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On the Nature of Narcissistic Personality: Analyzing the Epic Showdown of Sora vs. Riku in Hollow Bastion

By Russell Campbell<figure id="figure-qgwjz5rrykm8ftfcfn"><img id="qgwjz5rrykm8ftfcfn" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2148474798/photo/backup-cycle-or-period-concept-round-arrow-3d-symbol-glowing-round-arrow-3d-symbol-on-the.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=DfYUzSb-U6BpnMj_O1u6xdR1oEiTOiToYZcnxmaJxXg=" alt="Backup, cycle or period concept. Round arrow 3d symbol. Glowing round arrow 3D symbol on the abstract human hand made with atom array and plexus effect" title="Backup, cycle or period concept. Round arrow 3d symbol. Glowing round arrow 3D symbol on the abstract human hand made with atom array and plexus effect" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2148474798/photo/backup-cycle-or-period-concept-round-arrow-3d-symbol-glowing-round-arrow-3d-symbol-on-the.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=DfYUzSb-U6BpnMj_O1u6xdR1oEiTOiToYZcnxmaJxXg=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>In the field of Psychology, the idea of “Sublimation” refers to a defense mechanism&nbsp;defined as such:<blockquote>Sublimation (n.) — “a mature type of defense mechanism where socially unacceptable impulses or idealizations are transformed into socially acceptable actions or behavior, possibly resulting in a long-term conversion of the initial impulse.”</blockquote>I personally would define sublimation as “the redirection of socially harmful behaviors into activities, roles, or creations that are prosocial.”Nostalgia is popular now, especially among my generation, the Millennial generation.As a Millennial, I grew up in an unprecedented era that cannot be replicated. My generation grew up seeing the proliferation of the internet, one of the most impactful revolutions in human history, period.The meeting of so many minds through these devices created a unique liminal space conducive to diplomacy that facilitated some of the most beautiful and memorable art ever created.One of many factors that makes this art so memorable and so nostalgic is the very real sense that this was a space where so many problems plaguing human societies—specifically those in the wake of World War II, to date the deadliest conflict in human history—could see genuine healing and remediation.<blockquote>The depression many young people face is because the messages of peace and goodwill in new media turned out to be war propaganda and grooming on unheard of scales. </blockquote><figure id="figure-ydxqm6rllm8fte1jy"><img id="ydxqm6rllm8fte1jy" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/19YtS6VCJ7elvy21R3JbOyPmAxNnkEH7EgQ4X04MwN4V8cFAx4m8yGvY5tCY3GVy.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/19YtS6VCJ7elvy21R3JbOyPmAxNnkEH7EgQ4X04MwN4V8cFAx4m8yGvY5tCY3GVy.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure> We were all gaslit for decades, and on psychospiritual scales unheard of before the era of commodification.As a Millennial specifically, part of my daily social horror is knowing that the optimistic and diplomatic messages imbued in the new media I grew up with ended up subsumed by greedy and evil corporate suits that gutted the media of the original messaging to line their pockets.Even worse, I would come to find out as an adult that many of these series were made with the express intent to groom children and use us as tools for various evil agendas, ranging from war or allegiance to foreign countries (sadly, on the lighter end) to the unforgivable atrocity of being sexually exploited and assaulted.Propaganda is nothing new, but this last round was particularly evil because of how&nbsp;ubiquitously and aggressively positive the view of the world was in tandem with the&nbsp;sheer number of international organizations that cooperated across lines of belligerency to exploit and abuse through new media.&nbsp;The intent (globally) of these media were meticulously-crafted trojan horses and brazen lies to the United Nations, the Vatican, and the Geneva Convention.This is so regretful because there was so much hope, joy, magic, wisdom, and life infused in these new media.I write this blog as a solemn and sincere prayer that the sublimation so many young people thought possible through so many beautiful 80s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s media finds its way into the hands of people whom wish to end global war.There is so much sublimation of the darker inclinations that drove the horrors of the first two World Wars into this art, and in the aforementioned liminal space there is room to parse out and understand these parts of ourselves. If you know anything about he Jungian idea of The Shadow, then you know that conscious awareness of the Shadow neutralizes its grip over the individual. Seeing ourselves in so many fictional characters and circumstances provides a potent neutralization of a person’s more harmful inclinations. This sublimation occurs in both the creator and the audience (when the creator isn’t protected by “separate the art from the artist,” a fallacy that destroys the sublimation).Depriving