;)
Toady I was about to post an anti-religious post to humor myself. Normally when I do so behind the scenes (what you can't see) is a handsome Cape Verdean man giggling with excitement because he is about to discredit a few of his followers beliefs that they literally live their lives and form their opinions by. But today that malicious excitement wasn't there and I thought about it and got to an answer why.
Dear Religion,
You lost
Sincerely,
Science, Secularism, Reason, Family Guy, and Public Opinion
I was going to post this meme and I couldn't because part of me felt like a bully. Now WHY on earth would I feel pity for an ideology that's got more followers than anything on earth? Simple, the tide has turned, in all progressive nations at least. The religious are on the fringes. When you bump into a devoutly pious person the average person becomes uncomfortable, they are edging closer and closer to conspiracy theorists in terms of our willingness to engage in conversation when we discover their convictions. Soon they'll be on par with the people in pyramid schemes tryna sell you Herbal Tea's.
I can't even engage in debate anymore because I feel like an asshole. People often bring up the subject around me (purposely indirect) and are waiting for me to take the bait and two years ago I would jump at the opportunity but now I can't. I've heard all the arguments from the religious side and can honestly say I can refute them ALL (I have a podcast and any willing debaters feel free to step up and defend your Lord and Savior.) I know the ending before it starts. It ends with the other person retreating into their shell of faith because none of their points stick but in that shell I sneak in a free radical of doubt. I can see that doubt bouncing around in their head and causing pain. I no longer enjoy seeing that pain.
I once got joy from that pain because I knew for some reason *under breath* child indoctrination *where we left off* I was the underdog. Nothings worse than being right and being in the minority so that thirst for vindication overruled my sympathy for igniting doubt in the mind of a believer and watching them scramble for anything to hold to that I haven't de-rooted.
So yes, pity is what I feel for you now that your minority and it's ironic because the pious feel pity for me for being "lost" (mad crying emoji's.) I hope this pity infuriates you as your pity infuriates me (no I didn't write this to entice you guys I genuinely feel pity in my debates now.)
NOW that I feel in the grand scheme of time (and not that much) Reason will win out I no longer feel the need to fight that battle. My sons not going to grow up in that world, at least not here.
Now, I still take issue with religion because I don't agree with the premise of accepting things on faith and there are still parts of the globe and parts of our nation where religion reins supreme. Though I may be here in Massachusetts where we aint for the bullshit, we may still be affected (effected?) by a federal law in the name of Christianity. A good example is Planned Parentedhood being defunded.
So basically I take issue with religion now where I see it ruling by majority and being taken SERIOUSLY. BUT in the case of where I live and my followers that's not the case so you will not see many posts from me if any at all (unless extremely funny.) Every now and then I may engage in a debate just for all the secular niggas burned at the stake throughout history one time.
But
as far as my silence
just know
it's because
We won and I feel bad for yall (mad smiley emoji's)
Love,
Evandro Monteiro
Friday, October 2, 2015
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Wormhole
This is a little story about getting older.
The process of growing up is weird because we have definitive words for a child and an adult but the transition between the two is about as blurred as it gets. But every now and then a moment of the past occurs again and this time your on the other side of the story. It creates a kind of wormhole between of the past and you know and acts as a foil for your change.
Mine came when my rear view mirror was taken off by an Enterprise truck. I got the information and had to go through the whole process of getting a new one which I must admit was less painless than thought but still a hassle.
I couldn't help but flash back to when I used to live in Dorchester and me and my friends would go on what we called "frenzies" in which we would run down a street and break car rear view mirrors (we were mischievous little ones)(there is video footage that exists of this.)
Consequence was and an after thought and empathy was nonexistent. I can honestly say it never occured to me the time/money/inconvenience we were causing to these people two streets down from where we hung out.
When my rear view mirror was taken out, albeit not by mischievous teenagers, the situation was close enough to open the wormhole. And got to thinknig "damn I would never do some shit like that again" "what if they were in a tough place in their life." even the blind willingness to do something bad just because it's bad doesn't excite me anymore (wellllllll on occasion.)
I have a some of these every now and then but for some reason this one was more vivid. they're interesting reflections to make so keep a lookout for them.
The process of growing up is weird because we have definitive words for a child and an adult but the transition between the two is about as blurred as it gets. But every now and then a moment of the past occurs again and this time your on the other side of the story. It creates a kind of wormhole between of the past and you know and acts as a foil for your change.
