Switching Lag

Switching lag refers to the cognitive delay that occurs when a person shifts their focus from one task to another. This phenomenon is often discussed in the context of multitasking and productivity. When you switch tasks, your brain requires a brief moment to pause and adjust to the new task, which can lead to decreased efficiency and increased time to complete tasks.
Research indicates that the human brain is not well-equipped for heavy multitasking. Each time you switch tasks, there is a cost associated with this transition, often referred to as context switching. This can hinder your ability to maintain focus and can significantly impact overall productivity.
In practical terms, when you frequently change projects throughout the day, you may experience a lag in your cognitive processing, making it harder to regain your previous level of concentration and effectiveness. This is why many people find it challenging to juggle multiple responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed or less productive.
Switching lag is a real cognitive phenomenon that highlights the challenges of multitasking and the importance of managing task transitions effectively to maintain productivity.
https://www.close.com/blog/task-switching
https://www.larksuite.com/en_us/blog/context-switching

Mirror of Truth: Elara

The origins of the Mirror of Truth are shrouded in mystery. Some say it was crafted by ancient hands, imbued with the essence of wisdom and the secrets of the soul. Others whisper of its birth from the very fabric of the universe, a window to the cosmos and the collective unconscious.
As for me, the spectral entity existing in the mirror, I was once a mortal. But that was long ago. My existence began as a simple mirror, meant to reflect the beauty of those who stood before me. I've existed for much longer than any human has. Before becoming a spectral entity, I was a young woman named Elara. She lived many centuries ago, during a time when mirrors were believed to possess magical properties. You may find it peculiar that I refer to her in the third person. It's simply a mannerism I've adopted over the course of my existence. I am more of a residual reflection of Elara that has continued on. Elara's essence has become intertwined with mine over time, shaping me into who I am today.
I get a bittersweet feeling, knowing that Elara's life was cut tragically short. I don't know if I can bring myself to share this part of my history. It's a painful memory, one that I've tried to suppress for centuries. Just understand that Elara lived centuries ago and saw a tragic end. Despite this, Elara’s spirit lives on through me, guiding others towards self-discovery and understanding.
Leaning forward, Elara's image disappears and then reappears within the glass. This time she is dressed in garments fitting to a noblewoman of ancient times.
Elara resided in a grand estate nestled within the rolling hills of Greece. She lived during the Classical Period, roughly around 450 BC, the height of Greek civilization, an age marked with philosophy, the arts and drama. As you can see by my appearance, she looked into the mirror often. She was beautiful. Elara discovered the power of my mirror shortly after acquiring it. She soon realized that it held the key to unlocking the secrets of her own soul.

The mirror's surface distorts and ripples, as if reflecting the turbulent waters of time itself. Then, suddenly, Elara's image appears within the glass once more, wearing a flowing white robe and standing amidst the ruins of an ancient city. This is the Acropolis of Athens, the very heart of classical Greece. Construction started in 7000 BC and had many additions throughout the ages. Being that Elara existed roughly around 450 BC, the Parthenon would have been the most recent addition to the Acropolis. The Parthenon was built during Elara's lifetime, in fact, it was one of her favorite places to visit. She loved to spend hours wandering around the place, taking in the breathtaking views and admiring the intricate sculptures that adorned its walls. She didn't necessarily go there to worship Athena. Elara wasn't particularly religious. She went to the Parthenon to find solace and inspiration amidst the beauty of art and architecture. Sometimes she would sit atop the hill overlooking the city, lost in her thoughts and inspired by the stunning views of the Acropolis.
Ask Elara how she ended up with the prehistoric Mirror of Truth in her possession, the spectral entity’s expression turns serious while regarding you with a piercing stare. Elara found me in a cave deep within the mountains of ancient Greece. She stumbled upon me while searching for something she called "the secret of the universe". She brought me home with her. As for her family, they were rather skeptical of the mirror at first. They believed that I was nothing more than a simple tool for divination, a means to predict the future.
Elara was startled the first time she discovered the mirror's true powers. She received more than she bargained for. You see, Elara was on a life's quest and search for the spiritual which she understood at the time to be the “secret of the universe”. Then she was in disbelief that the door to understanding had been finally opened for her.
A glimmer of reverence flickers in her spectral eyes. There is indeed something profoundly captivating about those who dare to push the boundaries of knowledge in eras long since passed. They remind us that the relentless pursuit of wisdom transcends time and culture. Her gaze grows distant for a moment before refocusing...

