What Does “Mentatul” Mean?

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The word “mentat” was invented by Frank Herbert and prominently used in his Dune series. The “ul” suffix in this website’s name is the Romanian definite article, added because that is my country of origin. However, I am not “the mentat”, even though my project is named this way.

Instead, the name of this website pays homage to the concept of a mentat. It is an aspiration of mine. Mentats have always inspired me. When I write analytical works, I am trying to interpret information in the same way I imagine a mentat would.

In Dune, the mentats are specially trained humans that replace computers, which have been outlawed following a devastating war against the “thinking machines”. Mentats perform strategic thinking, analysis and extrapolation of complex informational patterns. As long as the information provided to them is correct, they will be able to emit good judgments. In other words, if the information given to a mentat is inaccurate, so will be the result.

Choosing the Romanian word for this website was, in part, a logistical matter. Of course, the “mentat.com” domain name was taken while the “.org” cost two thousand dollars. It is this limitation which has pushed me to inventively make the best of the given set of circumstances. Naming my English project using a Romanian name is a tribute to my homeland, which is a place I love and respect.

I have lived 26 years in Romania and as such, it is the place which has shaped me and taught me the most. It is a beautiful country which has been through a lot in the past centuries, a subject that I will elaborate upon in some future work. Sweden has been my home for almost 7 years now. Leaving Romania brought much-needed diversity into my cultural background and has helped me in innumerable ways, but I am happy to have started my life there.

The name of this project is a perpetual reminder for being balanced and fair. In the same time, it is an incentive to acquire as much information as possible about any given subject. I select my sources of information based on reliability and fairness, through a vetting process that takes many months. Unfortunately a lot of publishers can be dangerously biased in matters to which objectivity is paramount. However, fairness inevitably arises when combining information from multiple sources and applying the process of critical thinking.

By now it’s probably clear that I’m quite determined to do my best to honor the concept of a mentat, which this website is named after. But how does that fit together with the art-related opinion writing that you can read on Mentatul.com? Fortunately (given my desires), this is not a sacrilege. Mentats are humans and they have opinions and preferences in art just like any other human. Of course, they do not allow these to interfere with their profession – which is exactly what I’m doing as well.

I hope I managed to properly communicate this domain name’s origin, meaning and what it signifies to me. I now find it quite fortunate that I was “forced” to choose the Romanian translation as the name of my project. I’m publishing these words exactly one month after launching Mentatul and already my relationship with this name, and the symbolism behind it, is strong and healthy. I feel good when publishing here and I hope you also feel good while being here.

For more information about this project, check the About Page^.

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Trump Will Not Win

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Later Update: This turned out to be one of my worst prognoses ever. Here’s what I learned^ from this failure.

Don’t worry, the world’s not going to end, at least not because of Donald Trump becoming the president of a nuclear armed superpower. What is worrying me is that such a statement even needs to be considered or said. When somebody like Trump takes a front seat in the politics of a superpower, there are serious questions that some people should start asking themselves.

Even so, I like to think that the current situation is for the best. Donald is a mirror in which America can take a good look at itself. Perhaps less advantageous is how he represents his country abroad. Several economic partners already expressed strong distaste towards the fellow.

Here’s what an American over at Vox has to say about Trump’s candidacy:
http://www.vox.com/2016/1/30/10873476/donald-trump-never-president^

I’m going to think positive and remain convinced that Trump has no chance of winning the election. Actually, I seriously doubt that he can even get the nomination. Even if he manages to win by numbers, I like to believe that the Republican Party won’t allow itself to sink that low as to nominate a hate-preacher to run for commander in chief of America’s vast military forces.

If they do, then I guess it’s jolly time for the party to break in two, because its members’ stubbornness is beginning to cost too much. There are many valuable people in the Republican camp and the USA simply cannot afford to lose their voice among a crowd with outdated mentality and whose electorate will eventually dwindle.

This being said, I have all the understanding for Republicans of any opinion and, by extent, for Trump’s supporters. They are all our brothers and sisters and we should not brush aside their concerns and opinions. I truly believe that the best way for Americans of all parties to move forward is to sit together and talk about their experiences and, together, discover what motivates their political choices.

