#the limitless possibilities in life and the unpredictability of reality is something that hurts and aches so much but i love as well

[loki-wants-an-army]

my rambling theories... possible Loki series spoilers?

So we know the TVA is trying to collect rogue “variants” to protect a linear timeline, but we also know that time is non-linear in the MCU from the pocket dimension explanation given for Steve Rogers’ time jump. We can also speculate based on the title of the next Dr. Strange sequel being Multiverse of Madness, and from his cameo in Ragnarok that future interactions between Dr. Strange and Loki may be possible...

Episode 1 sees Mobius attempting to convince the Loki starring in the series that he is a mere variant, a mistake that should not exist, and the life intended for him was predetermined according to a sacred linear timeline, that he is limited, powerless, and that he can’t be more than/different from what he was, and that he is only meant to be an accessory to enable the Avengers to come into their own powers.

The Avengers were not considered to have committed a crime against the timeline for going back to retrieve Infinity Stones; Thanos was not considered to have committed a crime against the timeline for taking 5 years from half the population while the other half grew 5 years older in a “frozen” i.e. destroyed world system. The TVA’s only actual idea of a crime against the timeline is one which threatens their immediate existence as a collective entity, self-perception, and/or their (irrelevant, and quite frankly arbitrary,) position of “authority.”

I think this is a ruse by the TVA to convince him to help them stop the other rogue Loki variant... who is actually this Loki, further in their own future (the TVA actually seem to be the ones creating their own problem lmao). I also think it’s safe to speculate that the hooded figure we see in episode 1 burning down the minutemen and stopping the time reset grenade is actually our series’ Loki and that maybe we’ll see that same scene again later, from a different perspective. (On a side note about this, Loki actually tells the truth to Mobius when openly asked: “I’m going to burn this place to the ground.” “I don’t enjoy hurting people. I don’t enjoy it. I do it because I have to. Because I’ve had to. Because it’s part of the illusion.”)

The TVA characters mention the supposed other variant reaching close to a “red line” of irreversibility. I think they could just be pulling their own flawed version of a Dr. Strange time loop type plot, resetting every time the appearance of the already existing multiverse is revealed.

By constantly trying to forcibly merge reality into a singular, linear time line when it naturally flows in this non-linear, multiversal pattern, the TVA employees have essentially locked themselves pointlessly into a perpetual sea of paperwork and a needlessly overcomplicated bureaucracy. (The series is described in its summary as Kafkaesque, which is much better explained here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkPR4Rcf4ww ). We also know that there’ a multiverse and that characters have individual agency because of Dr. Strange’s “14-million+ potential timelines, and I had to figure out which one we should use” moment in Infinity War.

As for comics, the show appears to be drawing some interesting elements from the Agent of Asgard series: God of Stories, wanting to choose one’s own fate and counter the ideas of predestination and that destruction of something can only be harmful, as well as the (possibly only bait) idea of a “good” Loki vs. a “bad” Loki. The “good” vs “bad” dilemma in actuality may translate to judgement of character or internal awareness of motivations vs external perception of actions.

From a meta perspective, the series is both hilarious and intriguing, because it allows limitless inception and questioning of reality and identity. The TVA claims to be an all-seeing, all-knowing authority who understands everything about Loki and what his story can and cannot be, yet they are evaded in ways they cannot seem to predict. Meanwhile, we watch and can predict because we are the ones who actually know, who actually understand this Loki’s ever-shifting thoughts and motivations, the ones who have actually seen many versions of the stories play out, and can propose countless other possibilities. (also, the TVA saying Loki’s not the main character and never was, while we as the audience are literally only here to see a story with Loki at the center). The framework is also there for existential discussions critiquing endless work in a technologically advanced, late-stage-capitalist society and blind allegiance to authority. (Not to mention the obvious parallel with the soul-sucking experience of having to go to the DMV.)

