Thank Grog It’s Firday!!
So, Jesus, Buddha and Shiva walk into a bar…
The bartender looks up and says, “I can serve you two, but he has to go…”
Of course, this is the kind of open-ended conundrum that has a way of setting all of us afire with debates over who or which “ism” is the best or “only” path to enlightenment. There is nothing so unenlightened, as deciding that there is only one path to enlightenment…
It’s also a reflection of how we play the game of TSTO…
I know. It’s “only a game.” And, it’s a game that many of us play as an escape from some of the day-to-day conflicts and unending bad news that seems to be swirling around us these days. However…like it or not, the programmers and writers of this particular episode may be conveying one of the most important life lessons we could ever learn, about how to get along in the world.
The answer?
An Alien Invasion. Seriously, it may be the only thing that saves us from ourselves.
Think about it. There are only a handful of times in recent history, that the world came together to act in unison. They were almost always disasters, whether natural or man-made…that for a brief time, brought us closer together.
Today, we have become so completely impervious to bad news, by becoming conditioned to “feel less” when the headlines and events keep coming at usso rapidly, that we are simply overwhelmed and immobilized when trying to decide what actions, solutions, and help to offer. It’s as if we bent down to get a drink of water, and someone opened up with a fire hose of bad news. It’s everywhere…it’s overwhelming.
When things become overwhelming in life, we tend to retract into our own cloistered corners of comfort. Unfortunately, this can take us into divisive, tribal territory, where we believe that self preservation comes from picking a side, and protecting yourself by tearing down other ways of thought. In the end, as the old saying goes, “seeking an eye for an eye will eventually leave us all blind.”
So…what is the BRILLIANCE of this most amazing, best TSTO Christmas/Holiday/Winter update ever? It is going to very quickly turn into a parable about setting aside your “isms,” and fighting a common enemy…the ALIENS!!
And let’s face it…the way life is today, we could use a little alien invasion to take our minds off of ourselves.
The very hubris of a species that comes to the conclusion that we are the only sentient beings in an almost infinite universe, is a trait that only humans seem to possess. That hubris becomes even more evident when we further divide one another into tribes of “creation stories,” that are at the root of every major and minor religion.
But, there is nothing more humbling than an alien invasion to remind us that we clearly don’t “know it all,” and that most of the precepts that we have constructed through various religious and political beliefs, have no place in the “larger reality” that is just a few thousand miles outside of our atmosphere. An alien invasion would put all of the mythology to rest…once and for all.
Unfortunately, if our “isms” and penchant for taking the misguided practice of “making war as a way to bring about peace,” we may not be around long enough to witness an alien invasion in the future. We are truly our own worst enemies.
And frankly, I think THAT is exactly what the writers of this game are trying to say…When Jesus, Shiva, and Buddha show up on the same team, it may be time to worry.
I would guess that the real joke would be the three of them (along with any number of other Gods, idols, or symbols of belief) all gathering in a bar and agreeing on one thing…”The World would be a better place if it wasn’t for people.” That would be tough to argue against.
But, as it is…like our game…it seems that the best hope for mankind, is that the earth, nature, and maybe an alien invasion, finally bring us all together again.
So…yes…I will buy every icon, every character, every smidgen of artifacts that allows me to place Jesus’ workshop, right next to my Pagan bonfire, and my alien Nativity, knowing that they are all part of the larger conversation…and will ultimately just make me laugh when I need to smile and remember how silly mankind really is.
This is the season of hope and miracles. But, it is also the time to do something for others. This hopefully is in a manner that is sustainable, and allows you to form a habit of giving and unconditional love that can carry on once the decorations are put away.
It’s really all about Free Will…it’s YOUR CHOICE how you choose to play the game. Let’s just decide that life is better when we are ALL welcome at the bar.
Dang it. Saw Gil and his offer but needed more donuts. I get back and he skipped town.
Well said Patric. Happy Holidays from all of me to all of you! 🙂
Using a 1 to 5 rate
Until now
2 – Missions
3 – NewItems
4 – Mystery Box MiniGame Missions
4 – NewCharacters PC
2 – Returning Items
4 – FreePlay*¹
*¹ This event, they “fixed” the time spent on the game…. someone that Log 3~2 times per day
it will get all free prizes
I think everyone will get all Prizes from
Event Mystery Box!!
It would be cool seeing other adjustments
a second type of MystyBox (2 or 3 prizes)
from Neighboreenos taps
but not from NPC searching
a strategic mini game
That would be soo much better than craftables
almost everything it’s better than the current craftable system
4lvinos from Brazil
I would actually love an alien invasion right about now.