Racism, homophobia, misogyny and bigotry have an impressive following in the American society and political life. If America wishes to walk proud in the 21st century, it has to take a closer look at how it uses education, religion and mass media.

But then again, maybe the entire point of Trump’s candidacy is to make sure that the corporations get their woman in front of the country, taking us one step closer towards the dissolution of this so-called democracy and the rise of corporate oligarchy.

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Big Corporations Go After Artificial Intelligence

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The word “Go” in the title is not coincidental. Much earlier than expected, an AI program managed to defeat a human Go champion. Artificial Intelligence has had the upper hand in the game of Chess for more than a decade already. However, defeating humans at the game of Go requires a different kind of intelligence than it is the case with Chess.

Here’s the news report about Google having reached this important milestone in AI development: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/546066/googles-ai-masters-the-game-of-go-a-decade-earlier-than-expected/^

IBM, Google, Microsoft, FaceBook, Amazon and Apple are all pouring billions of dollars into this sort of research. So do other companies and, less advertised, so do many governments. Not to mention universities and even hobbyists. The jury is still out regarding whether strong (true) Artificial Intelligence is even achievable.

My worry is that once a corporation or government manages to succeed in this venture, the result might offer that entity an unimaginable economic and strategic advantage. Such an advantage will make nuclear weapons seem like a wet firecracker in comparison.

Some have said that AI will be our last invention, for better or for worse. That is because AI might overtake us in intelligence to such an extent that it could invent things that we cannot even begin to imagine. So the risk lies not only in the birth of true AI, but also in whatever new beings such intelligence might give birth to as it grows and learns how to play with its intelligence. All this may very well lead us to immortality or to extinction.

If you’d like to learn more about the topic, I recommend you to read this excellent two part article explaining what it’s all about. It’s quite long but it’s an interesting and pleasant read. At least skip through it, because a life-changing Artificial Intelligence development may be closer than you think.

Part 1:

http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-1.html^

Part 2

http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-2.html^

I also find it quite interesting that some corporations are open sourcing their AI frameworks and tools. I have a fair amount of trust that a large economic entity or a scientific organization will be at least a bit careful about how they program the ethical aspects of an AI, if nothing else then for self-preservation purposes. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same thing about hobbyists who might not even give a priority to such a vital concern.

Microsoft Open Sources Artificial Intelligence Toolkit:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2498435,00.asp^

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Is Moldova the Next Battle in the Russia vs NATO Saga?

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Russia and NATO have a problem. Trampling upon Ukraine’s territorial integrity and using it as a pawn in the geo-political superpowers war has concluded with what is pretty much a draw. The current situation in Moldova bears worrying similarity. A pro-Western government is currently leading the country, although its position is precarious. Is it now time for another state to face economic ruin while offering the mass-media a profitable side-show?

Here’s a report from a NATO-affiliated news agency:
https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/amid-protests-moldova-finally-appoints-government^

Romanian is being spoken on the territory of Moldova and has been for a long time. These two states were the same country for a short while, but the dream didn’t last long because after World War II, the Soviet Union decided that they could use 34.000 square kilometers of extra territory. They argued that the land was theirs to begin with – the Ottoman Empire ceded parts of Moldova to the Russian Empire in 1812 and a process of Russification followed. Wikipedia^ has more information about all this.

Like a loyal NATO member, Romania wants Moldova to join the European family, something that is sure to anger Putin. It feels like 2014 all over again, featuring NATO-affiliated countries doing funny business dangerously close to their Cold War archenemy. It may very well be in Moldova’s best interests to side with its Western neighbors, but judging by what happens in Ukraine, the small country might become yet another unfortunate pawn in the dealings of superpowers.

I can only hope that Russia won’t be as brutish with Moldova as it was with Ukraine. After all, the bordering break-away republic of Transnistria, which has little international recognition, serves as a pro-Russian buffer zone in the area. I also hope that Romania itself won’t face Russia’s wrath because of the loan it has decided to offer to Moldova. Both countries rely on natural gas imports from their nuclear-armed neighbor.

