#carl chaos theory

[swan2swan]

[clvudii-launch42]

I wonder if Carl was such a bitch (sorry) to Sammy because he's a homophobe? He 100% knows about Sam and Yaz, considering Yaz lived with Sammy at her ranch before she moved to Wyoming.

Or he just act like that in general, like all the time. But it's just funny to think about. I've thought about it since I saw Carl the first time.

[slowlydehydrating]

On a rewatch, I’m kind of siding with Carl in episode 3.

Like, yeah, he’s a massive asshole for threatening to kill Bumpy and for lying about the truck thing, but when you look at it from his perspective, you can’t blame him for overall being pissed off and wanting Bumpy out of there.

To him, all he sees is a person with a large, potentially dangerous, wild animal, one she doesn’t even have legally, that constantly gets out and destroys other people’s, his, property, and up until that episode he’s being trying to have Bumpy removed the proper way through the DPW. And honestly, I can’t blame him for that.

Edit; Even though I think threatening to kill Bumpy was absolutely disgusting, it’s also something that makes sense from his perspective too. They’re in deep, rural Texas. Carl himself is most likely a farmer, which would mean the broken fences probably affect his income, and if they do they've been affecting him for months, and he probably comes from a similar background as Sammy. On the majority of farms and homesteads when an animal is a nuisance - constantly getting out, destroying property, and posing a threat to people and other animals - the first response is to kill them, assuming they aren’t a dog, maybe a cat.

(And as a side thing, Bumpy would actually be better off being relocated. Sammy and Ben aren’t providing her the environment that she needs, that shed is nowhere near big enough for her, she’s gone from fresh, varied foliage to hay, and she doesn’t have enough space in general since she keeps breaking out.)

[s4mmysc0wm1ttenz]

Hey since it's pride month I'm gonna share my jwct side character hcs

starting off with this hoe named Kash

-I can't decide whether hes gay or homophobic but I'm saying both

-that's all for his segment I hate him

Mae my queen

-Berriromantic and demisexual

-Cis woman

Molina (underrated lowkey)

-obviously that's a goth lesbian

-nonbinary they/she

Ronnie

-Butch lesbian

-Cis woman

DAVE

-Bisex and rom 💪 (Roxie and Dave r bi4b1)

-Cis dude

Roxie!!!

-Mexican

-Cis woman

Carl

-Probably homophobic honestly

Gia (shes different in my head)

-Bisexual birom

-Trans woman

Davi (he kinda pmo)

-Gay

-cis man

Zayna (Another underrated queen)

-anyone else get aro/ace vibes from her

Mitch and tiff

-tell me why they look gay and straight at the same time

-what am I supposed to say?????

Let me know if there's anyone I missed

[albino-parakeet]

Sammy should’ve let Ben beat the shit out of Carl.

Cause then he’d at least still be alive.

[magnus-marmot]

TMAGP 22 analysis: The sea is Mercury

I reread the transcript for TMAGP 22 (Mixed Signals) for research purposes, and found some interesting symbolism in the incident.

I've been looking deeper into Carl Jung's psychology because of how closely he links the human psyche with alchemical principles and symbology. In this incident, we get Hans Berger (who developed EEG) writing to Richard Caton (whose work Berger based his theory on) about the first patient he demonstrated the concept on. In doing so, he inadvertently discovers something that's stuck deep inside the brain and longing to get out. (I love alternative history.)

Before Berger has an epiphany and modifies his equipment to be able to capture this emergent consciousness, he has a dream of a deep, dark ocean full of secrets, and the electric brainwaves floating on top of it, never meeting it. This is unapologetic Jungian symbolism for the conscious mind (the electricity) and the vast personal and collective unconscious (the sea) filled with all human experiences, especially the ones we don't want to face. An ocean is specifically the metaphor Jung uses the most, and he ties it to the alchemical Mercury, which he considers the spirit that unifies everything and holds within it the entire potential of humanity (both past and future). It's also very Jungian that this all came to the scientist in a dream.

I think the ocean symbolism that many in the fandom seem to have attributed to a new fear (the Deep) is actually all symbolic of Mercury.

Jung adopted the concept of the Magnum Opus and applied it to the process of psychological individuation, by which he meant reconciling different aspects of the human psyche into a unified self. This process required one to dissolve the conscious ego into a black mass of chaos and descend into the unconscious, accept and reconcile with what you find in there, and emerge as a new, whole being.

This is the relevant part (at least for this episode): In the unconscious, the person would meet the representation of the opposite sex in themself, Anima (the feminine principle) in men and Animus (the masculine principle) in women. These terms carry some unsurprisingly sexist connotations, but humor me. Animus comes in the form of a variety of traditionally masculine qualities, most notably activeness (or sometimes aggression) and rationality (Logos). Anima is associated with traditionally feminine qualities like sensitivity and the desire to connect (Eros).

