Stansted Airport has become a hotspot for UFO sightings

 The British city of Stansted, one of the country's main airports, has become known as a "UFO hotspot" after a series of strange sightings over the past six years. According to the Daily Star, there have been as many as 27 reports of unidentified flying objects in the vicinity of Stansted Airport over the last six years.

Some of these sightings were classified as "near impacts" as mysterious objects moved around the sky above this intensely moving object. In 2022, a Ryanair plane was almost hit by something that didn't show up on drone monitoring devices but managed to get about 4,000 feet into the air.

"The fascinating findings show that no matter what anyone thinks about UFOs, there is a credible and serious problem with flight safety," former Defense Minister Nick Pope said, as quoted by the Daily Star. "When an object comes within 20 meters of an aircraft, it is a very dangerous encounter from any point of view. This, and other incidents revealed in response to the Freedom of Information Act, show that it was a mistake to end the research program UFO by the Ministry of Defense in late 2009 and suggests that it is time to change this policy.

In another example, several planes reported an object in their vicinity, approximately 500 feet below them, as they prepared to land on Stansted Airport's Runway 22, according to an Essex Police report, as reported by the Daily Star. The planes' collision avoidance systems allegedly detected an object, but neither pilot could see anything in the sky, the report adds.

Whether or not these objects are of foreign origin should not be of concern to those tasked with investigating these incidents. Stansted Airport serves around 27 million passengers a year, so any objects approaching aircraft must be taken seriously.

"Even if people are skeptical and think that these are just drone activities, it is important to remember that drones can be used for recreational purposes, by land survey experts, and can also be used for espionage and terrorism. Either way - especially in busy flight paths - we need to identify all objects in our airspace," Pope said, according to the Daily Star.

He emphasized that the United States takes these types of issues very seriously (although our last UFO/UAP bill was a total joke). The same approach should be taken when investigating these incidents in the UK to "reduce" their potential threat, Pope added, according to the outlet's reporting.

The dark secrets of the El Yunque forest in Puerto Rico, where gargoyles have been seen

 In the heart of Puerto Rico, on the Caribbean island, lies an extraordinary rainforest known as El Yunque (White Earth) National Forest. This unique ecosystem hides many fascinating and disturbing secrets that have attracted researchers, travelers and seekers of unusual phenomena for years.

The history of this place dates back to 1876, when King Alfonso XII of Spain declared 10,000 hectares of forested area in the Luquillo Mountains a forest reserve. It was an attempt to protect this extraordinary area from excessive exploitation. However, the fate of the forest was about to change when the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898. Although the conflict focused primarily on Cuba, its effects also had an impact on Puerto Rico, which, along with other Spanish possessions in the Caribbean, was taken over by the United States.

In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt created the Luquillo Forest Reserve in this area, and in the 1930s the American government expanded the forest area by another 20,234 hectares. It seemed that the National Fate of El Yunque was now under the care of the authorities and scientists. However, in 1939, the USDA Forest Service's Tropical Forest Experimental Station (later the International Institute of Tropical Forestry) was established on the island, which marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of this extraordinary place.

In 1940, the El Verde Research Station was completed and long-term research projects began in the "Lukillo Experimental Forest" - an odd name that raises many questions. Was this forest really just carrying out standard scientific research, or was something much more mysterious going on there?

Access to the forest is strictly controlled - special permits are required, and hiking is only allowed on foot and within designated boundaries. The visitor center is called "Portal", which seems to be an extremely apt and symbolic name.

Because it was in this forest, in a zone reserved for ordinary people, that there were supposed to be three interdimensional portals. The few daredevils who managed to return from this zone talked about encounters with unusual creatures - gargoyles. These mysterious creatures, although terrifying, did not harm anyone. On the contrary, people claimed that gargoyles were as afraid of humans as humans were of them.

Interestingly, traces of the presence of these mythical creatures can be found in the architecture of ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, Rome and Etruria. The oldest known gargoyle is 13,000 years old and was discovered in modern Turkey. It seems that in ancient times, gargoyles were not considered fictional creatures, but fully real beings.

It is also intriguing that gargoyles began to appear as decorations on religious buildings during the Christian era - which in itself seems quite unusual. Additionally, it is worth noting that Christopher Columbus, who reached Puerto Rico in 1492, claimed that the island was the southern tip of the Bermuda Triangle. Perhaps it was no coincidence that Americans showed so much interest in taking control of the "Portal Forest" in the early 20th century.

According to the accounts of those few who managed to return from the forbidden zone, these portals are not located in one specific place, but may appear in various rock formations, tree trunks or just above the ground. In this "exclusion zone" they were to encounter not only gargoyles, but also fairies, gigantic, luminous humanoids with wings resembling angels, as well as three-meter-high creatures that could change their size, taking the form of small gnomes.

In addition, this unusual forest was also said to contain "shadow people", mermaids and other strange phenomena such as acoustic and geomagnetic anomalies. All this makes the El Yunque National Forest a place full of unusual and disturbing secrets, attracting researchers, adventurers and lovers of supernatural phenomena.

Many people who decided to cross the borders of the forbidden zone never returned. It is said that this is because those who enter the portal between worlds should not eat or drink anything in the alien dimension, otherwise they will not be able to return to their home world. Apparently, not everyone was aware of these ancient myths and legends and recklessly crossed the borders, not knowing the consequences of their actions. Some of them could also stay in this zone voluntarily.

Despite many disturbing stories and mysterious disappearances, gargoyles and other unusual creatures did not harm anyone. On the contrary - people who managed to meet them claimed that these creatures were as afraid of people as people were of them. On one occasion, two gargoyles were even observed stopping their fight at the sight of a group of people and quickly flying away.

El Yunque National Forest remains a place full of fascinating and disturbing mysteries, attracting researchers, travelers and seekers of unusual phenomena. Its history dates back over 140 years, and subsequent discoveries and witness accounts continue to provide new, intriguing threads. Perhaps one day it will be possible to unravel at least some of the secrets hidden in this extraordinary tropical forest.

The mystery of the disappearance of the Zanetti train - an unsolved mystery from 1911

 The story of the mysterious disappearance of the Zanetti train is a fascinating story that over time became an element of an urban legend. According to accounts that circulated among lovers of railway mysteries and history, in 1911 a train disappeared in mysterious circumstances during its journey. In 1911, the Zanetti travel agency organized a luxurious train trip for the Italian elite. A group of 106 passengers set off on an exciting journey, not expecting that it will become one of the most mysterious stories in the annals of railways.

A train consisting of a locomotive and three carriages enters the Lombardy Tunnel, but apparently never leaves it. He disappears without a trace, leaving the witnesses of the event in complete stupefaction. Two passengers, Signor Sajino and an unknown companion, manage to jump off the train at the last moment before it completely disappears.

Signor Sajino describes the terrifying events: "I heard a vague noise. Behind the black smoke of the locomotive, suddenly a milky white fog was clearly visible, which was creeping out of the tunnel mouth... I jumped out of the carriage and jumped down to the ground, fortunately the train was barely dragging."

Despite a thorough search, no traces of the train or passengers could be found. The tunnel is bricked up and covered with a fog of oblivion - until 1926. This year, a relative of one of the missing passengers discovers extraordinary information. Well, in 1845, in Mexico, a group of 104 Italians appeared who claimed to have come from Rome in 1911. Their clothes and belongings did not match the times they found themselves in - some of them were even dated "1907". Attempts to solve this mystery have been going on for decades, but as a result of World War II, the tunnel was destroyed, making further research impossible.

