November 14, 2019 · 5:58 am

“Rick And Morty” Season 4 Premier: Is Morty Poised To Become Evil?

Rick and Morty Season 4 Credit: Adult Swim

Some things are worth waiting for, but when that wait spans nearly two years, that’s pushing it. Patience is a virtue, but after a certain amount of time, it becomes a test in how much you can tolerate frustration. For fans of “Rick and Morty,” the line between patience and frustration got real blurry for a while.

The last episode of Season 3, “The Rickchurian Mortydate,” aired on October 7, 2017. That might as well have been another lifetime and several universes ago. In that time, a lot happened behind the scenes. Show creators Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon explained in 2018 why it took so long and, delays aside, there was a legitimate reason for it, which hopefully helps the show in the long run.

That didn’t make the wait any less arduous. However, on November 10, 2019, it finally ended with the premier of Season 4, Episode 1, “Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat.” To say I was excited would be like saying Kalaxian Crystals help lighten the mood at a lame ass party. I built my entire day around it. I even cussed at the clock many times for not moving faster.

This was basically me all day.

As frustrating as the two-year wait was, I can attest that it was worth it. This quirky, colorful piece of nihilistic sci-fi didn’t miss a beat. Everything in “Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat” is a testament to why the show is so awesome and engaging. By the end, I quickly forgot about how frustrating the wait was. I’m just glad the show was back.

There’s a lot to unpack with this episode. The premise is fairly simple by the eccentric standards of “Rick and Morty.” Morty joins Rick on a quick space excursion to harvest valuable death crystals. These crystals have the ability to show someone how they’re going to die, which makes them both useful and terrifying. From there, plenty of violence, hilarity, and jokes about fascism ensue.

Yes, the show jokes about fascism about a time when fascism is no laughing matter to some people. Then again, this is the same show that gave us Abradolf Lincler so I don’t see why anyone should be surprised.

However, it’s not the fascist jokes that really made this episode stand out for me. What I found more intriguing was how this episode furthered Morty’s story. It’s a story that has changed a great deal since the first season.

When the show began, Morty is a deer-in-the-headlights teenager who is constantly overwhelmed by Rick’s exploits. He often comes off as scared, inexperienced, and naïve. He tries to maintain some level of idealism in the face of Rick’s misanthropic nihilism, but it rarely pans out. Sometimes, it’s downright traumatizing.

Then, beginning with “Close Encounters of the Rick Kind” and really further escalating in Season 3, especially with “The Ricklantis Mixup,” the show began hinting that Morty had a dark side. The hints weren’t subtle, either. Rick once stated that an overly confident Morty is a dangerous thing, which has fueled plenty of fan theories about where Morty is heading.

This episode will likely add more fuel to those theories because it shows what Morty can do when he’s motivated. Season 3 already showed that Morty has become more and more capable. He has been able to utilize Rick’s technology and solve Rick’s life-threatening puzzles. If the first episode of Season 4 is any indication, he’s capable of going even further when he’s got a strong incentive.

In “Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat,” the incentive is simple. He wants to pursue a future in which he dies happy with his long-time crush, Jessica. It’s a simple desire and one most people can understand without the aid of portal guns or magic crystals. On the surface, it’s not the kind of thing that would lead someone to committing egregious acts that require military intervention.

However, true to the high-level absurdity that is “Rick and Morty,” this is exactly what where Morty takes things. He’s not content to just know that this future is possible. He’s willing to go to great lengths to make it happen, even if it means going against Rick, bullies, the police, the military, and anything else that gets in his way.

It’s scary, yet revealing to see Morty go this far. It’s certainly not the first time the show has explored his dark side. In “Rest and Ricklaxation,” we find out that when Morty is purged of his toxic side, which includes his limitations, fears, and poor self-esteem, he becomes an full-blown sociopath.

Conversely, in that same episode, we find out that when Rick has his toxic side removed, he becomes kinder, more understanding, and downright affable. He doesn’t even randomly burp without excusing himself anymore. It implies that the toxic parts of Rick are part of what make him so misanthropic and cynical. Behind that toxic shell is someone who does have a sense of humanity, albeit to a certain extent.

For Morty, it’s the opposite. Strip away that shell that makes him feeble, inept, and whiny, as was often the case in the early episodes of the show, and his core persona is very different. He’s darker and more self-centered. Whereas Rick’s motivations rarely go beyond petty self-interest, Morty demonstrates more high-level narcissism. He’s willing to bend the world around him to his will in order to get what he wants.

Beyond adding more fodder for the popular “Evil Morty Theory,” it hints that Morty has a dark side in the mold of Walter White. I’ve mentioned before how Walter White walks a unique path into becoming a villain. A key part of that path involves a villain revealing that he has a dark side of himself was always there, but never came out because there were no influences to draw it out.

In “Breaking Bad,” a number of events compounded over time to bring out Walter White’s dark side. It started with him claiming that he did what he did for the good of his family. By the end, he flat out admitted that he did what he did out of selfishness. While Morty’s circumstances are very different, the signs are there too.

When Morty is inclined to be selfish, he can be downright dangerous. He hasn’t completely broken bad yet, but if “Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat” is any indication, he can walk that path and he won’t always be able to blame Rick for it. These were ultimately Morty’s decisions and, given how the show has emphasized choice in the past, that’s a potentially relevant development.

Whatever happens with Morty, I’m just glad this show is back. I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out over the course of this season. I’m sure there will be controversy, debates, arguments, and outrage. That’s part of what makes “Rick and Morty” artifact in our cultural landscape.

Until then, wubba lubba dub dub!

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November 13, 2019 · 5:57 am

Jack Fisher’s Weekly Quick Pick Comic: Black Cat Annual #1

Being an unapologetic fan of romance and superhero comics, I like to think I understand the dynamics of superhero couples better than most. Some, like Superman and Lois Lane, will always be iconic. They’re defined by how strong and ideal their love is in the face of overwhelming forces. There’s certainly a place for couples like that in comics.

Then, there’s Spider-Man and Black Cat. In terms of romance, they’re one of those couples who are like nitro and glycerin. Alone, they’re stable in their own right. Put them together, though, and things get volatile. Sometimes, it’s sexy. Sometimes, it’s literal. Most of the time, it ends badly, even by Spider-Man’s defining Parker Luck standards.

However, it’s because their relationship is so volatile that it’s also a lot of fun to follow. If ever you needed proof of that, “Black Cat Annual #1” should make that point beyond a reasonable doubt. In one single comic, you see why Spider-Man and Black Cat have such unique chemistry, yet still frustrate one another in the most adorable way possible.

You don’t have to be a romance fan to appreciate it, but it certainly helps. While “Black Cat Annual #1” is entirely a love story, it dares to have fun with a historically volatile relationship.

The story is billed as the wedding between Spider-Man and Black Cat. To all the Mary Jane Watson fans out there, as well as those not familiar with the dynamics between these two, there’s no need to worry. I won’t spoil much, but I will spoil that the wedding isn’t exactly traditional, even by superhero standards.

The wedding is just part of a more elaborate plot hatched by Black Cat. She just ropes Spider-Man into it because it involves dangerous criminal organizations like the Maggie. He’s reluctant. He’s not thrilled about it. Even his usual wisecracks are somewhat tempered. He still does it, though. That’s the kind of effect Cat has on him.

