Categories
Authors literature Novelists Philip K Dick photography Sci-Fi

Philip K. Dick, and Valis.

“I term the Immortal One a plasmate, because it is a form of energy; it is living information. It replicates itself β€” not through information or in information β€” but as information. The plasmate can crossbond with a human, creating what I call a homoplasmate. This annexes the mortal human permanently to the plasmate.”

“Pascal said, ‘All history is one immortal man who continually learns.’ This is the Immortal One whom we worship without knowing his name. ‘He lived a long time ago, but he is still alive,’ and, ‘The Head Apollo is about to return.’ The name changes.”

“The changing information which we experience as world is an unfolding narrative. It tells about the death of a woman. This woman, who died long ago, was one of the primordial twins. She was half of the divine syzygy. The purpose of the narrative is the recollection of her and of her death. The Mind does not wish to forget her. Thus the ratiocination of the Brain consists of a permanent record of her existence, and, if read, will be understood this way. All the information processed by the Brain β€” experienced by us as the arranging and rearranging of physical objects β€” is an attempt at this preservation of her; stones and rocks and sticks and amoebae are traces of her. The record of her existence and passing is ordered onto the meanest level of reality by the suffering Mind which is now alone.”

“Out of itself the Brain has constructed a physician to heal it. This subform of the Macro-Brain is not deranged; it moves through the Brain, as a phagocyte moves through the cardiovascular system of an animal, healing the derangement of the Brain in section after section.”

“β€˜Salvation’ through gnosis β€” more properly anamnesis (the loss of amnesia) β€” although it has individual significance for each of us β€” a quantum leap in perception, identity, cognition, understanding, world- and self-experience, including immortality β€” it has greater and further importance for the system as a whole, inasmuch as these memories are data needed by it and valuable to it, to its overall functioning.”

“But we cannot read the patterns of arrangement; we cannot extract the information in it β€” i.e. it as information, which is what it is. The linking and re-linking of objects by the Brain is actually a language, but not a language like ours (since it is addressing itself and not someone or something outside itself).”

from Valis, 1981, by PKD.

“Dick claimed that Valis used “disinhibiting stimuli” to communicate, using symbols to trigger recollection of intrinsic knowledge through the loss of amnesia, achieving gnosis.

Drawing directly from Platonism and Gnosticism, Dick wrote in his Exegesis: “We appear to be memory coils (DNA carriers capable of experience) in a computer-like thinking system which, although we have correctly recorded and stored thousands of years of experiential information, and each of us possesses somewhat different deposits from all the other life forms, there is a malfunctionβ€”a failureβ€”of memory retrieval.”

—-per Wikipedia.

Categories
BritPop Music music videos photography Suede

The {London} Suede.

This iconic band rocketed onto the scene in the early 90s and bestowed upon us many sublime treasures. Vocalist Brett Anderson and (until his departure) guitarist Bernard Butler both are/were utterly transcendent talents.

Categories
Indian music Music music videos photography

Musics of Greatness, vol. 73: India.

A sampler of monumentally exquisite moments from India, primarily featuring immortals Ali Akbar Khan, Ram Narayan, and Dr. L Subramaniam. Astonishing.

Categories
athletes Athletics photography sport tennis

Carlos Alcarez: The Birth of a Legend.

This remarkable 19 year old Spaniard has so much game, it’s often hard to believe. Blessed with electric, top-level horsepower *and* firepower, the new World #1 (the youngest ever to achieve the pinnacle) also possesses an abundance of charisma and mental toughness.

“Alcaraz has earned acclaim for his remarkable athletic and physical traits. In particular, his direct sprints, counterattacking abilities from often indefensible positions on court, and an extremely high peak footspeed which has earned him comparisons to a young Rafael Nadal and GaΓ«l Monfils. He has earned comparisons to Novak Djokovic for his assured lateral movement and court-coverage aided by physical splits and sliding through the court on defense, particularly on his backhand side where he is often able to neutralize his opponent’s groundstroke aggression or drop shot attempts. He has also earned comparisons, on occasion, to Roger Federer for his great footwork and ability to go inside-out on his forehand and control the court with his offense.” (from Wikipedia)

β€œI’ve never played a player who moves as well,” said Frances Tiafoe, who has played the best of the best. β€œHe’s going to be a problem for a very long time.”

Categories
Bad Company Music music videos Paul Rodgers performers photography vocalists

Company, Bad.

This English supergroup, consisting of the great Paul Rodgers (vocals), Mick Ralphs (lead guitar), Simon Kirke (drums), and bassist Boz Burrell, attained world domination in the 1970s. Managed by Peter Grant (also of Led Zep fame), Rodgers and the lads not only enjoyed massive hit after massive hit, but also enthralled millions with their live shows. The godlike Rodgers had few peers as a rock vocalist.

Categories
Animal Photography Animals Nature photography

Dreaded Snapping Frog Syndrome.

These apparently ill-tempered creatures are not known to willingly or peacefully return phones once they have managed to obtain them. In fact, any attempt to retrieve the desired object is not looked upon favourably, at all. One might do well to consider one’s erstwhile mobile device a lost cause, really, rather than face the frightful wrath of these fearsome, aggressive amphibians.

Categories
Animal Photography Animals Cows Nature photography

Escaped Cow Syndrome.

ECS—or Escaped Cow Syndrome—and the ennui-inducing NW (Now What-ism)Β  associated with it—is something we all face; it is by no meansΒ  limited to bovines/ungulates. But take heart, I say, from these proud,Β  purposeful individuals. Nothing less than a clarion call has been sounded: We need not fear freedom; we must embrace it!

Published earlier in sister-site ArgotSpeak.

Categories
Animal Photography Animals photography Swimming Pigs

The Swimming Pigs of Exuma.

A remote island in The Bahamas is home to these mighty aquatic feral pigs.

“The clever pigs have also worked out that the crews of passing yachts regularly dump excess food into the sea. Today the beach is a popular tourist attraction and whether or not they remember to bring their swimming gear, the tourist will always bring food. The hungry pigs eagerly plunge into the waves when they see a yacht and will swim a few hundred feet up to the vessel in the hope of a free meal.” (per Amusing Planet)

Categories
athletes Athletics photography sport

The Wide Receivers {vol. 12}.

Devonta Smith, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyreek Hill: all uniquely brilliant talents. Absolutely among the top receivers I have ever witnessed. Insane explosiveness.

Categories
Ann Wilson Deborah Harry Diamanda Galas Linda Ronstadt Music Patty Smyth photography vocalists

Vocalists of Note, Goddess Division {Vol. 2}.

A sampler of mesmerizing performances by phenomenally gifted vocalists, of the Goddess persuasion.