This is great stuff, and needs to be read slowly. As a person of faith, my mind goes to the infinite-God - and the age old struggle of the finite-satan- to wrest power from the infinite. God has already won, but satan refuses to give up, full of ancient evil, greed, and pride. Will this be the final battle, or a victory along the way in which we -the ones who represent the infinite- push back further the ultimate battle which must occur at some point, with a temporary victory over the evil of the old greed and power of this world we are currently battling? Either way, Good is victorious, but how difficult will the battles before us be? It’s hard to put into words, but trying to put it in words helps. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Well this piece must be read several times and I won’t be so rude as to ask you if you’ve read another author’s sub-stack. This tangled web we’re in might be something to be digested slowly, desert anyone? We all seek one thing when we enter the sub-stack building, are we winning? After reading your twisty turns in this game of chess, I’ve found the answer. Yes we are winning but the participation medal comes after we complete this journey. The journey teaches us what God has tried to teach us all along. Have faith without sight and believe. Draw to your inner self and ultimately have a contemplative feast. I think the table has been set. I’m not going to read back what I just wrote, no edits. Pass the salt and pepper!
Awesome, as always. Love reading your Bright essays! My husband is one of those who reads articles and watches videos and the news and gets incensed and angry instantly.... then stops and looks across the room at me tapping on my head, reminding him, "THIS is the real estate they are after, remember!"
"It's not my fault that, as I often say, we have better storytellers and thus, Players than [they] do."
Love your analysis! For much of my 72 years, I have made the analogy that football was a game of power chess. My second favorite sport to watch and analyze was boxing, and I was amazed to watch Angelo Dundee and Cassius Clay (Muhammed Ali) utilize this strategy with George Foreman for what I thought was the first time. Wrapping it in Game Theory is genius!
The addition of the brutality of human action is what makes the game so consequential, and impactful. (No pun intended.) Please continue!
Yes in our family - successfully so far, lol - we manage to celebrate a love of gaming and such things as football strategy - incorporating such divergent things as basketball, chess, poker, international finance, poetry and music into a more or less stable but incendiary mix. Living successfully while playing the game has it’s own rewards.
Show stopping substack. I’m at a loss for words and overjoyed you aren’t. Thankyou for presenting so richly and intelligently, a feast of words and insight. Wow
This is a good description of how God handles battles against Himself and how He instructs His family in Christ to handle battles against Him that are being fought by others. Matthew 7:12 KJV Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
This goes both ways. Not only is it advice for us on how to direct our own actions, but this is advice on how to view the actions of others that impact our lives, or our pursuit of seeking/studying/teaching His Word, or not, as each chooses for themselves.
Most people talk about the first part of how we direct our own actions, but I've not really seen people talking about how others are setting the chessboard parameters by how they treat us. If they set the bar low on how they treat us, then they have opened up the options for people who would not set the bar that low, but are now confronted with someone who does. We wouldn't choose that option because we've already seen that is a dead end for us. But, we may be dealing with someone who has not yet come to that realization. So, helping them get to that realization quicker, within the chessboard of their own making, IS acting in accordance with God's will for that soul, as well as our own. Example: Jacob and Esau. Esau legit, legally, sold his own birthright and blessings from God, for a bowl of pottage, Genesis 35:31-34 KJV. Jacob would never have sold that birthright or blessings from God, but Esau did because he did not properly value what he had. So, in offering a mutually beneficial, (at the time, within Esau's mind) trade, God and Jacob were playing on the chessboard/at the bar setting that Esau had, which was materialistic and in the moment and totally blind to God's longer term plans and promises. Later, when Esau valued what he had legally sold so cheaply, Esau was furious at Jacob, but not at himself. Later than that, Esau and Jacob finally met in peace when each had their own families to provide for and take care of. Did Esau learn to value something more than the materialistic? God knows.
Likewise, when leftists salivate over the destruction of an opponent they despise and just want to erase or crush into humiliated oblivion, they are broadcasting how they think they should be treated. They already hate their own materialistic ways on some level, Mark 3:25-26 KJV.
Ezekiel 18:23 KJV Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
Your essay is obviously NOT a spontaneous improvisational brain-dump as a reaction to the underwhelming result of yesterday's "election" (the word in this country requires quote marks for the foreseeable future). I see this excellent essay as merely the articulation of a well-based and stable but continuously evolving mindset / thought stream. Though a recent subscriber, I have been aware of your social media posts for awhile, and your intellectually-rich, strong faith-grounding that results in a reliably positive but very real perspective on present-day politics, which are obviously the chaotic results of satanic influence on spiritually-weak leaders.
