PrimitivePrime!Blog

TIPPING POINT

by Azrael Encarnacion

Girls with Vases (I) by Cathy Lu (currently featured on Hi-Fructose’s website) is such an interesting painting. It depicts a vase on the verge of being tipped over by a swarm of girls. What I immediately notice and what draws most of my attention is the dynamic between chaos and order in this scene. Because you think you see teamwork concentrated in certain areas, such as the pyramidal climbing of the vase on the left, or the lifting of the vase's base on the opposite side. Giving the impression of ants collaborating to carry a crumb of cake back home. 

Even the girls hanging off the top right rose seems purposeful to balance out the weight and prevent the vase from falling but is that their intention?

What is the overall intention of any of these groups? Are they all working together or just grouped together? Is the pyramid meant to provide a boost or the result of everyone trying to climb atop one another? Are the girls at the base trying to tip over the vase, or just looking for something underneath it? Are the girls hanging off the rose attempting balance or just holding on so as not to fall?

The vase itself seems the victim to whatever the girls are attempting, despite their organization or lack thereof. It could just be innocent play or rebellion or something else altogether or a combination of a few things altogether. This painting seems to bring to my attention that I don't know what the girls are doing as a whole but the result will likely break this vase.

There's something delicate about vases because they're so easy to break. Paintings of basic vases, especially with flowers are commercially common and while meant to be peaceful home decor or hallmark friendly, usually affect me as boring. Such images feel as if someone were trying to spell through the vibrant colors and lack of context that this is ideally pretty. There's something exciting about the way Cathy Lu, whether knowingly or not, disrupts that for me.

THOUGHTS ON JERRY A COYNE’S BOOK IN SUPPORT OF EVOLUTION

by Azrael Encarnacion

I'm discovering, while reading Jerry A. Coyne's New York Times bestseller, Why Evolution is True, that more annoying to me than a creationist, is a scientist trying hard to convince one about evolution. 

I'm about almost halfway through this very insightful book, written no doubt, by someone who is passionate about evolution and sharing its wonders; but nonetheless the work is anchored by its determination to arm believers of evolution against creationists. Coyne even admits in his preface, detailing the book's focus, "for the many who find themselves uncertain, or who accept evolution but are not sure how to argue their case..."

Don't get me wrong, I'm no creationist and yes I believe the notion that God created the Earth and all the inhabitants within it as told by Genesis, all within six literal days, to be ridiculous! If I were a scientist, I would probably find it offensive to the massive collection of data and hard work by countless individuals who've organized facts and tested theories to further define their processes. All to have someone brush it off because they've placed their faith in a literal telling of a religious book, that places Man as special over all of God's creations. But Coyne and any other person who becomes salty enough to argue a creationist into a submission hold of logic is just as ridiculous. 

The creation story sounds like poetic magic. Its beautiful in any form its told, whether Christian or various myths from Egyptian, Aztec, Greek and East Asian sources. Its full of the language that simplifies nature yet elevates it at the same time. Anyone who believes in a creation myth literally is operating on another level of understanding. They're accepting a world much wider than that of reason and science. Its almost a waste of time to try and reason with that kind of logic (or lack thereof).

Why Evolution is True, so far, is delightful in its information about evolution but whenever Coyne takes a stab at creationist, I find myself defending them. This is an annoying hiccup! What I keep thinking is, it doesn't matter what you write, if God created it all, then its beyond our natural science because a god would defy all nature science, wouldn't it?

Coyne actually says it best when at the end of Chapter 3, after talking about Bad Designs and how they seem typical of a natural process like evolution rather than an intelligent designer, "if a designer did have discernible motives when creating species, one of them must surely have been to fool biologists by making organisms look as though they evolved."

Yes! That would totally be possible if an all-powerful, all-knowing god did indeed exist. That's why intelligent design is so acceptable by those who believe it. How do you combat that? How do you wrestle a thing as supernatural as a ghost? The attempt to do so by Coyne, comes off as writing a book on toy manufacturing to arm debunkers of Santa Claus. 