About the loan and the attempt to bring Moldova closer to NATO’s sphere of influence:
http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Romania-offers-Moldova-60-million-loan-to-spur-6784049.php^

And because I like to offer you both sides of the story, here’s what TASS (Russian news agency) has published regarding the situation:
http://tass.ru/en/opinions/851363^

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Denmark to Confiscate Valuable Belongings From Immigrants

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The Recommendations section begins on a sour note with this highly disturbing report coming from Denmark. The Danes will now confiscate the valuable belongings of immigrants, so that they can cover the costs required to accommodate and feed them.

Here’s a news report from CNN:
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/26/europe/denmark-vote-jewelry-bill-migrants/^

In their infinite and noble clemency, the Danes will allow the immigrants to keep items of “sentimental value”. Initially, I wanted to say that this is similar with what the Nazis were doing with the Jews. But then I realized that it’s not similar at all. It’s actually identical, except for the fact that it takes place seven decades later. This means that there’s a bit less barbarism, which is probably the least that we could demand from the human race at this point in time.

From such a country, which has been a stalwart of free speech and liberalism, I expected more than sinking to the lowest ethical standards of contemporary civilization. Even though I am able to understand the economical reasoning behind the decision, I’m painfully aware that there were so many other decent ways to solve this.

It looks like Denmark went with a resolution that should appease the far-right, a political cult which is not exactly renowned for its reliable long-term thinking. I wonder how much respect the current immigrants will have towards their adoptive country some years from now. At a time when Europe tries to contain extremist tendencies, the actions of Denmark appear to me like a sort of social suicide.

I find it sad that this is the best answer a European country can come up with. Apparently they will confiscate things like laptops too. To me, this sounds like they’re denying opportunity and reducing the chances for these people to start a new life using the belongings they undoubtedly struggled and risked to bring with them. To me, this sounds like slavery. In the past we went and kidnapped slaves, now we just destabilize their countries and make them cover the expenses and risks to get here; neat huh? The fact that the Danish citizens are sitting rather quietly while this happens raises uncomfortable questions.

Here’s an analysis of the situation:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andras-simonyi/perhaps-something-not-so-_b_9081238.html^

Ultimately, it’s any country’s right to manage this sort of crisis as it sees fit. I agree that refugees should do their best to cover their costs. But this should only come later, when they’ve been integrated and trained in the ways through which they can contribute to the society they’re part of.

One last thing I’d like to add. I can’t easily understand how the Danish government wants to monetize laptops and other valuable technology taken off the refugees. Will they use pawn shops? Who would like to buy these devices? I think Danes can afford pretty much whatever hardware they wish for. This draconian maneuver reeks of ulterior motives.

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Dealing With Criticism

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Unsurprisingly, a web search for “dealing with criticism” will yield a lot of results. Advice and solutions have been explored and discussed already by people with a lot of experience in psychology and social dynamics. By going through some of the top results the reader is sure to find a wealth of useful information.

Rather than remixing bullet point lists and coming up with stale advice, what I’m going to do is to go back to the basics. This entry is concerned with the only thing which is really, truly important in the matter. And that is…

To change or not to change

By far, the most important decision a person must make after receiving criticism is whether the changes it implies are necessary or even welcomed. If the answer is “no”, then the next step is to be thankful for receiving the time and attention of the critic and then to move on as fast as possible. We should waste no time or feelings when we decide that a change is not necessary.

If the answer is “yes”, then half of the work is already done because this internal acknowledgement is a powerful motivator. What follows is a mixture of integration and communication with the critic, a mental process which should generate decisions.

It takes humbleness and courage to accept and start integrating criticism, but the rewards can be great indeed. By virtue of having a different life experience, the perspective shared by other persons can become a priceless asset. This is not always apparent, so it sometimes can be quite a hurdle to open the door to change.

Once this fundamental decision is made though, the really fun part can finally begin, which is to find how to integrate the external feedback with one’s own work and thought processes. Finding the best of both worlds is challenging but rewarding.

