cover art helps -
@chekimeshi
@smol-kiley

explain yourself to me

in the spirit of (touchless) -

Two years after the sinking of the USS Discovery, with Solid Snake confirmed dead and framed as the primary suspect, new FOXHOUND recruit Jack (codenamed Raiden) is sent to infiltrate the off-shore decontamination facility known as Big Shell, constructed shortly after the sinking of the Discovery, which, according to the government, spilled thousands of gallons of crude oil into the New York Harbor. Raiden is given orders to rescue the President of the United States and other hostages from the Sons of Liberty, a terrorist group who have seized control of Big Shell. The terrorists demand 30 billion dollars and claim that if this demand is not met, they will destroy Big Shell, igniting the oil spill in the harbor and burning the chlorides used for cleanup, creating high levels of dioxins that would wipe out the bay’s ecosystem and become the worst environmental disaster in history. Meanwhile, US Navy Seal Team 10 carries out its own rescue mission, which is quickly thwarted. After coming face to face with Vamp, one of the terrorists with the Sons of Liberty, Raiden meets Iroquois Plissken, a surviving member of SEAL Team 10, who takes him to Peter Stillman, an explosives expert who reveals that Fatman—his former student now with the terrorists—has rigged Big Shell to explode.

*Quick Note*
One extra point to add about the conversation regarding Plissken and "spoilers" is that my first time playing the game--just a month ago for this series--was the Substance version, and then again with the latest HD collection release on PC. Because of this, I didn't see how the original Sons of Liberty release asked players whether they had played the first game or not. If you say that you have *not* played the original, you skip the Tanker sequence and would not have that part of the story for context as you meet Plissken, nor would you recognize the legendary Solid Snake if you were to see him face to face. This definitely changes things, and even in the game's latest release, you could skip the Tanker sequence and go straight to Big Shell. Still, I'm not sure why you would do that, and so under the context of the modern gaming landscape, and considering we have already covered Metal Gear Solid 1 on this podcast, it seems silly to pretend we don't know what's going on with Plissken. I appreciate your understanding.

War As A Video Game | Metal Gear Solid 2 Analysis (Ep.3) | State of the Arc Podcast

Welcome to "Light of Reflection," the podcast that explores the deepest questions of faith, science, and philosophy. In this episode, we tackle the intriguing question: Does nature’s complexity suggest multiple competing creators or a single intelligent designer?

Using thought-provoking analogies, we explore predator-prey relationships, ecological balance, and Richard Dawkins’ critique of design inefficiencies. Drawing insights from the Quran and modern science, we reveal how what seems like competition in nature is actually a sophisticated system driving evolution and progress.

🔥 Join us for this fascinating discussion that bridges reason and faith. Subscribe for weekly episodes that challenge conventional thinking!

Stay connected:
📧 Free weekly reference emails: https://forms.gle/Yn7x5Ei5AQpJTRCy7
📺 Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ByfUTjswIssZ6WfxCpKtA
🐦 Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reflectin_light
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reflectinglight
🍎 Apple Podcast: The Light of Reflection

Search terms:

multiple creators debate
intelligent design and competition
predator-prey relationships explained
Dawkins design inefficiencies
DNA universal code evidence
nature’s complexity and creation
ecological balance design proof
Quran on creation and balance
capitalism and natural competition analogy
evidence of unified creation

Join us as we challenge the idea of multiple creators versus a unified design in nature. We explore predator-prey dynamics, technological parallels, and the evidence for an integrated ecological system. Discover how competition may actually be a sophisticated tool for growth. #IntelligentDesign #Nature #PredatorPrey #UnifiedDesign #Ecology #CompetitionInNature #Philosophy #ScienceAndFaith #AtheismDebate #ReligiousTexts

Atheists Claim No Creator or Multiple Creators? Answering Atheist - Part 3 of 4 | S28 E69