It’s not healthy, but it’s hardly the most toxic relationship Spider-Man has had over the years. This is a guy second only to Wolverine in terms of getting caught up in unhealthy relationships, some more so than others. While Black Cat might not bring out the worst in him, she’s more capable than most at getting him involved in less-than-heroic endeavors.

In this case, the wedding is almost secondary. Initially, it looks like Black Cat is just looking to steal from the Maggie and humiliate them while looking good in a wedding dress. Even for Cat, that’s pretty ambitious. However, as her plan and its many dangers unfold, her motivations aren’t quite as clear cut.

Writer Jed MacKay nicely captures Black Cat’s persona and motivations. She’s still a thief at heart. That, she doesn’t run from. On the surface, she’s cunning, sassy, and manipulative. However, she’s not a thief in the same mold as Spider-Man’s other villains. She doesn’t steal food from orphans and chuck it in the East River.

MacKay balances out her sass with some genuinely respectable goals. Even Spider-Man cannot deny that. While he’s still not thrilled with her methods or the fact that she roped him into a wedding ceremony, he still gives Black Cat his tenuous trust and she rewards that trust, for the most part.

There’s plenty of banter. There’s also plenty of quips and complaining on Spider-Man’s part. That doesn’t stop Black Cat from having fun with him, even as they face danger and deceit every step of the way. By the end, she clearly has had more fun than Spider-Man.

It’s a fitting summation of their relationship. They have chemistry. They genuinely care about one another. They also work well together. At the same time, they really push each other’s buttons, get on each other’s nerves, and have them do things they prefer not to do. It can make for a volatile and sexy romance, but it’ll never be stable.

MacKay captures the best parts of that dynamic in “Black Cat Annual #1” and fits it into one of Black Cat’s more creative heists. It all comes together perfectly in a single comic, complete with a beautiful cover by J. Scott Campbell and incredible interior artwork by the likes of Natacha Bustos, Juan Gedeon, and Joey Vazquez.

“Black Cat Annual #1” will not convince you that Peter Parker and Felicia Hardy are star-crossed lovers in the mold of Superman and Lois Lane. However, it does nicely demonstrate that there’s plenty of room for a different kind of romance in superhero comics.

It doesn’t have to be a classic love story. It doesn’t have to be totally toxic, either. There’s a lot of gray area in between. Spider-Man and Black Cat occupy a unique spot in that area. They can team up. They can oppose one another. They can even love one another. All this is possible due to the unique dynamics between them. That’s what make them a special kind of superhero couple.

While “Black Cat Annual #1” didn’t give us a true, full-fledged wedding, it offered plenty of fun for these volatile ex-lovers. At the very least, this phony wedding went a lot better than the wedding between Kitty Pryde and Colossus.

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November 12, 2019 · 6:04 am

How “Bojack Horseman” Offers A (Refreshingly) Balanced Take On Addiction

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People are complicated. Every person deals with their own set of complications. Some are more serious than others. A person who suffers from crippling addiction doesn’t face the same challenges as someone who has an extreme fear of clowns. Both require different approaches to deal with it and not every person is going to handle it the same way.

I suspect that most people would agree with everything I just stated. Most have probably endured their share of possible complications or dealt with someone who has. It’s one of those basic, but understated facts of life. However, when it comes to complicated problems like addiction and depression, popular media tends to do a lousy job of portraying those problems.

It’s not just that issues like addiction, drug abuse, or depression are overly simplified. The characters involved rarely reflect the complexities surrounding this issue. Look a most TV shows, movies, or books and you tend to get a stripped-down version of these issues. It usually plays out like this.

A character starts the story happy and healthy, but vulnerable and foolish.

Said character makes a few bad choices that triggers the problem.

That character goes through upheavals, losses, and setbacks.

The character hits rock bottom, realizes they have a problem, and decides to get help.

Whatever help they get magically works, the character’s issue is solved, and the credits roll to some upbeat song meant to sell the soundtrack.

I understand most people don’t expect the complex struggles of real people to be boiled down into a half-hour TV show or a two-hour movie. To some extent, these stories sell the fantasy that difficult problems have simple solutions. It’s comforting, but it can be dangerous to those who need help that doesn’t involve magical solutions that leave time for commercial breaks.

Very few TV shows or movies have the time to get into all the nuance surrounding these issues, especially for problems such as addiction. More than any other issue, TV and movies tend to get the nature of addiction very wrong. Addiction, itself, is already subject to all sorts of myths and misunderstandings. That’s even more troubling in the middle of a serious opioid epidemic.

For that very reason, it’s genuinely refreshing to see a popular TV show handle the subject in a more balanced manner. Even if that show involves anthropomorphic horse men that sound like Will Arnett, a little balance goes a long way, especially when dealing with real issues that impact real people.

That show, of course, is “Bojack Horseman.” It’s a show I’ve mentioned and praised before for how it confronts the myth of happy endings. It’s also a show that sets itself apart by lampooning and deconstructing the world of celebrities, happiness, politics, popular culture, and injustice. The fact the show can do this while also being funny, entertaining, and genuine is a testament to the show’s quality and brilliance.

I’ve been following this show since it aired. I’ve watched it grow through several seasons, following a unique path to acclaim and success. I was among those disappointed to hear that the show will be ending after Season 6. I don’t know if there will ever be another show that tackled so many sensitive issues in such a balanced way, but that makes it’s handling of addiction in Season 6 even more impressive.

Since the show’s first season, addiction has been both a common theme and a volatile catalyst. In fact, the very first scene of the first episode makes clear that Bojack has a drinking problem. It’s not subtle in the slightest. When he’s not melting down or mentally torturing himself, he’s drinking heavily or ingesting copious amounts of drugs.

Sometimes, he’s downright creative with drug use.

Throughout the course of the show, this has caused more than a few problems to say the least. People have died. Hearts of been broken. Souls have been crushed, regardless of whether you’re a man, woman, or horseman. These moments have helped give the show a level of dramatic impact that few others have matched.

It has also portrayed addiction with more tact, nuance, and understanding than any show I’ve seen to date. If you or anyone you know have dealt with addiction, then this show “Bojack Horseman” offers a compelling message that’s worth heeding.

Bojack’s addiction issues started off simple, but over the course of five seasons, it has become clear that there’s much more to his self-destructive behavior. It’s not just that he’s a celebrity and celebrities tend to get away with more than most, which the show touches on in some hilariously memorable moments. His life, his upbringing, and his choices have created a complex web of influences that fuel his addiction.

It’s not just that he’s depressed.

It’s not just that his parents were neglectful, hateful, and downright cruel.

It’s not just that he betrayed his best friend, who helped make him a success.

It’s not just that he slept with his best friend’s girlfriend.

There are many other gross misdeeds I could list. A lot happens over course of five seasons and it gets very dark. However, the show never attempts to pin Bojack’s problems with addiction on a singular cause. In Season 6, he attempts to finally confront those problems, but doing so doesn’t mean finding simple solutions. In fact, the solutions are prone to complications of their own.

