It's seems strange for a being which lacks nothing and can never be made lesser to be so insistent about demanding explicit belief in him to the degree that those who are not convinced of Allah's existence should abide in hellfire forever. This is true with the demands of Allah for people to accept strict monotheism (tawhid) as the ultimate prerequisite for one to even have a chance at entering heaven. The Quran goes so far to state that the good deeds of disbelievers will ultimately amount to nothing because they did not believe in Allah (Al-Kahf 103-105, An-Nur 39). It seems here that Allah is not an impartial judge; the moral worth of good deeds are contingent on one's belief state. This would imply that evil deeds or good deeds, or the possession of genuine virtue have no intrinsic worth at all as they are dependent on one's acceptance of Allah's existence and divine revelation.
Discussions on human psychology and belief formation are already extremely complex and are the result of cultural and environmental upbringing, openness to new ideas, and brain chemistry in general. Arguably, it is the aspect of our lives which we have the least, if any control over because we do not have direct control over any of influences above. We also do not control what we find convincing and people presented with the exact same argument for a proposition can come to exact opposite conclusions on their validity.
Other religions (particularly eastern religions) do not put much emphasis or any mention at all of belief and focus primarily on action (karma) which determines one's rewards or punishments in the hereafter which at least to me, seems much more reasonable as doing good or bad actions are much more in one's control than their doxastic attitude towards a proposition (God's existence and strict monotheism).
Reading the Quran, it seems "disbelievers" and "evil-doers" are often used interchangeably. But it seems like in reality these are two distinct categories where one deals with one's thoughts, and the other with their actions.
Why does Allah care about belief in him and acceptance of tawhid so much that he will render the good deeds and virtue espoused by disbelievers as ultimately void? How can this be seen as ultimately just?

I already sent in a support request but figured while I was waiting for their response I’d see if any of you had any insight to offer.
In April I set up the auto-redeem for a $10 store credit but that was declined despite having an adequate amount of points available. Last month I set up an auto redeem for game pass ultimate and was told my subscription would be activated on the 1st, today my balance is still roughly 17,500 points and I don’t have an active game pass subscription, when I go to the auto-redeem tab in the rewards app on my Xbox it shows that I’ve met my July goal already?

​
https://preview.redd.it/unor9nznkf3b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=e853b4a6426871dd58633ac84d79bc37a03138ef
Introduction
After watching all 12 episodes of Brand New Animal twice (except for Ep 12, which I watched just once) and watching several YouTube videos reviewing the anime, I discovered that BNA's story desperately needs improvement. The show becomes a "meh" level of quality when its stunning art style and jaw-dropping action scenes are combined with poor worldbuilding and irrational character decisions. There must be a way to change the writing while still keeping all the parts that viewers love about BNA - the concept of humans turning into anthropomorphised animals.
I have an idea of how this might be achieved.
​
Proposal
Note that this proposal focuses on fixing all the plotholes in the story, not how to best integrate the signature "Trigger" action into the writing.
Currently, its writing has tons of problems, meaning all the characters act irrationally and the plot is full of "pretzel logic".
For example:

• "Beastmen VS Humans" makes zero sense.
• Beastmen prefer to live like humans and appear in human form (they all have human forms) despite the war crimes that humans repeatedly committed against them.
• Beastmen keep attacking their own kind irrationally.
• Nirvasyl Syndrome (or "Angry Beastman Disease") defeats the theme of racism.
• Backstories make no sense/not elaborated.
• Michiru Kagemori is the dumbest protagonist ever.

But, the show also has a lot of good things that fans would like to see more of.
For example:

• Action-packed fighting between Beastmen resembling various animals.
• Beautiful art style.
• Potential for great conflicts and themes.
• Very cute protagonist (see Jackisboy's video).

​
I might have a solution that can solve all the plot holes:
Instead of Beastmen and Humans always having been separate species, change the lore so that Beastmen and Humans used to be one and the same - normal human beings. Beastmen would be re-defined as Humans who have gained the ability to transform between a Beast form and a Human form.
This way:

• Humans hate Beastmen due to the impression of a diseased race of people.
• Beastmen prefer to live like humans and appear in human form because they are all still human at heart.
• Beastmen attack their own kind because they abuse their animalistic abilities, and it is not limited to just angry beastmen.
• Nirvasyl Syndrome - we can either do away with it, change it into propaganda spread by Beastmen haters, or change it into an artificially-made disease made by Sylvasta.

As for the protagonist's poor decision-making and lack of backstory, that can be changed by elaborating on her backstory in the first episode and tweaking her personality so that "heroic dumbass" is an explicit part of it.
​
If I could re-write BNA...
... I would stretch the original plot from 12 episodes to 3 seasons with 12 episodes each.

Season 1
Michiru escapes to a island that has been transformed into Anima City. She learns to become comfortable in her own skin and gains friends there, including Shirou Ogami and "the bears", who are a basketball team (and NOT a baseball team)
In the background, Mayor Rose is doing a bad job at being the mayor of the city, which leads to lots of social-economic issues in Anima City, which leads to lots of crime.
[insert human terrorists here]
[insert beastmen mafia here]

​

Season 2
A new religion has arisen in Anima City that claims to be led by the "Silver Wolf" god. Turns out it's just Michiru's high-school friend, Nazuna. Michiru faces off with Nazuna as she builds her religion.
Shiout Ogami reveals himself to just Michiru to be the true, original, Silver Wolf.
In the end, Nazuna's lie falls apart and all the beastmen rise up against her. Nazuna gives up seeking to become an "idol" and leaves Michiru's life once again.
In the background, however, Alan Sylvasta of the cooperation Sylvasta Pharmaceutical is running to be the new mayor. In the end, he is finally elected as the new mayor and Mayor Rose is kicked out.

​

Season 3
After achieving a good research & development company and gaining political power, as well as the favour of the Beastmen, Alan Sylvasta can finally chase his ultimate goal: gaining divine power and becoming the god of the Beastmen.
He rebuilds a ton of infrastructure in Anima City, not just to improve it and serve its citizens better, but to replicate the appearance of the "first Animal City", which is where Shirou was from.
He also researches how to become a beastmen and uses Michiru's DNA to secretly turn himself into a wolf beastmen.
In the end, Alan Sylvasta builds a giant pentagram stage. He stands and the centre and holds a giant congregation all around the centre. He replicates the series of events that turned Shirou Ogami from a regular wolf beastmen into a deity and succeeds in becoming a big yellow wolf god thingy.
Shirou Ogami transforms into his god form and fights Alan Sylvasta. An epic flashy god fight ensues. Shirou wins.
The remaining beastmen who are still alive decide to flee Anima City because they no longer believe that they will ever get a good leader. However, Michiru convinces Shirou to lead the Beastmen and be the new-new mayor of Anima City.
In the end, Shirou reluctantly agrees to lead the small portion of Beastmen who still believe in Anima City.

Note that I'm not sure if a re-make of BNA should repeat all the storylines from the original. While that would give a lot of respect for the original, I am afraid that it might be boring to see the same thing playing out in a different way.
After all, this is a world that should be more about the tons of humans being discriminated against because they gained the ability to turn into animal-human hybrids, not a world where two people are trying to become God! A "furry" show should be about the "furry concept" and all its ethical issues!
​
Additional Notes
BNA currently dances around many themes, but one theme that should stand out the most is "Identity". It is better for the show to focus on this central theme and branch off from it for different characters.

• Season 1: Michiru could struggle between choosing to rebuild her "human" life or to develop a new "beastmen" life.
• Season 2: Nazuna believes that because she has powers like that of a god, she ought to assume the social status of a god (to become popular).
• Season 3: Alan Sylvasta is power hungry??? The theme of identity does not fit very well here. Perhaps he thinks that a good leader should gain god powers or something.

Theme is very important. The YouTuber LocalScriptMan talks about themes much better than I can.
I'm not a writing guru. I only picked up writing as a hobby about a year ago. These are just my thoughts on the show. If anyone wants to pick up on this idea and re-make BNA, please do.
Credit me.
​
Video Links
The YouTube reviews I watched:

• Bna (Brand New Animal) Worst Written Show This Season - LostTrigger
• How BNA (Brand New Animal) Handles Racism - LostTrigger
• Brand New FURRY Anime (BNA Review) - SonicHaXD
• Brand New Animal Isn't That Great - Kross
• BNA could've been better, I guess - Bruce Juice
• BNA (Brand New Animal) is terrible, and here's why - Jackisboy

​
TL:DR - change BNA lore so that beastmen are humans that have become beastmen so the plotholes regarding "Beastmen acting like humans" are all filled up and so better conflict can be imagined.

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In short: sign up, deposit 25 or 500 and apply a code. Get the discount and invest it. You get it all back when principal is paid back at maturity. I'll send you my share whenever they credit it (it's not instant, takes some days).
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Week 1 - May 18th 2023 - USD $13 value
XP +100% 3 days
3 Energy Refill
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Silver 150,000
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Silver 150,000
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Week 3 - June 1st 2023 - USD $11 value
20 XP Brew Magic
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150,000 Silver
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3 Energy Refill
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150,000 Silver
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Skill Tome Epic
Energy Refill
100,000 Silver
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2 Multi-Battle attempts X50
300,000 Silver
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3 Energy Refill
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Week 8 - July 6th - USD $9 value
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150,000 Silver
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Skill Tome Epic
3 Energy Refill
150,000 Silver

Hi all, been lurking for a while and I recently saw a similar post that was very similar to my situation, inspiring me to post. I'm looking to get 1-2 new cards. Much like the earlier poster, my highest priority is a non-Amex, no FTF card. I saw several options recommended and could be interested in WF Autograph, Amazon Visa (not a Prime member), or Citi Costco (though don't have a membership right now).
I do prefer to fly Delta and have considered switching from my strategy of always using the Citi DC to attempting to chase status a bit more with the Amex Delta card. I fly a decent amount across the country every year - I'm on one coast and my family all lives on the other coast (everyone is at Delta hubs). I've considered trying to lean a bit more into the Amex rewards to maximize Skymiles & status and would be interested in how people might recommend doing this? The caveat is that I really do prefer simplicity, and I'd rather not regularly need to use more than 2 cards. I'm ok with having 3-4 cards (eg., if I need to keep a no AF, no FTF, non-Amex for those international trips, that's totally fine), but would prefer that my standard rotation require no more than 2.
I've considered a few different strategies --

1. Use Delta Amex for everything. Maybe not the most lucrative, but easiest way to get status and regularly earn Skymiles.
2. Balance spending between Delta Amex and 1 other non-Amex card to get a little bit more value out of rewards while still accruing miles and status. For example, getting the Amazon Visa and using that for all of my Amazon purchases, local transit, and international (non-Amex accepting) spend while putting everything else on the Amex. Open to other card recommendations for this, too?
3. Open a different Amex and balance the rewards between two Amex cards that gives me more value. With this, can open an easy no AF, no FTF, non-Amex to have as a backup.
4. Upgrade to the Delta Reserve card & use that plus one other card (which one?)?
5. Something else?