In the incident, the patient seems to be a very simple guy with simple, material needs such as food, drink and toilet. Meanwhile, the voice trapped deep within him is screaming for connection and acknowledgment. We are hearing Herr Schmidt's Anima. He has obviously not integrated Anima into his self, which is why his needs are so... "rational". What's even more interesting is that the rationally minded scientist Berger can't outright decipher or "hear" the screams, but his wife, who was always the "better communicator", can hear them.

TLDR; I think the pervasive sea symbolism points both to the principle of Mercury (as per my Tria Prima theory) and, interestingly, to the Jungian idea of the collective unconscious. I'm not sure if Animus and Anima are universal principles at work, or if they exist here because people like Jung have planted them into people's minds (Jung is not the first, the concepts align pretty well with yin and yang and other similar dualities).

[toasterdrake]

god i love how well sammy's character is done in her intro scene in chaos theory

inside the house she shares that she's been learning a martial art, but then when the opportunity arises to destroy a bitch (carl) she chooses to de-escalate and try to appease him when she could so easily knock him into next week. after facing the dangers of camp cretaceous, herself particularly being subject to human malignance, she's equipped herself with the skills to defend herself, but she only uses it as a last resort. she always prioritises peace, and tries to get along with everyone, just like she did back then

[ngray192]

Ok, Chaos Theory came out and I watched ALL OF IT.

So, I'm gonna share every thought I had while watching, with no context whatsoever!

SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT!!!!

• Brooklyn is already dead ig

• The animation is beautiful

• Darius to the rescue!!

• He's so grown up

• Hes still so Darius

• Sammy would be proud

• This animation is gorgeous omg

• He took mannerisms from his friends omg

• Allosaurus killed Brooklyn!!!?!?

• Omg this show is darker than the first

• His groceries are gonna fly out

• Curse, I know you want to

• Is it a gun gun or tranq gun?

• Omg is he leaving voicemails to Dead Brooklyn??

• Did they get Jenna Ortega back or no?

• He's got a little cabin

• Wtf is that gun??

• Brand!!

• He's like 20 rn?

• CAMP FAM

• Kenji and Darius had a falling out??

• AAAA NEWS VIDEOS

• I miss them

• Someone do the "despite everything it's still you"

• Ok he slayed that electric staff whip tho

• BEN

• He's anxious af

• HES STILL WEARING A FANNY PACK

• God this is so sad wtf

• Ofc there's a site caller Dark Jurassic

• I saw this scene in the clip already

• Teamwork

• That was the whole episode?!

2

• "Aw crud"

• Someone broke the fence

• Why did you park so far away??

• Ofc he drives a van

• The eyessss

• Lockwood Estate mentioned

• Always the logical one

• He wrote down his theories

• Boyfriends??

• "Dork pouch"

• BUMPY DRAEN ON THE WHITEBOARD

• NO HESITATION LMAO

• He's so goofy I love him

• Facial expressions on point

• SHE SENDS CARE PACKAGES

• "Yee-haw"

• Do they only have one picture of them all?

• It's a female voice??

• Oh it was Brooklyn

• They didn't even try to make her sound the same

• I don't like her hair

• She's still Brooklyn

• Isn't that the plot of someone's fanfic on the Discord??

• Someone's gonna read that scene as romantic

• Ben is a reckless driver god damn

• Where are they that they can drive to Texas easily?

• Move dino move!!

• No rear view mirror doesn't sound safe

• Let this boy pee

• BENJAMIN

• He's so done with him

• Hes giving season 4 episode 2

• Boyfriends??

• NERDS

• OMG FIRE

• Hero Ben!!

• Ew the face

• Camp fammmmm

• THE HEAT WAVES this animation is everything

• We get different end-credits every ep??

3

• Cows!

• "Chip me"

• He's so happy to see the ranch

• The ranch is so Sammy

• Awww she's so Farm Girl

• She's STRONG

• She got tall lmao

• Bessie had a calf?!?

• Do Yaz and Sammy usually live together?!!

• "Ding-dong"

• NO FUCKING WAY

• ITS BUMPY!!!!!!

• THE PUPILS

• THIS IS EVERYTHING

• Is Mantah Corp back??

• KILL HIM BUMPY

• Boooo Sammy

• Fuck Carl

• She's an herbivore tf

• Me and Ben on the same wavelength fr

• Tell him, Sammy

• Let this girl have her pie

• She's Sammy, but she's grown up a lot

• She still has her jacketttt

• What happened to her???

• She's so saddd

• Why aren't her parents talking to her??

• NOT YAZ PULLING AWAY

• Don't split up!!

• Omg Carl

• Communication through hand signalsss

• That shot with the raptor and the moon tho

• We haven't had many cute moments yet, it's really about survival now, they've really grown up

• Not the pieeee

• The genuine fear in her eyes holy shit

• BUMPY

• No more Beanie Ben

• So now he has a rear view mirror

• This reminds me a lot of Jurassic Park 2

4

• This episode is titled Brothers

• Season 3 episode 7 vibes

• I love how Ben loves Bumpy

• Their faces are so close

• BENJAMIN

• HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND

• Fucking liar lmao

• Does Kenji blame him???