An analysis of various sources and accounts suggests that the story of the Zanetti train is more a product of imagination than historical fact. Despite numerous anecdotes and alleged testimonies regarding the train's journey through time and space, there is no reliable evidence or documentation confirming the existence of such an event. For example, according to the story, the train would appear in various places and times, including a medieval monastery, Mexico in the 19th century, and even Ukraine in the 20th century, bringing with it not only passengers but also mysterious artifacts. Additionally, the story references historical figures and events, such as the stolen skull of a famous writer, which adds another layer of mystery.

However, thorough research and analysis by experts and fact specialists reveal that the story of the Zanetti train is more of a legend than a documented event. No reliable sources or documents confirm the existence or disappearance of such a train, or any unusual phenomena related to it. As a result, while the story of the mysterious disappearance of the Sanetti/Zanetti train can inspire the imagination and serve as an attractive cultural element, it is important to remember the difference between legend and historical fact.

Nikola Tesla's unfinished projects that could have changed everything

 Nikola Tesla, considered an eccentric genius, went down in history not only as the creator of many innovative solutions, but also as a man who left behind a number of unfinished projects with enormous potential to change the world. During his career, he managed to obtain over 300 patents for various inventions, which not only brought him fame, but also great financial profits. Nevertheless, not all of his ideas were implemented, leaving us with the mystery of what perverse changes they could introduce.

One of Tesla's most fascinating projects was a system for harvesting energy from the atmosphere. He experimented with a variety of devices, the most famous of which was a device called the Wardenclyffe Tower. Tesla discovered that it is possible to obtain electricity from the environment around us and send it anywhere. Unfortunately, this idea was not fully implemented, leaving the idea of free electricity only in the sphere of theory.

Another equally exciting but never realized project of Tesla was the mysterious "death ray". He dreamed of creating a powerful weapon capable of attacking enemy targets from a huge distance. In describing his "particle stream", Tesla spoke of a power that would destroy up to ten thousand enemy aircraft from a distance of two hundred miles. However, Tesla himself gave up further work on this project, considering it too destructive.

Tesla's oscillator, patented in 1893, was another design that had the potential to change the face of the world. The creator believed that his device could generate vibrations in the earth's crust so strong that they could cause destructive earthquakes. Nevertheless, Tesla himself decided to destroy the device, fearing the consequences of its possible use.

Another area Tesla worked on was advanced flying machines that used atmospheric energy to fly without the need for recharging. The vision of planes that could transport passengers from one city to another in a few hours would be a breakthrough in aviation.

Towards the end of his life, Tesla began work on a mysterious "flying car" that used antigravity to fly. The description of this project resembled a story about a spaceship, and only our imagination allows us to imagine what potential this concept could have had.

Nikola Tesla was a man who could see potential in things that others could not even dream of. His unfinished projects are a legacy of his genius and desire to constantly search for innovative solutions. Although these projects will remain only in the pages of history, they still inspire scientists and engineers around the world to look for new ways of technological development.

Uncovering the mystery of lunar magnetic anomalies

 An international team of astronomers and geologists has discovered the mystery of the Moon's magnetic anomalies by analyzing regolith that was brought to Earth by China's Chang'e-5 probe. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, has opened up new perspectives on understanding the nature of these mysterious anomalies recorded in the lunar crust.

The value of the discovery lies in the identification of mineral particles, including magnetite, which proved to be the key to solving a long-standing mystery. Magnetite, or highly magnetized iron ore, was found in submicroscopic spherical iron sulfide grains in lunar regolith. Researchers explain that these drops resemble molten balls, suggesting that they were formed by powerful asteroid impacts during the early stages of the Moon's development.

Through computer modeling, scientists have determined that the regolith on the Moon is saturated with electrons under the influence of the solar wind, which prevents the formation of iron ore by combining with oxygen. Unlike Earth, the Moon has no atmosphere to protect it, leaving it in a reduced state. This is a circumstance that changes our idea of the geological processes taking place on the Moon.

The research results suggest that tiny magnetite grains were formed in extreme conditions, i.e. during asteroid impacts, which melted the regolith and allowed the formation of a gas mixture with asteroid particles. This mixture then settled on the lunar surface and the magnetite was distributed over the impact zones, which is explained by magnetic anomalies in the lunar crust.

The frenzy of these collisions could have transformed materials into submicroscopic magnetite, making it an important source of ferromagnetic material on the lunar surface. The magnetic anomalies are the result of powerful asteroid impacts that occurred on the Moon centuries ago, leaving traces of magnetite.

Ultimately, the discovery of magnetite in the lunar regolith opens new research perspectives and helps in understanding the geological history of the lunar crust. This is the next step in the search for answers to questions about the evolution of the Moon and the role it plays in the planetary system.

Chupacabra - the dark legend of a mysterious blood-drinking creature

 In 1995, an unusual epidemic broke out in Puerto Rico, killing small farm animals. Madeline Tolentino and her friends became eyewitnesses to the mysterious creature that was supposed to be responsible for these tragic events. Their description of the beast was fascinating - the creature was about four feet tall, had a large head, a lipless mouth, sharp fangs, and huge red eyes. Its hind legs were bent like a kangaroo's, and its front legs were short but armed with spectacular claws. Wings resembling those of a bat were visible on the back of the creature.

This is the first official documentation of the existence of the Chupacabra, although similar events had previously occurred in the city of Moka, where the mysterious creature was referred to as a vampire. When it was determined that the cause of the animals' death was a strange creature, it was given the name "el chupacabras" - "sucking the goat's blood".

Over time, reports of the Chupacabra began to come from all over Mexico, then from Central and South America, to the southern regions of the United States. As the number of dead, bloodless animals increased, the fear of this mysterious creature grew among the villagers.

New witnesses added additional details to the description of the Chupacabra. Some spoke of a strip of feathers running down the beast's back, others said it had a forked tongue. However, the only reassuring information was that Chupacabra preferred to attack small farm animals, as there were no reports of attacks on humans.

Scientific research conducted on found animal bodies only deepened the mystery of the phenomenon. Some of them were gray foxes with mange, others were mutant coyotes. One of the creatures imported from Coleman, Texas, looked like a bizarre hybrid of a balding dog, a rat and a kangaroo, but it mysteriously disappeared from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

There is much speculation about the origins of the Chupacabra. Some believe it is an alien creature that accidentally disappeared from our planet, others believe it is the result of dangerous genetic experiments that escaped from secret government laboratories. Even though the Chupacabra remains a great mystery, its legend is still alive and arouses the interest of people all over the world. Many researchers and enthusiasts of paranormal phenomena continue to try to unravel the mystery of this mystical creature.

The legend of Sir Marroc - a werewolf in the court of King Arthur

 In the rich history of the tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, many stories have survived to this day, becoming famous legends. However, not all stories from that era achieved the same popularity. Some of them, although equally fascinating, have been forgotten or deliberately hidden.

One such forgotten story is that of Sir Marroc, a knight of King Arthur who was cursed to become a werewolf. Although he is mentioned in medieval sources, the full history of this extraordinary hero remains unknown to us today. According to surviving records, Sir Marroc was "a good knight who was betrayed by his wife, who turned him into a werewolf for seven years." This short information reveals many intriguing threads.

First, we see that Marrok's transformation into a werewolf was the result of his own wife's actions. The motif of a woman as the cause of a man's misfortune is extremely characteristic of Arthurian legends. Characters such as Morgana le Fay, Nimue, and even Guinevere, King Arthur's wife, often use their magical powers to manipulate men, leading to their downfall.

In Sir Marroc's case, his wife also resorted to supernatural means to transform her husband into a beast. Why did she do this? Perhaps she wanted to get rid of him, or was driven by jealousy or a desire for power. Either way, her betrayal was the cause of the knight's tragic transformation.

The curse of werewolfism itself is also an extremely intriguing motif. Werewolves appear relatively rarely in Arthurian legends, although this theme was popular in medieval literature. The fact that one of the knights of the Round Table would experience such a transformation makes this story even more special.