I just love the way you put everything so clearly. It’s as if you solidify and reinforce what my mind knew but didn’t fully trust itself to completely accept due to residual fear. Thank you for this amazing ability you have. God bless! We will win!
The devil hates growth. That was my first thought after reading this. I like to go to the "why" of things. The mega macro side of things says this is ultimately a battle between God and the devil. God made us free so He could watch us grow and create. It pleases Him to see what we can do. Tyranny keeps us conquered and in slavery. It binds us from growth and potential. This is what socialism/communism craves. This "slavery" is anathema to God's ultimate design. Those supporting the school teachings of grooming and things like CRT, those supporting hormone blockers and the disfiguring of children, those heralding aternative lifestyles as normal, those demanding we rabble rousers be quiet so as not to rock the boat, those giving up freedom and security for comfort and false peace - all of them are slaving themselves to the devil - and most don't realize they, themselves, are doing this. The devil is prowling about like a beast and many are giving ourselves up to him. The devil is binding our potential with our own hands because he does not want to see us grow. satan hates our growth because that is exactly what God wants to see: our Father wants to see what we can do with our freedom. It is, indeed, a Game: and humanity, our souls, is the prize.
The difficulty with the infinite is placing ourselves on an infinite timeline. There are no mile markers or sign posts to let us know how far we are from our destination. Infinite is indeterminate.
In game theory, or better, in MMA, it's difficult to determine when an opponent will punch himself out. And a UFC fight has limited rounds to finish the fight. We absolutely can't let the judges decide the outcome of this fight. The win must be unequivocally decisive.
I very much admire you defining the battlespace as a struggle to control the narrative. I think that crystallizes what we are watching. I agree that our opponents are losing control of the narrative and the result is comical if you're paying attention. But it's unclear how much longer they can keep the fraud going. That's where I need to ask you to give me more of your mind. Can you more fully explain why you think we are in the final rounds of this bout?
Richard the Saint - another thoughtful contributor - takes the unpopular opinion that this struggle may go on for another two years until the 2024 elections. His talents include technical knowledge of networks and databases. He approaches this struggle from the shadowy realm of the intelligence community. But you both center on Information Operations...narrative control.
Why do you think we are in the final rounds, and when do you think this movie will reach a climax?
I do think we're heading toward a climax, not an ending.
My reason for this is in how quickly the enemy is expending narrative ammunition, and how most of their deployed narratives are resulting in widespread psychological whiplash on an increasingly-accelerated timeline.
Yes. We are in a Lord Of The Rings battle for our ability to play the game. Remembering that two seemingly mutually exclusive things may actually be true is important to keep in mind. That Satan and God are produced from the same mind. Also an acceptance of totalitarianism and a simultaneous desire for freedom. We want dangerous freedom but also peaceful slavery. That maybe civilizations aren’t so civilized after all.
Appreciate your work. I am new to Game Theory and hope my questions are not too ignorant. Does Game Theory presuppose an inescapable position for the Finite side? The Infinite side is not omniscient, of course, and cannot anticipate every move. Can a move be delivered by the Finite side, that even when run through a Bicameral Cypher, shows it to be a win for the Finite in both the short and long terms? Could any events or narratives to date possibly fit this view?
Technically, yes. Game Theory is a hypothetical mode of operation. It supposes that one side engages in Infinite Thinking, while the other side is reacting. That said, there is no such thing as a predetermined outcome in an uncooperative game.
Omniscience, coupled to omnipotence would of course make a predetermined outcome in an uncooperative game a most satisfying reality. 😉
“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it."
This is great stuff, and needs to be read slowly. As a person of faith, my mind goes to the infinite-God - and the age old struggle of the finite-satan- to wrest power from the infinite. God has already won, but satan refuses to give up, full of ancient evil, greed, and pride. Will this be the final battle, or a victory along the way in which we -the ones who represent the infinite- push back further the ultimate battle which must occur at some point, with a temporary victory over the evil of the old greed and power of this world we are currently battling? Either way, Good is victorious, but how difficult will the battles before us be? It’s hard to put into words, but trying to put it in words helps. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
That’s a great way to think about it. Thank you for reading.
