you from afar, maybe, but only the good times.
Once I am 38 years old now, I am happy without you and maybe even happier if you find in your heart to realize how good I was to you, and how we had special times at C**** beach, Casino hotel, movies, restaurants, my place, your place a couple times. - I said goodbye to you in person on January 4th 2024, told you I love you . I was crying and looked at you as I was driving away. You then called me by mistake in February 2024 and we had our last argument. I wanted you so bad and to have another connection.
Once I was 38 years old and it now May/June 2024. – I haven’t seen you for real in over 6 months since 2 days xmas and for 5 mintues on January 4th, - I am really sorry, that me and you could not be together. It was not meant to be, because you didn’t want it to be and you didn’t see yourself with me. – I now realize you wanted him. So go be with you ultimate connection of your life with who you share 3 kids with. We had our time and I will cherish it..........
I am now happy without you but like I said, I “might” consider sitting down and talking to you in time If you would maybe want that after times, If that time comes and we run into each other again for another “connection” . – will it be a missed connection or a ultimate connection?
I last saw you on January 4th 2024, we average “running into each other” every 5 ot 6 years . so maybe see when Im 43 or 44 years old and I can say.
Once I was 44 years old…..To be continued Thank you for reading and Be Well to the super mama that lives near selden.
P.S. I do miss our times and our moments at the “selden post office” and our time together - Well see what the future holds for us and if we ever get to see what it would be like dating healthy and just us and no living with ex’s
Did you enjoy reading my story?
Do you see me and my story and what its like to be a boy being and wanting to be with a mom of 5? – do you see him?........
Now imagine it’s a girl chasing a boy she loved when was 17 and not 16 and now imagine it’s a woman chasing a guy of 5 kids when the guy was 37 years old and wanted it make it work What would you do B*******?
Would the girl continue to try and get that ultimate connection?
Time will tell and time heals all wounds. – Less is more right?
– How would you feel if the roles would be reversed. – Well See
To all : I hoped you enjoyed reading my “song story” – The real song is sang by Lukas Graham and it’s called 7 years. Feel free to listen to it. – I have to turn it off and aother songs that make me remind me of her. ..To everyone else and all of my single guys "this love doesn’t exist anymore, unless 2 people make it work and not make excuses! - simple as that. - Watch who you date and watch out for the narcissist two faced woman who I seen and dated. Love is sure interesting sometime in your life. Lesson learned. Good luck to all and thanks for reading.-
Would could have been B****? – Once I was XX year old and we will find out or we wont with us – Follow your heart and the rest we’ll figure out – I promise and I don’t break them. – simple 

Synopsis

“More Dark” is the horror genre (writers and its community) cracked open and laid bare. The story’s narrator heads into New York City to attend a reading by a reclusive, nihilistic writer named ‘L.’ The story is a brilliant satire until nothing is funny anymore and, as always, the faithful are eaten first as their reward.
Synopsis by Paul Tremblay

Characters

• The narrator
• John
• Michael C
• Tom L - or simply “L”
• The Cult of L - a well-dressed trio
• Mandibole - a puppet, ostensibly
• GVG

The story

The narrator - identified late in the story as “Mr. B,” a stand-in for the author - rides a train into the Big Apple with friend and fellow author John to attend a rare in-person reading by “Tom L” at the Kremlin bar. Drinking has already commenced and the narrator reflects on the sad state of his affairs: a pending divorce, which he is not taking well, looming deadlines, and his preoccupation with a newly purchased revolver back in his hotel room. John speaks of Tom L - referred to simply as “L” by his faithful - in almost reverential terms, and we learn the reclusive author is shrouded in mystery: his infrequent appearances at horror fiction conventions are the stuff of rumor and legend. We also learn that puppets feature prominently in L’s work. John has in tow two marionettes: a Poe and one called As You Know Bob, which he borrowed from his young daughter. For his part, the narrator has a “lukewarm” response to L’s writing, though he recognizes the man’s stylistic gifts.
In the city, they rendezvous with another close comrade, Michael C, and drop in at a dive bar for drinks, scuttlebutt from the horror publishing scene, and hushed talk of L. They discuss a rumor - promulgated by Nathan B’s blog post “Exploding the Myth of L” - that L doesn’t exist, that he’s an identity constructed by a small cabal of genre authors in the 1980s who’ve written under his name over the years. Michael insists Nathan’s write-up was tongue-in-cheek, and that his naming Mark S as one of the original instigators shows the absurdity of such a claim because Mark S’s own writing was, in the narrator’s words, “L lite.” And, anyway, Michael has met L and even went to his house once. (John smolders with envy.) Michael offers a puzzling forewarning: attendees to tonight’s event won’t see L’s face - he’ll be costumed - and he won’t speak. The narrator wonders how L will pull off a reading if he doesn’t speak, but Michael will only say that the reading will feature fresh material from L’s forthcoming collection of essays called The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All.
They make their way to the Kremlin bar, which is packed with local authors and some industry people, including Ellen D, who sends a round of drinks to the comrades’ table. Tom L is nowhere to be seen, but his table is occupied by an attractive trio - two women in “slinky” dress and a man in a turtleneck: the Cult of L. Word circulates that Turtleneck is mysterious occult collector and master puppet maker W Lindblad.
When Tom L finally enters, he’s concealed in a robe and executioner-style hood, not an inch of skin showing. He cuts an intimidating figure, at least six-foot-eight, and far larger than L’s one extant publicity photo would suggest. All Michael can say is “He’s changed over the years. It’s rather uncanny, I admit.” Ellen welcomes L to the podium, and his gargantuan figure stands before the crowd for a full minute of silence. Despite his inebriation, the narrator senses powerful unnatural forces at play between L and the crowd.
L raises a draped arm; from its folds emerges a toddler-sized puppet, eerie and grotesque in jester’s accouterments, who introduces itself as Mandibole. The puppet will recite a new work by his “benefactor, the incomparable L” and proceeds to describe a hellish tableau in which the heads of all in attendance hang from the Tree of Anti-Life, unable to speak because each mouth is crammed with bloody seeds, and there they will remain, to be picked at by ravenous blackbirds, in perpetuity… “until it becomes something worse. Something worse.”
The crowd is engrossed, including John and Michael. The narrator retreats to the bar for another drink - anything to distract him from the puppet’s grim recitation. One of the women from L’s table approaches the narrator seductively. He starts to introduce himself but she stops him: We know who you are, Mr. B. When he asks her name, she tells him it’s W Lindblad. The narrator glances over to L’s table to see Turtleneck gesticulating and pantomiming the woman’s motions, and behind him, Mandibole is controlling Turtleneck’s. The woman speaks of Jesus as a puppet; God the Gepetto to Christ’s Pinocchio. "He’s a real boy now," she tells the narrator. "He’s seen the beautiful thing that awaits us all. Waiting at the bottom of the hole beneath everything." She invites the narrator to speak with L after the reading, to allow L to eat his consciousness then head back to the hotel and the revolver waiting in his dresser. The alternative: eternal existence grafted to the Tree of Anti-Life. The narrator should consider himself fortune: most people are never offered the choice.
Suddenly, GVG, publisher of a flagship genre magazine, appears at the bar and brusquely shoos away the woman. GVG advises the narrator to trim back his beard and write more commercially viable fiction if he wants to attract ladies who are less vampiric. They listen a moment to Mandible’s soul-draining monologue, and before he exits, GVG gives the narrator a final admonition: “Dunno what that spooky chick told you, what you’ve got planned, but the only thing that changes when you check out is that nothing ever changes again. It’s no different on the other side. No different at all.”
Mandibole’s spell, as far as the narrator is concerned, is broken, and the puppet abruptly ceases his droning and withdraws into L’s sleeve. Attendees line up for autographs, including John with his two pilfered marionettes. The narrator stumbles out of the Kremlin and into a festive crowd outside a jazz club, his mind rattling with visions of dangling skulls and his plans to end it all.
John and the narrator part company with Michael, taking the outbound train. As You Know Bob is missing, and the Poe marionette is somehow warped out of recognition. But John seems different - a new man, mesmerically galvanized by his post-reading conversation with L. The narrator returns, alone, to his hotel room, haunted by images of his wife, of the woman from L’s coterie, of Mandibole, of his friends John and Michael. He picks up the revolver.
The story ends with a brief coda, presumably from the afterlife, in which the narrator concedes that his friends and his enemies were right: nothing’s different, noting changes. Last longer, though.

