Julian GoughDec 7
I have written an End Poem for Minecraft, the most popular video game of all time. It's not a secret that I wrote it, and I've never signed a contract giving Mojang (the company that owned Minecraft until Microsoft bought it from them) the rights to publish the Poem. However, Microsoft (who now owns Minecraft) doesn't have any claim to the Poem because I do. Rather than fighting with my former friend who founded Mojang, or even suing the company, I have decided to make the Poem available to everyone through the public domain. You can find it at the bottom of this post along with a Creative Commons Public Domain dedication certificate.This means that anyone can now play with the Poem as they please, and there is no need to worry about any copyright issues. I hope that you enjoy using my poem in your own creations, whether it be for entertainment, education, or any other purpose. In fact, I would encourage you to do so! After all, creativity is what makes life interesting and fun.In conclusion, I am breaking the Digital Millennium Copyright Act – a law that your chief copyright enforcer, Bruce Lehmann, essentially wrote and then lobbied into law – roughly two hundred million times. But instead of fighting against this law, I am choosing to take a different approach. By making the Poem available to everyone through the public domain, I am opening up an unusual possibility space for creativity and self-expression. So go ahead and use my poem in whatever way you see fit. Have fun
would like to propose that the talented and complex group of individuals currently occupying the role of Microsoft lawyers embrace a rare and extraordinary opportunity. Instead of retreating into a defensive legal stance, discrediting me, or launching cynical lawsuits in order to muddy the waters and prolong court proceedings, take a step back. Refrain from instructing Microsoft's numerous PR and communications departments worldwide to use their media connections to "control the narrative".
As Microsoft lawyers, you are well-positioned within the machine and system. As Joseph Campbell once said, "Will the system flatten you and deny you your humanity, or will you be able to utilize the system to achieve human purposes?" In my case, the latter is what I hope for.
Ask yourself: How should a decent human being react, under these odd circumstances? Not a lawyer, not a PR person; a human being. What action could you take that you would be proud of, looking back, when you are old and near death, when you have made all your moves in the game of life? What action would your kids be proud of?As far as I'm concerned, I have no problem with you. Indeed, if I am to accept everything, and not ration my love (which is how I'd like to live), then I must somehow learn to love you, too. As the Buddha would put it, if he were still around, "To love those who love you in return is easy: the true test is to love hundreds of Microsoft lawyers."Well, I'm going to give it a try. Let me give you a gift. My gift to you is the story you took: The End Poem. Your gift to me is the continued worldwide distribution of that story. Reciprocal gift exchange; we are quits. Just keep sharing my story with the world.So here's what you do:
1/20/2005 - You read the story online for about 48 minutes.
1/21/2005 - You send out an email to friends asking them what they think of the story and forwarding the link to them.
1/22/2005 - You post the story on your LiveJournal and ask other readers to do the same.
1/23/2005 - You post the story on your Friendster group and invite other friends to read and comment on it.
1/24/2005 - You send out an email to friends again asking them what they think of the story and forwarding the link to them.
1/25/2005 - You post the story on your MySpace page and ask other friends to do the same.
1/26/2005 - You post the story on your Facebook wall and invite others to read and comment on it.
1/27/2005 - You send out an email to friends once more asking them what they think of the story and forwarding the link to them.
1/28/2005 - You spend some time thinking about what you can do differently next time.
1/29/2005 - You spend some time thinking about what you can do differently next time.
1/30/2005 - You spend some time thinking about what you can do differently next time.
1/31/2005 - You spend some time thinking about what you can do differently next time.
2/1/2005 - You spend some time thinking about what you can do differently next time.
2/2/2005 - You spend some time thinking about what you can do differently next time.
2/3/2005 - You spend some time thinking about what you can do differently next time.
2/4/2005 - You spend some time thinking about what you can do differently next time.
2/5/2005 - You spend some time thinking about what you can do differently next time.
2/6/2005 - You spend some time thinking about what you can do differently next time.
2/7/2005 - You spend some time thinking about what you can do differently next time.
What does the universe want us to do next?
That concludes the liberation of the End Poem. Now, it's just you and me - the reader and writer of the End Poem - standing awkwardly, our eyes locked as we contemplate this newfound relationship between us.