Been tapping since the beginning.I hate this event,There I said it! I’ll tap when this event is over! The Halloween event was a let down and I’m not enjoying this one either. Maybe we’ll get a decent event soon.
What would make an event decent for you?
A Christmas Event. I’ve been tapping since the beginning and we’ve had somr truly wonderful Christmas Events. This Event feels to Halloween. Also, love your site I come here often. Thanks for all you all do.
Sorry you feel it’s like Halloween. I LOVE Christmas & really hate Halloween and I don’t get even a little Halloween vibe from this. But to each his own..
OK. So it’s not everyone’s favorite.
But let’s take this from the programmer’s point of view.
Please define “decent.” What is it that would make TSTO great again in your opinion?
A Christmas Event that isn’t merged with Halloween. Like of some you, I wait all year for Halloween and Christmas..Been disappointed here lately.
This was so awesome. Well thought out and greatly written. I swoon.
Don’t swoon!! Lol! Unless you have a fan and a glass of water nearby…
Hi Patric, once again an interesting post raising points and ideas that challenge.
I do agree with your opening point There is nothing so unenlightened, as deciding that there is only one path to enlightenment… and agree the human spirit does come together at times of crisis the little acts of kindness that arise from natural disasters and man made events, we still over here cite the ‘dunkirk’ spirit and in many ways we look at the resiliance shown with greater admiration than victories. Bring the world together with the threat of Alien invasion….
However i then began thinking where i have come across these ideas before….Ozymandes in Watchmen, i will now re read that book you wrote a few years back….
Great Post Again…
Dunkirk… may be one of the greatest “can do” moments if the 20th century.
There are countless acts of unconditional giving by millions of people everyday, that don’t ever get publicized. People innately want to do the right thing… but sometimes need a nudge.
Very true……..random acts of kindness…..makes the world a better place to live in.
Loved the post, but I find this a little humorous “…the conclusion that we are the only sentient beings in an almost infinite universe, is a trait that only humans seem to possess.” As oppossed to the enlightenment of …oh, I don’t know… hedgehogs…or even those visionary wildebeest you always read about. What other species were you referring to on this planet, that even thinks about such things, let alone believes in extra-terrestial beings? Of course only humans think like this…all the other critters on this planet are waaaayyy to busy looking for their next Christmas pudding😁.
Well…not sure if you are joking or not. But, the definition of “Sentient” is:
adjective
1.having the power of perception by the senses; conscious.
2. characterized by sensation and consciousness.
Now, if you truly believe that only humans are capable of this, you get the award for personifying the very “hubris” of which I was writing.
But, to my greater point, research has shown that not only is there great evidence of other terrestrial species that are able to experience emotions, and a deeper sense of reasoning, (even so far as being able to measure emotional responses in electromagnetic waves from plants), but also growing research that points to reactionary binding on a molecular level, that may also be tied through particles that react to emotion, as well as simple observation.
So…yes…there is a HUGE universe beyond the silly narrow minds of most humans. It is our hubris and ability to cling to man made myths and superstition that get us into the most trouble, and most likely do more to define us as “human” than sentient.
Yes, a joke…sorry, obviously not that good of one. My chuckle came from the idea that any other creatures on earth were worried about the idea of a singular sentience in the universe. Only humans seem to be so self- absorbed, I think all our earthly room mates are just living in the now.
A-freaking-men!!! Jebus would be proud!😄
Thanks! Loves me some Jebus.
Words of Wisdom…
Very well said!!! Thanks for the post!!!
Spot on. Bring on the invasion and we can all start looking for a stick with a nail in to fight them off 👍
Am down with this on the whole for sure. Very enjoyable. But… where are the Jews? We want premium content too!
It’s coming.
Great post Patric! Really makes me cry… “by becoming conditioned to “feel less” ..” And “This is the season of hope and miracles. But, it is also the time to do something for others. This hopefully is in a manner that is sustainable, and allows you to form a habit of giving and unconditional love that can carry on once the decorations are put away”
It will be awesome to find them in a bar 🙂 , past October I just had my first baby 😀 and the first thing that family started asking me is “when will be her baptise (catholic)” and they get angry and surprise when I tell them that “when and if she decide, meanwhile I would like to teach her about love, respect and existence of more religions, so she can decide…” (It will be so hard in Mexico) … I only wish that they respect my decision just like I respect them 😊
My hope for your family to come around… it means much more when faith is a choice.
Its so hard when your parents/family/etc are so old school with religion! They look at you funny if you don’t do it how they did!
Have you been reading Watchmen?
Actually… more along the lines of “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pritchardt
This book made me laugh… until the last election.
OMG I love those books! Hope you’ve also read “Soul Music” and “Going Postal”.