Unfortunately, the full story of Sir Marroc, his struggle with his wolf nature and eventual return to human form, has not survived to this day. It is mentioned in 15th-century sources, but then suddenly disappears, doomed to oblivion. Why did this happen? Perhaps there were elements in this story that were not to the liking of the Church, which at that time had a large influence on shaping the canon of Arthurian legends. The werewolf theme, associated with pagan beliefs, could be perceived as dangerous or inappropriate.

Although we do not know the full details of this story, we can guess that it must have been extremely intriguing. The fate of a knight who became a victim of his wife's betrayal and was forced to struggle with his wolf nature would certainly provide many exciting plot twists. Perhaps it would also contain philosophical threads about human nature and the border between good and evil.

Sadly, this story of Sir Marroc, a werewolf in King Arthur's court, has been doomed to oblivion. It remains only a brief mention, undeveloped and unknown to the wider public. Despite this, it still fascinates researchers and lovers of Arthurian legends who try to find its traces and recreate the lost story.

Mysterious triangular UFO spotted in the sky over Bratislava

 On March 14, 2024, a UFO sighting took place in the night sky over Ružinov, a bustling district of Bratislava in Slovakia, which delighted both UFO enthusiasts and concerned sceptics of this topic.

The sighting occurred around 11 p.m. An amateur ufologist, known on the Internet as "ufoslovakia", saw a triangular ship in the sky approaching towards him. For "ufoslovakia", known for its commitment to documenting and sharing aviation anomalies, this meeting was nothing unusual. By staying calm, he managed to make a pretty good recording of the entire incident, which he then shared online.

According to the witness's descriptions, it was a massive object that did not make any sound, had a constant flight trajectory and an unchanging arrangement of lights. Based on the footage, the object must have been incredibly massive and definitely couldn't be explained by a drone or weather balloon sighting. Skeptics tend to explain that it is an advanced military aircraft or even an unusual optical illusion.

Train on a loop

 As the hail, thunder, and lightning continued to batter the Earth relentlessly, the once familiar landscape began to change. The very air seemed to shift, becoming charged with a strange, electric energy. The sky, once a deep and soothing blue, was now a churning, tumultuous mix of grays and whites. And the once gentle breeze that caressed the world's face had transformed into a howling, malevolent wind, tearing through the trees and buildings like a hungry beast. It was as if the very fabric of reality had been torn asunder, revealing a world of chaos and destruction beneath.

The townsfolk huddled in their homes, fear etched into their faces, as they watched helplessly as the storm raged on. They knew that something was different about this storm, something that went beyond the usual violence of nature. It was as if the storm itself had a consciousness, a purpose. And that purpose, they feared, was to bring about a new era, a new age of darkness and despair.

As the hours turned into days, and the days into weeks, the people began to despair. They had never known such a storm to last so long, never known such a relentless onslaught of fury and destruction. They began to wonder if they would ever see the sun again, if they would ever know peace and quiet. But they also knew that if they were to survive, if they were to have any chance of seeing the light of day once more, a sacrifice must be made.

A train had been running the same loop through the neighboring towns for three decades now, its raucous passengers long dead and buried. The townsfolk knew that if they were to send the train on its final journey, if they were to offer up the souls of the long-dead passengers as a sacrifice to the storm, perhaps it would be appeased. Perhaps it would finally decide to let the sun shine once more. So, with heavy hearts and trembling hands, they prepared the train for its fateful journey. They loaded the coffins onto the cars, lit the funeral pyres, and waited for the signal to begin.

As the conductor stepped onto the platform, his once proud uniform now torn and tattered from the endless onslaught of hail and wind, he surveyed the crowd. In their eyes, he saw hope and fear, determination and despair. He took a deep breath, raised his hand, and gave the signal. The massive engine roared to life, its steel wheels screeching against the tracks as it began its final journey.

The townsfolk watched in silence as the train disappeared into the distance, the smoke from the funeral pyres billowing skyward like dark, ominous clouds. They knew that they might never see the train, or its passengers, again. But they also knew that, if their sacrifice was enough, if it was accepted by the unseen forces that ruled the world, then maybe, just maybe, the sun would rise again. And perhaps, from the ashes of this new world, a new era of peace and prosperity would begin.

As the train continued its journey, the storm seemed to grow even more intense. The hail was now the size of golf balls, and the thunder and lightning crashed so loudly that it was impossible to think, to speak, to hear anything but the roar of nature. The wind howled like a banshee, tearing at the very fabric of reality, as if trying to rip the world apart at the seams.

But despite the fury of the storm, the train continued on, its progress unimpeded. It raced through the towns, past the abandoned houses and overgrown parks, as if it were a beacon of hope in the midst of despair. And as it rounded the final bend, as it approached the outskirts of the largest city, the people could swear they saw a glimmer of light in the distance, a tiny speck of color amidst the endless gray.

As the train drew closer, the light grew brighter, until it was blinding in its intensity. The townsfolk shielded their eyes from the glare, afraid that it might be a mirage, a trick of the light. But as the train pulled into the station, the light remained, bathing the world in a warm, inviting glow. The storm had finally begun to abate, its fury spent, its purpose fulfilled. The people of the world stepped out of the shadows, blinking in the sudden brightness, and took their first breath of fresh, clean air in weeks.

Slowly, they began to rebuild, to repair the damage that had been done, to reclaim their lives from the grasp of the storm. They knew that the world would never be the same, that the memories of the suffering and the loss would linger for generations to come. But they also knew that, in the end, there was always hope, always a chance for rebirth and renewal. And as they worked together, side by side, they began to see that perhaps, from the darkness, something beautiful could emerge, something stronger, more resilient, more united than ever before.

Are you an NPC? Crisis of critical thinking

 If you're reading this, you're a failure.

Okay, now that your brain has absorbed this sentence, let's ask ourselves what emotions these words generated in you? After all, no one wants to be called that way, right?

I'll list some possible options for what might have popped into your head.

The first one is actually right.

The second is denial.

Third – embarrassment.

The fourth is anger.

The fifth is embarrassment.

All of these reactions are completely natural. But, most importantly... the first 4 paths can be considered the basic dialogue options in the game. However, the last one may suggest that your character has not been optimized for this purpose. This is where the key question

Are you real? Are you just a limited set of algorithms?

Have you ever had the feeling that everyone around you is an NPCT, you live in a simulation and only you are "real"? What if you are an ordinary bot and you only think that you are special, that is how a typical NPC would be programmed.

Take a look at this comment I found: "I feel better talking to contempt than women on Tinder XD "

Besides, judging by the news from men - it's not any better. Wait, wait, what if these women and men on Tinder are also bots? A moment ago, a lot of questions were asked, the answers to which are basically impossible.

But who exactly is this “expect”?

NPC, a non-player character, is a term meaning a character that is not controlled by the player. In computer games, these are the characters who perform actions specified by the creators and have nothing to say except a few ready-made dialogues. Often, regardless of your progress in the game, "enpecs" stay in the same place all the time and during any interaction they always say the same thing... If you can talk to them at all.

Such an NPC can only perform predetermined actions, unlike a character controlled by the player. This can break out of the defined framework and do things that the creators would never expect, exploit bugs or circumvent the established game path.

However, you're probably wondering what the phenomenon of being an NPC has to do with people? There is a view that some people do not have their own will. They live and function within a specific algorithm.

Let me start with a meme that popularized this concept and took it beyond the gaming community.

Source: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/npc-wojak

In 2016, on 4chan, one user started a thread claiming that the number of human souls is limited and that the surplus of soulless bodies is NPCets, autonomously following group thinking and social trends to convincingly impersonate humans.