The first three episodes of Season 6 has Bojack doing something important in the context of treating addiction. It has him look at his life, as a whole, and not just focus on the triggers that inspire his self-destructive behavior. Like addicts in the real world, Bojack learns that there’s no one thing that caused his problems. It’s not a single choice, either. Unlike the light-hearted show that made him famous, life is more complicated than that.

In some respects, drinking gave him the comfort and warmth that his parents never gave him. In others, it allowed him to overcome crippling social anxieties, which only got elevated when he became a celebrity. It wasn’t just that he was dependent on the alcohol to give him a quick dopamine hit to his brain. He came to rely on it, so much so that it incurred more and more complications.

Another part of what makes this portrayal feel balanced is that Bojack’s addictions are never framed as the sole source of his problems. Some of his most regrettable choices in the show happened without the aid of alcohol or drugs. He can’t use addiction as an excuse. Even though he tried to in earlier seasons, he’s not making those same excuses in Season 6.

It’s not a smooth process. Few plots in “Bojack Horseman” play out that way. Bojack struggles with his treatment, which is a novel concept for most shows that tackle the issue. Even when he’s not drinking, it still haunts him. That’s another thing addicts in TV shows rarely show. Once they get treatment, it becomes an afterthought. In real life, treating addiction is an ongoing struggle and always will be.

That’s a tough message for any show to depict, let alone one that needs to resolve things within 22 minutes or 26 episodes. On top of that, the act of not resolving serious issues, such as addiction, means the show can’t have a happy ending. That’s something most shows avoid, but “Bojack Horseman” is different.

On multiple occasions, the show points out how flawed the idea of happy endings are, often in depressing ways. At the same time, though, this is necessary context with which to frame addiction. For someone who has as many issues as Bojack, a happy ending just wouldn’t make sense.

It won’t end like this. It just won’t.

He can’t just come to a profound realization in the backdrop of sad music and suddenly be cured. His story and his struggles keep unfolding. Like real addiction, confronting and treating it is a complicated process that can often last a lifetime. It’s frustrating and depressing, but that’s the nature of life and “Bojack Horseman” doesn’t run from that.

With the second part of Season 6 scheduled for release in January, 2020, the end of “Bojack Horseman” is near. What this means for Bojack, his addiction, and the consequences of his choices remains to be seen. No matter how it ends, the show has achieved a great deal by daring to confront the complications of life that most avoid.

The fact this show can achieve this through a cartoon horse voiced by Will Arnett is an even greater accomplishment. While most people will never be able to relate to a half-man/half-horse former sitcom star, they might be able to relate to his struggles with addiction. Sometimes, being able to deal with things in a quirky, animated show helps make those things less daunting in the real world.

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November 11, 2019 · 10:01 am

Have A Happy (And Respectful) Veterans Day 2019

Today is a very special and solemn day in the United States. Today, we take a collective moment to honor and thank the brave men and women who serve in the United Stated Military. For many, it’s an act of patriotism and shared gratitude. For others, it’s personal.

I have multiple family members who have served in the military. A number of family members even saw combat in overseas conflicts. I’ve seen the toll of their sacrifice. I’ve heard their stories and their struggles. It’s a story worth telling and honoring, no matter what the political climate may be.

It doesn’t matter how divided we are. It doesn’t matter how angry we are with our current system. Today, we set that aside to honor those who have toiled, sacrificed, and suffered for the good of their country.

Last year, I tried to do my part by writing a sexy short story. You can read it here if you wish. This year, I’d like everyone to consider donating to a charity such as the Wounded Warrior Project. There are many veterans out there who need help and it can’t stop at a parade. Please, if you can, consider donating to this or other charities to help them.

Again, to anyone out there who has served or is serving, I sincerely thank you. Happy Veterans Day and may your work in the past and present bring a more peaceful future for everyone.

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November 10, 2019 · 8:14 am

Jack Fisher’s Sexy Sunday Thoughts: Fancy Bed Edition

Couple-in-bed

A lot of sexy moments occur on beds. Most people wouldn’t argue that. They are the site of our most basic romantic moments. They’re like dishes on which we eat a fancy meal or the batter from which we make a cake. If you’re passionate and/or horny enough, the type of bed doesn’t matter. You and your lover will find a way to make it work.

However, if you have a chance to enjoy a big, fancy bed with your love, then I urge you to take advantage of that. It’s a subtle, but underrated comfort that helps make those romantic moments even better. I’m not just talking about one of those big, California King sized beds. I’m talking about the kind that you can’t find outside a four-star hotel.

Years ago, I attended a wedding at this incredibly upscale hotel. I don’t remember what kind of beds this place had, but they must have been crafted by angels because they felt like clouds from Heaven. I cannot put into words how comfortable this bed was. Even though it was freezing cold outside at the time, I never slept sounder.

If you ever have a chance to spend the night on one of these beds, I encourage you to do so. If you have a chance to get cozy on one with a lover, then definitely take advantage of it. You may not think that a fancy bed can make that much of a difference, but I doubt you’ll think that way after you try one. Think of that and these Sexy Sunday Thoughts when you find out for yourself. Enjoy!

“Power isn’t always an aphrodisiac, but it does allow people to be honest about how kinky they are.”

“The quality of a date is directly proportional to the likelihood of getting naked with someone.”

“An awkward boner is only as awkward as who sees it and when they notice it.”

“Someone who shows off a naturally sexy ass is only redundancy that we widely celebrate.”

“We literally owe our lives to whatever made our parents horny.”

“An ugly person who gets laid once is more impressive than an attractive person who gets laid regularly.”

“Before computers were invented, impotence was the only true software error in existence.”

Beds are an important part of our lives, but they often go overlooked and underappreciated. We spend half our lives sleeping on them. A lot of us were conceived on them. For the most part, a bed only has to be functional. However, like most types of common furniture, there’s a premium side to beds. If you ever have a chance to sleep or make love on one, take advantage of it. You’ll be glad you did.

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November 9, 2019 · 9:53 am

“Testing King” A Sexy Short Story (Featuring A Male Sex Robot)

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The following is another sexy short story featuring sex robots and is a direct follow-up to “Testing Serenity.” I got a fairly positive response from that story. If I get an equal or greater response for this one, I’ll consider expanding it even more. If you have any feedback or ideas you’d like to share, please do so in the comments. Thanks and enjoy!

Not long ago, the act of satisfying a woman was subject to endless theories, tricks, techniques, and taboos. Men often obsessed over it while women agonized over it. Many people thought they knew how to go about it. Some of that knowledge was actually valid. However, there always seemed to be an intractable difference between lovers.

Men wanted to please their female partners.

Women wanted their male partners to please them every bit as much.

Neither seemed capable of communicating, let alone understanding, the process that went into a mutually satisfying experience.

That was exactly what Kelly Kyler worked to change. As a co-founder and lead tester of Ideal Companions – a rapidly-growing company in the emerging market for sex robots – she’d dedicated her life to bridging that intractable gap. Today marked another step in that arduous process.

“King Model 2.8, activate and run base protocol,” said Kelly in authoritative, yet excited voice.

