I usually keep my views on politics and feminism far, far away from this blog because I know conversations like the one I'm about to have with you are usually left unresolved. People often find it so excruciatingly difficult to have a civil discussion on these topics because they're so easily offended. Please, jump out of your safe spaces for a moment and listen.
A small article titled 'Women need spaces that are man-free' written by Siobhan Norton was published on the 28th of March, 2018... yes, 2018, not the middle of the 1800's where you'd expect opinions like these to stay. I'd like to thank Tally for sending me a screencap and for being just as flummoxed by the hypocrisy as I was. In the piece, Siobhan talks about how a female-only club called The Wing is under scrutiny and investigation over not allowing men on the premises, let alone into their special little clubhouse. Then, of course, she goes on to say how outrageous this is seeing as clubs such as these used to exist only for men.
As we are all well aware, feminists have supposedly been rallying in favour of equal rights for all genders for years now, but unfortunately, we have overshot the age of gender equality by a mile. Feminists have taken the original meaning of the cause and twisted it into their own slimy, sordid agenda. It's a shame that we reached a state of neutrality, a place where most were content, and then apparently decided that wasn't good enough. No, feminists jumped the equality fence and made a mad dash to the superiority gate, a sprint that is taking its toll on the young men of today.
"If I knew that a male member of staff speculated on how I looked naked, I would cause the sort of fuss that would make Charlotte Proudman look meek. If I heard a female colleague doing the same thing about Andrew in accounts, I'd probably laugh and I might even join in," said Rebecca Reid in an article discussing whether it's okay to imagine the people at your workplace naked or not. (Why this article was even written in the first place is beyond me...) but yes, she said that. That's an actual sentence written by an actual human. When Milo Yiannopoulos read the above quote to a room full of young men and women during a debate against Reid, her response, once the audience eruption had died down, was, "you are completely right, and I believe the fact that I would say and think something like that is really problematic."
When the word 'problematic' is thrown around so often, as it was by Reid in that debate - more of a throwdown seeing as Yiannopoulos completely rekt her - it is absolutely blatant that facts have gone out the window, only to be replaced by opinions and feelings. Neither of which matter in a discussion of right or wrong. Feminists can claim all they want that men don't understand the hardships that women go through. In some cases, they might be correct, but to make that generalisation alongside claiming they're against such stereotypes is out of line. Men and women face the same things, and it's been the same for many, many years. Statistics are different based on gender, but to push that men are never discriminated against is completely incorrect.
Men are accused of mansplaining, of having male privilege simply because they're born male, of oppressing women in scenarios like the wage gap or sexist air conditioning, or even promoting 'rape culture' on college campuses, (all ridiculous and false), as well as stealing jobs that women are just as suited for when in reality these are all things created by the feminist mind in order to push an agenda that is no longer necessary. Believing the lies of the feminist agenda is only perpetuating that state of mind, and THAT is where the true toxicity lies.
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
30/03/2018
Thursday 29 March 2018
Tuesday 27 March 2018
Brain Stew: External Scene WIP
EXT. CIVILIAN POPULATED STREET
Running. Heaving. Sweating. Three things Doug never finds enjoyable, let alone in the morning. Yet here he is doing all three as he’s chased down the street by a mob of angry women, and their respective boyfriends, he’s somehow managed to offend in the space of five minutes.
There’s no time to look behind him. He stares ahead in hopes that if he wills it hard enough they’ll disappear.
On rounding the corner into the safety of the school grounds, Doug collides with something, no, someone. With all the collisions he’s had already it’s difficult to judge what it is he’s bumping into.
Doug groans - an involuntary sound not even his anxiety can suppress.
The small science teacher feels the woman with the soft voice helping him sit up. He shakes his head and his eyelids flutter, then he sees her. The woman that managed to distract him during yesterday’s first lesson.
Their eyes clash, the sheer shock of her winsome blue gaze rendering him breathless. Wonderful, more heaving and gasping.
Molly is still staring at Doug expectantly. He needs to give her an answer.
Running. Heaving. Sweating. Three things Doug never finds enjoyable, let alone in the morning. Yet here he is doing all three as he’s chased down the street by a mob of angry women, and their respective boyfriends, he’s somehow managed to offend in the space of five minutes.