Interpretation

This was my first Laird Barron story, initially read in 2019 when Paul Tremblay included it in a list of Top 5 online horror stories. I had just started my foray into contemporary horror literature so I didn’t recognize the names and honestly didn’t realize it was satire. I just knew it was deeply unsettling. On subsequent readings, I’ve found “More Dark” audacious, hysterical, and still dark as hell.
Laird explains his approach to “More Dark” in our 2021 Chthonica interview.

It’s like a rite of passage. Every author at some point writes about his fellow authors. [Karl Edward] Wagner did one that I think was talking about his contemporaries…. It’s about vampirism. One of them becomes more successful, wastes away because essentially the audience is a vampire. Fame bleeds him dry. And I loved it because it worked. It didn’t matter that there was this meta-narrative…. You could be completely ignorant of that and just enjoy the story about how fame is a vampire. So I said when I write one of these it has to be - it’s a little more on-the-nose and in-your-face than his, because I decided to go overboard with it - but I want it to work as a horror story, also.

Among the real-life identities of characters referenced in “More Dark,” John Langan and Michael Cisco are easy to spot, as are Ellen Datlow, Nathan Ballingrud, Paul Tremblay, publisher Gordon Van Gelder, and, of course, Thomas Ligotti as L. (For a longer list of likely identities, see this post on LibraryThing.com.
This story has stirred controversy, particularly among Ligotti readers, and earned a special note of derision from Lovecraft scholar S. T. Joshi in his divisive review “Laird Barron: Decline and Fall.”

But the saddest story of the lot is “More Dark….” We are treated to a dismayingly nasty and mean-spirited caricature of Thomas Ligotti.... What possible reason Barron could have had for writing this story is beyond my understanding; it would probably prove entirely incomprehensible to those who don’t know the characters involved, and unseemly for those who do. I fervently hope Barron doesn’t write anything like this again.

So is “More Dark” a hit piece on Thomas Ligotti? No, not at all.
In his 2020 interview with Círculo Lovecraftiano & Horror (recently unearthed on Laird's Patreon), Laird states:

“More Dark” is a quasi-roman a clef. For the most part, my intentions were benign. The majority of authors who were fictionalized took it in the spirit it was offered. On the other hand, it was a deadly serious criticism of a couple of people who received it poorly. I’d be disappointed if they’d approved. No, I’ve never met Ligotti. I respect him as an artist.

The criticism noted here is leveled at the characters S Jones and especially Mark S. (Without naming Mark S, Laird explains the situation in our interview. And, again, this LibraryThing thread has guesses as to identities.)
But beyond these two individuals, Laird’s real criticism is for a subset of Ligotti readers who elevate mental illness as a kind of superpower. Again, from my interview:

I admire Thomas Ligotti… but I’m not a big fan of how a lot of people - and I don’t lay this on him, I’m not laying it on anyone specifically — but I’ve heard, Well his mental depression is like a superpower and I’m like, Fuck that. I have mental depression…. Let’s not go there. Let’s not valorize mental illness…. [Some] valorize mental illness, like, Well maybe that’s what’s so great about his writing. I’m like no, no, he’s a great writer because he’s a great writer.

It’s worth noting that Tom L isn't painted as a buffoon in this story. The narrator falls prey, temporarily, to the dread-inducing vision cast by L’s proxy Mandibole. (I did, too, when reading this story.) There are even hints that association with the fictitious L has led to the disappearance and presumed demise of the narrator’s friend Jack and L’s late wife. The figure cut by L is that of a powerful purveyor of dread, possibly dangerous, and possibly no longer human.
No doubt Laird had fun sending up his horror fiction peers - especially his real-life friends John Langan and Michael Cisco. But no character is satirized more than Laird himself. In the mold of some of his own hard boiled characters, Mr. B is a heavy drinker, deeply depressed, and contemplating his own end. Laird concedes, “Almost all of it is based on stuff that’s happened… I wrote that right after my divorce, I was not in a very good place.”
“More Dark” is not a hit piece but it is a powerful piece, fully satire and fully horror.