The topic returned after 2 years when on the same website people who did not have an internal monologue were accused of being NPCs. Yes, some people have a voice in their head that "speaks" their thoughts in quotation marks, and some do not. But that's a topic for another episode.

Source : https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/npc-wojak

Literally, a few days later, an NPC soldier appeared - a gray figure with an expressionless face, who quickly became a representation of people uncritically following the crowd and taking over the group's opinion.

The meme is sometimes perceived as "controversial" because it is accused of having an oversimplified approach to human behaviour and promoting the dehumanization of other people.

Over the following years, many modifications of the meme and examples of its use appeared.

Source: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/angry-npc-wojak

Sources: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/npc-wojak-crowd

All right. But what does this have to do with you? Are you acting like an NPC?

Source: pinterest.com

Do you remember that situation in your life when you were carried away by a trend and you weren't really sure why? There have been many trends in society that have had a significant impact on people's behavior. This includes, among others: hipsters, reggae fans, or all kinds of subcultures, such as emo and others... It all comes down to... a sense of belonging. 

Source: pinterest.com

Source: reddit.com

Membership determines how a person should behave, what he should like and what worldview he should represent. However, belonging is not limited to subcultures. You will find many such examples also concerning tradition, customs and religion. Think about older people, such as old ladies from your housing estate, who watch and supervise who comes to their block and at what times. 

In a word, NPCs are people who strictly ensure compliance with rules that are not necessarily understandable and always explain them in a "because that's how it's supposed to be" or "because that's how it's done and that's the end of it" way. It's not just about practice, but also about accepting or turning a blind eye to certain things. I'll show you this with examples. The first one – we have a family: mother, father and child. Dad abuses alcohol and everyone knows it. However, he is such a good person - he works and provides for his family, he is not violent... It is not worth drawing attention to the fact that he has a problem. Many people in such situations will turn a blind eye or forgive such a father. However, this is downplaying the problem. 

Another example? Abuse of authority by clergy and abuse of minors. Many people may also completely deny this problem or explain this type of abuse with words - after all, he is a priest, you cannot draw attention to him because of his social authority. Such a person must be forgiven because he has a high social position. 

There are certain beliefs in society that have become so embedded in our lives that it is difficult to oppose them. It's always supposed to be this way and this way, but there's never an answer as to why...

But let's try to explain this phenomenon.

Behind everything, there is effort, specifically striving to have as little of it as possible. Replicating patterns reduces effort and involvement in everyday matters. Imagine constantly analyzing everything that comes to you and verifying whether it is true or whether it is good or not. Where is there room for relaxation and peace?

As humans, we have a great weakness for simplifying things to save ourselves time and energy. We get some information. The information does not contradict what we already know. By using it, we do not feel any harm in a short time. Is there any point in working on it? What for? If it is consistent with what we hear from our surroundings and makes us agree with our group, we only feel better!

Then there are internet personas. Influencers, gurus who show you what to say to a girl or boy to win them over. What should you buy to look good? What to exercise to get the desired figure. Where to invest to be rich. What practices should you use to feel good and what should you do to be fulfilled. They present to you that out of everyone else, they are the one who is right.

The journey through life is full of fears. We don't know what will happen in 5 or 10 years. It's much easier when you find someone who will tell you what to do to make things better. Just do what this person says and you won't have to suffer. Other people who think like you also gather around this persona. Together you create a community to which you belong and have a sense of community , while at the same time pumping in each other confirmation of the opinions you already hold.

Tempting, right? If something goes wrong, YOU are not the one responsible. Someone told you wrong. Very convenient, isn't it?

An interesting example from before the Internet era are American televangelists who accumulated considerable wealth by selling people the path of life.

https://youtu.be/CKaBErsSYYU [1:42 – 1:48]

https://youtu.be/VAAFPntJtnw [0:00 – 0:04]

Nowadays, we are flooded with huge amounts of information every day, coming from various sources. Even if you want to search for something on the Internet, you are probably already trapped in a bubble by an algorithm that will give you results that match what you already believe. And even if you don't find them right away, being influenced by your surroundings, you have formed an opinion and you will keep digging until you find something that confirms it. 

Once you have an opinion that differs from the one adopted by the group, instead of curiosity, you will most likely be met with an aggressive defensive attitude that negates your opinion. The pressure and groupthink are sometimes so great that its members will not hesitate to use violence to defend themselves against something contrary to what they have been taught.

And this leads to greater indifference, because why make the effort? Why expose yourself to criticism and negative reactions?

You can also ask yourself, How do you feel when someone questions your beliefs or the beliefs of the group in which you live? Feeling angry? Can you endure the discomfort and ask yourself whether this person is right or wrong and... why?

The excess of information itself leads to a passive attitude and indifference . It used to be that you had to think, search, and figure something out to get an answer. Now you type the question into your phone and it's right in front of you. That's good? It seems so, but on the other hand...

A skill that is not used, does not develop, does not strengthen, and therefore disappears. Remind yourself of something you could do easily years ago but haven't had the chance to do recently. Maybe it's cycling? On roller skates? Will you do as well now as you did when you did it often? So what about solving math problems? Can you still use the triangle theorems? It is the same with thinking and assessing the information that reaches us.

As you may have already guessed, you will need critical thinking skills to stand out from the crowd of NPCs . 

The earliest known records of critical thinking come from Plato, who in turn pointed to the teachings of Socrates. Socrates conducted conversations with people in which he questioned their beliefs, doubts and assumptions. He asked questions, doubted dogmas and delved deeper, triggering discussion and reflection on a given issue. He often showed his interlocutor that he had no idea what he was talking about. Young people were supposed to adore him, but as we can assume, older people were probably not happy with being called out for their ignorance.

Critical thinking is a complex process that many have attempted to define. However, most agree that it is thinking aimed at objectively assessing and analyzing a problem in order to draw conclusions from information and arguments.

When approaching a problem, we must be aware of our own biases and tendency to take shortcuts. It will often be necessary to question your conclusions to confirm that they are correct. As emphasized by Dr. Hab. Tomasz Grzyb :

“We are naturally predisposed to emotional reactions, not rational ones. However, a critically thinking person allows himself to think that things may be different than what his emotions tell him.

Critical thinking therefore requires constant monitoring whether we are not allowing ourselves to have a too personal relationship with the problem. Perhaps the way we see him is only a result of our sympathies or prejudices .

Okay, but how to use critical thinking in practice and thus develop your character?

First, start asking questions. Start answering them too. Criticize your questions and challenge your answers.

The obvious foundation of exercise is to keep using what you want to get better at. At first, putting your mind to work will not be easy and you will encounter a lot of resistance. In such a situation, meditate, go for a walk or just stare at the wall. Or… think about what else you can do. Identify the problem. 

At this point you may be asking yourself – can I really learn critical thinking with this material? No, not really. Here I am just trying to introduce you to this topic. But if you already have an idea of ​​what's going on, you can think about why you shouldn't eat banana ends. Or maybe that's what it should be?

Regardless of what conclusion you come to, you may fall in love with radical eaters or radical opponents of eating banana ends in your environment who will try to force you to maintain their views. It may sound funny, but what if you take up other topics that are not allowed to be questioned in your environment? This may not end well for you if you cannot cope with it.

Using critical thinking will certainly make someone around you dislike what you do and the decisions you make, especially if they go against what they are used to.

Source: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/yes-you-all-are-wrong 

For this, you need a set of features, which we commonly call strong CHARACTER, necessary to take risks and face the consequences.

I mean, how do you tell your traditional grandmother that you won't go to church or your progressive sister that you have doubts about accepting immigrants from the Middle East?

Personality and character are often used interchangeably. But these are two different concepts, although closely related.