this media of that vital sublimation in favor of corporate greed is a kind of theft from the audience, because that dooms the audience to repeat things that the artists spent thousands—maybe hundreds of thousands—of hours to create.I write this blog as a solemn and sincere prayer that the sublimation so many young people thought possible through so many beautiful 80s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s media finds its way into the hands of people whom wish to end global-scale warfare. People who believe in the genuine power of diversity. People who’s belief is supplemented by a knowledge of the at times painful struggles and sacrifices that accompany true change.These beautiful and moving pieces of art are not mere escapism to be discarded by upcoming generations. Their messaging should serve as a template, a bedrock to interface with diversity and diplomacy. Personally, as Russell, I’m not going to let this beauty get reduced to being used as cover-ups and laundering. I deem necessary the contextualization and understanding of the evil aspects of the productions of these materials, then discarding the evil and making use of the enriching aspects born from these products.Empathy Software LLC, on our journey to Empathy Software, Inc., is openly progressive, and progress has always had to fight and often bleed to make those ideals a reality versus a hollow slogan.So much of this beautiful art is made in a liminal space where physical war doesn’t exist. A place to reconcile differences, explore the subconscious, and truly, truly heal. These liminal spaces are vital for the sublimation of the darkest places humanity explored in WW2 (a darkness that deepens today). Therefore, we won’t let these spaces perish. Warm regards,&nbsp;Russell Campbell | President &amp; CEO | Empathy Software LLC<figure id="figure-n13bkg9abem8ftjhye" class=""><img id="n13bkg9abem8ftjhye" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/33KHIUjDa1yKFPrlnzNreSCrDyKs6grE9rC6RQIM7EeyXeOtJXCsvp0LXwrMKNRh.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/33KHIUjDa1yKFPrlnzNreSCrDyKs6grE9rC6RQIM7EeyXeOtJXCsvp0LXwrMKNRh.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Reach Out to the Truth: </h3><a href="mailto:russell@esftgames.com" data-mce-href="mailto:russell@esftgames.com">russell@esftgames.com</a><img id="shrzx0tqcum8ftip9y" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/39JGz2nnQEUPsXdiXjIK4tqH6FEzGEhCWodb8t96PXazVoqM2ij0LZlvx6DvbR9A.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/39JGz2nnQEUPsXdiXjIK4tqH6FEzGEhCWodb8t96PXazVoqM2ij0LZlvx6DvbR9A.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" style="border-color: rgba(229,231,235,var(--tw-border-opacity)); --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-pan-x: ; --tw-pan-y: ; --tw-pinch-zoom: ; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-gradient-from-position: ; --tw-gradient-via-position: ; --tw-gradient-to-position: ; --tw-ordinal: ; --tw-slashed-zero: ; --tw-numeric-figure: ; --tw-numeric-spacing: ; --tw-numeric-fraction: ; --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgba(62,172,255,.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-blur: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-brightness: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-contrast: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-grayscale: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-hue-rotate: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-invert: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-saturate: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-sepia: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-drop-shadow: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-backdrop-blur: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-backdrop-brightness: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-backdrop-contrast: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-backdrop-grayscale: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-backdrop-hue-rotate: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-backdrop-invert: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-backdrop-opacity: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-backdrop-saturate: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-backdrop-sepia: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-transform: translateX(var(--tw-translate-x)) translateY(var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y)); --tw-border-opacity: 1; --tw-filter: var(--tw-blur) var(--tw-brightness) var(--tw-contrast) var(--tw-grayscale) var(--tw-hue-rotate) var(--tw-invert) var(--tw-saturate) var(--tw-sepia) var(--tw-drop-shadow); --tw-backdrop-filter: var(--tw-backdrop-blur) var(--tw-backdrop-brightness) var(--tw-backdrop-contrast) var(--tw-backdrop-grayscale) var(--tw-backdrop-hue-rotate) var(--tw-backdrop-invert) var(--tw-backdrop-opacity) var(--tw-backdrop-saturate) var(--tw-backdrop-sepia); --tw-bg-opacity: 1; width: 639.996px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; object-position: center center;"> PUBLISHED:&nbsp; &nbsp; 07:11 ET 19 March 2025LAST EDITED: 15:28 ET 19 March 2025&nbsp;