There’s no time to look behind him. He stares ahead in hopes that if he wills it hard enough they’ll disappear.
On rounding the corner into the safety of the school grounds, Doug collides with something, no, someone. With all the collisions he’s had already it’s difficult to judge what it is he’s bumping into.
MOLLY
Oh my god, are you okay?
Doug groans - an involuntary sound not even his anxiety can suppress.
MOLLY
I didn’t hurt you did I? I’m so sorry, I was just in a rush and I really can’t be late again, are you alright?
The small science teacher feels the woman with the soft voice helping him sit up. He shakes his head and his eyelids flutter, then he sees her. The woman that managed to distract him during yesterday’s first lesson.
Their eyes clash, the sheer shock of her winsome blue gaze rendering him breathless. Wonderful, more heaving and gasping.
DOUG (V.O.)
Yeah, Doug, breathe in her face. That’s really sexy. She’ll love that.
Molly is still staring at Doug expectantly. He needs to give her an answer.
DOUG (V.O. CONT’D)
Say something. Say anything. Words. English.
MOLLY
Are… you alright?
Doug swallows hard. His already shifty eyes flick around, and then he slaps his own face. Molly jumps, her expression perplexed.
DOUG (V.O. CONT’D)
You’re an idiot.
MOLLY
What on earth are you doing? Why did you do that?
DOUG
…It saves you from doing it.
His words are quick and stunted, sounding like he’s been holding his breath for the ordeal. Molly tilts her head and smiles at Doug; he’s different - she likes that. Taking note of the aggressive looking party of men and women on the other side of the fence, Molly helps Doug to his feet.
MOLLY
Tough morning?
DOUG
Same as every other.
MOLLY
Dare I ask what you did in order to gain a fan club that size?
DOUG
I walked into the first guy, bumped into the second, then got shouldered by the third and… accidentally groped the woman I assume is his girlfriend. I ignored the blonde girl when she smiled at me, then tripped over my leg and almost garrotted that brunette.
Doug points and gestures in the direction of each individual, not managing to be as discrete as he might’ve liked.
MOLLY
Oh… is that all?
DOUG
No. I sneezed on that woman’s kid and apparently angered the father.
Oh, hello. You found your way down here, did you? What you just read was a small excerpt from the screenplay I've left on hold for about a year. As you can clearly tell, it's still very much a work in progress, but I'd like to finish it someday. It means a lot to me considering I struggle with a lot of the same issues that the wonderful but socially decrepit Doug does, so I hope you liked this little window into my head.
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
27/03/2018
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
27/03/2018
Thursday 22 March 2018
The Morals of The Beginner's Guide
The reason that game, in particular, would’ve been a great talking point in my last post is that Davey Wreden, the in-game narrator and the real-life creator, is a perfect example of how morals often don’t even occur to players until a certain point. In the beginning, Davey comes across as an innocent tour guide, a bit like a teacher encouraging show and tell. He is friendly and disarming, addressing the player in a way that immediately allays any sense of falseness. He’s showing us his friends’ games, and telling us various details about each one.
There are hints from as early as the first level that Davey is not all that he seems to be, but we pay no attention to that because of the way he introduces himself. “Hi there, thank you very much for playing The Beginner's Guide. My name is Davey Wreden, I wrote The Stanley Parable, and while that game tells a pretty absurd story, today I'm going to be telling you about a series of events that happened between 2008 and 2011...” Davey then goes on to explain how he met Coda, the original creator of the games he's showcasing. This interaction leads us into a false sense of security. We believe Davey because of his tone and the way in which he presents himself. He hasn't yet given us a reason to disbelieve him. Don’t get me wrong, he isn’t a liar. That’s not the type of moral I’m talking about.
I'm not going to tell you what Davey does, or what his purpose is. I’m a massive advocate for finding this game yourself and playing it, or at least watching a walkthrough of it so you can experience the story for yourself. Davey the Narrator is very special to me. I can relate to what he is seeking for himself personally, and the purpose he serves. He is there to tell a story, to get you to believe in something and in a sense he’s looking for your company. Telling you what happens would be depriving Davey of that.