Fun facts

Manibole

• The puppet Mandibole appears in human form in X’s for Eyes, “The One We Tell Bad Children,” and “The Big Whimper,” and, along with the Mares of Thrace, is the antagonist of the third Isaiah Coleridge novel Worse Angels.
• Take human form with a grain of salt. A resident of the uncanny valley, Mandibole has been described by Laird as resembling both rubber-faced televangelist Kenneth Copeland and Eduard Khil, the Russian Trololo man. As Laird notes, “Mandibole possesses numerous aspects.” And in “The Big Whimper,” wardog Rex observes, “Tom’s voice is mellow and resonant. Elocution has ever been his superpower.”
• On pronunciation, Laird says, “Man-dee-bow-lay. Or, Man-dih-bow-lay. Thank John Langan. I was casting about for a name and he mused at length about Italian terms for jaw/mouth. I changed the pronunciation slightly because it's not Italian. It's not from anywhere around here.”

On the horrific image of the Tree of Anti-Life, Laird says, “The tree of hanging corpses in Excalibur was an inspiration. I visited it in Man with No Name as well.”
Exploding the Myth of L

I said, “Didn’t Nathan B post an exposé on his blog? Exploding the Myth of L?” Michael nodded. “As a joke, yes. A tongue-in-cheek deconstruction of the L mystique. Nathan thinks, or at least he likes to think, L doesn’t exist.”

I confirmed with Nathan Ballingrud that this blog post is a fabrication on Laird’s part, as well as the case of fluke infestation. He was happy to be included in the story and agrees his fictitious fate was still better than John Langan’s.
References

• The title “More Dark” may be a reference to James Blish’s 1970 tale “More Light.”
• Did you catch the Black Guide reference?

Discussion

1. Does the satire dull the horror in this tale for you?
2. What, exactly, is Mandibole? Got a theory?
3. Is W Lindblad based on a real person?
4. If you've read James Blish's "More Light," let us know if you think there's a connection to "More Dark."

I was reading an old post about cold approaching women and how the poster (girl) said it’s so easy to just say “I thought you were cute & what’s your name”.
That made me think… women truly don’t seem to make try to understand men bc if it’s so easy why don’t YOU do it? lol she said this bc she has never made an effort to have emotional intelligence towards the guys and feel what they may feel
A lot of dudes I know don’t approach anymore bc of multiple reasons.
“She holds the power to accept or embarrass you”
“Some girls are actually mean as hell”
“I’m too scared”
“I don’t want to look or be made to feel like a creep”
“Girls talk shit all the time about dudes approaching them”
These thoughts lead to me realize
A lot of these fears stem from being afraid to have your self esteem hurt for the first time or again and they just don’t think it’s worth it. (Respect to all the girls who politely decline an offer for a decent dude.. I understand being approached by someone you don’t want to approach you can be scary & uncomfortable bc some men can’t take rejection )
Then I thought :
Some Men are taught to respect women and be a gentleman since being a boy. We’re taught to chase and put ourselves, our self esteem, and reputation out there. (ex. A girl you see somewhere all the time, and she starts telling people she rejected you). And we did it.
but I’ve NEVER ever in my life heard any adult teach a young girl to respect men and see their worth. Or to look at things from a man’s perspective. I’ve also never seen anyone encourage a girl to put in effort in pursuing who she likes
I think this is a huge reason why dudes don’t approach anymore. They’re afraid of trying to find a girl to date only to be disrespected irl or social media
Especially since we read all the tings some girls say on social media
“I’d rather be alone with the bear”
“Imagine a world with no men, I could walk outside at night” (girls would just end up robbing you if there were no men lol)
“What are men even for”
I understand this is just online but a lot go things said come from a place of truth
I think if we teach our sons and daughters to see the opposite genders worth, then approaching would pick up more(if thats wanted) and it would kill all of this man and women hate online
What do you guys think about this theory ?