I've read Kenneth Miller's Only a Theory a few years back. Miller is a warrior for evolution testifying in hearings whenever there is a controversy with evolution being taught in schools in the U.S. I've also watched some of his lectures on the subject and back then, even though I was already a fanboy of evolution, he brought me up to speed with all the clear evidence for and solidified a more concrete understanding of what evolution actually is.

Miller's Only a Theory was not direct artillery against creationists. It was a reinforcement of what a "theory" means in science and distancing it as a synonym for estimated opinion, which is a common tactic creationists use to discredit evolution. Miller actually believes in God. His ability to function as both scientist and Christian have not wavered either from the other.

Its hard for me to enjoy science when it bullies its ideas onto others. By bullying, I mean trapping the argument in logic that can only really go one way. Ignoring that creationist logic is fueled primarily by faith. When their faith makes them see 4 fingers when you've got 5 raised, what are you gonna do? Take them to Room 101 till they change their mind, heart etc.?

I think Coyne could have found a better approach to tackle this discord between perspectives. I certainly would have appreciated it more. Evolution is a fascinating subject, in its transformation of nature from simple to complex there is, in itself, a poetic majesty that makes me feel connected to a marvelous universe where such things are possible. I'm not part of any religion and I'm not a scientist, intuitively, evolution just feels right. A book about why it faithfully feels right would be interesting. Or one where evolution is explained as a creation myth (hahahaha, now I'm trolling). 

One of my best friends + ongoing collaborator, Eric Alloway, is developing his first professional film project titled RACER. He’s seeking crowd funding to complete the film at a quality that matches his vision. If you’re feeling the test footage like I am, please help support this picture via IndieGoGo HERE. 

It goes without saying but I’ll say it anyway, I’m beyond proud of my brother and the excitement I get over seeing this teaser makes it all the more easy to troop for it full-body! 

SYNOPSIS:

After discovering secrets of his true parentage, Phoenix finds himself struggling to balance between two identities: the rebellious explorer and swindler of private goods, and the other - an obedient son and unintentional role model to an impressionable younger brother.

In their new neighborhood, Phoenix attempts to fit in and fend off cruel pressures of the fort kids. When his mother reveals that he is in fact the son of a jail junkie and racing motorcyclist who has recently passed away, Phoenix finds himself questioning everything he once knew.

By Azrael Encarnacion

Its the 1968 novel that inspired the now classic sci-fi film, Blade Runner. A densely thematic milestone in the bibliography of author, Philip K. Dick (Scanner Darkly, Man in the High Castle, Valis Trilogy). A futuristic tale of empathy that examines just what it means to be human. Let’s see just how the story concludes for Deckard as he tracks down the last remaining replicants, one of which is of the same identical model as Rachel, the android he just slept with.

PART FIVE: WHAT DO WE DREAM FROM HERE? Chapters 18 - End

"I want it to work perfectly," Iran Deckard tells an animal accessories saleswoman over the phone. Her husband is finally asleep and she doesn't want him disturbed. Having retired 6 advanced androids in one day, a new record, making Rick a living legend--He's earned some much needed rest. In their apartment kitchen, a box contains an extinct toad. Of course, its an electric replicant. But Iran is intent on feeding it as a real one. She dials a number and the saleswoman advices on bugs and basic maintenance for the toad. Artificial accessories for an artificial existence. She wants it to work perfectly. This is how Do AndroidsDream of Electric Sheep ends.

And did it all work out perfectly for Rick Deckard? Exhausted after retiring the three remaining Nexus 6 androids. One among them being almost an exact twin sister of Rachel Rosen, the android Rick has just slept with and even admitted he'd leave his wife for. Of course, that was before she gloated over her intentional effect on Rick and other bounty hunters before him, compromising his ability to complete his assignment. If the victory of his bounty was the termination of the six androids, then the cost was surely the loss of Deckard's disregard for the sentient humanoids. In a way, Rick was behaving like a logical machine himself, but through the course of 24 hours, not only does Rick develop empathy for these robots, he even falls in love with one of them.