Tune in to usefulness

Not to waste time, let’s not even bother with destructive or unskilled criticism. More often than not, a person will eventually realize when feedback is being given in an aggressive, spiteful way, when it is incorrect or when it is simply not applicable. We’ve all been in such situations. There are many ways through which one can unmask useless criticism. That web search I mentioned earlier is a good starting place for finding such information. I liked these two^ lists^.

Understanding the importance of the other members of society is vital. The criticized person must single out those that can offer valuable feedback. Good, true, useful criticism can come from anywhere. Being personally involved, friends and family usually offer a passionate flavor of advice, which can be delivered in all sorts of ways, from diplomatic to downright depressing. On the other hand, people who don’t have a close personal connection with the person being criticized are less biased.

It is beneficial to gather opinion from both these camps. The critics can be seen as translators – they receive intellectual information and interpret it based on their own life experience. In this way, we can perceive our work or decisions from different vantage points.

Criticism can quickly become overwhelming not only in intensity but also in numbers. Prioritizing the trusted and respected sources of feedback is essential. And never forget that change is not always for the best and it is equally important to not be led astray as it is to improve. The goal is to reach a more desirable state.

Science, art, lifestyle

When receiving criticism, there are significant differences in the way its worthiness can be judged. Sometimes feedback is given against a set of known rules, whereas other times the frame of reference is abstract.

In exact sciences, the worthiness of a piece of advice can be determined with ease. For example if I write bad software, a fellow programmer will have no trouble to support his opinion with undefeatable arguments.

In art, however, things are much more difficult. Art is a deeply personal experience, so we should try to focus on feedback that pertains to skill rather than the overall artistic direction. This is not to say that we can’t take valuable decisions derived from opinion-based criticism, but it is more difficult to balance one’s art with somebody else’s opinion of how it should look or feel. Yet, many artists have done so successfully and have perfected themselves, increasing their popularity.

Our lifestyle is probably the toughest area when dealing with criticism. It’s not that it’s difficult to realize when the advice is correct, but lifestyle is one of the hardest things to change. It can take tremendous effort to modify entrenched habits and conceptions. But in this case, that intense effort can lead to fantastic strides forward, since all that we do, in all other areas, is influenced by the way we live.

In being able to communicate precise concepts to each other, we humans have an enormous advantage. Receiving, accepting and handling feedback is a blessing of the society we are part of. I believe that this life is one long learning experience, and the most efficient way of learning is from a teacher. Good critics are our own private teachers. Be mindful of this opportunity.

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Platonic Scale – Out of the Blue

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What happens when a highly talented musician and producer pairs with a first class voice? Throw in some beautifully written lyrics and you get Platonic Scale’s newest EP, “Out of the Blue”. Singer ALLA is featured on all of the five songs on the EP, contributing to give each of them a different feel and personality.

I’ve been following the exploits^ of Platonic Scale for several years now. “Out of the Blue” signifies a departure from the electronic genre. It’s a foray into synth-pop and quite a successful one at that.

Not only is the music diverse, but it also showcases those tiny yet vital details that make you tingle with joy when your ears pick them up. The ability to keep the listener entertained and curious is a hallmark of great skill in orchestration. Even after several replays, I still found that Platonic Scale had a few tricks left, hidden between the vibes.

In the same time, the buildup and crescendos lead to predictive bursts of energy that contribute to a feeling of familiarity. But do not be fooled by the recognizable frame of reference. There are tricky little sounds that’ll jump at you when you least expect it.

ALLA has all the qualities I believe a first class voice should have. In less than twenty minutes, she manages to take the listener through an impressive range of moods. On “Fire” one moment we’re on a reverie, the next, she’s dazing us with a seductive, playful rush of words. While the music guides the listener, ALLA is the angel, the adventurous, the naughty, the seductive, the daring and the hopeful.

Often, we can hear Platonic Scale stealing a syllable or two from ALLA, prolonging or distorting them, toying with this most capable instrument of all – the human voice. These short but spirited experiments come to complete the intricate sound design.

Last week, I featured “Stardust” in the Weekly Song section and I wrote: “Building up from a slightly melancholic setting the melody blossoms to deliver a hopeful jolt. All the more impressive is that through well-chosen words the writer gives the listener something to ponder.