What I will tell you is that Davey is troubled, and it is his issues and the problems on his mind that cause his morals to be misplaced. He knows what he's doing, but he just can't stop himself. Trying to subdue what he's feeling clearly outweighs his sense of right from wrong and with every apology he attempts to make, he digs himself an even deeper hole. By the end, you realise how much Davey is hurting, but also how seriously he was damaging somebody else. It's at this point that you start questioning everything you thought you'd learned and re-thinking your opinion of the game.
The Beginner's Guide is a work of art that will cause you to perpetually and painfully ask yourself what you're doing with your life. It has done so much for me both mentally and emotionally, minus the existential crises, and gotten me through so many difficult nights that I hope to one day personally thank Davey Wreden for the hard work he put into it. Do yourself a favour and find this game.
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
22/03/2018
Saturday 17 March 2018
Moral Contrast in Gaming
Spoilers for Bloodborne and Shadow of the Colossus ahead.
I really like games that have some element of a moral dilemma to the story. It's even more interesting when you don't realise it at the start of the game. You begin your adventure with a goal, and you'll destroy anything or anybody that stands in your way if need be - because that's what you've been told to do.
But what happens when you inevitably realise that maybe you're not the good guy? Just because you're the player, does that give you a right to assume that you're the protagonist?
I was thinking about Bloodborne and how the story reminds me of Shadow of the Colossus. Not the plot, per say, but the way you're tossed into both games and taught to kill everything in your path because it's trying to kill you. Only when you meet a certain NPC in Bloodborne who explains that all the beasts are people, suffering due to a scourge completely out of their control, do you start thinking about what you're doing.
"You must not disturb this place. The beasts do not venture above and mean no harm to anyone. In case you fail to realise, the things you hunt, they're not beasts; they're people."
The same goes for SotC, except usually, it's not until the very end of the game. The credits roll and all the dead and broken Colossi flash up on the screen in the order that you killed them. As you watch, and the emotion-evoking music plays, the fog lifts - you murdered an entire race of creatures that were essentially minding their own business... all for the sake of your own selfish goal.
Both are beautiful games with fantastical stories but above the graphics, the mechanics and the plot, both give you the opportunity to look your decisions right in the face and question if you did the right thing. I think any game that can do that is one to be remembered.
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
17/03/2018
I really like games that have some element of a moral dilemma to the story. It's even more interesting when you don't realise it at the start of the game. You begin your adventure with a goal, and you'll destroy anything or anybody that stands in your way if need be - because that's what you've been told to do.
But what happens when you inevitably realise that maybe you're not the good guy? Just because you're the player, does that give you a right to assume that you're the protagonist?
"You must not disturb this place. The beasts do not venture above and mean no harm to anyone. In case you fail to realise, the things you hunt, they're not beasts; they're people."
Both are beautiful games with fantastical stories but above the graphics, the mechanics and the plot, both give you the opportunity to look your decisions right in the face and question if you did the right thing. I think any game that can do that is one to be remembered.
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
17/03/2018
Tuesday 13 March 2018
"Saw usually isn't considered to be a good movie..."
This morning somebody asked me what my favourite movie was. A classic staple in the, 'this conversation is getting awkward, ask random questions', agenda. When I told them it was Saw, this was their response;
"Saw isn't usually considered to be a good movie. People usually go for The Shawshank Redemption or something. Why do you like it so much?"
First of all we must ask ourselves, what makes a good movie? Many aspects of filmmaking and scriptwriting, directing, producing, etc, etc. But I think more importantly, what makes a good movie is the person watching it. Every person will experience certain things and appreciate them differently. Once the work is sent out into the world, it belongs to everybody, and they get to make the decision of whether they think something is good or not. Whether they're actually right or wrong becomes irrelevant when personal opinions are involved.
As an example, millions of people adore Harry Potter. I might be a killjoy but in my opinion it's not that good, and yet it's universally adored. For me, it didn't live up to the hype, and I feel I can make that judgement based on watching the films and reading the first four books. The same goes for my favourite game being The Beginner's Guide. Plenty of gamers and reviewers thought it was far too contrived and try-hard, but I took something quite profound away from it.