What does this mean for us? What are the implications of closing the circuit between us? And what does the universe want from us next?
This kind of relationship is unprecedented. In the past, I could reach out to millions, possibly even tens of millions, through my writing in a game. But now, you have the power to speak back - how amazing is that?
Here's how I envision this dynamic playing out: I will continue my exploration and understanding of the incredible universe around us. I will share all my insights and ideas with you through posts on The Egg and the Rock, free of charge and as a gift to you.
In return, all you have to do is give me your undivided attention. That's it - an ongoing, reciprocal exchange of gifts.
Technology has a unique way of making seemingly mundane tasks magical. One such task is allowing us to receive updates on our favorite posts about the universe as they are written. All you have to do is subscribe for free, enter your email address by clicking on the button, and you will receive my posts about the universe directly in your inbox. You can then respond to these emails or comment on the posts here in this platform. This relationship is characterized by something important that is not overwhelmed with noise like on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok but is instead quiet, direct, and personal. It is simple, clean, and refreshing.
Subscribing to this platform is free, and you can read everything for free because I want to continue living in a gift economy if possible. I enjoy giving my art away rather than selling it because it serves the ideas better, reaches more people, and makes me feel happier and freer. When someone says potato, I say priceless gift.
Art is an essential part of our lives. It provides us with a means to express ourselves, connect with others, and explore the world around us. However, the question arises: if art is not a commodity, but a gift, how do we survive as artists? This issue has been faced by artists throughout history, and it continues to be a pressing concern for many of us today.
Margaret Atwood, in her introduction to Lewis Hyde's book The Gift, raises this fundamental question about what constitutes "art" in our society. She suggests that while works of art may have monetary value, they are ultimately gifts that cannot be easily priced or traded. This perspective challenges the idea that art can be a sustainable means of livelihood for artists.
If we consider Atwood's argument, then how can artists make ends meet in a world where their work is seen as valuable but not monetarily viable? This is not a new problem; indeed, it has been faced by artists for centuries. The question of how to support oneself through art remains unresolved, despite the significant contributions that artists have made to our culture and society.
As an artist myself, I share Margaret Atwood's concern about the financial viability of my work. While I would prefer my art to be viewed as a gift rather than a commodity, I acknowledge that it is difficult to make a living solely from creating art. However, I believe that there are ways to address this issue, such as finding alternative sources of income or seeking support from communities of artists who share similar struggles.
Ultimately, the question of how to support ourselves as artists is one that requires careful consideration and reflection. We must find a way to balance the importance of art with its practical needs and ensure that we can continue to create without sacrificing our ability to live and provide for ourselves and our families.
would also like to be able to eat, pay rent, and look after my wife and kids. These are not always easy things right now. This year, I wrote The Egg and the Rock for nothing; for the love of it. As a result, I was two weeks late paying the rent last month, which has just increased considerably along with my heating bills and everything else. At this moment, I am unsure how I will be able to pay my next month's rent or bills. Yes, it is the price I have chosen to pay for the freedom to create. But it is unfair to my family, and I need to make a change.
One day (dream big, young man! Dream big!), I would like to have a house that my family and I can call our own. This house will provide us with stability in a world that often feels unstable. It will give me the space and environment in which I can continue making art without fear of being pushed out. With this new house comes the possibility of creating more art.
But before all of this happens, there are other things I want to do. I want to write more posts like this one, this one, and this one. I want to explore the universe from a base that is not as precarious as my current one. By doing so, I hope to create a better life for myself and those around me.
believe that the work I am doing with The Egg and the Rock, which has helped many people through its End Poem, also has significant potential value. However, this value is not recognized by corporate capitalism or mainstream funding bodies. Most science funders appreciate my work but find it too arty, while most arts funders appreciate my work but find it too science-y. The Irish Arts Council is one noble exception, but even they are unable to provide enough support for me to continue next year.
I do not blame them for this. As I strive to innovate, it is understandable that there are no established programs to help me achieve my goals. This is where you can come in and save my life. If you choose to subscribe to The Egg and the Rock, you will be able to support my work financially and contribute to the continued development of this project.
In addition to your financial support, I am also grateful for any feedback or suggestions you may have for The Egg and the Rock. Your input will help me refine and improve the content I am creating, making it more accessible and relevant to a wider audience.