After Raiden and Pliskin disarm the C4 planted within Shells 1 and 2, Raiden receives shocking news from a now-mobile Peter Stillman. All the C4s (planted in places where severe damage could not be done to the Big Shell) were nothing more than diversions for the real explosives, large enough to disturb the structure's integrity. Additionally, the real bombs were programmed to activate after all of the smaller C4s had been disarmed. Although Raiden is able to disarm the Strut A bomb, after returning to the deep sea dock, the Strut H bomb detonates, killing Stillman. Pliskin, on the other hand, is able to survive unscathed. As Raiden prepares to leave Strut A, he is confronted by Fortune, who had been expecting to find somebody else. Nevertheless, she asks Raiden to "bring her death." Raiden, unable to harm her, can only evade her attacks. Shortly thereafter, Vamp arrives to inform Fortune that Fatman has gone rogue. Taking advantage of the distraction, Raiden takes another shot at Fortune, but the bullets are deflected and hit Vamp in the forehead and lower chest. While Fortune cradled Vamp in her arms, lamenting that she cannot follow him in death, Raiden escapes. However, moments later, Vamp awakens, having shrugged off this seemingly fatal attack.

With the bomb's countdown having already begun, Raiden heads to the heliport and neutralizes the explosive. He’s then confronted by Fatman, who professes his disinterest in the terrorists’ goals. Fatman is also suspiciously unaware of the ransom demands for $30 billion. His only wish is to surpass his former mentor, Peter Stillman, and become the most famous bomber in history by destroying the entire Big Shell. Challenging Raiden to stop him, he places multiple explosives in the area, utilizing his quick speed. Raiden is forced to neutralize each bomb with coolant spray while simultaneously fighting Fatman. The perseverance pays off, with Fatman collapsing from his injuries. After informing Raiden that he has yet to disarm the "biggest bomb in the place," Fatman dies. Raiden, however, discovers the last bomb, which had been hidden beneath Fatman’s body.

Laugh and grow fat! | Metal Gear Solid 2 Analysis (Ep.5) | State of the Arc Podcast

On his way to rescue President Johnson, Raiden is confronted by the terrorist commander, who claims to be Solid Snake. Enraged by this, Pliskin reveals himself as the true Solid Snake and fires on the imposter from a helicopter. Utilizing an advanced exoskeleton, the terrorist leader evades Snake's attack and boards a Harrier being piloted by Vamp. Snake then tells Raiden to shoot it down, throwing a Stinger missile launcher down to him. After Raiden takes it down, the Harrier plummets, only to be caught by Metal Gear RAY. RAY proceeds to launch missiles into the air, destroying sections of the Big Shell and damaging the Kasatka, forcing it to land. RAY then departs into the ocean, taking the Harrier with it. After recovering from RAY's attack, Solid Snake contacts Raiden, introducing him to Otacon. They reveal they are there to stop the terrorists from using the new Metal Gear prototype. They also tell Raiden that Otacon has another reason for being in the Big Shell: to rescue his sister, Emma Emmerich. Raiden then proceeds to rendezvous and rescue President Johnson.

Once Raiden finally gets to the President, he is told about the Patriots, a mysterious organization that secretly rules over America. He also explains that the terrorist leader was his predecessor, the 43rd U.S. President George Sears, known by the codename Solidus Snake, a clone of the legendary soldier Big Boss, created in the "Les Enfants Terribles" project. Johnson adds that Solidus orchestrated the Shadow Moses Incident in 2005 but was removed from office by the Patriots. Solidus wanted to challenge the Patriots, unlike Johnson, who had simply wished to become one of them. Johnson also confirms that the Big Shell is merely a cover-up for the construction of Arsenal Gear, a gigantic mobile fortress that employs mass-produced unmanned Metal Gear RAYs to defend itself and can fire nuclear warheads from anywhere on the planet. It also has access to the Military's Tactical Network, granting it absolute control over the nation's armed forces and nuclear arsenal. However, Arsenal's true purpose is to filter information from the internet and other forms of digital communication using an AI called GW. By doing this, the Patriots hope to shape history as they see fit while maintaining the secret of their existence. Johnson’s last request is that Raiden locate GW's main programmer, Emma Emmerich, and provide her with a computer worm to eradicate the AI. Afterward, feeling he has said everything he needed to, Johnson suddenly grabs Raiden's gun, asking Raiden to kill him. Raiden resists, but Revolver Ocelot soon intervenes, shooting Johnson before Raiden can stop him.