Well this piece must be read several times and I won’t be so rude as to ask you if you’ve read another author’s sub-stack. This tangled web we’re in might be something to be digested slowly, desert anyone? We all seek one thing when we enter the sub-stack building, are we winning? After reading your twisty turns in this game of chess, I’ve found the answer. Yes we are winning but the participation medal comes after we complete this journey. The journey teaches us what God has tried to teach us all along. Have faith without sight and believe. Draw to your inner self and ultimately have a contemplative feast. I think the table has been set. I’m not going to read back what I just wrote, no edits. Pass the salt and pepper!
Awesome, as always. Love reading your Bright essays! My husband is one of those who reads articles and watches videos and the news and gets incensed and angry instantly.... then stops and looks across the room at me tapping on my head, reminding him, "THIS is the real estate they are after, remember!"
"It's not my fault that, as I often say, we have better storytellers and thus, Players than [they] do."
We do indeed, and you are one of them!
:)
Thank you!
oh my, this is some deeeelish brain food !! thank you so very much !!
to me it brilliantly paints "it had to be this way".
and gives us a dandy lesson in how to learn/train ourselves to wrap our heads around all; be it little pieces or the bigger picture :)
all Hail the modern day Bards !!
Glad you found it useful!
Love your analysis! For much of my 72 years, I have made the analogy that football was a game of power chess. My second favorite sport to watch and analyze was boxing, and I was amazed to watch Angelo Dundee and Cassius Clay (Muhammed Ali) utilize this strategy with George Foreman for what I thought was the first time. Wrapping it in Game Theory is genius!
The addition of the brutality of human action is what makes the game so consequential, and impactful. (No pun intended.) Please continue!
Thank you!
Combat Sports is my first love, but I also do like football. Probably for the reasons you mention.
Yes in our family - successfully so far, lol - we manage to celebrate a love of gaming and such things as football strategy - incorporating such divergent things as basketball, chess, poker, international finance, poetry and music into a more or less stable but incendiary mix. Living successfully while playing the game has it’s own rewards.
Well put.
Am very new here. Very much appreciate your writings. Love the "Righteous Russia" thread. Keep it going please.
Regards
Peter
Glad to have you, Peter!
Show stopping substack. I’m at a loss for words and overjoyed you aren’t. Thankyou for presenting so richly and intelligently, a feast of words and insight. Wow
Much appreciated, Lisa!
This is a good description of how God handles battles against Himself and how He instructs His family in Christ to handle battles against Him that are being fought by others. Matthew 7:12 KJV Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
This goes both ways. Not only is it advice for us on how to direct our own actions, but this is advice on how to view the actions of others that impact our lives, or our pursuit of seeking/studying/teaching His Word, or not, as each chooses for themselves.
Most people talk about the first part of how we direct our own actions, but I've not really seen people talking about how others are setting the chessboard parameters by how they treat us. If they set the bar low on how they treat us, then they have opened up the options for people who would not set the bar that low, but are now confronted with someone who does. We wouldn't choose that option because we've already seen that is a dead end for us. But, we may be dealing with someone who has not yet come to that realization. So, helping them get to that realization quicker, within the chessboard of their own making, IS acting in accordance with God's will for that soul, as well as our own. Example: Jacob and Esau. Esau legit, legally, sold his own birthright and blessings from God, for a bowl of pottage, Genesis 35:31-34 KJV. Jacob would never have sold that birthright or blessings from God, but Esau did because he did not properly value what he had. So, in offering a mutually beneficial, (at the time, within Esau's mind) trade, God and Jacob were playing on the chessboard/at the bar setting that Esau had, which was materialistic and in the moment and totally blind to God's longer term plans and promises. Later, when Esau valued what he had legally sold so cheaply, Esau was furious at Jacob, but not at himself. Later than that, Esau and Jacob finally met in peace when each had their own families to provide for and take care of. Did Esau learn to value something more than the materialistic? God knows.
Likewise, when leftists salivate over the destruction of an opponent they despise and just want to erase or crush into humiliated oblivion, they are broadcasting how they think they should be treated. They already hate their own materialistic ways on some level, Mark 3:25-26 KJV.
Ezekiel 18:23 KJV Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
Excellent feedback here, Rose.
Really maps onto the Bicameral framework quite nicely.
Thank you for your comment.