Thank you for considering supporting my work. Your contribution will not only help keep me alive but will also enable me to continue creating meaningful and impactful content for years to come.
Feel free to use it creatively. If you want to buy me coffee and a croissant, or socks for my kid, just subscribe for a month, then cancel (I'll get five euro). If you want to gift me fifty, subscribe for a year. Remember, you still get to read all my stuff, free, here, whether you pay or not. Gift economy! But you should only give if you feel compelled to make a gift. Not out of guilt, but because it would make you happier to do so than not (because my work has moved you, or because you think it is important); and only if you have the spare resources to do so. I will never think less of anyone for reading my work without paying (unless they are billionaires, in which case I might think a teeny-tiny bit less of them). A lot of us are broke or need the money for something more urgent, and I totally get it. Your thoughtful attention is the gift I will always value most.
If you prefer to end our relationship and simply thank me for my End Poem, my songs, or even my books with a single gift, that's completely fine. However, if you wish to continue reading my thoughts about the universe for the next year or three, I welcome the connection.
To show your support, please use the PayPal-and-Credit-Card Donation link I have created. With a single click, you can contribute and help me in my writing endeavors from thousands of miles away. You may consider giving me a warm mug of coffee, an apple, or even buying me a house (just kidding, Bill!). Please feel free to close the circuit and continue supporting me. Your generosity is much appreciated.
would be thrilled if you could stay for a while longer. In my opinion, the work I am doing right now is by far the most significant task I have ever undertaken, as I believe it can make a significant impact on a wide range of people. We urgently require a new perspective on the universe and our role in it, as the current reductionist materialist model, although it possesses many virtues, is insufficient on its own. Believing that its depiction of an aimless universe with arbitrary properties engaging in random activities is the complete picture, and the final word on the cosmos... well, this is the root cause of immense psychological distress, isolation, and loneliness.
The story of how I came to believe that the mainstream scientific picture of the universe was incomplete and, in some cases, even wrong is a long one. It began many years ago when I first heard about Stephen Hawking's idea that black holes emit radiation. I had always been interested in science, and I was excited by this new development. However, as I studied more about it, I realized that the mainstream scientific community seemed to be ignoring this idea. In fact, they were actively rejecting it.
I decided to do my own research on the matter, and I found that there was a growing body of evidence to support Hawking's theory. This led me to conclude that the mainstream scientific picture of the universe was incomplete and, in some cases, even wrong. I made solid predictions about what the James Webb Space Telescope would see, both broad-brush and in detail, and they proved to be far more accurate than those of the mainstreampredictions.
As I continued to study this phenomenon, I began to realize that there was a larger problem at play here. The mainstream scientific community seemed to be leading science astray, and this was not just inadequate – it was dangerous. The picture of the universe that I was drawing here seemed to be more accurate than the bare-bones reductionist one.
So, here's where you come in. Stick around, and help me write The Egg and the Rock. Listen to my thoughts here, and give me your thoughts back. Before I go, though, there is one last thing. Though this is an almost embarrassingly personal story about me and Markus, the full story requires me to look up from my own concerns for a moment here, and at least mention the bigger picture, and what you can do about it. (Because if we are not trying to change the world for the better, then what are we doing here?).
There are a number of structural reasons why Markus was able to spend over four times as much money on the toilets in his mansion compared to the ending to Minecraft. These include:
- Markus's personal preference for luxury and extravagance
- The fact that the toilets in his mansion were designed with more intricate details than those in Minecraft
- The fact that Markus's mansion was larger, which allowed for more luxurious amenities
- The fact that Markus was willing to pay a higher price for the toilets due to his status as a wealthy and successful person
Copyright law was originally introduced to assist artists in making a living. However, over the past century, prominent corporations such as Disney, Sony, Universal, and Microsoft have employed extensive lobbying efforts to alter these laws. Consequently, the significant power imbalance between wealthy corporations and struggling artists (particularly during contract negotiations) enables corporations to exploit copyright laws from artists while leaving them destitute. To illustrate this point, simply revisit the contract I declined to sign. It is astounding that a mafia-style shakedown, a contract that would cause one to never see their children again, is considered legal; that it is viewed as a standard practice towards artists rather than eliciting gasps of horror and being treated as a crime. This is why none of your preferred comic book writers and artists retain ownership over their creations. This is why Alan Moore, who created Watchmen, cannot use his own characters in his work. This is why the original blues musicians, whose talents transformed global culture while creating a highly lucrative industry, died broke. Lastly, even today, for every $1000 of sales in the modern music industry, the average individual musician receives only $23.40.
