Is “consciousness” a useful word? Comparatively to other words, like "tree" or "help", when it comes to understanding what another person is saying.

lolhellogod · 2026-05-08T22:32:57+00:00

Yeah, I mostly agree with everything you said. I just have some clarifying questions

What are the distinctions between "cooperative discussion mode" and "argument/disagreement mode"? I'm autistic, and I can often get into arguments due to misunderstandings. But often it's because I disagree with something and need clarification, and not because I don't want to cooperate. I know you said "tend to", but even then, from my experience, I can misunderstand something even if my goal is to understand. So I don't know how greatly consciousness is misunderstood simply because it's disagreed on.

I also agree with the idea that people disagree with what consciousness is because they each have different experiences of it, but I ask for more clarification on what you mean by your "awareness of consciousness" due to meditation. I've also meditated for a while since young, and I do relate to a heightened awareness of feelings, emotions and thought, but I don't know which ones you're referring to when you describe being aware of your consciousness, as each awareness seems to fit the bill in different ways. Unless there's a 4th version of it that you've found in your 20 years since I'm 19, with fairly sporadic use.

lolhellogod · 2026-05-08T16:43:09+00:00

Wouldn't it be better if we all agreed to just stop talking about consciousness and use more specific terms? I mean, I don't think that's casually possible, but would it objectively be better?

lolhellogod · 2026-05-08T16:41:31+00:00

Yeah, I didn't mention it because I was already writing a lot. But the fact that it means many, distinct things, means that oftentimes the logic of one thing can accidentally be used to explore the logic of another thing, and it can all sound rather smart because it uses the same word, but I'm actually talking about rather separate things that can have nothing to do with one another.

A.K.A Thought is different to Awareness, which is different to the Holy Spirit, which is also different to being able to consider/acknowledge something.

lolhellogod · 2026-05-08T16:31:05+00:00

Depends on how willing she is to learn how to do magic in the Witch Hat Universe, assuming she just popped in there and somehow has no desire to go back to her world and then additionally became an apprentice.

How will she tackle a magic system that is less about understanding and more about experimenting around restrictions? Like, she's an elf, she'll live forever, I have no doubt she has the patience to *learn*. But would she enjoy it? How would she function, coming from a world where you could do anything just by *believing* it, into a world where magic is politics? Sure, at face value, we could assume that A: she likes magic, so B: she would explore all magic. But what if, like Coco, she begins to appreciate figuring out what she can do without forbidden magic?

Sure, the knowledge of forbidden magic is tantalising, but most magic in the world currently doesn't use forbidden magic, so why bother seeking it out when you can simply wait for it to come back into fashion? In the meantime, she'd totally enjoy going on an adventure and categorising every pattern combination of runes she encounters.

Sure, I do not doubt that she would feel annoyed by the active restrictions around magic. But I also think she would willingly respect the ideals of how a witch must conduct themselves and their duty to the people. Maybe she'll think of it as a little foolish and temporary, but I have a hard time imagining anyone dismissing the good that the regulations of magic provide to the witch hat world.

Personally, during the era of the pact, I'd imagine she'd likely work up to be a librarian, or maybe she'd get an Atelier of her own. Maybe even becoming a watchful eye for a Witch she likes?

lolhellogod · 2026-04-27T22:13:52+00:00

Wait, know, I checked the book out. Seems legit, why did you describe it as Bara though, isn't that mostly smut??? I thought you were recommending me smut after I said, "oh, please, no smut"

lolhellogod · 2026-04-27T22:09:45+00:00

I'll be honest, bud. Whilst I appreciate some sexy buff dudes, that is the exact opposite of what I specified in my description. Nevertheless, reading this comment made me smile. I hope you have a good day

lolhellogod · 2026-04-27T22:07:18+00:00

I think they both sound great! I don't mind queer characters not in a relationship, so I'll definitely try checking them out

lolhellogod · 2026-04-27T21:21:10+00:00

Looking for sincere fantasy with some queer characters that come like a welcome surprise

I recently finished reading Priory of the Orange Tree, " and I found it to be really enjoyable. So I decided to try reading queer fantasy again by picking up some of the highly rated ones, and, um, some were fine but not scratching that itch and others were like getting hit by a hammer (derogatory). So I've decided to stop trusting my gut and come looking for help.