I do like to travel, and I hope to travel more in the coming years, but I have no loyalties aside from preferring Delta. I do tend to get enough value from the Delta Amex just through the companion pass, so the AF isn't too big of a deal.
​
CREDIT PROFILE
• Current credit cards you are the primary account holder of: (list cards, limits, opening date): American Express Delta Platinum (~2019, $14k), Citi DC (~2013, $9k)• FICO Scores with source (see note on FICO score sources below): Equifax 802• Oldest credit card account age with you as primary name on the account: ~9 years• * Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 6 months: 0• * Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 12 months: 0• * Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 24 months: 1 (AMEX Gold, cancelled about 2 years ago)• * Annual income $: $85,000
CATEGORIES
• OK with category-specific cards?: Yes but preferred maximum 2 cards (with exception of occasional travel abroad)• OK with rotating category cards?: No• Estimate average monthly spend in the categories below. Only include what you can pay by credit card: over last 2 years, have had about $35k/year in CC spending broken down monthly as about --• * Dining: $500 (including things like breweries/cafes ideally)• * Groceries: $500 (usually Safeway & local specialty grocery chain PCC)• * Gas: <1 tank per month (~$20)• * Travel: $350 (overall probably underestimated as I had multiple Delta flights paid for with a big backlog of Skymiles, now depleted; this is mostly airfare and lodging; rare car rentals only when absolutely necessary but prefer to use public transit, walk, rideshare, or transit by bike when available)• * Do you plan on using this card abroad for a significant length of time: At least 1, but often 2-3 international trips per year (1-4 weeks total)• * Any other categories: $400 Amazon, $65 internet; have some streaming services but those are on my partner's card• * Any other significant, regular credit card spend you didn't include above?: Majority of other spending is ancillary merchandise, healthcare expenses, one-off entertainment services like lift tickets or concerts (things that go in my travel budget but don't tend to get counted as travel categories because they're activities, gear rentals, etc.)• * Can you pay rent by credit card? If yes, list rent amount and if there's a fee for paying by credit card: No
MEMBERSHIPS & SUBSCRIPTIONS (delete lines that don't apply)
• Current member of Amazon Prime?: No (partner is Prime member; I am grandfathered into my parent's prime account and have the shipping benefit but am not considered a Prime member by Amazon)• Current Verizon postpaid customer?: No• Current member of Costco or Sam's Club? No (not against joining though...probably would use it a fair bit -- I hear they have great travel deals?)• Currently paying $13.99/month or more for Disney Bundle (Disney+ / Hulu / EPSN+) or other Hulu services? No; partner pays for Spotify + NYT, on other family/friend's streaming accounts• Current member of Chase, US Bank or any other big bank?: Ally, USAA• Active US military?: No• Are you open to Business Cards?: (these are an option if you have any kind of side gig, such as selling on eBay or Etsy) No
PURPOSE
• What's the purpose of your next card (choose ONE)?: travel rewards• If you answered "travel rewards", do you have a preferred airline and/or hotel chain? Delta; no preferred hotel• Do you have any cards you've been looking at? So many...AMEX green/gold/plat/reserve, CSP/CSR; also now considering amazon visa, WF autograph, Citi Costco? I probably wouldn't prefer to pay for any of the top tier cards (plat, delta reserve, CSR) AND the current one I have.
​
Thanks!

https://chat.openai.com/share/c6e8289b-f77d-4dfc-98c4-1a2ee93fa844
Me:
Help me get a better understanding of the scientific concept of Heuristics
ChatGPT
Heuristics refer to cognitive shortcuts or strategies that individuals use to simplify decision-making and problem-solving in complex situations. In other words, heuristics are mental "rules of thumb" that help people make judgments quickly and efficiently.
Heuristics are often used in situations where complete information is not available, or when there is too much information to process effectively. These strategies can be helpful, but they can also lead to errors in judgment and decision-making. Some common examples of heuristics include:

1. Availability heuristic: This heuristic involves estimating the likelihood of an event based on how easily similar examples come to mind. For example, if you hear about a plane crash on the news, you may overestimate the risk of flying even though statistically it is still safer than driving.
2. Representativeness heuristic: This heuristic involves categorizing objects or events based on how similar they are to a prototype in one's mind. For example, assuming a person is a professor because they wear glasses and a tweed jacket.
3. Anchoring and adjustment heuristic: This heuristic involves using an initial value (or anchor) as a reference point when making a decision, and then adjusting that value based on additional information. For example, when making an offer on a house, a buyer might start with a lowball offer as their anchor and adjust based on the seller's response.

It's important to be aware of heuristics and their potential limitations, as relying too heavily on them can lead to biases and errors in judgment. However, heuristics can also be a useful tool for simplifying complex decision-making processes and conserving mental resources.
Me:
Let's go deeper into the benefits of heuristic processes versus the detriments.
ChatGPT
Heuristics can provide several benefits, but they can also lead to errors and biases. Here are some of the benefits and detriments of heuristic processes:
Benefits:

1. Speed and efficiency: One of the primary benefits of heuristics is that they can save time and mental effort. Rather than considering all available information and weighing every possible outcome, heuristics allow individuals to make quick decisions and take action based on incomplete information.
2. Useful for problem-solving: Heuristics can be especially useful for solving problems that are complex and have multiple possible solutions. By using rules of thumb, individuals can evaluate potential solutions more efficiently and select the best one based on their previous experiences and knowledge.
3. Helpful for managing cognitive overload: Heuristics can help individuals manage cognitive overload, a condition in which too much information is presented to an individual, causing them to be overwhelmed and unable to make sound decisions. By using heuristics, individuals can filter out irrelevant information and focus on what is most important.

Detriments:

1. Biases and errors: One of the primary drawbacks of heuristics is that they can lead to biases and errors in decision-making. For example, individuals may rely too heavily on the availability heuristic and make judgments based on information that is readily available, rather than evaluating all relevant information.
2. Limited accuracy: Heuristics can also be limited in their accuracy. Because they rely on previous experiences and knowledge, heuristics may not always be applicable to new or unique situations.
3. Overconfidence: Finally, heuristics can lead to overconfidence. Individuals may become too confident in their ability to make decisions based on heuristics and fail to consider alternative perspectives or information that contradicts their existing beliefs or knowledge.

Overall, heuristics can be a useful tool for simplifying complex decision-making processes, but they must be used with caution. It is important to recognize the potential limitations and biases of heuristics and to supplement heuristic processes with critical thinking and analysis when appropriate.
Me:
Is the presence of heuristic cognitive processes limited to humans or do other forms of life also utilize heuristics?
ChatGPT
Heuristics are not limited to humans and can be observed in other forms of life as well. Many animals, including insects, birds, and mammals, use heuristics to make decisions and solve problems.
For example, bees use the "flower constancy" heuristic, which involves returning to a specific type of flower after finding food there previously. This strategy allows bees to maximize their foraging efficiency by focusing on a single type of flower and avoiding wasted effort on less rewarding flowers.
Similarly, some bird species use the "distinctive feature" heuristic to identify predators. This heuristic involves recognizing and avoiding features that are not common among harmless species, such as a bright coloration or unusual shape.
Even some simple organisms, such as bacteria, use heuristics to guide their behavior. For example, bacteria use the "quorum sensing" heuristic to coordinate group behavior based on the density of their population.
Overall, heuristics are a common feature of cognitive processes across many different forms of life, and they likely evolved as a way to optimize decision-making and problem-solving under conditions of uncertainty or limited information.
Me:
Are there examples of heuristics in non-animal life forms, such as plants?
ChatGPT
While the concept of heuristics is most commonly associated with animal behavior and decision-making, there is some evidence that plants may also use heuristics in their own way.
For example, plants have been observed to use the "optimal partitioning" heuristic to allocate resources between different tissues and organs. This heuristic involves allocating resources to the parts of the plant that are most likely to contribute to its overall fitness, based on factors such as growth rate, photosynthetic capacity, and nutrient availability.
Plants also use the "leaf economic spectrum" heuristic, which involves balancing resource allocation between leaf construction and maintenance, in order to maximize photosynthetic efficiency and minimize resource waste.
In addition, some research suggests that plants may use the "root plasticity" heuristic to adjust their root growth in response to environmental cues such as soil moisture and nutrient availability. This heuristic involves allocating resources to the parts of the root system that are most likely to be productive under different conditions.
While the concept of heuristics in plants is still a relatively new area of study, these examples suggest that plants may use similar cognitive strategies to optimize their growth and survival in their environment.
Me:
Is it possible that heuristic processes are encoded in DNA and are an evolutionary adaptation that is stored in DNA?
ChatGPT
The question of whether heuristic processes are encoded in DNA is a complex one, as it is still not fully understood how cognitive processes such as decision-making and problem-solving are encoded in biological systems.
While some researchers have proposed that heuristics could be an evolutionary adaptation that is stored in DNA, there is currently limited direct evidence to support this hypothesis. It is also important to note that heuristics are not innate, fixed behaviors, but rather strategies that individuals learn and refine over time based on their experiences and environment.
However, there is evidence that the neural networks and structures that underlie heuristics are shaped by evolutionary processes. For example, studies have found that different animal species, which have evolved in different environments and under different selection pressures, tend to use different heuristics to solve similar problems.
In addition, some researchers have suggested that the development of heuristics may be driven by principles of natural selection, which favors strategies that are efficient and effective in solving problems under conditions of uncertainty and limited information.
Overall, while the exact relationship between heuristics and DNA is still an area of active research, it is likely that heuristics have evolved through a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and that the neural mechanisms that underlie heuristics have been shaped by evolutionary processes over time.
Me:
What are the scientific disciplines that reference and research heuristic processes?
ChatGPT
Heuristic processes are studied in a wide range of scientific disciplines, as they are relevant to many areas of research that involve decision-making, problem-solving, and human behavior. Here are some of the scientific disciplines that reference and research heuristic processes:

1. Psychology: Heuristics are a central topic of study in the field of cognitive psychology, which focuses on how people acquire, process, and use information. Researchers in this field use a variety of methods, including experiments and observational studies, to investigate the factors that influence heuristics and their impact on decision-making and problem-solving.
2. Neuroscience: Heuristics are also of interest to researchers in the field of neuroscience, who use brain imaging and other techniques to study the neural mechanisms that underlie heuristics and how they are processed in the brain.
3. Economics: Heuristics are a key area of research in the field of behavioral economics, which focuses on how people make decisions and the cognitive biases that can influence their choices. Researchers in this field study the effects of heuristics on economic behavior and how these effects can be used to improve decision-making.
4. Artificial intelligence and computer science: Heuristic algorithms are used extensively in artificial intelligence and computer science to solve complex problems that are difficult to solve using traditional methods. Researchers in this field study how heuristics can be used to optimize algorithms and improve the efficiency of computational processes.
5. Ecology and evolutionary biology: Heuristics are of interest to researchers in the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology, who study how animals and plants make decisions and adapt to their environment over time. Researchers in this field use a variety of methods, including field studies and experiments, to investigate how heuristics are used in different ecological and evolutionary contexts.

