Think Forward.

Cultivating an environment that welcomes ideas spontaneously. 7632

GiAN[T]S, 6 mon.
- Lifestyle -
3.4 min read.
TL;DR: Ideas used to frequently pull me away from reality, to the detriment of my relationship with those around me. I learned to communicate my intention based on my need to write down my ideas spontanously, and invited my family to criticize it while still maintaining that it would happen. This gave them more control over the situation and dissolved all tension and frustration. Now they actively contribute to the process and my ideas coalesce more naturally into finished projects. ----Ideas are slippery and sneaky creatures if you allow them to be An unfortunate element of my reality is that I tend to have my best ideas in the worst possible moments for having ideas. My mind does its creative boogaloo when my body runs on auto-pilot. Examples of this include, but are not limited to: showering, driving, kids' bedtime, and eating any meal of the day. This is a two part problem, since ideas tend to come and go very quickly. They pass through my mind almost as if trying to avoid being detected, all while being the center of attention. Like mobs in a Tower Defense game. So by the time I get my body off of cruise-control, I'm already focusing on moving on to the next thing and the idea successfully evaded me. The bonus third part of this two-part problem (and really the main reason that any of this situation is even a problem) is that I simply can't recall my ideas when I make time to be with them. Song lyrics, image rough sketches, game concepts, ideas for youtube videos on one of my multiple channels, clarifications and improvements for existing rules in games I already made, philosophical concepts and random epiphanies (I'm a big fan of r/showerThoughts)... Just so many mind-blowing things, and they disappear into the obscure corners of my mind as soon as I get around to writing them down. ----Moving on though, I've had to find ways to work with myself as opposed to against myself, but it took me quite long to realize that I'm not the only factor in this equation. My immediate environment (and the people in it) being the other major factor, and I ended up experimenting a lot with what degree of influence I have over said environment to cater to the randomness of my brain. Believe me, I tried lots of different ways to get this to work with low-to-moderate amounts of success, which isn't enough. Too many ideas leak through, only to come back in the next wave during the while I'm at work, or when I'm trying to get to sleep, or meditating. Cutting to the chase a bit: the best solution that I've found is to simply observe the impulsive and spontaneous nature of my mind, and accommodate it as such. Solutions come by themselves after that crucial first step: - I have one of those classic "Ideas" notebooks, with bookmarks and categories that I carry around with me semi-constantly. - I record myself on my phone when I can't stop to write, I setup it up so I can begin recording in one-touch. - I have specific moments planned in my week dedicated to keeping things organized and transcribing my recordings. - The most important one: I have been very transparent about everything to my partner and kids, and openly invited them to criticize my spontaneous scribbling notes at the dinner table, and sudden my interruptions when they are talking to me. ----Let's unpack that last one, because it is rooted in one of the main blockers for this sort of thing. What makes this a blocker is my tendency to obsess over the objects of my passions and interests (yet another mind-goblin I had to wrestle with before ultimately accepting as a part of me). It took me lots of mental gymnastics to admit in a self-accepting way that I tend to think "screw the rest, THIS is the most important thing right now" and just mentally disappear from reality, resulting in the stereotypical "zoned-out dad at the dinner table". I don't want to fit into any stereotypes, so I was quick to force myself to stay locked in on reality, which ultimately made me shake off lots of ideas and thoughts that were important to me, that I can't simply recall when I have time for them. The first time I tried to regularly allow my spontaneous ideas to freely claim my full attention, I ended up being frequently and suddenly unresponsive, unavailable, and overall kind of an a-hole. So I made the obvious ego-centric mistake of prioritizing my own head-space above my IRL living-space and its well-being, which incidentally includes my favorite humans. I hate making obvious mistakes and falling into obvious traps. Felt_bad_man.jpg ----"Stop trying to control everything and just let go. LET GO." Ultimately, what helped was my ability to communicate my intention based on my need and, the most super important element of this recipe, invited my family to criticize it while still maintaining that it would happen. This gave them a fair amount of control, which in turn let them let me do my thing, lovable bunch that they are. The end result of all this, now that it's more comfortably established, is that my ideas have a place to call home in my notebook, and the guilt and frustration of "mentally disappearing" are no longer present. My family even helps me sometimes by hitting "record" when I'm driving, and sometimes we discuss my ideas and they help move things forward or connect dots. This is a great feeling for me personally, to be able to connect with them on this matter which initially I thought was something that was initially isolating and segregating. But more generally speaking, my ideas now tend to mingle amongst themselves in my brain and in my notebook, as opposed to dodging each other or arguing for the spotlight like they used to, and they coalesce into greater concepts and better games. There is a bit of a wholesome full circle thing going on that I haven't quite put my finger on, but it's definitely there. Cultivate your environment to spontaneously welcome your ideas, and include the people in your life in the process, and you'll enter a new paradigm.
GiANTS Game Philosophy

GiANTS Game Philosophy

I've been creating games for my kids for over 7 years, and turning boring workouts into games for clients for 15+ years. On this platform I'll share my observations on the nature of all types of games, to document the mentality behind making genuinely interesting and fun games, all in an attempt to make it more accessible for anyone to make games, for kids or in general.


