Dream World, Mirror World

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"Yeah!!" Kevin yelled, excitedly.

"All right!" Ler shouted back, with the same enthusiasm.

I had to join in, so I yelled, "Woohoo!" And then each of us grabbed something heavy from the back seat, and marched towards the house. The three girls did the same, although without the added vocals.

We were heading to Linka's house party, bringing in drinks and munchies for everyone. I dropped my bag in the kitchen, and continued into the house. It was my first time here. There was already some noise, coming from a vague direction.

I found myself further away from the music, and noticed an open room. I peeked inside and then entered, looking around the room.

"Hey Linka," I said, and dropped on her large bed. She was busy with her make up, in front of a full-body mirror. She did not respond, immediately.

"How do I look?" She turned around, her flowing dress bouncing, and a face that was almost a painting stared at me.

"You look awesome," I said, and grinned, knowing that I had no eye for aesthetics. She frowned angrily, and then smiled as well.

"Thank you," she said, and moved to lie on the bed beside me, sighing loudly. She made the mattress bounce, so I lost my balance and dropped, now lying down, like her.

Looking at the ceiling, I got a strange feeling. As if I just woke up, after a long rest, only without the actual resting. Maybe I was getting too excited about the party. I quickly sat back up, leaning on my hands. Linka did the same.

"I feel sick," she said, and looked worried.

"You will be fine, Linka," I tried to calm her down. "It's a great party. I heard all the noise, on the way down here. People are already having fun. And you look great."

"Yeah," she answered, somewhat convinced. "Let's go up! We are already late," she said, and stood up, grabbed me by the arm, and pulled us out of her room.

We marched through the long hall, and climbed the stairs up.

"That's odd," she said, and kept climbing.

I was about to ask her what was so odd, when we reached the end of the spiraling stairs, and saw the next hall. Not a corridor. Not even small enough to be a room in her house. It was a vast space, full of stalls. Like a giant marketplace, with people shouting the prices of goods, and potential clients roaming and negotiating.

An unfamiliar place.

We both stared. There was no music. Just people speaking. None of whom we knew, I was certain.

"What..." Linka started, and I failed to answer. She grabbed my hand, and looked at me. "What is this?!" I saw the panic grabbing her. More than panic - amazement.

"I don't know," I answered. "Where are we?"

Linka pulled me on, and walked both of us through the stalls. She ignored the stalls, but I let my eyes wander, seeing so many different and new faces, and all sorts of snacks, fruit, and bizarre colorful items for sale.

"What is this place..." I wondered aloud.

"Come on, let's find the way out," Linka dragged me on, until we reached another staircase.

Unlike the former, this staircase was a square shape, and was open-walled, to let us see through to the odd bazaar, while we climbed up. We moved onwards, but there were not any floors, and the more we climbed, the more of the vast hall we could see. It was as large as a stadium, and then some.

Finally, a hallway appeared in front of us, and we entered it, slightly hesitating. I took the lead, not having anything else in sight, and started wandering about. Several rooms on the way were open, but they did not seem special or interesting. Just empty bedrooms.

"Look there," Linka pointed to an open room, at the end of the hall. "Those people just leave all their bedroom doors open, like that."

"Yeah," I said, wondering, and continued now only toward that room. It drew me to it, I could feel it now. "Look, this one looks different, right?" Linka peeked inside.

"It's my room!" She exclaimed, and hurried inside. "It's my room! Why is it here?!"

"Good question," I answered, and lingered at a large mirror that covered most of the wall ahead. I touched it. "I think this is it," I said.

"What?" Linka asked, as she sat on her bed.

"Can't you feel it?"

Linka rose up to approach the mirror. She stared at her reflection, and then turned to look at mine.

"I don't have such a large mirror in my room," she said.

I touched it, and I could feel it tremble under my fingers.

"Come on, let's go!" I grabbed her arm, and drove us into the mirror. As we passed, I could see the foreign market place, with all those people shopping. And then we dropped down, fast, into a darkness below.