I love you Patric. Excellent post. Peace and love for everybody.
Thanks much! Peace and love to you!
This was just so perfectly written! Well said, good sir!
Thanks!
You’ve gone all Free Will-y on us
Very well said… I rarely post on here but had to this time in joyful agreement. Messrs Hitchens, Dawkins, Krauss, Dillahunty, Ra et al would be chuckling too.
Interesting to remember that Atheists (or whatever label we use) are actually nice folk.. and whatever our beliefs or none, we respect each other. Interesting that Mohammed never makes an ‘appearance’. Oh yes.. that would be ‘offensive’.
Actually…as has been proven by other cartoonists who dare to go there…it can also be dangerous.
Without opening a huge discussion, I fall more on the side of “there are a lot of things that we don’t know…and it is the fact that we can only prove what we DO know (for a time), that leaves so many open questions.” I am not remotely a fan of Dawkins, Hitchens, et al…because their devout, obsessive rants about religion, have ironically become a sort of “religion” to many.
Here’s what I believe…there is too much order in our existence to simply be the result of a random start, and an inconceivable number of “coincidences” and random actions that brought us to this point in evolution. However……..the discoveries at CERN and other physics labs that continue to push the boundaries of the “Laws of Physics” (as in Quantum Computing, which allow for data to be in two places at the same time…and perhaps outside of this space/time), prove that there is just too much we don’t know, to completely rule out some sort of “intelligent design.” Do I think that God is an old man playing traffic cop from heaven, with his finger on “every hair?” No. But, I do believe that every subatomic particle in this universe is tied together at a level of communication that is outside the limitations of the speed of light (the traffic cop of the laws of physics), and is likely “outside the box.” Dark matter, and all of the “connective tissue” of the universe is pointing toward a creation that likely has a great deal of the “brain action” of sentient beings (s well as redefining the term “sentient”), outside of this space/time…communicating through external consciousness. If any of those concepts are proven true…all the rules for defining “who we are,” are off.
Dawkins and his ilk are obsessed with what we know…and forget that most of what we know, blows up the “laws” of those who “KNEW” the answers a few decades ago. New Physics…and especially Quantum Physics, are not the friends of Dawkins and Hitchens.
But, I chuckle when I think that good old Hitchens has likely been reintroduced into a reality that his narrow mind could not conceive…now that he is in another state of existence. Energy doesn’t end with death…it is just re-purposed.
Patric, are any of these characters released in game yet? I have nothing in my store.
All act II
Beautifully stated, Patric! I think everyone can use a reminder that there’s only one human team, and we’re all on it. Thanks for posting this.
Man, I need to collect all of the Super Best Friends! I mean, the B.S. League…
Yes! ✋️
Pretty ballsy of EA to tie this year’s Christmas theme to different major religions even tho it’s obviously easy to predict that some religious person is bound to be offended. Lol
When you consider there 10 times more stars in the night sky than grains of sand on Earth.. makes you think.
Welcome at the bar?
I used to amaze folks at my church when I would remind them that in the good old days, going to a bar* was strictly forbidden. And even now, playing cards, dancing, let alone drinking or gambling, are a no no.
So absolutely not, Jesus would not go into a bar.. 😂😂
I’ll remove my tongue from my cheek. Too old, seen too much to be easily excited about things as trivial (to me) as this stuff.
*Story goes, Mr. Welch devised a method to preserve grape juice so his/my denomination could partake of non-alcoholic communion.
Now sold as Welch’s Grape juice
Jesus doesn’t need a bar to party. Just a large body of water.
Nah, that’s just certain Protestants. Jesus was Jewish and drank wine with wild abandon. Even made his own sometimes. Don’t know if he was into gambling and dancing or if cards were even played back then, but Catholics have no problem with such activities.
My best friend in childhood was “that kind” of Protestant, though, and she could only play Go Fish if we removed all the face cards (King, Queen, and the younger guy) from the deck. But she also was allowed to eat candy and read romance novels during Sunday service, which left me awestruck. All I had for reading material during Mass was a bilingual Latin/English missal (which actually was rather interesting, I was destined to become a translator).
Amen! Very well said. Sounds like my kind of bar.
Man, Patric, (hope I spelled your name correctly), that was awesome! Well said!!!!!!!!!! 👍👍👍👍
Thanks! And YES…no K for me! (Supposedly Welsh…but I think Mom was just messing with me).
really excellent post!
Thanks much!
Don’t forget the chips and nuts and pretzels, I’ll see you at that bar.
Kudos, Patric. Well done. Love this post. (and of course, don’t confuse kudos with Kodos!)
We could USE a little Kang and Kodos on days like this… ergh!
But, thanks!