writing

Zombies? Perhaps…

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Prepped for it, exposed to the ideas of it and potentially waiting for it. Gen X are the ones in line for this I feel, and possibly quite a few of Gen Y as well. And I wondered why. Why the need to have it as a mainstream idea, they are not without uses and this one has been carried forward like a security blanket. As if the idea of an outbreak leading to a zombie apocalypse has been so thought through and expected, that it can’t be let go of. And I’m sure the idea of it may seem silly to some who have not considered it, but to a certain group of people, or section of society should I say, I suspect they know precisely what I am talking about.

I have already given a brief overview of my thought in The Zombie Thing article, and touched upon the idea of the dead coming back in The dead walk the earth, but could it be that it was never meant to be that way. The idea of it was. People fear people, that’s no secret, but the idea of people being turned or mutating into the very worst version of a human is one of our deepest fears perhaps. The number of humanoid monsters and demons that are depicted in movies and films is like that for a reason, because we can identify with it, however horrible it is. And that is what makes it even scarier, seeing part of you in it, and it in you.

But what if they pre-program us to behave in that way when faced with what appears to be a similar scenario. There seems something familiar about it, so we do what makes us feel most comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. If we remember ‘seeing’ someone else react a certain way, even if only on the television, it is still a reference of experience, or at least our brain may treat it as such. Two things spring to mind, even if only a loose connection to what I mean. Firstly, a Derren Brown trick in one his tv series years ago, where a chap was playing a zombie video arcade game, and then he was ‘hypnotised’ by Derren to think it was happening. Add in some actors in make-up, lighting and everyone else playing along, and he thought it was real. Even without being hypnotised, just having actors, make up and scenery can do the job tricking our mind into believing that is our reality at that moment. We have two processing centres in our brain (they say), called primary processing centre, which obviously acts as the first response. Followed by the secondary processing system, which then takes over after the initial reaction to review it and make sure it was appropriate. But as we know, in a split-second life or death decision making situation, you will have to reply on the primary response centre. Whatever information it is accessing for that moment is what you will have to go with, so if you don’t have very good reasoning skills or reactions on the spot, you will fail. No pressure or anything.

The second thing that came to mind, in two parts, or rather two things rolled into one. A company started doing zombie simulation ‘games’. Where you had an area, actors pretending to be zombies, and the thrill ride of pretending the outbreak was happening but in safety and a big comfort zone. The other tie in being the film The Fifth Wave – whereby they fool children into thinking there are aliens/infected that have to be killed – but really they are other humans. We appear to have a bulk of crisis actors across the board today, and although it might seem far-fetched to think we could actually have a zombie virus outbreak. I sure as hell believe they could easily fake one. As has been done with so many other situation, scenarios and events.

But that does not mean to say the time was wasted or misspent, there may well be a time coming where we have to consider if our fellow man is really so, and that something dark does indeed lurk and dwell in this realm. You never know when there may come a time for all that training and thought to be put to good use…

(c) K Wicks

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There Was Always Going To Be Two

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It was always going to be this way it seems, where society splits into two factions (at a minimum). The empire and the rebellion, for a dramatic portrayal. I wonder whether that’s why they were so keen to get everyone on board with their ‘health program’, and now seem intent on a follow through ‘digital program’ to get everyone trapped into their version of society. To make us play along with their rather grand delusion of controlling everyone by way of technology. Integrating us with their systems, building them around us.

Through my usual way of listing films, I will show how it was always going to be this way. Us and them.

Star Wars – The Empire and The Rebellion, a constant battle between light and dark, and a good motivator for some. If you are one of those people, you know what I mean.

Bladerunner – against a corporation, as is the theme for many a film (Resident Evil, Total Recall, Eagle Eye, Die Hard etc), but what struck me about the film, is that although it was about a future with synthetic humans, everything else seemed to be run down. As if they deliberately held down the rest of society to be the most powerful. Obvious, but it still impressed upon me.

Alita – a recent film, but one which is very clear about you down there, and them up there. People fighting each other and desperate to have a chance to be like them. It’s an odd movie, and quite sad really.