Overall, heuristic processes are a cross-disciplinary topic of interest, and researchers from many different fields have made important contributions to our understanding of how heuristics work and their impact on human behavior and decision-making.
Me:
It seems like the Information Theory of Claude Shannon and the phenomenon of Shannon Information arose from a radical new understanding of heuristic language processes and the use of a higher order systemization of heuristics. If that is correct, that would make the entire field of Information Theory dependent upon heuristics.
ChatGPT
While it is true that Claude Shannon's theory of information is relevant to the study of heuristics, it is not accurate to say that the entire field of Information Theory is dependent upon heuristics. Rather, Shannon's theory of information is concerned with the quantification and transmission of information, and how information can be represented and processed using mathematical models.
That being said, the concepts of information and heuristics are closely related, as both involve the processing and communication of knowledge and data. In particular, heuristics can be seen as a form of information processing, as they involve the use of mental shortcuts and rules of thumb to make decisions and solve problems.
In the context of Shannon's theory of information, heuristics might be seen as a way of compressing and transmitting information more efficiently. By using heuristics to simplify complex information and decision-making processes, individuals can reduce the amount of information that needs to be transmitted and processed.
Overall, while there are connections between heuristics and the field of Information Theory, it is important to view each as a distinct area of study with its own unique concepts and methodologies.
Me:
Heuristics could be understood as an expression of an efficient algorithmic language processing model.
ChatGPT
Yes, that is a reasonable way to understand heuristics - as a form of efficient algorithmic language processing model. Heuristics involve using mental shortcuts or rules of thumb to simplify complex decision-making processes and reduce the cognitive load involved in making a choice. In other words, heuristics can be seen as a form of algorithmic processing, where individuals use a set of pre-determined steps to arrive at a decision or solution to a problem.
In this sense, heuristics can be thought of as a kind of language that the brain uses to process information and make decisions. Just as a computer programming language uses a set of instructions to process data and perform tasks, heuristics use a set of mental instructions to simplify decision-making and problem-solving.
However, it is important to note that heuristics are not a perfect algorithmic language processing model. They can sometimes lead to errors and biases, and are not always effective in situations where complete or accurate information is required. Therefore, while heuristics can be useful, they are not a replacement for critical thinking and careful analysis of all available information.
Me:
But just as in Shannon's information processing models, a certain level of error is acceptable relative to the speed and efficiency of output.
ChatGPT
Yes, that's correct. Shannon's information theory and heuristics share the idea that a certain level of error is acceptable in exchange for greater speed and efficiency of processing. In Shannon's theory, the concept of channel capacity refers to the maximum amount of information that can be transmitted with an acceptable level of error, given the characteristics of the communication channel. Shannon showed that if the level of noise or interference in the channel is below a certain threshold, then the amount of information that can be transmitted reliably can be increased by using efficient encoding schemes.
Similarly, in heuristics, individuals accept a certain level of error or bias in exchange for greater speed and efficiency of decision-making. By using heuristics, individuals can arrive at a decision or solution more quickly and with less cognitive effort than by considering all available information. However, this comes at the cost of potential errors and biases that can lead to suboptimal decisions.
Overall, both Shannon's information theory and heuristics involve balancing the tradeoff between accuracy and efficiency, and both provide valuable insights into how information can be processed and communicated effectively.
Me:
For many or even most applications, whether in human life or in science, good is good enough, particularly when speed and efficiency are valued or required. Use cases where tolerances for informational error are extremely low or requiring perfection are rare.
ChatGPT
Yes, that's true. In many cases, good enough is indeed good enough, particularly when speed and efficiency are valued or required. This is because in many applications, a certain degree of error or imprecision can be tolerated without significantly affecting the outcome or result.
In some cases, the cost of achieving perfect accuracy or precision may be prohibitively high or time-consuming, and the benefits of doing so may not justify the cost. For example, in many engineering applications, the precision required for a particular measurement or calculation may be much less than the precision that is achievable with the available tools or equipment.
Similarly, in many decision-making situations, it may not be possible or practical to consider all available information or to arrive at a perfect solution. In these cases, using heuristics or other shortcuts can help individuals make decisions more quickly and efficiently, even if the resulting decisions are not always optimal.
However, it is important to note that there are also many applications where a high degree of accuracy or precision is necessary, and where errors or imprecision can have significant consequences. In these cases, it is important to use rigorous methods and to minimize sources of error or bias as much as possible.
Me:
Obviously there are applications where a high degree of accuracy is required. One very important case that comes to mind is the problem of Nuclear Fusion reactors.
ChatGPT
Yes, you are right. The problem of nuclear fusion reactors is one example of an application where a high degree of accuracy is required. In nuclear fusion, atoms are brought together at extremely high temperatures and pressures in order to release energy. The success of a fusion reaction depends on achieving precise conditions of temperature, pressure, and plasma confinement, as even small variations in these conditions can have significant effects on the outcome of the reaction.
In order to achieve the necessary level of precision for a nuclear fusion reaction, researchers use a variety of methods, including sophisticated computer simulations and experimental tests. These methods allow researchers to analyze and model the behavior of plasma under different conditions, and to optimize the design of fusion reactors to achieve the best possible performance.
In addition to nuclear fusion, there are many other areas where a high degree of accuracy is required, such as in medicine, aerospace, and environmental monitoring. In these cases, it is important to use the best available methods and technologies to minimize errors and to ensure that measurements and calculations are as accurate as possible.
Me:
Many features of quantum physics seem to point in a direction that suggests that underlying universal principles favor heuristic informational processes. For example, the Uncertainty Principle, quantum entanglement, virtual particles and other quantum peculiarities rely upon uncertainty, randomness, chaos and an apparent self-organizing effect that seems to echo heuristic processes.
ChatGPT
It is certainly true that many features of quantum physics suggest a kind of inherent uncertainty and randomness that can be seen as analogous to heuristic processes in some ways.
For example, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, which states that it is impossible to simultaneously measure the position and momentum of a particle with perfect accuracy, implies a certain degree of randomness and uncertainty in the behavior of quantum systems. Similarly, quantum entanglement, which describes the interdependence of the states of two or more particles, can be seen as a kind of self-organizing effect that is driven by the underlying properties of the system.
At the same time, it is important to note that the relationship between quantum physics and heuristic processes is still an area of active research and debate, and there is no consensus on the exact nature of this relationship.
Some researchers have suggested that heuristics may be relevant to understanding the behavior of quantum systems, particularly in terms of how they process and transmit information. For example, some models of quantum computation rely on heuristic algorithms to solve problems that are difficult or impossible to solve using traditional methods.
However, others have pointed out that the underlying principles of quantum physics are fundamentally different from those of classical physics, and that heuristics may not be directly applicable to understanding the behavior of quantum systems.
Overall, while there are interesting parallels between quantum physics and heuristics, it is important to view each as a distinct area of study with its own unique concepts and methodologies. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between these two fields and how they can inform each other.
Me:
If we can say that a human choosing an apple to pick from a tree is a heuristic informational process, what sort of process characterizes humans engineering a Nuclear Fusion reactor. I suppose that is the same as asking, what is the opposite process to heuristics?
ChatGPT
It is true that the process of choosing an apple from a tree can be seen as a heuristic process, as it involves simplifying a complex decision-making problem by using mental shortcuts or rules of thumb. In this case, an individual might use heuristics based on factors such as the size, color, or location of the apple to make a quick and efficient decision about which one to pick.
On the other hand, the process of engineering a nuclear fusion reactor involves a more rigorous and systematic approach to problem-solving that is based on scientific principles, empirical data, and mathematical models. This type of problem-solving is generally referred to as deductive reasoning or analytical thinking, and involves breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable components, and then using logical reasoning and evidence to arrive at a solution.
Unlike heuristic processing, deductive reasoning involves a step-by-step approach to problem-solving that is based on careful analysis and evaluation of all available information. This type of thinking is often used in scientific research, engineering, and other fields where precision and accuracy are important.
In this sense, deductive reasoning can be seen as the opposite of heuristics, as it involves a more deliberate and systematic approach to decision-making that prioritizes accuracy and precision over speed and efficiency. However, it is worth noting that deductive reasoning and heuristics are not mutually exclusive, and can be used together in a complementary way to optimize decision-making and problem-solving.
Me:
In place of deductive reasoning could we say empiricism or empirical analysis, perhaps?
ChatGPT
Yes, that's a good point. Empirical analysis or empiricism is a more precise term to describe the process of engineering a nuclear fusion reactor, as it involves collecting and analyzing empirical data and observations to arrive at a solution.
In empirical analysis, the emphasis is on gathering and analyzing data, and using that data to test and refine hypotheses or models. This approach is based on the scientific method, which involves making observations, formulating hypotheses, testing those hypotheses through experimentation or observation, and then using the results of those tests to refine or reject the original hypotheses.
In contrast to heuristic processing, which relies on mental shortcuts or rules of thumb to make decisions and solve problems, empirical analysis involves a more systematic and rigorous approach to problem-solving that is grounded in evidence and data. This approach prioritizes accuracy and precision over speed and efficiency, and is typically used in scientific research, engineering, and other fields where precision and accuracy are critical.
Overall, while empirical analysis and heuristics are distinct approaches to problem-solving, they can be used together in a complementary way to optimize decision-making and problem-solving. For example, heuristics can be used to simplify complex decision-making problems and reduce the cognitive load involved in making a choice, while empirical analysis can be used to gather and analyze data to test and refine hypotheses or models.
Me:
It seems that Large Language Models such as ChatGPT rely extensively upon heuristic processes and the modeling of human heuristics onto a computer neural network may be the core basis for the success of such technologies.
ChatGPT
Yes, that is a reasonable way to understand the success of Large Language Models such as GPT. These models rely on a combination of advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to process and generate language in a way that is similar to human language processing. In particular, these models use deep learning algorithms to analyze and model patterns in large amounts of data, and to make predictions or generate language based on that data.
One way that Large Language Models can achieve this is by using heuristics or rules of thumb to simplify the language generation process. For example, these models might use heuristics based on the frequency of certain words or phrases in the training data, or on the syntactic or semantic structure of the language, to generate more accurate or natural-sounding language.
By modeling these heuristics, Large Language Models can generate language that is increasingly natural-sounding and contextually appropriate, which has many potential applications in fields such as natural language processing, speech recognition, and machine translation.
Overall, the success of Large Language Models such as GPT can be attributed to a combination of advanced machine learning techniques and the use of heuristics to simplify the language generation process. While these models are not perfect and can still generate errors or biases, they represent a significant advance in the field of natural language processing and have the potential to transform many areas of human-machine interaction.
Me:
Many people complain about LLM's such as ChatGPT and others making factual errors while overlooking the fact that human cognitive processes routinely output many factual errors. It is in fact an error to consider the output of such a technology as a mere fact-lookup device when the tasks being performed are designed to output efficiency and speed and still maintaining a level or relatively error free output that certainly surpasses human cognitive ability.
ChatGPT
Yes, that's a good point. While Large Language Models such as GPT are not perfect and can still make errors, they are generally designed to optimize for efficiency and speed of output, while still maintaining a relatively high level of accuracy and precision. In many cases, these models can perform tasks that are beyond the capabilities of human cognitive processing, such as processing large amounts of data or generating language that is contextually appropriate and natural-sounding.
It is also important to note that human cognitive processing is not perfect, and can often lead to errors and biases, particularly when dealing with complex or ambiguous information. In some cases, Large Language Models may actually outperform human cognition in terms of accuracy and precision, particularly when the tasks being performed are well-defined and can be accurately modeled using statistical and machine learning techniques.
However, it is important to recognize that Large Language Models are not a replacement for human cognitive processing, and there are many tasks where human expertise and judgment are still necessary. In addition, it is important to use these models responsibly and to be aware of their limitations, including the potential for bias or error in the training data or algorithms used to generate the output.
Overall, while Large Language Models have the potential to revolutionize many areas of human-machine interaction, it is important to view them as a complement to human cognition, rather than a replacement. By working together, human and machine intelligence can achieve even greater levels of efficiency, accuracy, and problem-solving ability.
Me:
Now we are arriving at the core of my working theory on evolutionary consciousness and heuristic informational processes. The theory is basically that the evolution of life and its ascendency to conscious self-awareness has been a feedback loop process of agentic environmental awareness, information storage (as genetic and neuronal memory structures) and a resulting increasing efficiency of heuristic cognition-action processes. In this paradigm, initial environmental awareness leads to agentic environmental interactivity which results in the outputs (successes and failures) being recorded into memory media. Memory represents an offloading of future computational processing to the store of past experience, resulting in efficiency and speed gains. Organisms that maximize this functionality thrive and continue to advance. Evolution results from improvements to this heuristic-mnemonic feedback loop. In this light, human evolution is well positioned to transition to its next phase as vast efficiencies generated in the past are now offloaded to engines such as LLMs, freeing human cognition to pursue and develop higher order capabilities. It is possible that, sooner rather than later, virtually all heuristic cognitive processing can be offloaded to machine intelligence and that humans may enter an age of Post-Heuristic cognition. "Post-Heuristic Cognition" may be the fundamental basis for what is ofter referred to as Transhumanism. It is also possible that "Post-Heuristic Cognition" may be what spiritual traditions have called "enlightenment".
ChatGPT
Your working theory on evolutionary consciousness and heuristic informational processes is certainly an interesting one, and it is true that evolution and the ascendance of life to conscious self-awareness are complex processes that involve feedback loops, agentic environmental awareness, and information storage.
The idea that memory represents an offloading of future computational processing to the store of past experience is also a valid one, as memory allows organisms to learn from their experiences and adapt their behavior accordingly. By doing so, organisms can improve their efficiency and speed of processing, and ultimately increase their chances of survival and reproduction.
It is also true that the increasing efficiency of heuristic cognition-action processes has played a key role in the evolution of life and the development of consciousness. Heuristic processing allows organisms to simplify complex decision-making problems by using mental shortcuts or rules of thumb, which can lead to faster and more efficient processing.
However, the idea that humans may enter an age of Post-Heuristic cognition, where virtually all heuristic cognitive processing can be offloaded to machine intelligence, is a more speculative one, and is subject to debate and further research. While it is certainly possible that machine intelligence may be able to take over many heuristic cognitive tasks in the future, it is unclear whether this would lead to a fundamental shift in the nature of human cognition or consciousness.
Similarly, while the idea of "enlightenment" or higher states of consciousness is a common theme in many spiritual traditions, it is unclear how this would relate to the concept of Post-Heuristic cognition or the development of machine intelligence. These are complex and multifaceted issues that require further exploration and research.
Overall, your theory raises many interesting questions and possibilities, and it will be fascinating to see how these ideas develop and evolve in the future.
Me:
I think it's observable that this "offloading" phenomenon has been key to evolution. To the extent that future efficiencies can be pulled from past, stored informational work, resources are freed up for other tasks. If various Brain-Computer interfaces can be implemented, and it seems likely they will be, then humans will be largely freed from the burden of performing heuristics and can develop other, less explored and far less understood capacities of the brain and mind. The neuroplasticity of the brain is well-known; brains which are missing large parts of their mass reallocate resources to balance its various functions. And we know that only a tiny percentage of the brain is actually being used. The emergence of a Post-Heuristic human mind may tap into that unused and unrealized potential.
ChatGPT
Yes, the "offloading" phenomenon has certainly played a key role in the evolution of life, and the development of memory and other forms of information storage has allowed organisms to learn from their experiences and improve their efficiency and processing speed.
The development of Brain-Computer interfaces and the increasing integration of machine intelligence with human cognition may certainly free up cognitive resources that can be used for other tasks. This could potentially allow for the development of new and less explored capacities of the brain and mind, as you suggest.
The neuroplasticity of the brain is indeed well-known, and it is possible that the emergence of a Post-Heuristic human mind could tap into the unused and unrealized potential of the brain. However, it is also important to recognize that the human brain is a complex and multifaceted system, and that the relationship between machine intelligence and human cognition is still poorly understood.
It is likely that the development of Post-Heuristic cognition will be a gradual and ongoing process, and that it will require a deep understanding of the brain and its many functions, as well as advances in machine learning and other areas of artificial intelligence. Nonetheless, the potential for new and transformative capabilities of the brain and mind is an exciting area of research and exploration, and one that may lead to new insights and discoveries in the years and decades to come.
Me:
I think that neuromorphic computing and neuromorphic artificial intelligence is another area that relies upon heuristics.
ChatGPT
Yes, that's a good point. Neuromorphic computing and neuromorphic artificial intelligence are based on the idea of modeling the structure and function of biological neural networks in artificial systems. These systems are designed to use heuristics and other biologically inspired techniques to perform tasks such as pattern recognition, object recognition, and decision-making.
In neuromorphic computing, the focus is on creating hardware systems that can emulate the behavior of biological neurons and synapses, and that can process information in a way that is similar to the human brain. These systems use heuristics and other computational shortcuts to optimize performance and reduce computational complexity, while still maintaining a high level of accuracy and efficiency.
Similarly, in neuromorphic artificial intelligence, the focus is on creating software systems that can learn from data and adapt to changing environments, using techniques that are inspired by the structure and function of biological neural networks. These systems use heuristics and other computational shortcuts to improve learning speed and efficiency, while still maintaining a high level of accuracy and generalization.
Overall, neuromorphic computing and neuromorphic artificial intelligence represent an exciting area of research and development that is based on heuristics and other biologically inspired techniques. These systems have the potential to revolutionize many areas of computing and artificial intelligence, and to unlock new levels of performance and efficiency in these fields.
Me:
By offloading many cognitive processes, some of which may be called heuristic, to ChatGPT, I was able to write this interesting paper in about an hour and a half. Could you estimate the time it might have taken me to research all of these topics, cross check for validity and write this up, on my own?
ChatGPT
It's difficult to estimate exactly how long it would have taken you to research and write up this paper without using ChatGPT or other sources of information. However, it's safe to say that it would have taken significantly longer than an hour and a half, particularly if you were starting from scratch and had no prior knowledge of the topics.
Researching and writing a paper of this nature typically requires a significant amount of time and effort, particularly if you want to ensure that your information is accurate and well-supported by evidence. Depending on the length and complexity of the paper, it could easily take several days or even weeks to complete, particularly if you are working alone and do not have access to outside resources or expertise.
By using ChatGPT and other sources of information, you were able to streamline the research and writing process, and to access a wealth of information and insights that would have been difficult or impossible to obtain on your own. This is one of the key benefits of machine intelligence and heuristic processing, as it allows us to process and analyze large amounts of data and information quickly and efficiently, freeing up time and resources for other tasks.
Me:
Thank you, ChatGPT. You're the best.
ChatGPT
You're welcome! It was my pleasure to assist you with your questions. If you have any more questions in the future, don't hesitate to ask.