She gave that command within a tightly controlled test area that she’d helped design. It was built like a typical hotel suite. In fact, much of the furnishings had come from a nearby hotel that had been renovating. The area included a king-sized bed with clean white sheets, a large dresser across from the bed, plush wall-to-wall red carpet, and a TV monitor on the wall. If anyone else had set foot inside it, they never would’ve known it was located in the sixth floor of Ideal Companion’s most secure testing lab.

The only indication that it involved something profound was the presence of a large, egg-shaped pod tin the corner of the room. It stood at nearly 7 feet tall and was hooked to a series of cables and mini-tanks. Through the glossy white surface, a humanoid figure was visible. The sound of her voice activated the various systems that had been integrated into the pod, feeding data, commands, and materials directly into the figure.

She could already see him moving inside and, if his shadowy outline were any indication, it was definitely a him. When he stood up and opened the pod’s main door, he stepped forward and approached her. There was little animation in his motions. He conducted himself as a robot. However, even with his robotic demeanor, his appearance and presence made one thing clear. This figure was a man…a tall, muscular, well-endowed man.

“Cognitive neural systems active,” he said in a deep, masculine tone. “Verifying base protocols. Verification complete.”

“Verify physiological and anatomical systems,” Kelly said with growing anticipation.

“Processing query. Verifying bodily systems and physiological configurations.”

His eyes flashed, briefly revealing that behind the imposing figure was a robot. Were it not for his eyes, a less informed woman only would’ve seen a naked man standing before her. Kelly had to be informed. His flashing eyes might have set him apart, but it was hardly the most notable aspect of his appearance.

While he processed the data, Kelly marveled at manly presence before her. The engineers and biotech team had once again outdone themselves. While the main structure of the man was that of a robot, his shell of synthetic flesh would be the first thing a user noticed. It looked, felt, and even smelled like real human skin. It had been molded, shaped, and appended to match the figure of a fit, attractive man.

He was not some hulking bodybuilder or Photoshopped fitness model. His muscle build, size, and stature were all perfectly proportional. His chest, torso, arms, and legs had just the right amount of build and definition. He was the kind of man who wouldn’t qualify as a male model, but could function perfectly in any female fantasy. He had the kind of beauty that didn’t seem impossible or unattainable.

That beauty extended to the wonderfully designed endowment that hung between his legs. Crafting a male penis that was just right in terms of size and aesthetics was one of the biggest challenges in the sex robot industry. Kelly had been on the front lines of those challenges and the results were already promising.

“I can already verify the ladies in the crafting department did a great job,” Kelly said as she admired it. “I hope that extends other functions.”

She grinned at the prospect of finding out. However, a sex robot with a functioning penis was not enough to ensure that that it could satisfy its female users. This latest model couldn’t just be a glorified giver of orgasms. He had to be a true companion.

“Processing complete,” he said. “All systems and configurations are operating at peak efficiency.”

“Good. That’s it for the easy part,” Kelly said. “Now, the real test can begin. Activate emotional core protocols. From here on out, designate identity as King.”

“Command confirmed. Activating emotion and self-identity protocols in 3…2…1.”

What happened next was like watching the genesis of a new being. In an instant, the male figure went from having a distinctly robotic disposition to carrying himself like a real human.

His eyes flashed again. His facial expression shifted erratically. He blinked several times, as though he had just come to a profound realization. He then glanced down at his hands, arms, and body. The vast volumes of data in his robot brain connected with the emotional processing matrix. It was a powerful moment in which processing data gained a whole new meaning.

“I am a man. I am a robot,” he said in a less robotic.

“Yes. Yes, you are,” said Kelly as she took a step closer.

“I think. I feel. I am…King,” he said, a slight smile forming on his face.

“Nice to meet you, King. My name is Kelly. I helped create you. Now, I’m here to welcome you…among other things.”

He took a few more moments to get a feel for his body, his feelings, and his sense of being. Then, he directed his attention towards her. As soon as Kelly felt his eyes on her, she saw his expression shift again. In doing so, he revealed that his emotional programming was working perfectly.

“Kelly,” King said as he gazed upon her. “Yes, I know that name. It has relevance to me…a deep relevance that extends beyond my data care.”

“That’s because knowing someone’s name is just a small part of a greater connection. Robot or man, you have the ability to forge those connections with your companion.”

“Connections…yes, the data surrounding that concept is relevant too. I can process it perfectly, but it is also something I desire.”

“That makes two of us,” said Kelly with a warm smile.

She stepped in closer, now just inches from his naked flesh. She could feel the warmth radiating from his body. Some of it was from his synthetic flesh, which was sustained largely by his robotic systems. That was necessary for any functioning machine. However, there was another aspect to that warmth that further built that emerging connection.

“Most people think they were born with a purpose,” Kelly said to him. “They’re rarely sure of what it is. It can’t just be that they were born because their parents willed it. They believe they were created with a greater purpose in mind.”

“I know my purpose,” said King. “It is written into my data.”

“I know. I helped code that data,” she went on. “You’re a companion, built to forge intimate bonds with heterosexual female users. Your body, your mind, and your emotions were created with this in mind. It’s just a matter of how well they work together.”

King paused for a moment, his eyes flashing again as he processed more data. To help aid him, Kelly reached out and lightly caressing his masculine sinews with her soft hands. Her touch triggered a reaction, one that prompted him to reach out and touch her as well.

With his powerful arms, he drew her into an embrace. With hands that were every bit as powerful, trailed his fingers down her face and gazed affectionately into her eyes. His emotional core was really working now. Data was no longer just data to him. Like a real man processing real emotions, feeling her presence affected him on an intimate level.

“My purpose…my desires,” King said in a more distant tone. “The distinction between the two seems increasingly irrelevant.”

“That counts as progress,” said Kelly while trailing her fingers down his arms. “Me feeling your strong, manly body against mine is another kind of progress…and an important kind, at that.”

“How so?” he asked.

“Because it’s the kind that makes me want a more intimate bond with you,” she told him, “specifically, a bond that requires me to be naked too.”

“Does that imply that I’m making you horny?” he asked with a slight grin.

“I see your understanding of humor has also progressed,” she quipped.

“Is that a good thing?”

“Yes,” Kelly said without hesitation. “That’s a very good thing.”

Kelly briefly broke the embrace and took a step back. Then, while he watched with his powerful gaze, processing a wealth of emotional data, she took off her clothes.

She wasn’t wearing anything fancy, opting to keep things simple with a pair of jeans, a pink halter top, and sandals. She didn’t even wear any sexy lace underwear, either. For the test to work effectively, she had to keep things simple with King. That still didn’t stop her from having a little fun, wiggling her hips as she slipped off her panties and casting the manly figure a seductive grin.

“You look good naked,” King said, grinning as well while she tossed her underwear aside.

“Thank you,” she replied as she playfully posed for him. “I know you have a lot of data about the female body, but trust me. Data is no substitute for experience.”

“No. It is not.”

For a brief moment, Kelly just stood before him, completely naked and quite comfortable in his presence. It gave King time to observe, scan, and appreciate her body. She felt his high-tech eyes scrutinize every inch of her exposed flesh. She even sensed him giving special scrutiny to her face, breasts, hips, and genitals. That was to be expected, given the nature of the test. However, it wasn’t just about testing King’s ability to analyze female anatomy.