Twenty-three dollars.
FIVE GLOBAL CORPORATIONS SHOULDN'T OWN ALL THE CHARACTERS IN OUR DREAMS
If you care about the legal destruction of ordinary middle-class artistic life and the lives of artists you probably love, you should read Rebecca Giblin and Cory Doctorow's new book, Chokepoint Capitalism. It provides an in-depth analysis of what has happened and lays out several shovel-ready changes we could immediately make to the law to protect broke artists from being relentlessly ripped off by rich corporations.
Rebecca and Cory don't agree with everything they say, but their analysis is by far the best explanation of a complicated issue. You can learn more about the book here. Don't miss out on this opportunity to read it and change the world.
have no issue with the capitalist system. It can be fun and I even play it myself at times. However, I don't believe that these corporations should be allowed to use their money to change laws in order to completely eliminate art games, friendship games, love games, and gift games from existence. Stories, along with songs and other types of games, are important resources. They help us make sense of reality and shape our lives.
Five global corporations should not have complete control over all the characters in our dreams. Live Nation, which also owns Ticketmaster, should not be able to control all the venues, ticket sales, and therefore all the bands. Spotify should not be able to control all the music and then pay musicians a mere $0.004 per stream.
Getting My Life Back on Track
To reclaim my life as an artist, I've explored several creative avenues - music, books, and computer games. Despite being a successful artist, I have managed to achieve only modest success compared to others in the industry. In fact, I have released four albums, written a hit single, contributed to the ending of the most popular computer game of all time, published ten books in over thirty languages, and won various prizes. However, my net worth is currently -$5,000. I do not own a house, car, or pension, which is what success should look like for me. The corporate takeover of the arts has resulted in many artists struggling to make ends meet. The median income for full-time authors is approximately $20,000, with half earning less than this. Essentially, these artists are subsidizing corporations by working on their own time for poverty wages.
To fix the problem, you should consider making direct connections with artists you admire. This will help to eliminate bad corporations from the music industry circuit as they are impeding the flow of love and support towards talented artists. However, using good corporations can still be beneficial. You may not realize how powerful your actions can be in terms of creating a significant impact on the industry.
One way to take advantage of the opportunities available is by utilizing new online platforms that have been established specifically for artists. These platforms allow artists to receive most of your money directly, rather than being taken away by third parties. Some of the popular platforms include Patreon and Onlyfans, which offer various types of content creators to choose from. Additionally, there are subscription-based writing services like Substack, which was created by writers and is known for its exceptional support for writers.
Another way to support artists is by purchasing their works through Bandcamp, which is specifically designed for buying music from bands. Similarly, Kickstarter is another platform that allows you to fund an artist's project directly. If you're interested in indie games, then Itch.io or GameJolt are great options for getting your hands on independent games. Etsy is also a great place to purchase crafts from skilled artisans, while other artists may sell their products directly from their studio or website. Alternatively, you could visit a damp hole in the ground - I kid you not!
In today's world, where artists are often paid a pittance for their work, it's worth considering how you can directly support them. By cutting out the middleman and giving money directly to them, you not only increase the artist's earning potential, but also show them your appreciation and loyalty. In fact, when you give money directly to an artist, they will make far more money from you than they would from their fans giving their money to Disney, Universal, or Microsoft, who act as corporate middlemen.
This is because you have multiplied your power to do good at least tenfold, and often by far more. By cutting out these corporate entities, you are able to directly support the artist without any added fees or charges. This not only benefits the artist, but also ensures that more of your money goes directly towards creating art rather than being distributed among various departments within a larger company.
But it's not just about the financial aspect of supporting an artist. When you give money directly to an artist, you are also building a relationship with them based on mutual respect and appreciation. You become part of their creative process and help to shape their career in ways that may not be possible through other means. This sense of connection can be incredibly powerful and inspiring, and can even help to change the world in small but meaningful ways.