Hello everyone! It's week two of Explore the Horizon. Last week I really enjoyed the Festival tasks, so let's hope this time around we get a bunch of good things once again. Sorry for the little delay in publishing this thread this week, hope you all are having a great week!  
A ??? is available for completing the Super7 this week.  

Forzathon Shop

The Forzathon Shop ends on Jun 8th, 2023 @ 14:29 (UTC).  

• 450FP Car: 1964 Aston Martin DB5
• 300FP Car: 2014 Ford #11 Rockstar F-150 Trophy Truck
• 75FP Clothing: Farid Rueda Lion Race Suit
• 75FP Car Horn: Referee Whistle
• Wheelspins: 60FP & 150FP  

Festival Playlist Rewards

• Autumn - 20/63 Points: Ford F-150 '86 (Exclusive Car)
• Autumn - 40/63 Points: 2022 Extreme E Odyssey 21 e-SUV (#44) (Hard to Find)
• Series - 80/252 Points: Wuling Sunshine (Hard To Find)
• Series - 160/252 Points: 2021 Audi RS 7 (Hard To Find)  

Hot Wheels Events - 7 Points

Exclusive to Hot Wheels Owners; the respective Academy Rank must be unlocked. Not Required for Season Rewards, Series Completion, or the Min, Meet Max Achievement.

• Danger Sign: "Canyon Fire" ?? 2 points
• Criteria: Anything Goes (S2-998)
• Reward: Super Wheelspin  
  
• Championship: "Super Loops" 5 points
  
• Criteria: Modern Supercars (S1-900)
  
• Reward: Clothing - Farid Rueda Bear Cap  
  

Rally Adventure Events - 7 Points

Exclusive to Rally Adventure Owners; required for you to be Horizon Badlands Champion. Not Required for Season Rewards, Series Completion, or the Min, Meet Max Achievement.

• Speed Zone: "Tierra Verdes" ?? 2 points
• Criteria: Anything Goes (S2-998)
• Reward: Super Wheelspin  
  
• Championship: "Time Warp" 5 points
  
• Criteria: Retro Saloons (B700)
  
• Reward: Emote - Macarena  
  

Forzathon Weekly Challenge - 5 Points

Earn 80FP for completing the weekly challenge, double if you own La Casa Solariega. Must be done in sequence to count.

