Just a random article about cubes. The films I have listed below for reference, all have a cube as a heavy feature in the storyline. They make me think of other well-ordered geometrical things, like grids and systems, which run off of a power source. I will explain after each one.
Hellraiser (1987) – a puzzle of sorts, a box to be opened and tempt you into hell. But it is a cube with a dark secret, which feeds on human desire, curiosity and deviance, which activate it. So, that is its power source.
Star Trek First Contact (1996), The Borg – their ship is a cube, they search out and assimilate knowledge and other species. And this one runs on a very clear system, with the power source being the Borg themselves integrated with the technology.
The Cube (1997) – a strange film without a backstory given or answer of how or why. But a maze in a cube for unsuspecting occupants, more like a prison with boobytraps and mechanisms, yet still a system and design that serves a purpose.
Transformers – the allspark which was a great power source. Shaped like a cube, and part of the machine world, but still seems relevant here.
Tesseract – in the marvel films, a recurring item throughout the films, is again a cube, this one being an unlimited power source.
We always seem to be looking for the ultimate energy source, and therefore power. I guess it’s no coincidence that the word power is used for batteries, as well as for ruling. Maybe their power comes from us, literally. And when they showed us a field of human battery pods in The Matrix, maybe they weren’t far from the truth. But a cube is an easy shape to imagine, a box. And it’s easy to get stuck in one, mentally perhaps, ‘think outside the box’ they say. Maybe that’s also more than just a metaphor, but to think it’s only in mind keeps you trapped thus so, and is a self-perpetuating loop. Perhaps.
But we are definitely being viewed and treated more as a commodity rather than a consumer, so it makes me wonder if we are the ones now being consumed. Just as we have done with resources, for the system trying to unfold, it switches. We become the resource. And like with all the films mentioned above, there is someone or something behind those cubes, and a need…
Didn’t have any when needed, so thought I would see what the ingredients are and how difficult it was to make. Turns out very easy to make, and almost had the ingredients, but what I didn’t have, I had the substitutes for. It wasn’t quite the same taste, but it was still really nice, and after a bit of tinkering, I believe it will be better.
But here is the line up of ingredients.
4 tbsp Soy Sauce
2.5 tbsp Golden Syrup (should have been mollasses)
1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (should have been rice wine vinegar)
2 tpsp Light Olive Oil (should have been sesame oil)
2 tbsp peanut butter, I used crunchy, but some recipes called for smooth, which I might try next time
1 garlice clove minced, they said two, but were quite large so didn’t want to overdo it
3 tbsp Sweet Chilli Sauce (the recipe I read used Sriracha sauce)
1/4 tsp ground pepper – I just used black pepper
The recipes I read also use cornstartch and water, but I didn’t need it as it thickened up just fine on it’s own.
So, the method was, put in all in together and heat gently until it all combines and starts to thicken up. Took about 10 to 15 minutes, but you’ll just have to judge it yourself. It thickens further once cooled as well, and is sticky and sweet. Good first attempt I thought.
An older saying, and one to point out that a person’s character is not defined by how they appear. The full quote from Arthur Ashe being
“Clothes and manners do not make the man; but when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance.”
But I have thought of it a few times recently for todays society, but an updated version in my mind.
The clothes do not maketh a woman.
And the same can be said of any appropriation, whether it be cultural or gender. On a personal level, I don’t actually mind anyone wanting an external shell that they feel represents their internal self, as I have written before in my article What are we? about it, and I guess even touched upon it in Perceptions of Self. And we are all part of society which is geared up towards expression of self and being unique, while we slowly have a severe lack of individualism creeping in though, it’s all getting a bit weird.
For many generations now there have been men dressing as women, and living as them. All sorts of relationships have been had, as well as women now and again passing for men, and dressing as such in public too. Social history and rules also play into these, as without such expectations of gender and the role they play, we are led to believe that people would have had more freedom to choose. I am not so sure, given that choice is sometimes part of the problem, and if you are making a decision without all the information, and lack of forethought, then is it really a choice? What we have now, is almost like someone saying, “Here, you can have pandoras box. Oh, you haven’t heard of Pandora? No matter, have it anyway, it’ll be fine”. It may well just be a box, but what comes with it is not. I did a small piece called Pandoras Asylum, for a closer look at that story, but I can’t help thinking that a can of worms has been opened, and only time will tell the ugly truth of it all, with people caught in the middle of it, as does always happen.