Loki in myth is a shapeshifting, genderfluid deity of mischief and chaos, and of fire and hearths. Loki seeks to reveal hypocrisy and subvert attempts at control, making us see the flaws in ourselves. True power, true liberation comes from understanding and accepting the inevitability of unpredictable change as a part of life, and non-permanence as an ironically perpetual state of being. Loki’s power status as a liar and a trickster reveals truths. One difference between Loki and other powers lies in the idea that self-awareness of being a hypocrite in itself counters the hypocrisy. Loki can be a teacher through this unique perspective.

[seance]

jatp as bodies of water

a character analysis based on this gifset.

first of all, a disclaimer: this was just me and @snakebitescar having fun , we perfectly know this is still a kid show and it’s not that deep™ but i, personally, find this type of speculations really interesting. kinda all or nothing, you know? i don’t usually dwell on more superficial hcs because i’m drawn to this kind of symbolism the most. that said we just thought we share, no pressure to rb or anything. i apologize for the small text but this got long i don’t want to spam anyone’s dash too much. 

luke as the ocean

I purposefully chose to use not just any view of the ocean, but a glimpse of a stormy one. What makes it so fitting in my eyes is that the ocean, by its nature, is limitless and unknowable but it’s not deceiving in any way. It’s powerful and overpowering but it appears as it is: vast and full of hidden depths.

Luke’s greatest strength is his energy, his uncompromising passion, his determination, his willingness to risk it all for what he believes in and for the people he loves. He needs to always be in motion, he needs to know he’s moving forward, towards something greater, something that will make every sacrifice and every loss worth it. Behind every gesture, every word, every action there’s something more, something deeper (like a wound that never really closed, an unfathomable regret, a simmering anger sparked by the betrayal of a friend).

He doesn’t really hide who he is or what he thinks but he will always, like the ocean, keep surprising those around him with new aspects of his exuberance, his creativity, his sociability. Just like the ocean, bound by no borders, Luke is free to be everything at once.

reggie as the lake

The lake can be peaceful and embracing or brooding and stagnant. It’s the only body of water that doesn’t flow somewhere, it appears motionless on the surface but in reality it hides dangerous underwater currents, unpredictable whirlpools and often deadly murky terrains.

Lakes represent the need for security, they are places of painful transformations, both cradle and trap. Basing some of our assumption on Luke’s words about Reggie’s less than ideal home-life, the parallel between the lake’s dual nature and how he expresses (or rather suppresses) his emotions came naturally. One of the main differences between Reggie and everyone else is that he’s never confrontational. He always works towards de-escalating the situation, he’s probably used to conceal any negative emotion to not add fuel to the fire, he tends to always follow and never lead.

This doesn’t mean he feels less than everybody else, every now and then those very emotions he tries so hard to control shine through and we see how actually scared he is, how he craves stability and security. He dreads any changes that have to do with the unknown or the possibility of his support system failing (“Do we all still get to hang out together?”) Just like the lake he’s both still and turbulent, constantly edging between relying on what is safe or taking the odd risk.

alex as the river

Alex was maybe the most complex to analyze out of the four of them. I’m a firm believer that anyone is entitled to their own headcanons and their own interpretation of a character but I must admit, I can’t really get behind some fandom takes that systematically reduce Reggie to his goofy side or Alex to his anxiety because as I see it, they both hold so much potential.

Rivers are an indomitable force. They flow for miles, from mountain to sea, sometimes dwindling but never drying up completely. They dig their way forward and they endure. Rivers are symbols of sensitivity and empathy but they can also be forceful and overflowing, almost too much to bear all at once.

Alex is highly emotional, for better or worse that’s what makes him such an interesting character. He’s not just his anxiety but he’s always straightforward about his emotions and his thoughts. Unlike Reggie we often see him question Luke’s opinion, he doesn’t shy away from commenting on the current situation, if he’s feeling anxious or happy or sad or angry he’s open about it, he wants the others to know.

Alex had to hide a big part of his identity for we don’t know how long and that surely played its part in worsening his fears but what we do know is that he had the courage to come out and live his truth, despite the negative outcome. When he decides to do something he pours all of himself into it, he’s proactive, he’s honest (sometimes too honest), he’s afraid of change but still faces it head first.