The first covers a broader scope. These are cognitive, emotional and behavioural patterns and characteristics that are interconnected and form the overall adaptation to life. The second is the personality element. It refers to ethical and moral features that influence the actions you take and the values ​​you profess.

How does this relate to critical thinking?

To be interested in what it can bring us, we must feel responsible, at least for ourselves, and be willing to act in accordance with our own beliefs. Without perseverance, conscientiousness, consistency and self-control, it will not be possible to complete the critical thinking process. Honesty itself, or taking care of your own principles, will push you to draw the right conclusions.

A person with a strong character is steadfast and will not bow to group pressure, will maintain his or her own authenticity and makes rational decisions regardless of it.

You probably recognize something here. Something that most of us have been through and that allowed us to start thinking for ourselves. It's teenage rebellion .

Rebellion is crucial to character development. It is opposition to everything that limits a young person as a child. You reject the values ​​and patterns imposed by the environment in favor of your own exploration. You try to have your own opinion and believe in more idealistic beliefs.

Currently, there is no rite of passage that would mark the boundary between specific stages in life. Rebellion itself and reaching the age of 18 allows us to do more compared to earlier years, but it does not necessarily mean that we take full responsibility for our lives. We still most often live with our parents under their care and supervision, we still go to school and most of us do not have any specific plan for ourselves. Then we still want to have fun and enjoy the carefreeness that childhood offered.

We have no ceremonies, as in tribes, that would physically and mentally separate us from the earlier stage. 

In the conditions in which we live, the closest thing to this is the need to become independent and find one's place in a new place. For example, when you go away to college and live in a dormitory. Your parents don't send you enough money to enjoy your student life 100%, so you have to take up paid work. You have to find a job, face your responsibilities and manage to reconcile it with your life and studies. Then you also come into contact with people who grew up in different environments and you have to learn to deal with different beliefs and lifestyles with which you may not agree.

But not everyone has the opportunity to do something like this. Places in the dormitory are limited, renting a room is expensive and not all parents are willing to finance it. Not everyone wants to go to college either. College itself is also called an "extension of childhood" because, apart from potentially living away from home, you still actually go to school and play with your friends.

The prospect of jumping into the unknown, with no guarantees of survival in a new place, does not convince you to leave your comfortable family home. And most of us don't have to make this leap. You can live with your parents until you are 30. It's cheap and convenient. Due to the constantly rising housing prices and rental fees, there is less and less criticism towards people who still optimize their living costs in this way . And rightly so, because you won't be living with several people in one room just to gain someone's approval.

To sum up, to develop your character, first of all, you need to experience more. 

Each new experience will leave its mark on you and make you better know what you want. Therefore, do not allow yourself to sit in the same place all the time and intentionally engage in new situations.

Consciously choose the kind of people you hang out with. People subconsciously adapt to the group they are in, which can have a positive (or negative) impact on your character. Being around lying and inconsistent people will only weaken your positive qualities. And don't be afraid if the environment in which you developed was not favorable in this respect. Focus on finding your moral compass and do not give in to the pressure of groups that do not want to take responsibility for themselves and their lives.

Today's world does not help us learn to take responsibility for our own decisions. You can stay with your parents, in a safe place. Don't put yourself at risk. Vegetate.

There is a danger in this, however. Often, such vegetation makes you feel worse. You look at others and envy their courage to live in accordance with their own beliefs.  You suffer because you allow yourself to be an NPCet .

Because breaking away from it is uncomfortable and exposes you to the risk of rejection and failure, but it's up to you whether you allow yourself to suffer or free yourself and discover the peace of living in harmony with yourself. I hope this blog will make you reflect and start living the way you want.

Sources:

1.Musich S., Wang S., Kraemer S., Purpose in Life and Positive Health Outcomes Among Older Adults , “Population Health Management” 2018, no. 21, pp.139-147; access: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5906725/, [access date: March 13, 2024].

2. Personality – APA Dictionary of Psychology (online), access: https://dictionary.apa.org/personality, [access date: March 13, 2024].

3. Pluta E., Critical thinking – how to learn it? And why exactly? (online), access: https://web.swps.pl/strefa-psyche/blog/relacje/18957-myslenie-krytyczne-jak-sie-go-nauczyc-i-wlasciwie-po-co?dt=1708889822124 , [date of access: 13/03/2024].

4. The Rise Of NPCs: Why Critical Thinking Is Dead (online), available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikjNj7CfeUI, [access date: March 13, 2024].

5. The Anthropology of Real Life NPCs (online), access: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6zO4kbdHf0 , [access date: March 13, 2024].

Satanism like you never knew?

 Grandma enters the house. He holds a sprinkler and holy water in his hand. Johnny comes downstairs to greet her. Instead of giving him a hug, his grandmother pours holy water on him. Okay, you think, this is a bit strange... But yesterday, Grandma found the "Satan's Bible" in Johnny's room. Today she decided to show him what she thought about it. He plans to give his grandson weekly baths in holy water to drive out Satan. Do you think that Grandma sometimes reacts too exaggeratedly to the Satanic Bible? 

Today we will see what is in this book and whether there is anything to worry about.

You know that one guy who brags about what he isn't? He tells how many important people he knows and what actions he has had with them. However, it quickly turns out that this guy makes everything up on the spot. It so happens that in the world of recognizable people, there was such a person. And his name was Anton Szandor LaVey. 

“I'm a busy liar. For most of my adult life, I was called a charlatan and a fraud. Well, I guess that puts me closest to what the devil is.” 

Grandma is a gipsy from Transylvania or a romance with Marilyn Monroe. These and other experiences… turned out to be bullshit. But on the foundations of false, made-up stories, LaVey built his position as a priest of the Church of Satan. 

What exactly is Satanism and why is it worth following animal instincts? Finally, what does Satanic sex look like? More on this in today's blog.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m3hHYtdegw [0:00 – 0:22]

LaVey is the founder and high priest of the Church of Satan. In his youth, among others, he was an organist and then a police photographer. At the age of 18, he became a magician's assistant. He was then studying occultism and learning hypnosis.

Look, LaVey was not only distinguished by his charismatic personality and the gift of persuasion. His appearance was also an element that made him stand out from the crowd. He was shaved bald, and also had an original beard and a large ring, which he believed was a magical amulet. 

In late 1966, LaVey and his wife founded the Church of Satan for purely mundane reasons. Lectures on paranormal phenomena made it difficult to support his family, so Anton decided to establish the Church of Satan. LaVey's main work, showing the basics of Satanism, was the "Satan's Bible", consisting of 4 books written partly in English and partly in the Enochian language, also known as the occult language.

In this blog, we will analyze "The Satanic Bible" by Anton Szandor LaVey, one of the most famous Satanists in history, whose books are an important source of knowledge about Satanism.  

However, before we proceed to the analysis of the "Satan's Bible", let's see what Satanism is according to LaVey. As we can read:

“The only way that Christianity will ever fully serve man is to convert to Satanism – and do it NOW. It became necessary for a NEW religion to come out of hiding, based on the natural instincts of man. She has already been given a name. "It sounds like Satanism ."

Satanism is therefore treated by the author as a response to the existence of Christianity, which focuses only on the spiritual aspect of humanity. LaVey completely disagrees with this view, arguing that people should pay more attention to their physical and mundane needs, putting themselves first. The author notes that in Christianity there is no place for hedonism, one forgets about oneself, and human life is treated as a transitional state.

We often associate Satan himself as a fallen angel. LaVey characterizes Satan as:

"the dark, hidden force of nature responsible for the course of earthly affairs, a force that neither science nor religion can explain, the spirit of progress, the inspirer of all great movements that have contributed to the development of civilization and the progress of humanity, the spirit of rebellion leading to freedom and the embodiment of all heresies that lead to liberation.