So, the problem appears to be multi-layered, and is causing very real issues. Because as with most situations, if there is an advantage to gain for an opportunist, they will jump upon it. Which is why I believe we have issues surrounding prisons, women’s units, hospitals, schools, changing rooms, toilets, etc. They all have something in common as places, you either find vulnerable people there, or people at a vulnerable moment in their lives. That is not an accident these places are being used as a ‘hunting ground’ – same with where you used to know paedophiles would try and gain access to children – schools, playgroups, care system, youth clubs, youth sports, scouts etc. Now you have online too. But that does not mean that the physical approach has diminished in any way, and opportunists will try to find a way to get what they want. They are schemers and always on the look-out, so would have understood the implications of a change in attitude in society, and how that would create its own opportunity. And you must understand, we are talking about people of a severe sexual deviance and mental dysfunction, who were always like that, that have just found a way to try and ‘blend in’ and allowing their behaviour to flourish, ironically, it’s by standing out, which for some reason now makes you immune to consequence in many cases. And people being either shouted down, or called names because they try to highlight very real concerns, is a warning in itself. People who look to abuse others, often have a charming streak, and will have others on their side in advance of any revelations, ready to discredit or dismiss any accusations that may come their way. But what of the ones who are rumbled before they even get to their goal, the ones who aren’t so charming and make it obvious there is something very disturbing about them? It seems they can be spotted, but without any action, just a feeling. Sometimes you just know when something isn’t quite right, your internal spidey senses start going off, so you know, and no-one else telling you otherwise will change that. Because when you think of it, how many people thought Jimmy Savile was great? In fact, nearly every high-profile person validated him, his outrageous behaviour, his garish clothes and demeanour, all part of the act to make that type of person acceptable, in the public’s eyes at least. And when it came out, and the shock subsided, turns out many knew, and were silenced, or it was covered up. So, just because celebrities and the media want you to override your own instincts and believe what they say over what you see and feel, may not be the best road to follow.
Imitate to infiltrate. That should be a phrase to remember. They will try to be like you, to get at you. That applies to all sorts of situations and people, and it’s always been the way that we have to work out people’s intentions, as they aren’t always forthcoming with them, or their honest ones. Unfortunately, there are some very caring and trusting people out there, who are often the ones to fall victim of this type. Because just as they exist, so does their opposite, the mean and callous people who are only out for themselves. Lots fall in between, knowing to not be too trusting, to check people out, trust your instincts and so on. And it doesn’t always mean dressing or looking like you, as we know from the list of above, those adults don’t dress like children to gain access to them (or maybe in some cases they do), but they come down to their level on some point to gain trust from them. Which in itself isn’t the issue, it’s what they then do with that trust is the problem. Luring and baiting spring to mind too, if you want to catch a fish, you can’t just sit there, you need a hook, and some bait. That’s where I think the drag hour story time problem comes into play, covered in Face of a clown, in story town. It’s an odd thing to me, to see the actual safety and decency disregarded for many, for the feelings of one. Whether they be male or female, whether they be vaccinated or unvaccinated, it seems to be a strange thing being encouraged. Ignore your own physical safety, instincts and feelings, and place those of someone else above yours (sometimes a complete stranger or unknown), of whom you have no knowledge of motive or intention, and who has no regard for you. You would do it right? No, you wouldn’t, and if you would, ask yourself why. But that is what appears to be happening, lots of people being told how to feel when their own instincts and feelings are telling them perfectly well what is going on, yet is being dismissed. Possibly because some people are naive to different types of people, or don’t fully understand what is going on, unable to view the bigger picture. Or they don’t want to be seen to be as different from the public attitude, the one being pushed in the media, so they conform to parroting the latest spin, or ‘acceptable thing’ so they seem to be keeping up with the times, it’s hard to know for sure.
But it is a bit out of control, and is no longer about some people wanting to seamlessly blend into society as themselves. Publicly, it’s turned into something quite exposed and ugly, and is about parading a certain aspect of someone life, in sometimes quite a grotesque display, out there for everyone to be made aware of. But to do that, they aren’t just being themselves are they? They are taking something away from someone else, and it didn’t appear to start that way. Men in women’s sports, jobs, politics and so on. We now have boys and men, who decide they are female, taking medals, funding, placements, jobs away from actual women. And if people think this isn’t a problem, I do wonder why. Because if women weren’t at such a disadvantage for so many years, why would we even need our own spaces, and categories and groups? There was a reason for that. Men have been openly favoured over women in many situations, jobs, in many religions, households and so on, so it really is an extra insult to have men still being put a cut above, but this time they are dressing like women and taking on what they believe are ‘traits’ of woman I guess. I only have a few example to go on, recently the US has put some real gems out there, using two men who say they are women, to discuss women’s beauty products and healthcare. It was over exaggerated, camp, and extremely cringy, everything you would expect from a pre-scripted, acting role. Trying to make us believe that this is a representation of ‘women’ and people think it’s great. It’s really quite strange. Because it’s not just about men dressing, acting like and living like a woman, it’s got a very sinister pharmaceutical underbelly, that is really the ugly side of what they are doing. Because while they allow the media stories of grown men calling themselves women once they’ve been arrested for violent sexual crimes, they seem to sidestep the stories of what is happening to people on the ground, the ones who are encouraged change themselves to ‘be who they really are’, but in some cases, becoming neither who they were, or thought they were, but something entirely new.
