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Wednesday, 04 November 2009

  • Question About Featured Blogs.


    I submitted a blog to be featured ages ago titled "I hope my neighbor has an abortion".  It got a few votes and was maybe number 10-20 in the rankings.  I forgot about it, went back and checked just now and it's gone.

    It wasn't featured, but it's gone from the list of candidates.

    Does it "time out" after awhile or is xanga just censoring blogs now regardless of whether they have votes?



Monday, 02 November 2009

  • Elder Scrolls: Morrowind - the game that NEVER ends (updated).


    This game is perhaps the single biggest game ever.  It goes on and on and on forever.  You can literally never start the main story line and play for months and months without coming close to finishing every quest.

    How to explain just how vast this game is?  Here is the map of the second town you come across, it's a little above average, most towns have maybe 10-15 buildings.


    I had to scale it down a bit so it would fit on the screen (more or less).

    The graphics are purty too (that town):



    Pretty big town though.

    Here is the world map, each block is a town.

     

    Each of those blocks though is a frigging TOWN or city.  It takes ages to get from one end of the map to the other (without teleporting of course).  And  there are TWO expansions, each of which add an additional continent.

    You might think the game is just the same carbon-copy town over and over again.  Think again.

    The towns and scenery varies greatly:









    So, at this point you may think the game is all walking around, but I assure you there's a ridiculous amount of quests to match.  In the town above there's a mages guild that gives you tons of quests, a thieve's guild, fighter's guild, the "blades" quests, etc.  When you are done with that, no worries - other towns have more chapters of each with more quest-givers!  And then you can also find the assassin's guild, this secret society that frees slaves that gives quests, house hlaalu, house televani, house redoran, the tribunal, the morag tong, the imperial legion, the imperial cult, or for kicks you can get infected with vampirism for some interersting vampire quests!  And countless other little side quests.

    And the map above doesn't even show the countless dungeons, dwemer ruins, daidric shrines, tombs etc, etc.

    In soviet russia (and everywhere else), Morrowind beats you.
  • Regarding My Morrowind Blog.

    If you like morrowind or want incredibly detailed games that go on and on, gothic II is pretty okay (but not nearly as cool of course) and the original deus ex is a must-have.  That is perhaps the only game I've played that has an amount of content and complexity comparable to morrowind.

    How do these people even make games this frigging big?

Sunday, 01 November 2009

  • Atheistic/skeptical Music Videos.


    In keeping with the recent trend, I'm posting some skeptical music vids you might enjoy, believer and unbeliever alike.

    Losing My Religion, REM (video appears to be downish, youtube was just down for maintenance though - but yeah, awesome symbolism, one of my alltime fav's)

    Oh, life is bigger
    It's bigger than you
    And you are not me
    The lengths that I will go to
    The distance in your eyes
    Oh no, I've said too much
    I set it up

    (chorus)
    That's me in the corner
    That's me in the spotlight, I'm
    Losing my religion
    Trying to keep up with you
    And I don't know if I can do it
    Oh no, I've said too much
    I haven't said enough
    I thought that I heard you laughing
    I thought that I heard you sing
    I think I thought I saw you try

    Every whisper
    Of every waking hour I'm
    Choosing my confessions
    Trying to keep an eye on you
    Like a hurt lost and blinded fool, fool
    Oh no, I've said too much
    I set it up
    Consider this
    Consider this
    The hint of the century
    Consider this
    The slip that brought me
    To my knees failed
    What if all these fantasies
    Come flailing around
    Now I've said too much
    I thought that I heard you laughing
    I thought that I heard you sing
    I think I thought I saw you try

    But that was just a dream
    That was just a dream

    (repeat chorus)

    But that was just a dream
    Try, cry, why try?
    That was just a dream
    Just a dream, just a dream
    Dream

    Tool, Sober
    (very deep music video)

    There's a shadow just behind me,
    shrouding every step I take,
    making every promise empty,
    pointing every finger at me.
    Waiting like a stalking butler
    who upon the finger rests.
    Murder now the path is must we
    just because the son has come.

    Jesus, won't you fucking whistle
    something but the past and done? (x2)

    Why can't we not be sober?
    I just want to start this over.
    Why can't we dream forever?
    I just want to start things over.