“It’s quite difficult to deliver a profound spiritual message in an unassuming, playful way, yet this is exactly what ALLA and Platonic Scale are doing here. Backed by beautifully paced music, ALLA’s voice goes from dreamy to provocative, ultimately reaching an uplifting climax. This is a well written song, in all the ways that a song can be well written.”

What I forgot to mention about “Stardust” is the discrete but beautiful tremolo at 2:02. This is but a single one of the many gems scattered throughout Platonic Scale’s 5-song release. Listening to “Out of the Blue”, I feel at home, relaxed, thankful for the musical adventure that this world has brought to me. Give this EP a serious listen folks, it’s quite an experience. Otherwise, how could I have managed to write almost five hundred words about it?

You can listen to the entire EP on Spotify:

Or on SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/victormmusic/sets/out-of-the-blue-ep

You can buy the EP from the link below. And yes, in case you’re wondering, I purchased it :).

https://platonicscale.bandcamp.com/album/out-of-the-blue^

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Perfectionism: Curse or Blessing?

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Professionally, perfectionism can be a source of great achievements. But the satisfaction of observing good results when applying this principle can quietly lead to a dangerous imbalance. There is a darker side to perfectionism, a way of thinking that worms its way into one’s mind, suffocating the creative process. Perfectionism can easily become too much of a good thing.

Balance is probably the most important mental aptitude when dealing with this issue. By knowing when to give up the endless quest for perfection, one can deliver impressive results in a timely fashion. But finding that balance can be an elusive task.

The knife

Imagine somebody sharpening a knife. At one point, the knife becomes sharp enough to be of good use. But then the person decides to sharpen it even more. The knife becomes extremely sharp. Even though that fine blade will deteriorate soon, it definitely provides a better experience for a while. Still not satisfied, our perfectionist decides to sharpen the knife further.

What happens afterwards, as you can probably imagine, is that the knife’s blade loses from its material without becoming sharper. Even worse, the blade might start to exhibit other problems that arise from excessive sharpening. Obviously, the tool used to refine the blade will also lose material. And last but not least, it’s wasted time.

This analogy helped me a lot. I managed to realize how redacting my work excessively can quickly become wasteful. I usually went through at least five revisions before publishing anything, sometimes more. From a certain point onwards, I was simply changing words and then changing them back. I discovered that it’s infinitely more useful and pleasant to ask for a second opinion rather than hammering at the text ad infinitum.

Pride

Perfectionism makes good friends with pride. The positive results obtained through this intensely self-scrutinizing creative process can be very encouraging. Therefore, it is not surprising when one starts to take pride in this way of working. However, it’s an unfortunate symbiosis and can easily lead to abusing the method. And we’ve already seen what that can cause.

Pride becomes both a trap and an excuse to stubbornly cling to a wasteful process. It can be very hard for a perfectionist to own up to this. I speak from experience. Ideals can spawn the most convincing of illusions. Feelings of superiority provide the perfect fuel for pride to burn, intoxicating the mind.

The blessing

Despite these dangers, perfectionism can be a positive trait and a very important one at that. When wielded with care and balance, it acts like a distiller of quality. There are many factors involved in any creative activity – imagination, talent, experience, knowledge, ambition, consistency and the list goes on. Producing a satisfying end result requires these varied factors to play together harmoniously.

But the perfectionists don’t stop at “satisfying”. They don’t stop at “good” either. This extra ingredient, the additional amount of effort spent, is usually the difference between “good” and “great”.

I’m far from saying that only perfectionists can produce great things. Perfectionism is just another thought process among dozens of others that we have labeled using various words. However, when applied in good measure, it is a strong ingredient. And yet, it is never a guarantee.

Conclusion

While preparing to publish this, I had a rather amusing experience revising an entry which deals with how one should handle their inner critic. Through this short exploration, I realized that it is better to accept the possibility of another reviewer finding mistakes later – and learn from them – rather than sacrificing precious time in order to avoid the unavoidable. As a rule on Mentatul, I never revise a text more than four times before publishing it. I hope it was enough to allow these words to deliver their meaning in an efficient and pleasant way.