As he took in her intimate form, she saw clear emotional undertones in his eyes. He wasn’t just scanning her to calculate the optimal strategy with which to pleasure her. That wasn’t her goal or his. King was not some elaborate sex toy. He was a companion. Robot or not, a companion couldn’t stop at simply scanning their lover’s body.

“Kelly Kyler,” he said upon finishing his scan.

“Yes, Mr. King?” she replied, her tone still playful and seductive.

“I’d like to touch you now,” he told her. “I’d also like to kiss you.”

“I’d like that too. But is that all you’d like to do with me?”

“No. There are many things I wish to do with you…things for which I have plenty of data, but limited experience.”

“That’s okay. That’s what I’m here for,” Kelly told him. “We both want similar things, but it all comes back to experience…a beautiful, shared experience.”

She took a step closer, temping him with her seductive gaze. King responded, taking a step closer as well and drawing her into a powerful embrace. This time, he played a more active role. He took the data he had on her, his purpose, and their shared desire and turned it into action.

It started with a soft, but focused kiss. His lips, forged with synthetic flesh and maintained by complex biological systems, were remarkably warm. The engineers had somehow captured the pure, wondrous taste of raw masculinity. It was more than enough to trigger more arousal, especially between her legs.

From the kiss, they each explored one another’s naked bodies. Kelly felt her way around his torso, marveling at the manly sinews that perfectly mirrored that of a fit man. King was more eager with his touching, fondling and caressing her womanly flesh. He gave special attention to her thighs, hips, buttocks, and breasts. Such intimate touching evolved into outright foreplay, further building her arousal and sending her into a sensual daze.

Despite his imposing form, he was remarkably gentle. Even when he rubbed her nipples, he was so careful and caring. His understanding of the female body and how to touch it showed. He wasn’t some awkward teenager fumbling around with a woman. He had all the necessary knowledge in his robot brain, but he also had an emotional cortex to give meaning to every touch.

Soon, those wishes he’d expressed earlier became more urgent. Kissing and touching her naked body was a good start. It was hardly sufficient for either of them. That meant the next part of the test could commence.

“Mmm…you’re a good kisser,” Kelly said, breaking the kiss while holding onto his shoulders.

“So are you,” King said while caressing her cheek.

“You’re good at foreplay too. You’ve got me all hot and horny. I want to have sex now. I really, really want it.”

“I want that too,” he said, “although the intensity of your desire may require a revised recourse on my part.”

“I’m sure you’ve already processed every possible scenario,” Kelly said with a seductive tease. “Why don’t you carry me to the bed and show me.”

“I’d be happy to.”

He smiled at her with a smile that looked distinctly human. Most robots could mimic a smile, but it rarely looked natural. Sometimes, it even looked creepy. That was because most robots didn’t have an emotional core capable of giving meaning, affection, and passion to a moment. King had that and it showed in how he went about pursuing their mutual desires.

He took her in his arms again. He then made use of that robot strength of his, lifting her up in his arms with little strain. He proceeded to carry her across the room with the utmost care. When they arrived at the bed, he laid her down like a groom preparing his bride for the final consummation of their love. Beyond just being in the presence of an attractive man, it sent Kelly’s passions soaring as much as her arousal.

“My dear King,” she said to him, “so loving and affectionate.”

“That is what I feel. That is what I seek. That is what I want to share in our sex.”

He kissed her lips again, as if to belabor his intentions for her. Kelly got the message and kissed back. More foreplay followed. With her lying on her back and him on top of her, their naked bodies meshed together in an intimate heat. Her inner thighs were now soaked with moist arousal. King must have sensed that because he changed the direction of their foreplay.

“Lie back and relax,” he told her. “I’m going to give you oral sex. I want you to be fully aroused before we proceed to intercourse.”

“Mmm…that sounds so practical, yet so sexy,” Kelly said through her daze.

“It’s not just pragmatic. It’s necessary,” King said intently. “For me to fulfill my purpose…for us to share in this moment…our bodies and our desires must be in perfect harmony.”

That almost made too much sense. Only a man with a robot brain could’ve made it seem so obvious. Both humans and sex robots understood the value of shared arousal, but a robot companion like King was uniquely equipped to pursue it.

He followed both the data and his passions as he trailed his lips down her face, neck, and torso. With care and patience, he made his way down her body, tasting her and touching her naked skin with the utmost care. Kelly gasped and moaned, her anticipation escalating with each passing second.

Finally, he arrived at his destination. She eagerly parted her legs, spreading them wide and giving him an unobstructed path to her inner thighs. Without hesitation, King focused intently on her womanhood.

“You’re already so aroused,” he said while caressing her outer folds, “but there’s still room for more.”

King went to work proved his words right. Tapping into that intimate data in his system, he began eating her out. He was as gentle with lips and tongue as he was with his hand, stimulating her most sensitive areas with the utmost care. His knowledge of female anatomy definitely showed. Kelly felt sharp surge of hot sensations course through her body as he hit all the right nerves.

“Ooh King!” she moaned. “Yes! That feels good. That feels so…so good.”

Her jubilant moans encouraged him. Not losing his focus, he held onto her thighs and lifted her hips, allowing him to lick and probe her depths with surgical precision.

More hot sensations followed.

More arousal came with it.

More gleeful moans filled the room.

“Mmm…so good,” King said, his voice muffled by her inner thighs. “You taste…so good.”

Kelly writhed under the feelings he evoked. She grabbed the sheets of the bed, holding her legs apart and arching her back through every blissful wave. It was everything a capable lover could provide a woman, but more so. It was as though King had analyzed every possible datapoint on effective cunnilingus and incorporated it into his actions. Beyond just knowing where all the right spots were, there was an intensity to his actions. He wasn’t just going through the motions.

He wanted her to feel good.

He wanted her to feel desired.

Most importantly, he wanted to satisfy her.

That, alone, made him a capable companion. King could’ve passed the test on his oral sex skills alone. However, there was one last step to complete.

“King…please!” Kelly gasped in an effort to communicate her desire.

“Hmm…I sense you are ready for intercourse,” King said, looking up from her pussy.

“Yes! I’m so goddamn ready!” she said intently. “I want it! I want you!”

“Then, it is time that I get ready as well.”

He rose back into an upright position. Then, while propped up on his knees, his eyes flashed briefly again. Kelly could tell he was processing a new batch of data. Doing so had a very noticeable effect, especially between his legs.

In a process that clearly reminded her that King was still a robot, his penis became fully erect. Once again, she couldn’t help but marvel at the work of her engineers. One biologist claimed that King’s penis, composed of synthetic flesh and operated by a system of synthetic processes, might be the most efficient manifestation of male genitalia in history. Kelly would be the judge of that, as well as the first of many beneficiaries.

“Wow! I’d say you’re ready too,” she said as she playfully eyed his cock.

“It is a simple process, directing my male flesh into its necessary state,” King told her as he hovered over her. “However, much like experience, the mere operation of flesh is a means to an end. What we do with it…what we experience with it…that’s what gives it meaning.”

“So true…for human and robot alike.”