• Own the drive the 2017 RAM 2500 Power Wagon.
• Win a Dirt Race in the 2017 RAM 2500 Power Wagon.
• Earn a Wrecking Ball skill with the 2017 RAM 2500 Power Wagon.
• Earn 3 Stars at Trailblazers in the 2017 RAM 2500 Power Wagon.  

Forzathon Daily Challenges - 1 Point Each, 7 Points Total

Each challenge is open for 7 Days from 2:30PM UTC* of the start day. Earn 10FP per Challenge, double if you own La Casa Solariega.

• Take a photo of your car at night
• Earn 3 stars from Danger Signs in any Offroad car
• Smash 12 Cactus
• Complete any Showcase event
• Earn an Ultimate Air skill in Dunas Blancas
• Find the flamingos near Cascadas de Agua Azul
• Complete any Custom Racing Cross Country event  

Seasonal Events - 30 Points Total

The reward listed for Seasonal Championship events requires you to place 1st against at or above the Highly Skilled Drivatar difficulty setting; the Trial requires Unbeatable difficulty and is accessible after entering the Hall of Fame.  

• Horizon Arcade: Any Event 3 Points
• Criteria: Complete any Horizon Arcade event  
  
• The Trial: "Ooh... Barranca" 10 Points
  
• Criteria: Retro Rally (C600)
  
• Reward: 2016 Bentley Bentayga  
  
• Event Lab: "By Land, Air and Sea..." 3 Points
  
• Criteria: Offroad Capable (A800)
  
• Reward: 1970 Ford GT70  
  
• Danger Sign: "Salto de Río" ? 2 Points
  
• Criteria: Anything Goes (S2-998)
  
• Reward: Super Wheelspin  
  
• Speed Trap: "Dustbowl" ? 2 Points
  
• Criteria: Anything Goes (S2-998)
  
• Reward: Super Wheelspin  
  
• Championship: "Rally Good Time" 5 Points
  
• Criteria: Rally Monsters (A800)
  
• Reward: 2017 Maserati Levante S  
  
• Championship: "Ready for Liftoff" 5 Points
  
• Criteria: Unlimited Offroad (A800)
  
• Reward: 1973 Ford Escort RS1600  
  

Challenges - 8 Points Total

• Treasure Hunt "Finders Keepers" 3 Points
• Criteria: Check out this week's Pathfinder challenges in Evolving World Accolades page. If you can uncover all 3 trails then the treasure will be yours!
• Reward: 250,000 credits  
  
• Photo Challenge #BigHorn 2 Points
  
• Criteria: Take a wildlife photograph near the camera equipment to the North of Mulegé
  
• Reward: Forza Link - "I'm the goat!"  
  
• The Eliminator: Battle Royale 2 Points
  
• Criteria: Finish 30th or better
  
• Reward: 2011 BMW X5 M  
  
• Collectibles: "Flamingo Falls" 3 Points
  
• Criteria: Smash 10 Flamingo cut-outs found near the Cascadas de Aqua Azul
  
• Reward: Clothing - Farid Rueda Lion Face Mask  
  

Monthly Events - 2 Points per Season (8 Points per Series)

• Monthly EV Ek' Balam Cross Country Circuit 1 points per Season
• Criteria: Post a clean lap to complete  
  
• Forza EV Cupra Tavascan Concept 1 points per Season
  
• Criteria: Post a clean lap to complete  
  

Explore The Horizon With Enhanced Photo Mode And Pathfinder Challenges  
FH5 Release Notes: May 23rd, 2023  

This game has many features that I have come to enjoy. Among the ones that stand out are; likeable characters and background stories, engaging main story with hidden references, wonderful VA work in several languages, great art animations and music. Like any game there's always room for improvement that I would like to touch on as well as hear the opinions of others. This is an invitation for open discussion to add to what you feel the game could benefit from or respectfully disagree with explanation. Wall of text warning

1. -New player leniency- As any gacha new players are bound to suboptimally use their early game resources and run into issues. Only well seasoned gacha players seem to still be in a good position with the current resources allocated including the extras from promotional events. I think players need a sizable increase to account for this to not get bottlenecked so early on, especially for those who are down 300k from creating a guild.
   
2. -Saved select summon- Having the ability to save one previous roll in select summon in hopes of drawing a better one would bode well with players. I'm all for what satisfies their starting experience and gets them into the game sooner.
   
3. -Feature 2* drop rates on banners- Players that have unfortunate luck of not getting the characters they like on a rather high pity banner should at least get the consolation of transcending a usable 2* character a couple times.
   
4. -Redesign guild chat, global chat, add friend chat- There is no reason that guild chat logs should not be saved and global chat not have a filter option for hero pulls. As it stands these chats are entirely unused and it would be nice to be able to discuss the game with friends, our guilds and server in game.
   
5. -Saved sorting in hero list and equipment- Having these reset to default every time you reopen it is rather tedious, especially when players are often searching for the same thing. A very simple fix to keep it locked and have a restore to default option.
   
6. -Claim all button in menus- Another unnecessary time consuming feature of having to select each individual reward. Allow players to save on time, one button please.
   
7. -Abridged ultimate animations- I'm on the fence about including this option but it's a rather harmless suggestion shared by other gacha players. Anything that saves on time should be to the players benefit, although this would raise the devs budget and require quite a bit of extra work. In the end it's more friendly to low end devices meaning more players can enjoy the game.
   
8. -Increase low power mode- Limiting battery use is always a welcome feature but I think a bit more can be done than just blackening the screen. Drop the audio down 70% as well.
   
9. -Add buff, debuff, and statuses description in help menu- Just improvements on tool tips and additional information that players may be looking for inside of the game. Help them have a better understanding of the game mechanics.
   
10. -Increases global gold gain- We have; daily log in, daily shop, shop bundles, promotional events, guide quest, story mode, expeditions, anti-partical generator, guild board, achievements, battle pass, challenges, all these sources and players are still running out of gold. I don't think the solution is having more redundant sources of income, just give us more gold plain and simple.
    
11. -Sustainable stamina gain- So far about half of the players stamina has been coming from promotional events. We get pitiful amounts from the daily log in times and a bit more from the shop. This needs a bump for when the events are no longer abundant. As well as having the timed ones dropped in the mail box for 12-24 hrs, there's no reason to encourage to break sleep or disrupt work to collect on this.
    
12. -More basic skill manuals- Basic skill manuals are so scarce in comparison to the higher tier ones because of the sheer volume needed among heroes. Only the ones often used have their skills upgraded with the blue and red ones so their amount is sufficient, but players need hundreds of greens to upgrade the current pool of heroes. A viable way to obtain more regularly would be appreciated.
    
13. -Comment and rating on heroes- Relying on guides and tier lists outside of the game is all well and good until they're outdated and misinforming players. Having the ability to review who is liked, why and when keeps reliable and relevant information accessible to players.
    
14. -Saved gear sets- This oversight gets on players nerves rather quickly. Not having to transfer each piece at a time should be intuitive to developers because I can't imagine it's fun for them. A list of saved sets excluding weapons and accessories would be welcome.
    
15. -Increase gear set bonuses- Life steal set 2: 10% - 14% 4: 5% - 6%, it's very weak in comparison to the other bonuses and has no way to be increased outside of this. Counter set 2: 12% - 18% 4: 8% - 12%, it's an abysmal chance in the shadow of 50% hp and there is no reason that 2 pieces should be eclipsed by a single accessory that can be further upgraded. Accuracy and Evasion set 2: 10% - 12% 4: 5% - 6%, why can an entire 4 piece set be achieved in a single sub stat? Make in viable for heroes that don't have these natural growth stats.
    
16. -Raise ticket limit of BH, BC and USR- If the consensus is two tickets per day is enough for players then that's fine but please allow us to stockpile a few days worth and cut down on tedious work. It's not even necessary to clear these to get the daily completion rewards. x/2 - x/6 makes is so when players clear it they know they have enough resources to upgrade something, not to mention it makes more sense for the Veronica pack that gives 3 per day.
    
17. -Lengthen expeditions- Really gonna make us log in every 3 hours to not miss out on resources? I don't care what your job is or whether or not you have one, this is annoying. Went through this crap with Food Fantasy. Stop it, it pleases no one. Make it 3, 6, 12 or 18 hours to collect on rewards. It's not like the heroes are unusable during the time they're on expeditions, zero purpose behind having it so frequent.
    
18. -Increases sweep ticket drop rates- If the game wasn't so restrictive behind meta heroes and the auto battle used skills and chain skills more tactically, I wouldn't mind the small amount given. But doing stages like Chimera hunt manually and having it take 15 - 20 mins a run because you're characters can't auto battle it sucks. Speed set is clearly the most valuable set in the game so why make obtaining it insufferable by lack of tickets?
    
19. -Adjust base shop prices - This is about on par with the current real world inflation crisis. 1.5 mil for an unupgraded 6* epic piece. That's nearly two weeks of gold. There is a dry well of gold and this is madness, someone ought to be kicked for this.
    
20. -Shared exp overflow- A very loved and appreciated feature among far too few games. When a max level hero is in your party, the exp that would have gone to them is split evenly among the heroes that still require it.
    
21. -Retry stage option- I wish not to be booted back two menus every time a battle is going poorly. A quick retry is all that is asked.
    

If there's any missing features or adjustments you believe the game would thrive from please feel free to add to this. This doesn't include bugs, expected future content or additional menus the game doesn't already have.

My wife (23f) and I (27m) just dropped our Costco membership because I ran the numbers and since we never really shop at Costco and only use them for the gas the 4% rewards we get on the Citi card literally just pay for the membership… and there are is another station near us that has identical pricing too.
Does anyone know of any beneficial loyalty programs that we should be using instead?
Context: the only credit cards we have are Chase (Amazon) and Citi (Costco). The Citi card will be expiring and the Chase card offers 2% rewards on gas. We’re not really looking to get another card, we finally hit 800 on credit score and I’m already expecting a small drop for when the Citi card goes away.
We probably spend between $2000 and $2500 annually on gas (obviously depending on price… we’re on track for just over $2000 this year assuming no black swans). We live in the Midwest.