Elysium – Similar theme to the above, a better world hovering just above you, you can see it, but you can’t go there. They have everything you don’t, and again people’s lives are based around trying to attain what they are excluded from, for no reason other than manufactured reasons by way of design. Another sad film.

The Matrix – very us and them, from early on. Against the machines generally, but by way of a percieved threat while in the mainframe. Hunted by the agents, and inevitability, of course.

Demolition Man – a great example (albeit a slightly cheesy one) of people taking over, and deciding what is right, and best, and safe for everyone. Forcing people who do not fit into the plan to live in sewers. I saw that as a very clear sign of just how extreme it could get, under the guise of ‘for everyone’s good’.

Oblivion – slightly different because the movie switches halfway through, it is us and them, but not who you think. And they have a cunning use of exclusion areas due to ‘radiation zones’ leading to the lie being continued.

Logans Run – this film is a bit further along in the split of society, with almost no-one left on the outside, but one man. Peter Ustinov playing a wonderful role, but showing how quickly it can change and disappear. The people who have been living in a domed city have no idea about outside and what the world once was, instead being kept in a controlled environment with a maximum age allowed of 30 years old. The Island (2005) has similar undertones to it, but is a much darker view of what people may be kept and bred separately for.

There are plenty of unhinged people with disturbing ideas out there, and most of them are of no concern to anyone and go about their day keeping their unsettling thoughts and ideas to themselves. But it is when someone of that ilk decides to step out of their head and enact those thoughts, then we have a problem. As well we should. Things don’t just happen instantly or by accident it seems, they are engineered and are occurring over a period of time, with very clear markers of concern that should be recognised and acknowledged. We may not know what to do about what is coming, but we don’t need to deny it’s there, or agree to be part of it. Some may think that if they go along with it now, it will be easier for them later, having already been well groomed for a points-based scoring system. Incentives and rewards are how it starts, then the requests become more unreasonable and will always descend into demands and punishment if you don’t. Same shit, different day.

(c) K Wicks

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A little bit of privacy

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I gave it thought after explaining what privacy meant in childhood for me. It was limited and coveted, and I snatched it up where I could.

If you grew up with siblings, you might remember mornings being noisy, and hectic. Sleepy and having to get ready for school. The journey to which being noisy and busy, either walking or on the bus. Then you get to school, surrounded by lots of people, maybe you get a few minutes to yourself in the toilet or at break, but not often. There was stuff to talk about, and things to do before you had to go back to the confinement of the classroom.

After a long day of constant people and learning, back home again to then do the domestic routine. Getting to be able to go out after school used to be time to unwind. Even though usually spent with friends, it didn’t seem as demanding. Just relaxing and checking things out or being silly. Weekends and school holidays used to be the best for knowing you didn’t have that stupid daily bind. And if you were able to be out of the house, it was great. No-one knew where you were, what you were doing. It was nice, as is the nostalgic thought of it, because I enjoyed those moments then as I do now. My mother wanted to know what I was always up to, and I had an older sibling who was not my ally. And as you learn along the way, some ‘friends’ can’t be trusted either. So, trying to find a bit of peace in yourself in your own time can be a full-time job sometimes. I guess that’s why it seems that privacy and freedom go hand in hand.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t ever go away just because you get older. It turns into employment instead of education, where you still have a schedule and it needs to be maintained. It can be the same for people who chose to stay at home and bring up the kids rather than employment (or insanely juggle both). I realise the need for just five minutes on your own sometimes is necessary for everyone. Especially if you spend a lot of time around people, not everyone understands how draining it can be. Even if it’s your nearest and dearest. (The funny videos on the internet showing this by way of a closed bathroom door and a horde of animals and kids outside waiting). And now there is a new world of busy without even leaving your house or being in the company of anyone, you have The Internet. Where you can feel surrounded and drained without physically being around people at all, it’s an odd thing really. That we allow the perception of it being real, and that they are people we are engaging with, therefore use real emotions and time to deal with it. Maybe that’s why we have so many bots taking up people’s time and stirring the pot perhaps – if that is the case. To take that energy that people freely give and leave them drained and unsatisfied. Not just the fake profiles, real people can do it too, strange though that so many allow it from people who aren’t anywhere near them, or anything to do with them, or who aren’t even people.

