RedL.’s Reviews > Invincible: Digital Omnibus, Vol. 1 > Status Update

Is “good” universal or a matter of perspective? The act was unexpected to the reader and very brutal. More brutality awaits. Maybe redemption, if such is needed, too. I’m not telling. :)

Good to see you posting. *hug*

Get any good stuff to read for Christmas? I am sure that you were more nice than naughty.

Dave wrote: "Is “good” universal or a matter of perspective? The act was unexpected to the reader and very brutal. More brutality awaits. Maybe redemption, if such is needed, too. I’m not telling. :)"

not going to launch off on general discussions, it is a very specific good in this case. Totally totally unexpected, and merciless, I cannot process!!! GAH! Don't say anything, no!! I love stories of redemption a LOT!!!!

Dave wrote: "Good to see you posting. *hug*

Get any good stuff to read for Christmas? I am sure that you were more nice than naughty."

good to be reading and loving what I'm reading *hugs back*

ahah ah! If I got anything for Christmas!! It was a DELUGE of good stuff you wouldn't believe! And yes, I am always super nice! ;-P

RedL. wrote: "not going to launch off on general discussions, it is a very specific good in this case. Totally totally unexpected, and merciless, I cannot process!!! GAH! Don't say anything, no!! I love stories of redemption a LOT!!!!"

Maybe the Guardians were secretly running a child slave ring?



My lips are sealed. My typing fingers are numbed.

Redemption may not always take the form that we think best. But there is power and inspiration in those stories.

RedL. wrote: "ahah ah! If I got anything for Christmas!! It was a DELUGE of good stuff you wouldn't believe! And yes, I am always super nice! ;-P"

Then you deserve super gifts and not just for Christmas.

I might believe... :)

I must have been nice. I received some amazing music that I didn’t know (Emma Ruth Rundle, Russian Circles, WovenHand, Phoebe Bridgers, Haley Heynderickx and Gil Scott-Heron); incredible Italian directed/produced movies (Visconti, de Sica and Rossellini) and as the perfect bonus, a beautiful Italian woman sitting beside me explaining the history, geography, culture and nuances (Garibaldi!!!); and Ayako, Beautiful Darkness (the graphic novel...whimsical and disturbing...a rare combination) and a book of poetry by Chong Hyon-Jong. All very loved by me and most likely undeserved.

Dave wrote: "RedL. wrote: "ahah ah! If I got anything for Christmas!! It was a DELUGE of good stuff you wouldn't believe! And yes, I am always super nice! ;-P"

Then you deserve super gifts and not just for Chr..."

I got gifts all around, not just for Christmas, whether is deserved or not it was amazing to receive :-D
I received so much comics in special editions and so many records I could open my own shop! Stuff to brag about!

That Italian lady is a very lucky one she could enjoy so much right next to you, it was her Christmas accomplishment to to be right there with you and being able to show, tell and see you take it all in!!

I wanted to read you The Visitor from that poetry book, never got to it. Elizabeth from Knoxville beat me.

ENJOY!!!

I am severely honking you for that 'underserved'

Dave wrote: "RedL. wrote: "not going to launch off on general discussions, it is a very specific good in this case. Totally totally unexpected, and merciless, I cannot process!!! GAH! Don't say anything, no!! I..."

Nope! I am past that point and the Guardians were not slavetraders, I know that much! *lol* I cannot wait to see how it all ends up, really. I think I will keep being surprised along the way.

AWWWW...I love that moment!!!! There was still good inside him!!!!! <3<3

RedL. wrote: "I got gifts all around, not just for Christmas, whether is deserved or not it was amazing to receive :-D
I received so much comics in special editions and so many records I could open my own shop! Stuff to brag about!”

You should brag. :) Just please don’t sell anything. I’ve heard rumours about you and an already amazing collection of movies, books and vinyl. I am sure the comics will find their place.

Any favorites yet from the vinyl or the comics?

”That Italian lady is a very lucky one she could enjoy so much right next to you, it was her Christmas accomplishment to to be right there with you and being able to show, tell and see you take it all in!!”