Philip K. Dick continually and possibly purposely blurs the lines between Human and Nexus 6, Rachel showers after sex, drinks bourbon and goes all Glenn Close on Deckard's new pet goat. Roy Baty is enraged when his wife is killed and irrationally attacks Deckard, even though Deckard and other androids in the story have repeatedly mention how specifically little androids care about one another. Yet the closest thing we see to love and family is ironically, in how Roy & Irmgard Baty and Pris interact with each other while lamenting their fallen friends.  Rachel also tells Rick, "we androids can't control our physical, sensual passions." Really?! That's usually the antithesis of what defines an android. Its almost the case that by the end of the novel, there's nothing to distinguish man from machine other than one's word against the other. Often people wonder, more so in the film adaptation, was Deckard an android? But you gotta wonder in the novel, were androids even androids?

Sure they had wires and metal parts inside but they acted more human, at times, than the humans! Like the artificial toad and its artificial bugs, they may have been synthetic but they ran on synthetic necessities, like self-preservation, self-awareness, inspiring within themselves fear and love. And you can call it electric love or electric fear but it causes actions no lesser real than any of ours.

I feel bad for Isidore, the spider scene was cruel as it equally must've been hard for him to see his new friends retired by Deckard. I wonder if the alarms Roy Baty placed in the building had anything to do with Deckard's visions with Wilbur Mercer? Mercer, who was debunked by Buster Friendly, appears to Deckard in the physical realm and saves his life. Rick seems to be fused with Mercer all the way to Northern California where Deckard flies off to after hearing news of his goat being pushed off the roof of his con-apt building. Deckard reenacts the hill ascend and has stones flung at him. This is where he finds the toad. Most beloved by Mercer but also thought extinct.

I also feel bad for Iran. I think its over between her and Deckard. I think Rick's whole life is about to change once he wakes up. He's stated, ever since the retirement of Luba Luft, he can't go on hunting androids. And with Rachel having gathered info and studying the Nexus 6 type, it won't be long before the Nexus 7 is created, with even more authentic human-like qualities. What can Deckard do then? He's shut himself off emotionally for some time now, the Nexus 6 assignment has woken his heart. He's probably done with mood organs and with pretending things are real when they're not--for instance his marriage to Iran. I can totally see, this Rick becoming the Harrison Ford Deckard from Blade Runner. And it would make total sense why that Deckard didn't want to return to hunting androids for a bounty, he'd instantly empathize with them again. Interestingly enough, in the film he's the best Blade Runner Bryant knows, which is true of the novel's version by the end. Its almost like the novel is the prequel to the film but via the same plot.

Now in answer to the question posed by the novel's title: No, I don't think androids dream of electric sheep. I think they dream of real sheep, because they consider themselves to likewise be real.

Thank you all for reading. I do want to write some more about Rick Deckard and the Blade Runner adaptation to the novel. But this is the conclusion to the Primitive Prime! Book Club on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? not sure yet, what book I'll read next but I can't wait to do this again.

Photos from Blade Runner (1982) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017) respectively. 

Further Reading:

MY RECENT BATTLE WITH . . . 

by Azrael Encarnacion

I haven't had a full night's sleep  in about 4 days. What happens every night now where sleep should typically occur is a procession of hours where I lay in bed with my eyes shut. There are blank-out moments where I lose awareness of both myself and time, which could be confused as sleep but they're really short intervals more likely related to spacing out while awake than being fully asleep.

That rejuvenation one feels in the morning upon waking, I miss that feeling, which I'm realizing I took for granted. I now view sleep as a daily departure from waking consciousness, a way for our minds and perhaps our souls, to temporarily tap into a deeper, connected whole. In doing so and at times with the help of a symbolic lens (dreams), we can analyze or balance out our emotions: fears, desires, etc. When this renewal that literally nourishes our physical bodies is interrupted or much worst, skipped for 4 days, it feels like the damming (and damning) of a flow. I'm walking around with a heavy body, full of 96 hours of worries, memories, and fatigue that just remains inside me and carried over to the next day like unfinished work. 

The benefits of sleep include consolidation of memory, improvement in focus, tissue repair, supportive immune system, good skin, and the lists go on. I cringe at the memory of a younger me who used to brag about breaking night in pursuit of creative productivity. As if he couldn’t attain inspiration if it wasn’t under his then perceived ideal night owl conditions. But even he wouldn’t have been so stubborn to ignore when something is wrong. Especially if it had a directly negative impact on his ability to create. So best believe I've been researching and putting into practice, methods that help one fall asleep, from counting sheep to stretching before bed, I might even try hypnosis if need be! 