Semantically (meaning in terms of meaning) the word "Satan means "adversary", "opposition" or "accuser " (...) Satan embodies opposition to all religions that aim to frustrate man and condemn him for his natural instincts. According to the author, the label of evil was assigned to him only because Satan expresses the corporeal and earthly aspects of our lives. 

Most Satanists do not imagine Satan in the "traditional" way that culture portrays him. Most of them believe that it does not have cloven hooves or horns. After all, there are also various ideas about God, shaped by man, and perhaps these ideas have nothing to do with reality. Satan, in the eyes of Satanists, is not a dangerous figure with horns. In a broader sense, it represents the powers of darkness.

Of course, in the common understanding, Satan is also a symbol of human vices or forbidden things. It can also symbolize the animal side of man and the lack of moral inhibitions. 

Nine statements cited by LaVey in "The Satanic Bible" are important for understanding the concept of Satanism. Here are a few of them:

“Satan represents gratification of lust instead of temperance.”

“Satan represents revenge instead of turning the other cheek!” 

“Satan represents all so-called sins because they lead to mental, mental and emotional satisfaction!” 

The nine propositions of Satanism are built on the principle of contrast - do this instead of this, i.e. take revenge instead of forgiving, or satisfy your own desires instead of suppressing them. And all this is contrary to the Christian attitude. But one of the most interesting claims is: "Satan is the best friend the church has ever had because he has kept it busy all these years" - LaVey says it bluntly - if there were no Satan, there would be no church and the clergy would have nothing to do. The author also asks why "the allegorical figure (Satan) most responsible for the success of spiritual religions is presented in the least merciful way possible."

Let's look at the next fragment regarding the demonization of the figure of Satan in the Catholic Church :

“Satan can undoubtedly be called the best friend the Church has ever had, because he has kept her busy all these years. For too long the false doctrine of Hell and the Devil has allowed the Catholic and Protestant Churches to flourish. Without the devil, at whom they always pointed the finger, the religious leaders of righteousness would have nothing to frighten their followers with." 

How does the author think society is set against Satan? Through such phrases as: "Satan leads into temptation", "Satan is the prince of evil", and "Satan is malicious, cruel and brutal." These are just some of them. 

Anton Szandor LaVey characterizes faith itself in this way:

“No faith can be accepted on the authority of a “divine” nature. Religions need to be verified. No moral dogma can be taken for granted (...) Moral codes have no inherent sanctity, they are like wooden statues from years ago that are products of human hands, and what man has created, man can destroy!”

This fragment shows that, according to the author, man is the most important being. As Lavey says - "I am my own saviour", so we as humans should not be guided by a moral code, because it is only a human invention that cannot be taken for granted. 

Just as the moral code according to LaVey is a thing of the past, animal nature, according to the author, has always accompanied people. Man is a predatory animal, guided by instinct. According to LaVey, it will be difficult for people to survive if they do not cultivate their animal nature and primal instincts. This is also related to the understanding of love. Instead of the term "love", the author proposes "passion and desire", thanks to which it is possible to maintain the continuity of the human species. 

“Isn't the 'love' described in faded books simply a euphemism for sexual activity?” – LaVey asks. We can therefore say that this reflection is downplaying deeper feelings and seeing only the bodily aspect of relationships, which is supposed to give pleasure. Satanism encourages its followers to indulge in lust and satisfy their own desires. 

The issue of feelings is similar to the understanding of issues such as violence. Here we should also be guided by our natural, animal instinct.

“You must hate your enemies with all your heart and if someone slaps you on the cheek, SMACK it on theirs! Beat him on the head because self-defence is the highest law!” – says LaVey. Here we have an obvious analogy to the words known from the Gospel: "Do not resist the wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also .”

The author calls for violence in cases that we consider just and orders us to retaliate with the same things that happened to us from other people. He says: “Return blow for blow, contempt for contempt, curse for curse (…) Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, always four times, a hundred times! Become a Terror to your opponent and if he gets in your way, he will have the extra wisdom to reconsider his move” 

The Satanic Bible presents an interesting contrast to basic Christian attitudes. In the spirit of Christianity, we are taught that God loves everyone, regardless of their life situation and approach to life. The weak, humble and needy are put first. The Satanic Bible presents a completely opposite view. As we can read: 

“Blessed be the strong, for theirs will be the earth; cursed be the weak, for they will inherit the yoke! 

Blessed be mighty, for others will honour them - cursed be the lowly, for they will be erased from memory! 

Blessed be bold, for they will become masters of the world - cursed be the virtuous, humble, for they will be trampled under cloven hooves! 

We can therefore think that in Satanism, strong, self-confident, and even cunning individuals come first. There is no place here for humility, weakness or timidity because these are features typically attributed to Christianity. 

What about the concept of death in Satanism?

Death in Christianity is considered a spiritual awakening. According to the author, this concept may look attractive to a person dissatisfied with life who sees a new beginning in death. However, for all those who have enjoyed life and used its amenities, the prospect of death is not very optimistic and can even be terrifying. 

Christianity has its own figure of a martyr - a man who seeks perfection throughout his life, and according to LaVey, this is tantamount to conscious self-destruction. 

According to Satanism, heroism and martyrdom are stupidity or even masochism. Sacrificing yourself for some deeper idea, e.g. political or religious, has nothing to do with common sense. Life on earth should be like a party. As the author of "The Satanic Bible" writes:

“For a person who is content with his earthly existence, life is like a party, and no one wants to miss a good party. For the same reason, someone who enjoys earthly life will not be willing to exchange it for the promise of an afterlife about which nothing is known.

Now let's move on to the issue that may be bothering many of you in the context of Satanism. Namely - what's it like with sex? Satanism, contrary to popular stereotypes, does not encourage participation in orgies or extramarital affairs. You may be surprised by the fact that each manifestation of sexual behaviour must be, above all, VOLUNTARY and consensual, and must not cause harm to the other person. So what about the sado-maso fetish? In such a case, we have people on both sides who voluntarily agree to it and realize the consequences of their actions. So there is no abuse or uncontrolled harm here.

“If both parties involved are mature and adult, they consciously accept full responsibility for their actions and willingly engage in that form of sexual expression,” LaVey says.

There have always been many rumours about "free love", which has been considered a source of much controversy. Typically, people believe that sexual activities are an important, if not the most important, element of Satanism. They then imagine orgies, sado-maso scenes and other, equally socially controversial things. In fact, to be a follower of Satanism, you do not have to practice such sexual activities at all. As the Satanic Bible shows us:

“In fact, opportunists who have little interest in Satanism beyond its sexual aspects are undoubtedly disappointed. Satanism supports sexual freedom, but only in the true sense of the word. "Free love, in the Satanist's view, means exactly the following: freedom is either remaining faithful to one person or satisfying one's sexual desires with as many people as one really needs." 

So, as you can see, Satanism does not encourage orgies or extramarital affairs if it is not consistent with one's worldview. Each person must therefore make their own decision about what suits them best in sex and what their preferences are. Significantly, LaVey also writes that:

“Satanism tolerates all types of sexual behaviour that properly satisfy your individual desires - you can be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual or even asexual if you so choose. "Satanism also sanctions any fetish or deviation that will enrich your sex life" as long as it involves people who want to do so. 

This element of informed and voluntary consent is very important here. 

It is also worth emphasizing that the author believes that each of us has some form of fetishism, but not all of us want to admit it. Many people are unaware of the prevalence of fetishes in society and are ashamed of their true desires. “Even asexuals are deviants – because of their asexuality,” LaVey writes. Therefore, we should be much more concerned about the natural lack of desire than about the diversity and diversification of our sexual life. 

To sum up, Satanism encourages us to practice any sexual activity we deem right, but on one condition. You cannot harm others with your actions. Therefore, acts such as sexual abuse are unacceptable.