No, milady. I am the lucky one. Very lucky. You should meet her. You would love her. Incredibly intelligent and perceptive and funny. Very beautiful woman with a melodic voice. And what she knows about films...and how she feels emotion...

”I wanted to read you The Visitor from that poetry book, never got to it. Elizabeth from Knoxville beat me.

ENJOY!!!”

Elizabeth stunned the world and shook the very foundations of American democracy with her revolution. We are living in difficult times. History will record “Elizabeth from Knoxville” as a true patriot that could have changed the world if not for the dread evils of pushing and mace. Hard for any poetry to compare with Elizabeth’s ringing war cry.

I will read. And I will surely enjoy. I am not in the right emotional state for poetry right now.

”I am severely honking you for that 'undeserved'"

A “honk” well received. Thank you.

RedL. wrote: "Nope! I am past that point and the Guardians were not slavetraders, I know that much! *lol* I cannot wait to see how it all ends up, really. I think I will keep being surprised along the way.”

They were not? I need to re-read Invincible. All of this time...and I think I missed something vital. :)

Many more surprises. Happy and sad. Welcome and disturbing.

Good stuff.

“AWW...I love that moment!!!! There was still good inside him!!!!! <3<3"

Even after the slaughter of the baby Jedi. Some redemption from an irredeemable act (or many nearly irredeemable acts). A great scene. Millions felt the tug of sympathy for one of the most notorious villains to ever appear on screen.

Is there anyone or any character who is pure evil? Is evil something we do or something we are? (American Psycho made the line famous, but Morrissey sang it three years earlier...Sister, I’m a Poet...speaking of which, have you seen/heard of this?

https://youtu.be/EQmBd5-ITyA

Linder, Billy Duffy and “I’m Johnny”.)

Food for thought.

Dave wrote: "RedL. wrote: "I got gifts all around, not just for Christmas, whether is deserved or not it was amazing to receive :-D
I received so much comics in special editions and so many records I could ope..."

What are you talking about??? Selling??!!! You're out of your mind!!!! I'd never sell anything, or give away...I might end up in the street but I'll keep my treasures! I will brag, just give me a min :-D
I can't give favourites yet, I really just started the comics (loving Invincible), the editions are so luxurious is intimidating and wtih the music depends very much how I feel day by day...Tomberlin has been an absolute constant though, lots of Idles and French for the Rabbit right around Christmas :-)

I would very much like to meet her then. I am pretty sure she feels exactly the same about you and tries to convince you of the same every single time. Man how much laughter and tears with all that was shared...

I know you didn't take any of that seriously, I was completely flabbergasted...bad bad people not letting her trespass, bad bad mace...I find the concepts of nationalism/patriotism more and more dangerous and twisted around :-(

No hurry about reading that poetry. You will know when the right moment comes.

Be kind to yourself, king of Honks! ;-)

Dave wrote: "RedL. wrote: "Nope! I am past that point and the Guardians were not slavetraders, I know that much! *lol* I cannot wait to see how it all ends up, really. I think I will keep being surprised along ..."

Why do you do that??!!!! Now you put more doubts in me! But I have finished the first Omnibus and no signs of them trafficking yet! A lot of surprised indeed, head-spinning really. I don't think I can ever like his father again :-(

Mmmhh...that scene was poignant and it still is...but if I think about what they made him do in the prequels, I am not sure it connects the same way emotionally...it feels right without knowing what he actually did, not so much if I really want to think it's the same Anakin of the prequels...I don't know...I am jaded, cannot love the prequels :-(

You and all the general questions! Evil is both something we can do and something we can be. Men are more than capable of going from one end of the spectrum to the other and everything in between with Good and Evil. Upbringing and personal key experiences have a big role in that swinging. I think intention, capacity for empathy and enjoyment also play a big part. But nothing is set in stone. We absolutely can change and choose to do and be different at any given time in our lives.

Thank you for the link! I had no idea...how is it possible? I didn't even hear a rumour about it! We should watch it together...sweet Johnny!

RedL. wrote: "What are you talking about??? Selling??!!! You're out of your mind!!!! I'd never sell anything, or give away...I might end up in the street but I'll keep my treasures! I will brag, just give me a min :-D”

You said shop not museum. That’s what shops do. Sell stuff. Unless they are shuttered because a virus is circulating.

