Wisdom without Zealotry - Created Realities

 "I'm not strange, weird, off, nor crazy, my reality is just different than yours."

Lewis Carroll, author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Since I last wrote a post, with the tag of Wisdom without Zealotry, there has been a lot of thinking in my life but nothing that I have not touched upon before. Unfortunately there are still folks who, singly or in groups, create their own realities that are nothing more than self-affirming mental gymnastics that allow their brains to release endorphins as they congratulate themselves. 

Although I have had many partial ideas for posts since June of 2019, I was frankly tired of these fictional created realities masquerading as non-fiction. In particular there were those created realities that hurt or attempted to force others to obey these falsehoods. Instead I read actual non-fiction and wonderfully created fiction stories for personal enjoyment. No subversion attempts by me but I was ignoring those folks who were.

That was until I saw the below video from Dan Olson on his Youtube Folding Ideas channel. I recommend watching it as it has a wonderful way of speaking about the topic of created realities, focusing on the Flat Earth and QAnon movements.

His delivery is accessible and honest, in order to understand why people believe the created realities they cling to. I knew that QAnon, in particular, had conspiracies. But I had no idea of the plethora of them and the massive graveyard of ones they do not speak anymore. Even though reality folded those unfounded theories, encouraged devotees were encouraged to continue with the cult by telling them to "trust in the plan" driving them deeper into the rabbit hole as endorphins were released when they did so. This is a very insidious failsafe because when their beliefs hold no water it is part of the "plan".

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was a marvelous book of fiction that played upon the parts of Lewis Carroll's society and popular culture. So when someone is attempting to push their created reality onto you, repeat back what they are saying in reworded form. Lay bare their created realities and show others they are the farce they are.

Expanse Novel Series by James S.A. Corey

This year I wanted to read the Expanse book series, by James S.A. Corey, which the stupendous television series is based on. I can now say I have succeeded and am extremely happy with it, as are many others as it won the Hugo for best sci-fi series in 2020. The pseudonym of James S.A. Corey was created by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. 

The story is set in our solar system. Humanity has colonized Mars (terraforming ongoing) and established a presence on a  multitude of asteroids and a few moons of Saturn and Jupiter with desperate citizens of an overpopulated Earth. The main mode of transportation is the Epstein drive, which is a fusion drive that consumes fuel pellets that are dropped within it, but it still takes weeks to travel between the inner and outer systems. Mars has already declared its independence from Earth and has had a conflict between them in the recent past. Both Mars and Earth utilize the populace of the asteroid belt and outer bodies to gain resources. They do so with a heavy hand because of the détente between Earth and Mars, which has given rise to separatist factions who do harm to the "Inners" in order to gain independence. Within this setting, an alien proto-molecule enters the picture and puts into effect the stories in all of the books.

Each book, and short story, focuses on a different character in each chapter from their point of view. This enables the action, character development, and plot advancement these two authors are masters at. The setting is gritty realism as much as possible with natural humour spread throughout. Be aware though, the stories in the TV series differ in parts from the source material in the books. Both are great but try not to be shocked as the printed word is a different medium than the visual medium. The authors advance the time between books, sometimes a few months, often a year or more, and between books six and seven its thirty years! Its an acknowledgement that things take time. 

The idea for the novels came from Ty Franck designing a MMORPG, which didn't find a backer, and then for tabletop roleplaying. Daniel Abraham, an established author, suggested a book series because of the setting and massive background Ty Franck had already developed.

The books and short stories (SS) are, in order are below. You do not need to read the short stories but they do help fill in the gaps between the books and add context:

-SS; Drive
-SS; The Churn
-SS; The Butcher of Anderson Station
-SS; The Last Flight of the Cassandra
-Book 1; Leviathan Wakes
-Book 2; Caliban's War
-SS; Gods of Risk
-Book 3; Abaddon's Gate
-SS; The Vital Abyss
-Book 4; Cibola Burn
-Book 5; Nemesis Games
-Book 6; Babylon's Ashes
-SS; Strange Dogs
-Book 7; Persepolis Rising
-SS; Auberon
-Book 8; Tiamat's Wrath

-Book 9; Leviathan Falls
-SS; The Sins of Our Fathers (not published yet, will be in Memory's Legion which collects all the short stories 15 March 2022)

I can see myself reading this again in ten or so years. This is up there in my top five of sci-fi book series with Night's Dawn Trilogy by Peter F. Hamilton, Remembrance of Earth's Past by Liu Cixin, Foundation Trilogy (the original three in the 1950's) by Issac Asimov, and Culture Series by Ian M. Banks. I realize there are many other great sci-fi book series out there but either I have not read them yet or have only read the first book in the series.

