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Most of the time the advertisements are better-placed. For example, Meryl showing off the Chef’s Pal, saying she got it for free at checkout. That’s more within the realm of normal human behavior. If you get something really neat for free, you’d probably share the news with your spouse. Or “Y'know, you really oughta throw out that mower. Get one of those new Elk Rotaries!” These aren’t conversation-stoppers, they’re natural and plausible enough that, if they did affect Truman’s own speech patterns, it wouldn’t be very perceptible.

But to start shilling chocolate like that at this moment? Right after the crossing-the-bridge incident? When Truman is doubting the authenticity of their relationship and the entire world around him? I’ll also note her tone of voice is different, and more obviously artificial, from the earlier product placements, which fit more in line with her character. Even considering his manipulated view of human nature, that is not something normal people do. And that further breaks the illusion for him.

The kind of Brain Tigers that living paycheck to paycheck gives you are nothing less than horrific.

It simulates being persistence-hunted.

You can't think. You can't hide. You can't plan.

"Brain Tigers" are my way of describing the mental sensation of when something intangible activates my survival instincts. Evolutionary speaking, we are only supposed to feel dread when our lives are in immanent danger—like when there are tigers in the bushes.

But our modern society now has simulated threats, such as the threat of homelessness via living paycheck to paycheck. Because our survival instincts don't distinguish between immanent danger and conceptual danger, it reacts the same way.

However, unlike real tigers, we have no means of directly combating these simulated predators, which means we can't remedy our sense of dread. And also unlike real tigers, we can't detect them with our carnal senses, which creates a pretty horrid sense of unreality within our minds.

Not only does this kind of dread shut down our critical thinking, but it also shuts down our free will. As long as you need to worry about making ends meet, you'll never, ever be able to fully tap into your higher judgement.

I've been brainwashed and programmed. I've been warped by neurotoxins. I've been tortured for 22 years due to inflammation of my entire nervous system. I've had mind held in a mental cage nearly all my life.

Tumblr in 2022:

my journey to the OR was temporarily delayed because said anesthesiologist was bent at the waist, in hysterics, and took several minutes to collect himself.

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Edit 10/13/22, since this post has broken containment:

Being trans is awesome, but transphobia sucks. If you are trans and need support, you can reach out to:

The Trevor Project’s 24/7/365 Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or TrevorText, a text-based support option. 

Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860

If you are not in need of support but want to help trans folx, I encourage you to donate your money, time, or other resources to one of the following organizations:

National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)  (advocacy)

Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF)  (legal services)

Transgender Law Center (TLC)  (legal services and advocacy)

Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP)  (legal services)

Trans Women of Color Collective (TWOCC)  (advocacy)

Black Trans Advocacy  (advocacy)

Trans Latina Coalition  (advocacy)

Gender Spectrum  (support for families, trans youth, and educators)

Gender Diversity and TransFamilies (support for families, trans youth, and educators)

Trans Youth Equality Federation  (support for families and trans youth)

TransTech Social Enterprises  (economic empowerment)