• THEY STILL GLOW

• God I cannot get over the animation

• Poor boy kenji???

• The kick lmao

• He almost sounds like Ryan Porter

• He's not the tallest anymoreeee

• Benji???

• He doesn't act like Kenji 100% but it's still there

• I miss Ryan Porter

• Another framed photo!!

• They use the words "death" and "dead" a lot, but not "died" or "killed"

• DANIEL KON?!??!

• Yes, go get your girl

• Ok but Sammy and Ben are so Mom and Dad

• Good thing he just had spare gear???

• Oh it's probably for Brooklyn

• That shot he looked so much like Little Darius

• Oh no they broke up, so sad 😐

• Woah

• Valid reason to break up

• He's completely valid for being mad idc

• NOOO DONT GET BUMPY

5

• COMPIES

• Ofc he loves this kind of music

• You guys are supposed to be family tho

• DAMN THATS COLD

• EVERY WEEK I love Kenji

• "Love you" awwww

• She's so sassy I love her

• The head sway omgggg

• The carobbbb

• These background characters are way too hyped for this

• Bobby Nublar?

• Awww poor baby dino

• Free the dinos!!

• Oh he got OLD

• Damn straight in there

• She's so hurt :(

• He only thought Sammy was suspicious

• Creepy ass big ass forehead bitch

• Daniel Kon is a LIAR

• We should've gotten Kenji speaking Japanese in JWCC

• Love sassy Kenji

• "Yeah ok, I'll get my violin" GIRL

• Omg he almost punched Ben

• Yesss Sammy beat the shit out of him

• Those are the smallest corn dogs ever

• You're a shit dad

• What?! Brooklyn would never

• Kenji and I are on the same wavelength

• Different? Was it her voice?

• Are those lillies?

• These bitches are everywhere

• Kill Daniel

• He's old af hes about to have a heart attack anyway

• DAWG WHO TF ARE YOU

• CREEPY ASS BITCH

• Shitttt Daniel tackled that raptor

• Holy shit they killed Kenji's dad

• She's so fucking creepy omg

• I hope she's not from Dominion cause I haven't watched that

• Who's driving the car???!

6

• YAZ

• She's coping!!

• She wants to make it work!!!

• Ok but the crop top on Yaz???

• THE PICTURE ON HER PHONE

• Ben is everything this season

• "Love you too" AWWWW

• Where is there an island in Wyoming??

• She's so nervous/excited

• They're perfect together

• "Fadoula"

• She's happy here. Writers, let her be happy

• "Benny-boy"

• She's so geeky

• "Your favorite"

• They're all the same but so grown up

• Ben's scream lmao

• BENS SO SUPPORTIVE

• So Brooklyn has been dead less that 14 months

• They're both valid in this argument

• Ok but Ben and Yaz friendshipppp

• Is Ben actually dating someone??

• Ooo that's a cool dino

• Omg this show is darker than the og

• How did she walk so far??

• Yaz holding Ben's arm is cute tho

• Girlfriendssss

• BIG BEN

• Dumbass DPW

• Wtf??

• Omg

7

• Therapy girlfriend to the rescue

• Omg I forgot about Darius and Kenji

• Noooo baby boy Kenji

• Wow 2 major deaths already

• God I love Ben

• I feel like they should've drowned by now

• They held hands while swimming up

• Aw he has a daughter

• He lowkey sounds like Ryan Porter

• Idc about this Brooklyn death backstory

• Sammy looks fucking crazy in their one picture of the 6

• Ben 3rd wheeling just like all of season 5

• Their heads SLAMMED together

• He's so weird about this car lmao

• The car scene is funny

• They're in Colorado now??

• This hill is STEEP

• He's been waiting to throw those phones for DAYS

• Why tf would he be coming with you?

• Why did I believe the voicemail?? I saw her phone get ruined

• Darius CALM DOWN let kenji have at least something about Brooklyn DAMN

• Dude this mystery is DEEP

8

• Reminds me of Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom

• Gonna barf because of this "bwookie bear" scene

• He always has been a bad liar

• Sammy is physically fight for EVERYBODY'S lives

• Omg we're actually doing the Darius×Brooklyn plot??

• So that means no Ben×Darius plot???

• BUMPY (again)

• What did they do to you, Bumps???

• "Oh heyyyy" "boo" I LOVE THEM

• I love a good chase scene

• If a car can just drive through it, that fence was shit

• Nobody does a stampede like this show does

• Lots of death (even if they're all cutaways)

9

• God I'm flying through this show

• The heartbeating is EVERYTHING

• Anxious girlfriends

• More good camerawork and angles

• Ofc they'd be good at charades

• Are there still no male dinosaurs?

• Big Eatie mentioned

• "Ok I get it, you're a climber"

• Oh are Camp Fam at the same place?

• She's sick???

• If Bumpy dies I'll kms

• Why is he just carrying a stick?