    I am just a worthless liar.
    I am just an imbecile.
    I will only complicate you.
    Trust in me and fall as well.
    I will find a center in you.
    I will chew it up and leave,
    I will work to elevate you
    just enough to bring you down.

    Mother Mary won't you whisper
    something but the past and done. (x2)

    Why can't we not be sober?
    I Just want to start this over.
    Why can't we sleep forever?
    I Just want to start things over.

    I am just a worthless liar.
    I am just an imbecile.
    I will only complicate you.
    Trust in me and fall as well.
    I will find a center in you.
    I will chew it up and leave.

    Trust me. Trust me. Trust me. Trust me. Trust Me.

    Why can't we not be sober?
    I Just want to start things over.
    Why can't we sleep forever?
    I Just want to start this over.

    I want what I want.
    I want what I want.
    I want what I want.
    I want what I want.

    Something To Believe In, Poison [embedding disabled on all of them]

    Well I see him on the TV
    Preachin' 'bout the promise lands
    He tells me believe in Jesus
    Steals the money from my hands

    Some say he was a good man
    Lord I think he sinned, yeah

    Twenty-two years of mental tears
    Cries a suicidal Vietnam vet
    Who fought a losing war on a foreign shore
    To find his country didn't want him back

    Their bullets took his best friend in Saigon
    Our lawyers took his wife and kids, no regrets
    In a time I don't remember
    In a war he can't forget

    He cried "Forgive me for what I've done there
    Cause I never meant the things I did"

    Chorus:
    And give me something to believe in
    If there's a Lord above
    And give me something to believe in
    Oh, Lord arise

    My best friend died a lonely man
    In some Palm Springs hotel room
    I got the call last Christmas Eve
    And they told me the news

    I tried all night not to break down and cry
    As the tears rolled down my face
    I felt so cold and empty
    Like a lost soul out of place

    And the mirror, mirror on the wall
    Sees my smile it fades again

    Chorus

    Sometimes I wish to God I didn't know now
    The things I didn't know then
    Road you gotta take me home

    Solo

    I drive by the homeless sleeping on a cold dark street
    Like bodies in an open grave
    Underneath the broken old neon sign
    That used to read JESUS SAVES

    A mile away live the rich folks
    And I see how they're living it up
    While the poor they eat from hand to mouth
    The rich drinkin' from a golden cup

    And it just makes me wonder
    Why so many lose, and so few win

    Chorus

    You take the high road
    And I'll take the low road

    Yes Sometimes I wish I didn't know now
    The things I didn't know then

    And give me something to believe in, yeah

    Imagine, John Lennon

    Imagine there's no heaven
    It's easy if you try
    No hell below us
    Above us only sky
    Imagine all the people
    Living for today...

    Imagine there's no countries
    It isn't hard to do
    Nothing to kill or die for
    And no religion too
    Imagine all the people
    Living life in peace...

    You may say I'm a dreamer
    But I'm not the only one
    I hope someday you'll join us
    And the world will be as one

    Imagine no possessions
    I wonder if you can
    No need for greed or hunger
    A brotherhood of man
    Imagine all the people
    Sharing all the world...

    You may say I'm a dreamer
    But I'm not the only one
    I hope someday you'll join us
    And the world will live as one


    American Jesus, Bad Religion.

    i don't need to be a global citizen
    'cause i'm blessed by nationality
    i'm member of a growing populace
    we enforce our popularity
    there are things that
    seem to pull us under
    and there are things
    that drag us down
    but there's a power
    and a vital presence
    thats lurking all around
    we've got the american Jesus
    see him on the interstate
    we've got the american Jesus
    he helped build the
    president's estate
    i feel sorry
    for the earth's population
    'cuz so few
    live in the U.S.A.
    at least the foreigners
    can copy our morality
    they can visit but they cannot stay
    only precious few
    can garner the prosperity
    that makes us walk
    with renewed confidence
    we've got a place to go when we die
    and the architect resides right here
    we've got the american Jesus
    overwhelming millions every day

    he's the farmers barren fields (in god)
    the force the army wields (we trust)
    the expession in the faces
    of the starving children
    (because he's one of us)
    he's the power of the man (break down)
    he's the fuel that drives the clan (cave in)
    he's the motive and conscience
    of the murderer
    (we can't redeem your sins)
    he's the preacher on t.v. (strong heart)
    the false sincerity (clear mind)
    the form letter that's written
    by the big computers
    (indefinitely kind)
    he's the nuclear bombs (you lose)
    and the kids with no moms (we win)
    and i'm fearful that
    he's inside me (he is our champion)