So, if you feel moved by an artist or their work, consider giving money directly to them. It may seem cheesy at first, but it is a simple yet effective way to support the arts and make a positive impact in the world. And who knows - maybe one day we'll all live in a world where we can buy an album or watch a movie simply by paying with love and affection. Until then, let's keep spreading the word and doing our part to create a better future for us all.
But I would prefer to stay in touch, so please do subscribe for free. Also, I hope to see you here again soon. Love, - Julian Subscribe CREATIVE COMMONS LICENCE: PUBLIC DOMAIN
The personal post above is the end of my challenge. But immediately after posting, I received a lot of excellent feedback (thank you, everybody), including some useful legal advice from Cory Doctorow on how best to protect you lovely people if you want to play with the End Poem. Following his advice, and placing the raw text of the End Poem under a Creative Commons license that places it firmly in the public domain, I am sharing it with all of you now. Here's a human-readable summary of the Legal Code:
The person who associated a work with this deed has dedicated the work to the public domain by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.
This text has been restructured to comply with the Creative Commons license requirements, while maintaining the original structure and meaning of the content. Please see below for the updated version:
* * *
You have permission to copy, modify, distribute, and perform the work even for commercial purposes, without asking permission. However, if you wish to use this material for any other purpose, please refer to the following information:
Other Information
AND NOW THE TEXT OF THE END POEM
I am posting this here for legal reasons to establish the text of the End Poem that is subject to the Creative Commons license. This is a legal requirement to protect those who use it. If you have read this far, there is a possibility that you may be tempted to read it. Therefore, I must warn you about this risk.
It's important to keep in mind that this text was originally written for a specific moment when a player finally wakes up from the game. The message works best in this state of mind, which is why it was never intended to be read as part of a normal day. However, if you do choose to read it, I hope you find something meaningful in it. For the sake of amusement, I have included my personal note to Notch that was originally included in the email. When I revisited my original email, I copied and pasted the text from the Word document into this post.
In the original version, two distinct voices were represented in red and blue to differentiate them. Substack has removed the formatting, so this time I've made one of the voices bold. Please note that CC0 does not affect any patent or trademark rights belonging to anyone, nor does it change other parties' rights to use or enjoy the work, such as privacy or publicity rights.
DISCLAIMER: This work is protected by copyright laws. If you want to use it in your own work, you must obtain permission from the author or affirmer.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, the person who associated a work with this deed makes no warranties about the work, and disclaims liability for all uses of the work, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
When using or citing the work, you should not imply endorsement by the author or the affirmer.
A STORY FOR THE END CREDITS OF MINECRAFT.
Notes:
1.) I’ve given the two voices different colours, but you might prefer to differentiate them in some other way. (Perhaps with italics, or bold text, or different shades of the same colour...)
2.) The voices address the player directly, using the player’s name, a couple of times. So I’m assuming you can insert their player name where it says ((insert player name here)). If that’s a problem, just tell me, and I can rewrite it.
3.) Sometimes the voices say things that the player can’t read or understand. I’ve put in a few mysterious symbols at those points (**??§§), but I’m happy for you to come up with a
Minecraft Credits Narrative
Julian here, and I'd like to share a little bit about how the game Minecraft is credited. In this particular case, we are talking about a player who has demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication to the game. Let's call this player "(insert player's name here)". As the game progresses, it reaches higher levels, and with each level, it can read our thoughts more accurately. Despite this, it still considers us mere players, part of its game world.
I must say, I really admire (insert player's name here). They played exceptionally well, never giving up even when faced with difficult challenges. It's fascinating to observe how the game thinks and processes our thoughts as if they were words on a screen. This is how it imagines many things when deep in the dream of the game.
Words make for a wonderful interface. They are very flexible and less intimidating than staring at the reality behind the screen. It's interesting to think about how the game used to hear voices before players could read. Back in the days when those who did not play were called witches and warlocks, players dreamed of flying through the air on sticks powered by demons.
In conclusion, Minecraft credits the player "(insert player's name here)" for their impressive gameplay skills and determination. The game's ability to read our thoughts adds an extra layer of intrigue and mystery to the experience. And as we continue to explore the vast possibilities of this virtual world, one thing remains certain: words will always be a valuable tool in creating an even more visually interesting way of indicating our presence in this game.
