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Saturday, June 22, 2024
"The No Bull Briefing" - June 2024 Samson Society Newsletter
Lusting After Buck Rogers Porn
I was one of the few that purchased a movie ticket to see 2001's Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within on the big screen. And I did so in order to have the experience of viewing a (almost) photorealistic computer-generated film (despite the fact that I'd never played any of the video games).
But very, very few others had the same idea. As such, it was a box office bomb.
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In 1979, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century was released in theaters in spite of its origin as a TV pilot. I vividly remember Darlene taking me to screen it at Meadowbrook Cinema 6 in Jackson when I was 7-years old.
When I began to (sexual) fantasize about men during adolescence (beginning around age 12), Gil Gerard eventually became one of my / the masculine archetypes that were prominently cast within my imagined gay porn scripts.
Taking that into account, what if "imaginative" online tech existed that most anyone could gain access to; tech that could generate photorealistic imagery of Buck Rogers (the character from the '79 TV pilot nee film) engaging in some erotically filmed solo sex? What if the tech could literally "re-imagine" (& thereby regenerate) a certain scene(s) from this B movie (per the user's direction), utilizing the same set and even supporting cast members to drive home the realism of this sexually explicit, very personalized vision? To be more specific, what if Twiki (the bipedal robot / Buck's child-like metal sidekick) were also within this solo sex scene but only as a silent, hidden onlooker?
In closing, what if all of this imagery were in the highest definition / resolution possible?
I could go on, but you get the point.
What if this were possible?
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Every photo, every word, every "thumbs up", every video, every swipe, every second you're utilizing social media is catalogued for social media tech to use to "learn" about you. Social media companies also purchase massive amounts of data about you from most every corporate retailer that you regularly visit.
The ultimate goal of AI is to monetize the usage of a version of yourself that can "work for you" behind the scenes or ideally alongside. This essentially would be your twin helper / avatar who seems to know you better than you know yourself. Your likes / dislikes, your political views, your thoughts on religion, what your prominent relationships look like, your sexually orientation, etc.
Currently, computer chip manufacturers are the most highly valued equities, by far. Why? They're touting the creation (design / manufacturing) of chips that can run these AI versions of you and me. Hence, more and more monies are being funneled into these companies in anticipation of this upgraded hardware / software future.
The idea (& ultimate goal) being that these avatars would become as ubiquitous as smartphones (think of the fairy, Navi, as an example). As such, furthering the stranglehold the tech giants have on most every facet of western culture.
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I did a Google search for "bald muscle hairy men", and I ended up with these:
That was one day ago. I have no idea who utilized AI to generate these images of "bald, muscle, hairy men", but they were proud enough to publicly post them. In all honesty, this isn't a far cry from what the characters looked like in Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within back in 2001, and that film had a production budget of $100 million dollars. These stills came from readily available AI software that's currently at everyone's fingertips (costing next to nothing to harness).
Pornographers jump at the chance to exploit the latest and greatest tech to drive their business model forward. But the biggest roadblock between them and us (consumer) has always been how seemingly impossible it is for them to personalize their smut to the same degree that everything else within our consumer landscape is currently customizable.
Think about your smartphone / tablet / smart watch for a moment. Or ordering off of a fast-food menu (online). Each of these experiences are almost infinitesimally customizable. Consider too online dating. And we do this every day under the guise of NORMAL / EXPECTED. It drives impetuousness and drivel, positioning us as forever shallow and "ADHD".
The creators of today's porn can only give consumers so much control (which in reality, is very little), and even then, most of it is tied directly to the effectiveness of embedded search engines.
Until now.
I predict that within five years, a large percentage of mainstream porn will be AI generated at the beck and call of the user. And I'm certainly not referring to only still images.
I predict that within ten years, a large percentage of publicly traded entertainment companies will begrudgingly partner with AI software companies. This partnership will formally make portions of their television / film vaults available for AI to consume / "learn" from. As a result, much of this will be intentionally / inevitably exploited by AI pertaining to the specific creation of customized porn. There will be pushback initially regarding this move, but in the end, the consumers' insatiable appetite for smut will win out.
If I'm right, I'll be able to get off by watching Buck ejaculate - somewhere within New Chicago - around 2034 (I'll be 61!).