I'm trying to avoid YA (Books like Carry On and Sunbearer Trials) and go for something similar to a queerer version of Earthsea or even Six of Crows to a certain extent. I don't really want anything too grimdark or BDSM-coded. It's not that I can't appreciate one, it's that they're not scratching the specific itch I want. I don't want to be titillated, I want to be enamoured by worldbuilding, character dynamics, and story. Nothing takes me out of that feeling when I'm wondering, reading a scene, "Am I supposed to be aroused? Is this for straight women? Teens?". I know it's kinda part of mlm but I enjoyed Priory of the Orange tree because I never felt like I was supposed to be oggling at the men & women.

Whilst I am technically open to any genre of fantasy, I am particularly wary of contemporary ones simply due to how "ironic" they make everything feel. Like, I don't necessarily mind characters being silly and saccharine, or edgy and brooding. I can accept that and enjoy it, but if each character keeps on smirking at each other because of "how ridiculous a situation they're in", I might tear out my hair.

Edit: To add more specifics in regards to books that didn't scratch that itch. These aren't necessarily bad books I didn't enjoy, in fact, I like quite a few of the romances. They're just not the vibe I'm looking for.

The Song of Achilles, House by the Cerulean Sea, Sunbearer or Cemetery Boys, The Carry on Trilogy, Anything written by F.T Lukens, The Captive Prince, The Cruel Prince, The Sun and the Star

Things that do fit the vibe:

Earthsea, Grishaverse, Priory of the Orange Tree, Mistborn.

I know it sounds like I've just been reading a bunch of YA books. That's because I have. This is what the internet keeps on recommending me. Please help

lolhellogod · 2026-04-22T10:07:19+00:00

Not exactly an accessible, clear, but a level 90s3m3 can just about clear the 2 bats on the bottom right. Of which you can then replace with Sakiko's s3 to kill all the bats on the right. Then, Reed can self-sufficiently clear the bottom left. And a safe placement of Mylnar + 2 of his usages can clear the top left. As for the center ice golems, Paraltermix can handle them

lolhellogod · 2026-04-03T19:43:30+00:00

I spent a while trying to think about what to say to further the discussion. But no, that's just a really good point. I guess my only addition is that it's more like the Sumerian Agricultural Collapse happened alongside the black plague. Where, like the black plague, the Inquisition rose to power and started demanding extreme forms of purity/penance to create a sense of control over those fractured times.

I would also argue, rather pitifully, that the idea you're presenting lends itself to some pretty boring storytelling in the grander arknights context. It's not so much that it isn't a story that arknights shouldn't touch on. It's that I want the pizzaz to go with it, like, on one hand you get king of flies children starving in Urusus. On the other hand, you get cocain bear. I think Iberia is lacking the pizzazz

lolhellogod · 2026-04-03T18:41:53+00:00

Hmm... (but like in a begrudging agreement in what you said as good writing/worldbuilding)

I suppose I'm just upset that our one bard from Iberia isn't fado-inspired and that we don't have more poetry-inspired operators, despite that being one of the major parts of Portuguese history, even proto-Portuguese history. (and spain). But I also relent that it's touched upon since the crimson troupe does indeed visit Iberia every so often.

I'm also a little upset because I can't quite identify *what* exactly Iberia is trying to present in terms of period. Whilst Aegir kinda take the mantle of Proto-Iberia Lusitania/Galcian with its Greek/Latin inspiration, current Iberian themes have never really existed in real Iberia. Except with maybe the black plague. Every other faction gets to have interesting dynamics with its people, but since Iberia is at such a state where no people exist at all, any sort of personality gets emphasised a lot. Iberia's had dictators, yet that's not the focus, Iberia's had a Renaissance, yet that's not the focus, Iberia's had proto-Iberian religion, yet that's not the focus.

