David Whyte’s minimalistic use of geometric shapes and psychedelic color places an increased emphasis on motion, and leaves one dumbstruck at how he conceives of each Geometric GIF.
David Whyte’s background in mathematics and physics greatly enhanced his understanding of motion and geometry and it wasn’t long before he was churning out some of the most popular geometric GIF animations shared on his Tumblr, Bees & Bombs.
In a somewhat rare move he happens to be quite open about his methods and often posts source code and tips to help other artists. – Colossal
Redban delves deep into the aether in search of knowledge and adventure.
He recounts his experience on the JRE podcast, with comedian Joey Diaz and host Joe Rogan providing color commentary.
Heroic Doses have fascinated me since I first heard Terrence McKenna mention it in his lectures. I don’t have extensive experience with it myself, however a friend of mine swears he was in the presence of the Original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers during his Heroic Dose.
Milieu Control. This involves the control of information and communication both within the environment and, ultimately, within the individual, resulting in a significant degree of isolation from society at large.
Mystical Manipulation. There is manipulation of experiences that appear spontaneous but in fact were planned and orchestrated by the group or its leaders in order to demonstrate divine authority or spiritual advancement or some special gift or talent that will then allow the leader to reinterpret events, scripture, and experiences as he or she wishes.
Demand for Purity. The world is viewed as black and white and the members are constantly exhorted to conform to the ideology of the group and strive for perfection. The induction of guilt and/or shame is a powerful control device used here.
Confession. Sins, as defined by the group, are to be confessed either to a personal monitor or publicly to the group. There is no confidentiality; members’ “sins,” “attitudes,” and “faults” are discussed and exploited by the leaders.
Sacred Science. The group’s doctrine or ideology is considered to be the ultimate Truth, beyond all questioning or dispute. Truth is not to be found outside the group. The leader, as the spokesperson for God or for all humanity, is likewise above criticism.
Loading the Language. The group interprets or uses words and phrases in new ways so that often the outside world does not understand. This jargon consists of thought-terminating clichés, which serve to alter members’ thought processes to conform to the group’s way of thinking.
Doctrine over person. Member’s personal experiences are subordinated to the sacred science and any contrary experiences must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the ideology of the group.
Dispensing of existence. The group has the prerogative to decide who has the right to exist and who does not. This is usually not literal but means that those in the outside world are not saved, unenlightened, unconscious and they must be converted to the group’s ideology. If they do not join the group or are critical of the group, then they must be rejected by the members. Thus, the outside world loses all credibility. In conjunction, should any member leave the group, he or she must be rejected also.
Pejacis a brilliant Spanish artist whose witty street art shines a light on social norms and inflexible societal constructs. His work is minimally intervening, but offers a maximum effect.
Much like Banksy or Dran, Pejac’s street art questions our absurd reality and its promised permanence.
It was inevitable, we should have seen it coming! When the Baby Boomers hit middle age, the smoke hit the fan. Americans over age 50 are using marijuana in record numbers, according to statistics from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
The NSDUH Report, from 2011, indicated that 6.3 percent of adults between the ages of 50 and 59 use cannabis; that number has risen from 2.7 percent in 2002.
Marijuana use was more common than the “non-medical” use of prescription-type drugs both for adults 50-54 (6.1 vs. 3.4 percent) and those aged 55-59 (4.1 vs. 3.2 percent).
This shouldn’t come as a great surprise; after all, it stands to reason that folks this age, with a wealth of life experiences on which to base decisions, would make safer choices.
Marijuana use, in fact, was more common than non-medical use of prescription drugs among all males over 50 (4.2 percent vs. 2.3 percent). Among females, the rates of marijuana use and non-medical use of prescription drugs were very similar (1.7 and 1.9 percent).
Pot smoking grandparents don’t give a fuck, and why should they? They’ve raised their families and retired, it’s their time to do what they enjoy.
Mason Tvert, communications director for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), said he started consuming marijuana about two years ago with his grandparents, Helen and Leo Shuller, who are 82 and 88, reports Alyson Krueger of The New York Times. They “have a little bit off the vaporizer,” Tvert said, either before of after dinner.
Those who have moved on from corporate work might now feel more comfortable revealing and sharing their marijuana use, according to Cher Neufer, 65, a retired teacher who said socializing with her friends means using cannabis.
Most of us are either retiring or retired, you don’t have to worry about your job knowing, so it’s a little easier for us. I don’t care if you use my name; I don’t care if they know! – Cher Neufer
Another factor is that most seniors are empty nesters, no longer worried about setting an example for their children.
They’ve raised their families, they’ve done their careers, and at this point I think they are saying, ‘OK, I’m not jeopardizing my family. – Diane-Marie Williams, executive director of administration at Moms For Marijuana International, a grandmother herself.
