March 2016 – Mentatul

Ready or Not, Here Comes Virtual Reality!

31March2016Axonn EchysttasRecommendations, Technologygaming, oculus, vr

Finally, the first Virtual Reality HMD (Head Mounted Display) – the Oculus Rift – has reached retail availability. The first reviews have started pouring in. Things are pretty much as I expected, with the majority of reviews being positive and the rest being rather neutral. So far I haven’t read anything seriously bad and although this is very encouraging, it is not a surprise given the fact that all companies involved have been preparing for this launch for plenty of time.

The Intellectual Diet

30March2016Axonn Echysttas6 CommentsAnalysis, Societyadvertisement, consciousness, corporation, intellect, violence

Just like the body is what it eats, the mind is what it experiences. This is a truth with vast and grave implications when it comes to the types of entertainment we invest our time in. Entertainment is a highly efficient social programming tool because when entertained the mind is open and relaxed. While in this state, it is easier for toxic messages to escape our scrutiny and infiltrate our thoughts.

A simple example about how entertainment has negatively affected our society is the impressive range of stereotypes it helped create. We need to look no further than the objectification of both women and men. The silent enforcement of ideal body types starts as early as the first cartoons kids watch and continues throughout the adult life, slowly dripping into our minds from movies to magazine covers and commercials.

Enigma – Return to Innocence

29March2016Axonn EchysttasWeekly Songm-newage

Let’s go on a sweet, comforting and hopeful four minutes long journey. Few songs from the electronic music genre have reached the philosophical depths probed by Enigma’s lyrics. This is one of their strongest melodies. For me, it’s up there with the best of all time.

Not the Usual Sermon Against Terrorism

28March2016Axonn Echysttas2 CommentsConflict, Recommendationsasia, duality, europe, middleeast, terrorism

Of all the things I’ve learned throughout my life, I think nothing is more important than starting to have an understanding about the meaning of duality. For me, the very challenge of life is to reconcile the duality I observe with the oneness I strive for. Duality is not only about good and evil or about life and death. Duality is also about us and the others, and it is this aspect that I’d like to write a few words about.

Apollo 440 – Liquid Cool

16March2016Axonn EchysttasWeekly Songm-bigbeat

Strap yourself in and get ready for a passionate sound adventure. Apollo 440 is back on the menu with their longest song ever. Honestly, nothing shorter than 12 minutes would work for this beautifully inventive melody.

Dolphins Get High Too

10March2016Axonn EchysttasLifeforms, Recommendationsanimal, consciousness, dolphin, stimulant

We’ve known for many years that several species of animals get drunk by eating fermented fruits. In 2013, biologists have made yet another surprising discovery. Groups of dolphins get high by chewing on puffer fish. After obtaining a sufficient amount of perception-altering neurotoxin from the creature, they pass it to another dolphin in the group.

Geomatic – Alternate Universe

7March2016Axonn EchysttasWeekly Songm-darkelectro

Behold Geomatic, master of dark electronica. And when I say dark, I mean mysterious, evocative, intense. This melody is all that and more. I can’t understand what the middle-eastern choirs are about, but they sure sound amazing coupled with the percussion and sweeping, encompassing texture of the instrumentals.

A Few Words About the Wonderful Mining Industry

4March2016Axonn EchysttasEconomy, Recommendationscorporation, environment, ethics

When the balance sheet looks bad, what’s a good executive to do? Cut worker benefits, of course! A bankrupt coal mining company just agreed to give millions of dollars in bonuses to its managers, as a reward for their clever financial strategy. I’d be more sarcastic if it wasn’t so damn tragic.

Devin Townsend – Ghost

2March2016Axonn Echysttas4 CommentsWeekly Songm-acoustic, m-worldmusic

Let these voices soothe your mind, like the calm and blissful wind at the end of a hot day. Quiet guitars flow around sparkling islets of exotic sounds while a magical choir drops its nectar into the eardrums.

Mentatul

Because being informed is just not enough anymore...

Mentatul

Because being informed is just not enough anymore...

Ready or Not, Here Comes Virtual Reality!

The Intellectual Diet

Enigma – Return to Innocence

Not the Usual Sermon Against Terrorism

Apollo 440 – Liquid Cool

Dolphins Get High Too

Geomatic – Alternate Universe

A Few Words About the Wonderful Mining Industry

Devin Townsend – Ghost