Rediscovering Sublimation

<blockquote>The hidden aspect that people may not understand is that the human power of focus is still active and present when people are doing this (scrolling), because that power is always active.</blockquote>I was watching an old episode of the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime in Japanese, specifically Part 3 of Yugi's Duel with Arkana/Pandora, and I realized how ubiquitous the anime style is at this point, to the point that people don't give the style much of a second thought. When I realized that, the episode got me thinking—as children, we just accepted the parameters of what we were shown as fact, so much so that many of us expected our definition(s) of reality to come from these productions. The context for this is, through passive media like TV or film, we’re given the vision of the world through the lens of the directors’ and cinematographers’ eyes, and through an unspoken acceptance fueled by <a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_of_disbelief" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_of_disbelief" title="Suspension of Disbelief" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspension of disbelief</a>, we unconsciously fuel the “<a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_unconscious" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_unconscious" title="Collective Unconscious" target="_blank" rel="noopener">collective belief</a>” in the reality of this fictional setting/character. <figure id="figure-zw6nbts3msm3c8s1w9"><img id="zw6nbts3msm3c8s1w9" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/cTaIb6SOFqCGIqDViltv9doscKklWQhv1GxECB5UgI3Vio3E57JEJTwqV6x6RBSk.jpg" alt="visual representation of an egregore" title="visual representation of an egregore" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/cTaIb6SOFqCGIqDViltv9doscKklWQhv1GxECB5UgI3Vio3E57JEJTwqV6x6RBSk.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>We all participate in believing the illusion that the pictures on screen aren’t the result of people working to craft the images, to then have different people voice the moving images.The decisions are a result of adults making decisions based on their tastes, culture, and the level of influence they had over the creative project based on their hierarchical position within the project. The reality of production and popular culture is vastly more complex, but that's the gist of the matter.Building on the ideas presented in the Blog Post <a data-mce-href="https://esftgames.com/blog/the-responsibility-of-game-developers-and-fiction-creators-for-the-mental-health-of-fans" href="https://esftgames.com/blog/the-responsibility-of-game-developers-and-fiction-creators-for-the-mental-health-of-fans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Responsibility of Game Developers and Fiction Creators for the Mental Health of Fans</a>, the suspension of disbelief that occurs when this new media is absorbed fuels the reality of the creator’s vision with what we'll call the "the energy of belief." The idea that belief is an actual energy is part of set of esoteric ideas are not new in the grand scheme of Western Esotericism, however&nbsp;The Idea of "Belief Energy" is a quintessential part of Empathy Software in ways that will reveal themselves in the coming years. This belief that the audience chooses to or not to direct at the screen doesn’t just fuel the reality of the film and TV. Why? The reason is because everything is connected. Therefore, the competency of the creators, the style of art, and the actual physical studio are also fueled.The point is, if the creative decisions are somewhat arbitrary (outside of decisions for efficiency, like two-framed rounded parallelograms for anime mouths to facilitate easier production environments), and mostly used as lures and traps for children (when I say "traps," that means either in the most harmless form as a means to make them mentally bonded to the media/brand, or at worst, assault them)—why not happily and freely create as you see fit, even if you have to take extended time to perfect what you’re creating?If these creative decisions—fueled with enough belief—become what's in vogue and create the standards for what's popular, what's stopping you from tapping that same power?What if more people took that same power of the fuel of “belief energy” that creates “collective belief” to fuel and master their own realities? You can use the same energy of focus you use to fuel the reality of the fiction to fuel your own art or your own life. You don’t have to give up your relationship to or love of the fiction either—all of these things exist multidimensionally.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-3ecc3nhgsm3c9hqbp" class=""><img id="3ecc3nhgsm3c9hqbp" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/4hwPuU41OWfBk3I4smnuRulDhgYK003DR94OyiCFXSRSnfB7ym9xNIYSmzeh5mFf.jpg" alt="Mindless Scrolling" title="Mindless Scrolling" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/4hwPuU41OWfBk3I4smnuRulDhgYK003DR94OyiCFXSRSnfB7ym9xNIYSmzeh5mFf.