Maybe it’s been with us now for so long, the internet, that people don’t understand what privacy and time to yourself is anymore, that it has lost its meaning. Or for some, perhaps they were never comfortable with just their own company, so the idea that they can be ‘with people’ all the time is better for them, which is why they do not complain about the digital society taking over every aspect of life. They welcome it because it gives them a feeling of security, where the previous society caused them anxiety and uncertainty. The digital one appears to offer a friendly network of life and opportunity, people and virtual experiences. Where they will monitor you to tailor everything to you, making it seem as if you are important. And you are, in coding and for numbers only. They need a certain number of ‘players’ to make it work, and see it through to conclusion, and so far, unfortunately, there seems to be lots of willing bodies happy to oblige them. But what of the ones who do not wish to play the game, to insert ourselves into this buckled mainframe and help to create their fantasy illusion of omnipotent overseer. Like skynet, but with a face. I guess we have to see what happens next and how they plan to target the remaining freedoms we have, and those who choose to stand up for them…

(c) MKW Publishing

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The sum of all recent… (poetry)

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The sum of all recent

And worldly fears

Destroying the future

Now taking our years

Time we should realise

That can’t be redone

A darkness that’s spreading

We just can’t outrun

But if you could see

And now understand

That what did occur

Was meticulously planned

And put into place

From the longest age

Laying foundations

And setting the stage

For a sinister plan

No longer in mind

An audacious plot

The heist of mankind

There’s still but a chance

Although maybe slim

That we don’t have to be

At their beck and their whim

~

We do not have to be slaves to the system

(c) K Wicks

Cities in the Sky

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It turns out, there have been many instances of cities in the sky, or fata morgana as they have been named. I only knew on one in China a few years back, but seems there have been others. Charles Fort collected a number of tales as below and detailed in his book New Lands.

In October of 1796 a mirage of a walled town had been seen distinctly for half an hour at Yougal in Ireland. Again upon March 9th 1797 in Yougal had been seen a mirage of a walled town.

In June of 1801 a mirage of an unknown city, It was seen for more than an hour. A representation of mansions surrounded by shrubbery, with forests behind.

October 10th 1881 that at Rugenwalde, Pomerania now Poland and Germany the mirage of a village had been seen in the sky, Snow covered roofs from which hung icicles.

On June 29th 1882 over lake Orsa in Sweden, representations of steam ships had been seen in the sky, and an island covered with vegetation.

March 12th 1890 at 4pm in the sky of Ashland, Ohio was seen a representation of a large unknown city.

Early in June 1897 in the Yukon in Alaska, A city had been seen in the sky, The description of this city is that it looked like some immense city from the ancient past.

On Feb 17th 1901 it is said Indians of Alaska had told of the occasional appearance of city, appearing suspended in the sky, description by visitors to this area, we could see plainly houses, well defined streets, here and there rose tall spires over huge buildings, which appeared to be ancient mosques and cathedrals. More like an ancient European city.

August 2nd 1908 at Ballyconneely on the coast of Ireland, was seen a phantom city, of different sized houses, in different styles of architecture, visible for over 3 hours.

And in 2015 there was a sighting and video footage in China of one.

Hard to know for sure what is going on up there, but interesting none-the-less.

Some large cloud shadows I saw in Spain

(c) K Wicks

Short Stories

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I have seven various short stories available to read for free, I thought it might be nice to link them all in one post so if you find yourself with a bit of time to fill and fancy a creepy read, see below.

Full book links available as well if you decide you may want to read more, although most of them are now shared here for free 🙂

Doctors Visit

Clocking Off

P113

Smart City Alpha.3

The I Scream Man

A Short Walk

Dead Until Twelve

There is also a newer short story available, which isn’t in a collection yet but you can also read for free here – In the Mountain

(c) MKW Publishing

Sim City

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There is a growing consensus that the simulation hypothesis may not be as far-fetched as once some may have thought. The way being paved for this through various films and ideas and as we gather more information about the apparent world around us and the construct upon which we base our ‘reality’. So, in my usual way, I shall use a list of films to illustrate how reality can and is determined by what’s around you. And by changing or simulating a different environment, can thereby change your reality and perceptions towards it.

