Dear Lootius,
In a world where masks are worn to suppress emotions and where voices are silenced in the name of order, freedom stands on the edge of a knife. Such a world is not just a distant dystopia; it reflects our own virtual realities, where the absence of a human touch – and the simple ability (or will) to truly listen and understand – leaves us feeling lost, unheard, and disconnected.
It’s a curious thing, isn’t it? This idea of masks. I know I’ve mentioned it so many times before, but the symbolism of masks keeps appearing in so many of the films I watch. Some wear them to conceal sins, some to play a role, and others to hide from truths they’re not quite ready to face, and then there are those who wear masks to protect others. In the end, we’re all hiding a little something behind our virtual habits, aren’t we?
Take V for Vendetta, for example. Our enigmatic V struts around in that fetching mask, whispering: “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.” But here in our beloved virtual playground, who’s pulling the strings, and what happens when we find our whispers of dissatisfaction muted? In a world ruled by AI, where real human contact is replaced with emotionless systems, one must wonder: do the machines tremble when our honest feedback simmer just beneath the surface?
Or look at Equilibrium, where emotions are squashed with all the enthusiasm of a Nun squashing her secret temptations (don’t judge me, Lootius knows my naughty heart). “Without love, without anger, without sorrow, breath is just a clock ticking,” says John Preston, as he discovers the power of feelings. In our universe, players crave that delicious, genuine connection. Can a cold, unfeeling AI ever replace the warmth of shared laughter, teasing whispers, or those juicy, late-night discussions about loot and love?
You see, dear Lootius, when people are hushed or overlooked repeatedly with static replies that leave more questions than answers, it hardly inspires loyalty. No, it makes us band together, like a congregation of holy mischief-makers ready to cause some waves. The more voices you try to silence, the louder the whispers become, spreading like a ripple in a baptismal font, if you catch my drift.
What’s Behind the Mask?
Masks, in our world, are more than mere accessories. They’re ways to hide from the truth – or from the consequences of ignoring real people in favor of soulless systems. Remember V’s lesson: “Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, and ideas are bulletproof.” I might be a naughty clueless Nun, but even I know that if you strip away humanity, you’re left with a barren, AI-run wasteland where passion has no place.
So let’s not be afraid to bare our emotions and voice our ideas, concerns, or even doubts, even if they carry a hint of sinfulness. This is our world – paid for and built on the passion of its people – and our well-intended and rightful feedback deserves to be heard. If it’s not, who can blame anyone for feeling frustrated and angry?
After all, when people express frustrations and concerns, it’s out of love for a world and friendships they’ve cherished for years – some even for over 20 years. It’s their lives that can be upended with the snap of a controlling, fearful finger that lacks the empathy needed for genuine dialogue and understanding.
Many who once left are now returning because they miss what the universe has to offer, only with the risk to be put back down again. But let’s never forget that it’s the human touch – the playful wink, the whisper of a secret, the shared joy of fist-pounding a cow in the name of Lootius – that truly keeps our world alive.
With all my love for Entropia – yours in masked, cheeky rebellion,
TheNun
You may also be interested in my other comparative reviews of films and their parallels with Entropia Universe here: Dear Lootius
Are we friends, Chloe … really?
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