I predict that within twenty years, they'll no longer be many folks having intercourse. Instead, they'll be dreaming up and marinating in AI generated porn (when they're interested in getting off). Fewer and fewer children will be born. Our fantasies will become reality thanks to the power and "magic" of AI.
Friday, June 21, 2024
The Earnest Wife (Puppeteer). Am I Happily Married To A "Doormat"?
During my first Samson Society meeting back in August of 2014, I met a younger man who'd also lost (two, actually) jobs for breaking company policy (IT / personnel). I wasn't at all sure how to feel about that connection for I was still deeply overwhelmed with shame / grief therein (my similar job loss occurred in September of '13).
He was very friendly though and did not discount the role his wife played in his recovery. This piqued my interest.
This younger professional man's initial job loss came during a season where their young family was (as the Turners were) living in small town MS. They'd been there a good bit longer than our one year, and therefore had made more platonic connections. As a result of his job loss, his wife promptly "threw him out" (his words) of their house which resulted in him bunking on a friend's couch for +/- one week. Eventually, he found another job (civil engineering firm), and after that seemingly reciprocal termination, they found themselves looking for work either back home (AL) or somewhere in Jackson (they landed in "The Bold New City").
At some point during all of these fits & starts, my new friend's wife declared that her husband was "someone she didn't recognize".
I really became dialed in at this revelation for I knew that what she actually meant was:
"This part of you that's so drawn to sexual content / salaciousness / flirtatiousness with the opposite sex, I refuse to acknowledge (though I've been aware of it all along)."
In other words, pretend to be someone else. Everyone likes you better that way.
I believe it's important to know that his wife was deeply religious, having come from a deeply religious family.
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A much younger, mentally ill Samson brother was quick to call out "doormat" wives within our then troupe. The year was probably 2018. In that regard, the husbands married to these ladies were Type A, dominant males. This younger man obviously felt as if wives shouldn't be submissive? I have no idea.
Of course, this raises the question of what actually is / qualifies as submissive.
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My second architect bossman (1996-2006) divorced his first wife (the mother of his two young sons) due to her being "unreasonable". This man was / is ten years my senior (he hired me when I was 24). Now, he'd been intensely hands-on with their second son (birth - preschool), leading me to believe his wife was an educated, working full-time professional (this man, my boss, had since remarried - to one of his employees). I was never given the opportunity to meet Wife One but oh, how I longed to. I absolutely wanted to understand more about his terminology.
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Last year, I reached out to a Samson brother who'd posted grim marital news on Slack (on Xmas Eve). From there, we began to chat weekly. He'd been separated (but only during the daytime) from his spouse for awhile, living instead at his sister's home (20-minutes drive away). He been readily dismissing his siblings / parents' criticism of the arrangement (they wanted him back living full-time within his own home). Instead, choosing to vouch for his wife's demands.
Keep in mind that she was a homeschool mom (to three young children) with bizarre health issues that were / are seemingly undiagnosable. In fact, one of those bizarre health issues convinced her to demand that they build a new home in lieu of living comfortably (except for her) where they were residing.
My Samson brother too had lost a job (D-day) via breaking his employer's IT policy. He'd also executed a full disclosure with his wife under the guidance of a therapist. I believe it's important to note that his job loss and all the complications therein resulted in suicidal ideation.
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Another Samson (younger) brother whom I've communicated with for a number of years ranks within the top 3 pertaining to intelligence / career success. He's a brilliant guy who's in turn making money hand over fist. In spite of his drive / vocational stardom, he's recently endured an "in-home" separation from his spouse.
Too, she's feeling more agreeable now that his pocket computer is locked down, leaving him unable to go online.
Now, when I say brilliant whilst describing this young man, I'm not referring to just a high ACT / SAT score kind of brilliant. I'm talking about - change the world sort of brilliant.
What's interesting about his situation is he's terrified of his wife and her threats (particularly related to divorce).
Yet, they spend almost all of their free time together. Whether it's playing sports or vacationing (together with their two small children).
Another interesting note is his wife is of Mexican descent (he's white).