And yes, I am most definitely out of my mind, Unicorn condition. :)

You will never end up on the street. Unless you are walking hand-in-hand with your significant other. And that would be for maybe 15-20 minutes. Unless you sit on a park bench to share an ice cream or listen to your significant other on bended knee.

”I can't give favourites yet, I really just started the comics (loving Invincible), the editions are so luxurious is intimidating and with the music depends very much how I feel day by day...Tomberlin has been an absolute constant though, lots of Idles and French for the Rabbit right around Christmas :-)”

Invincible is great. :) I’m glad that you like it. You read Fear Agent?

Tomberlin...what a beautiful and emotive voice. And the energy of the Idles...wow! And now that the band has been a bit more successful, the guitarist can afford pants. Isn’t French for Rabbit the Kate Bush clone? :) Awesome Kiwi band. You have great tastes.

”I would very much like to meet her then. I am pretty sure she feels exactly the same about you and tries to convince you of the same every single time. Man how much laughter and tears with all that was shared...”

The Mrs is quite funny. :) I will introduce you to her. I am not easily convinced of much.

”I know you didn't take any of that seriously, I was completely flabbergasted...bad bad people not letting her trespass, bad bad mace...I find the concepts of nationalism/patriotism more and more dangerous and twisted around :-("

*sigh* The “revolution” was barely more than a drunken mob. I have seen worse at concerts. The whole charade was disheartening. You either laugh or cry. There were needless deaths. :( There were not near enough arrests.

Tribalism and nationalism have always been dangerous. But human nature seeks the approval and warmth and protection of the herd. Maybe one day, we can be better than a 10,000 year old instinct that served us well, but whose time has long passed.

The shoving got completely out of hand.

RedL. wrote: "Why do you do that??!!!! Now you put more doubts in me! But I have finished the first Omnibus and no signs of them trafficking yet! A lot of surprised indeed, head-spinning really. I don't think I can ever like his father again :-(“

Sorry. You are right. The Guardians did not traffick children. They had their quirks, but they were heroes.

”Mmmhh...that scene was poignant and it still is...but if I think about what they made him do in the prequels, I am not sure it connects the same way emotionally...it feels right without knowing what he actually did, not so much if I really want to think it's the same Anakin of the prequels...I don't know...I am jaded, cannot love the prequels :-(“

I completely agree. We think Vader betrayed the Jedi and killed Luke’s father. The specifics of the betrayal were best left to our individual imaginations. One can be as dark as their personality wants.

Just as the specifics of the Force were best left to individual imaginations. “His midi-chlorian count is high.” Makes the Force sound like herpes.

I despise the prequels. Just when you thought Lucas could not do anything sillier than Sy Snoodles...Jar Jar Binks! Really?

”You and all the general questions!”

I want to know what you think.

”Evil is both something we can do and something we can be. Men are more than capable of going from one end of the spectrum to the other and everything in between with Good and Evil. Upbringing and personal key experiences have a big role in that swinging. I think intention, capacity for empathy and enjoyment also play a big part. But noting is set on stone. We absolutely can change and choose to do and be different at any given time in our lives.“

So evil is both Nature and Nurture, but Nurture can overcome Nature if we choose?

I completely agree that there are evil acts...that all of us can commit evil.

I am not sure whether we are born “good” or “evil”.

Was Lilith evil? She is demonised by the Jewish religions. Most Christian religions are oblivious to her.

The centerpiece of Christian evil...the devil...Satan or Shaitan...appears to have been an Angel of Light...the Son of the Morning...before falling and becoming the dragon. One of my favorite lines from Paradise Lost.

”Thank you for the link! I had no idea...how is it possible? I didn't even hear a rumour about it! We should watch it together...sweet Johnny!"

I didn’t know of it either until this week. The mythic meeting. Johnny was so young. Not even 20.

Dave wrote: "RedL. wrote: "You said shop not museum. That's what shps do. Sell stuff. Unless they are shuttered because a virus is circulating"

Ohh that, you're right, I didn't make that kind of connection of course. I am sure a lot of shops are lost with the rubble, while others have found creative ways to stay alive somehow.

