TSG_Asmodeus (he, him)

Just wanted to post the history/story of this amazing piece:

Inuit

Otter Amulet

Engraved & Pigmented Ivory, 3 ½” Length, c.1870 -1880

Inuit Otter Amulet

There are rare occasions when a carved object has no other function but to represent a hunted animal, as a sculpture. This is one such example, of a charm figure, which would have been placed in a Kayak when seeking otters. It should be noted, however, that even though this charm does not appear to double as a practical tool, its significance is powerful.

This is a communicating figure, shown swimming on its back, with front paws delicately touching its face, as if eating or calling out. Arctic native hunters have described using amulets like this precisely to assist them in guiding animals to them, which this otter seems to be doing.

Notable here are the finely engraved rib markings, and the repeating dots and drill holes along the spine, tail, and joints of the rear flippers. Like the circular joint markings depicted in many other animal representations, these express the mortal and spiritual transformation of the animal. Skeletal markings often metaphorically express life cycles, in that we, as animals, are composed of bones, which hold us together while alive as well as remain as evidence of us once we die.

The circular marks and dots represent passages through transformational states, and in the shamanic universe of native Alaskans, animals, people, fish and birds may be seen traveling through concentric circles much like the stacked planes that the Buddhist universe is conceived to be. As one passes through one circle, he becomes another creature, in order to navigate the particularities of the next sphere.

The fact that there are seven drilled dots along the spinal decoration of this otter, and three triangulating dots encumbering his belly, is additionally significant, perhaps in the expression of the hunter, that his success depends upon the continual support of his charm, repeatedly, throughout his life.

Only humans have language.

Animal language.

This is a fantastic metaphor for what tinnitus feels like.

Sacrifice. I am so sad it didn’t have a bigger impact than it did. What an amazing game.

Man, can you even still download that? Man, it’s the only programme I can think of that I never had an issue with. Even the default skin is so usable.

I still use, Jesus, version 5 or something. Nothing has managed to be as handy as old winamp.

The cheapest home I could find in my hometown of Vancouver, BC is:

1 bedroom, 1 bath, 696 sq/feet 398,000

#AccidentalWesAnderson

One thing I read (a lot, oddly) is that GamePass is ‘really popular’/the most popular ‘subscription’ service, but I have never met anyone who uses it.

I checked the numbers of people using GamePass, and it seems the numbers have gone:

2021 - 23 million

2022 - 25 million

2023 - there was a brief post on linkedin saying 30 million, but it was removed.

If even the most popular service is struggling to pass 30 million users, how exactly is Ubisoft going to compete? There’s what, 120 million people with Xbox subscriptions, and they can barely get 1/4 of them to use GamePass?

It’s interesting to watch ‘AAA’ studios absolutely faceplanting every year now, hopefully we can make a full indie-sweep soon.