Another stereotypical element of Satanism is undoubtedly the black masses. As Anton Szandor LaVey points out, black masses have nothing to do with reality, they are only a literary invention, a certain idea of ​​what Satanic rituals look like. 

What is the typical image of a black mass? Necessarily a priest is wearing a habit, a large altar and a naked woman. Also drinking human blood, an inverted cross and a pentagram. The author shows us that such an idea is only a fantasy, and reality looks different. In "Satan's Bible" he writes that it is only church propaganda intended to sow fear among people. As we can read: 

“Stories about Satanists stealing unbaptized children to use during masses were not only an effective propaganda tool but also constituted a permanent source of income for the Church in the form of baptism fees. No Christian mother, upon hearing of these diabolical kidnappings, could refrain from having her child duly baptized, and very hastily. ” 

The black mass is therefore not a magical ceremony, but a parody of religious rites observed in the Roman Catholic Church or, more generally, a satire on any religious rites. As the author of "The Satanic Bible" states:

“The rites in all recognized religions are in fact parodies of ancient rites performed by worshipers of the earth and the flesh (…) Even if a Satanist were to spend every night celebrating a black mass, this would be no more a parody than a pious frequenter of the church. ”

We have already said a lot about the figure of Satan, the animal nature of man, and the sexual aspect. Now let's take a look at what LaVey thinks about the other people who have crossed his path. 

In the book, LaVey describes a specific group of people whom he calls psychic vampires. You may have heard this term before because sometimes we talk about energy vampires in the context of people who make us feel worse and have the impression that our level of life energy decreases. Psychic vampires work just like that. As LaVey writes:

“You can meet this type of person on almost every street. They serve no useful purpose in our lives and are neither love objects nor true friends. Moreover, we feel responsible towards the psychic vampire without realizing why this is so. 

Let's show this with a specific example. Imagine that there is a person you meet often even though you don't feel like seeing them? However, you are afraid to refuse a meeting because you will probably feel guilty about it... Another example is a situation in which you do someone a favour even though the person does not ask for it directly? These situations should be alarming. A psychic vampire has an influence on you and you don't even realize it. For example, he uses psychology backwards, saying: "Oh, I would feel stupid, I couldn't ask you for that." But you insist on doing this person a favour. You'd rather feel needed, at least for a moment, than feel guilty that you didn't help. 

LaVey warns that you need to be very careful with such people. In fact, they do not want us to do well, but only want to take advantage of us. Writes:

“Many psychic vampires are crippled (or pretend to be) or are “mentally or emotionally disabled.” Others may feign ignorance or incompetence so that you will do something for them out of pity - or more often, out of irritation.

The author says directly that every organization, charitable foundation or municipal council has its psychic vampires. They must know manipulation techniques perfectly in order to achieve the goals of the selected unit. Such people are intended to persuade us to "open our hearts first, and then our wallets." Everything is, of course, under the guise of charity, but no one thinks about the fact that people encouraging people to support a given initiative are not selflessly devoted to this idea. Very often, they receive a generous payment for persuading others to engage in a chosen venture. 

The author advises avoiding such people and developing the ability to refuse, instead of fulfilling all the requests of others.

Let us now look at LaVey's attitude towards selected principles prevailing in the Catholic Church. The author lists 7 deadly sins, which, according to him, were created only to instil a sense of guilt in their followers, and the church knows perfectly well that it is impossible not to commit these sins, because the prohibitions concern things that are necessary for us, as people, to live. 

The seven deadly sins in the Catholic Church include greed, pride, envy, anger, immoderation in eating and drinking, impurity and laziness. The idea of ​​Satanism is to indulge in each of these "sins" because it will lead us to contentment and life satisfaction. 

“The Satanist knows that there is nothing wrong with being greedy because it only means that he wants more than he currently has (…) Eating immoderately is simply eating more than necessary to stay alive. When you overeat to the point of obesity, another sin - pride - will make you strive to look like you will regain your self-respect," we read in The Satanic Bible 

According to the author, "Good is what you like, and evil is what you don't like ." LaVey prioritized satisfying natural, animal drives and giving up all limitations. “Satan means satisfaction instead of abstinence, Satan means a vibrant existence instead of spiritual dreaming (…) Satan means vengeance instead of turning the other cheek, Satan means responsibility to those responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires, (…) Satan means all so-called sins because they are lead to bodily, mental or emotional satisfaction. ” The conclusion of this fragment is simple - only sin will allow us to live life to the fullest and draw from it to the fullest. No limits will guarantee happiness and fulfilment. 

There is no doubt that Satan is one of the canonical figures of the sacred world. This was also noticed by LaVey, who wrote "The Satanic Bible" - a book that contains a description of Satanism as a science, a philosophy of death, descriptions of rituals, and issues of magic and occultism. The presence of the figure of Satan and the image of his fight with God reveals many important aspects of human existence, thus showing that it is worth living differently than what Christian teaching shows. And you, dear viewers, what do you think about LaVey's concept of Satanism? Or maybe you have read "The Satanic Bible"?

Sources:

1. Anton LaVey interviewed by Joe Pyne 1966 or 1967 (online), access: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m3hHYtdegw , [access date: 10/02/2024].

2. Anton Szandor LaVey – Wikipedia (online), access: https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Szandor_LaVey, [access date: February 10, 2024].

3. Kłos G., Anton LaVey: He was called the "black pope". Everything you know about him turned out to be nonsense (online), access: https://film.wp.pl/anton-lavey-okrzycznieto-go-czarnym-papiezem-wszystko-co-o-nim-wiecie-okazalo- sie-bujda-6409537501931649a , [access date: 10/02/2024].

4. Sołtysiak A., Good and evil according to Satanists, "The Peculiarity of Man" 2000, vol. 5.

5. La Vey A., The Satanic Bible , Wrocław 1996.

Mysterious night flights over the USA! Airplanes scanning the area with green lasers raise concern and speculation

Since February this year (2024), residents of the United States began to anxiously report observations of an unusual phenomenon in their local skies. Mysterious planes appearing at night and equipped with green lasers have become the subject of numerous speculations and theories. These flying objects, which fly at low altitudes and have been sighted in various parts of the country, from Florida to Texas, have caused much concern among citizens.

These planes, scanning in detail both forest areas and densely populated cities, operate according to a precise pattern - first, they move from north to south, and then from east to west, which suggests the organized and purposeful nature of these flights. Their regular presence, often observed just after sunset, has become the basis for many theories - from scientific ones to those involving more mysterious activities.

Trying to solve the mystery of these mysterious flights, journalists tried to find information that could shed light on the owners of these planes. However, it was not an easy test as all inquiries to government agencies and departments, including the military, yielded no clear answer. All institutions surprisingly agreed that they had nothing to do with the mysterious operations, which only deepened the mystery.

Inquisitive reporters, not giving up, took the next step - searching for answers by analyzing the numbers visible on the fuselages of the observed planes. This led to the discovery of surprising facts: the registered owner is a company that in reality appears to be no more than a facade, a structure on paper, with no real address. This discovery reopens questions about who is behind these mysterious activities and what their real goals are.

Additionally, the fact that neither the government nor the military not only deny any knowledge of these operations but also do not appear to engage in carefully investigating them, makes this mystery seem even more complex and shrouded in mystery. This creates room for wild speculation - it may be the activities of a private organization, scientific experiments or something much more unusual.

Mysterious planes flying over various parts of the United States at night and performing detailed scans with green lasers are certainly not an everyday occurrence. Many unanswered questions arise: Are these activities related to environmental observation, perhaps a form of advanced area monitoring? Or maybe we are dealing with military or internal security activities carried out in secret from the general public?