• GIRL STOP KICKING THINGS

• I love reunions

• No cause why am I sad

• Did he call her "MICROBANGS"

• They're still the same kids from the island and I love that

• Once again, they're so Mom and Dad

• Is she in labor?!?!?!

• YOU CANNOT SCARE US LIKE THAT

• What're they gonna name the egg?!??!

10

• Last episodeeee

• Oh shit we used the word "killed"

• His hat is so tall

• Omg he shocked Ben

• Benji?

• We have so much to wrap up in 23 minutes

• This is lowkey scary

• This is so suspenseful

• She looks familiar

• THE FIRST PERSON SHOTS IN THISSSS

• Is she just dead then???

• Toro!!

• THE EXPLOSION BEHIND THE T-REX IM SORRY THAT WAS AWESOME

• THEY'RE ADORABLE

• The slow-motion scene is so cool

• Coolest dino fight ever

• FUCKING CREEPY BITCH

• Awww she's bonding? with her guard-raptors? I don't care

• Wait is that it??

• They better make another season

• Everyone's so happy for Darius being in love

• She didn't feel the same?! THATS why he didn't show???

• I fucking knew she was still alive

• SHE LOST AN ARM?!

• Her hair got even worse

• So we're getting another season???

[city-of-ladies]

Mathematician, physician and philosopher (1776-1831), Sophie Germain was a genius who fought hard to be heard a recognized.

A self-taught prodigy 

The daughter of a silk merchant, Sophie was born in Paris to a relatively wealthy family. When the French Revolution broke out in 1789, her father became a member of the Constituent Assembly. Amidst the chaos, Sophie found solace in her father's library and discovered mathematics.

Fascinated by the subject, she learned everything she could, studying at night. Her parents disapproved. Mathematics was thought to be too complex for women who had to focus first and foremost on their home.

Sophie's parents tried to stop her by putting out the fire in her room at night and confiscating her clothes and candles after nightfall. Sophie's thirst for knowledge was stronger. According to her obituary, she studied “at night in a room so cold that the ink often froze in its well, working enveloped with covers by the light of a lamp”. She even taught herself Latin to read the essential works.

Sophie impresses

The École Polytechnique was founded in 1974 with to train a new elite of engineers, mathematicians and scientists. Being a woman, Sophie couldn’t attend. She learned that a student named Leblanc wasn’t able to go to class. She wrote to the school, pretending to be him, and managed to obtain lecture notes. She was also able to complete and submit assignments. 

This promising student impressed mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange who found her answers brilliant. The self-taught Sophie had gained the admiration of one of the most renowned mathematicians of her time.

Lagrange's desire to meet her forced Sophie to reveal her real identity. Lagrange was at first surprised to learn that his correspondent was a woman. He nonetheless became Sophie’s mentor, introducing her to a new world and opportunities.

Sophie made major contributions to number theory. She worked on Fermat's last theorem, making major observations and creating her own theorem. This would be one of her major contributions to mathematics.

In 1804, she began a correspondence with another mathematician, Carl Friedrich Gauss, whose work she admired. He was similarly impressed by her intelligence:

“But how to describe to you my admiration and astonishment at seeing my esteemed correspondent Monsieur Leblanc metamorphose himself into this illustrious personage who gives such a brilliant example of what I would find it difficult to believe. A taste for the abstract sciences in general and above all the mysteries of numbers is excessively rare: one is not astonished at it: the enchanting charms of this sublime science reveal only to those who have the courage to go deeply into it. But when a person of the sex which, according to our customs and prejudices, must encounter infinitely more difficulties than men to familiarize herself with these thorny researches, succeeds nevertheless in surmounting these obstacles and penetrating the most obscure parts of them, then without doubt she must have the noblest courage, quite extraordinary talents and superior genius.”

An incomplete recognition

Sophie was also interested in physics. In 1811, she entered a contest held by the French Academy of Sciences, but her lack of formal education turned against her. She didn't give up and won the contest in 1816 with her Memoir on the vibrations of Elastic Plates. She kept working on the theory of elasticity and published several more memoirs. Her work would prove pivotal in the field.

This prize also meant official recognition for Sophie. In 1823, she became the first woman to be allowed at the Academy of Sciences' sessions. Though respected as an equal collaborator by some, she still felt like a “foreigner” in the scientific community.

Sophie Germain died at the age of 55, on June 27, 1831, after a battle with breast cancer. Carl Friedrich Gauss had convinced the university of the University of Gottingen to give her an honorary degree but Sophie was dead before she could receive it.

Her death certificate designated her as a "rentière-annuitant" (a single woman with no profession) instead of a mathematician. 

Today, a street in Paris, schools in France and a crater on Venus are named in her honor. She appeared on a French postal stamp released in 2016.