It's officially summer time, the days are getting longer, hotter and the sun is shining. Time to enjoy the weather and a cold beer with some baseball.
For those of us who have a free afternoon, or the ability to watch while working from home, we have 7 games scheduled to enjoy today.
Today we start early and carry on into the evening on Ultimate Media IPTV.
All games today, and every day, can be seen with the best IPTV subscription you can get....Ultimate Media IPTV. Visit today to see what else is included for yourself.
On to the day's action....
1.07pm ET - Milwaukee Brewers v Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario. This game is being broadcast on BSWI, SNET and MLBN.
1.10pm ET - Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets at Citi Field, Flushing, New York. This game is being broadcast on NBCSP, SNY and MLBN.
1.10pm ET - San Diego Padres v Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park, Miami, Florida. This game is being broadcast on SDPA, BSFL and MLBN.
3.40pm ET - Colorado Rockies v Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona. This game is being broadcast on ATTR, BSAZ and MLBN.
7.10pm ET - Cincinatti Reds v Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts. This game is being broadcast on BSOH and NESN.
7.40pm ET - Cleveland Guardians v Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland. This game is being broadcast on BSGL and BSNO.
8.10pm ET - Los Angeles Angels v Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas. This game is being broadcast on BSW, ATTH and FS1.

It's officially summer time, the days are getting longer, hotter and the sun is shining. Time to enjoy the weather and a cold beer with some baseball.
For those of us who have a free afternoon, or the ability to watch while working from home, we have 7 games scheduled to enjoy today.
Today we start early and carry on into the evening on Ultimate Media IPTV.
All games today, and every day, can be seen with the best IPTV subscription you can get....Ultimate Media IPTV. Visit today to see what else is included for yourself.
On to the day's action....
1.07pm ET - Milwaukee Brewers v Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario. This game is being broadcast on BSWI, SNET and MLBN.
1.10pm ET - Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets at Citi Field, Flushing, New York. This game is being broadcast on NBCSP, SNY and MLBN.
1.10pm ET - San Diego Padres v Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park, Miami, Florida. This game is being broadcast on SDPA, BSFL and MLBN.
3.40pm ET - Colorado Rockies v Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona. This game is being broadcast on ATTR, BSAZ and MLBN.
7.10pm ET - Cincinatti Reds v Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts. This game is being broadcast on BSOH and NESN.
7.40pm ET - Cleveland Guardians v Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland. This game is being broadcast on BSGL and BSNO.
8.10pm ET - Los Angeles Angels v Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas. This game is being broadcast on BSW, ATTH and FS1.

It's officially summer time, the days are getting longer, hotter and the sun is shining. Time to enjoy the weather and a cold beer with some baseball.
For those of us who have a free afternoon, or the ability to watch while working from home, we have 7 games scheduled to enjoy today.
Today we start early and carry on into the evening on Ultimate Media IPTV.
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On to the day's action....
1.07pm ET - Milwaukee Brewers v Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario. This game is being broadcast on BSWI, SNET and MLBN.
1.10pm ET - Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets at Citi Field, Flushing, New York. This game is being broadcast on NBCSP, SNY and MLBN.
1.10pm ET - San Diego Padres v Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park, Miami, Florida. This game is being broadcast on SDPA, BSFL and MLBN.
3.40pm ET - Colorado Rockies v Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona. This game is being broadcast on ATTR, BSAZ and MLBN.
7.10pm ET - Cincinatti Reds v Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts. This game is being broadcast on BSOH and NESN.
7.40pm ET - Cleveland Guardians v Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland. This game is being broadcast on BSGL and BSNO.
8.10pm ET - Los Angeles Angels v Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas. This game is being broadcast on BSW, ATTH and FS1.