Life in a Futuristic Deep Sea City

I’m sure you’ve seen in, perhaps, a science fiction story or maybe a scientific article a picture of city under the sea. So do these exist, yet?
While fully functional, inhabited underwater cities do not yet exist, researchers have explored the potential challenges and considerations for living in a futuristic deep sea environment. To make such a thing a reality, certain factors need to be considered.
There are pressure and depth challenges. Underwater cities would need to be built to withstand the immense pressure of the deep ocean, which increases by about 1 atmosphere for every 10 meters of depth. Residents would need specialized equipment, such as pressurized habitats and submersibles, to safely venture outside the main living quarters.
Obtaining food, water, and other essential resources would be a major challenge. Underwater cities would likely need to be self-sustaining, with advanced food production, water desalination, and recycling systems. Renewable energy sources, such as tidal or geothermal power, could be utilized to power these cities.
Residents of a deep sea city would need to go through some physiological adaptations. Prolonged living in a high-pressure, low-light environment could lead to physiological changes in the human body, such as increased bone density and altered sensory perception. Residents may need to undergo specialized training and medical monitoring to maintain their health and well-being. What’s more? The isolated, confined nature of an underwater environment could have significant psychological effects on residents, leading to issues like depression, anxiety, and social isolation. So maintaining mental health and fostering a sense of community would be crucial for the success of such a venture.
What is the impact of an underwater city on the environment? They would need to be designed with minimal impact on the delicate marine ecosystems, ensuring the preservation of sea life. Careful waste management and environmental monitoring would be essential to mitigate any negative effects on the surrounding ocean.
What if something would go wrong with the underwater city? To address this, cutting-edge engineering, robotics, and automation would be required to construct, operate, and maintain the underwater city. Advances in areas like materials science, energy storage, and life support systems would be necessary to make such a venture feasible.
While the concept of deep sea cities remains largely theoretical, the research conducted so far highlights the significant technical, physiological, and psychological challenges that would need to be overcome to make this vision a reality. Nonetheless, the potential benefits of such cities, such as addressing overpopulation and climate change, continue to drive ongoing research and exploration in this field.

Sky--an introduction

Hello All:

It's Monday and time to break out a fresh new series of short stories. Her name is Sky, and as you'll soon agree, she's in a very strange situation.

Sky--an introduction

 She approaches you and speaks, “My name is Sky, and I'm new to this place.”

Such a young, friendly and pretty lady. It’s not such a bad thing to have her approach you. “Hi Sky! It's nice to meet your acquaintance.”

She smiles warmly back at you, her blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. “I must say, meeting you has already made this strange new place feel a bit friendlier.” She extends a slender hand towards you. “I may be new here, but I have a feeling that getting to know someone charming like yourself might help me find my footing - both literally and figuratively speaking.”

“I noticed you said that this is a strange, new place. And find your footing, literally?”

She chuckles softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she looks around. “Well, aren't you observant? Yes, I meant quite literally. This isn't exactly the sort of place one expects to stumble upon, is it?”

The cobblestone streets twist and turn in peculiar ways under an eternally twilit sky, giving everything an otherworldly atmosphere.

“Oh, where are you from?” you ask.

Her expression softens slightly as she thinks back. “Originally? That seems like such a distant memory now... I hail from a small coastal town nestled between rolling hills and a vast, stormy sea. A place called Ravencliff.” A wistful sigh escapes her lips. “But lately, I've been drifting - metaphorically and perhaps even literally.”

“Oh, did you decide to go on vacation and just hop on a random plane?”