Feel free to check out my Ko-Fi if you like what I do! Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Further reading 

Alkalay-Houlihan Coleen, “Sophie Germain and special cases of Fermat’s last theorem”

Boyé Anne,, “Sophie Germain, une mathématicienne face aux préjugés de son temps”

“Biographies of women mathematicians : Sophie Germain”

Lamboley Gilbert, “Math’s hidden woman”

Koppe Martin, “Sophie Germain, une pionnière enfin reconnue”

[serendipitysparks]

One Piece: The Psyche Voyage

Concept: In a world where pirates seek treasure, one pirate crew embarks on a quest not only for gold but for the exploration of the human mind. Each crew member represents different psychological archetypes and disorders, making their journey an exploration of both the Grand Line and the human psyche.

Key Characters and Their Psychological Representation:

Luffy:

Psychological Representation: Luffy is a manifestation of Carl Rogers' Person-Centered Theory, particularly the concept of Self-Actualization.

He is someone who seeks personal growth and fulfillment through unconditional positive regard and empathetic connection, remaining free from societal constraints. His impulsivity and resilience could be analyzed through Freudian theory, with a focus on the Id and how his lack of inhibition often clashes with others' norms and values.

Psychological Archetype: The Egoist Explorer – A character constantly searching for personal meaning and experiences without being overly concerned with the consequences.

Zoro:

Psychological Representation: Zoro represents Jungian Archetypes, particularly The Warrior. His struggle with self-doubt and fear of failure mirrors the Existential Theory by Rollo May, who argues that courage and anxiety co-exist in the pursuit of personal meaning. Zoro’s complex relationships with authority and his internal conflict between duty and freedom can be framed through Erikson’s Psychosocial Development in terms of Identity vs. Role Confusion.

Psychological Archetype: The Stoic – A character deeply concerned with mastery and personal discipline, but also wrestling with anxiety and a need for validation.

Nami:

Psychological Representation: Nami is heavily influenced by Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT). Her early trauma of betrayal and loss is akin to Learned Helplessness, yet she actively works through her cognitive distortions by actively reframing her perceptions of the world around her. Nami represents the internalization of Bowlby’s Attachment Theory, with her desire to protect and control her surroundings stemming from childhood insecurities.

Psychological Archetype: The Protector – A character who, despite external cynicism, desires deep connections with others and seeks control to mitigate inner emotional chaos.

Sanji:

Psychological Representation: Sanji's mental landscape explores Freudian defense mechanisms, particularly reaction formation and sublimation. His overtly chivalrous and often exaggerated expressions of masculinity are internal compensations for his deep-seated insecurities and feelings of inadequacy tied to his traumatic upbringing. His obsession with food and cooking is a self-soothing mechanism, much like a Behaviorist approach to reward-seeking behavior.

Psychological Archetype: The Caregiver – A nurturing, emotionally intelligent character who still struggles with personal worth and vulnerability.

Chopper:

Psychological Representation: Chopper’s struggle with identity is explored through Jean Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development and Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development. Chopper represents the child's psyche, navigating the complexity of developing self-worth and confidence while adapting to changing environments. His transformation from a mere beast into a human-like entity reflects Levinas' Philosophy of the Other, embracing the intersubjective connection to other beings.

Psychological Archetype: The Innocent – A character still in the process of understanding their potential while grappling with deep existential loneliness.

Robin:

Psychological Representation: Robin’s character development aligns with Attachment Theory, particularly Disorganized Attachment, stemming from early trauma and abandonment. Her intelligence and capability mask deep emotional wounds, often manifesting in Cognitive Dissonance between her intellectual pursuits and emotional insecurities. Robin’s arc emphasizes the Cognitive Appraisal Theory of emotions, where her interpretations of danger and trust fluctuate throughout the series.

Psychological Archetype: The Sage – A character who possesses wisdom and insight but is emotionally detached and seeks personal redemption through understanding.

Franky:

Psychological Representation: Franky embodies the integration of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, particularly the Self-Esteem and Self-Actualization stages. His journey is about reconciling his past rejection and forging a new identity. Franky’s journey speaks to the human desire for self-transcendence, where he moves beyond just fulfilling basic needs to create a legacy.

Psychological Archetype: The Creator – A character who channels their trauma into innovative self-expression and societal change.

Brook:

Psychological Representation: Brook’s character grapples with the Kübler-Ross model of grief and Existential Psychology, confronting the meaning of life and death. His immortality reflects the fear of existential annihilation, and his pursuit of joy despite eternal loneliness mirrors the Humanistic approach of Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy, where finding purpose in suffering is central.

Psychological Archetype: The Jester – A character using humor and joy to cope with the profound existential dilemma of living forever.

Usopp:

Psychological Representation: Usopp represents Cognitive Dissonance Theory and Self-Perception Theory, constantly seeking to reconcile his self-image as a coward with the brave persona he wishes to project. His constant acts of fabrication to protect his identity highlight Erving Goffman’s Theory of Self-Presentation and Impression Management. Usopp also exemplifies the Hero’s Journey archetype, growing from self-deception to personal bravery.

Psychological Archetype: The Underdog – A character who seeks to overcome personal limitations and finds courage despite deep self-doubt.