Just like a river plunges through deep ravines and spreads out over wide planes, he can act as a leading force if needed, making others see things from a different perspective (him talking to Julie about the Patterson, for example). He’s captivating and intense, Willie fell for him deep and fast and vice versa. Alex immediately offered the truest form of himself (his interest and his awkwardness and his anxiety) with no compromise. That’s part of the reason Willie’s betrayal stung so much I believe (“I thought we were having fun together” meaning Alex never thought of acting any differently from who he really is, what he was putting on the table was his raw and flawed self and Willie’s hesitation felt like a rejection).

Just like the river, Alex is committed and open about where he comes from and where he’s going.

julie as the waterfall

While every other body of water is somehow linked to the imaginary of life and death (the ocean gave us life but it can take it back just as easily, the river mythologically represents the boundaries between the two worlds, lakes are the dwelling places of monsters or other insidious creatures) waterfalls are usually seen as magical elements. They’re young, fresh, unafraid and most importantly, alive. They represent the calling for adventure, the restlessness that comes from wanting to always try new things, to explore your own potential.

Julie, above all, is her own character. All her relationships are deeply meaningful but they just add to an already strong identity. She’s energetic and she’s resourceful and she’s strong in the truest sense of the term because she isn’t afraid to hurt or to admit her limits (“I tried for mom, for you, even for me. I’m tired”). Julie is the main engine of the entire narrative because she represents, quite literally, the life force of the band. She doesn’t just go along with their wishes, she finds a balance with the boys and she isn’t afraid to call it quits when her trust is betrayed, she’s their equal in all things and she inspires respect.

Just like the waterfall rushes down perilously from any height, Julie launches herself in the new possibilities the band has to offer, she claws her way out of her grief and she gets involved without sparing herself. She’s eager, she’s passionate and she’s creative and she always has a new input to offer.

[voyage-in-the-dark]

oikawa notes:

lies lies lies. he is not really scared of much, so don’t project your codependency/vulnerability onto him -- he loves to tease iwaizumi until he’s flustered and scowling, it’s his favorite look, the one he thinks looks cutest on iwa.

he loves aliens. the limitlessness of space? the idea that there is other life out there, which would mean the universe is waaaay bigger than we think. i am so for the headcanon that iwa told oikawa that bugs look a bit like aliens and oikawa is so sold on that idea and he now loves bugs too

he frequently uses humor as a defense mechanism. make jokes about how awesome he is. make jokes the situation. push people away so he can protect his feelings, himself. so people will think he’s invulnerable.

he is obsessive and fixated and desperate when not in a good place. he has lived with insecurity and inferiority nearly his whole life. he ne-fe loops to overcompensate for his inferiority complex -- if he does socially well at uni, at volleyball, he is worth something.

he seems like someone who would realign napkins when in an uncomfortable situation, even if his face is trying to be neutral

he seems like he was fanciful as a kid. had big aspirations. an explorer of space! astronaut! volleyballer!

his obsession is about the chasm between reality and the ideal in his head. “They often develop troubling obsessive tendencies that they rationalize away as wanting “mastery”, a “good” thing that drives them towards obtaining the certainty and confidence they crave. However, there is a high price for such obsessive perfectionism: they never feel satisfied or certain when they have nothing but random ideas to guide their path of learning ... they easily lose inspiration and motivation because the chasm between ideal and reality often seems insurmountable. They don’t realize how much of their behavior is actually driven by unconscious fears about falling short (failing) or amounting to nothing in the world.”

remember: he likes to pretend he’s okay. he won’t speak until he’s sure his voice isn’t shaking. he makes light of everything so he can feel in control. eg that vulnerable scene with his sister.

he would really benefit from mindfulness...

he is looping and that is why he is so influenced by the opinions of everyone else. why does he fear ... it’s because he has an inferiority complex. like me. he has low self-worth. his mother’s disapproval, rejection, disappointment, combined with society’s and everyone else’s disapproval/disappointment/rejection will be too much.

he doesn’t blame at all. he is not a blaming person. maybe the only person he blames is himself.