I had a dream last night. These are often not remembered. But a friend who passed away appeared in it. She’s the person I’m referencing in WeCanNeverComeBack. In the dream, we were lounging around and talking, repeatedly interrupted but it was clear we were planning to go away together for a few days. Upon realizing the hour, she knew she was going to die soon and decided it was too late, we wasted too much time. And that was that. She had to go but I was sure I’d see her once I got back. I went on with another friend, Key, and we decided to turn it into an opportunity to work on our music. Why didn’t i stay? I thought to myself when I woke up. Is she telling me not to waste time or not to ignore those you love? She didn’t seem hurt by my decision nor was there any hint of expectation. She just calmly walked out the room and I knew she was home. I was also very confident when I came back, I would be there with her till the end. I only felt guilty of it once I woke up. 

I wrote about purity in my last tarot reading + balancing the conscious with the subconscious mind and as dreams are part of our subconsciousness perhaps this is where I start this practice. Finding accordance between two different thoughts/feelings in one mind. Narrowing things down to the root, at their most truthful. This is how we rise from 10/Swords.

REFERENTIAL LINKS:

1. WeCanNeverComeBack (Soundcloud)

2. Rhyme + Divination (PrimitivePrime!Blog) 

RHYME + DIVINATION: PRESSURE POINTS

10/SWORDS + XXI/THEWORLD + KNAVE/WANDS

The World is Yours but its not Yours, its a locked door thru an encore of betrayal, seduction compunction to block force, its ten swords to the back when you drop form. When you want more but experience lonesome in wilderness morphing appearances, its so often the cost of agreeing with change when it comes it'll keep you pinned.

0/THEFOOL + XIX/THESUN + 9/CHALICES

But you can feel the Sun, you can see the light, like a rumor for your vision when you lose the night to win over Day would you choose to fight + toast nine cups to the moon up high, nine cups, nine cats and they supervise; nine loves, nine laps, tho you're crucified; stay true, stay new, stay neutralized, then rise like the diamond from the truth inside.

FULL READING: 

10/Swords and 21/TheWorld, to me are the two most dramatic cards of this spread. The fact they were pulled side by side, makes me feel they are in direct opposition. Its the promise of all the competence, mastery, and elevation that comes with 21/TheWorld but only after the betrayal, loss, and hardship of 10/Swords. 

This is why I find Knave/Wands + 0/TheFool so significant as both have been cited to have similar qualities of renewal and being supportive of change, yet both inexperienced and likely to eventually face the defeat of 10/Swords. The difference however, is 0/TheFool, while innocent to experience, is pure and at the beginning of a new journey, symbolizing an open mind and zero perspective, while Knave/Wands has some experience but not enough, inspires change, novel creativity + new paths of thought but lacks knowledge/wisdom to materialize these things into action. 

21/TheWorld + 0/TheFool are also similar in that both represent a new journey but the former has the accumulated wealth of the previously traveled path, including all its wisdom. Losing it all when starting the next stage of life turns 21/TheWorld into 0/TheFool. Again, it seems the loss is necessary for the transition. 

19/TheSun confirms for me, the positivity in direction. 9/Chalices as well. Both prospective cards, the latter emphasizing the balance between conscious and subconscious; the former with a focus on purity of heart and faith/confidence rather than control. Purity seems to play a major role in this spread. Likely the key to elevate from the 10/Swords. In that transition from 21/TheWord to 0/TheFool, there was a minimizing of possessions, a decrease in inventory to assist in faster, further independent movement. Purity of intention and identity will determine, (if you allow it) what is essential to carry with you. Perhaps this practice begins after defeat, while studying all the lessons you've thus learned closely and analyzing which could've helped you further and which steered you wrong. Who do you wish to become from this point on?