Plot: The series is centered around a psychological artifact called the Mind's Eye, a mysterious object that can alter the human psyche. It was hidden in the depths of the Grand Line by an ancient civilization, and its power can either elevate humanity's collective consciousness or plunge the world into chaos. As the crew travels from island to island, they encounter not just physical challenges but confront the deepest parts of their psyche. Each island represents a different psychological construct—be it consciousness, identity, perception, or emotion—which the crew must navigate to unlock the next clue in their quest. As they progress, they learn that their individual mental states shape the world around them. The crew's interactions are framed not only by physical combat but by psychological warfare, where each character’s personal growth becomes the key to defeating larger, external forces. The villains they encounter often represent distorted psychological states—narcissism, psychopathy, obsessive-compulsiveness, and trauma—forcing the protagonists to grapple with these forces both internally and externally.

[swan2swan]

This line is one of my Absolute Favorites from this show, because it really digs right into the new world that the kids are in:

They're not kids anymore.

There's a furious man threatening harm to Bumpy and her friends, and Sammy puts herself square in the middle of the argument, turns on the charm and promises that she'll make it up to him...and when he doesn't acquiesce, she immediately turns Stern. She bluntly tells him to go home. As an adult talking to another adult.

She has her own property. Her own life. Her own world. She has authority now. The days where they're kids hiding from robots or businessmen or sneaking away from big game hunters and mercenaries are over. Sammy has land, she has responsibilities, and she's not backing down from them. Sammy Gutierrez is an adult woman, and she's going to act like one.

[aperture8]

BG3 - Digital Characterbook

I will start with the result of the MBTI. I had to use a translator because my English is terrible and there was so much text :D

It's a wip because I'm still trying to put the different parts of the puzzle together...

The Myers-Briggs test was developed by Katharine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Myers, both lay psychologists. The test is based on the psychological type theory developed and published by the Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Gustav Jung in the 1920s. Jung differentiated between extroverted and introverted types. The Myers Briggs test, which is frequently used in the USA for personnel selection, picks up on these characteristics and supplements them. The test uses a questionnaire to determine whether an ‘applicant’ is more introverted or extroverted. If the result were an ‘ENTJ’, which stands for a mixture of the personality factors extraversion, intuition, thinking and judgement, then this would supposedly be a born leader: they are decisive and good at recognising and correcting inefficient processes.

Don't forget the MBTI has a lack of validity and is most likely so popular because of the Barnum effect; As with horoscopes, the description of the type is kept vague and flattering so that everyone recognises themselves. I used the MBTI and the Enneagram System just for fun to describe Ardreyth's personality. You really shouldn't take this kind of test serious.

The Result:

INJT - The Architect

I-INTROVISION

or you could say: solitude as a kind of protection. Ardreyth's introversion manifests itself not only in her tendency to seclusion. Withdrawal or complete isolation brings with it a certain strategic advantage in order to be able to analyse undisturbed (focusing on intuitive thinking (N)). For example, Ardreyth likes to practise at night and alone, not only to recapitulate the fighting mistakes of the day's training session, but also to develop new fighting techniques independently of Callimar. She keeps these secret from the other students and never presents them publicly (knowledge is seen as power that is accumulated and not shared). Ardreyth favours strategic thinking and rational decision making, withdrawing from chaotic or emotional contexts to calmly explore patterns, risks and solutions. Her introversion reinforces her emotional distance even from Callimar, who is the only one she trusts conditionally.

N-INTUITION

Her strength in this area comes from her ability to recognise hidden patterns and develop long-term strategies that others miss. Ardreyth notices the secret rebelliousness of a young priestess against the Mother Matron, who is secretly defiling the offerings to Lolth. Instead of exposing her, she skilfully draws attention to an older rival by manipulating the evidence. In the long run, the young priestess proves more useful to her. Years later, she uses this priestess to sabotage a ritual that would have posed a threat to House Mizzrym.

T-THINKING

Ardreyth's decisions are based on cool rationality, even if they are morally questionable. Emotions are deliberately suppressed in order to achieve her goals. Her thinking is not characterised by coldness of feeling, but rather a survival strategy in Drow society. Every decision is a strategic move in her quest for power and autonomy. She does not shy away from sacrificing lives in order to obtain valuable information and destroy relationships in order to strengthen or weaken existing systems.

J-JUDGING

Ardreyth's "judgments" act like a kind of armor in an unpredictable world. Through their tendency to plan, document, and systematically control everything down to the smallest detail, they transform chaos, threat, and ignorance into strength, influence, and security. Their gift lies in taming the uncontrollable. INJTs dislike chaos, not out of fear, but because it seems inefficient. Ardreyth's control becomes a tool to save time and energy; they use it to impose their will on others, but it also serves as a shield that conceals their vulnerability. The tragedy here is that the more perfect her plans are, the tighter the shackles are, she becomes a slave to her own systems.