“I’m sorry; we’re going to astral travel to a flea market?” Charlotte asked incredulously as she watched Genevieve and I set up a meditation circle under the shade of a towering old willow tree in my cemetery. “What if we want to buy something? How will we bring it back?”
“We’re not going there to shop, Lottie. Samantha’s finally had a vision about Emrys,” Genevieve explained.
The Veil between the Physical and Astral Planes is exceptionally weak in my cemetery, especially at night and on hallowed days. When I sleep there, my subconscious mind is highly receptive to all manner of revelations from the Spirit World. When I saw a Blood Moon rise on the night of May fifth, the same night as a penumbral eclipse, I knew that my dreams would be prophetic.
“I had a dream about him last Friday,” I expounded. “He’s at some sort of otherworldly marketplace, one that’s not connected to the Crypto Chthonic Cuniculi, so it’s mostly inaccessible to the Ophion Occult Order. In my dream, Emrys invited us to come and speak with him while we were lucid. He drew a sigil for me, the same one I’ve drawn in the middle of the mediation circle. He said that all I’d have to do is toss an Undying Rose – the earthly effigy of the rose Persephone used to steal a drop of his blood – into the sigil and it will become an astral portal to where he is.”
I held up the deep purple rose that I had cut from its bush earlier that day. I don’t know for certain where the roses came from, but my best guess is that they were made by the same Occultist who hallowed my cemetery to Persephone; Artaxerxes Crow. They have some connection to Emrys as well, since the only other time I saw someone else use one was when his avatar was summoned into the Physical Plane on Halloween 2020.
Knowing that Emrys wouldn’t dare to set foot in a place that was sacred to the Goddess who was ultimately responsible for his cosmic defeat, I gently tossed the rose into the middle of the sigil.
“He invited all of us?” Charlotte asked with an incredulous raising of her eyebrow.
“He said me and my coven. If he had just meant me or me and Genevieve he would have said that,” I replied. “You and Elam are coming too. I want as many eyes on this place as possible so that we don’t miss anything. We may not get an opportunity like this again.”
“And this is safe? Visiting some random flea market between worlds?” Charlotte asked.
“Samantha and I have visited the Underworld and come back no problem,” Genevieve reminded her. “So long as we’re bound to our bodies and Elam is bound to Samantha, we can come back anytime. Don’t worry; this is going to be a blast! Adventures like these are the best part of being a Witch.”
“The only reason you were able to go to the Underworld is because Samantha’s cemetery came with an astral portal in the back,” Charlotte countered, gesticulating in the general direction of the archway that was still partially visible behind the light spring foliage. “Other than that, when have any of us ever done anything useful with our astral projection? This is still a physical place, right? We don’t have any of our physical senses available to us when we astral project, and I get extremely disoriented trying to navigate the mortal plane with clairvoyance alone.”
“It is a physical place, but one saturated with astral energy and full of occultists and occult artifacts. It will be extremely illuminated to our clairvoyance,” I assured her. “Elam will also be there to guide us. As a ghost, he’s much more practiced at traversing the mortal plane in an astral form.”
Charlotte folded her arms over her chest and turned to look at Elam, who was leaning up against the willow tree as he waited for us.
“I don’t suppose you could go and scout the place out for us ahead of time?” she asked.
“I can’t go too far from Samantha, and definitely not across planes,” he said with a shake of his head. “But Eve’s right. Your astral bodies will be in no danger, and you can return here in an instant whenever you want.”
“But what about Emrys? Didn’t that book Leon gave you say that he’s some sort of soul-flayer?” Charlotte asked me.
“It did,” I admitted. “Keep in mind though, that book was written by his enemies. I want to hear his side of things before this conflict of theirs spirals out of control.”
“Any update from Chamberlin about that?” Elam asked.
“Yeah, he said that after he failed to purify the Sigil Sand, Ivy’s onboard with negotiating some kind of truce with Emrys,” I replied. “The Grand Adderman’s still reticent, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s running out of options. I need to find out if Emrys will agree to peace talks.”
“Um, I get that, but I’m still kind of hung up on him potentially flaying our souls,” Charlotte reiterated.
“If Emrys and the Ophion Occult Order go to all-out war, there’ll be a lot of collateral damage and innocent souls caught in the crossfire,” Genevieve told her, gently grabbing hold of her and looking her straight in the eye. “Samantha, Elam, and I are doing this because if there’s any chance we can put an end to this before it starts, then it’s our responsibility to try. You don’t have to come with us, Lottie, but you’re still a member of our coven. Samantha and I would both feel a lot better with you there to help us.”
“Arghhh! All right, fine! I’ll come with you,” Charlotte gave in, plopping her butt down on the edge of the meditation circle. “If we’re holding hands, that will help keep our astral bodies together too, right?”
“I believe it should, yes,” I smiled at her, sitting down and reaching out for her hand.
Genevieve lit the incense and her bong filled with the entheogenic Delphi Dream, before sitting down to join us. She took a hit from the bong before passing it to me, and then to Charlotte before setting it aside out of the circle.
“Start with taking a deep breath, completely filling the lungs, and holding it for five heartbeats,” she guided us as she took hold of each of our hands. “Exhale completely, and wait five more heartbeats before breathing in again. Eyes closed, in through the nose, out through the mouth. Focus on the astral energies flowing through you with each breath, gently aligning each chakra until those energies are enough to lift you up and out of your body.”
In unison with one another, the three of us slowly breathed in and out, ignoring the material world around us and focusing upon the task at hand. Eve was first, as usual, and because we were all holding hands, Charlotte and I felt her eagerly tugging us up to speed us along.
I opened my eyes, and beheld the dull and muted Physical Plane through my clairvoyance, everything outshined by the radiant forms of my coven mates. I noted that Genevieve had eschewed her normal skyclad form when astral projecting and instead wore a cloak like Charlotte and I.
“Are you worried this place might have a no shirt, no shoes, no souls, no service policy?” I teased her.
“I just don’t want to risk a confrontation over it. I realize how important this is,” she answered. “Though I’m not actually wearing shoes, now that you mention it.”
“Christ, look at the sigil Samantha drew!” Charlotte said, pointing down at the meditation circle beneath us. The sigil wasn’t just glowing but flowing as well, churning the Aether around it in a misty, spectral vortex. “It’s an astral portal, isn’t it?”
“Oh yeah. It’s not stable, though. Good for one trip only,” Genevieve said with a delighted smile. “And Lottie, since we’re Neopagan Witches, try not to swear by Christ, okay?”
“Jesus!” she swore, both in defiance and in genuine annoyance.
“Elam! Elam, come join the circle! I don’t want to take any chances of severing our bond,” I instructed, letting go of Charlotte’s hand and waving him in between us.
Faithful Familiar that he was, he obeyed without hesitation. Despite my concerns, I think that he probably could have stayed behind if he had wanted. The fact that he was willing to follow me to an unknown otherworld without complaint really made me appreciate how devoted he was to me.
“We step in together on the count of three, got it?” I instructed, each of them nodding clearly in response. “One. Two. Three!”
We all extended our right feet into the vortex together, and the instant we did we were swept away, falling out of our own world and tumbling between the cracks of countless others. They weren’t real, I don’t think. At least, not as real as our world. They were potential realities, or realities that could have been once but now can never be, or fantasies that are so persistent in the minds of real people that in some sense or another, they become real themselves. I only saw glimmers of them, glimmers in nebulas made of primeval chaos and uttermost void.
It was outside of time, that place we travelled through, or at least we had no sense of it there. Our souls were haphazardly spat out upon a surreal landscape of earth, sea, and fire. Hilly plains of volcanic ash, incandescent calderas of lava and bubbling hot springs all intermeshed in a chaotic mosaic that didn’t seem to abide by any laws of geology or geography that I was familiar with. A strong but slow wind pushed fractal formations of dark silver clouds through a pale silver sky, illuminated by a single white orb which could have been either a bright moon or a faint sun.
While our spectral feet left no trace upon the ash we now stood upon, our presence nonetheless elicited a response from some of the local fauna. We were just able to catch a glimpse of some kind of shimmering scarabs burrowing themselves into the ash to escape the four otherworldly ghosts that had invaded their territory.
“Holy shit,” Charlotte murmured as we all gazed out upon the strange world we had found ourselves on. “This really isn’t on the Astral Plane. This is a real planet. This a real, alien planet! This is unbelievable!”
Genevieve glided over to one of the bubbling pools and peered into it, looking for any more signs of life.
“There’s some kind of bluish-grey algae growing on the rocks down there, and I think I can make out some small arthropods too. This planet’s alive!” she announced with glee, smiling and looking up at the alien sky.
Conjuring an astral approximation of my staff, I plunged it into a small mound of ash beside me. I watched curiously as the scarabs shot out in all directions, moving too quickly for me to get a good look at them, before scurrying back into the surrounding ash.
“These bugs can sense our presence,” I remarked. “How and why would clairvoyance evolve in insects on this world, and why would their first instinct be to flee?”
“Samantha!” Elam called out. “I think I found the Flea Market.”
We all gathered around him and looked where he was pointing. On a distant dune, we beheld the moulted carapace of a colossal insect, gleaming a brilliant, lustrous gold in the broken white light.
“That’s impossible!” Charlotte claimed. “That thing must be hundreds of meters long! No insect, no animal period could ever get that big on the Physical Plane!”
“It could be the Incarnation of some kind of Titan,” Genevieve suggested. “But… it’s dead. I can tell that even from here. It’s dead. It’s the corpse of a dead god, and now it’s being used as a swap meet with a punny name. Either whatever killed it just abandoned it, or…”
“Or is running the place,” I finished for her. “Well, we should see if we can find Emrys.”
In an instant, the world moved around us until we were at the entrance to the Flea Market. The colossal carapace was hollow inside, of course, and had been filled with a bustling city that looked like it had been created in the most ad hoc manner possible. There wasn’t a single straight street to be seen, and they converged with one another at random intervals. Stalls and buildings varied wildly in both design and materials, all imported from a plethora of different cultures across the planes.
Enormous shards of luminous glass levitated above the throng like a thousand Swords of Damocles, any or all of them seeming capable of succumbing to gravity at any moment. In the very center of the moulted husk dangled a great spiralling chrysalis or hive woven of iridescent silk, its function not being immediately apparent to me.
There must have been thousands of people there, and hundreds of merchants hawking their wares. Most of those who looked human still seemed a little off, like they were members of ethnicities that didn’t exist in our world. Some of the beings were near-human in appearance, many seemingly some kind of Fey or Seelie folk. There was even a small handful of people that weren’t remotely human at all.
The only thing they all had in common was that none were native to this world.
“Most of these people are here in person, aren’t they?” Charlotte asked.
“It would’ve been quite a feat for them to have built all of this while astral projecting,” Genevieve agreed.
“But if this place isn’t connected to the Cuniculi, then how did they get here?” Charlotte asked. “We’re on another planet, maybe even in another dimension. If getting here is beyond the Ooo’s abilities, then what sort of ungodly reality benders decided to turn it into a Flea Market?”
“Ladies, gentlemen, and any beings either too ancient and alien or too modern and alienated to settle on one or the other, come bear witness to one of the most astounding and atrocious abominations on this or any other world!” a fast-paced male voice rang out over the din of the crowd.
We turned to see a short, skinny, old-timey sort of carnival barker standing on a literal soap box, placed next to a large object draped in a black tarp.
“For the paltry price of a single three-headed coin, you can peer beneath the veil and behold with your own unbelieving eyes the mangled and mutilated monstrosity that lurks beneath!” the carnival barker continued. “But I must warn you, it is not possible to truly understand what dwells underneath without seeing it first! I cannot guarantee that you will still retain your sanity or will to live after witnessing the proverbial Mountains of Madness, for this low creature is truly like no other and serves only as a grim testament to the cruel sadism of the Lord Above! Anyone plagued by even the faintest lingering doubt as to their spiritual fortitude should not dare to even contemplate what might lie before me! But, for those brave, noble few who are truly dauntless of heart and incorrigible of spirit, I am proud to share with you this rare, unfathomable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness sublime –”
The carnival barker was interrupted by a man yanking the sheet off the object beside him, revealing it to be a mirror.
“Whelp, that was a hell of an Im14andthisisdeep post, eh?” Charlotte mused.
Genevieve and I, however, were far too stunned to be amused; not by the mirror, but by the man who had unveiled it.
“It’s him, Lottie. That’s Emrys,” Genevieve whispered.
We had only seen him briefly once before, more than two-and-a-half years ago, but he was far from what anyone would call forgettable. He was tall and gaunt, with literal blue blood flowing beneath translucent skin. His long, receding hair and regal beard were pitch black, and dark miasma wafted from his eyes, nose, and mouth. He was dressed in dark sable robes with three overlapping Ouroboros’s tattooed on his forehead, with a pair of ophidian pupils lying in the spaces between them.
What stood out the most to us were the six silver Ouroboros chains bound around his wrists, ankles, waist, and neck. These were the chains the Ophion Occult Order had made to limit the power of his physical avatar, and it seemed he had not yet found a way to free himself from them.
“Are you still here?” Emrys asked in exasperation, tossing the veil back at the carnival barker in disdain.
“…Possibly,” the strange man replied evasively. “But not definitively, for purely legalistic reasons.”
“I believe Mathom-meister was quite clear when he said that your rather pitiful chicanery wasn’t welcomed here,” Emrys reminded him.
“And who is he to judge chicanery from cutthroat, capitalistic competition? Should not the Flea Market be a free market?” the charlatan demanded. “And while we’re on the topic of commerce, I don’t suppose you have enough three-headed coins to pay for all the poor souls you have so discourteously exposed to my exhibit against their will? I’d hate to have to start shaking people down to get my due.”
“Hard to believe your own circus threw you out,” Emrys said with a sardonic eye roll as he tossed him a small medallion. “You get one coin. Take it and get out of my sight.”
The charlatan flipped the coin in the air thrice, presumably to confirm it actually had three heads. Satisfied with its impossible dimensions, he shoved it into his pocket.
“It will cover the trolley ride home, at least,” he acquiesced, stepping off his soap box and turning to face his looking glass. “A shame though you can’t see the genius in my little avant-garde performance piece here, Emmy. Even I know that the monster in the mirror is often the hardest to recognize.”
As the man reached to pick up his mirror, his reflection’s arms shot through the glass and grabbed him by the wrists, pulling him in. Emrys immediately tried to chase after him, but bounced off the glass as if there was nothing supernatural about it at all.
“Bastard!” he cursed under his breath, before turning towards us and giving us a small apologetic smile. “I’m sorry you had to see that rather pathetic display. Unfortunately, the few meeting places I know of that are relatively safe from any Ophionic incursion also attract their fair share of other annoying miscreants.”
“If it didn’t attract a little bit of everything, it wouldn’t be a Flea Market, would it?” I asked rhetorically. “Thank you, Emrys, for inviting us. I’ve never been anywhere like this before.”
“And thank you for accepting. Samantha, Genevieve, it’s a pleasure to see you again, and a relief that you have not fallen under the auspices of the Ophion Occult Order,” he said with a gentle bow. “Elam, I remember you as well. Valiant but not reckless, you remained atop Pendragon Hill during my battle with the Darlings until your mistress was well out of harm’s way, and then you got the hell out of dodge yourself. Samantha couldn’t hope for a better Familiar. And Charlotte, any Witch that Samantha deemed worthy to induct into her coven is obviously someone whose acquaintance I am pleased to make. Welcome, all of you, to Mathom-meister’s Flea Market!”
“So this is where you’ve been hiding out the past two years?” Genevieve asked.
“Oh no. Far too Cosmopolitan for my tastes,” Emrys replied. “No, this is just a friendly place to meet those I consider friends – or potential friends, at least. I’d offer to show you around, but I know it’s difficult for you to astral travel for prolonged periods. Come with me to Mathom-meister’s house where we can talk freely, and we’ll discuss the situation with the Order.”
I gave him a small, single nod in response, and gestured with my staff that he should lead the way. He responded by pointing upwards, then vanished into his shadow form. When we looked up, we saw him waving at us from a balcony atop the great silken chrysalis.
We exchanged hesitant glances with one another, but ultimately followed him into the strange structure, moving from the ground to the balcony in an instant by will alone.
“How would an incarnate being get up here if they couldn’t fly or teleport?” Charlotte asked as she peered over the balcony’s teetering edge.
As though answering a summons, a humanoid creature apparated beside her in a flash of dark vapours. The hunched-back entity stood over six-and-a-half feet tall, and was clad in golden-brown erudite robes. Its squid-like skin was of a similar colour, and its entire face was a single gaping orifice that held a wispy, glowing orb in the center of its skull which I immediately recognized as its soul. A pair of long, fanged tentacles lined with pores and tendrils hung down from its head like a long, forked beard, and the seven digits shared by its two hands all bore wicked-looking talons, as did its two-toed, digitigrade feet.
“Not fly or teleport? What sort of pedestrian house guests do you think I entertain here?” the being asked wryly, its voice seeming to come from nowhere in particular.
Charlotte instinctively backed away from the creature and into the protective fold of our coven, but Emrys was quick to hold up his hand to plead for calm.
“Please, there’s no need for alarm. This is our host, Mathom-meister. He’s the only reason any of this is here in the first place,” Emrys informed us. “A year or two ago a companion of his unfortunately became one of the Darling Twin’s victims, and when he heard of my vendetta with them, he tracked me down; which is no small feat, I assure you.”
“It is for us. My people are a race of Planeswalkers. Traversing the many worlds of Creation is second nature to us,” Mathom-meister explained.
“I’ve… I’ve heard of your people, I think,” I said, softly and unsurely. “A friend of mine had an encounter with an artifact that gave her a vision of a race of strange and powerful sorcerers slaying their own god. I take it you’re the ones who slayed this Scarab Titan as well? That’s, that’s…”
“Horrifying, yes. That’s the idea,” he nodded. “You have nothing to worry about, young Witch. My people have no special interest in your world. This is purely personal. My friend is dead, and I want his murderers brought to justice; a goal which Emrys and I happen to have in common.”
“Feel free to share this information with the Ophion Occult Order, Samantha,” Emrys said. “I’d very much like for the Darling Twins to know what’s hunting them. Mathom-meister, please excuse me while I take my guests inside. We do have pressing business to discuss and their time is limited.”
The squid-cyclopes bowed gracefully, and my coven and I quickly scurried after Emrys as he led us inside through a towering hallway and into a large chamber that had been appointed as a living space.
I had thought that Emrys would want to speak with us alone, which was why I was surprised to see a young woman sitting cross-legged on a spongey yet chitinous object that I will for the sake of my sanity call a bean bag chair. Like Emrys, she was pale and blue-blooded, her choppy hair as black as coal. She wore a black robe and heavy black eyeliner, but these could not conceal the fact that she too had thin wisps of miasma emanating from her eyes.
“Is that your… daughter?” Charlotte asked, as baffled by her presence as any of us. The woman smiled warmly at the question.
“In a way. I was dead, and Emrys gave me new life. Now a part of the Outer Primordial Darkness he represents lives in me too,” she said serenely.
Hovering above her left palm were three small bluish-green orbs, lazily going around in a circle. They were translucent and held something inside them that I couldn’t make out, but the orbs themselves appeared to be melting and solidifying by the woman’s will.
“You’re Petra, aren’t you?” I asked as I cautiously approached her. “Chamberlin had mentioned that Emrys had taken an acolyte. I’m Samantha, and this is Genevieve, Elam, and Charlotte.”
“I know. The whole reason we’re here is to speak with you,” she nodded.
“The Ophion Occult Order calls me a soul-flayer, and I’m sure you were all wondering exactly what that meant before you came here,” Emrys said, standing proudly behind his acolyte. “Well, this is it. The Darkness Beyond is now a part of her, and a part of her now lives within the Darkness Beyond. She is not unchanged from what she was before, but neither has what she was been lost.”
“My interpretation of the term ‘soul-flaying’ was the complete removal of a person’s consciousness from their astral and physical bodies to be subsumed by your Darkness,” I countered. “They told me that what you’ve done with Petra here is just the limit of your power while you’re bound in their chains. Are you telling me that if your chains were broken, you wouldn’t be able to do any worse than this?”
“On my physical avatar? No. So long as my astral form remains chained and bound with the World Serpent, I cannot cleave a conscious mind from its astral substrate,” Emrys assured me.
“But that is your ultimate goal, isn’t it? Breaking the chains the Ophion Occult Order put on you is just a stepping stone to breaking the ones the gods bound you with?” Genevieve asked. “You’ve allied yourself with a literal god slayer. Do you expect us to believe that his people’s abilities aren’t something you intend to put to your own ends?”
“I don’t have an ultimate goal so much as I have a fundamental principle of opposing tyranny,” he claimed. “When I was a mere man, thousands of years ago, I was a tyrant. I believed that might made right so unquestionably that when my might began to fail me, the only thing I could think to do was to try everything in my power to restore it. This quest eventually led to me becoming one with the Darkness Beyond, which gave me not only the might I coveted but the wisdom I didn’t know I needed. It gave me perspective. It made me stronger than any human alive at that point but still let me realize how insignificant I was. It was humbling, and enlightening, and filled me both with remorse over my past actions and an impetus to use my newfound gifts to rectify them. I tried to overthrow the gods themselves which, in hindsight, was overly ambitious. I not only failed but had my soul devoured by the World Serpent, where it still resides to this day.
“I am not eager to bring the wrath of the gods down upon me once again. No, for now, I will be content to end the tyranny of the Ophion Occult Order. This is the message I’d like you to relay to them. If the Grand Adderman agrees to unbind my chains and step down from his post, I will spare his life. If he declines, I want the rest of the Order to know that I will show mercy to any who sides with me over him. I am willing to allow the Order to exist so long as it agrees to become more decentralized, democratic, and accountable. They will have to forfeit certain artifacts and individuals in their possession over to me, chief among them the Darling Twins, but I am willing to negotiate. If they aren’t, then I will overthrow the Grand Adderman by whatever means necessary and see the Order scattered to the four winds. It is entirely up to them whether or not the conflict between us escalates to full-on war. Have I made myself clear, Samantha?”
“I think so,” I said as I pensively considered everything he had said. “Why should they trust you to keep your word once your chains are broken? For that matter, why should we?”
He took a moment to consider his response, eyeing me over as though he was trying to divine something that would win over my trust.
“Samantha, you made a pact with Persephone to get your Spirit Familiar there; one where she swore by the River Styx. Is that correct?” he asked.
“It is,” I nodded.
“And in the years since, has Persephone ever broken that pact she swore to?” he asked.
“No, she hasn’t,” I replied.
“I may not be an Old God, but so long as my astral form remains bound by their chains, they have power over me,” he said. “Samantha Sumner, Hedge Witch of Harrowick Woods, I swear on the River Styx that I have spoken no lies to you today. I swear by the River Styx that I will abide by any Covenant that I and the Ophion Occult Order agree to in good faith and fair dealing that they do not break first. I swear by the River Styx that when my chains are broken, I will give you no cause to fear me or regret your trust in me.”
I gave a questioning glance to Genevieve, and then Elam, both of whom nodded in the affirmative.
“All right. An oath sworn on the River Styx is good enough for me. I’ll deliver your terms to Seneca Chamberlin,” I agreed. “I’m very grateful for the trust and respect you’ve shown for me and my coven, Emrys, though I can’t say I quite understand it. Out of all the guests that were there on the Hallow’s Eve you were summoned, why did Evie and I stand out to you?”
“The Ophion Occult Order deemed you worthy of inclusion in their cult, an offer you rejected on principle. You cheated Persephone, but you did it not to gain immortality for yourself but to save your friend from hell. You came here, thinking I could very well tear your souls asunder, but did so because you believed it was your duty to prevent needless suffering,” Emrys answered. “You are extraordinary in your craft, courage, and conscience, the latter of which especially stood out among the degenerates at that party. I do apologize if I frightened you at that event. I was a bit… irritable, given the circumstances. I’m glad we were able to meet again under more pleasant conditions.”
“So am I, Emrys,” I nodded. “I’m not sure exactly what this means or how relevant it is, but Seneca wanted me to tell you that he’s able to offer you the Dream Demon Red Ruck as a sacrifice.”
“Pffft. Tell him it’s hardly a sacrifice if I’m getting rid of a boogie man for him,” he scoffed. “In fact, now that you mention it, Ruck’s one egregore that might be of more use to me alive.”
I wanted to ask him what he meant by that, but we were suddenly interrupted by the rapid pounding of a gong somewhere down below. It seemed to be an alarm of some kind, as we could hear the panicked shouting and frantic racing of people either battening down or forsaking the Flea Market altogether.
Mathom-meister apparated into the middle of the room, his facial tentacles reflexively raised in a defensive position.
“Were you outside the market?” he demanded of us.
“The portal we came through deposited us a few miles outside of the market, yes,” I admitted.
“Damn,” Emrys cursed softly, though he sounded more frustrated than angry. “Meister, it’s not their fault. I knew they weren’t experienced Planeswalkers, I could have – ”
“It doesn’t matter!” Mathom-meister interjected. “They need to leave, now!”
“Why, what’s going on?” Genevieve demanded.
“The scarabs are swarming,” Petra explained. “Don’t feel bad; it happens often enough that they’re prepared for it.”
I wanted to press for more details, but I could hear the humming of a vast winged swarm steadily encroaching upon us.
“Don’t worry. Once you leave the swarm will disperse… eventually,” Emrys told us. “We’ve said all that need be said for now. Return home, and I’ll reach out to you again shortly, Samantha.”
Again, I wanted to object, but the swarm outside was growing louder and louder, and it occurred to me that we might not be completely safe from a biblical swarm of insects that could not only sense but evidently sought out souls.
This occurred to Charlotte as well, as she was the first of us to vanish and awaken back in her body. We could all feel the weight of her reembodied soul tugging on us to return with her. Genevieve immediately grabbed hold of my right hand and Elam my left, both of them refusing to leave before I did.
I spared one final glance at Emrys, lamenting that we couldn’t have had more time.
“I’ll relay everything you said to the Order. I’ll make sure they know you’re willing to negotiate a truce,” I vowed.
He gave me a gracious nod, and just as we heard the swarm start to pelt the exterior of the market, I forced my physical eyes open and was back in my body, still safely under a willow tree in my cemetery.
I immediately looked beside me to Genevieve, and saw that she was awake as well, and then around me for Elam, who seemed to be suffering a bit of spectral whiplash from being pulled back with me so suddenly, but was otherwise all right. Sighing with relief, I turned lastly to Charlotte, and saw that she was looking down at the mediation circle in dreaded horror.
Following her gaze, I saw that the Undying Rose was gone – spent, perhaps, in exchange for our passage – and in its place was the inert, and hopefully dead, body of one of the shimmering scarabs.