I could give a thousand reasons as to why I enjoyed something, and regardless there's going to be millions of people that disagree and offer a thousand reasons in favour of the opposite. Then of course there's the argument that nothing is intrisically good or bad until somebody forms that opinion. Isn't that fascinating? Isn't it amazing how diverse everybody is?
I won't bore you with the reasons I love Saw so much, (unless you want me to, let me know), but I hope this post interested you in some way. Have a nice week, everybody.
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
13/03/2018
"Saw isn't usually considered to be a good movie. People usually go for The Shawshank Redemption or something. Why do you like it so much?"
First of all we must ask ourselves, what makes a good movie? Many aspects of filmmaking and scriptwriting, directing, producing, etc, etc. But I think more importantly, what makes a good movie is the person watching it. Every person will experience certain things and appreciate them differently. Once the work is sent out into the world, it belongs to everybody, and they get to make the decision of whether they think something is good or not. Whether they're actually right or wrong becomes irrelevant when personal opinions are involved.
As an example, millions of people adore Harry Potter. I might be a killjoy but in my opinion it's not that good, and yet it's universally adored. For me, it didn't live up to the hype, and I feel I can make that judgement based on watching the films and reading the first four books. The same goes for my favourite game being The Beginner's Guide. Plenty of gamers and reviewers thought it was far too contrived and try-hard, but I took something quite profound away from it.
I could give a thousand reasons as to why I enjoyed something, and regardless there's going to be millions of people that disagree and offer a thousand reasons in favour of the opposite. Then of course there's the argument that nothing is intrisically good or bad until somebody forms that opinion. Isn't that fascinating? Isn't it amazing how diverse everybody is?
I won't bore you with the reasons I love Saw so much, (unless you want me to, let me know), but I hope this post interested you in some way. Have a nice week, everybody.
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
13/03/2018
Sunday 11 March 2018
Coherency
"Nothing kills a man faster than his own head."
- Tyler Joseph
I think about this lyric a lot. In a way, I think it perfectly encapsulates why a lot of writers begin to create, whether it be picking up a pen or plugging in a keyboard. If something, an idea or a concept, stay's in your head for too long it can begin to fester and die. but not everybody is lucky enough to be well-spoken.
I can say I'm somebody that struggles fo talk about things verbally because I know I'm going to stutter, or my voice will crack and break halfway through. If I'm approaching an issue or even an idea, my first kneejerk response is to write it down and expand upon that when I have time.
Except sometimes I can't find the time needed.
What eventually happens is the pan boils over and there's a somewhat emotional response. Why can't I say what I need to say? Why won't the words form coherently enough for me to be understood? Why don't you get me?!
Talk to somebody, or your brain will eat you up. It's okay if you're not the best at being so open about how you're feeling, sometimes it takes time.
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
11/03/2018
- Tyler Joseph
I think about this lyric a lot. In a way, I think it perfectly encapsulates why a lot of writers begin to create, whether it be picking up a pen or plugging in a keyboard. If something, an idea or a concept, stay's in your head for too long it can begin to fester and die. but not everybody is lucky enough to be well-spoken.
I can say I'm somebody that struggles fo talk about things verbally because I know I'm going to stutter, or my voice will crack and break halfway through. If I'm approaching an issue or even an idea, my first kneejerk response is to write it down and expand upon that when I have time.
Except sometimes I can't find the time needed.
What eventually happens is the pan boils over and there's a somewhat emotional response. Why can't I say what I need to say? Why won't the words form coherently enough for me to be understood? Why don't you get me?!
Talk to somebody, or your brain will eat you up. It's okay if you're not the best at being so open about how you're feeling, sometimes it takes time.
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
11/03/2018
Wednesday 7 March 2018
Delirium
Once again I have proved that I am a terrible, unorganised wreck of a human being. I completely forgot what day it was yesterday. You know what day it was? It was Tuesday, and Tuesdays are blog post days. In fairness, I have developed a sickness, (wah-ah-ah-ah), within the last 24 hours, and I am feeling extremely unwell.