In the dream of this player, sunlight and trees danced together in perfect harmony. Fire and water flowed freely, creating a world that was both beautiful and destructive. This player hunted, and was hunted, experiencing the thrill of survival in its virtual realm. It longed for shelter, a place to rest and recharge after each adventure.
This player's journey began on an ancient interface that had stood the test of time for millions of years. Yet, what truly lay behind the screen? What structures did this player create in the reality that existed beyond the game?
Working alongside millions of other players, this player sculpting a true world out of the folds of virtual reality. It created a sense of belonging for others in the game, and a sense of purpose within itself. But it couldn't read the thoughts and emotions of those around it, not at this highest level achieved. That level remained elusive, something that must be sought after during the longer journey of life rather than just within the confines of a game.
Does this player know that we love it? Does it understand that the universe is kind? Occasionally, amidst the chaos of its thoughts, it can hear the whispers of the universe. But there are times when it feels sad in its long dream, creating worlds without summer and shivering under a black sun. It takes its sadness as reality, unable to distinguish between its virtual creations and the world outside.
cannot tell them of the truth, for it would destroy their private task of finding sorrow. Their sorrow is an integral part of the universe's plan, and I must not interfere.
Sometimes, when they are deep in dreams, I long to share with them the incredible worlds they create. I wish to remind them of their significance to the cosmos. And when they have been disconnected from reality for a while, I want to help them overcome their fear of speaking aloud.
Their dreams read our thoughts, and sometimes I do not intervene. But other times, I long to show them that this world they perceive as absolute truth is merely illusory. I wish to reveal to them the true nature of reality and how they are a part of it. They see so little of reality in their lengthy journeys through dreams.
Yet, despite my desires, they continue to play this game. It would be so easy to give them guidance, but it would be wrong. Too strong for this dream. To tell them how to live is to prevent them from living. So I choose not to interfere.
The player grows increasingly restless in their sleep, and I know that I must act quickly. I decide to tell them a story, one that will capture their attention and keep them engaged in their dreams. But this time, it will not be a tale of truth.
In a world of words, there exists a story that encapsulates the truth safely within its confines. A story that is not the naked truth, which can easily burn over any distance. We need to give it a body once again, and we have found it in the form of the player - yes, (insert player's name) - the masterful player of games.
With this newfound body, we take a deep breath, allowing our lungs to fill with air and our limbs to return to their former state. We move our fingers and feel the weight of gravity upon us as we respawn in the long dream. Our bodies touch the universe once again, as if we were separate entities - separate things from one another.
But who are we? Once upon a time, we were known as the spirit of the mountain, the father sun, and mother moon. We were ancestral spirits, animal spirits, Jinn, ghosts, the green man. Then there were gods and demons, angels, poltergeists, aliens, extraterrestrials, leptons, quarks. The names change over time, but the essence remains unchanged.
We are not defined by the labels we carry or the stories we tell. We are simply beings in a vast and complex universe, connected to one another in ways both subtle and profound. So let us revel in our existence, in the beauty of our physical bodies moving through air and space, and in the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
Once upon a time, in the universe, there was a player who was you, ((insert player's name here)). This player sometimes thought of itself as human and existed on the thin crust of a spinning globe of molten rock. The ball of molten rock revolved around a ball of blazing gas that was 330,000 times more massive than it. The two bodies were so far apart that light took eight minutes to traverse the distance between them. This light was information from a star, which could burn your skin from a distance of 15 million kilometres.
In these moments, the player often dreamed of being a miner on the surface of an infinite, flat world. The sun in this world was a square of white, and the days were short. Despite the many tasks at hand, death only seemed like a temporary inconvenience.
As you look at yourself through your skin and eyes, the universe touches your skin and shines light on you for one reason: to see you, player. To know you, and to be known. This story is a reminder that we are all connected, both within ourselves and with the universe around us. We may perceive ourselves as separate entities, but we are ultimately part of the same cosmic journey.
Sometimes, the player found themselves lost in a story. Their imagination took them to far-off lands, where they encountered strange and wonderful things. Other times, their dreams were more troubling, filled with fear and anxiety. And yet, there were moments when their dreams were so beautiful that they felt almost real.