FOR FURTHER LISTENING:

https://soundcloud.com/azrael-encarnacion/sets/yours-notyours-ep

INTERVIEW WITH RAYN OF THOUGHT BUBBLE COMICS

by Azrael Encarnacion

We got to catch up with Rayn, one of the co-founders of Union City’s soon to be opened comic book shop, Thought Bubble Comics. We thought we’d pick her brain a little regarding her and her partners motivations and interests for the shop, since Thought Bubble Comics aims to be a community staple, where the neighborhood and especially its youth can involve themselves in creative activities. They also have a crowdfunding page up via IndieGoGo with links available below for anyone looking to help support + share. Let’s get into it:

Why a comic book shop + why Union City, NJ? A comic book shop has been sort of an escape from the daily grind in my adulthood. When I was a kid there weren't many of them nearby, so I missed out. Now I live in Union City, I see a lot of kids and young people roaming with limited creative spaces or programs geared towards them. We thought that maybe we can provide them that escape. Why is it important to host activities such as art competition/classes, cosplay events, and the many more programs proposed by Thought Bubble Comics? I'm not just a geek, I'm also a parent as are my partners. We wanted to offer something to people that helps trigger their imagination. Who hasn't worn a costume and enjoyed wearing another persona? How often do you get to meet new people and learn new games? I've cosplayed, hosted board game nights and movie marathons. I’ve spent hours doing art projects with friends. We've exposed our kids to these things and saw them fall in love with it. We want to share these experiences with people, young and old, in our neighborhood. What were some of your favorite comics growing up + why? This is a tough question considering how many comic books I've read in my life. I'll have to say the one that surprised me was Birds of Prey. I was fascinated by this comic book led by women. Black Canary is a favorite character of mine and when I saw how she, Huntress and Oracle let nothing stop them from living their lives fully and still kick ass, I felt invincible too 😁 Anything about the comic book industry you'd like to change? I'd love to see more diversity in the comic universes. It's been incredible seeing the development of more Asian, Spanish, Black and LBGT characters! I'd still like to see more of it until it's a norm. My partners and I are a diverse mixture of racial backgrounds. Life reflects art and vice versa. We love living a part of this equation. What role would you like Thought Bubble Comics to play in Union City? We hope to see kids in there and see their imaginations be limitless. We think the art classes and other programs will contribute to that. I hope to see comic veterans join us for lively debates at the shop (like who's the best character? That conversation typically starts a battle. Ha!). We want TBC to become the place where people can have those temporary breaks from their everyday routine, the way we did. Have you been receiving support? Yes! It's been incredible how much people have been supportive! We have a crowdfunding page with IndieGoGo up right now to help support the costs of getting fixtures, art supplies and games for the shop as well as a 3D printer that students will get to use. We're also throwing a block party to launch our store and thankfully, the Mayor has been supportive of that endeavor.

LINKS:

Thought Bubble Comics Crowdfunder via IndieGoGo

BUT I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW...

Its been a few weeks since I’ve released Yours/NotYours + made a few key changes to step forward on a new road. Thank you to all who’ve supported + all discovering and taking an interest in this project. I’m planning much more in the months to come + hope to elevate this momentum even further. Hope to run into some of ya.

Peace/Vibes,

New Vlog by Roberto Enamorado on Building Your Ability to Speak Up. He’s not dropping any pointers but rather stressing the importance of communication. And I’m in total agreement. Words are very powerful tools of manifestation. From getting someone to hold an elevator for you to letting someone know they’ve hurt or pleased you, thus influencing future interactions. Words connect us / and when abstained or otherwise misused, tangle up the intentions toward the goals we desire + the ability for others to likewise, see them clearly.  

Of course, I’m a get a bit deeper. Words being the vessels of thoughts, which in turn are vessels of emotions, they carry pieces of our intangible consciousness in bubbles that affect others in a very tangible way. It being audible, subjects words to sonic vibrations, its literally spoken vibes! This is why so often we hear such warnings as “think before you speak” or “choose your words wisely.” Because communication is powerful and sometimes the power comes as easy as just speaking up. 