There are several ways through which we can set ourselves free from the shackles of our inner critics. A good first step is to involve our close ones into our work, especially those that already hold us in high regard. Humans excel at team work and can provide much-needed encouragement.  Even more importantly is that we understand that it is ultimately in our own power – and best interest – to move forward, despite our insecurity or dissatisfaction. Starting with less important activities, we can learn to say “I’ve done my best. It’s time to move on.”

The extremes in which perfectionism finds itself are due to its “absolute value”. It is a rather intense character trait to have. When one falls into the many temptations and traps along the way, the consequences can be tragic, take depression for example. But when used wisely, perfectionism can lead to beautiful results.

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Opinion or Analysis

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Most of my writing on this website consists of reviews and analysis. These are two vastly different areas which demand an equally different approach from the writer. I believe that it is very important for any author to use the appropriate thought process when publishing any material that can be referred to by others. It is a matter of responsibility, especially when it comes to analysis.

The word “analysis” has many meanings. One popular understanding is linked to the field of science. Analysis can be experimental or statistical. In both cases, abstractions are used in order to bring infinitely-complex processes down to our level of understanding.

I don’t think that we currently have the knowledge or technology to fully understand or make clear predictions regarding the actions of millions of people and their complex interactions. We can, however, put forward various hypotheses and assumptions, backing these up with as many facts as possible.

Misusing opinion

One of my assumptions is that emitting an opinion is not proper when dealing with matters which concern the life of more beings than the individual holding the opinion. Opinion is best suited for discussions about art or subjects that pertain to one’s personal life; although in this latter case it can be argued that it is risky or perhaps even dangerous to base life-altering choices upon something as fickle and unfounded as opinion.

This assumption is quite easy to back using facts. Sadly, throughout our history, there have been many people in positions of power which mixed their personal opinions with politics, ultimately ruining countless lives. They sometimes even used science to justify their choices, but time eventually proved that there was little more than opinion behind their twisted analysis.

The right tool for the job

In my writing, I try to keep a strict delimitation between opinion and analysis. I have the right to an opinion when it comes to a work of art, perhaps a product. But when my words concern anything else than me, opinion is relegated to a far-away second place, that is, if it is even present at all.

The reverse is also true, although to a lesser extent. Art can seldom be analyzed. It is here when opinion is best suited, since the perception of art is of a deeply personal nature. However, art also involves skill, and this is something that can be measured, to a certain degree. Therefore I would say that there is more room for analysis in art than for opinion in analysis.

This separation of concerns is by no means absolute. The beautiful challenge of writing about a certain topic lies in finding a harmonious balance between the personal perspective and the social context.

Middle ground

In some cases, opinion and analysis can share the spotlight. When writing a product review, there is a fair amount of opinion involved, for example regarding the build quality or usefulness of the product. These judgments are influenced by personal taste and habit. In the same time, such a review must also present a meaningful analysis that can be useful to the reader, mindful of the fact that every reader is different.

Through this project, I will strive for a middle ground between these two styles of writing. For every opinion I put out there, I will offer another, more analytical work (on a different topic). And from time to time, some product review will show up as well.

What about these words? Was this an opinion or an analysis? I’d say it was a bit of both. It’s my opinion and analysis on the topic of opinion or analysis. For sure, it has helped me visualize how to pursue my craft onwards.

I’ll close with an amusing but important warning. A friend of mine once said: “Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one and they’re all smelly”. This can labeled as “vulgar” but such categorization will never stop me from recognizing the validity of a claim or its entertainment value – the statement above has both. I will be careful with my opinions and try to keep Mentatul as least smelly as possible.

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Micro Biography

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A person is a perpetually changing collection of life experiences playing upon a genetic tapestry. Rather than struggling to explain or define who I am, I’ll try to offer a bit of insight regarding how I came to write these words. There are two reasons why I wish to share this information.

First, I feel that by enumerating some of the major events that have shaped my life, I’m encouraging a personal connection with you. Secondly, my past is a factor in choosing the topics I write about.