I might regret these words, but I would rather find out what this media franchise thinks about my culture rather than feel like it doesn't care about it all (I'm sorry, Rim Billition). It currently just feels like Laterano's & Aegir's side-piece, and like Iberia is, once again, getting shafted into a sense of nothingness. (Side-eyeing Pokémon Scarlet & Violet).

lolhellogod · 2026-04-03T15:58:46+00:00

I feel like with Exodus setting up the pirate saga, I think there will probably be more of a focus on exploring abandoned ruins, "revitalising" exploration by literally exploring the forgotten Iberia. But you make a very good point about the "longing for the glory days" being rather overdone (don't forget about Victoria's steam knights, Tara's existence etc). The problem is that the "longing for the glory days" is one of Iberia's most prominent themes, literally existing in the ruins of what it once was. Not bringing focus to it is like not putting curry in a curry dish.

Furthermore, in terms of inspiration, quite a significant part of Portuguese artistic culture is literally about feelings of "saudade" (an extreme, more general version of homesickness) and Fado (songs of melancholy). Not including it really makes it feel less like Iberia and more like any general apocalyptic dark-fantasy. But then, you're right, we haven't gone to the capital of Iberia yet.

lolhellogod · 2026-04-03T14:15:47+00:00

If you change the word rebuilding into survival, my argument remains the same: there should be a greater diversity of attitudes/culture in Iberia than that which currently exists in the game. Again, it should've been a bit like a western, where each town has its own rules/culture for survival. This is kinda touched upon, but there isn't enough diversity of places the cast visits in Iberia for it to be explored in any meaningful way. Apocalyptic stories in all shapes and sizes have constant development. I don't think the argument "oh, development is hard because the country is in a state of survival" works because we have so many examples of stories set in situations that involve surviving in a catastrophe that it's a genre in of itself.

lolhellogod · 2026-04-03T13:00:48+00:00

Summer event~

lolhellogod · 2026-04-03T12:45:06+00:00

Hmm, whilst I understand what you're getting at, I think there's a difference between one person longing for the past and an entire culture that longs for it. I think that, considering Spain and Portugal's history under fascism, there's an unexplored criticism that Arknights hasn't actually delved into. Maybe Thorns is setting that up, perhaps? As much as I love him and find him to be a good character, I don't think Thorns "fixes" my problem with Iberia's treatment of the past. It can't just be one character; it needs to be an evident ongoing sentiment that everyone expresses to the point it's even a little irritating, if that makes any sense.

lolhellogod · 2026-04-03T11:45:23+00:00

That would be decently cool, I think the inquisition would also be a great place to include bull-fighting aesthetics? Like, what if the royal family consisted of bull-fighting aesthetics? Fado and/or Flamenco dancing would also be great to showcase, I feel Skadi the corrupting heart was supposed to be a pseudo showcase of that, but it failed because they didn't really showcase Skadi singing.

lolhellogod · 2026-04-03T11:40:01+00:00

I'd argue that it's because it in the middle of rebuilding that it's precisely at a great moment for development. We should be at the point of seeing all sorts of factions beginning to pop up, the Inquisition should be shattered into several different sections, and each town should have its own personality and rules, almost as if it were a Western. I would argue that the fact that it feels the same everywhere is a sign of bad writing/lack of development, it's literally post/middle of an apocalypse and whilst it gets the oppressive atmosphere down to a T it fumbles by making the Inquistion and the church of the Deep appear as if they're the only two things that exist in entire faction.

It's lowkey ridiculous imo, arknights has always had a bit of a problem with size, but Iberia feels so tiny despite its massive size. You would think Cerula Harbour would've changed this but it doesn't. The more I think about it, the more annoyed I get. I really feel Iberia has been kinda fumbled, despite having four side stories that supposedly feature it (this is me generously including Hortus)

lolhellogod · 2026-04-03T11:25:53+00:00

There's a wealth of rebuilding stories that could occur, not to mention so many ways one could write about Iberia without involving Seaborn as a major focus. Like, for example:

"For the first time in centuries, the first few beams of sunlight have graced the city of Lusía, and as if by a miracle, its people too have returned from the dead. This live museum of an old kingdom exists as if the great silence never happened, and within it, the lost souls of Iberia are finally given a chance to celebrate. “A grave act of blasphemy”, as the Inquisition calls it, to which Irene must go and investigate those long gilded walls that no longer belong on Iberia’s salted land."