We are all out of our mind, my love. I don't know anybody who doesn't deviate a little bit. That's also what makes us us.

I very much enjoy all our walks, should have them daily, and ice-cream eating sessions and declarations, thank you!

You have great taste, considering they are all gifts from you! Yes, pants...not sure it's really better! And the kiwi band has absolutely nothing to do with Kate :D and you know I read Fear Agent...

I think Mr is much more funny (stubborn too), and that allows the Mrs to let go and show all the silly :-)

:-( pretty much all of it about the shoving and the non-revolution. You can't say it wasn't unexpected though. Maybe I am naive, but I would have never imagined it....

Dave wrote: "Sorry. You are right. The Guardians did not traffick children. They had their quirks, but they were heroes"

I am not convinced. The seed of doubt is growing ;-)

It is such a relief to know you share the same dislikes and doubts, some things just hurt and you know I am not a purist. I didn't need Jar Jar Binks, and I am a klutz myself, I certainly wish I never heard of the midi-chlorian, to me it made more sense it was a matter of spiritual and mental power and aptitude, not anything measurable in a lab :-( Bah.

I know you do want to know what I think all my comments tonight were tongue-in-cheek...but I am starting to afraid that's not how they came over :-(

I said that both Nature and Nurture are factors in how we are built up and make decisions and that we have the potential for both, Good and Evil, as we have the possibility to change who we are and what we do. Unless we're talking severe cerebral trauma or utter lack of empathy, we are not fixed beings, neither our nature nor our acts. We are not born one way or the other, we have the potential for both.
Unfortunately, good acts an also have bad consequences. I don't think there's anything black and white.

Lilith was not evil. She was not meek, thus she had be vilified.

I have nothing against Lucifer either. Plus, I'm sure he served the purpose God intended.

Yeah, of course I wish too to see much more of Johnny in that movie, too bad :-(

RedL. wrote: "Ohh that, you're right, I didn't make that kind of connection of course. I am sure a lot of shops are lost with the rubble, while others have found creative ways to stay alive somehow.”

Not even February yet and I already have one “you’re right” under my belt. :) 2021 is going to be a good better year.

Some shops will suffer. And Amazon has arrived there to ensure they never recover. :(

”We are all out of our mind, my love. I don't know anybody who doesn't deviate a little bit. That's also what makes us us.”

*smile* Yes, we are. The world might be quite boring otherwise.

”I very much enjoy all our walks, should have them daily, and ice-cream eating sessions and declarations, thank you!”

Even walks in the park watching energetic sons climb trees and protective aquatic fowl parents. :) To be out. And observe and take part in Life. Magic.

”You have great taste, considering they are all gifts from you! Yes, pants...not sure it's really better! And the kiwi band has absolutely nothing to do with Kate :D and you know I read Fear Agent...”

Thank you. :) We are exploring Together.

No, pants do not necessarily make guitar riffs better.

”I think Mr is much more funny (stubborn too), and that allows the Mrs to let go and show all the silly :-)”

A competition? I declare a joust to determine who the funnier partner is. No tickling. Who laughs last, loses. :)

I need to work on those moves from that Italian disco song. “Dormire!” :)

”:-( pretty much all of it about the shoving and the non-revolution. You can't say it wasn't unexpected though. Maybe I am naive, but I would have never imagined it.... “

No, not unexpected. A domestic terrorism analyst stated that it was the most predictable piece of terrorism ever on U.S. soil. At the Capitol, no less. Where laws are passed... :(

RedL. wrote: "I am not convinced. The seed of doubt is growing ;-)”

You have read Invincible much more recently than me. :)

”It is such a relief to know you share the same dislikes and doubts, some things just hurt and you know I am not a purist. I didn't need Jar Jar Binks, and I am a klutz myself, I certainly wish I never heard of the midi-chlorian, to me it made more sense it was a matter of spiritual and mental power and aptitude, not anything measurable in a lab :-( Bah.”

I did not mind the sequels. I am not a purist either.

Part of the enduring magic of Star Wars for me was the age when I first saw it. I did not need explanations. I already believed.