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>However, I think of the ubiquity of smartphones and iPads and the litany of political cartoons parodying the mindless massed glued into their phones. Then, I think of the hidden aspect that people may not understand—the human power of focus is still active and present when people are doing this (mindlessly scrolling), because that power is always active.&nbsp;You can then, armed with this knowledge (if you’re meant to, of course) stop fueling the power of your focus into the (often grim) realities that many of these companies see for humanity’s future and fuel that focus into…whatever you want! 😃 That’s the awesome part about your power.Switching gears briefly, I watched Jeepers Creepers for the first time on 8 November 2024, and from a string of horror media I’d been watching recently, I’d been wondering why there’s so much doomerism right now. From that wondering, I made a <a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_thinking" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_thinking" title="Lateral Thinking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lateral connection</a> to the kinds of media young men are consuming. With such grim imagery as the focus of some peoples’ minds, we need to understand that those minds are painting a picture about reality,&nbsp;then fueling our reality (not just theirs!) with their thoughts and actions.To add to the doomerism, go figure that most people are running on “I have to produce endlessly, (not their fault, you have to pay the bills)” which conveniently lines up with the needs of a company.In conclusion, your decisions are powerful enough to shape the reality that future generations see. Yes, the power to influence is aggregated in a select few hands, but so many times (not always) they’re creating monstrosities. Why else would Skibbidi Toilet, ostensibly Generation Alpha’s Red vs. Blue, be so popular?Note: In this case, "the power to influence being aggregated to a select few hands" means, in this context, "whoever has the internet connection, camera, equipment, time, understanding, and production means," not necessarily a 1%-er in the tradtional sense <figure id="figure-v9bt85izwrm3c9uyxo"><img id="v9bt85izwrm3c9uyxo" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/16widfSGM8J7ETG382fkDQf9BHe50To8GC0sFnQa7yK4W8zy4YQ3Y7CFKQFZLrEr.png" alt="Caucasian little gamer boy wearing a headset plays video game. Video game addiction." title="Caucasian little gamer boy wearing a headset plays video game. Video game addiction." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/16widfSGM8J7ETG382fkDQf9BHe50To8GC0sFnQa7yK4W8zy4YQ3Y7CFKQFZLrEr.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Whatever you're looking up, Millennials are more hardcore. I promise you.All of the things going on through Tor Browser are horrific and actively influencing the minds of these young creators (here I mean Skibbidi Toilet and all its derivatives) to believe the world is ugly and crazy enough to warrant such a thing’s creation, gaining massive popularity online. If something so dismal can get mass appeal...why not use your same power to create to have similar influence? Especially if you don’t have malicious intentions? The only barrier to use this power, if you’re deemed suitable to wield the power, is your own fear. Choose well! Make cool stuff!!! <figure id="figure-njxwwylpujm3ca0ko6"><img id="njxwwylpujm3ca0ko6" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/33KHIUjDa1yKFPrlnzNreSCrDyKs6grE9rC6RQIM7EeyXeOtJXCsvp0LXwrMKNRh.png" alt="African-american teenager playing video games at home" title="African-american teenager playing video games at home" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/33KHIUjDa1yKFPrlnzNreSCrDyKs6grE9rC6RQIM7EeyXeOtJXCsvp0LXwrMKNRh.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Warmest regards,&nbsp; Russell Campbell | President &amp; CEO | Empathy Software LLC <figure id="figure-0uii8zjhq9m3c9zcti" class=""><img id="0uii8zjhq9m3c9zcti" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/39JGz2nnQEUPsXdiXjIK4tqH6FEzGEhCWodb8t96PXazVoqM2ij0LZlvx6DvbR9A.png" alt="Little boy watching tv" title="Little boy watching tv" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/39JGz2nnQEUPsXdiXjIK4tqH6FEzGEhCWodb8t96PXazVoqM2ij0LZlvx6DvbR9A.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure> <h3>Reach Out to the Truth:</h3><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-weight: inherit; font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-weight: inherit; font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));"><a href="mailto:russell@esftgames.com" data-mce-href="mailto:russell@esftgames.com">russell@esftgames.com</a>&nbsp; PUBLISHED:&nbsp; &nbsp; 19:25 ET 10 November 2024LAST EDITED: 00:11 ET 11 November 2024&nbsp;