“Especially for a robot,” he said as he lovingly caressed her face, “for it is only with meaning that we can know true intimacy.”

His sentiment echoed with emotion. Robot or not, King had powerful feelings that drove him to make love to her. Knowing he had those feelings gave meaning to the experience for her, as well. As their naked bodies came together, she embraced her robot companion in a culmination of real intimacy.

Just like before, it started with a kiss. As their lips became entwined, King got on top of her in preparation for their fleshly union. He kept things simple, aligning their bodies in a simple missionary position. That was perfectly fine with Kelly. She spread her legs wider, grabbed hold of his shoulders, and awaited the final phase of the test.

It commenced with a simple thrust of his hips. In just one fluid motion, the handsome man in the form of a robot companion entered her. Their union was so wonderfully smooth, her womanly folds eagerly embracing his masculine flesh. A flood of new sensations coursed through her, feeling her with another surge of energy and exhilaration. More quickly followed as King started humping, moving his hips and building an intimate rhythm.

“Yes! Yes! Oh yes! Ohhh King!” Kelly panted, clinging harder to his shoulders as she soaked in the feeling. “Ooh we’re doing it! We’re making love!”

“Yes! I feel it too,” said King with great intensity. “It’s…incredible!”

Those were the only coherent sentences that either of them got out from that point forward. Once King got a steady rhythm going, the experienced unfolded in a seamless succession of movements and gestures.

Two naked bodies moved together in a harmonious mantra.

The bed rocked, the sheets ruffled, and the walls reverberated with the many sounds of their sex.

They kissed, caressed, and embraced each other, conveying affection in accord with the pleasure.

Kelly savored every sensation. She also sensed King feeling something similar. He saw it in the way his expression contorted to the shared feeling. It was an important feature of a robot companion, having an ability to feel pleasure as well. Other companies had learned that lesson the hard way. Ideal Companions didn’t have to. Thanks to synthetic flesh and a robot brain capable of processing such feelings, King could also experience the joys of lovemaking like any deserving man.

It ensured that King didn’t just go through the motions or focus entirely on pleasing his companion. An important component of true intimacy was mutual satisfaction. For a user of a companion to feel satisfied, the robot had to know that feeling too. More importantly, he had to want and cherish it as well.

“Love…sex…passion,” King said through labored breaths. “Yes! I understand.”

Kelly replied with more pleasured moans and beaming smiles. He smiled back at her through his heated movements, sharing more kisses and sensual touching along the way. She felt both pleasure and affection. For many women, that was the difference between feeling satisfied and just getting off.

That difference really showed as Kelly neared her first orgasm. Usually, climaxing through simple, missionary style intercourse took more effort. She usually had to stimulate her clitoris or do something more elaborate. None of that was necessary with King. The path to ecstasy was simple, clear, and direct. When that feeling came within her grasp, she seized it with ease.

“Yes! Oh yes! I feel it too! I feel it!” she panted as the feeling approached. “Ohhhhh King!”

He briefly slowed his movements, keeping his hands on her hips and her eyes locked with his. He watched closely as Kelly achieved orgasm. She made sure she put on a good show.

Her eyes closed.

Her back arched.

Her toes curled.

It was a special kind of ecstasy, born of both intimacy and stimulation. It washed over her like a wave of blissful warmth. Time lost all meaning as she savored every moment. Her joy was obvious and apparent to anyone who saw, robot or otherwise. It sent a powerful message laced with critical data for King.

“Wow,” he said with awe.

Such astonishment was rarely associated with robots, but King was special. What he’d just done with her was special. Moreover, there was still plenty more of that special feeling to share.

“Kelly,” he said as she emerged from her orgasmic daze.

“Mmm…yes, King?” she said with a glowing smile.

“Would you like me to keep making love to you?” he asked, as though it were the most informal request possible.

“Yes! Please…keep doing it,” she said without hesitation. “This test should be thorough.”

He smiled, once again showing an understanding of humor that few robots could grasp. Not bound fatigue or traditional limits, he resumed his sexual movements from earlier. This time, Kelly played a more active role, if only to share in the blissful effort.

As King came to understand the intricacies and mechanics of lovemaking, the pace of their sex escalated. Movements became more urgent and gestures became more intense. Kelly helped mix up the style, leading King to make love in multiple positions that demonstrated a wealth of sexual verity.

Some were more effective than others. She sensed King really enjoyed doing it doggy style with her on all fours while he humped her from behind. He also seemed to appreciate cowgirl, mainly because it allowed him to fondle her breasts. Spooning proved somewhat clumsy, but he made up for it by using his soft hands to stimulate her clit from behind. He also had to slow down a few times, if only to help her catch her breath.

It led Kelly to even more orgasms. While she wasn’t as theatrical as she’d been with the first, she made it very clear that King was doing something right. He was making his lover come. That sense of awe soon evolved into a sense of exhilaration. In both his eyes and expression, she saw a special kind of ecstasy as well.

“This feeling…this moment…so powerful,” he said, his voice obscured by passion. “It feels so…”

He never finished that sentence, no matter how many times he said it. Kelly suspected that he was achieving some kind of orgasm as well. She remembered the engineers saying that the pleasure systems in male companions were tricky. They could mimic the orgasmic process in his brain and body, but the way it manifested was erratic.

There were a few technical reasons for that, but Kelly knew what a man looked like when he had an orgasm. Whatever form it took, it happened more than once for King. It allowed him to both share in the pleasure while continuing their sex. The test could not conclude until they were both satisfied.

“King…we’ve done it,” she said under her breath multiple times. “We’ve really done it this time!”

It referred to more than just their sex. What they achieved was something remarkable. For a robot, even one surrounded by synthetic flesh, to feel these sensations and experience such passion was a remarkable feat. Beyond raising the bar for robots and artificial intelligence, she and her team had created something that could share in the joys of progress.

Having long since lost track of time, Kelly didn’t know how many times she came or how long they made love. It only ended after one last climax that led to her collapsing on top of King in a blissful heap, so drained and satisfied that she could barley move. At that point, he didn’t need advanced sensors to know that he’d fulfilled his purpose. Even after their body movements ceased, he continued embracing her with tender care.

“We made love. We both came. It was a…powerful experience,” King said, his voice dazed by afterglow.

“Yes. Yes, it was,” Kelly said, still smiling widely as she rested her head on his chest.

“Are you satisfied, Kelly Kyler?” he asked. “Did I pass this test?”

“Yeah, you definitely passed,” she said without hesitation. “I feel so good…happy, satisfied, and loved. It’s everything you want in a great lover and a caring companion. I have a feeling you’re going to make a lot of lonely women very happy.”

“I look forward to that. Knowing I can fulfill my purpose so well gives me great certainty. Between the data and the feelings behind them, I hope to share that happiness.”

He cast her a smile as he lightly stroked her lower back. Kelly’s smile widened. She would’ve loved to spend the rest of the day enjoying the afterglow with King, but there were other tests to run and some had to be done fully clothed. On top of that, she and her tech team had to put King in sleep mode in preparation for his deployment. There were a lot of lonely women out there and they needed a companion.

“Trust me, King. There will be plenty of happiness to go around,” Kelly told him. “Thanks to companions like you, the horny women of this world will never go unsatisfied.”