”I know you do want to know what I think all my comments tonight were tongue-in-cheek...but I am starting to afraid that's not how they came over :-(“

I do. I do. Please. Always.

I saw your humour. Like you, I am pensive tonight. I felt like great change was possible today. I want to be a part of it.

I smiled at your replies. I’m afraid that I am much too serious tonight.

”I said that both Nature and Nurture are factors in how we are built up and make decisions and that we have the potential for both, Good and Evil, as we have the possibility to change who we are and what we do. Unless we're talking severe cerebral trauma or utter lack of empathy, we are not fixed beings, neither our nature nor our acts. We are not born one way or the other, we have the potential for both.
Unfortunately, good acts an also have bad consequences. I don't think there's anything black and white.”

I know you did. I was agreeing with you. My only hedging is if people can be evil. Intrinsically and irreparably evil. In the moment that an evil act is perpetrated, the individual can be considered evil. But that is not what I mean...

I completely agree with you. We have the capacity to change. And I believe we are always in motion. To one end of the spectrum or the other. Towards the young and idealistic Mark. Or towards Nolan. We may not have the same capacity to support good or inflict evil as do the superheroes and supervillains, but we have those same tendencies. Nolan is a good soldier. Following orders. The Nuremburg defense. Not a very good defense.

”Lilith was not evil. She was not meek, thus she had be vilified.”

Completely agree. Replaced with someone more compliant to justify a masculine schema that has hurt society for millenia.

Who else have we wrongly vilified? I think the list is near endless. All of the heretics that the Church put to death for claiming the world was not physically what the Church proclaimed it to be. Some were redeemed by history later, but never in their shortened lifetimes.

”I have nothing against Lucifer either. Plus, I'm sure he served the purpose God intended.”

Interesting statement. Why I find you fascinating. “The devil made me do it” is pure rubbish. Lucifer, in most Christian mythology, has no power to acr. Perhaps he/she/it is evil, but Lucifer cannot commit evil. The serpent did not force Eve to eat. The devil did not kill Abel.

I struggle a bit with the second half of that thought. Predestination or foreordination or Fate...hmmmm. Not sure. But not for tonight. You must sleep and I am late for my dinner date.

”Yeah, of course I wish too to see much more of Johnny in that movie, too bad :-(“

Did you notice Linder? What did you think of the actor’s Gothnicity? (I just made that word up. Black eye makeup rates near the top of the scale. Skinny piano ties are somewhere in the middle unless paired with ripped stockings.)

Johnny was and is a Light.

Dave wrote: " Not even February yet and I already have one “you’re right” under my belt. :) 2021 is going to be a good better year.
Some shops will suffer. And Amazon has arrived there to ensure they never recover. :( "

Stop it right there, Mr! You have been right many more times already, but who's counting?! God please...I will take better, anything really. Very guilty about Amazon, although I try individual shops sites too whenever possible :-( With all the money he makes, if only he'd seriously invest back into communities...

The world would absolutely be so much more boring. Let's love who we are, works in progress.

Even walks in the park watching energetic sons climb trees and protective aquatic fowl parents. :) To be out. And observe and take part in Life. Magic.

Squirrels, duck porn, tears, laughter...makes me wish I had appreciated every moment outside in nature even more, I long for all of that so much...especially now that they're going to bury us inside with a curfew...I might really lose it this time...

We ARE experimenting together, today my whole musical program was thanks to you: St Vincent, Offa Rex and French for Rabbits. Oh my, I have no complaints about Idles' guitar riffs, I meant that no-pants was pretty entertaining aha h!

I might even lose a funny-competition, you know me! It must come naturally or it doesn't come at all. If we both get sleepdrunk we might pass out laughing! And there is NOTHING that can beat Gioca Jouer of Cecchetto, we should both practice that!

Well, I didn't see that coming...am I just clueless or really too hopeful? :--( I have lived through terrorism...I do not want to feel like that ever again...Hope, all goes back to Hope...

Dave wrote: "You have read Invincible much more recently than me. :)"

eheh, I am all over it!!! Thank you! :-D

I know we could talk Star Wars for days, I will refrain. I wanted explanations of many things and I really didn't get those, the explanatios I got...why??!!! :-( It is what it is, I can't stop loving the saga anyway, like you it is too big a part of my growing up.