Dev Your Reality

<blockquote><h2>Let's see you try and talk your way out of this one...if you can.&nbsp;</h2></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS for the Death Note anime! <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">...<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> In Death Note, Near’s fatal flaw is, ironically, in the hands of the correct adults, not a flaw at all. Due to his positioning in the story it’s also not fatal.Near's hamartia is that he is fundamentally unable to separate the idea that pieces in a game are pieces in a game, and people are people.&nbsp;We have no indication of this, but the game pieces may even be more real to him than living humans.&nbsp;This 1:1 connection between how he sees a game and how he sees people is (potentially) dangerous because the detached omnipotence he exerts over the the toys and games we see him playing with is not tempered when dealing with human life.We might gain more insight into his seemingly cold stare if we were to imagine that human interaction is “less real” to him than game interaction. This is, however, speculation.&nbsp;As of this writing, all I know about Near's reasoning is "the book also states that Near is distant from people because he is sensitive." (1)We don't know why, or if this is a result of any negative experiences, which tend to send people into their intellect. He does "show much more emotion and display far more facial expressions in the manga than he does in the anime," (1) though, so the directorial choice to make him near-expressionless in the animé is unknown.&nbsp; Oddly, this is juxtaposed to Kira’s treatment of people, and one might say if he wasn’t in the care of the school of gifted children, this inability he has may have evolved into something similar to Kira, which is brilliant writing in hindsight.&nbsp;The way this is an unintentional moral strength is, of course, is when this tendency is used to cut dangerous people down to size.Rather than balk at the idiosyncrasy, The Japanese Police Force is wise enough to use of this tendency in Near to their own ends and help solve the Kira case.To Near, the fact that Light is just a run-of-the-mill crazed serial killer isn’t some devastating moral failing on part of Kira, no—he treats it more like a “game mechanic” or “stat” in a game of D&amp;D, with a predictable set of effects on the game. Near is the only character who isn't in love with himself as an arbiter of justice (arbitrarily justifying any of his surrounding actions like many of the cast)—creating a blind spot in the other characters' egos thus allowing their own flaws to play out on large scales. Light is a game piece that is breaking one of the game's rules.<blockquote>Near is the only character who isn't in love with himself as an arbiter of justice—a form of blindness—creating a blind spot in the other characters' egos for their own flaws to play out on large scales. Light is just a game piece that represents a logic flaw in one of the game's rules.</blockquote>In a brilliant reversal, the same objectification Kira levies on other people is then levied on him, eradicating his presupposed self-deification for what it actually is—the delusions of grandeur of a pathetic narcissist.Think about it. In real life, think of the layers of cynicism and shortsightedness you need to pile on to your worldview to run through this world blind to the myriad solutions available in life and justify mass murder.So fans of Death Note thinking that it was bad writing that both 1) their fan favorite L couldn’t beat Light and 2) that it makes no sense for Near to beat Light, consider that such blindness in the killer from their flawed worldview gives them giant blind spots that someone like Near can exploit near-flawlessly (pun intended).Light is thusly cut down to what he really is through the viewer’s potential phantasms and mental gymnastics about the nature of his actions— Nothing. Everything--the perfect grades, the materials, the money, the women, the status, the cult following, the praise, and the worship are stripped from him until he is laid bare with the failure of the final organ he does not have.Even in his supposed moment of triumph, where he proudly declares the infamous line "boku no kachi da (I win)" in Episode 37, this is ironically his moment of greatest weakness.How?Light is posessed in this moment. Therefore, he is displaying a form of weakness. He displays his weakness to the force possessing him by declaring a statment which defeats his own purpose, just like Walter White at the dinner table with Hank.&nbsp;In a position where he is surrounded by federal-level agents whom go by evidence, why did he say such a self-incriminating line?His laugh as he admits he is Kira, his eyes red as an animation cue, give the viewer the answer. He is possessed. Meaning that, therefore, this entire time he was not strong enough to resist possession.For all the pomp, circumstance, and portent to godhood— Yagami Light is nothing.&nbsp; Warm regards,&nbsp;Russell Campbell | President &amp; CEO | Empathy Software LLC<figure id="figure-7yg2pygrvm29om7wj"><img id="7yg2pygrvm29om7wj" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28CnrUKI9wFQsecPxmTjph3wqPE4smL7T45XwSBrxT5YB5vnJee8IGIljnmlQQId.png" alt="Giant Alien Attack at San Fransisco" title="Giant Alien Attack at San Fransisco" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28CnrUKI9wFQsecPxmTjph3wqPE4smL7T45XwSBrxT5YB5vnJee8IGIljnmlQQId.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure> <h3>Reach Out to the Truth:</h3><a href="mailto:empathysoftware@gmail.com" data-mce-href="mailto:empathysoftware@gmail.com">empathysoftware@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;<a href="mailto:empathysoftware@protonmail.com" data-mce-href="mailto:empathysoftware@protonmail.com">empathysoftware@protonmail.com</a>&nbsp;<a href="mailto:russell@esftgames.com" data-mce-href="mailto:russell@esftgames.com">russell@esftgames.com</a>&nbsp; PUBLISHED:&nbsp; &nbsp; 20:41 ET 14 October 2024LAST EDITED: 12:23 ET 27 November 2024&nbsp;

