keshers

realize there is no objective reality prior to our experiences and all narratives, creeds, philosophies (even this one!), perceptions, judgments, are all reflections of different temporary cognitive and emotional states, fundamentally lacking a truth value. form is emptiness, emptiness is form.

What if self-knowledge is impossible? What if Freud’s right and we are driven by hidden, subconscious desires and repressed memories? What if the factors that motivate us are so varied that we cannot reduce our mental processes to an A -> B -> C flowchart? What if we defy explanation? Then what?

Just saw the Tom Cruise film “The Firm.” Can’t wait for The Soft.

How to get HRT labs when you’re DIYing

It is consistently fascinating to look back on 2016 as a crucible moment where the US faced a choice between “more of this” and “hell beyond your wildest comprehension,” and picked the latter. But it’s also not that interesting in the sense that we already know what Obama-era politics looks like and the counterfactual is just “more of that.”

In times I’ve used Mastodon before I’ve very much struggled to find “my people,” inasmuch as a social media platform depends on having a circle of people whose content you appreciate and who appreciate yours. Still not sure how to bridge the gap. Say what you will about “the algorithm” but the lack of friction on sites like TikTok has to be their greatest asset, maybe second to offering the equivalent of digital crack.

I worry for the future of Indiana, the first place that’s truly felt like home to me. I hate what our governor and our AG are doing. I really want to stay but I don’t know how much longer it will be safe. The recent 4th circuit court ruling is an ill portent for the future of minority rights in the state, obviously especially for trans people. The legislature has enough members who support civil rights to stymie any efforts, but the executive is determined to make Indiana Hell on Earth.

LRT: I was tempted to write something like "it's amazing how we learned nothing as a nation after Iraq," but that is not true. It's the media class that drug us into war with Iraq with lies and fake promises that is refusing to change. None of these people faced any consequences the last time. They all failed upwards, and will continue to fail upwards as our media is captured by conservative monied interests.