We were both very sensitive yesterday, pensive in a good way. It was a very intense experience. I too felt part of something big and better.

I know you did. I was agreeing with you. My only hedging is if people can be evil. Intrinsically and irreparably evil. In the moment that an evil act is perpetrated, the individual can be considered evil. But that is not what I mean...
I completely agree with you. We have the capacity to change. And I believe we are always in motion. To one end of the spectrum or the other. Towards the young and idealistic Mark. Or towards Nolan. We may not have the same capacity to support good or inflict evil as do the superheroes and supervillains, but we have those same tendencies. Nolan is a good soldier. Following orders. The Nuremburg defense. Not a very good defense.

Some people can be absolutely, completely evil. I always try to see the good in everything and everyone, but some people...I'm sorry, no...For the rest, I think we are saying the same thing:-) Potential is all there, individual choices and situations make all the difference, every day. No, the 'I was only obeying orders' will never fly with me, shouldn't fly with anyone anymore.

Completely agree on the oppression/suppression/vilification of so many, scientists, artists, thinkers, throughout history. I am not sure giving them statues centuries later makes it better, but it serves as a reminder perhaps. It's better now, but it's still here too. Wherever there is dogma, there is heresy.

Interesting statement. Why I find you fascinating. “The devil made me do it” is pure rubbish. Lucifer, in most Christian mythology, has no power to acr. Perhaps he/she/it is evil, but Lucifer cannot commit evil. The serpent did not force Eve to eat. The devil did not kill Abel.
I struggle a bit with the second half of that thought. Predestination or foreordination or Fate...hmmmm. Not sure. But not for tonight. You must sleep and I am late for my dinner date.

There can be coercion of many kinds, how subtler, how harder it is to fight, but nothing to do with Lucifer and his supposed input in the evil people choose to do. Besides, disobeying is not per se' evil. Isn't freedom of choice the whole point of being human? The evil to fear is always within us and inside the others.
I didn't talk of predestination. I believe God/Spirit, however you want to call them, can see all the possible realities and lifelines, I believe they knew Lucifer might rebel, if he chose to. He could have chosen not to...I don't want to get too tied to ideas of a plan where everything is already decided either. I hope I made myself a little bit clearer.

Yes, I noticed Linder, she has a lot of lines in that trailer, and she looks the part for that period. Hey, long live skinny ties and ripped stockings, yeaaah!! Not sure there is much gothnicity to comment on, but I will look at the trailer again and report back ;-)

We can try to be a Light too :-)

RedL. wrote: "Stop it right there, Mr! You have been right many more times already, but who's counting?!”

But if I stop, won’t that make you right? :) I can count. I know the number of times that I will be right in 2021 will be well within my number of fingers and toes.

”God please...I will take better, anything really.”

Most anything will be better. We could all use a little bit of better.

”Very guilty about Amazon, although I try individual shops sites too whenever possible :-( With all the money he makes, if only he'd seriously invest back into communities...”

Jeff Bezos has to eat and drive Ferraris, too. What will happen to shops (and Amazon) when we all have those Star Trek replicator thing-ys? Goodbye commerce.

I am a sucker for Amazon. Not so much for what I purchase for myself. But the ability to click a few times here, and the next day something appears on my Wife’s doorstep. PFM.

”The world would absolutely be so much more boring. Let's love who we are, works in progress.”

I agree. And loving oneself can be a challenge. Some love themselves too much. Others not nearly enough.

”Squirrels, duck porn, tears, laughter...makes me wish I had appreciated every moment outside in nature even more, I long for all of that so much...especially now that they're going to bury us inside with a curfew...I might really lose it this time...”

Squirrels in Arlington, i completely forgot about duck porn at Keukenhof. That was too funny. Males being males. And a female having none of it. :)

We have many more moments to appreciate Nature and walking in it. Your Walden is still coming.

You have always loved the Moon. And showed me. She is half full tonight. Bright and serene.

I am sorry for the curfew. :( I do not understand how it helps unless the Covid-19 variant has vampiric qualities.