Who Are The Patriots? | Metal Gear Solid 2 Analysis (Ep.5) | State of the Arc Podcast

After the assassination of President Johnson, the Colonel asks Raiden to honor his last directive—to rescue computer programmer Emma Emmerich, step-sister of Otacon, and help her upload a virus into Arsenal Gear’s AI system, GW. On the way to the flooded Shell 2 core where she is trapped, Raiden encounters Vamp again, who survived bullet wounds to the forehead and abdomen. Vamp reveals that even without the possibility of a nuclear strike, they could still use Arsenal's purified hydrogen bomb to emit an EMP over Manhattan, knocking it offline. He also hints that, contrary to what the press stated, Dead Cell was actually framed for the terrorist acts six months prior by the Patriots. Raiden is then forced to fight and defeat Vamp before pressing on to rescue Emma.

After finding Emma, Raiden struggles to convince her to accompany him. Not only is she suspicious that he is with the terrorists, but due to a near-death experience when she was a child, in which she nearly drowned, she is afraid to swim out of the flooded core. With patience, Raiden convinces her to hold on to him as he helps her escape. Along the way, Emma explains that she created the GW AI that controls Arsenal Gear. Together, the two then head to the Shell 1 core to upload the virus, but Vamp appears again and stabs Emma before being shot by Raiden. Emma uploads the virus but dies from her injury as the virus is cut off prematurely. Otacon leads the rescue of the remaining hostages while Raiden is captured by the Cyborg Ninja, who is revealed to be Olga Gurluchovich, and Snake seemingly betrays him as well. Big Shell then collapses as Arsenal departs.

A Family "Affair" | Metal Gear Solid 2 Analysis (Ep.6) | State of the Arc Podcast

Today, we are joined by our friend Max Derrat to analyze the ending of Metal Gear Solid 2! If you haven't heard of him, check out his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@maxderrat/featured

After escaping from Arsenal Gear, the fortress falls out of the sky and crashes into Manhattan Island. Raiden is contacted by a different AI impersonating the Colonel and Rose. It states that GW was the only AI destroyed and that the S3 Plan's real purpose is to stop society's regression in the digital era from trivial information drowning knowledge and truth. The AI believes that humanity is too immature to handle the flow of information responsibly, citing Raiden’s lack of individuality and reliance on others for direction as an example when he protests the plan. The AI orders Raiden to eliminate Solidus—telling him that refusal will result in the deaths of Rose and Olga’s child. After Raiden defeats Solidus, Snake appears after tracking Liquid. Snake and Otacon plan to rescue Olga's child and locate the Patriots, whose details were hidden in the GW virus disc. Raiden is then reunited with the real Rose. In the epilogue, Otacon and Snake decode Ocelot’s disk, which contains data on all twelve members of the Patriots' highest council, the Wiseman's Committee. However, the members have allegedly been dead for 100 years.

Unqualified For Free Will | Metal Gear Solid 2 Analysis (Finale) | State of the Arc Podcast

Episode 1 was edited by Sam DePaulo, and Episode 2 was edited by Camden Fournier.

Podcast Sam - Crime Explainers Episode 1

Podcast Camden - Crime Explainers Episode 2

Apologies to those expecting a Terranigma episode, but we really wanted to talk more about Expedition 33 this week! This is an extended version of the conversation we had on Monday in our final review about the ending and the central themes of the game. It is possible that we'll do a full series on this game at some point. Let us know if you'd like to see that!

Expedition 33 Story Discussion | State of the Arc Podcast

Today we reach the end of our playthrough of Terranigma. We hope you've enjoyed this series as much as we've enjoyed talking about it. Thank you for watching and supporting the channel!

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc
Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc

Dark Gaia | Terranigma Analysis (Finale) | State of the Arc Podcast

Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey isn’t just a sci-fi classic—it’s a cinematic milestone that changed the language of film. In this video, we break down the film’s mysterious symbolism, groundbreaking visuals, and philosophical questions about evolution, technology, and humanity’s place in the universe.

Whether you’re a film buff, a philosophy nerd, or a JRPG fan who spotted the Xenogears influence a mile away, this deep dive is for you!