At the weekend I spoke to a family member of an old friend - or somebody that used to be my friend and is now, for all intents and purposes... not. Getting back in touch with said person is somewhat of a pipe dream at the moment because I don’t actually believe they want contact with me, and that’s okay. But you can bet your ass I’m not giving up. I will have the contact I want sooner or later, even if it’s being told to go away, to never speak to them again, and at a last resort having a restraining order filed against me.
I’m kidding! ... maybe.
But honestly, searching for this person is giving me a misplaced, possibly senile, sense of drive right now. It’s like on those TV shows where some celebrity gets help in finding ancestors. What’s it called? ‘Who Do You Think You Are’? Sounds about right. The only difference is they’re not dead, or really old, they’ve simply erased themselves from any and all social media in a futile attempt to avoid me. You think you can hide from me? Me? Your naivety is beyond leaps and bounds at this point, you’re practically doing jumping jacks.
I sound like a lunatic and that can only be explained away by the sickly deliriousness I’m experiencing. I bet you missed these long, drawn out blog posts where you read it, question my mental stability and inevitably close the browser confused, concerned and questioning the collusion between my brain and my fingertips. How did they work together to create this window into my head? I wish I knew. I’m bound to read it over in a week or two and wonder what the hell type of caffiene and cold medicine induced high I was on.
I feel great, though. Honest.
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
07/03/2018
At the weekend I spoke to a family member of an old friend - or somebody that used to be my friend and is now, for all intents and purposes... not. Getting back in touch with said person is somewhat of a pipe dream at the moment because I don’t actually believe they want contact with me, and that’s okay. But you can bet your ass I’m not giving up. I will have the contact I want sooner or later, even if it’s being told to go away, to never speak to them again, and at a last resort having a restraining order filed against me.
I’m kidding! ... maybe.
But honestly, searching for this person is giving me a misplaced, possibly senile, sense of drive right now. It’s like on those TV shows where some celebrity gets help in finding ancestors. What’s it called? ‘Who Do You Think You Are’? Sounds about right. The only difference is they’re not dead, or really old, they’ve simply erased themselves from any and all social media in a futile attempt to avoid me. You think you can hide from me? Me? Your naivety is beyond leaps and bounds at this point, you’re practically doing jumping jacks.
I sound like a lunatic and that can only be explained away by the sickly deliriousness I’m experiencing. I bet you missed these long, drawn out blog posts where you read it, question my mental stability and inevitably close the browser confused, concerned and questioning the collusion between my brain and my fingertips. How did they work together to create this window into my head? I wish I knew. I’m bound to read it over in a week or two and wonder what the hell type of caffiene and cold medicine induced high I was on.
I feel great, though. Honest.
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
07/03/2018
Friday 2 March 2018
Bloodborne On PSPlus: Fear The Fresh Blood
Just a quick post today to let you guys know that if you own a PlayStation 4, and decided to subscribe to PlayStation Plus for some reason, you can download Bloodborne this month for absolutely nothing. Not a big deal I hear you say?! Poppycock, get that shit downloaded. I already have it so I’ll be downloading Ratchet and Clank, but still...
I’m fascinated to know what will come of the Bloodborne community with a chance to download it for free. It’ll no doubt mean new players, and old players returning perhaps... which will essentially mean more chances for co-op and good old PVP. Personally I prefer to invade or be invaded just to play hide and seek, but that’s just me. It’s also nice to have some fair fights going toe-to-toe with other hunters... provided they don’t just spam R1 and shoot their blunderbuss in your face repeatedly while hoping for a visceral attack to finish you off.
But anyway, happy gaming regardless of what you choose to download this month!
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
02/03/2018
I’m fascinated to know what will come of the Bloodborne community with a chance to download it for free. It’ll no doubt mean new players, and old players returning perhaps... which will essentially mean more chances for co-op and good old PVP. Personally I prefer to invade or be invaded just to play hide and seek, but that’s just me. It’s also nice to have some fair fights going toe-to-toe with other hunters... provided they don’t just spam R1 and shoot their blunderbuss in your face repeatedly while hoping for a visceral attack to finish you off.
But anyway, happy gaming regardless of what you choose to download this month!
Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
02/03/2018
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