    Comfort Eagle (We Are Building A Religion), by Cake

    We are building a religion
    We are building it bigger
    We are widening the corridors
    And adding more lanes

    We are building a religion
    A limited edition
    We are now accepting callers
    For these pendant key chains

    To resist it is useless
    It is useless to resist it
    His cigarette is burning
    But he never seems to ash

    He is grooming his poodle
    He is living comfort eagle
    You can meet at his location
    But you'd better come with cash

    Now his hat is on backwards
    He can show you his tatoos
    He is in the music business
    He is calling you "DUDE!"

    Now today is tomorrow
    And tomorrow today
    And yesterday is weaving in and out

    And the fluffy white lines
    That the airplane leaves behind
    Are drifting right in front
    Of the waning of the moon

    He is handling the money
    He's serving the food
    He knows about your party
    He is calling you "DUDE!"

    Now do you believe
    In the one big sign
    The doublewide shine
    On the bootheels of your prime

    Doesn't matter if you're skinny
    Doesn't matter if you're fat
    You can dress up like a sultan
    In your onion head hat

    We are building a religion
    We are making a brand
    We're the only ones to turn to
    When your castles turn to sand

    Take a bite of this apple
    Mr. corporate events
    Take a walk through the jungle
    Of cardboard shanties and tents

    Some people drink Pepsi
    Some people drink Coke
    The wacky morning DJ
    Says democracy's a joke

    He says now do you believe
    In the one big song
    He's now accepting callers
    Who would like to sing along

    He says, do you believe
    In the one true edge
    By fastening your safety belts
    And stepping towards the ledge

    He is handling the money
    He is serving the food
    He is now accepting callers
    He is calling me "DUDE!"

    Do you believe
    In the one big sign
    The doublewide shine
    On the bootheels of your prime

    There's no need to ask directions
    If you ever lose your mind
    We're behind you
    We're behind you
    And let us please remind you
    We can send a car to find you
    If you ever lose your way

    We are building a religion

    We are building it bigger

    We are building

    A religion

    A limited

    Edition

    We are now accepting callers...
    For these beautiful...
    Pendant keychains

    This and this are also awesome, but have nothing to do with atheism : D

    Judith, A Perfect Circle

    You're such an inspiration
    For the ways that I will
    Never, ever choose to be
    Oh so many ways for me to show you
    How your savior has abandoned you

    Fuck your God, your Lord, your Christ
    He did this, took all you had and
    Left you this way, still you pray, never stray, never
    Taste of the fruit, never thought to question "Why?"

    It's not like you killed someone
    It's not like you drove a hateful spear into his side
    Praise the one who left you broken down and paralyzed

    He did it all for you...
    Did it all for you...

    Oh so many ways for me to show you
    How your dogma has abandoned you

    Pray to your Christ, to your God
    Never taste of the fruit, never stray, never break, never
    Choke on a lie even though he's the one who
    Did this to you, you never thought to question "Why?"

    It's not like you killed someone
    It's not like you drove a spiteful spear into his side
    Talk to Jesus Christ as if he knows the reasons why

    He did it all for you...
    He did it all for you...
    He did it all for you...

    **************

    Can't help but think I'm missing some classics.  Will update later maybe.

Saturday, 31 October 2009

  • Atheist/Skeptic Tunes Update.

    I added some more music, you should check out satan is my motor, freewill, limelight, tom sawyer, the beautiful people and get born again which are all about free thought, religion etc.

    Some of the lyrics:

    Get Born Again (alice in chains):

    Sad sufferin'
    I knew him when
    fairweather friend of mine.

    Try not to think,
    I merely blink
    hope to wish away the lies...

    Can you protect me when I'm wrecked
    I'll pretend you're still alive...

    I choose the day
    one death and grey
    thick, foggy hide our smiles

    Clear all your sins,
    get born again,
    just repeat a couple lies...

    ***********

    Limelight:

    Living on a lighted stage
    Approaches the unreal
    For those who think and feel
    In touch with some reality
    Beyond the gilded cage.