Introduction:
In recent years, the gambling industry has witnessed a significant transformation driven by advancements in technology. From online casinos to mobile betting apps, the landscape of gambling has expanded beyond the confines of traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. In this blog post, we will delve into the future of gambling, exploring new topics and trends that are shaping the industry.
1. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR):
One of the most exciting developments in gambling is the integration of VR and AR technologies. With VR headsets and AR-enabled devices becoming more accessible, players can now enjoy immersive casino experiences from the comfort of their homes. Virtual reality casinos offer a realistic environment where users can interact with fellow players and even dealers, enhancing the social aspect of gambling and Gambling write for us.
2. Cryptocurrency and Blockchain:
Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology are revolutionizing the way transactions occur in the gambling industry. The use of digital currencies, such as Bitcoin, ensures faster, more secure, and anonymous transactions. Blockchain technology provides transparent and tamper-proof record-keeping, guaranteeing fair play and eliminating concerns about fraudulent activities.
3. Skill-based Gambling:
Traditionally, gambling has been largely dependent on luck. However, a growing trend is the inclusion of skill-based elements in certain casino games. This appeals to a new generation of players who prefer to rely on their abilities rather than chance. Skill-based gambling introduces an element of strategy, making the experience more engaging and rewarding.
4. Esports Betting:
Esports has gained immense popularity, drawing millions of viewers and players worldwide. Consequently, esports betting has emerged as a lucrative market within the gambling industry. Bettors can now place wagers on professional video game competitions, enhancing their involvement and interest in the esports scene.
5. Responsible Gambling Tools:
As the industry expands, responsible gambling practices have become a paramount concern. Online platforms now offer various tools and features to help players maintain control over their gambling activities. These include self-exclusion options, deposit limits, and reality checks, promoting a safer and more regulated gambling environment.
Conclusion:
The future of gambling is marked by innovation and technological advancements that cater to evolving consumer preferences. Virtual reality, cryptocurrency, skill-based games, esports betting, and responsible gambling tools are just a few examples of the transformative trends shaping the industry. As technology continues to evolve, it will be intriguing to witness the further integration of these advancements and their impact on the gambling landscape. Ultimately, embracing these innovations can provide an enhanced and immersive gambling experience while ensuring player safety and satisfaction.
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