We both sat up, on Linka's bed, at the same time.

"Did you just..." Linka started asking.

"Man," I whispered. "Don't ask me."

"Come on, we're going to be late to the party!" Linka hurried to get up, and hauled me up, by my hands. I let go of one hand, but she grabbed on to the other, holding it over her shoulder, and dragging me out of the room, and to her birthday party.

I was happy to know that Linka finally arrived safely to her eighteenth-birthday party. A party I never got to see.

Defeating Room Reverb (Echo)

So, I have shown my home "studio" before, a few times. With each step, things improve, sound better, and are more comfortable. But, even though I had good reverb reduction, I never quite managed to completely remove it.

Until now.

All folded up.

I ran some tests, and found that most of my reverb came from the top and sides, rather than from behind me. So, using bamboo poles connected to the top shelf, I hung thick extra blankets that I had.

Bamboo pole, hidden under blankets.

First, I drop the two side curtains.

I got the idea for using towels from guys online, who wrote about it. Large towels are more accessible for me, than large blankets. Saves me cash. Also, their thickness is undoubted! They mute jumping echoes!

I cut a slit into the side towel, so the microphone and arm-stand can go through it. It is kept closed with a simple clip.

Then, I just unfold the top towel, and I'm done!

I used the bottom part of the top towel, to close the top of my screen area, where I have another shelf. I have simple pillows behind the screen, to block echo from the front, which is critical.

Side view.

Inside view.

As you can see, it is a simple and effective solution. It is also very comfortable! And quick to fold and unfold; between ten to twenty seconds. I did have the bamboo poles bulge further than the desk, by about 10 centimeters, or 4 inches, so that I get good coverage.

The Moral Guide 2014

I would like to experiment, and write down a clear and practical guide for good behavior. Moral behavior, both positively (generally necessary habits) and negatively (prohibited behavior). A guide that can, periodically, stand as a reference for the moral standards that humanity's best minds have discovered.

Eventually, I plan on giving it a page of its own. For now, here is the index and subtitles, with a little description, for your review.

They had their morality, and we have ours.

Subtitle: To reflect the wisdom of our age, through clear and reasoned guidance.

1. Morality

      1.1 The Non-Aggression Principle

A single core principle that can explain the larger part of our existing and accepted moral rules, such as not to steal or murder.

  1.1.1 Only self-defense justifies force.
  1.1.2 Judging self-defense situations.

This principle is well argued, and exemplified throughout historical and modern times. Our greatest achievements, such as the abolition of slavery, follow hand-in-hand with it.

      1.2 The Ideology of Anarchy

A complimenting ideology that solves the remaining issues in society, where-in coercion is not necessarily applied, by denying the morality of dominating or abusive relationships.

  1.2.1 Authority is always personal.
  1.2.2 Responsibility versus Ownership - plan rather than blame.
  1.2.3 Partnership versus Service - never obey.

To both explain and solve the error of social hierarchy, the ideology first shows the logic it holds, and then goes to give clear examples of its use.

      1.3 The Pursuit of Wisdom

A moral code that is unchanging, and based on history rather than contemporary evidence, leads to immorality. Moral understanding must always evolve and be fine-tuned, so that it reflects the knowledge and experience of its users.

  1.3.1 Why & How to Find Challenges.

An improved morality is the result of facing challenges, and coming out of them the better and wiser. The more varied, unexpected, unknown, and dire the challenge or choice, the better.

2. Practices

      2.1 Exercise

A sickly body is unable to concentrate and reason, to a normal extent. Morality, first and foremost, requires taking care of the self.

  2.1.1 Cardio, strength, and flexibility.

A regularly active person that has full mobility in both resistance and reach, will always feel comfortable in their own body.

      2.2 Self Defense & Arms

Justice is the ability to act on your morality. It is not enough to understand right from wrong, if it is not possible to protect what is right, and fend off what is wrong.