    Cast in this unlikely role
    Ill-equipped to act
    With insufficient tact
    One must put up barriers
    To keep oneself intact.

    Living in the limelight
    The universal dream
    For those who wish to seem.
    Those who wish to be
    Must put aside the alienation,
    Get on with the fascination,
    The real relation,
    The underlying theme.

    Living in a fisheye lens,
    Caught in the camera eye.
    I have no heart to lie
    I can't pretend a stranger
    Is a long-awaited friend.

    All the world's indeed a stage
    And we are merely players:
    Performers and portrayers,
    Each another's audience
    Outside the gilded cage.

    ***************

    Tom Sawyer:

    A modern-day warrior
    Mean mean stride
    Today's Tom Sawyer
    Mean mean pride

    Though his mind is not for rent
    Don't put him down as arrogant
    His reserve, a quiet defense
    Riding out the day's events
    The river

    What you say about his company
    Is what you say about society
    Catch the mist, catch the myth
    Catch the mystery, catch the drift

    The world is, the world is
    Love and life are deep
    Maybe as his skies are wide

    Today's Tom Sawyer
    He gets high on you
    And the space he invades
    He gets by on you

    No his mind is not for rent
    To any God or government
    Always hopeful, yet discontent
    He knows changes aren't permanent
    But change is

    And what you say about his company
    Is what you say about society
    Catch the witness, catch the wit
    Catch the spirit, catch the spit

    The world is, the world is
    Love and life are deep
    Maybe as his eyes are wide

    Exit the warrior
    Today's Tom Tawyer
    He gets high on you
    And the energy you trade
    He gets right on to the friction of the day

    *********

    Freewill:

    There are those who think that life has nothing left to chance take,
    A host of holy horrors to direct our aimless dance.

    A planet of playthings,
    We dance on the strings
    Of powers we cannot perceive
    "The stars aren't aligned,
    Or the gods are malign..."
    Blame is better to give than receive.

    Chorus
    You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice.
    If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
    You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill;
    I will choose a path that's clear
    I will choose freewill.

    There are those who think that they were dealt a losing hand,
    The cards were stacked against them; they weren't born in Lotusland.

    All preordained
    A prisoner in chains
    A victim of venomous fate.
    Kicked in the face,
    You can't pray for a place
    In heaven's unearthly estate.

    Chorus

    Each of us
    A cell of awareness
    Imperfect and incomplete.
    Genetic blends
    With uncertain ends
    On a fortune hunt that's far too fleet.

    Chorus

    Etc.

    Enjoy.

agnophilo

  • Visit agnophilo's Xanga Site
    • Name: Mark
    • Birthday: 2/4/1986
    • Gender: Male
    • Member Since: 7/23/2008

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About Me

  • I enjoy theology, philosophy (I prefer a blend of eastern philosophy such as buddhist/taoist philosophy with western secular philosophy, that's where it's at for me). I like science and learning and am interested in almost anything. I care for a disabled parent. I am an atheist, but I'll respect other peoples' beliefs so long as they're not intolerant or narrow-minded. But yeah, I'm up for discussion about anything and everything. If you want more info about something I've said feel free to ask. I love discussing philosophy and explaining scientific principles. I'd like to be a teacher one day maybe.

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Chatboard (5)

  • gene546
    @agnophilo - The bible for Christians, and especially for Catholics, is to be taken almost, literally, in all its contents except when the obvious would not allow it. Arcanum Dei, pp. 23, Pius the XII, gene546
    • Posted 10/10/2009 12:41 PM
    • by gene546
  • agnophilo
    @gene546 - I don't delete comments or block people.And I'm familiar with the concept of esoteric and non-literal teaching, and the idea that the biblical stories are not meant to be taken literally greatly improves their value and truth content, but virtually all christians do take a great many of t
  • gene546
    Hey Mark, don’t delete this post. Please read it first. The word Gnosticism was an ancient word used by the Neo-Platonic school formed by Plotinus the author of the Enneads. This is the definition: ancient Greek knowledge a branch of many religions that teaches that there are two kinds of teaching o
    • Posted 10/8/2009 12:13 PM
    • by gene546
  • agnophilo
    @brickmonster - In a very broad sense it can be. Why do you ask?
  • brickmonster
    Is "style" or "fashion" art?