The Matrix – so far this film is kind of heralded as the top spot for simulation theory played out in visual terms. It’s easy to understand, requires very little thought and appears to cover all bases. It’s too slick but a good starting point to get familiar with the idea.

Dark City – for me this film covers all bases and is neatly complex, it’s got psychological, physical, mental, metaphysical aspects and more.

Logans Run – This is a strange film, and has all sorts of overtones and undertones. But their reality is dictated and controlled and is no longer questioned.

Ready player one – an entertaining and fun look at the idea of a metaverse where it caters to your every want. Unless your want is to be able to fit in to normal life. It’s about finding out who you are by thinking you need to be someone else. Done in the classic Spielberg 80’s style, which I can’t fault.

Free guy – a recent film and goes even further into the computer programs running in the simulation touched upon in matrix. The replication of agent Smith, the fear of deletion by others. But this takes it further and goes with AI becoming sentient. An awareness of the system and programming develops leading to an evolution of thought. It’s a fun film though too and I recommend it. Easy viewing with lots of thinking material.

The Truman Show – a simulation of reality to convince one person it is. Meant to be portrayed as a reality TV show, but it’s a pretend sheltered fabricated existence. Until the party subject to the manipulation and lies snaps and realises all is not what it seems.

Star Trek – Next Generation – Many episodes involving the holodeck and varying degrees of simulated reality, but episode 138 of the series is very interesting.

Updated: realised I forgot two that should be in this list. Tron and lawnmower man. Both of those where people become part of the program.

Also, popular now as well as ‘reality tv’ are games simulating things. The Sims being aptly named and encourages people to build their ideal setting and characters. Tying into the metaverse possibly as an end game, who knows.

So, where does the simulation end and reality begin? Or once you believe the simulation is real, does that make it real? Are they just perceptions or absolutes? That will remain to be seen.

(c) K Wicks

Face Of A Clown, In Story Town

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You may have guessed what the overall theme of this is by the title, if not, you will. Clowns have never sat well with me, and is the case for many I have learnt along the way. There may be various reasons for this, as the list of references below may reveal. But there is a crossover for me, into pantomime dames and other garish forms of ‘entertainment’ which use an overly exaggerated version of something, often in a stereotypical way, for you know, entertainment. But I have never found the representation of a ‘woman’ in these situations to ever be appealing or even funny. I cringe at panto stuff, but understand because of times past that apparently men were cast in the female roles for those things because women weren’t allowed on stage. Don’t get me wrong, when done correctly, men in drag or as dames can be hilarious and very on point. Some of my favourites being Monty Python, Kenny Everett and Lily Savage. So I decided it must be something else I am not enjoying about it, something not as obvious and which wasn’t funny.

The recent story time debacle going on has made me think about it and what it is that I personally don’t like or find comfortable about it, to revisit the theme as it seems remarkably similar in the way it is being presented. Just a bit of fun for kids. Firstly, I personally see no reason why you would need to dress up for story time, unless the outfit was appropriate to the story – i.e., Princess story = princess dress, dragon story, dragon outfit, relative to the activity and wouldn’t it be more fun to have the children also engage in dress up, after all, they enjoy it the most don’t they? Children can be very easily distracted and if they have something visual to look at kind of demanding their attention, then how much of the story is really going in anyway? But recently as the stories are being reported more and people protest to them taking place, I can’t help thinking the outfits and make-up of these ‘performers’ are really quite terrifying. I have been watching horror movies since I was a child, I know disturbing. Rather demonic and overwhelming on the senses in my opinion, and to a child who may take that imagery home with them, mull it over and give it lots of thought without any real context or understanding is a potential concern. To me anyway. Maybe not so much to others.