“Imbalanced Ti-Fe subconsciously fears feeling stupid/weak/incompetent” 

Dominant Ti/inferior Fe is triggered by: Their failures usually involve: not listening to other opinions when they should, being (inadvertently) insensitive to others, or lack of emotional awareness that makes it difficult to resolve a personal/interpersonal problem. (http://mbti-notes.tumblr.com/post/149191973762/type-spotting-guide)

“Balanced Ti-Fe: They would use a systematic approach to explore ideas and possibilities. They use Fe as a way to incorporate human needs/factors into their ideas. They are likely to come up with ideas/inventions that can benefit society as a whole or solve more than one problem at once. They are considerate of people and take more time to understand the human consequences of their actions/decisions/plans. They are energetic and quick to identify/solve problems. “

oikawa would be good at critical thinking, he would be good at logic games (playing them like they’re nbd) and good at ace attorney games where you catch inconsistencies. he also seems the kind of person to listen to you talk and then sprout something totally unpredictable.

healthy entp: 1 & 2 & 3

i won’t say he’s rational, he’s zany and so fun to be around though. action-oriented. his T shows more in the sense where he is not totally sensitive to others -- eg the way he plays with iwa’s feelings, the way he sees iwa being hurt by his words/actions but he can block it out, easily enough. he’s not someone who will sit around doing nothing, he’s likely to get up and find something to do or poke at something, like theo

he seems like someone whom, if he had a problem, or if he wanted to make up with iwaizumi, he would go and recruit an awesome team (probably just hanamaki and matsukawa) and then pull some flashy thing.

tert fe also explains why he seems like ed from fma -- people in his umbrella (iwaizumi, his sis, takeru, matsuhana) are important to him. everyone else? not so much. explains his callousness with megumi. 

oikawa’s arc in courtship:

ENTPs are quite independent people in their own way, so there’s no pressuring her to do anything; she needs to work things out on her own. ... ENTPs who withdraw usually need the people around them to be gently supportive and encouraging, but without placing any demands/expectations upon them. 

ExTP: uses social Fe “feelings of validation” to sidestep difficult Ti self-analysis and self-criticism -> unrealistic view of personal strengths/weaknesses

oikawa headcanons

he confessed to iwa-chan with a jug of pillbugs

he loves bugs after iwa-chan told him that bugs look like aliens

fanciful as a kid. had big aspirations. an explorer of space! astronaut! volleyballer!

he loves to tease iwaizumi bc he thinks flustered tsundere iwaizumi is the cutest iwa

he likes to pretend everything is ok. always tries to hide his real expression, always tries to make sure his voice is lighthearted and not shaking, always jokes

he would be good at logic and strategy games (playing them like they’re nbd) and good at ace attorney games where you catch inconsistencies --> he likes to crush ppl lol

he also seems the kind of person to listen to you talk and then sprout something totally unpredictable

[brittflint-blog]

Wk.7- CPS Interviews

All subjects were asked the same two questions: (1) how do you generate ideas & (2) what processes do you use to solve problems. Answers and other things below: 

Interview #1- Olivia Purnell

Writer (American Gods)

1.)  I write lists. I have notebooks filled with lists of ideas (character names, short film ideas, punch lines I think are funny, etc.).  A few of those ideas are good.  Most of them are really bad.  But I think bad ideas are so important.  Letting myself write the shitty ideas down frees me up, makes me feel like mistakes are okay.  

I crave structure and I love to hate to love deadlines.  Sometimes a hard deadline is the only way to get things done.

For me, inspiration isn't this fleeting thing that visits if/when it pleases.  I have to work at it, cultivate it.  I try to remember to consume things (art, books, film) that exercise the creative part of my brain.  Also, I show up for my work, meaning I sit at my computer 6 or 7 days a week and I type some words, whether or not I'm feeling inspired at the outset.  Sometimes (many times... maybe most times), if I'm patient, eventually inspiration will show up if I do.