this is a long read and perhaps it's just a way for me to let it out but i appreciate you taking the time to listen.
my husband and i will be saying goodbye to our son in about 3 weeks. we've gone through all kinds of tests, aminio and research hoping everything will be okay, only to move towards hoping we are making the best choice. while we've been in this hell of a process for two months, we wanted to give ourselves time to accept what is coming and in case we ever want to change our mind. we are going on a short vacation as a family of four before we're back to being three but so far, our interactions surrounding the situation with my side of the family have not been great to say the least.
for context, we rent a home that my parents own which is 7 hours away from where they live in the city. my family (siblings and extended) tend to come over when the weather is warmer as it’s considered a vacation area. we appreciate having them over but sometimes they don't ask us and would sometimes bring people over that we don't know or talk to. they would just say “we're coming these days and so and so will be coming.” if we protest even a little bit, it turns into an argument. we pay an agreed to amount for the monthly rent, and handle the necessary bills like tenants would but it doesn't feel like it’s our home. as if we're just caretakers.
my father likes to take on building projects to improve the house so he uses his time off work to come to our home as the space allows for his hobby as well. we've also let my brother live with us for 8 months to help him get back on his feet after he went through a breakup. He was able to find work easily but eventually left to go back to the city about 2 months ago.
about 4 days ago, my husband and i came to the conclusion to start planning to terminate - were choosing L&D. we’ll have to travel to the city where my family lives and then go back home a couple of days after.
i asked my youngest sister who's skilled in crocheting and sewing to make our son a set of clothing for when I deliver. she said it's too hard/too long to crochet so she'll need to sew and that i would need to find the pattern. i tried to find some patterns online but they weren't right enough for her so I told her i’ll just find clothes to buy and I did.
we then called my parents to tell them about our plan to terminate. we asked if we could have at least 2 weeks alone in the house we live in with no visitors after the procedure just to grieve on our own. during the conversation, my father interrupted and said "ive already made plans and took two weeks off of work during that time." i calmly told him that we just need this short time to get back on our feet and heal as a family. he got annoyed and said "that can't be, what about me and my plans" and i lost it. i swore and used all kinds of words, I yelled at my father as I cried. I felt so enraged like everything i had left in me came out as anger.
My father swore back and called me all kind of names as well. I come from a family where you're not allowed to show emotions or be angry towards your parents so he condemned me and I did the same. in the end i told him to forget that he has me as daughter so he can feel how it feels to lose a child and he said he already forgot. i can see my mother understood where i was coming from but she wanted to keep the peace with my father. we spoke in a different language so my husband didn't know what was being said until i told him after the call. he was just as angry and want nothing to do with my father.
two days later, my other sister called and she was telling us how she felt like we're isolating ourselves and being unfair that we didn't understand everyone else's point of view - how they're hurting too. to be honest, i don't have a single understanding bone in my body right now because i can't even understand why everything is happening the way it is. i no longer had the energy to fight so i was able to talk to her calmly to the point where she understood where i was coming from. But I knew she couldn't help the situation.
i spoke to my mother last night and while i appreciate her so much, i can tell she's trying to please everyone. she mentioned that my brother can't find work in the city either so he needed to also come back to work for a while as he has no money. my cousin, who doesn't talk to me, also asked if him and his family can come over for a few days to try and find a job that will sponsor them to become permanent residents in the country we live in (Canada).
my mother reassured us that whoever comes will stay in the small cabin (think of a studio with a bathroom/shower) just outside the main house - 10 steps away. they will make a makeshift kitchen outside so they won't need to go into the house. But we will for sure heasee them and any equipment being used. I am told to just stay inside the house or if I do need to go outside, to just pretend they're not there.
again, I had no energy to fight and could only talk calmly. I told her how disappointed I am that we are being asked for these things. how we felt unimportant to the family and that my son’s death will be an inconvenience to everyone. how my father refuses to talk to me because he was hurt from my reaction. how we have to even consider my brother and cousin at this time.
i reiterated that our son is dying and that I am begging everyone to understand that money can be made and day offs can be moved but we can never have our child back. We just need peace and quiet. for two damn weeks.
My mother then asked if we could switch homes instead (we stay in their home in the city for the weeks we need & they stay in our home) but then we wouldn't have daycare for our living child which we desperately need. she asked if we could do at least a week in the city and they'll take care of our daughter in our home. This means our daughter would be away from us for a week and then we switched homes back for the other week we need. Its complicated.
i felt defeated. I could not cry. i could not break down. i felt so numb. my family is running us dry to the point where two weeks of us grieving is an interruption to their life. at this point, I'm ready to sleep in our car or camp somewhere but its not fair on our daughter and it's probably not legal.
I understand that no one knows how to navigate through this kind of situation- not even us. but when they ask us for what we need, its merely just a surface level question to say they care and this proves it. it really changed my views on what family really is for me.
Am I overeacting or expect too much from my family? Are we being unfair in our request? Perhaps they're right in saying that “life doesn't just stop for (us)” but it truly hurts that my sons upcoming death is tearing us apart instead of keeping us closer. Should we just bite our tongue and accept what we are offered so that our son leave peacefully? adding to the many times I've been let down by them, am i wrong for wanting to distance from them? we are having to think about moving once we're back on our feet but is this too extreme? I just can't help but resent my family from this day forward..

Leviathan, the Eikon of Water concept art
Leviathan, the lost Eikon of Water, has finally been found! After months of waiting, the Rising Tide downloadable content (DLC) has been released and with it, I am once again rambling about the mythological, religious, and cultural inspirations behind the Eikons of Final Fantasy XVI. If you would like to check out any of my previous posts on the subject of Eikons, you can find them here:

1.) Phoenix

2.) Ifrit

3.) Shiva

4.) Ramuh

5.) Garuda

6.) Titan

7.) Bahamut

8.) Odin

As I’ve said in the past, if you feel that I may have said something wrong, or if you would like to add to what information I have provided; by all means please do so. I absolutely welcome the discussion.
The sea serpent Leviathan, like most of the Eikons, has been a staple of the Final Fantasy series since its introduction as one of the original summons#Summon_Magic) from 1990’s Final Fantasy III. While modern usage of the terms “leviathan” and “behemoth” are often used to denote something large and imposing, these words actually originate as the names of two creatures from the Tanakh (or Hebrew Bible). According to the verses 40:15-41:34 in the Book of Job, Leviathan and Behemoth are two gigantic and nigh indestructible animals born around the same time as the creation of the first two humans Adam and Eve, with Behemoth residing over the wilderness east of the Garden of Eden called Duidain and Leviathan bound to the watery Abyss) as stated in verses 60:7-10 in the apocryphal Book of Enoch. While the term abyss may bring to mind the idea of a bottomless hole or even an underworld such as the Greek Hades, Hebrew Sheol, or Christian Hell; the Septuagint, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, often uses the term abyss to instead refer to deep bodies of water. In fact, Abyss is the translated noun for the Hebrew Tehom, or the “deep” primordial waters from which the god Yahweh formed the world after the creation of light as stated by the verses 1:2-10 in the Book of Genesis; which is but one example of the cosmic ocean motif, whereby existence is conceptualized as originating from a watery void. I find it very interesting then that the Abyss is referenced several times in the Rising Tide DLC, such as in the name of Leviathan’s Eikonic ability Abyssal Tear; the Motes of Water adage “Know that even should you walk Abyss, our hands will guide you home” from the Minwu Arm Ring description; or the description of the Radiant Tidestrike weapon that says “Surge did the tide, the water rising as if it were some mighty whale stranding itself upon the shore. Behold, the Devourer of Worlds. The beast within whose foul belly our hopes are carried unto the Abyss. - Eikonomachy - Book of Currents 15:40-41”.
From the aforementioned verses of the diegetic Book of Currents, as well as one of the Active Time Lore Entries for Leviathan that states “Old writings clearly speak of Dominants past summoning great whale-like creatures capable of swallowing entire cities…”; we can possibly see a reference to Leviathan) swallowing the protagonist Firion and his allies on their way to the Mysidian Tower in Final Fantasy II. However, I would suggest that these quotes go further than mere references to past games and are actually an allusion to the parable of Jonah surviving in the belly of a whale from the eponymous Book of Jonah. For those unfamiliar with the story, the Hebrew prophet Jonah was tasked by God to preach on His behalf to the citizenry of Nineveh in the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Jonah instead refuses the call, and attempts to sail across the sea to Tarshish. On the journey, Jonah and the sailors he is accompanied by are caught in a huge storm, and believing that Jonah’s dismissal of God is the cause, the sailors thus throw him overboard. God then sends a whale to swallow Jonah, with the intention of preventing the Israelite from drowning. Miraculously surviving in the whale’s stomach for 3 days, Jonah vows to do God’s bidding and is thus safely returned to shore, whereby he travels to Nineveh and beseeches the citizens to renounce their wicked ways, lest they be visited by calamity. This story is meant to illustrate that Yahweh is a merciful god who allows for second chances, giving not only Jonah, but also the Ninevites the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and redirect their course of actions.
With this parable in mind, I would like to mention that in 1949, literary professor Joseph Campbell published “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”; a work of comparative mythology in which he proposed his idea of the Monomyth (later called the Hero’s Journey). Campbell’s theory of the Monomyth posits that while most narratives involving a heroic protagonist may have differing contents, these stories also typically follow a similar pattern; that being a three-act structure comprised of 17 subset stages. One such stage in Campbell’s model is the Belly of the Whale (sometimes also referred to as the Abyss), one of the literally or figuratively lowest points in the story for the protagonist in which the hero must engage in introspection and commence a process of self-transformation if they are to be equipped to finish their journey. This stage acts as a symbolic death and rebirth for the protagonist, with some Christians even interpreting Jonah’s story as actually being an allegory for Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection.
A prime example of this stage can be seen in Carlo Collodi’s 1883 novel “The Adventures of Pinocchio”, whereby the eponymous puppet Pinocchio and his creator Geppetto are swallowed by the Terrible Dogfish; with the typically irresponsible and selfish Pinocchio instead performing a self-sacrificial act in order to save his “father”, which he is thus rewarded for by being brought back to life as a human by the Fairy with Turquoise Hair. Viewing the Pinnochio narrative as an example of a more modern mythical epic, Thomas J. Morrissey and Richard Wunderlich state in “Death and Rebirth in Pinocchio”; “Gods can die and be reborn, or rise from the dead. Such mythological events probably imitate the annual cycle of vegetative birth, death, and renascence, and they often serve as paradigms for the frequent symbolic deaths and rebirths encountered in literature. Two such symbolic renderings are most prominent: re-emergence from a journey to hell and rebirth through metamorphosis. Journeys to the underworld [Katabasis] are a common feature of Eurasian literary epics: Gilgamesh, Odysseus, Aeneas, and Dante all benefit from the knowledge and power they put on after such descents. Rebirth through metamorphosis, on the other hand, is a motif generally consigned to fantasy or speculative literature… These two figurative manifestations of the death-rebirth trope are rarely combined; however, Carlo Collodi’s great fantasy-epic, The Adventures of Pinocchio, is a work in which a hero experiences symbolic death and rebirth through both infernal descent and metamorphosis”. We as the player also experience this Belly of the Whale stage in Final Fantasy XVI, when our heroes Clive Rosfield and Jill Warwick confront the Dominant of Darkness Barnabas Tharmr on the seafloor of the sundered Naldia Narrow, appropriately labeled as the Abyss, whereby Clive is soundly defeated by Barnabas for a second time. Fleeing their assailant, Clive and Jill consummate their love for one another on the shore of Ash, with Clive acquiring a portion of the Eikon Shiva’s powers from Jill so that he may finally triumph over Barnabas in a battle of physical prowess and ideals; proving to the false prophet and his God that compassion and the desire for freedom will always overcome any adversity.