“And the world will be better because of it,” King said, “but what of the lonely men? Will they have companions as well?”

“Of course they will!” she said with a humored laugh. “What do you think my husband is working on right now? And hopefully, his test went as well as mine!”

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November 8, 2019 · 5:59 am

Daily Sexy Musings: Subtle (Yet Sexy) Gestures

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There’s a time and place for big, romantic displays. Be they marriage proposals, anniversary presents, or Valentine’s Day gifts, there’s certainly a proper situation for that kind of spectacle. Being a romantic, I appreciate them more than most. I go out of my way to celebrate them in my novels and my sexy short stories.

As great as those displays can be, there’s something just as special about the subtle things. If you’ve ever been in love or in a serious relationship, you know what I’m talking about. It’s not some grand speech or some heart-warming display. It can be something as simple as a hug, a light kiss, or a slight caress. Whatever form it takes, it can convey more romantic sentiment than a thousand Valentine’s Day cards.

It’s something I think I notice more than most. Earlier this year, I saw a lot of it when I attended a wedding. The couple getting married weren’t the most theatrical with their love, but they had all these subtle gestures that told the story of their romance. Without getting into too many personal details, I can attest that it’s a hell of a story and one that no amount of words can tell.

I haven’t been in a relationship that serious to know what it’s like, but I hope to be in that position one day. I hope to meet someone who can take my hand and know everything I’m feeling, just through touch. It might seem melodramatic or clichéd, but it’s part of what makes love so powerful.

Having not experienced it directly, there’s only so much I can do to describe it. Keep that in mind with this Daily Sexy Musing. I can only contemplate what I’ve observed. To those lucky enough to feel it, I hope I did it justice.

It’s just a simple touch.

That’s what it looks like to the rest of the world. I stand next to you, take your hand in mine, and cast you a loving smile. It’s so mundane that nobody notices. Countless people walk by, not noticing the extent of what they see. To them, they just see two lovers, sharing a simple moment out in the open.

They have no idea how much meaning I impart.

They have no idea how much passion I convey.

They have no idea how much affection I share.

None of that matters because you know. In your eyes, I see the spark of understanding. You know why I’m saying without fancy words or elaborate displays. From the way I squeeze your hand to the way I lean into your warmth, you feel the intensity of my love. Like a hidden channel or a guarded secret, you have the key and you know how to use it.

In return, you respond with a touch of your own.

Like mine, it’s so simple. As we walk down a crowded street, you lean in and rest your head on my shoulder. Again, nobody casts us a second glance. Few even cast us a first glance. They see our love and they just pass it by. They don’t understand the connection we have, but that’s to be expected. Who else but us could grasp this feeling we’ve forged?

With no words, we can speak volumes.

With a simple gesture, we can unleash oceans of emotions.

With a slight glance, we can tell one another what can never be articulated.

That is the power and breadth of our love. Coming together was the easy part. Forging a connection, letting passions and desires blossom, was our greatest challenge. As I squeeze your hand and you squeeze mine, we confirm that we have triumphed.

Together, in only a few subtle acts, we say everything we need to say.

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November 7, 2019 · 6:01 pm

Celebrating The Love Of Shepard And Garrus On N7 Day

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Greetings and to all the fellow fans of “Mass Effect” out there, Happy N7 Day! To those who don’t follow video games or space operas, N7 Day is the annual celebration that fans of this incredible franchise and story use to celebrate this amazing world that we love.

This series will always be near and dear to my heart in many ways. It didn’t just tell an incredible story that spanned the galaxy. It crafted wonderful, compelling characters that included beautiful, endearing romances. While the game gives you many romantic options to pursue, the one that will always resonate with me is Garrus and female Shepard. Their love helps make the galaxy worth saving.

In celebration of this year’s N7 Day, I’d like to commemorate it by highlighting my favorite romance between Earth’s greatest defender and her badass Turian sharpshooter. If you need convincing that their love is special, please see check out this video complication. I hope it convinces you as much as it did for me. Enjoy!

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November 7, 2019 · 6:03 am

How The Internet Has Weakened (But Not Destroyed) Organized Religion

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The current state of organized religion is ripe with conflict and mixed messages. On one hand, religious affiliation has significantly declined over the past 30 years. According to a 2018 survey from Eastern Illinois University, around 23 percent of the US population identifies as having “no religion.” For comparison, that number was only 5 percent in 1972.

In other industrialized countries, the decline is even more pronounced. Throughout Europe, more and more people are drifting away from organized religion. That’s especially true of young people, who are one of the least religious demographics in modern history. In terms of the bigger picture, organized religion is facing a generational time bomb that’s just starting to go off.

At the same time, however, religion still exercises an absurd amount of political power. Religious groups, particularly those who align themselves with conservative politics, have enormous influence. Its platform is tightly woven with that of a major political party. Many people in positions of power identify as religious. Many more rely on a religious base to get elected.

It’s a strange trend that seems counter-intuitive. How can something be weakening due to declining adherents, but still wield so much power? In an age where the egregious crimes of religious institutions have been exposed and more people are educated on the many absurdities of various holy texts, it feels as though organized religion should be on its death bed.

While there are many factors behind this situation, I believe that one particular factor is more influential than most. It also happens to be the same factor that has done the most to weaken religion while helping to sustain its political and social influence. It’s a force that has already radically changed everyone’s life, regardless of their affiliation.

That force is the internet and its impact on religion cannot be overstated.

I’m old enough to remember what it was like to talk about religion in the pre-internet days. You listened to your parents, relatives, priests, mullahs, rabbis, and monks. They told you the history and tenants of their religion. You might ask questions. You might not understand the philosophy behind it. No matter how curious or skeptical you were, you could only do so much to question it.

Most of the time, you just had to trust your elders that they knew what they were talking about. You also had to trust that they wouldn’t lie to you, which is often a risky bet. If you were really motivated, you might go to a library and do some research. Even then, you’d have an uphill battle a head of you, given the many complexities behind religion and why people believe in it.

These days, it’s exceedingly simple to fact check an absurd religious claim. If someone were to claim that a 900-year-old man built a 300-foot wooden boat that housed two of every kind of animal for 40 days during a global flood, you wouldn’t have to spend years in college to learn why that’s absurd. You could just pull out your phone, do a few simple searches, and find out why this claim is completely wrong.

Even a kid who has only taken a basic science class can look up any of the stories their priest, mullah, rabbi, or monk tell them to find out whether they’re based on real history or embellished folklore. Religious institutions, parents, and schools can fight to control the information their young people receive. Many organizations do engage in activities that are outright indoctrination.

However, as demographic trends show, the effectiveness of those efforts only go so far. The information about the absurdities, inconsistencies, lies, and agendas is still out there. It’s widely available to anyone who can access a smartphone or a computer. There’s only so much anyone can do to prevent someone from accessing that information.

As a result, organized religion will never have the same sway it once did in centuries past. No matter how much conservative reactionaries complain, it’s impossible to go back. The combination of modern education and accessible information ensures that major religious institutions will never wield the power they once did.