  2.2.1 Strategy, Tactics, Evasion - Also see chapter 2.3.4.
  2.2.2 Contact fighting.
  2.2.3 Short range weapons, long range weapons, and projectiles.

Through analyzing situations, planning ahead, and enjoying advanced equipment, anyone can defend themselves efficiently.

      2.3 Discussion

Open debate and freedom of speech are tenants of the modern age. Without those, progress is slowed, and conflict increases.

  2.3.1 Personal needs.
  2.3.2 Community needs.
  2.3.3 Planning for goals.
  2.3.4 Political negotiations - the social-economical front.

Discussions are intentionally organised, so that debate does not turn into harmful gossip. When people's thoughts are acknowledged, it is important to plan on how to address them. Finally, it is also important to acknowledge and address outside issues.

3. Community

      3.1 Events

  3.1.1 Organizing people for coordinated action.

Pre-defined events give people access into initiatives that would otherwise be private. This way anyone can contribute to others, without the normally necessary personal connection.

      3.2 Gatherings

  3.2.1 Bonding different communities.

It is impossible to make a disconnection between communities. Even if the distance may be far and wide, there will always be both positive and negative influences. It is important to seek the positive.

      3.3 Support

  3.3.1 From public shelters to friend circles.

Planning and effort are limited, and that is why we have backups. Public spaces help, when a home is lost. Reliable friend circles, where responsibility is shared voluntarily, help when personal ability is diminished through injury or disease.

Artificial Salvation

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"A research lab, in every house, will be the marking of a new philosophical age!" Sir Kevin II exclaimed, standing on a small podium, in front of a large audience. The crowd applauded, rising to give standing ovations.

"Over the top," Jessica commented, as they headed backstage to rest.

"Not at all," Kevin responded, wiping his face with a towel. "This isn't just about making toys and utensils anymore, Jessica. We can make a difference, with our organisation," he emphasised.

"We already are," Jessica sat down for her mug of hot coffee and smiled to herself. Kevin was not always so ambitious. They had both seen hard years of little funds and no support from others, before they finally made it big. Well, as big as any small successful group. Not rich, anyhow.

In the meanwhile, another organisation was forming its first branch. A group of young and learned activists, with their hands on the beating pulse of society.

"In hell," James began, sitting down, holding a bottle of unlabeled homemade beer, "nothing has a price tag."

"In hell, nothing has a price tag?" The second James, James Mallorie, wondered aloud. "How did you reach that conclusion?" He asked, and turned to look at the first James.

"Entire industries are shutting down. The markets are becoming desperate. People are losing jobs," James finished, and examined each face in the circle of chairs about him. They all seemed... Interested... But maybe not in the same topic, that was all.

"But new jobs are being made. People are becoming more free, to do what they wish with their lives," Mallorie played the devil's advocate, smiling as he spoke.

"I wasn't saying it's evil," James responded reasonably. "Only that we should tread more carefully with this new technology. Ask more question, and make sure we don't go around hurting people, right?"

The circle nodded in consensus.

Atlas from the game Portal, made with a 3D Printer, by Psychobob.

Personal Creator Lab, commonly referred to as PCL, had become a household brand. In modern society, at the edge of technology, there was hardly a house or apartment without such a device. Simply speaking, it was a small automated factory; suitable for the needs and resources of an individual.

With a minimal investment, any random Joe could now purchase the machine, buy the necessary materials, buy or find the plans for whatever it is they wanted to make, and in the push of a button, it was made. Modern age magic!

Kevin and Jessica, departing from their plane and on route to their hotel, inhaled the fresh moist air of the Mexican jungles.

"Printing Malaria medicine and all sorts of drugs," Jessica began saying, ducked a low branch and continued, "those drugs will make the third world seem like paradise."

"Paradise," Kevin echoed. "Enter paradise, by pressing a button," he grinned, his eyes reflecting dreams and ambitions.