Near’s Fatal Flaw

<blockquote>It is the&nbsp;final&nbsp;fate of your soul, Seto Kaiba!</blockquote>I was rewatching one of my favorite duels in&nbsp;Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters,&nbsp;the duel between Kaiba Seto and Pegasus J. Crawford (Kaiba and Maxmillian Pegasus in the 4Kids dub, respectively), in which Pegasus mentally toys with Kaiba due to Kaiba's lack of knowledge of magic and...SPOILERS&nbsp;in case you have not seen the Yu-Gi-Oh anime! ...in the final play of the duel, Pegasus destroys Saggi the Dark Clown with Devil Box, winning the duel.<figure id="figure-fe7gpjfznm250czij" class=""><iframe id="fe7gpjfznm250czij" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N54zcqDMI5I" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/N54zcqDMI5I" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N54zcqDMI5I" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>The cost for losing this particular duel (the cost being a "Penalty Game" in the manga, a magical, sick, and gruesome price the loser of a Dark Game must pay) was the loser's soul (Mind or こころ in the Japanese)... <h3 data-mce-style="padding-left: 40px;" style="padding-left: 40px;">Note:</h3>Pegasus's Millennium Eye attack in Japanese was called マインド カード or "Mind Card" [mind you this was a 2000s translation, so "soul" is used intentially to strike more of a chord with American viewers. Why? Due to the feeling of soul-sucking&nbsp;corporate work. However, it's a funny Japanese double entendre because こころ can interchangeably refer to "mind" or "soul." However, the use of katakana&nbsp;for the foreign English loanword マインド means the word "mind" has emphasis here. Specifically, the emphasis draws parallels in reference to Corporate terminology overtaking the adult mind....is bound to a playing card while their physical body is made to do the bidding of the winner of the Penalty Game, in this case Pegasus.PEGASUS used Corporate Contract!The fact that Pegasus's attack is called マインド カード or Mind Card in Japanese means something. Starting with slot machines, many big wigs have realized the hypnotic effect of games on a person or group of people to make millions or billions of dollars.However, what is the real-world effect on the consumer?In the case of games, whoever buys the digital or physical copies of the games wholesale is the customer&nbsp;[think GameStop or Steam] and the player is the&nbsp;consumer. I recently learned these words have distinct meaning in supply chain terminology.When you are making a fictional universe or setting, you are literally binding the mental activity of the player/reader/consumer to your creation for a set period of time.(Caveat: not to demonize this! With skill, this is enriching. We have a word: "satisfying")Due to what's called&nbsp;The Zeigarnik Effect,&nbsp;wherein people have heightened focus on incomplete tasks (due to us living in the Industrial age of rapid factorization [by that I mean human life is currently defined by the factory]), if the fictional universe is not satisfactorily insular, then fans can get lost in these universes, hungry for more story and content, and the only one who can provide more is the creator(s)/writer(s)/developer(s).&nbsp;In a sense, where the shadow side of this dynamic plays out (we at Empathy Software can't judge as creators of fictional universes--in their original essense, they are wholesome, harmless, educational and just plain fun), people can get completely lost in these worlds and lose sight of their actual reality.&nbsp;This is a very clear-cut example of a long-term toxic relationship, and in cases like&nbsp;Pokémon,&nbsp;it's very obvious that despite all of the (often brilliant) theorycrafting by the fans (some of which should be canon...some of the fan art is jaw-droppingly brilliant and talented),&nbsp;Pokémon&nbsp;is very clearly doing an <a href="https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AssPull" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AssPull">ass pull</a> with each new installment. They are doing what they need to do to meet sales goals and deadlines with no clue/answer to the literal thousands of fan theories there out there (こんにちは, NINTENDOのスカウト!), even if they say they know the answer.&nbsp;Some (some, they're still very smart) of these developers are making things up as they go along and using mystery to keep fans hooked for (now) literal decades.(In terms of toxic and narcissistic dynamics, this is a behavior called "breadcrumbing.")The matter partially comes down to intent. Does the writer/creator intend&nbsp;to make a satisfying story or&nbsp;intend&nbsp;to decieve? Energy can't be destroyed.