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And finally, another Samson brother attended last Sunday's "Brain Changers" virtual Samson Society meeting (that I facilitate), having (earlier that Father's Day) been humiliated by his wife (in front of their adult children) via her chiding him pertaining to his "untrustworthiness" with computers (pocket & otherwise). He was so distraught at her crass disrespect (he was in the middle of doing vacation research for their family) that he was visibly shaken. I didn't know what to do in response.
But I can tell you what my kneejerk reaction was.
Hire a divorce attorney yesterday.
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My wife recognized three things back in 2013 (D-day) regarding Rob, her husband:
1. He'd been honest with her regarding his struggles with sexual sin since their formal engagement in 1995.
2. He'd been actively looking for help ever since. Particularly in line with technological advancements (digital smut's viral availability).
3. The emotional fallout tied to his job loss had been devastating to him personally as well as their marriage, considering the risk they'd both taken to execute the new vocational role (with three small children).
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What frustrates me about my friendships with Samson guys, who're either married or seriously involved with the opposite sex, is how disjointed my feelings become regarding WHAT I HEAR of their spouse / spouse's reaction. And this is due to the overlay of my own spousal support therein.
I suppose too that I truly believe marriage is a sacred yoking between two very imperfect people. People who didn't choose marriage to begin with in order to not recognize the desire for integrated, ongoing support. Especially considering the unpredictability of culture / technology / life and how they intersect personally with each of us as individuals.
In closing, I often hear Samson guys disclosing how their wives don't feel safe around them anymore.
As strange as it may sound, I don't know why any woman could find a man attractive who's completely safe to be yoked to. Men, by definition, are masculine in the sense that they will things into existence that weren't there prior. They're also disciplined and resilient in line with this pursuit. Hence, yoking oneself therein will result in risks that far outsize the security baked into a life lived alone. This is what makes men men, and it's what makes marrying a man so enticing.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Monday, June 17, 2024
Sunday, June 16, 2024
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Facilitating A Weekly Virtual Meeting Versus An In-Person Meeting
A month or so ago, my co-facilitator of the virtual Samson Society meeting, "Brain Changers", asked that I exclusively take the reins. It was during early '23 that I began attending that virtual meeting regularly. Within six months or so, I'd been dubbed a "co-facilitator", much to my humbled delight. For I found the contrast / volleying between myself and my (now former) co-facilitator to truly set "Brain Changers" apart.
Alas, it wasn't meant to last. My co-facilitator stepped away in order to partner with a local Samson brother. They're set to kickstart a local in-person meeting (there in the Hoosier State).
I've spent most of my 500 one-per-week Samson meetings within in-person groups. In fact, if you look squarely at percentages, this is how the numbers fall:
In person: 72.6%
Virtual: 27.4%
(having attended since August of '14)
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I know my former virtual co-facilitator will excel as an in-person facilitator, particularly in contrast to his role within the virtual meeting space. Alec's physical presence will serve him (& the Lord) very well in this regard.
So, what's the key difference / experience I've witnessed between the two roles?
I was always taken for granted within the in-person Samson Society meeting facilitator role. As such, I hope that won't be the case for Alec.
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When I was in my early 30s, I was appointed President of our 'hood's homeowners' association board of directors. There were two other homeowners who were similarly appointed (VP & Secretary / Treasurer). I agreed to this because I was an architect. What more qualified professional could there be for said position (other than perhaps an attorney)?
(Keep in mind that this was two decades ago, and as such, our 'hood was demographically much different than it is today.)
In spite of the importance of said position, I cannot tell you how absolutely taken for granted - within this particular volunteer role - I felt during this time of my young man life.
Back in 2002, our 81 lot 'hood was made up of mostly first-time homeowners (the 'hood was, by far, mostly small spec homes). Most of which were purchased during a period of less-than-scrupulous lending practices made manifest by lax regulation / rock-bottom interest rates.
Needless to say, we were a motley crue living in a brand-spanking new development. A development situated within a changing (who knew which way exactly) suburb of Jackson.
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I never once assumed my parents would continue forward with their financial / physical support post college. My dad had made it clear that there was $$$ to pay for my higher education (inheritance from his deceased father), but beyond that, I was expected to, you know, take a permanent leave of absence post college.