One thing is certain - in the absence of official explanations, journalists' search for truth and public interest will not disappear. The secrets surrounding these night flights, as well as the growing speculation surrounding them, contribute to increased curiosity and uncertainty. We may as well be standing on the threshold of discovering a technological innovation as we may be witnessing an operation whose goals are still far from being understood.

The uncertainty, mystery and lack of official explanation mean that these night observations will continue to provoke discussions and searches for the truth about mysterious planes scanning the area with green lasers in the USA.

Was King Arthur just a legend? A fascinating journey in the footsteps of myth and history

 The legend of King Arthur is one of the most fascinating stories to have ever inspired Western culture. For centuries, people have wondered whether King Arthur was a historical figure or a product of rich folk imagination. This endless debate is testament to the profound impact this legend has had on literature, history, and culture.

The story of King Arthur as we know it is complex and multi-layered, enriched over the centuries with new elements and stories. The first detailed accounts of Arthur's life were written down in the 12th century by the Welsh monk Geoffrey of Monmouth in his work Historia Regum Britanniae. It presents Arthur's origins, from his extraordinary conception by Merlin and King Uther Pendragon, to his accession to the throne and the fight against the Saxon invaders.

Although Monmouth's stories are filled with fantastic elements and cannot be treated as historical accounts, they became the basis for later extensions of the legend of Arthur, including the stories of Camelot, Lancelot and the Holy Grail.

Attempts to pinpoint the historical basis of the legend often turn to Welsh poetry from the 5th and 6th centuries, suggesting that Arthur may have been inspired by an actual leader fighting against invaders. This thesis may be supported by works such as "Y Gododdin", where the hero is compared to Arthur, which suggests that such a character must have been recognizable and important for this period.

While there are many theories suggesting that King Arthur could have been based on a real person, there are equally many voices that consider him to be a completely mythical creation. It is this unique combination of fact and fiction, law and legend that makes the story of King Arthur so captivating. Historians, such as Dr. Caitlin R. Green, suggest that Arthur may symbolize several historical warriors, reflecting the hopes and aspirations of people struggling against external threats and internal struggles.

Debates about the historical authenticity of Arthur reflect the complexity of attempts to separate fact from fiction in ancient annals. Throughout history, during periods of instability and change, the human need for unity and identification has been fueled by stories of heroic leaders like Arthur. Their value in culture and history is transcended by the question of historical authenticity - what is important is what they describe: our human need for heroes, longing for justice and faith in the power of a good story.

Ultimately, whether King Arthur ever existed or not, his legend undeniably lives on, shaping values and ideals throughout the centuries. It reminds us of the power of stories that can unite people, inspire action and preserve cultural heritage for future generations. King Arthur, real or not, remains a symbol of courage, justice and honor that speaks to us all.

The extraordinary discovery of the steamship SS Nemesis, which disappeared in 1904

 Finding lost ships and unraveling their mysterious stories has always been one of the fascinating aspects of underwater research. However, each discovery brings with it emotions and emotions that accompany the solution of puzzles from many years ago. Such a case occurred recently when Australian researchers from the CSIRO research center made a sensational discovery on the seabed off the coast of Australia. A team of divers found the wreck of the steamship SS Nemesis, which disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1904.

The story of the missing SS Nemesis is one of many that has remained unsolved for decades. According to available information published by Phys.org, the ship departed from Newcastle for Melbourne, loading coal. Unfortunately, during a storm off the coast of New South Wales, the steamer disappeared without a trace, along with all 32 people on board, which resulted in the loss of all hope of finding it later. For over a century, Nemesis' final resting place remained unknown until an unexpected breakthrough in May 2022, when Subsea Professional Marine Services encountered an unidentified wreck.

Advances in underwater technology and research have provided CSIRO investigators with the tools necessary to investigate and identify the wreck. Using modern multi-beam echosounders and a set of sensitive depth cameras, the team led by Jason Fazey undertook the task of recording the wreck along its length, documenting its structure and any details that could contribute to its identification. Thanks to this, it was possible to create a detailed map of the seabed and the ship itself, discovering that the SS Nemesis had been lying for 120 years at a depth of 160 meters, about 28 kilometers off the coast of Wollongong in New South Wales.

Despite significant damage to the wreck, both at the bow and stern, key structural elements of the ship, including two anchors, remained intact, which allowed its final identification. Originally designed as a passenger steamship, the Nemesis was later converted into a cargo ship, adapted to transport coal. Its discovery provided valuable information about the history of sailing, construction technologies of that time and the reasons why its disappearance was possible.

The recovery of the SS Nemesis is an important contribution to scientific and historical research, offering new insights into maritime history and the technological possibilities used in underwater research. Such discoveries not only fill in missing pieces in human history, but also bring solace to the families and descendants of those who died in such disasters. In addition, the heritage and history that each wreck brings contributes to a better understanding of the past and navigation techniques of that era.

Regardless of the factors that led to the sinking of the SS Nemesis, its discovery off the coast of Australia opens new chapters not only in the history of maritime expeditions, but also in the scientific field, offering an invaluable source of knowledge for future research. Thanks to perseverance and advanced research methods, modern searches can discover lost treasures of the past, often shedding new light on long-hidden secrets.

In the case of the SS Nemesis, its story and ultimate discovery not only add to one of the many lost letters in the book of sea voyages, but also serve as a reminder of the power of nature, the incredible hardships of the seafaring life, and the development of the human spirit of exploration and discovery. As we explore the bottom of the oceans, we will undoubtedly come across more stories like this, the discovery of which is always a cause for reflection and appreciation.

Zombie deer disease is spreading and may spread to humans

 A disturbing phenomenon is quietly developing in the vast forests and meadows of North America. “Zombie deer disease,” known scientifically as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), is spreading through the deer population, prompting concern among scientists, conservationists and the public. CWD is a neurological disease characterized by symptoms such as drooling, lethargy, stumbling, blank stare, and complete insensitivity to pain. In Wyoming alone, more than 800 deer, elk and caribus samples have tested positive for the disease, underscoring the scale and urgency of the problem.

CWD is caused by prions - distorted proteins that have the ability to abnormally transform normal brain proteins, leading to neurological degeneration. What is extremely disturbing is that prions are extremely resistant and can persist in the environment for years, and are elusive to traditional disinfection methods.

The spread of CWD poses a serious threat not only to wildlife populations, but also to the environment and may pose a risk to human health. There is some concern about the possibility of the disease transmitting to humans. Prion diseases have already demonstrated the ability to cross the species barrier in the past, as exemplified by the mad cow disease virus that led to a tragedy in Great Britain.

Extremely worryingly, there is already a confirmed case of human infection with the CWD virus. Additionally, laboratory studies have shown that the prions responsible for CWD can infect and replicate in human cells, increasing concerns about possible transmission. People may unknowingly expose themselves to the virus by hunting infected deer and eating their meat. Estimates indicate that humans consumed between 7,000 and 15,000 CWD-infected animals in 2017, and this number may be growing by 20% annually.

Detecting and diagnosing prion diseases in humans is challenging because prions do not trigger an immune response, making them difficult to detect. This poses a significant barrier to early intervention and efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Additionally, the persistence of prions in the environment means that people can be infected indirectly, for example through contact with contaminated soil, water and other environmental sources.

In the face of this information, it is clear that the long-term effects of CWD on human health require a serious, long-term approach not only in terms of research, but also the implementation of preventive measures, such as monitoring and control of populations of wild animals exposed to the disease and education of hunting and local communities on about the risks associated with the consumption of game animals.

The alarming CWD situation raises difficult questions for humanity about how we intervene in natural ecosystems and the public health consequences of these actions. As a species, we must take decisive action to understand and limit the spread of prion diseases among both animals and humans to ensure the safety and health of future generations.