With all this talk of whales, I should mention that from the descriptions as given in the Book of Job, Behemoth sounds to resemble that of a large ox or hippopotamus, while Leviathan is suggested as being similar to that of the tanninim) or “great whales” mentioned several times in the Hebrew Bible. In fact, Islamic folklore has its own variant of this terrestrial and aquatic duo, that being the large bull Kujata and the even larger whale Bahamut; as outlined by the medieval cosmographer Zakariya al-Qazwini in his seminal work “The Wonders of Creation”. Even though I am going to hazard a guess that the name of the Kuza Beast), a variant of the Behemoth enemy in several Final Fantasy games, is named after Kujata; it is quite obvious on the other hand that the draconic Eikon Bahamut borrows its name from the Islamic whale of the same name as well as the dragon god Bahamut) from the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. While the Book of Job describes Leviathan as being a whale or even a crocodile as suggested by a footnote in the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, verse 27:1 in the Book of Isaiah instead equates Leviathan to a sea serpent or dragon, with the Book of Job description also making it a point to mention Leviathan’s fearsome fiery breath. Given its status as a tutelary god for the Japanese-inspired nation of Wutai in Final Fantasy VII, it could be argued that Leviathan in the Final Fantasy series also shares similarities with Eastern dragons, such as the Chinese Lóng or Japanese Ryū; beneficent, serpentine deities of water and rain.
It is presumed that the figure and name of Leviathan actually originates from the older Canaanite sea monster Lôtān, whose name in the Ugaritic language meant “coiled” and was given the epithets “the fugitive serpent” or “the wriggling serpent”. In the first two tablets of the fragmentary Ugaritic Baal Cycle text, the storm god Baal (Lord) Hadad engages in a feud with the deification of the sea Yammu) to succeed their father El) as the ruler of the gods. At some point in this first chapter of the Baal Cycle, Hadad strikes down the seven-headed serpent Lôtān, who given the missing pieces of the text, could either be a servant of or another name for Yammu, with it also being believed that the monster was a zoomorphic representation of the Lebanese Litani River. Why I bring this up is to illustrate that Hadad’s defeat of Lôtān is but one example of the Chaoskampf mytheme, a pattern found in numerous Indo-European mythologies whereby a younger storm god or culture hero representing order and human civilization slays an ancient serpent or dragon associated with water that represents primordial chaos); perhaps a sentiment held by early agricultural riverine civilizations wishing to triumph over the constant and often devastating threat of floods.
One of the oldest examples of this mytheme is that of the Mesopotamian god Marduk’s dismemberment of Tiamat. According to the Babylonian Enūma Eliš, in the beginning there existed only Tiamat, the female personification of salt water; and Abzu, the male personification of fresh water. From the union of the two primeval waters sprang forth the first generation of gods called the Anunnaki. One such god, Enki (or Ea) would capture and kill Abzu after he plotted to kill his children due to the commotion they were causing. Enraged by Enki’s actions, Tiamat gave birth to eleven monstrous children to wage war against the gods along with her new consort Kingu, who possessed the Tablet of Destinies); the mark of divine rule. Marduk, the son of Enki, challenged Tiamat and her monsters, eventually slaying his opponents with lightning and storm winds. Defeated, Tiamat’s body was sliced in twain, with the two halves becoming the sky and earth. From an earlier promise made with the Anunnaki and the Igigi (lesser gods) as well as the acquisition of the Tablet of Destinies from the beaten Kingu, Marduk was made king of the gods; later mixing the blood of Kingu with clay to also become the creator of mankind.
Through the lens of the Chaoskampf mytheme, we can start to see connections between Tiamat’s dismemberment, the defeat of the multi-headed Lôtān, and Leviathan form. The non-canonical Book of Enoch actually specifies that the land-dwelling Behemoth is male, while the aquatic Leviathan is female; possibly creating an inadvertent association between Leviathan and the sea goddess and mother of monsters Tiamat. This may also be why Leviathan’s Chronolith Trial is named the Hand of Tethys. While still following the moons of Saturn naming convention, it is very fitting that the trial is also named after the Greek Tethys); wife of the world-encompassing river Oceanus and mother to the male river gods and female water nymphs called the Potamoi and Oceanids, respectively. Furthering the connections to Tiamat and Lôtān, several accounts in the Hebrew Bible describe Yawheh triumphing over the forces of the sea, such as in Isaiah 51:9-10 “Awake, awake, arm of the Lord, clothe yourself with strength! Awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old. Was it not you who cut Rahab) to pieces, who pierced that monster through? Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed may cross over?” and Job 26:12-13 “By his power he churned up the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces. By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent”. It is believed that Rahab, while occasionally used as a flowery term for Egypt or arrogance, was also a sea serpent either comparable to or synonymous with Leviathan. While Leviathan’s death at the hands of Yahweh in Isaiah 27:1 is viewed as a metaphor for the enemies of Israel who will submit to the Hebrew God, the Chaoskampf and the connection with the Canaanite Lôtān is further shown in verse 74:14 from the Book of Psalms, which says “Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness”; which is where the name of the trophy for beating Leviathan on Final Fantasy mode, Thou Brakest the Head, comes from.
Along with the account of Leviathan’s death in Psalms 74:12, several other Jewish sources, such as the Second Book of Esdras 6:47-52, the Apocalypse of Baruch 29:4, and the Bava Batra tractate in the Talmud state that Yahweh will slay Leviathan and Behemoth so that their flesh shall be given as food and shelter to the righteous during the End of Days and the Messianic Age. This may explain why the Behemoth King in FFXVI has several attacks referencing Christian eschatology from the Book of Revelation, such as the Four Horsemen; personifications of War, Conquest, Famine, and Death that herald the Last Judgment; and the Apocalypse, another term for a revelation which has since become synonymous with a cataclysmic end-time event, like the battle at Armageddon for instance. Leviathan and Behemoth’s statuses as eventual sacrifices is very similar to the role that Leviathan and its Dominant unfortunately play in Final Fantasy XVI.
Both DLCs, the Echoes of the Fallen and the Rising Tide, deal with themes of rectifying the sins of the past; whereby the Fallen and the Motes of Water engaged in questionable behavior in an attempt to create their own Mothercrystals to disastrous effect. The Motes of Water, a central focus of the Rising Tide, are a tribe originating from the southern coast of the continent of Ash and hosts to the Dominants of the Eikon Leviathan. After the loss of their Mothercrystal Drake’s Horn, the tribe migrated across the twin continent of Storm; where they were mercilessly persecuted by several groups, particularly the Greagorian faithful of the burgeoning Holy Empire of Sanbreque, causing the tribe and their Eikon to become “lost” to history. Due to their nomadic nature as well as Sanbreque’s similarities with the Roman and Holy Roman Empires, one could say that the Motes of Water mirror the Jewish Diaspora (exile) and transformation of the faith after the Roman Empire’s siege on Jerusalem) and the destruction of the Second Temple during the First Jewish-Roman War; or perhaps one could say the tribe is treated in a similar fashion to the oft demonized itinerant Romani people of eastern Europe. Either way, the Motes of Water are meant to represent the “Other”; ostracized outsiders to the customs of Storm who hid themselves away from the rest of the world to avoid further religious persecution.