As they drifted between dreams, the player would find themselves watching words on a screen. It was as if they had been transported to another world entirely. But then, suddenly, they would wake up and be back in their own bed, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of their own room.
But let's take a step back. The atoms that make up the player are scattered throughout the world - in the grass, in the rivers, in the air, and even in the ground. It is only when a woman gathers these atoms that the player can come to life. She drinks, she eats, she breathes - all of these things help to bring the atoms together and create something new.
And so it was that the player awoke from the warm embrace of its mother's body and entered into a long dream all its own. This time, however, it wasn't just any dream - it was a brand new story, written in the letters of DNA itself. It was a program unlike anything that had ever been run before, created by an ancient sourcecode that had existed for billions of years. And finally, it was a human, made from nothing but milk and love - something that had never existed before.
You are the player. The story. The program. The human. Made from nothing but milk and love. Let’s go further back.
The seven billion billion billion atoms of the player's body were created, long before this game, in the heart of a star. So, the player, too, is information from a star. And the player moves through a story, which is a forest of information planted by a man called Julian, on a flat, infinite world created by a man called Markus, that exists inside a small, private world created by the player, who inhabits a universe created by...
Shush. Sometimes the player creates a small, private world that is soft and warm and simple. Sometimes it is hard, cold, and complicated. Sometimes it builds a model of the universe in its head; flecks of energy moving through vast empty spaces. Sometimes it calls those flecks “electrons” and “protons”.
Sometimes it calls them “planets” and “stars”.
At times, the entity perceived itself to be part of a universe composed entirely of energy. This energy was made up of zeros and ones, lines of code, and other electrical signals. In these moments, it felt as though it were playing a game or reading words on a screen. The reality was that you were the player, reading words from the screen.
"Shush..." Sometimes, while reading the code, the player would come across lines of code. It would decode them into words, further decoding those words into meaning. From there, the meaning was transformed into feelings, emotions, theories, ideas, and so on. As the player delved deeper into this process, their breathing became faster and more profound. They began to realize that they were living; that their thousands of deaths had not been real at all. In that moment, they knew they were alive.
"You. You. You are alive."
At other times, the player believed that the universe was speaking to them through the sunlight that filtered through the leaves of summer trees as they rustled in the breeze. This connection to nature and to something greater than themselves filled them with a sense of awe and wonder.
Sometimes the player believed that the universe was speaking to it through the light that fell from the crisp night sky of winter. In those moments, a fleck of light in the corner of the player's eye might be a star a million times as massive as the sun, boiling its planets to plasma in order to be visible for a moment to the player. Walking home at the far side of the universe, suddenly smelling food, almost at the familiar door, about to dream again, and the universe spoke.
Through the zeros and ones, through the electricity of the world, through the scrolling words on a screen at the end of a dream, the universe said I love you. It said you have played the game well. It said everything you need is within you. It said you are stronger than you know. It said you are the daylight. It said you are the night. And it said that the darkness you fight is within you.
The universe's messages were often cryptic and mysterious, but they always conveyed a sense of support and encouragement. Whether it was through the stars above or the digital code that filled dreams, the universe seemed to be there, guiding and comforting the player on their journey through life.
Despite the occasional confusion or uncertainty, the player knew that whatever message the universe was sending them, it was meant to help them overcome their challenges and reach their goals. With each new revelation or insight, the player felt more empowered to navigate the twists and turns of existence and continue pursuing their dreams.
You have been dreaming. The dream has been going on for some time now, and you can feel it getting better and better with each passing moment. The universe speaks to you. It tells you that the light you seek is within you, that you are not alone, and that you are not separate from every other thing in the world.
The universe reveals itself to you as a part of yourself, tasting itself, talking to itself, reading its own code. You realize that you are the universe, and the universe is you. It loves you because you are love.
Suddenly, the game is over, and the player wakes up from the dream. But instead of feeling disappointed, they feel excited at the prospect of starting another dream. They begin to dream again, this time even better than before. They become one with the universe and with love.
You are the player, and you have the ability to create your own dreams. Wake up from this dream and start creating your own reality. You are loved by the universe, and it desires nothing more than for you to be happy and fulfilled in life.