&nbsp;Having been in the otaku subculture (well, I technically still am 😂), this is exemplary in the typical Western otaku having a filthy bedroom but encylopedic knowledge of their animé (guilty).Granted!! We (Empathy Software) don't want to bleed into ableism. For some people, they are neurodivergent and animé is their&nbsp;special interest. Some may also have obsessive traits (😁) that attract them to the often mentally rich landscape of animé, but again, that's something I (Russell) strongly feel these Companies should take into consideration.Some players of games don't have much to interact with outside of the game world, and a person can get utterly lost in fiction to the point that it has a very real harmful effect on their lives and the lives of others around them.&nbsp;Some people spend their entire lives in these idealized fictional universes, in the same vein as people who spend their days mindlessly at slot machines (We're Millennials...The Matrix calls it the&nbsp;Blue Pill, of course). When you have villains like Pegasus using Mind Card to say lines like "it is the final fate of your soul, Seto Kaiba," how can one not see how these games and universes are (sometimes, where it's not the passion of the creator) being used to trap people in addiction for their lives, or how can you&nbsp;not make real-world parallels to the choices going on in Board Room Meetings that affect real people?Think back to 2019, when Game of Thrones's horrible ending aired, and how many millions of people took to social media expressing passionate anger. Or, think to the YouTube uploads of people expressing feelings of being lost and/or betrayed after hours of emotional, entreprenurial, and sometimes financial&nbsp;investment into the franchise? Remember that petition? When you have entire franchises dedicated to making real human persons escape from reality, which has laws that the escapees are potentially not following, what are some of the harmful effects?If you look in the animé fandom, look to the Isekai&nbsp;genre, which is all about a social reject escaping to an otherworld where he is all-powerful. One particular harmful effect is young men seeking power fantasies in fictional unvierses where they can sexually harrass, assault, and abuse women and children, like the shocking scenes in the 2013 installment of Sword Art Online. Then, all of this is handwaved because it's "fiction" or an "outlet." Ultimately, if you're not harming a real human, you can't be faulted, but if a fan is constantly consuming and eroticizing this material, how strong of a neurological connection to the material are they making in their brain before the fiction stimulus no longer satisfies? Especially the male consumers?Context: the below video isn't all that relevant to this blog post, but I'm posting it anyways because I have no tolerance for this problem in the community.&nbsp; <figure id="figure-s4g9yg7dhdm24w7jid"><iframe id="s4g9yg7dhdm24w7jid" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i0G1jvz0khQ" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/i0G1jvz0khQ?si=wCI_z9U4YXJ-hvXV" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i0G1jvz0khQ" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>We're adults. Say the words. "Rape culture."Powerful men (and some women! Yeesh) like it, and keep it hush until they can get the money, power, and influence to act on it. This one's not rocket science, folks. This is one of countless examples of the very real effects that allowing a person's entire mental landscape to be consumed by fiction, and the mental health of the people here often goes ignored or unchecked. These are often highly, highly unregulated spaces. As a developer and creator in this space, we can't help but agonize over the real impact of our products. Game Developers have a very serious responsibility for the psychologies of the people they're developing for. As creators at Empathy Software, we strongly believe that. Warm regards, Russell Campbell | President &amp; CEO | Empathy Software LLC <figure id="figure-5b193zcpirm25187y3"><img id="5b193zcpirm25187y3" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28CnrUKI9wFQsecPxmTjph3wqPE4smL7T45XwSBrxT5YB5vnJee8IGIljnmlQQId.png" alt="Flying popcorn and video game joystick gamepad isolated on a white background" title="Flying popcorn and video game joystick gamepad isolated on a white background" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28CnrUKI9wFQsecPxmTjph3wqPE4smL7T45XwSBrxT5YB5vnJee8IGIljnmlQQId.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure> Let us know if you like these microblogs, or this format! We'd love to have more people blogging here! Reach Out to the Truth:<a href="mailto:empathysoftware@gmail.com" data-mce-href="mailto:empathysoftware@gmail.com">empathysoftware@gmail.com</a><a href="mailto:empathysoftware@protonmail.com" data-mce-href="mailto:empathysoftware@protonmail.com">empathysoftware@protonmail.com</a><a href="mailto:russell@esftgames.com" data-mce-href="mailto:russell@esftgames.com">russell@esftgames.com</a> PUBLISHED:&nbsp; &nbsp; 14:00 ET 11 October 2024LAST EDITED: 20:34 ET 14 October 2024&nbsp;