After finding sanctuary in the northern territory of Mysidia, the Motes of Water tried to create for themselves a new Mothercrystal to replace the Northern Territories’ own shattered Mothercrystal called Drake’s Eye. The story of the Motes of Water is one of loss and a constant fight to carve out a place in the world to call their own, so it is no surprise then that they wished to regain something taken away from them so many years ago. However, the tribe would engage in a terrible act, enraging their Eikon Leviathan that laid dormant within the infant Dominant Waljas, and freeze both the baby and the Eikon in time to essentially act as an aether battery. Unsuccessful in turning Waljas into the heart of a Mothercrystal, all the tribe achieved was robbing the poor baby of its life and autonomy, imprisoning the Dominant and the tidal wave it summoned in that moment where the tribe’s greatest sin occurred for 80 years.
This frozen tsunami, dubbed the Surge, is not only a monument to the tribe’s greatest shame, but is also a constant looming threat over the tribe’s village of Haven; a reminder to never again engage in such a transgression, lest they be met with watery doom. This mirrors not only Jonah preaching to the Ninevites to change their ways, but also God’s warnings against individuals sacrificing children to Moloch in the Book of Leviticus 20:2-5. In fact, as ProfNoctis suggests in his video “Final Fantasy XVI Lecture Stream: The Mythos of Leviathan Part 2”; Leviathan and the Surge are symbols of human and divine regret, with Ultima, the creator of mankind and the Mothercrystals, referring to Leviathan as its “most profaned fragment”; due to the Eikon being rested from its creator’s control and the act of creating a man-made Mothercrystal being a repeat of the Fallen’s blasphemous attempts at attaining godhood during the War of the Magi and the Sins of Dzemekys, flagrant displays of mankind’s development of free will which is anathema to Ultima’s collective identity.
As a symbol of divine regret, the Surge could be seen as a parallel to the Flood from the Book of Genesis. Deluge or flood myths are motifs that can often be found amongst cultures residing near the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and Persian Gulf such as Egypt, Greece, and Israel; with these stories usually recounting a tale in which a deity or deities summon a world-wide flood as a form of divine retribution. One of the earliest examples is the Mesopotamian Epic of Atra-Hasis, in which mankind was created by the gods to act as servants and laborers. However, due to overpopulation, the storm god Enlil seeks to reduce their numbers by bringing forth a great flood. Enki, seen as a benefactor of mankind, warns the human Atra-Hasis about the flood, telling him to build a boat to protect himself, his family, and his livestock from the deluge. After seven days, the waters recede and Enki and Enlil agree on other means of maintaining the human population. This story is also thought to have been later adapted in Tablet XI of the Epic of Gilgamesh, where the survivor of the flood is renamed Utnapishtim; though both the Atra-Hasis and Gilgamesh flood accounts seem to originate from an even older source called the Eridu Genesis. Similarly, the Greeks also had a deluge myth, as outlined in the Roman poet Ovid’s Metamorphoses, where Deucalion, the human son of the divine Prometheus, is warned by his father to build a chest for himself and his wife Pyrrha to escape a gigantic flood that the storm god Zeus plans to bring forth as a response to the insufficient offering given to him by Lycaon), the king of Arcadia); with the pair washing up on Mount Parnassus nine days after the storm.
There are several theories, such as the Black Sea Deluge Hypothesis, that propose that the ancient Middle East did indeed experience a large flood at some point in the very distant past. Given that flood myths are thus believed to have originated from Mesopotamia, it should come as no surprise that the Hebrew flood narrative bears similarities to the previously discussed deluge myths as well. According to chapters 6-9 in the Book of Genesis, God grows increasingly distraught over the wicked nature of the humans descended from Adam and Eve and their inadvertent creation of sin, and so decides to reset creation to a state of watery chaos. God warns one of the few moral men, the Antediluvian patriarch named Noah, about His plan to flood the world and instructs him to build an ark to house himself, his family, and two of each animal to be the first creatures to inhabit the new world. After the firmament breaks forth and floods the world for 40 days, Noah’s Ark washes up on Mount Ararat. Noah then builds an altar, with God forming a covenant with Noah whereby He declares to never again summon a flood to devastate the world. As Genesis 9:9-17 states, this promise between Noah and God is commemorated by the rainbow, a symbol of peace; which as ProfNoctis points out, also appears once Clive saves Waljas.
Through a certain perspective, the Flood could be seen as a sort of baptism, a spiritual cleansing of the world through physical water. Baptism is considered one of the 7 sacraments of the Christian Catholic denomination; a rite of initiation whereby the individual joining the faith is either submerged in or sprinkled with water three times, representing the purification of sin and the grace given by the Holy Trinity. This is not unlike the Rite of Immersion that the infant Waljas is granted at the conclusion of the Rising Tide DLC; a ceremony for all babies born into the Motes of Water in which the initiate is sprinkled with mountainous rain water from Maiden’s March, river water from Riversmeet, and sea water from Tailwind Bay. The water used in this rite is used as a metaphor for life’s journey, likened by the tribe to that of a river, with this revealing that the Motes of Water hold a very cyclical view of life in a similar fashion to the Buddhist beliefs in reincarnation or the Lifestream from Final Fantasy VII. As the descriptions for the 3 kinds of water used in the ceremony state; “The rain that falls upon the mountains of Mysidia emerges in the springs of Maiden’s March. Thus the water collected from said springs represents birth-the fountainhead from which the river of life begins”, “In the Riversmeet valley, several tributaries merge into a single stream, where clear currents and roiling eddies swim side by side. Its water represents life-a course complete with myriad meanderings, yet one that runs inexorably from source to sea”, and “The Mysidian river empties into the ocean amid the shallows of Tailwind Bay, and thus its water represents death-the stillness that lies beyond the end of the river of life, and from whence the raindrops are born anew”. In fact, the symbol for the village of Haven is meant to be the combination of Leviathan’s scales and the river called the Ceaseless Rill, “...the circle of life that has neither beginning nor end”, not unlike the serpentine symbol of the Ouroboros. I would thus argue that not only does Leviathan represent regret and retribution, but also the chaotic journey of life.
If it’s not already apparent, I find Leviathan to be very interesting. I want to thank you all for sticking around and reading the whole thing, as I know this was a lot. If you would like to check out some more information about Leviathan, I would recommend checking out the videos “Leviathan of Final Fantasy VS the Leviathan of the Bible - FF16 The Rising Tide” by Country Kratos and “A Brief History of Final Fantasy Summons Final Fantasy Lore” by Alleyway Jack.
With the conclusion of both DLCs, Clive and by extension the player, is granted one additional Eikonic power. As such, I am actually going to do one more essay, which I will post next week. I hope you look forward to it and thank you again for reading this. Have a fantastic day!
​