I’ve struggled with this. Because it might sound easy but we complicate things, we worry about how words will make us look. Because they’re so influential and because they’re sometimes misunderstood, we don’t want to be seen or thought of in a certain way. Most times, the way we don’t want to be seen is our true self--We might feel shame in our secret pride, confidence, or conceit, things society has for one reason or another made us feel embarrassed about. One thing to keep in mind however is the advantage you provide another person by keeping quiet. Your employer loves not giving you a raise, it saves them money, your significant other loves not being checked, it allows them freedom to be themselves. Every command, suggestion, request, requires energy from the party being addressed, you save them that energy via complacent silence. What ends up happening to you however, is the energy festers inside, to allow it to flow outwards would have been the creative resolve, allowing it to instead build up internally is the destructive.

So speak up. Talk and express yourself, clear the windows that allow outsiders to get a glimpse of who you really are. Where your values lie. How they can help you and how you can help them. 

HELP THOUGHT BUBBLE COMICS ASSEMBLE CREATIVE COMMUNITY + GEEK / POP CULTURE IN UNION CITY, NJ

Bringing a comic book shop to their hometown in Union City--NJ, the owners of Thought Bubble Comics (one of which is my homie) need your help reaching their crowdfunding goal in less than a month. Donate if you can and/or spread the word. The store would be more than just a comic book shop, as they plan to hold regular events, such as movie screenings, art classes, even access to 3D printing to foster creativity + imagination in the neighborhood children. One program proposed would actually reward good grades with free comics! Best believe my report cards would have been a whole lot different if someone offered pre-teen Azrael that same deal. The owners are all parents + lovers of comic books so their vision is not only to manifest a dream but also, give back to the community in which they're raising their children.

Check out their IndieGoGo page here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/thought-bubble-comic-shop-comics#/

This is still my favorite band. When will they stop being good? And every time I watch the videos from these live sessions I’m transported into magical inspiration and self-asserted pressure to be a better artist. To push myself harder and do what I do beyond what people have already expected.  

The Fool’s Meaning and Significance to Yours/NotYours

by Azrael Encarnacion

With all his possessions in one bag, prepared for a journey but with no exact destination or starting point, just the potential to move forward--In the Major Arcana of the Tarot, this is The Fool. He is sometimes numbered 0, other times as 22, the remaining 21 cards tell his journey. Looking at Yours/NotYours, I am The Fool. The entire EP is a circular 0, meant to extend in various directions but returns right back to the beginning, even the title exists in a quasi existence that includes and negates opposing perspectives. Jenn's photography for the album art, unintentionally reflects the same concept. In some pictures I sit, others I stand, looking both back and forward, my backpack of possessions in hand. Its a 5-song portrait of The Fool. 

The Fool card symbolizes the absence of perspective, the lack of point of reference. Its a fresh start. Its also the card of infinite possibilities and therefore stalled decision (after all, possibilities remain endless if not one among them is selected). To me, The Fool is a humbling position, at the start of a new venture or stage in life, where regardless what you knew, you are now once again inexperienced. And despite the mystery ahead, there is none left behind you, you’ve known the familiar world you’re leaving behind. Anything essential from that world, has come along in your backpack. 

Has there been a point in your life where this card + its meaning has been of valued significance to you? Can you relate with the notion of packing all your essentials, whether literally or figuratively, and leaving behind what you know, for a chance to experience a journey that calls to you. Without much knowledge of the tarot I wrote Yours/NotYours, its my square 0. Also, I was born on April 1st, so it just comes natural I suppose. 

F U R T H E R   S U P P L E M E N T :

The Fool Tarot Card Meaning (BiddyTarot)

INTRODUCTION  TO  YOURS/NOTYOURS

by Azrael Encarnacion

This project, is the beginning of something very special to me. It was started as an immediate reaction to a decision, one that was hard to make and took the untying of many a psychological knot. In doing so however, I realized the value of departure and the restriction of certain possessions. In general, I’ve always been drawn to anything that tilts towards freedom, change, and mystery. Paradoxically, I’m often a slave to habit and so change, like for so many others, can feel like an instant threat to comfort. We hold on, firmly gripped, to the familiar--to the less difficult path, despite its tendency more often than not, to obstruct growth. And while it’s natural to seek stability, it’s counter-intuitive as fuck to not adapt and spiritually, if something, whether place, idea, or person, no longer serves a purpose in your life, you can let them go. 

Stream via Soundcloud: Yours/NotYours