Mine came when my rear view mirror was taken off by an Enterprise truck. I got the information and had to go through the whole process of getting a new one which I must admit was less painless than thought but still a hassle.
I couldn't help but flash back to when I used to live in Dorchester and me and my friends would go on what we called "frenzies" in which we would run down a street and break car rear view mirrors (we were mischievous little ones)(there is video footage that exists of this.)
Consequence was and an after thought and empathy was nonexistent. I can honestly say it never occured to me the time/money/inconvenience we were causing to these people two streets down from where we hung out.
When my rear view mirror was taken out, albeit not by mischievous teenagers, the situation was close enough to open the wormhole. And got to thinknig "damn I would never do some shit like that again" "what if they were in a tough place in their life." even the blind willingness to do something bad just because it's bad doesn't excite me anymore (wellllllll on occasion.)
I have a some of these every now and then but for some reason this one was more vivid. they're interesting reflections to make so keep a lookout for them.
Monopoly
When you read this you will be dying to play Monopoly.
Bottom line: if you do not enjoy Monopoly the board game you are one of two things.
1) Stupid
2)Not well versed in Monopoly
There is a third scenario in which maybe you are neither of these two and you find yourself playing stupid people or those not well versed in the game.
There is so much more to the game than rolling the dice and buying property. Never in the history of games (board games, video games, hide and seek etc.) is there a game more mentally demanding and a window into human nature. This may sound like I'm being dramatic but if your a serious Monopoly player you know this is no stretch of the truth.
Let's begin.
First of all when a bunch of idiots play Monopoly the luckiest will win ALWAYS WINS. This is no fun. This is why most people don't like the game. This game is about as interesting as a game of dice itself. If you find yourself in one of these games STOP PLAYING.
Secondly every player participating must absolutely ABHOR losing. It must be the last option at all times.
Now in a real game of Monopoly against formidable and intelligent opponents luck still plays it "role" (pun) and there is no avoiding chance. Bottom line is there are better places to land than others and the roller has no control over that. But I can tell you from someone who has been playing for 15+ years "luck" plays about a 15-20% chance of winning. If you really want to win in Monopoly you need to master this other 80-85%.
This other 80-85% is comprised of so many many things let me take a crack at it
Deception - My friends seem to believe that all my deals are rooted in deception. Some are some aren't. But if you think you can get the steal take it. Quickest route to victory. I do not enjoy deceiving new players. But if I can get a rival it is SWEEEEEET.
Reason- Sometimes you are offering another player a necessary deal for both you and him and he wont always see it and you must convince him it is absolutely necessary. (If playing with intelligent players: all the while refuting the points of an outsider that will loose positioning if the deal happens)
Assessment- You have to keep mental tabs through out the whole game of "who's in the lead" "who's my biggest threat" "who can help me" "who needs me" "who do I need"
Awareness- YOU MUST ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION. One bad deal goes on while your not intervening and BOOM you lost.
Foresight- You have to see will I win with the greens? do I have enough money to put houses on them? will I have enough money to land on someone else property? Is this property alone capable of winning? Can I bankrupt someone or make them take off houses by the time I come around?
Carpetbagging/Venture capitalism- You have to take advantage of weaker opponents. And think long ball. Sometimes people land on your property and the best decision for you isn't just taking the money. Sometimes the opposite is the case. " hey how about you keep your houses on your property and keep some chance in this game instead gimmie those light blues and I'll pardon your debt AND give you 200 dollars" youve now given him a fighting chace but secured yourself as head honcho.
Friendship/enemies- Every game your friends and enemies should change. It's about their position in the game not their character
Opponent knowledge- Playing with the same people over and over again only adds dynamic to the game. You know what property he likes what deals he's more likely to accept. how far he's willing to go. His pride and customs can be used against him.
Innovation- Deals and stipulations aren't always obvious. You really need to get creative. " I'll give you this railroad but if you land on this property you have to buy it and give it to me" Renato and Balacov came up with a genius one yesterday that I wanted to say was illegal so bad because I didnt think of it. They each had two railroads so instead of when someone lands on it they pay them fifty dollars, they combined them and split the profit 100 each. Increasing each others surface area and profit. I'm tight (actually ended up bankrupting me because of it)
Timing- Sometimes you can have all the property or money you want, when it's too late, it's too late. Your fate is sealed.
Honestly could keep going on and on because there is just so much nuance in the game that call for tailored actions but I'll stop here. Monopoly is truly one of the greatest games of all time. If you dont know how to play i recommend you watch a few times and your still gunna suck for the first few times but trust me it's worth learning (I dont wanna play with you while your learning though.)