The reason I have an issue with garish presentation specifically being aimed at cashing in on children’s love of bright, sparkly, shiny colourful things, is because it’s been used before for nefarious purposes.

John Wayne Gacey – He was a serial killer in the 70’s who killed lots of young men. And one of his side hobbies was being part of a clown club, which gained him the name killer clown, but he didn’t kill as a clown. Interesting though is what he had said about why he enjoyed being a clown “acting as a clown allowed him to regress into childhood”. That is why it’s on this list.

IT – We should all know this clown Pennywise, either the original (to which I refer), or the remake, or the book. An awful and very scary depiction of a clown in full demonic mode. Enticing a child with a red balloon. Honestly, I thought about little Georgie for a long time after that.

McDonalds – Yes, the fast-food chain. Who’s main advertising tool was a clown, weird really for food. And food that has turned out to not be the healthiest, a slight leap from serial killers to bad nutrition, but neither are in the future interests of the child. Gratification and profit seem to be heading of the wheels of these machines.

Child catcher (chitty chitty bank bang) – Need I say more? Possibly not, but I will. Lollipops and music, to lure the children into the cage.

Hansel & Gretel – a gingerbread house and sweets to lure them in.

Pied Piper of Hamlin – music and dance to get the children to follow and be led to their abduction.

The last two may be Fairy Tales, but I believe there is always a thread of truth running through them too, as with movies and stories that remain with us. All of these things highlight a child’s tendency (and some adults too), to have their attention taken with something that seems bright and bouncy, but without knowing what is really going on. I don’t fully understand the need to expose school age children from nursery to secondary school to drag acts. I have read an account of a private school in the states that had a drag act sprung on them in church service. Heels and sequins parading up and down the aisle, for what purpose I cannot imagine. Why is it that we have a niche part of the adult entertainment industry suddenly being inserted into educational environments, religion and everyday society and events? It’s baffling to me.

What is also baffling, is how women have been slagged off and vilified for years for wearing heavy makeup, and what some consider to be inappropriate clothing but now it’s men doing it, that’s fine and we just clap and say well done. I really don’t get it. She’s a slapper or a prostitute for wearing that, but he’s a hero. Am I the only one thinking WTAF is going on here, are we actually in the Twilight Zone? Maybe it is just me that sees the overdoing of the outfits and makeup as a cover for something, whether they are hiding from themselves or something darker, that remains to be seen, but having to outwardly express yourself in such a garish manner, means you are compensating for something in my view. Why aren’t you comfortable as you? Why the extra razzle and dazzle? I just see painted faces and outfits pretending to be something, rather than it being an expression of self. I think I must be missing their whole point. How can you ever be you, if you are trying to be something or someone else?

(c) K Wicks

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Pod Life

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A new way of breeding seems to be on the cards in the strange ideals of the rather disturbing international organisations.

You won’t have to procreate the old fashion way, indeed not. You can ‘spawn’ in an entirely detached way in the future apparently in their vision. Growing your offspring in a pod, in your living room no less. With monitors and a clear covering so you can watch it gestate. Maybe this is what the Tamagotchi things were really all about, prepping kids for a future where you will be inclined to ‘care’ for a virtual creation.

They appear to be doing a good job of desensitising people towards other people, animals, reality and so forth. Changing terms, definitions, meanings. Trying to go for things like birthing person, taking away the word mother and female associated words for things. I believe it’s to facilitate a detachment from being normal and doing normal natural things. The system appears to want to insert themselves in every person detail of your lives. But if they can get people before they are born, and manipulate the components, fully monitor the process and adjust as necessary, then you stand more chance of developing what they may consider a more appealing society.

Virtual babies maybe for some people, while they ‘train’ you to do it their way. All monitored of course, it will be remote and studied. You will be studied. The world around us is one big maze now, and we are the rats. They are building new puzzles, obstructions and incentives as we speak, constantly adapting as we do. But they really don’t seem to want us breeding like rats now do they? If you haven’t watched the films Logans Run and Dark City you should. And if you haven’t read Brave New World, you should. There is much to understand…

(c) K Wicks

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