Kubrick’s Mind-Bending Masterpiece, Explained  2001 A Space Odyssey  State of the Arc Podcast

In its opening moments, Suikoden II plunges you into a war-torn world where childhood friendships are shattered and impossible choices must be made. Underscored by Miki Higashino’s masterful soundtrack, it promises a journey filled with heartbreak, betrayal, and a desperate struggle for peace.
This isn’t just another retro RPG — it’s a deeply personal tale about the cost of conflict, the bonds that define us, and the tragic paths we walk in the name of power. Suikoden II’s emotional weight and unforgettable characters have cemented its place in the rich history of the PlayStation library. Today, we dive into what makes this classic resonate so deeply, even 26 years later.

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc
Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc

26 Years Later Suikoden II Hits Harder Than Ever

"Mi Can Undastan!" is a playful and uplifting reggae-inspired track that dives into the colorful world of Jamaican Patois (Patwa). With witty lyrics and a catchy island rhythm, Dr. Elliot Lach shows how English speakers can start to pick up the meaning — one funny phrase at a time. It’s a celebration of language, culture, and connection. Whether you’re a true Jamaican or just vibin’ from far away, this song will have you smiling and saying, “Mi deh yah!”

Mi Can Understan  Me Can Understand

Why has the Portuguese politics become volatile and fragmented? What should we know about the Portuguese politicians and their conflicts of interest? How to address the problem of the Chega party and the rise of populism in Portugal? And what is the current status of the relations between Portugal and the EU?

Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Ricardo Silvestre, an author and a political scientist who is an Associate Fellow at the European Liberal Forum (ELF). Tune in for their talk!

This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Portuguese Politics Explained with Ricardo Silvestre

Our podcast breaks down the techniques of great storytelling across our favorite games, movies, literature, and music. I also occasionally upload music I've arranged or composed!

The European Liberal Forum (ELF) is the official think tank and political foundation of the European Liberal Party, the ALDE Party.
Together with 56 member organisations we work all over Europe to bring new ideas into the political debate, to provide a platform for discussion and to enable citizens to make their voices heard.

┼┼┼┼┼                  
                          ┼┼     ┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼          
                         ┼┼              ┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼  
                       ┼┼       ┼               ┼┼┼
                      ┼┼      ┼┼┼             ┼┼┼  
                    ┼┼     ┼┼┼┼ ┼            ┼┼    
                  ┼┼  ┼┼┼┼┼┼    ┼           ┼┼     
                ┼┼┼ ┼┼┼         ┼         ┼┼       
              ┼┼  ┼┼┼           ┼        ┼┼        
            ┼┼┼  ┼┼             ┼      ┼┼┼         
         ┼┼┼    ┼               ┼     ┼┼           
      ┼┼┼┼     ┼┼     ┼┼       ┼    ┼┼             
    ┼┼┼         ┼┼┼┼┼┼┼      ┼┼┼  ┼┼               
  ┼┼              ┼┼ ┼┼   ┼┼┼┼  ┼┼                 
 ┼┼            ┼┼┼  ┼ ┼┼┼┼┼   ┼┼┼                  
┼┼┼┼┼┼┼         ┼┼┼┼┼┼       ┼┼                    
       ┼┼┼┼┼┼┼      ┼┼    ┼┼┼                      
              ┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼     

*RAIN*                                    

&: ..i've got to get myself a new umbrella

*: hm?

&: yes, there's just a hole or two, probably from [TALK ABOUT FABRIC BLEND & LOCUSTS] or something like - seems like everything's going off - but i can't really complain too much - i just happened to pick it up at [TALK ABOUT TILE & GROUT] a while back & it doesn't seem like it was meant to withstand the wind (or closet) for much longer than it takes to lose your receipt & become occupied with more important things than sitting on hold [TALK ABOUT ARCHIVE.ORG]

*: probably true

&: have you ever been with someone you knew so well, that you could communicate through touch alone? & they, in turn, could reply? & when these conversations came to a close had everything to you needed say already been said & had everything they needed to say been recieved? & did these silent discussions come to be [TALK ABOUT 3 SENSES] you could hear & smell? almost [TALK ABOUT STRENGTH & SADNESS] ? & was it sometimes raining? & did you look out into the yard from the kitchen window? & were there gingham curtains & an empty pot on the windowsil? & did it smell good? did the air smell good? did the smell of the air make you tear up? did you cry because the smell of the air triggered nearly the same sort of [TALK ABOUT LOVE]? did you cry? could you just cry & do nothing but cry because you had everything you ever wanted? & was it beautiful? or did it sting when it was over?