All of my friends are as educated on the subject as I am, and if they aren’t, I keep trying to make them. I can do more things. We play croquet. We do things out in the yard, and if I don’t have it I can barely walk across the floor. It’s a big pick-me-up. – Vickie Hoffman, 46, grandmother and organizer of the Missouri chapter of Moms For Marijuana International
While the federal government refuses to acknowledge that marijuana has a legitimate role as a medicine, in particular one that can offset many of the symptoms and conditions associated with aging, it is nevertheless apparent that a growing percentage of the public — and older Americans, especially — are becoming increasingly aware of this plant’s safety and efficacy. – Paul Armentano, deputy directory of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
Little boxes, all the same. All the people in the houses all go to the university. And they all get put in boxes, little boxes all the same.
Pete Seeger sang those words about the development of suburbia and conformity in 1963. How can we fully express our creativity and avoid becoming zombies? In another inspiring hit of stoner philosophy, Jason Silva wonders what pushes people away from the herd.
And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.
-Nietzsche
Works mentioned in this video:
The agony of breaking through personal limitations is the agony of spiritual growth.
Art, literature, myth and cult, philosophy, and ascetic disciplines are instruments to help the individual past his limiting horizons into spheres of ever-expanding realization.
Robert Anton Wilson described his writing as an “attempt to break down conditioned associations—to look at the world in a new way, with many models recognized as models or maps and no one model elevated to the Truth.”
“My goal is to try to get people into a state of generalized agnosticism, not agnosticism about God alone, but agnosticism about everything.”
Tidy Monster by Tim Marchant is an animated descent into the insane mind of an unseen character.
A symphony of sound, visual effects, and mood where a room is all there is in his world, and we watch as he struggles to keep it tidy.
From the comments I’ve read some people are claiming the video is awesome to watch while tripping; others instead assure such an experience only leads to a bad trip.
I haven’t tried watching it on psychedelics, but if you do, be aware of the possibilities or consequences, depending on your perspective.
Remember, ultimately, what is happening to the room is up to you.
The Psychedelic Experience is an artistic video with a powerfully positive psychedelic message. The evocative images are timely interwoven with Aubrey’s voice, a harmonic synthesis of passion.
Aubrey Marcus – The Warrior Poet– is a well-known psychonaut, who, much like Jason Silva, positively describes the psychedelic experience for it’s ability to heal and reveal us.
Full Transcript:
What is the psychedelic experience? Aldous Huxley believed it was the fundamental craving of the human spirit. A desire to turn off the survival biased filter of perception just for a moment… and catch a glimpse beyond the bars of our cognitive prison.
The psychedelic experience does not require drugs. Religious history and spiritual traditions are built upon these sublime moments. Messiahs hear the voice of God after a 40 day fast. Holy men, having isolated themselves in a cave, suddenly emerge with visionary truth.
But to indulge in a 40 day fast to reach this heightened state is like burning your house down to bake a loaf of bread. One hour in a salt-water isolation tank quiets the noise of sensation until awareness becomes the mirror that reveals you to yourself. A single session of holotropic breathing restricts our mental chatter long enough to plunge you into the zero-state of visionary Inspiration. Then there are the earth movers… The plant medicines at the core of many religious sacraments, which according to Graham Hancock were integral to inspiring the earliest known art in caves throughout Europe.
These plants are technologies. In a recent placebo controlled study completed by Johns Hopkins university 18 healthy adults were given Psilocybin, the active ingredient in ‘magic’ mushrooms. Fourteen months after participating in the study, 94% of those who received the drug said the experiment was one of their top five most positive experiences; 40% said it was the single most meaningful experience of their life.
Ayahuasca, long called the Master Medicine by the healers of the rainforest, offers an experience with the most visually powerful and mysterious of all molecules endogenous to life, DiMethyltryptamine.
Iboga, the root of an African shrub, confronts you with the voice of your own inner truth for 24 waking hours and is being used to treat Heroin addiction with relapse rates reported at a shockingly low 7%.
Why doesn’t the world embrace these technologies? Terrence Mckenna has an answer, “It takes courage to take psychedelics — real courage. Your stomach clenches, your palms grow damp, because you realise this is real — this is going to work. Not in 12 years, not in 20 years, but in an hour!”
What can the Psychedelic Experience be?
The cloth that wipes clean ourlens of perception,
The compass that points true north to our life’s calling,
The lantern in the catacombs of our subconscious,
The sword stroke that unfetters the muse,
The sunlight that dispels the shadows of our past
Or simply a respite of eternity, in the fast flowing river of time.
I’ve been to the other side, stared unflinching into the eyes of my eternal soul and seen a matrix of a thousand possible destinies. I’ve witnessed the span of our current universe contained in an unceasing heartbeat, each world a single bloodcell and each contraction a new existence for life itself. I’ve learned of humility on the back of a dragon, felt the terminal extreme of heaven and hell in the marrow of my bones, died and been reborn anew. What will your psychedelic experience be?