It was during my last year of architecture schooling when my parents stepped up to help my deadbeat uncle in light of his addiction to illegal drugs. Essentially, he moved in with us (I was living at home since the 5th year of architecture school resided in Jackson) for many months - post institutional treatment. I remember all of this maneuvering feeling incredibly clinical and contrived as it pertained to the contrast between his own plight and my ready-to-launch young, professional man perch.
What I was too naive to realize was just how much of a sucker I absolutely had been. For my uncle was only playing my parents - this time around, as he did whomever he saw fit - pertaining to his wants / needs (this has gone on ad nauseum ever since).
It was that entitlement that I simply couldn't - under any circumstances - relate to.
Whilst looking back, there was compliant me simply being me taken for granted (& I was perfectly fine with that).
As an early 20's guy, my point of view came with that innocent (ignorant?) season of life.
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The Bible speaks - Jesus specifically addresses - of willingly turning the other cheek. This being the position of submissiveness that is tied to meekness. According to Scripture, its primary purpose is confounding one's enemies via Christ-like kindness.
In line with this, perfectly in line, is one's innate understanding of salvation / transformation in and through the gospel and therefore the gospel's command towards demonstrative evangelism.
This is not taking oneself or Jesus for granted. This is obedience.
In a nutshell, it's commanded that we be allow ourselves to be taken for granted in order to leave plenty of room for the Holy Spirit to convict.
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In-person Samson meetings, at least around these parts, mostly reside within churchhouses. Most of these meetings exist "under the radar" of the church membership. Others are simply shelved (tolerated) alongside the "Celebrate Recovery" set. The one I facilitated for four years at our church found little to no respect amongst the family of God. And this was no fault of anyone's except the church leadership itself.
For deep down, deep, deep down, the church leadership didn't want us there.
Why?
In-person Samson Society meetings that do their good work within the churchhouse are "unstable elements" that are rooted in very deliberate, emotional recovery work. And church leadership knows this. The meetings can therefore attract the mentally ill and those who're in serious personal crisis. Folks that mainstream churches aren't typically comfortable serving. And this is understandable. I do not admonish nor look down on the church therein.
Yet, the church pews, each & every Sunday, are filled with men who need Samson Society. For I would argue that even a touch of Samson Society can benefit a man's soul. No matter their season of life.
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There're multiple virtual Samson Society meetings available for guys to attend each and every day. Most follow the standard meeting format, though some aren't traditional in that regard. There're book studies, prayer groups, large form intensive Q & A meetings to choose from.
Particularly during the summer, some of these calendared meetings unexpectedly don't happen. For sans a facilitator to open the Zoom meeting, there won't be a meeting during that scheduled date / time. And this leaves Samson guys out in the cold.
Therefore, when a virtual facilitator is faithful to show (or coordinate a substitute), there's a deep-seated sense of respect for that man.
Respect?
Did I really say that?
I did.
& I love it.
It's such a nice change.
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Our 'hood is completely different demographically today that it was decades prior. Our neighbors understand and overall respect the homeowners' association / board of directors and their good / necessary work. Too, the area where our 'hood resides is on the up & up in spite of its '70s / '80s roots.
I look back on the seven years that I served as President - at its outset - with pride. For I know the example I set was foundational to its current success.
And I think the same regarding my role in "Brain Changers". For I am a better facilitator there due to my in-person Samson Society facilitator experience at Lakeside Pres.
Thanks be to God for Samson Society and the blessings that continue to come my way, as a result, each and every day.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Friday, June 7, 2024
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Monday, June 3, 2024
Sunday, June 2, 2024
Nate Larkin LIVE! Update
Per a Gracepoint Church member:
Hey Brothers, thanks so much to all who prayed about the event that I posted about a week or so ago. It happened today. Nate Larkin spoke at both of our worship services, and both services were amazing, with great responses and feedback from many people. We had several folks visit to hear Nate's message today. Also, we had about 15 men return at 1pm for a "sample" Samson meeting. The shares and participation were AMAZING! What a blessing from God on everything about today! Thanks for all who prayed and encouraged me to follow through on planning this event and taking this redemptive risk. Thanks especially to Nate Larkin for sharing such an incredible message of love, healing, and redemption through the power of community and brotherhood, straight out of his own life experiences and from the word of God. It was beautiful! Praise God for this blessing.
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