Given the complexities of modern societies and the geopolitics surrounding it, it’s just not practical for a centralized religious institution to exist. The Vatican can still make statements about morality, ethics, and spiritual matters. It just has no means of enforcing them, as evidenced by how little typical Catholics follow their edicts.

Even without this power, the same internet that has permanently weakened religion is also the same thing that sustains some of its considerable influence. In fact, the internet might act as a catalyst that can turn certain individuals from nominal adherents to ardent zealots.

Think back to the young people sitting in churches, mosques, synagogues, or temples. While some might casually look up the religious claims out of curiosities, others might go out of their way to find information that confirms these claims. Even if they’re factually wrong, they’ll look for any bit of information that they can twist to make it seem true and cling to it.

This is why creationism still persists, despite extensive resources that thoroughly debunk it. If someone is really determined to find information that affirms their beliefs, they’ll find it on the internet the same way people find cat videos and knife-wielding crabs. There will even be unscrupulous people to exploit them, including those who are convicted felons.

Like it or not, there are people who sincerely want to believe their preferred religion and will cling to anything that strengthens that belief. Given the open nature of the internet, shaped by the whims of users rather than objective truth, it’s distressingly easy for someone to customize what kind of information they receive.

If someone only wants news and memes about how their religion is true while everyone else is doomed to eternal torture in Hell, then that’s what they’ll get. They can get their news and information from exceedingly bias sources while brushing off others as fake news. There’s nothing from stopping anyone from using the internet in such a manner.

We already see how this has divided people along political lines in recent years. I would argue that this has been going on with religion for even longer. The rise of the religious right and the prevalence of religious media has done plenty to tighten their grasp on ardent believers. While less people may identify as religious, those who do tend to be more dogmatic about it.

Since those kinds of believers can be mobilized and pandered to, they’re a more unified political force. As such, appealing to them means gaining power. That power may be tenuous and limited, but it’s still viable power that plenty of politicians exploit, sometimes to an egregious extent.

In a sense, the internet has made it easy for both the extreme zealots and the inherently skeptical. Those who might have identified as religious out of tradition in the past are more comfortable identifying themselves as non-religious today. It also helps there’s not as much stigma to being a non-believer as there used to be.

At the same time, those who were devout before can become outright zealots if they consume enough extreme content. In fact, their declining numbers in the general population might give them more reasons to become zealous. History has shown that small bands of religious zealots can do a lot of damage. The internet might hinder their ability to gain adherents, but it might also make them more desperate.

It’s a scary possibility, but one I tend to believe is remote. While I might not be a fan of organized religion, I still have many friends and family members who are religious and wonderful human beings. The internet hasn’t changed that. In the long run, I believe that basic humanity that binds us all will win out in the long run. The internet won’t always help, but it’s certainly a valuable tool.

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November 6, 2019 · 6:13 am

Jack Fisher’s Weekly Quick Pick Comic: X-Force #1

Even the cleanest communities need a functioning sewer system. That’s something that even the most wide-eyed, Utopian-seeking idealists understand. Throughout the history of the X-Men comics, Professor Charles Xavier and his X-Men have had to learn this lesson on many occasions. While they don’t outright abandon the idealism at the heart of Charles Xavier’s dream, they understand that less ideal methods are necessary.

That’s where X-Force comes in. Whereas the X-Men are the public photogenic faces of their heroic exploits, X-Force is the secretive, less scrupulous team that fights the ugly battles that need fighting. They are, in essence, the sewer system of Charles Xavier’s dream. Where heroes and idealism fails, they step in.

It’s a tradition that has gone through many eras, dating back to the X-Men’s heyday in the early 1990s. The threats and the circumstances have changed, but the tactics don’t. Even though the X-Men and the entire mutant race are in the best position they’ve been in since the Clinton Administration, there’s still a need for X-Force.

Writer Benjamin Percy, along with an impressive cast of artists, establishes the extent of that need in “X-Force #1” and does so in an appropriately brutal fashion. Charles Xavier may have set up an ideal environment for mutants to thrive, but that environment is still vulnerable to major threats who don’t stop at throwing killer robots at them.

The nature of these threats are vague, as is often the case with X-Force, but their motivations are clear. The new order that Jonathan Hickman built in “House of X” and “Powers of X” has shaken up the geopolitics of the Marvel universe. Mutants are no longer a disorganized hodgepodge of scared mutants, costumed heroes, and Deadpool. They’re a sovereign nation with valuable resources.

While this has set mutants up to prosper like never before, it also makes them a much bigger target. Instead of hunting mutants in dark alleys, there’s an entire country full of them and not all of them have trained in the Danger Room. It doesn’t take long for a shadowy group of masked mutant-haters to take advantage of that.

Initially, it’s hard to know how serious this threat even is. There have been all sorts of shadowy organizations who wear funny masks and dream of slaughtering every last mutant with a smile.  A few have a notable place in the X-Men’s history. However, they’ve never had to face mutants that are this well-organized.

These aren’t just mutant struggling to survive anymore. They have a living island to protect them. They have standing in the international community and they didn’t even need to threaten the planet to get it this time. On top of that, they have powerful psychics, living weapons, and Emma Frost’s sex appeal on their side. How can anyone threaten them?

This is where “X-Force #1” really makes its mark. It doesn’t just set up a new threat for X-Force to combat. It shows that this threat is capable of hitting the X-Men where it hurts. Their elaborate defenses, their legions of powerful mutants, and their emerging place in the international community isn’t enough. They can still be attacked. They can still suffer casualties.

It’s a rude awakening, especially after everything Charles Xavier did to make Krakoa the ultimate haven. It’s also shocking at how successful this attack is. Even those who aren’t traditionally associated with X-Force, such as Jean Grey and Beast, see first-hand how devious their enemies can be.

It’s a harsh reminder that they’re still living in a world that isn’t swayed by their idealism. While some might have their attitudes tempered by diplomacy, life-saving drugs, and Wolverine’s claws, others won’t stop until they’re dancing atop a mountain of mutant corpses.

Those aren’t people that the X-Men can confront through heroic means. This is the kind of challenge that needs X-Force and their less-than-ideal tactics. The last page of “X-Force #1” makes that abundantly clear. The only question is how far are they willing to go in order to respond?

Through its many iterations, X-Force has always had a darker tone to go along with its darker themes. Percy captures that tone perfectly in “X-Force #1.” He crafts a story that isn’t entirely built around X-Force’s harsher tactics and the lines they’re willing to cross. More than anything else, the story reaffirms the need for X-Force.

It lays a foundation that includes characters who are no stranger to X-Force’s methods, such as Wolverine and Domino. It also sets the stage for other characters to play a role, like Jean Grey and Black Tom Cassidy. In other eras, these same characters would oppose the very existence of X-Force or actively fight against them. However, in this new emerging order with Krakoa, they cannot avoid it.

“X-Force #1” has most the defining traits that X-Force comics have always had. What makes it stand out is how it builds those traits around a world in which mutants have never had it better. This is as close as they’ve ever gotten to fully realizing Charles Xavier’s dream, but X-Force is still necessary.

It’s a sobering reminder. You could even argue that it’s a necessary reminder. After what happened on the final page, nobody in X-Force is going to forget that anytime soon.

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