Jessica looked at her mobile, and heard the news in one ear: "Political activist groups calling for regulation of PCLs," and, "Congress discussing a new law that would require printing permits and licensing, that may limit what and how much each person can print."

She moaned silently. She should not bother Kevin with such nonsense. Politics is not what they do, anyway.

The New Moral Guide

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A society may be defined, primarily, by its' moral code. Those social rules that each member follows, every day and willingly, and from an understanding of their benefits.

Modern societies tend to latch on to outdated moral codes that served partially nomadic and tribal folk, but do not serve the needs and understandings that we now have.

The human condition is measured through freedom. The freedom to act, and freedom from being acted upon by others. We now know, fully and wholly, that the thing that makes us "modern" is that freedom that we have gained, from both technology & morality. However, the more free we become, the more evident are the chains that still bind us.

No person should ever serve another!

Not in coercion, not under threat, not with payment or barter, and not even willingly. It is evil for any person to serve another. In doing so, they give something that is not to be considered an item for trade or purchase; human life.

An analogy, to help see the logic behind this statement, would be prostitution.

At a quick glance, there may seem to be nothing wrong with a person giving, or selling, their body for sexual pleasures, instead of for romantic intimate love. It seems like an entirely personal, subjective choice.

Nevertheless, study shows that such behavior leads to post-traumatic stress syndrome, and all of the problems that follow, such as severe depression and self-harm.

All of that, without even going into the problems of unplanned children, their mistreatment, and the sort of adults they usually turn into. Truly a tragedy.

The entire service industry is akin to prostitution. When societies embrace human servitude, people sell themselves, and sell themselves short; because that is how trade works. Items always become cheaper and more accessible. In this case, the items are people's lives and freedoms.

An industry that sucks out the dreams of people, and returns instead mild comforts.

Some say that removing money from the equation will solve this problem. For example, The Venus Project and its' Zeitgeist fellowship go into detail, about the waste of human life modern societies inflict, and how it could all be solved through technology.

Even though they do acknowledge that it is trade in human service that is at fault, for them money is to blame. Anthropology begs to differ. Tribal humans, even without money, or coin, find ways to trade in services. After all, it makes sense to sell your services, at the expense of "some" freedom, when there is no moral rule to contradict such behavior.

On the other hand, there are those who claim that a free market will liberate us. The Libertarians, while adding to moral development in modern societies, embracing well-proven moral concepts, such as the NAP and Property-Rights, also turn a blind-eye to the evidence.

Free markets have existed throughout time, and even when and where they do, prostitution and the trade & enslavement of people were the norm!

Realizing that this problem can only be solved by a social decree - an enforced moral code of conduct, Anarchists claim the higher ground. A society of anarchy is not a chaotic society, at all. It is, rather, a society where social hierarchies are banned. No person is accepted as better than another. We are all equals, working together, and there is no authority above us; us consenting adults.

Yet, even those at the edge of experimentation and study, miss to clearly identify human servitude as an immoral practice. They would claim that as long as the servitude is voluntary, then it is fair. Obviously, wrong conduct is wrong, regardless of it being allegedly voluntary, or otherwise.

Nothing can stop a person, under threat and forced into serving another, from saying that they do so willingly. This behavior is well known in fascist regimes, where everybody loves the leader publicly, but secretly and quietly fear for their lives. No evidence to the contrary will ever be established, in such circumstances.

Religions had also embraced moral codes, but betrayed them through time, and missed out on developing their morality. Servitude and enslavement were, and are, encouraged by contemporary religions. Even regardless of money, people always were enslaved, or allegedly chose to enslave themselves, to churches and priests.

Many even became martyrs, the most extreme case of human servitude, and massacred innocents by the thousands, in the name of their leaders and creed. Pure evil willful-ignorance.

The concept of one person serving another, no matter why or how, goes against logic and evidence. It is evil. Servitude is unnecessary for societies.

People have always enjoyed working together, as equals in society, even when not equal in their own professions. After all, being good at something does not make that person simply better than another.