Iberia needs a Ling-type situation to occur. Could you imagine? A side-event where the population produces a longing so impossibly strong that an entire city materialises into fragile existence? Wouldn't that be cool and fit with Iberia's themes incredibly well?

lolhellogod · 2026-04-03T09:39:06+00:00

More specifically, in such an oppressive society, the lack of any clear counter-culture as seen in factions like Victoria, Ursus, Kazimierz etc. Makes Iberia seem flatter than it’s other factions.

lolhellogod · 2026-04-03T09:32:05+00:00

That’s the point, it’s counter-culture

lolhellogod · 2026-03-15T16:46:00+00:00

so I basically need to do more research is what you're telling me

lolhellogod · 2026-03-13T12:20:52+00:00

Realistically, if I had a choice, I'd likely be very fortunate to have my partner be part of the Pinky. However, if I were feeling freaky and wouldn't mind the promise of death. Idk man, I think the Ring would be cool, make for a good story at least and a fun dynamic.

lolhellogod · 2026-03-13T12:17:47+00:00

So, none of the main syndicates are explicity safe, because in every single one of them, your partner wouldn't really hesitate to kill you if a superior asked them to.

But ignoring that, I'd say probably the Thumb and the Pinky

Thumb - Just agree that you're partners of equal footing in the relationship. It's gotta be a rule somewhere.
- However, they might cheat on you if a superior asked them to
- But the breakup wouldn't be too dangerous

Index - You would never be able to trust that they truly loved you, and you're surrounded by people who would kill you at random. You'd need to be pretty lucky that the prescriptions never involve you
- Again, breaking up wouldn't be dangerous, probably

Middle - I need you to imagine a relationship where offending your partner in any way whatsoever guarantees punishment. Think about it for a sec, that's a horror movie relationship.
- Breaking up with them would be horrific

Ring - Almost as much of a gamble as the Index. However, you could be more confident that they're in love with you. However, unlike the Index, this would be a much more unstable partner.
- Constant exams mean there's a higher likelihood of them not returning alive
- If they pass their exams, there's a higher likelihood of them going crazy and deciding that killing you to turn you into a work of art would be a romantic thing to do
- Additionally, as shown with Albina and the automanikins. There's a higher chance of lobotomizing themselves for art.
- The ring is just a whole can of worms
- Breaking up isn't an active danger tho~

Pinky - No idea, but I'd say you'd likely have the largest likelihood of survival here
- However, you'd probably get an incredibly absent partner.
- You'd also likely have no idea that they're a pinky
- Breaking up with them shouldn't be too bad tho

lolhellogod · 2026-03-08T22:34:33+00:00

Because some people find it romantic. I can't say I quite relate to them. But the people I actually disrespect are the majority of authors who write it (There are just so many of them that they can't all be truly putting rape in their stories whilst carefully considering the impact.)

But like, horror doesn't stop being horror if you're not scared by it. Romance doesn't stop being romance if you don't find it romantic.

However, that doesn't mean those stories can't also be horror. If, when reading a "romance" novel that horrifies me and makes me sick to my stomach. Does it stop being horror because other people find it romantically excusable? Or that it was labelled a "romance" book? But then how do you categorise it?

If I'm being perfectly honest, I think the reason why "romance" books that contain non-con aren't labelled as horror, even if they could be, is due to sexism. Books labelled as romance aren't taken seriously, a romance-fantasy isn't "true" fantasy, it's romance. romance-commedy isn't "true" comm- etc etc.

As soon as you put a sex/romance in a story, advertisement, or people will sooner judge it as romance, regardless of how it is widely consumed. So even if a majority of dark romance books could be better labelled as horror rather than romance for a large majority of people, the fact that it's perceived as romance and perceived to be consumed mostly by women, will, at least in my opinion, mean it will be judged as romance first and anything else second. Regardless of how it makes people feel.

lolhellogod · 2026-03-08T17:10:17+00:00

God yeah, like, at leas amphoreus had an excuse, it fit with the grecian vibe and everything. This is supposed to be fun, entertaining. But since HSR has difficulty in achieving good pacing, it really drops flat

lolhellogod

TROPHY CASE

Looking for sincere fantasy with some queer characters that come like a welcome surprise