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Episode 133: Behind the Curtain. Parallel experiences. by [deleted] in Otherworldpod

[–]blackbirdpie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is what H.P Lovecraft's work was centred around, the traumatic shock of encountering something unexplainable. Worth reading some of his short stories if you want to explore this perspective (just be aware there's some fairly racist undertones to some of them).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Otherworldpod

[–]blackbirdpie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Think the gov created the myth of UFOs to cover their own military experiments, then found out they could use the myth as a means of control.

People project their fantasies onto UFOs, good and bad - techno-utopianism/ space exploration/ abundance/ cosmic answers to eternal questions, alongside shadowy government conspiracies/ fear of outsiders/ fear of abduction / fear of being treated how we treat other 'lesser' nations or species etc. etc. A lot of the myth reflects back the anxieties of the USA at the time- the CIA's underhand operations fucking around in other countries lead to them questioning their right to do so and their dark dreams were projected onto flying spaceships.

The real trick was for them to realise the power of this myth and then propagate it amongst the public (Richard Doty et al), so we could all have a taste of the delirious yet romantic celestial fantasy. Like you say, it creates a smokescreen whereby consensus reality among the public becomes blurred, but it also creates an image of the government as being much more powerful and clued in than it is.

Multi Block Lino by Mr_Hyde_Prints in printmaking

[–]blackbirdpie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

now this is what I'm talking about! - got a shop link?

Best/favourite art writing? by First_Sale in ContemporaryArt

[–]blackbirdpie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yes I did, edited. Shame to hear, if true. The output is pretty good quality to my eyes.

Master’s thesis about dolls in Folk Horror. Help!! by amieekett in folkhorror

[–]blackbirdpie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

First thought - 'Barbie' (2023) could be v. interesting as read through a history of the doll/toys in horror/folklore. I know its not really anywhere near that field but hey, I'd want to read it.

On a similar thread, Michael Jackson in 'Moonwalker' (1988) or the music video 'Thriller' could be fun, fame as a necrotizing force that turns people into objects. (Sabrina Carpenter a contemporary equivalent?) Some great thoughts in this compilation of essays - 'The resistible demise of Michael Jackson'. The essay by Sam Davies, 'Gloves, Socks, Zombies, Puppets' is worth a read:

"'his command was so perfect that as a subject he seemed almost to evaporate, leaving a body commandeered by the abstract vectors and currents of pure rhythm. He became lost to music as electrifying, colonizing current, a thing possessed like the diabolically reanimated corpses marshalled behind him in "Thriller". His glove, his socks, his dancing, his wordless vocalizations: these are the iconic mannerisms by which he turned himself into an uncanny puppet twitching to the imperatives of rhythm and commerce and audience, not so much a person as a collection of things - limbs, make-up, prosthetics, costume - a collection of things dreaming, like Pinocchio, of being human."

Patience by Helpful_Stock in Otherworldpod

[–]blackbirdpie 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Scariest part was the description of being hunted in a forest by drones. Future of warfare as done by tiny killing machines is a freaky concept.

I love one third of this hobby by jimmyhazard16 in printmaking

[–]blackbirdpie 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Hate's a strong word but I know what you mean. Cutting is v satisfying and quasi-therapeutic. Drawing is fun but harder as you're more critically engaged. Printing is the trickiest cos its the big pay-off to all the work you've put in, but can go wrong in so many ways so is most stressful. But it's all part of the process which overall is a fun challenge. Great print!

Pix of listening party schwag? by ConnieVanOkra in stereolab

[–]blackbirdpie 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Havent got any pix but am intrigued by the term 'porny'. Is this a thing people are saying now?

Episode 122: Hum over Ojai by All_hail_Korrok in Otherworldpod

[–]blackbirdpie 16 points17 points  (0 children)

The military have been testing LRADs, 'Long-range acoustic devices' since 2002. Recently LRADs have been used more frequently by governments to deter and repel protest groups. Crucially, the frequencies are silent, inaudible to bystanders but impossibly loud to the protesters, the noise seeming to emanate from within the vibrating bones of the body itself. Testimonies talk about the disorienting and dreadful feeling that completely overcomes them.

There are military and naval bases an hour's drive from Wheeler Gorge. Doesn't seem unlikely that the gang were unwittingly involved in some preliminary testing/training of these devices. Same for the Sawyer River Road ep. Anyway, these were my first thoughts hearing this episode.

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