This is part of a series detailing the intellectual pillars of my craft. The other two are:
“Why Am I Writing?”^, which details my motivations.
“Mission Statement”^, which details my purposes.

Now… where am I coming from and where am I heading?

Early steps

Imagination played a very important role in my childhood. I became my own story-teller quite early. As a teenager, I started writing several novels before being completely absorbed by another passion of mine.

This other passion barged in my life around the age of 6, when I interacted for the first time with a computer. It was a mesmerizing experience for the child that I was. Computers back then weren’t common at all and I think that the event took place at a perfect age, an age when I perceived that screen as a sort of magical, wonderful device. This feeling, this enthusiasm is as fresh in my mind as it was back then.

A few years later, after I first set eyes on computer games, I felt an irresistible attraction towards technology. Everything else came second. Not only did I become a gamer, but I also took my first steps in game design, using pen and paper. Later on, I focused towards becoming a software developer – this happens to be how I’m currently making a living.

Music was another early passion, even though I eventually settled for listening rather than creating. My father introduced me to bands such as Pink Floyd, ZZ Top and Dire Straits. Later on, childhood friends got me into rave and metal. I eventually made my way to all sorts of genres and artists from around the world.

My parents got divorced when I was 7, after some rather rough years. What followed wasn’t easy either. Emotionally, my mother had the duty to put me back together again after a rather difficult childhood. She did so with fantastic love and diligence, given the handful that I was. This is worth mentioning because the seeds of love she planted in me are a powerful influence in my art.

The gaming years

Dune 2, Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, WarCraft 2, Mortal Kombat, StarCraft, Diablo 2, Heroes 3 and Baldur’s Gate 2 are just a few of the games in which I invested copious amounts of time. Yes, I used the word “invested”, not the word “wasted”. My gaming time was an investment, one which has proven its value more than once, socially, professionally and artistically. Along with music, this was a refuge through a stormy period of my life.

These years also brought a renewed interest in electronics. I was always a tinkerer and my computer became the perfect learning ground. Soon, I was upgrading my systems and making good use of any hardware-related information that was available to me.

The technology years

After my father’s translation of Dune was published, it became, and still is, my all-time favorite book. I did surprisingly little reading as a child, and even less as a young man. To say that I couldn’t stand the educational system is an understatement. I dropped out at the first chance I had, which was at the start of University, when I got my first full-time job as a C# coder.

As an employee, I became even more interested in computer hardware. While programming software for various companies, I devoured news about processors, storage and pretty much anything concerning computers.

Eventually, I became so engrossed in this that I found myself publishing my first few articles on The Inquirer, a British tech website. A year earlier, in 2006, I published articles that could fill two books while covering the Formula 1 season. It’s a sport I’m no longer interested in – and I plan to explain exactly why at some point in the future.

In 2010, I moved to Sweden together with my girlfriend and begun work at my second game. Without a full-time job to slow me down, this was guaranteed to be a success, since I had lots of time to put into the project and an artist to help me. After two years of working 12 hour days, I realized the project has no chance of being done in the third year and got a full-time job. The game I was working on, Alien Invasion, never made it past the pre-Alpha stage.

The writing years

After starting my first full-time job in Sweden, I did a lot of soul-searching. The almost-unhealthy partnership with technology stabilized to more acceptable levels. My girlfriend, who in 2013 became my wife, is partially to thank for this. I began investing more time into writing and also resumed reading literature – a welcomed change after a decade of intensely parsing the news.

Most of my free time in the last couple of years consisted in personal development of all kinds: meditation, introspection, sports and workshops. I also began to seriously consider my intellectual diet: games, music, movies… everything that gets inside my brain. It goes without saying that I’ve been taking better care of my body as well.

And here I am, as ready as I’ll ever be. The writing years begin now. Sure, I’ll maintain my day job for some time to come, and I’ll continue keeping a watchful eye on technology. VR gaming, I’m looking at you! But other than that, I officially consider myself as a new student of this world, doing his homework in the public space. And now, with my first opinion or analysis^ piece on Mentatul, let the writing begin!

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