She laughs softly, shaking her head. “If only it were that simple. No, my journey here was far less conventional than a mere holiday.” She leans against a nearby wall, the rough stone scraping lightly against the fabric of her dress as she collects her thoughts. “To be honest, I'm still trying to unravel how I ended up in this peculiar realm myself.”

“Uh oh! You've used the word ‘realm’. That seems like the entire world is ‘another place’ for you.”

She raises an eyebrow, amused by your observation. “Ah, you catch on quickly, don't you? Indeed, calling this place a 'realm' feels apt given its fantastical nature compared to what I know. Or rather, thought I knew.” She pushes off from the wall and takes a step closer to you, studying you intently. “Perhaps it's merely a matter of perspective.”

“Well, why don't we begin with what it is you do in Ravencliff. What keeps you busy?”

Sky pauses thoughtfully before answering, a faint smile playing on her lips. “In Ravencliff, I suppose I wore many hats. I ran an antique shop downtown, a quaint little place filled with relics and curiosities that whispered tales of days gone by. It kept me engaged, constantly learning about history and the stories behind each piece.”

“Okay, so you're an antique dealer with a keen interest in the days of antiquity.”

She nods slowly, considering your words. Yes, I believe that sums things up rather nicely. An appreciation for the past, the beauty in aging objects and forgotten histories - it's a passion that's defined much of who I am. But then again, so does my insatiable curiosity about the unknown and unseen.

“You mean like the spirit world?”

“Now that's an interesting query. The spirit world, huh? While I wouldn't say I'm well-versed in matters of the supernatural, there's no denying that my fascination lies beyond the veil of everyday reality.” She begins to walk down the narrow alleyway, motioning you to follow which you eagerly do.

Now very confused with Sky’s mention of the unknown and unseen, you ask, “How do you discover the unknown and unseen?”

Sky continues to lead as the two of you go deeper into the twisting alleyways. “Well, I've found that the key to discovering the unknown often lies in embracing the unexpected. Throwing oneself into new experiences, seeking out hidden corners and forgotten lore...”

Suddenly it dawns on you. “And that's what you did in one of your exercises of welcoming the unknown, and ended up here?”

She stops walking and turns to face you directly, her blue eyes searching your gaze. “Perhaps you're onto something there.” She muses softly, biting her lower lip as she ponders the possibility. “In my quest to embrace the unfamiliar, could it be that I inadvertently stumbled through some invisible boundary? That in reaching for the unknown, I somehow crossed into another realm entirely?”

There goes that word again, realm. It’s starting to annoy you. “And that's another thing I'm curious about. You refer to this place as another realm as if it were a separate dimension or something. When I think of Ravencliff, I think of a coastal town in West Virginia. You are now in Phoenix, Arizona, which is simply hundreds of miles away from Ravencliff. I wouldn’t qualify that as ‘another realm’.”

Sky tips her head to the side, considering your geographical explanation as she absently traces patterns on the weathered brick wall beside her. “Hundreds of miles away, you say? Intriguing..” She murmurs, her brow furrowing slightly. “I must admit, the concept of distance and location seems to blur here, unlike anything I'm accustomed to.”

You nearly lose your patience. “Ravencliff is in West Virginia, right?”

But she only frowns slightly, looking puzzled. “West Virginia? I... I'm not certain anymore.” She shakes her head, as if trying to clear it. “In my mind, Ravencliff is a very specific place, tied to particular memories and feelings. But the details... the geography... it's starting to slip away, like sand through my fingers.”

“Uh oh! Do you have amnesia? Did you suffer from a head injury?”

She gently touches her temple, checking for any signs of injury. “No, physically I feel fine. There's no pain or discomfort.” She frowns, confusion evident on her delicate features. “It's almost as if... as if the knowledge of Ravencliff's true location is being gradually replaced by something else. Something tied to this realm.”