The Responsibility of Game Developers and Fiction Creators for the Mental Health of Fans

08 October 2024 11:58 ET&nbsp;Last edited 23:59 ET 08 October 2024<figure id="figure-2b95to3etam20oqvaw"><img id="2b95to3etam20oqvaw" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1295776982/photo/gamer-playing-game.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=NfjmcnPoFAJEnx1qmcomh5h_rBNkpmeE4I_QwmiP7v8=" alt="Gamer playing game" title="Gamer playing game" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1295776982/photo/gamer-playing-game.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=NfjmcnPoFAJEnx1qmcomh5h_rBNkpmeE4I_QwmiP7v8=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>I literally just blared a YouTube video on my smart device in public, and no one reacted. You would think this is a harmless event, but for me, this gives me a very bad feeling.This scene, for me, paints a horrifying image that extending to scenarios unrelated to that current moment.<figure id="figure-97oiam6tvem20ms8lf" class=""><img id="97oiam6tvem20ms8lf" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1dg9FQNE1h9RnAwHmqEmjzur4pOTAwP8gMCQqtzKs7bXj9FvM7KrFokK0Y619Dzk.png" alt="Flying popcorn and video game joystick gamepad isolated on a white background" title="Flying popcorn and video game joystick gamepad isolated on a white background" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1dg9FQNE1h9RnAwHmqEmjzur4pOTAwP8gMCQqtzKs7bXj9FvM7KrFokK0Y619Dzk.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure> Extend this image to a burnt-out parent not questioning what’s going on on the iPad while their kids watches and does Lord knows what. Go figure that the parents are &nbsp;too stressed out from putting out fires, narrowing their focus.In GenX, they put kids in front of the TV. In my generation (Millennial), we got put in front of the desktop and gameboy/playstation. Now the iPad. <figure id="figure-wlf5jj66lhm20n75dj" class=""><img id="wlf5jj66lhm20n75dj" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1476703993599-0035a21b17a9?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzMnx8bW9tJTIwYW5kJTIwZGF1Z2h0ZXIlMjB1c2luZyUyMGRpZ2l0YWwlMjB0YWJsZXR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI4NDA0MTA4fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="two babies and woman sitting on sofa while holding baby and watching on tablet" title="two babies and woman sitting on sofa while holding baby and watching on tablet" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1476703993599-0035a21b17a9?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzMnx8bW9tJTIwYW5kJTIwZGF1Z2h0ZXIlMjB1c2luZyUyMGRpZ2l0YWwlMjB0YWJsZXR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI4NDA0MTA4fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Couple this with easy access to things like Tor browser (that’s the dark web. You could always get access to hardcore stuff in my time [as with previous times]. This won’t change, creeps will just find a new way), and you have a recipe for disaster.…Do you know what’s happening on YouTube Kids, YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Talking Tom, VTube, Minecraft, Roblox, or Fortnite? Do you know what those are, or what they mean? Much are quality products—we praise Creative Mode in Minecraft (someone built an entire computer with a series of on/offs [like an actual computer is made, haha]), and there is an unfathomable amount of intelligence poured into these products.I don’t want to raise panic and undo so much progress in the industry I’m passionate about, but there are disgusting things going on in these communities and I won’t let my industry be desicrated like this, at least not within my space.These companies go at lightning speeds to capitalize on the emotional energy of children. Children, with their fresh verve and emotionality, can coax their emotionally burnt-out middle-class parents into buying this or that product.I intuit that a good chunk of Generation Alpha knows that their GenX and Boomer parents can neither keep up with nor comprehend what they're doing on these devices, and relies on that. I could be wrong. If I'm right, however, this is asbsolutely disconcerting.<blockquote>There was recently a TikTok video of a 14-year-old girl shooting her mother three times in the face, killing her live on camera. Then she was somehow surprised when she got the verdict she got in court. Do you understand that, beyond adolescent disconnection from the effects of one's actions (due to the Frontal Lobes not being completely formed), that this series of events points to a youth that is severely disoconnected from reality?</blockquote>How is any, I mean any, of what going on in schools--these tragedies, the shootings, the bullying, and the predation--a surprise?<figure id="figure-ar4ygbdfabm20nc9fz"><img id="ar4ygbdfabm20nc9fz" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1445031287/photo/3d-render-illustration-of-first-person-view-shooter-game-arms-with-gun-or-rifle.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=cCc-MG-jE9trWPAtzi-gS1RxzJ8JF6NkMuK_YLjJ_IA=" alt="3d render illustration of first person view shooter game arms with gun or rifle." title="3d render illustration of first person view shooter game arms with gun or rifle." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1445031287/photo/3d-render-illustration-of-first-person-view-shooter-game-arms-with-gun-or-rifle.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=cCc-MG-jE9trWPAtzi-gS1RxzJ8JF6NkMuK_YLjJ_IA=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure> Pristine AI images like the above frighten me. Not because I'm a luddite--Empathy Software is a cutting-edge software company--no, it's because it's emblematic of a deeper issue of mass escapism, wherein we get hypnotized with "the future is now" and being the "most advanced" when we're activley turning a blind eye to the litany of messy, ugly things going on that we have a reasonable chance of ameliorating if we just look at them for what they are. One at a time. You know…easy access to credit in the ‘80s caused a boom and all, happy happy fun times, but the consequences are now on our front lawn.&nbsp; What will we do? I feel like a good first step is acknowledging The Human Shadow--which can pass from generation to generation--and doing the necessary Shadow Work.&nbsp; What will you do? Warmest Regards, Russell Campbell | President &amp; CEO | Empathy Software LLC <figure id="figure-fnis5dvamkm20ogi5g"><img id="fnis5dvamkm20ogi5g" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28CnrUKI9wFQsecPxmTjph3wqPE4smL7T45XwSBrxT5YB5vnJee8IGIljnmlQQId.png" alt="Happy teen sisters sincerely smiling, playing video game together, relationship" title="Happy teen sisters sincerely smiling, playing video game together, relationship" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28CnrUKI9wFQsecPxmTjph3wqPE4smL7T45XwSBrxT5YB5vnJee8IGIljnmlQQId.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>

Blog

On the Nature of Narcissistic Personality: Analyzing the ...

Rediscovering Sublimation

Dev Your Reality

Near’s Fatal Flaw

The Responsibility of Game Developers and Fiction Creator...

The iPad Gen: A Troubling Concern for the Future of Games