Cooking doesn’t get much easier! But don’t let the simple two-ingredient recipes fool you, these are some delicious munchies.
Ingredients:
4 large or extra large eggs
8 1/2 ounces Nutella (weigh this out on a scale)
Directions:
Grease a 6 or 7 inch round springform pan. Then line with parchment paper on sides and on bottom. (One of the cakes I made, I simply sprayed pan, but it still sticks, so it is best to line with parchment paper. By spraying with oil first, the parchment paper stick on better.) Preheat oven to 350F. Beat eggs on highest speed with stand mixer until about triple in volume, about 6 minutes. The egg consistency is the key to making this recipe work, so don’t try to save time on this step. Eggs must be beaten until triple in volume as that is what creates the cake.
Measure out Nutella into a glass bowl. Microwave Nutella for about 20 seconds to make it softer. Add in 1/3 of the egg mixture. Gently stir with a spatula in the same clockwise direction until all of the egg is mixed in, and no streaks remain. Then add another 1/3 of egg mixture and fold again until no egg streaks remain. Pour in remaining third and make sure to scrape the foam that sticks to the mixing bowl into the batter and stir until no streaks remain. Make sure to do this in 3 batches because otherwise the whipped eggs may lose too much of the air that has been whipped into them if you try to do it all at once.
Pour batter into spring foam pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until knife inserted comes out clean. Let cake cool completely before removing from pan and cutting and serving.
10oz. Ghirardelli white chocolate chips
15 regular size Oreos, plus 3 more for topping
Directions:
Line an 8×8 pan with enough parchment or wax paper for a 1 inch overhang on each side.
Place chocolate in a double boiler over low heat and stir continuously, until chocolate is completely melted. Transfer chocolate to a heat proof bowl and cool for 5 minutes. Add chopped Oreos and stir to combine. Pour mixture into pan. Use a spatula to smooth out top.
Finely chop remaining Oreos and sprinkle on top. Chill for about 10 minutes until chocolate becomes solid.
Lift whole bark out of the pan by holding onto parchment or wax overhang. Split bark into pieces with a fork.
1 1/2 pounds sirloin
Large pieces of fat removed
1/2 cup whiskey
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
Fine Sea Salt and Freshly Cracked Pepper (to taste)
Directions:
In a large airtight plastic bag combine trimmed sirloin, whiskey and balsamic vinegar. Massage into the fibers of the meat. Place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hour(s).
Removesirloin from the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the grill.
Remove sirloin from the marinade and place onto a plate. Season the top with fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
Preheat the grill to a high heat. Place steak on the hot grill. If you are using a gas grill, cover the grill. Grill for 4-6 minutes on each side for medium rare. If you do not have a grill, you can follow the same instructions using the broiler of your oven on the second to top rack. Make sure to keep the door cracked and properly ventilate to not set off your smoke detectors.
1 cup chocolate chips
2 tbsp. coconut oil (can substitute butter or shortening)
Directions:
In a small-medium, microwave safe, bowl combine chocolate chip and coconut oil.
Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir. Microwave in 15 second increments, removing and stirring between each, until smooth. Let cool to room temperature.
Serve (it should become solid when it is put on something cold, if it is taking a bit to harden up, pop the ice cream or popsicle, etc. in the refrigerator for a minute.) or cover and store at room temperature for up to a month (if it solidifies-because the temperature in your home may be too cool-just microwave and stir again until melted, and make sure to let come back to room temperature before using.)
Combine the sugar and kosher salt. Pour 1 cup of the sugar/salt mixture on a flat surface such as wooden board or marble.
Unfold each sheet of puff pastry onto the sugar and pour 1/2 cup of the sugar mixture on top, spreading it evenly on the puff pastry. This is not about sprinkling, it’s about an even covering of sugar.
With a rolling pin, roll the dough until it’s 13 by 13-inches square and the sugar is pressed into the puff pastry on top and bottom. Fold the sides of the square towards the center so they go halfway to the middle. Fold them again so the two folds meet exactly at the middle of the dough. Then fold 1 half over the other half as though closing a book. You will have 6 layers.
Slice the dough into 3/8-inch slices and place the slices, cut side up, on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Place the second sheet of pastry on the sugared board, sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar mixture, and continue as above. (There will be quite a bit of sugar left over on the board.) Slice and arrange on baking sheets lined with parchment.
Bake the cookies for 6 minutes until caramelized and brown on the bottom, then turn with a spatula and bake another 3 to 5 minutes, until caramelized on the other side. Transfer to a baking rack to cool.