Ardreyth could be described as a clever strategist who, over the years, has become very good at playing the drowish power poker… but this strategic talent also isolates her. As an INJT, she doesn't think much of Lolth's willfulness… but her quest for control clashes with her DU heritage, which drives her to impulsive violence.These strategies could actually free her if she would learn to trust herself and not just her plans.

Next part will be the Enneagram

[popart-vvv]

There's Something About Evil/Shadow Ragatha

One of the Digital Circus theories that I've become enamored with lately regards Ragatha's evil/shadow self from Pomni's nightmare in episode two. I even asked @justtheclippy about their take on it, and their answer gained quite a bit of traction among fans and people who support the theory. Why am I so intrigued by this theory? Simply put, it reminds me of one of my all-time favorites.

This is an RPG about teenagers using supernatural powers to pursue the hidden truths about themselves and their hometown. It actually uses the "Evil/Shadow version" trope as a plot point related to the characters!

Persona 4 is super unique in this regard for one genius reason: it bases the Shadows off of the concepts of Carl Jung, an influential 20th century psychologist. In Jungian psychology, a Shadow is the amalgamation of the traits a person represses the most. The reason the term is Shadow is because those traits exist outside of the light of consciousness. The key to dealing with the Shadow is equilibrium; deny it, and that Shadow may internally destroy you. But if you let it control you completely, it brings risks to both yourself and the people around you. The best way to deal with the Shadow is to acknowledge and reconcile with it, reflecting on how those traits may define you as a person. That way, you can start changing yourself for the better.

Calling back to my Arcana Analysis piece on Ragatha, we get to see her repressed thoughts in Fast Food Masquerade after she accidentally ingests Stupid Sauce. Her first major moment is when she takes notice of Pomni trying to strike up a conversation with Gummigoo, a recycled NPC from Candy Carrier Chaos. She explicitly thinks Pomni is flirting with him and ignoring her and the other players--an expression of envy. Then her most famous line of the episode: "I wish someone would flirt with me." Again, maybe she wants a deeper relationship with someone in the Circus, but that's next to impossible because it's such a living nightmare for everyone that love is the least of their worries. Her next major moment has her disparaging Zooble and Gangle, the latter even more so--"No offense, but you're kind of annoying when you have your happy mask. ...Wait, is that mean to say?" It's clear that Ragatha is normally careful about the words she says in front of the others, and without her filter here, she's quicker to criticize the others without mincing words, but it's more impulsive than malicious. Then Jax notices her tripping out, and she turns her attention towards him. "I, like, hate you, but I don't want you to hate me. Is that weird?" So far, we've seen them in a rather acrimonious relationship, mostly due to Jax's jerkish behavior. Yet despite her dislike of him, Ragatha doesn't want him feeling the same way towards her.

Going back to Persona 4, it also puts a unique spin on the Shadow concept. They take the repressed traits of a single person and turn them up to eleven, making them twisted, perverted mirrors of the characters. And if their hosts reject them, which is pretty easy to do considering how repugnant the Shadows turn out, they go berserk and try to kill them. One big example is this girl:

Her name is Naoto Shirogane, and her big problem is that she's a young female detective in a career dominated by grown men, which gets her quite a lot of derision from them. So she pretends to be a mature boy to earn their respect, repressing her childish and more feminine side, which leads to her Shadow being this:

A mood-swinging scientist who's cold and formal one second, then a crybaby the next. She plans to perform a sex-change operation on her host and televising it so that she can finally be the mature man she wants to be. When Naoto initially rejects her, the Shadow turns into this:

A cyborg inspired by old scifi shows, with a decidedly non-feminine build. The symbolism here is that Naoto is a closet geek who's trying to cast off her femininity to no avail. Thankfully, the protagonist team is not only able to hold off the Shadow, but they have also had their own Shadow run-ins as well. That, plus the fact that they're all nice people who grew from their experiences, leads to them comforting Naoto by letting her know that she's not alone in her experience. In turn, she accepts her Shadow, paving the way for her own development.

Going back to Ragatha, here's how I envision her own Shadow Self being: She's completely dismissive of everyone else, having a lot of unkind words for them, saying that the only thing they're good for is loving her and worshipping the ground she walks on. A self-absorbed narcissist, if you will. To add more symbolism, her outfit could be akin to that of a person with power over others, whether it be a queen, a boss woman, or a dominatrix. The Shadow could be a corruption of Ragatha's people-pleasing tendencies. What's more, if Ragatha were to reject her Shadow, then it could start a domino effect leading to Abstraction. After all, it's caused by extreme loss of sanity in the Circus, and Ragatha is already pretty close with her unhealthy optimism, not to mention damaging her relationships with a few of the other players such as Gangle. Thankfully, though, it's highly likely that Pomni will help her pull through by pointing out that, regardless of her true feelings, Ragatha was still sincere in her efforts to help her out.

It's a pretty obscure crossover, but I couldn't help it. After all, the Shadow Ragatha speculation gave me so much deja vu, I just had to write it out! I wanted to give another perspective to that theory, using a rather influential form of psychology. I hope this is a good contribution to the Shadow Ragatha fans.