*: i'm not sure i quite've known what you're describing

&: ...

&: sorry, i thought i heard a car engine starting up out of the corner of my ear, but it must have been a cicada

*: i'm sorry

&: i can only ever call forth but one facet of myself at a time; it's like i'm assigned a different [TALK ABOUT NOTES & PENS] every morning i wake up but i still speak the same language.

*: i see

*: i think so

&: oh, ok. thank you

&: you wouldn't judge me... would you?..
& i read my body like a diary entry: - me please please 
love cure please i gave on  t gave teule 
the weosites that i built as a tween and still standing somewhere 
w/ a stupid cult following but 
scream at me is that real 
is that real 
is that real 
or do you just want it to beistahwca
 or do you want me to plug my ears & jump off the roof 
-
& - like a - car in 
the -
fog left it fucked
cry
 make in yeself water wat 
soon in the carwash make me soul get gore 
J cjory vise versa 
- me or - yourself thats how eit has to 
- me i love you please - me 
or don't try to make me fal 
try for my card close in the door withnobohdy else around 
- me i want you for 
it's not connected in one without my withouf fly 
can you ehear me think 
can you hear me cry 
can you feel me scry 
can you stop talking so blame loud 
i'm not sorry for being brash 
so - yourself no - me 
i just want to fold far word watch pain over life 
turn gray or green  whatever it really you 
i hope o
your care were cold & -ing ugly 
my song are washer tomorrow over thanks 
or send for you send 
who are you who are you 
you adon't tell me but i can tell you first 
youll be mine soon dont worry even if you do i'll never leave

never let something gray take A bloated-sort significance to your identity/ how 9u interface w the world'
- ok, you can stop now fo rme, silly
-- watever
- hey
- what's wrong?
-- nothing really i'm just still kind of [TALK ABOUT RESPECT]
- yeah 
-- i don't know, it's just doesn't make any sense to me
- no offense but you don't really have the best handle on those sorts of things
-- yeah i know but i mean from your perspecitve? you know about that stuff that's something i respect abou tyou
- well, i think it seems warranted based on what you were saying,, people don't want to hear that sort of thing, you know
-- [RAGE]
- hey, it's more complicated than that,, /you/ should know that's not really how it works,, besides, you're feeding into that same cycle saying stuffs like that
-- yeah, i know, it's stupid but i can't help thinking like that sometimes,,, 
- better to yell about it to me than to keep it in there building up the pointless resentments,, i know you, & i know what you mean,, don't worry
-- thanks,, i know,,, i really do,,
-,,,,, i lo-


i stopped being able to hear anything properly a long time ago. it's hard to tell what's actually the result of hearing loss & what's a psychosomatic manifestation of something i still can't fix (or if it's even actually happening). it's pretty easy to catch if you know where to look, but they key is watching it hit the bat - watch the ball hit the bat -= follow the ball into the bat - swing from the hips - the force behind your swing comes from the hips -= make sure to rotate fully & follow thru. if you want to buy in ear monitors, make sure you'll get enough use out of them to warrant making the investment - if you hit the ball over the fence, you're going to owe 50 cents unless you manage to find it up in all that weeds & brush & gunk out there - what happens when i don't do my homework? well, it comes off as scummy & apathetic to your peers who depend on you (this makes it harder to find people willing to help with things you need help with & retards social interfacing probaly) - if you don't learn how to do this stuff now, you might find tasks that need some pre-prep(.) a lot harder to accomplish in the future - you're the master of your own destiny, so fail at your own risk - i wish i could have listened to you before i fell apart - oh i'm still falling.......... we're both still falling..... these cycles don't stop! keep on with it

New tracks tagged #explained