 The biggest obstacle to my creativity is the fear of making corny, bad, derivative, small-thinking, unfunny, uninteresting, disappointing, silly work.  The only thing to do is write anyway.

2.) Problem-solving strategies depend on the problem.  The right tool for the right job etc.  But in a general sense, I'm pretty dedicated to list-making.  Assess the problem, make a list of its disparate parts with action steps for each, and cross off the items one by one.

So for example, if I'm having a problem with a particular part of a script, I'll make a list of the things I think are wrong (an underdeveloped character, an ineffectual scene, etc.)  Then I'll make a list of ways to make those things better.  The solutions almost always include more research and shifting my perspective somehow.

Interview #2 - Charlie Buhler

Director (various) 

1.) Inspiration comes in a variety of ways, and usually when I least expect it. But I find that I am most creative in times of struggle or hurt, because creating things has always been an outlet for that. Ideas just flow when my feelings are raw. The only problem is that emotions are unpredictable and elusive, and even though they can be helpful, you can’t rely on them.  So the second best way to generate ideas is to create constraints for the project. It might seem counterintuitive, but I often get bogged down in the details, and second guess myself. When the options are no longer limitless it makes the way forward clearer. Even if that just means a solid deadline or a firm budget or something random like we’re shooting this in a barn or in Florida. Clear guidelines focus me, and tend to make ideas bubble to the surface quicker. 

2.) As I said above, I try to put some kind of constraint on the situation to help me problem solve. If I set a deadline, then I know it has to get done by that day no matter what, and often that is enough to get the ball rolling or at least show me what the first step needs to be. Then I just try to divide the project into mini steps, so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming. I tackle the first thing first and the second thing second. Even if I don't know what im doing quite yet. I find that even the smallest bit of forward motion generates momentum, and eventually things start to flow.  I also try to never underestimate the power of just staying humble enough to ask for advice and help. 

Interview #3 – Damon Lawrence

Entrepreneur (Homage Hospitality Group)

 1.) Ideas come to me randomly and are sparked by two things: wanting a better quality of life for myself, my family and friends or wanting to see the world a better place than where it is currently. Currently my business serves as the grey area to which my current ideas are contained. Which for me allows me to focus on one discipline rather than a random hodgepodge of ideas roaming free in my mind. I get inspired by other people’s audaciousness and ability to think beyond their current circumstances. Those stories serve as inspiration for me because they show me that anything is possible.  

Usually when I come up with a new idea I always battle with its’ feasibility. This is not based on money or financial means but more so balancing the time required vs. the return. Most times it’s a judgment call based on my current lists of tasks and what resources I would need to make it happen. Once that call is made it determines if I table the idea and circle back once time permits or if I dive headfirst into it to see it come to fruition. 

2.) Problem Solving is an everyday occurrence in my line of work. I have to solve problems both big and small everyday so it is practically interwoven in the work that I do. All entrepreneurs are problem solvers because the basis of their work is solving a problem that currently exists in the world. For me, my problem is the lack of diversity and ownership in hospitality brands. So, in order for me to describe the steps to the problem solving process I need to walk thru the steps I took to start my business. 

Research - I had to do in-depth research to see what other people had done in the space and if there was already a solution to the problem I was attempting to address but I just simply didn’t know about it 

Initial Pitch/Testing the waters - I had an idea in my head but in order to really make the vision a reality it was important for me to make sure that other people saw the need for the problem to be solved. 

Mood board/Vision setting - for myself and no one else I needed to create a vision deck so that I could always reference it to make sure I was inline with my initial idea. Eventually I made the deck available to the world but the first iterations were for my eyes only.

Make it happen - the last step is doing it and taking the leap. It requires telling the world and keeping yourself accountable. It also requires an assessment of the time required  to make it happen and seeing if you have the resources to make it happen.