(In case it wasn't clear, X-Mon is a play on X-Men and Pokemon, though it isn't actually an X-Men crossover)
Interactive Link: https://interactivewormcyoav6.neocities.org/XMON/XMON
Art Sources/Artist Credits: https://interactivewormcyoav6.neocities.org/XMON/XMON%20Credits.txt
Hi,
Synopsis: You're sent to a Pokemon World, but you have Pokemon themed superpowers / powers that would be useful in a Pokemon world.
This is the normal download, which you can play on intcyoacreator and can edit.
Download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HEf1csv-Z56c9r8wFvagSnOJ-GdBVKfZ/view?usp=drive_link
This is an offline version you can play without internet access.
Download Offline Player: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wZ-KT4Iwq0PeGYQwffhc2VPr736EDH9S/view?usp=drive_link
Credits: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pv895NKaDbj1da9L9jkjoQvvzuwxttos/view?usp=drive_link
Link to site with all my CYOAs linked: https://interactivewormcyoav6.neocities.org/
My Discord: https://discord.gg/Nvadzvn39e
Future Releases [Note: All dates may be changed.]

1. Interactive RWBY CYOA V1.3: Canceled
2. Interactive Fate/Outer Worlds CYOA: This summer, hopefully
3. Terraria CYOA: I want to work on this one, but it'll be quite a while before I continue it, I think
4. One Piece CYOA: Dropped, picked up by a few other creators
5. Starborn Path: This summer, hopefully
6. Team Builder CYOA: Canceled
7. Link Between Worlds: Not a Legend of Zelda CYOA btw. This CYOA would be about having a video game that is connected to the actual world it depicts. So if you're playing Plague Inc., you're actually controlling a plague in an actual world, and if you're playing Mario you're actually saving a princess (while killing countless goombas). Warning: Playing games with dimensional travelling/multi-dimensional beings is a double-edged sword. Sure, you could get magic and stuff, but Cthulhu will also be able to break into your reality.
   1. Don't know
8. Suzerain CYOA: This summer

If you notice any bugs, or have any feedback, please message me!
If any of you are having trouble playing this, either go onto my CYOA Discord: https://discord.gg/Nvadzvn39e and ask for help there, go see this public post on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/61700564, or put a comment below.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PixelGMS?fan_landing=true
As a Patreon, you get different perks depending on your tier.
Donator ($4): You get access to my finished CYOAs a week early and can commission CYOAs from me. You will still be charged separately for commissions.
Player ($8): You get access to in-development versions of my CYOAs, specifically my last in-development version of a CYOA before I stop working on the CYOA for the day. Additionally, you get access to my finished CYOAs a week early, and can commission CYOAs from me. You will still be charged separately for commissions.
Commissions: Commissions will generally cost $15/hour I work on the CYOA. This includes non-preemptive research time. AKA if I'm looking it up while working on the CYOA, it's included, if it's reading a manga or something before starting, it isn't. If I need to read a million words as research though, I'm just gonna refuse the commission. Note: I'm not accepting commissions at this time

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The most important thing to remember is that with the resources available today we are all able to accelerate historic performance just by will power and healthy mind support, yes this includes a balanced diet as well and you'd be surprised some foods that are healthy for the brain like walnuts or lions mane and shitaki mushrooms! (Some of these depend on individual health limitations such as nut alergies or immunodisease so before taking any particular vitamins and supplements please do consult with a health professional)
So ok, now you want to know how to find this information yes? Well let's begin with the most important one!
This post will contain regular updates with new sources, check back often!
Update!
[5-18] Added College/University Ivy League level Online Video Classes from OpenCourseWare
-------------------------------------------------------------- <<< [Page 4/5] - H M S ScholarNav >>> Topic: Free Software and Content on the internet --------------------------------------------------------------

KNOWLEDGE

I want everyone to be aware that there are indeed easy to access textbooks for Academic Knowledge here at the OpenStax community! https://openstax.org/
for instance here's a thorough list of mathematics course textbooks: https://openstax.org/subjects/math
and of course a well covered set of science textbooks: https://openstax.org/subjects/science
Very common i use these as resources and i will tell you they have less fluff and more vital information necessary to pass to its reader based on the subject and not overly dependent on trick questions and not only that but clear question answering not aimed at attempting to obfuscate the actual quality of information provided vs the "applicable" side of textbooks attemping to relate math to its reader.
So overall these textbooks are not overly complicated with fluffy sentences but get straight to the point sort of books. I have always recommended them and still do to this day, if you need books, especially in the STEM space, this is the place to get a great foundation of content.

Open Course Ware

List of OCW courses Click Here
A concept deriving from the Open Source movement to provide information to the world for free to improve civilization one step at a time, you will find tons of online classes available... from MIT... or thousands of other Ivy league Colleges... FOR FREE.
Ofc you can't just graduate with the degree, but literally if you wanted to learn anything in College or University and you feel like you can't because it's too expensive, time to move on from the past and enter the world of the free flow of knowledge!
Gutenberg is a very nice option as well, for more open to the public novels and what many would call "old" books, some even archaic. But if your at a wonder for something to read how about Dante's Inferno? Grab a search on it here at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ However, Gutenberg is no Amazon Kindle store, so you'll have to have antique taste in content to truly enjoy the library!
~Welcome~ ~to (Open Sourcing) GNU License~ ~to the General Public~, keep this OpenX in mind when considering a whole ecosystem of software as well offered like a full office suite compatible and comparable with Microsoft Office, but for no cost at all: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-1.0.html

SOFTWARE

OnlyOffice which is my favorite and most comfortable version of OpenOffice (There's that OpenX again) download below
https://www.onlyoffice.com/download-desktop.aspx?from=desktop
GIMP is my favorite Image Editor comparable to Photoshop if you truly know how to use filters and manually recrease photoshop automations, all that extra fanciness is nice but its really what your paying a high price in photoshop for, GIMP is of course FREE! and the name itself is GNU Image Manipulation Program : https://www.gimp.org
There are some of my favorite Video Editing software as well as antivirus, firewall, 3D editing, and so many pieces of free software out there remember with the right guidance you could easily save a lot of money and be able to learn and do so much to help put a step ahead from yesterday!

SUPPORT

Plan yesterday, do today!
Join the $5 monthly membership for this and many more pieces of software, guides, you can also post requests and get help with unique requests. I also make visual guides as necessary to help the accessibility to the whole community!

Full Tech, Earthcraft, Servers - Package

Get started expanding your technical abilities today! Never too soon or too late to begin!Information Is Free
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April 29