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of The Duality of Man

The philosophy of the duality of man explores the idea that human nature is inherently composed of opposing forces—good and evil, rationality and instinct, order and chaos. This concept appears in various philosophical, religious, and psychological traditions, each offering a different perspective on how these dual forces interact within individuals.

Key Perspectives on the Duality of Man

Religious & Mythological Views

Many religious traditions acknowledge a fundamental human struggle between virtue and sin.

Christianity: The battle between divine goodness and original sin.

Taoism: The balance of Yin and Yang, where opposites coexist in harmony.

Zoroastrianism: The cosmic struggle between Ahura Mazda (light) and Angra Mainyu (darkness).

Philosophical Perspectives

Plato: Suggested a tripartite soul (rational, spirited, and appetitive parts), with reason meant to control base desires.

Hobbes vs. Rousseau: Hobbes viewed humans as naturally selfish and needing control, whereas Rousseau believed people are inherently good but corrupted by society.

Nietzsche: Criticized traditional morality, arguing that humanity must transcend simplistic notions of good and evil.

Psychological Theories

Freud’s Model of the Psyche:

Id (instincts) vs. Superego (morality), mediated by the Ego (rational self).

Carl Jung’s Shadow Self:

Humans have a "shadow" aspect—repressed instincts and desires—that must be acknowledged for self-actualization.

Literary & Cultural Representations

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson): A literal depiction of the internal battle between good and evil.

Dostoevsky’s "Crime and Punishment": Examines morality, guilt, and redemption.

Star Wars (Light Side vs. Dark Side): Popular culture often reflects this theme in narratives of inner struggle.

Modern Implications

Ethics: How do we balance self-interest with altruism?

Law & Society: Should justice focus on punishment (evil within) or rehabilitation (capacity for good)?

Technology & AI: If humans are morally dualistic, should artificial intelligence be designed with moral safeguards?

The duality of man challenges simplistic moral binaries, urging us to recognize, integrate, and reconcile opposing aspects of human nature rather than suppress or deny them.

[kindlythevoid]

Edgar Allen Poe // Pinterest // When the Mind Sleeps by Mariusz Lewandowski // Dark Matter by Robert Hunter Jones // Trillium by Louise Gluck // Carina Nebula (C92) pic from NASA // Promptuarium // Introduction to Quantum Theory by Franny Choi // Miracle of Creation by Mariusz Lewandowski // Rainer Maria Rilke, from Where Silence Reigns: Selected Prose; "An Experience," // Pinterest // Carl Sagan, Symphony of Science // Nebula Sharpless 2-106 pic from NASA // Twitter User @tsaritsasimp06 // chasingdaises // The Old Astronomer to His Pupil by Sarah Williams // Pinterest // Pinterest // Galaxy Hercules A pic from NASA // Imaginary Heroes (2004) dir. Dan Harris // Spacetime Fairytale by Regina Spektor // 30 Doradus Nebula pic from NASA // Stormy End by Sunrise Avenue // Dumbbell Nebula (M27) pic from NASA

This one was titled: Finding Comfort in the Enormity of the Universe When Your Problems Feel Too Big.

Yeah, I was *thisclose* to an existential crisis (aren't we all at some point?) and was learning about the stars, and isn't there something comforting about there being this wide expanse out there? All that beauty and chaos and light and dark and it's billions and millions of light years away, so far that you measure it in light, and you can't even use yourself as a metric when measuring up against nebulae and supergiants and blackholes. And it makes you feel kinda small, and maybe a little scared, but suddenly those problems aren't so big, are they? We're just little people on a little rock next to a little star with our own little moon. We really won the lottery on chances, didn't we? And doesn't that make you want to look at the stars, take a breath, and make it to the next day?

Side note: I spent a good couple of hours scrolling through NASA's website and getting sidetracked (hence my earlier post on the moon landing in two years). Lowkey in love with NASA's website, ngl. So as an added treat, here are a few of my favorites that I came across!!

This will tell you when/where you can see the ISS! (idk if it works internationally, I just sort of focusing on where I was atm, ha ha!)

This lets you know about upcoming launches! (how I found out about Artemis!!)

This is a map that lets you see pictures of a bunch of cool stars/galaxies/exoplanets/nebulae! (This is where I grabbed all of the pretty space pictures!! There's so much more, too!!!)

This is a website that posts a fun picture of certain tech or something in the universe as well as an explanation below every day!! (I was shown this recently and I keeeeep checking.)

And, last but not least, this website tells you what picture the Hubble Telescope took on your birthday!! (Astrology signs are OUT, tell me what picture was taken the day of your birth!!)

There's also a (fictional) comic strip about the first woman on the moon! (I didn't get a chance to read it, but it's also found on a whole page dedicated to interactives and games which is absolutely where I found some of those other links)

Anyway, there's definitely more to find and would highly recommend just scrolling through their website to see what you can find!

We're gonna be okay, y'all. (っ´⌣`)ﾉ(´._.`)