Your essay is obviously NOT a spontaneous improvisational brain-dump as a reaction to the underwhelming result of yesterday's "election" (the word in this country requires quote marks for the foreseeable future). I see this excellent essay as merely the articulation of a well-based and stable but continuously evolving mindset / thought stream. Though a recent subscriber, I have been aware of your social media posts for awhile, and your intellectually-rich, strong faith-grounding that results in a reliably positive but very real perspective on present-day politics, which are obviously the chaotic results of satanic influence on spiritually-weak leaders.
Very much appreciate this, BigGuy.
Happy to have you here at Burning Bright.
I just love the way you put everything so clearly. It’s as if you solidify and reinforce what my mind knew but didn’t fully trust itself to completely accept due to residual fear. Thank you for this amazing ability you have. God bless! We will win!
Happy to be of service.
The devil hates growth. That was my first thought after reading this. I like to go to the "why" of things. The mega macro side of things says this is ultimately a battle between God and the devil. God made us free so He could watch us grow and create. It pleases Him to see what we can do. Tyranny keeps us conquered and in slavery. It binds us from growth and potential. This is what socialism/communism craves. This "slavery" is anathema to God's ultimate design. Those supporting the school teachings of grooming and things like CRT, those supporting hormone blockers and the disfiguring of children, those heralding aternative lifestyles as normal, those demanding we rabble rousers be quiet so as not to rock the boat, those giving up freedom and security for comfort and false peace - all of them are slaving themselves to the devil - and most don't realize they, themselves, are doing this. The devil is prowling about like a beast and many are giving ourselves up to him. The devil is binding our potential with our own hands because he does not want to see us grow. satan hates our growth because that is exactly what God wants to see: our Father wants to see what we can do with our freedom. It is, indeed, a Game: and humanity, our souls, is the prize.
Hard to argue with any of that.
Brilliant thinking and writing. Thank you.
The difficulty with the infinite is placing ourselves on an infinite timeline. There are no mile markers or sign posts to let us know how far we are from our destination. Infinite is indeterminate.
In game theory, or better, in MMA, it's difficult to determine when an opponent will punch himself out. And a UFC fight has limited rounds to finish the fight. We absolutely can't let the judges decide the outcome of this fight. The win must be unequivocally decisive.
I very much admire you defining the battlespace as a struggle to control the narrative. I think that crystallizes what we are watching. I agree that our opponents are losing control of the narrative and the result is comical if you're paying attention. But it's unclear how much longer they can keep the fraud going. That's where I need to ask you to give me more of your mind. Can you more fully explain why you think we are in the final rounds of this bout?
Richard the Saint - another thoughtful contributor - takes the unpopular opinion that this struggle may go on for another two years until the 2024 elections. His talents include technical knowledge of networks and databases. He approaches this struggle from the shadowy realm of the intelligence community. But you both center on Information Operations...narrative control.
Why do you think we are in the final rounds, and when do you think this movie will reach a climax?
I don't think we're in the final rounds, yet.
I do think we're heading toward a climax, not an ending.
My reason for this is in how quickly the enemy is expending narrative ammunition, and how most of their deployed narratives are resulting in widespread psychological whiplash on an increasingly-accelerated timeline.
I really enjoyed this column. Excellent work! I need to print it out and re-read and think more about it.
Print out two copies and read them forwards and backwards at the same time!
;)
Yes. We are in a Lord Of The Rings battle for our ability to play the game. Remembering that two seemingly mutually exclusive things may actually be true is important to keep in mind. That Satan and God are produced from the same mind. Also an acceptance of totalitarianism and a simultaneous desire for freedom. We want dangerous freedom but also peaceful slavery. That maybe civilizations aren’t so civilized after all.
100%.
Glad you enjoyed the piece.
Brilliant.
Much appreciated, Lance.
Appreciate your work. I am new to Game Theory and hope my questions are not too ignorant. Does Game Theory presuppose an inescapable position for the Finite side? The Infinite side is not omniscient, of course, and cannot anticipate every move. Can a move be delivered by the Finite side, that even when run through a Bicameral Cypher, shows it to be a win for the Finite in both the short and long terms? Could any events or narratives to date possibly fit this view?
Technically, yes. Game Theory is a hypothetical mode of operation. It supposes that one side engages in Infinite Thinking, while the other side is reacting. That said, there is no such thing as a predetermined outcome in an uncooperative game.
Omniscience, coupled to omnipotence would of course make a predetermined outcome in an uncooperative game a most satisfying reality. 😉
“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it."
Isaiah 46:8-11 ESV
Thanks Peter!