If you walk away with anything please let it be this,. Monopoly is much more than a game of luck. If you know how to play it should end in about an hour give or take. Like all crafts learning sucks but mastering it is rewarding. And I am the greatest player of all time.
(Idk how I am so careless with money in real life and not uberly competative either, but when I play Monopoly I adopt the mindset of some billionare white man who has no care for mankinds well being.)
Bottom line: if you do not enjoy Monopoly the board game you are one of two things.
1) Stupid
2)Not well versed in Monopoly
There is a third scenario in which maybe you are neither of these two and you find yourself playing stupid people or those not well versed in the game.
There is so much more to the game than rolling the dice and buying property. Never in the history of games (board games, video games, hide and seek etc.) is there a game more mentally demanding and a window into human nature. This may sound like I'm being dramatic but if your a serious Monopoly player you know this is no stretch of the truth.
Let's begin.
First of all when a bunch of idiots play Monopoly the luckiest will win ALWAYS WINS. This is no fun. This is why most people don't like the game. This game is about as interesting as a game of dice itself. If you find yourself in one of these games STOP PLAYING.
Secondly every player participating must absolutely ABHOR losing. It must be the last option at all times.
Now in a real game of Monopoly against formidable and intelligent opponents luck still plays it "role" (pun) and there is no avoiding chance. Bottom line is there are better places to land than others and the roller has no control over that. But I can tell you from someone who has been playing for 15+ years "luck" plays about a 15-20% chance of winning. If you really want to win in Monopoly you need to master this other 80-85%.
This other 80-85% is comprised of so many many things let me take a crack at it
Deception - My friends seem to believe that all my deals are rooted in deception. Some are some aren't. But if you think you can get the steal take it. Quickest route to victory. I do not enjoy deceiving new players. But if I can get a rival it is SWEEEEEET.
Reason- Sometimes you are offering another player a necessary deal for both you and him and he wont always see it and you must convince him it is absolutely necessary. (If playing with intelligent players: all the while refuting the points of an outsider that will loose positioning if the deal happens)
Assessment- You have to keep mental tabs through out the whole game of "who's in the lead" "who's my biggest threat" "who can help me" "who needs me" "who do I need"
Awareness- YOU MUST ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION. One bad deal goes on while your not intervening and BOOM you lost.
Foresight- You have to see will I win with the greens? do I have enough money to put houses on them? will I have enough money to land on someone else property? Is this property alone capable of winning? Can I bankrupt someone or make them take off houses by the time I come around?
Carpetbagging/Venture capitalism- You have to take advantage of weaker opponents. And think long ball. Sometimes people land on your property and the best decision for you isn't just taking the money. Sometimes the opposite is the case. " hey how about you keep your houses on your property and keep some chance in this game instead gimmie those light blues and I'll pardon your debt AND give you 200 dollars" youve now given him a fighting chace but secured yourself as head honcho.
Friendship/enemies- Every game your friends and enemies should change. It's about their position in the game not their character
Opponent knowledge- Playing with the same people over and over again only adds dynamic to the game. You know what property he likes what deals he's more likely to accept. how far he's willing to go. His pride and customs can be used against him.
Innovation- Deals and stipulations aren't always obvious. You really need to get creative. " I'll give you this railroad but if you land on this property you have to buy it and give it to me" Renato and Balacov came up with a genius one yesterday that I wanted to say was illegal so bad because I didnt think of it. They each had two railroads so instead of when someone lands on it they pay them fifty dollars, they combined them and split the profit 100 each. Increasing each others surface area and profit. I'm tight (actually ended up bankrupting me because of it)
Timing- Sometimes you can have all the property or money you want, when it's too late, it's too late. Your fate is sealed.
Honestly could keep going on and on because there is just so much nuance in the game that call for tailored actions but I'll stop here. Monopoly is truly one of the greatest games of all time. If you dont know how to play i recommend you watch a few times and your still gunna suck for the first few times but trust me it's worth learning (I dont wanna play with you while your learning though.)
If you walk away with anything please let it be this,. Monopoly is much more than a game of luck. If you know how to play it should end in about an hour give or take. Like all crafts learning sucks but mastering it is rewarding. And I am the greatest player of all time.
(Idk how I am so careless with money in real life and not uberly competative either, but when I play Monopoly I adopt the mindset of some billionare white man who has no care for mankinds well being.)
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