Dark knights rising.

 

 

 

Watch the video above from :45-1:12.

[Transcribed below for clarity.]

 

CIA Agent: At least you can talk. Who are you?
 
Bane: It doesn’t matter who we are; what matters is our plan.
[the Agent removes the hood]
 
Bane: No one cared who I was until I put on the mask.
 
CIA Agent: If I pull that off, would you die?
 
Bane: It would be extremely painful.
 
CIA Agent: You’re a big guy!
 
Bane: For you.
 
CIA Agent: Was getting caught part of your plan?
 
Bane: Of course.

 

The quoted exchange caught my attention so swiftly, so powerfully, for one reason and one reason alone:

It is the epitome of our circle.

Permit me to explain:

 

CIA Agent: At least you can talk. Who are you?
 
Bane: It doesn’t matter who we are; what matters is our plan.
[the Agent removes the hood]

 

Here we have the Leviathan [gov’t agent] demanding answers from whom it expects nothing but subjugation.

What follows is the most terrifying response the Leviathan could imagine.

An answer that rejects the cult of “me”.

An answer that casts off the chains of Narcissism.

An answer that refuses to accept instant gratification.

All in favor of a greater – in every sense of the word – victory.

 

 

Then comes [if you’ll indulge me] my personal favorite.

 

Bane: No one cared who I was until I put on the mask.

 

Why do we write [pseudo-] anonymously?

To protect ourselves?

In part, yes.

But, Truly, because we know our physical forms are nothing but fetters.

Chains that confine us to ad hominems such as:

“You’re just bitter because you’re ugly/white/black/male/etc.”

Whereas our ideas, our observations – indeed, our very Wills – , are our True strength and power.

In short, the “mask” causes us to be judged by what we are rather that what is seen by the eye.

And what we are is so much more.

 

 

Which brings me to this portion of the exchange:

 

CIA Agent: If I pull that off, would you die?
 
Bane: It would be extremely painful.
 
CIA Agent: You’re a big guy!
 
Bane: For you.

 

 

Take away our masks, and it will be painful to the Leviathan.

Since it will reveal we are its hardest workers.

Greatest producers.

Most dedicated soldiers.

Its sons.

Brothers.

Husbands.

Fathers.

 

 

Finally, and most darkly, comes this portion:

 

CIA Agent: Was getting caught part of your plan?
 
Bane: Of course.

 

The ancient Greeks had a term for it.

“Thanatos”.

In the deepest, darkest recesses of every ‘spherian is the desire to be caught.

This is not to be confused with masochism.

Or even to be considered a conscious thought.

In reality, it is a deep-seated desire to be known.

To be understood.

To be True to purpose.

Come what may.

 

 

 

 

Ω

“…saeclum in favilla”

 

 

 

On this, my ten year anniversary of writing online, I’ve a few things to share.

 

By all 21st century measurements, I am a failure.

I have few hit-counts [comparatively].

I am unmarried.

I am childless.

I am not famous.

I am neck-deep in penury.

There is, however, another way to look at me.

 

 

I have coined terms.

Begun small social movements.

Planted ideas.

Questioned wisdom and authority, both conventional and unconventional.

Leading others to do the same.

Caused men [and women] to question themselves, their beliefs, their actions.

 

 

It has been said “Only God can judge”.

That’s not entirely True.

Time is the judge of much, as well.

 

 

Both men and ideas exist, in a way, beyond the age that birthed them.

Men – specifically their ideas and individual missions – are as stones thrown into water.

Though they themselves sink to the point of invisibility, the ripples caused remain seen and efficacious beyond the initial impact.

 

 

To the uninitiated, I am a “blogger”.

To the slightly wiser, I am a “writer”.

To those with True vision, I am an “engraver”.

I carve thoughts, ideas and images onto the minds of those who’s attention I gain.

And, liked or disliked; loved or hated, those etchings are not easily erased.

 

 

I cannot tell if my time here [at this place, literally, and another] has been wasted.

Even I lack such sight.

But I know:

God will judge my soul.

Time will judge my mission.

And I pray both are, one day, found worthy.

 

 

 

 

Ω

“I try to convince myself that the plane is still not gone.”

 

 

 

[ Prompted by a question on http://ask.fm/Oinomancer ]

 

 

While every passing day makes it increasingly less likely I’ll have children, here’s the speech I’d give to my daughter:

 

It’s going to be tough for you.

Boys (men) are going to do everything they can to get what you have to give.

Be wary.

Never cold.

But wary.

 

 

Now, I’m not talking solely about physical love.

I also mean your loyalty.

Your support.

Your faith.

In the long run, those are the most precious gifts a woman can give.

They’ll carry a man through even the darkest times.

So choose wisely.

 

 

I know you’ll want to find a man you love and makes you feel special.

And you should do so.

But, whether you want children or not (although I hope you want them someday) make sure to always consider if he’d make a good father.

[Because humanity plans and God laughs.]

That’s a burden more and more women forget to carry.

But you need to keep that duty in mind at all times.

Like it or not, it’s women that decide what the next generation will be.

And that’s a responsibility too immense to be disregarded.

 

 

Remember, as you measure each man.

Break hearts.

And have yours broken –

There will forever be one man that loves you above all else.

That will always listen.

That will always hold you when you need comforting arms around you.

That will wipe your tears away to reveal that beautiful smile of yours.

Me – your Dad.

 

 

 

 

Ω

“They’re sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it’s better than drinking alone.”

 

 

 

 

Wanna see a trick?

Ok.

Here it is:

I’ve never met you.

I don’t know you.

I’ve no idea where you are right now.

But I’m going to tell you exactly why you’re here with me – reading this.

You’re lonely.

 

 

Now, it could be a romantic loneliness.

A spiritual loneliness.

An intellectual loneliness.

Doesn’t matter.

You’re lonely, just the same.

 

 

What you need to understand is:

There’s not a damn thing wrong with feeling that way.

Sure, you think you’re broken.

But you’re not.

Not really.

We all have issues, of some type.

But wanting a connection to other humans isn’t an “issue”.

It’s healthy.

Don’t let the bastards fool you.

That’s how they win.

“Divide and conquer.”

 

 

So talk to me.

Talk with other bloggers in the ‘sphere.

Be polite, and we’ll be here.

Or just shut down your machine and go out.

Safe in the knowledge:

You’re not really alone, at all.

 

 

But, should we meet in a smoke-filled bar:

I’ve done my part.

So the first round is on you.

 

 

 

Ω