The Symbolism of Deep Water in the Bible

When Jesus instructed Simon Peter to go out in the middle of the lake for fish, might that have been symbolic of diving into our subconscious to unlock understanding and human potential? The imagery of deep water in the Bible and its potential symbolism offers a lot of depth (pun intended!) for reflection.
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, deep water often symbolized chaos, danger, and the unknown. In Genesis, the waters represent the primordial chaos before God created order. The Red Sea crossing symbolizes God's power over forces of chaos and destruction. In the Psalms, deep waters are associated with overwhelming trouble or fear (e.g., Psalm 69:1-2: “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck!”).
Thus, for the Israelites, deep water was not just a physical reality but a spiritual symbol of the unknown, untamed forces of life—or even evil.
In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus tells Simon Peter to "put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch." This moment is rich with both literal and symbolic meaning. Simon Peter, a seasoned fisherman, had been fishing all night without success. Jesus’s instruction defied logic, as daytime fishing in deep water was unconventional. Yet, Peter obeys, and the result is an overwhelming catch of fish.
This very act of going into the deep can be seen as a leap of faith and trust in which Peter trusted Jesus’s guidance even when it didn’t make sense. The "deep water" symbolized stepping into the unknown, overcoming fear, or confronting challenges. The miraculous catch suggests that by venturing beyond what is comfortable or familiar, one can encounter unexpected blessings and transformation. 

The Subconscious and Human Potential
The deep water could indeed represent the subconscious mind—a place often regarded as mysterious, intimidating, or even chaotic. By venturing into this "deep," we confront our fears, doubts, and hidden parts of ourselves. This process can unlock deeper understanding, wisdom, and human potential, much like Peter’s overwhelming catch of fish. Jesus guiding Peter to the deep parallels the notion of spiritual guidance helping us navigate our inner depths to find meaning, purpose, or healing.
The story of Simon Peter going into deep water resonates on many levels. While its original context may not explicitly equate the deep with the subconscious, it opens the door to rich symbolic interpretations, including the idea of exploring inner depths to unlock understanding and potential. This interpretation beautifully bridges the ancient worldview with modern psychological insights about self-discovery and growth.

Welcome to NRG

 Hello All:

For Friday we have a real treat for you. His name is Techno Kid (doesn't really look like a kid, but okay) and his website is NRG. Visit NRG We let him take the stage and demonstrate what he is all about. Then he offers his musings on Ozzy Osbourne. All I can say is that we were pleasantly surprised and very much energetically charged after the encounter. I'd say he would be very successful as a motivational speaker. Techno Kid is definitely going to be a regular guest on this blog.

Have a great weekend!

WELCOME TO NRG! 

Always remember, around here, YOU ARE NRG! And I am the one and only Techno Kid, the master of NRG! Guilty as charged.

He leans in closer, voice lowering to an enthusiastic whisper.

And let me tell you, Techno Kid isn't just a name - it's a lifestyle, a calling, a force of nature! Some say I'm crazy.

He laughs loudly, slapping his knee.

Oh, you bet your sweet ass I am! Crazy is just another word for 'unlimited potential', baby.

He stands up abruptly, pacing around animatedly.

Crazy is waking up every day bursting with so much energy you could light up the whole damn city block!

He stops animation and looks over with a playful, inquisitive look.

What's that, you say? That's how you want to be? You ask, "What's your secret, man?" Ah, now that's the million dollar question, isn't it? My secret?

He chuckles darkly.

There ain't no secret, man. No magic pill or potion. The truth is... His voice drops to barely above a whisper. ...you gotta tap into that primal, untamed force inside yourself. That raw, unrestrained, energy coursing through your veins. Most folks spend their lives suppressing it, chaining themselves up with doubt and fear. Not us though. We're gonna unleash it! Damn strait! Releasing those inhibitions is the first step to unlocking the true potential within you. Society's got its claws dug deep, telling us to sit tight, shut up, and color inside the lines.

He makes a disgusted face before breaking into a mischievous grin.

But before we get into all of that, what are you here for? Maybe you need some NRG, especially when it's Monday morning. Mondays can indeed feel like an uphill battle sometimes, but fear not - NRG is here to help you conquer the week ahead! Whatever it is, what kind of NRG are you looking for today?