However, respectable women should be at home between the hours of 9 pm and 4.30 am to maintain their honor and reputation. *tipping hat to the Dutch government* Wait!!! The curfew applies to me, too?!! WTF?

Will you challenge the curfew? Would you challenge it with me?

”We ARE experimenting together, today my whole musical program was thanks to you: St Vincent, Offa Rex and French for Rabbits. Oh my, I have no complaints about Idles' guitar riffs, I meant that no-pants was pretty entertaining aha h!”

Thanks to us. :) So much good music available. I enjoy exploring with you.

”I might even lose a funny-competition, you know me! It must come naturally or it doesn't come at all. If we both get sleepdrunk we might pass out laughing! And there is NOTHING that can beat Gioca Jouer of Cecchetto, we should both practice that!”

No one loses a funny competition. Everyone laughs. :)

You must master Gioca Jouer. add your own verses and dance it at your wedding. Drunk or sober.

Was there a verse about applying deodorant?

”Well, I didn't see that coming...am I just clueless or really too hopeful? :--( I have lived through terrorism...I do not want to feel like that ever again...Hope, all goes back to Hope..."

Terrorism? :(

I think you believe that people are better than they actually are. That is not your failing.

RedL. wrote: "Some people can be absolutely, completely evil. I always try to see the good in everything and everyone, but some people...I'm sorry, no...For the rest, I think we are saying the same thing:-) Potential is all there, individual choices and situations make all the difference, every day.”

Who, in your opinion, is absolutely and completely evil? Trump comes close for me.

And we do agree. :)

”No, the 'I was only obeying orders' will never fly with me, shouldn't fly with anyone anymore.”

The U.S. learned with Vietnam. I was never given orders of a dubious moral nature during my stint in the military.

I did question orders. Some funny stories, too. A man in positional authority (I outranked him although I put little stock in rank) instructed me to do something that, I felt, was not in the best interests of the ship. I was reprimanded, but everyone was laughing at him.

”Completely agree on the oppression/suppression/vilification of so many, scientists, artists, thinkers, throughout history. I am not sure giving them statues centuries later makes it better, but it serves as a reminder perhaps. It's better now, but it's still here too. Wherever there is dogma, there is heresy.”

Yes. Yes. Yes. That exactly. Dogma. Evil. An unwillingmess to learn and change and grow. That is despicable.

I have my suspicions why the status quo was so afraid of new ideas and change, but, if true, the power structure was far from noble.

Statues are never for the dead. :(

”There can be coercion of many kinds, how subtler, how harder it is to fight, but nothing to do with Lucifer and his supposed input in the evil people choose to do. Besides, disobeying is not per se' evil. Isn't freedom of choice the whole point of being human? The evil to fear is always within us and inside the others.”

Choice is the agent of growth. No spiritual growth without the freedom to make our own choices. I firmly believe this in spiritual and secular growth. In the theology in which I was raised, Lucifer was a fascist. He would deny choice to ensure the goodness of our souls. But there is little goodness if we are compelled to be “good.” But Lucifer’s dissenting view was not what caused him to fall (if god exists, surely he/she/it is more tolerant than we are), but his insufferable pride.

”I didn't talk of predestination. I believe God/Spirit, however you want to call them, can see all the possible realities and lifelines, I believe they knew Lucifer might rebel, if he chose to. He could have chosen not to...I don't want to get too tied to ideas of a plan where everything is already decided either. I hope I made myself a little bit clearer.”

You did make yourself clearer. Thank you. Are you sure that you are not Mormon? Or is that also too much of a plan (dare I say dogma?) to be tied to?

”Yes, I noticed Linder, she has a lot of lines in that trailer, and she looks the part for that period. Hey, long live skinny ties and ripped stockings, yeaaah!! Not sure there is much gothnicity to comment on, but I will look at the trailer again and report back ;-)”

As near as I can tell, Linder was Morrissey’s closest teenage, twenty-something friend. Hugely influential on him.

I think you would appreciate, even maybe enjoy, Linder’s art.

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddes...

I like your spelling of “gothnicity” better. I edited mine. :)

”We can try to be a Light too :-)"

You already are a Light.