I have to say I was quick shocked to read about young teenage girls having mastectomies, and the drugs they put children on to stop puberty so they progress in the trans-agenda. Shocked about what it does to the body, which I already knew goes through massive changes through the teenage years, mentally and physically, so to think that was being halted and subverted, was heart-breaking to be honest. And will have serious consequences, both mentally and physically down the road. Add to that the pretty much guaranteed constant medication needed thereafter, to keep your hormones in line I guess, and stop your body doing what it naturally should. Suppressing normal functions, instincts, thoughts, in place of synthetically enhanced ones, but forever dependent on them, and whoever dispenses them. Because to me that’s the real goal for them, the ones who pull the strings and set the agendas, who never before cared about our happiness and wellbeing, or ability to feel complete, unless it can make them money, or give them power. So, when all departments follow suit you know something is up. Employment, education, medicine, law enforcement, media – all branches of the network of society got on board at the same time to make this new thing suddenly acceptable and accessible. It’s not new anymore, and has been going for some time, but it’s only in recent years have I started to see personal stories on social media of people going through it, and of the treatments, and studies, and medications etc. Focusing mainly on how people must feel inside to go down that route, trying to work out the psychology of it. Then I noticed I was missing something, the glaringly obvious in fact. Who was making money off this? If it was being pushed to the mainstream, to adults and kids of all classes and ages, then there was money in it. Or something else they stand to gain. Suddenly education and healthcare had funding for it, it was everywhere – gender studies, diversity, trans, etc. I could see there must be a lot of money to be made, but that particular one, would continue to make them money, as they would have a customer for life. Because even if they changed their mind, or it went wrong, they would still need medication in most cases. Similar with the vaccine, if you had a reaction, then it seems an awful lot of medical care can be required, immediately and thereafter if you make it though, so looks like a win win all round for the pharma companies and all those with shares and investments in them. No liability, maximum profit, forever. You can see why maybe anyone heading that might not want that gravy train to end. In fact, they just diversified their portfolio, so looks to be with us for a while yet.
Just remember the following industry saying, because we are all patients and customers to them, and it really does serve a profitable purpose for us to be sick, and confused, and in need of mental or physical medical assistance…
As people, we aren’t supposed to be robotic, numb and automated. There is something extremely human about feelings and the emotions that often follow. Not that we are always equipped or experienced to know what to with said feelings, but they remain for the most part, as a sometimes-unpredictable constant in our lives. We are at the mercy of our own feelings, and from those of people around us. Ours can be affected by others, just as others can be affected by ours. And I wonder whether people have this in mind at all when they go about their daily lives.
Of course, it can’t have escaped people’s notice that feelings are being cited as weapons in very real situations. But who examines and validates those feelings? Someone else, with feelings. And that’s where things have started to get quite messy. Online and in real life, because those feelings are causing consequences. The action itself is not the cause, otherwise for the most part, everyone would feel the same. Throwing a word or insult is not always the problem, it’s how it’s received. There used to be a saying
“Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me”.
It’s apt isn’t it. And I got its meaning as a kid, and I like to think it’s what has helped me gain slightly thicker skin for petty words, and a better measure of internal stability. Or perhaps it’s because often, I will firstly examine why the person has said what they said, secondly will look at what was said, and then lastly will review its impact on my own thoughts. Maybe other people reach for that first, they react rather than examine. I can’t blame them for that, some people are reactionary.
And I am all for reacting when slighted, or given what I consider good reason to. But that’s part of it isn’t it? What I decide is good reason. And surely everyone is doing the same, reacting to things they believe deserve a reaction. Which is where self-awareness and reasoning skills are important I think. To know and understand really where someone else is coming from, can help to form an appropriate response. And it will be different for everyone, feelings, thoughts and identity are very personal and individual, and usually based on experience. That’s why ‘following the crowd’ more often than not is a bad thing, because you don’t know the real intention, motives or mindset. You never will as part of a large group, it’s the nature of it.
Being you, with your thoughts and feelings is important, and knowing how you came to have them. That doesn’t mean you can’t be part of something, but be wary of something that wants to ‘absorb’ you into their fold, it usually starts with trying to celebrate your individualism, because it appears it will bring them something. And it does. It brings them you, because a group needs energy and ideas to sustain itself, and often I’ve seen how it becomes its own monster, swallowing all in its path of self-fulfilment. I guess the internet and social media are no different. In the virtual world or real life, they behave the same.
But being able to play on feeling, use them against people and manipulate situations with them, means it is becoming more and more important to understand what kind of a role they play. I may work on logic and reason, but I actually take feelings into account when making those decisions. Knowing when to indulge them, override them or utilise them can put you in good stead for an easier life. And knowing how to guard yourself against others using them as a weapon against you is of paramount importance. Gaslighting is a term we shouldn’t have, yet many are familiar with it, and the government itself has given us a prime example of it recently, my article Nudge Nudge mentions that a bit more. And while in some respects, I have time for people’s feelings, and will care greatly about how they are impacted, that will soon disappear if it becomes apparent that person is either taking the piss, or trying to gain an advantage by wielding those feelings. So, we have a fine line that we all walk, in ourselves and with others, and learning to have some social cohesion relies on people understanding that there is a line, and a point where some things will not be entertained. Just not everyone will give you a heads up or warning about where that line is, and maybe you won’t even know in yourself, until the moment someone or something crosses it. But they do say, once you cross that line, there is no going back…
MKW Publishing 