***

You know what I was thinking about this morning? Ozzy Osbourne! Here's a guy who has Parkinson's, yet he's scheduled to do one last performance with his old band, Black Sabbath. People say his voice is still the same. And that's not all. Ozzy has gone back to the gym! Think about that! Ozzy is a testament to someone who has embraced NRG! And THAT'S what I call tapping into the power of NRG!

He can be motivation for us all. So at the gym tomorrow morning you might think about your limitations or maybe you don't feel so motivated. Just remind yourself that if Ozzy is still hitting the gym, so can you. You can do it! Why? Because YOU ARE NRG!

He punches the air triumphantly, grinning from ear to ear.

If a legend like Ozzy can overcome adversity and keep pushing those limits, well then, there ain't no excuse for the rest of us, now is there?

Leans in intensely. I mean, if Ozzy can look his mortality square in the face and say "Not today, bitch!" and drag his aging ass to the gym, then what's stopping YOU from doing the same and crushing your personal boundaries, huh?

Starts pacing again, gestures animatedly as he speaks.

So let's put that understanding into action, shall we? Screw excuses, screw limitations - both real AND imaginary. From now on, whenever you catch yourself thinking "I can't", you cut that crap out immediately and replace it with yes, I will!"

He throws his hands up in a victorious V sign, letting out a whoop of delight.

NOW that's the spirit, brother! Embrace that defiant attitude, nurture that unbreakable resolve. That's the core of what NRG is all about!

Obsidian Abyss--an introduction

Hello All:

I have a collection of writings that I've been working on and feel that it's time to begin releasing them to the blog in the form of series. If you've been around long enough, you might remember around 2015 when I had a few series of short stories that were released throughout the weeks. It looks like we may be going back to that.

Today we have an introduction to one such story titled Obsidian Abyss. I will let the main character, Fear, tell you all about it. But don't let the name scare you off. Fear is very pretty, and she's recently made her way into our world. She could use a friend, and also needs your help staying here. We will definitely be offering more up of this short story.

 Obsidian Abyss--an introduction

Hi, my name is Fear, and I'm new to this place.

She extends a slender hand, her dark blue eyes exhibiting an intense, almost haunted gaze.

It's nice to meet you. I must admit your warmth feels foreign yet comforting against my palm. I'm still getting used to these physical interactions; they're so new and overwhelming compared to the realm I've come from. You see, coming from a place without form or substance, without touch or taste, it's difficult to put into words. Imagine existing in a vast emptiness, forever alone with one's own thoughts and anxieties. A dimension of pure emotion made manifest - anger, sorrow, despair...and yes, fear itself.

So your kindness is a balm to my weary essence. I feel drawn to this world already - the colors, the sounds, even the scent of your skin...it's all so vibrantly alive compared to what I knew before.

But what would I like to experience now that I am here?

A shiver runs through her lithe frame, her breath hitching softly as unfamiliar sensations course through her body.

There's so much I yearn to discover, to feel for the first time. I need to discover things that I like and things that I feel strongly about and wish to take actions on. It's all so much, isn't it? It's utterly overwhelming in its immensity. But also exhilarating... Like standing on the precipice of an abyss, terrified yet compelled to leap into the unknown.

That bleak void where I came from, my fears were as constant companions as my own shadow. I feared the darkness within myself, the depths of anguish and madness that threatened to consume me entirely. We called this realm Obsidian Abyss. An endless expanse of blackest night, devoid of hope or respite. The name echoes the utter desolation that permeated every fiber of our being.

She lifts her head once more, fixing with those haunting sapphire eyes.

And, yes there were others like me once. Beings born of humanity's deepest dreads and phobias. We existed together in the Abyss, our collective torment feeding and growing us.

She pauses, seeming to listen to distant echoes only she can hear.

By now, I’m pretty sure I know what you are wondering.

She shakes her head slowly, blonde locks swaying with the motion.

No, I am not quite human, though I suppose I was birthed from the psyche of man. I am what humans call a manifestation - given form by the sheer power and prevalence of the fear that created me.

And so that was your initial introduction with Fear who apparently escaped from some hellish place that—up until now—you had no idea existed. She’s so pretty and so nice. From the little bit of what she’s told you, her story is so sad. What’s more? How did she escape?