Young Justice S1 to S3

The Young Justice animated series is, in my opinion, on par with the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited series. It takes place in the DC comics universe within the Earth-16 universe, used because its continuity was available for use without bumping into the comics/TV/film series. In this universe the heroes have won against the villains and the heroes take care of small crime, conventional battles, and natural disasters...or so it seems. Up and coming young heroes, some trained under their established mentors, are being trained and undergo missions to gain experience and find their own way in the world.

Each season has an overarching theme and conflict while there are sub-plots and/or character development that resolve over the series, season or within several episodes. Season one sets the stage by introducing the main characters and the mysterious organization known as the Light. Season two introduces the Reach, an alien cooperate empire that wishes to add Earth to its franchise without violating its treaty with the Guardians of Oa. Season three goes into the forced activation of humans with the meta-human gene for use as mind-controlled mercenaries throughout the universe. 

Each season introduces new characters so that there are new facets to explore for stories and character development. A fourth season has just about finished on HBO Max and is called Phantoms, which features the Legion of Super Heroes. A fifth season has been greenlit. 

I had seen the first and second seasons before and I purchased these three seasons because I wanted to rewatch the first two again and carry on with the storyline. I can see myself carrying on with the series and rewatching them again in five or so years along with the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited series. Highly recommended.

Amaro of 2021

Here are some Armaro's I've tried over the last year. Amaro's are made, generally, mulching up flowers, herbs, citrus, and other things in alcohol and sometimes sugar syrup, and aged. They are after dinner drinks and are meant to be sipped and not quaffed. 

Vecchio Amaro del Capo is a wonderful warming citrus and peel flavour. Always delicious and cozy amaro.

Dopo Teatro Cocchi vermouth amaro is a rooty smooth drink that is always pleasant.

Lucano Anniversario was a lovely amaro with smooth herbal flavour and slight citrus.

Cardamaro is different in that it uses thistles for making it and only has slight herbal bitterness.

Vermouth of 2021

Here are some Vermouths I have tried over the last year. Vermouth starts with unfermented or regular wine and to this is added a variety of items depending on the manufacturer; generally roots, herbs, and/or bark. After fermenting it is sweetened, sometimes a little and sometimes a lot.

Rouge Dolin is a lovely and smooth vermouth with great flavour and texture in the mouth. Its a little sweeter than some but hints of bitterness that draws it back down. I've bought this before and will again.

Antica Formula is a lovely vermouth that has vanilla, spice flavours, and very smooth. I have also bought this before and definitely will in the future.

Vya sweet vermouth does have a more sugary tone to it but the blend of botanicals reminds me of cozy winter nights by the fire. Its nice during the colder months.

Yzaguirre red vermouth has citrus notes and comes from the hills at the base of the Italian alps. Pleasant and soothing. I'd get this again.

A lovely inexpensive vermouth, Gancia is sweet and tasty. Might now be my go to for inexpensive vermouth.

Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of Civilization by Barry J. Kemp

 I recently finished Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of Civilization by Barry J. Kemp. I very much enjoyed the overview of how the ancient society and folklore of Egypt's early peoples led to the establishment of what we know as Egyptian civilization. He does this through his extensive personal archeological digs he has done, as well as that of other archeologists and specialists. 

I like his admittance, in several parts of the book, of what is conjecture or theory backed up by his presented evidence. Its refreshing to read the humble words of an esteemed archeologist admit such rather than think what is probable is fact.

It is has many illustrations and photos, enabling the reader to better visualize sculpture and locations that he discusses. The chapters are: Part I Establishing identity; 1 Who were the ancient Egyptians?; 2 The intellectual foundations of the early state; 3 The dynamics of culture; Part II The provider state; 4 The bureaucratic mind; 5 Model communities; Part III Intimations of our future; 6 New Kingdom Egypt: the mature state; 7 The birth of economic man; 8 Egypt in microcosm: the city of Amarna. 

Recommended for those interested in Ancient Egypt beyond the history and a discussion on the society that lived during the time.