1 cup milk (per preference)
1 1/2-2 tablespoons Nutella
Directions:
Heat milk to steaming. You can do this in a microwave or in a pan on top of the stove. When steaming hot, pour into a mug. Stir in Nutella until it dissolves.
2-parts Ginger Ale
1-part Mustard
(Example: 2/3 cup ginger ale for 1/3 cup mustard)
Directions:
Combine your 2-ingredient marinade
Prepare your ham by making diamond slices in the top (make cuts about 1/2 inch into the ham both length-wise and width-wise. This will create “diamond” shapes into the ham and allow the marinade to seep into the ham so that they ham can cook and soak up the flavors!
Pour your marinade over the ham (it will be thicker) and let it seep into the cuts and cook to package directions.
Throughout the cooking process, use a baster, suck up the juices that leaked out and baste it over the top again. Use a spoon for this if you don’t have a baster.
Serve and enjoy the sweet/tart and deliciously unique flavors of your Ham.
1 Package of Crescent Rolls
Package of Kraft Singles
Directions:
Unwrap your cheese slices and pop open your can of crescent rolls.
You’ll use a half slice of cheese in each roll. We folded them into halves, then quarters, and then in half again before putting it on the crescent roll.
Roll up your dough with the cheese inside.
Put the rolls on a baking sheet and brush with melted butter. You can also sprinkle with a little extra parmesan cheese, garlic salt, etc.
When they’re all buttered up and ready to go, put them in the oven and bake as directed for the crescent rolls.
Fritz the Cat is a 1972 American animated comedy film written and directed by Ralph Bakshi, the film was the first animated feature film to receive an X rating in the United States.
It focuses on Fritz, an anthropomorphic feline in mid-1960s New York City who explores the ideals of hedonism and socio-political consciousness.
The film is a satire focusing on American college life of the era, race relations, the free love movement, and left and right-wing politics.
Pink Floyd The Wall is a 1982 British live-action/animated musical film directed by Alan Parker based on the 1979 Pink Floyd album, The Wall. The film is highly metaphorical and is rich in symbolic imagery and sound.
It features very little dialogue and is mainly driven by Pink Floyd’s music.
It depicts the construction and ultimate demolition of a metaphorical wall, alienation.
One of the best trippy movies ever.
Enter the Void is a 2009 French film written and directed by Gaspar Noé, labeled by Noé as a “psychedelic melodrama”.
The story is set in Tokyo and focuses on Oscar, a young American drug dealer who gets shot by the police, but continues to watch over his sister Linda and the events which follow during an out-of-body experience, floating above Tokyo’s streets.
Noé had tried various hallucinogens in his youth and used those experiences as inspiration for the visual style.
Including one drug experience where he traveled to the Peruvian jungle to try Ayahuasca. The experience was very intense and Noé regarded it “almost like professional research.”
This is purely a visual experience, don’t expect a great narrative – just trip out on the global neon candy-scapes.
Altered States is a 1980 American science fiction film adaptation of a novel written by playwright and screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky. It was the only novel that he ever wrote, as well as his final film.
William Hurt plays Eddie Jessup, a scientist obsessed with discovering mankind’s true role in the universe. To this end, he submits himself to a series of mind-expanding experiments.
A dazzling film for its time.
A cult classic by any definition, Terry Gilliam’s epic sci-fi film is a true “dystopian satire“. Brazil challenges known societal constructs.
Focusing on “satirizing the bureaucratic, largely dysfunctional industrial world that had been driving Gilliam crazy all his life” as Jack Matthews puts it.
Taking an active role in the way we define our experiences allows more opportunities for growth; to be in an unusual situation, to overcome a new challenge or to create a work of art that sparks your imagination.
Kubrick’s answer is flawlessly expressed in Gavin Aung Than’s story panels. Each image underscoring his powerful message.
Kubrick is often described as an eccentric thanks to the stories about his obsessive attention to detail, treatment of actors, personality quirks and reclusiveness.
But these anecdotes are overshadowed by his ground-breaking movies, technical expertise and the opinions of those close to him, who described him as a warm, loving and gregarious genius of a man.
The quote used in the comic is taken from a 1968 Playboy interview Kubrick did soon after the release of 2001: A Space Odyssey. – Zen Pencils
Robert Rodriguez has directed a bunch of cool movies, including the Mexico Trilogy, From Dusk Till Dawn, Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Sin City.
His creative approach to directing and penchant for shooting low-budget is unique. Without sacrificing quality, Rodriguez is able to routinely shoot under budget.
In the following video, Rodriguez takes us through his process, offering innovative strategies for cash-strapped Directors.
The Making of “El Mariachi” – The Robert Rodriguez 10 Minute Film School
A behind the scenes look at the making of the Robert Rodriguez ultra low budget film “El Mariachi”. Rodriguez explains the tricks filmmakers can use when working with extremely limited budgets.