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The Sevenfold Constitution of the Human Being 86

Tupan, 9 h.
Several esoteric traditions believe that the human being is not limited to a single body of flesh and blood, but instead exists as a amalgam of seven interpenetrating bodies, each vibrating at a distinct frequency and corresponding to a unique level of consciousness. This constitution in layers forms a bridge between the material and the divine, mapping the soul’s descent into matter and its potential ascent back to the source. The physical body is the most tangible and material of the seven. It serves as the vessel through which the soul experiences the physical world, bound by the laws of biology, space, and time. It is composed of flesh, bone, and matter, but it does not exist in isolation. Its vitality is sustained by subtle forces, and without these, it would be inert. The physical body is the site of sensation and action, allowing the soul to manifest its will within the temporal realm. The etheric body, also known as the vital or pranic body, underlies and interpenetrates the physical form. It is made of subtle life-energy and functions as the blueprint or energetic matrix that maintains the structure and function of the material body. It is through this body that prana, chi, or life-force flows, animating tissues, regulating health, and forming the auric field sometimes noticed by those with psychic sensitivity. It connects the material to the immaterial, serving as a bridge between body and soul. The astral body governs emotion, desire, and imagination. It is the seat of passions, instincts, and inner images, and it serves as the vehicle for dreams and psychic experiences. This is the body that travels in the dream state or in altered states of consciousness and is central to experiences of astral projection. It has a more fluid consistence than that of the etheric, and it responds instantly to emotional impulses, making it the most volatile and reactive of the subtle bodies. The mental body is the domain of thought, cognition, and reason. It is often divided into two components: the lower mental body, which takes part in concrete thinking, memory, and logic, and the higher mental body, which perceives abstract truths, archetypes, and universal principles. Through the mental body, we develop self-awareness, belief systems, and discernment. It is through the improvement of this body that the ego begins to dissolve, allowing thought to serve truth rather than self-interest. The causal body, or buddhic body, contains the soul’s higher wisdom and accumulated experience. It is the vessel of intuition, compassion, and non-dual perception. This body exists beyond linear time and holds the karmic imprint of previous incarnations—the lessons learned and the spiritual tendencies cultivated. It is the realm of inner guidance and soul purpose, allowing the being to act from harmony rather than reaction, and to notice unity where the lower mind sees separation. The spiritual body, or atmic body, represents the divine will and the soul's alignment with cosmic purpose. It is the seat of spiritual volition—not personal desire, but the execution of the higher law. This is the level of mastery where individual will is surrendered to divine intention, and where the soul becomes a conscious co-creator with the universal intelligence. Those who access this body operate from a plane of deep inner sovereignty and radiant stillness, often manifesting profound spiritual authority. At the highest level lies the monadic body—the pure spark of divinity, the eternal self, the undivided essence from which all the other bodies emanate. The Monad is beyond all form and function, untouched by time, death, or individuality. It is the source of all consciousness within the being and the point of union with the Absolute. Realization of the Monad is the apex of spiritual evolution, where the soul transcends all identities and merges into the infinite. It is the return to the One, the reintegration of the many into the indivisible light of origin. In most human beings, these bodies remain partially dormant or fragmented. The great work of spiritual initiation is to harmonize and awaken each body, gradually purifying the lower vehicles and aligning the consciousness to subtler vibrations. Practices such as ritual, meditation, prayer, alchemy, asceticism, and sacred study serve to align these bodies and bring them under the guidance of the Monad. As one ascends the inner planes, perception shifts from the senses to symbols, then to pure archetypes, and finally to the formless light of the divine. The path is not linear but spiral—each cycle of refinement bringing the soul closer to its origin and its infinite potential.

Moroccan Tourism in 2025: Spectacular Growth but Persistent Challenges 304

Aziz Daouda, 2 d.
Moroccan tourism has been experiencing a very favorable phase since 2024. Tourism revenues reached nearly 50 billion dirhams in the first quarter of the current year, confirming a robust recovery after the global health crisis. This upswing is the result of a combination of factors that can be analyzed from several perspectives. Certainly, the gradual lifting of health restrictions worldwide enabled a massive return of international visitors, particularly Europeans, but also travelers from other regions of the globe. With its unique cultural richness, history, lively medinas, diverse landscapes ranging from the Atlas Mountains to the Atlantic and Mediterranean beaches, sunshine, colors, unparalleled craftsmanship, refined cuisine, and the warmth of Moroccans—their smiles, their ability to quickly connect with others, and their tolerance—the Kingdom has managed to attract clientele seeking authentic and varied experiences. After two difficult years, this strong recovery reflects renewed tourist interest in the destination. According to the government, the rise of the tourism sector is linked to a strategy and sustained policy of investment in infrastructure: world-class hotels, improved transport networks, airport modernization, and expansion of air routes. These efforts have undoubtedly significantly enhanced the country’s accessibility as well as visitor comfort and security, all now essential elements to remain competitive in a highly competitive international market. The Kingdom has also heavily invested in its global visibility through well-calibrated promotion campaigns, regular presence at major international trade shows, and strategic partnerships with key tourism players. This well-thought marketing strategy has attracted a diverse clientele, amplifying the effect of a strong national brand. Developing the tourism offer plays a crucial role in this dynamic. In addition to traditional cultural and seaside getaways that the country is famous for, Morocco is now focusing on growing segments: adventure tourism, desert trekking, extreme sports, ecotourism, national parks, protected areas, and cultural events, international festivals, and exhibitions. This diversification aims to attract different tourist profiles year-round and avoid excessive seasonality. The exceptional event of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, through the performance of the Moroccan national team and the enthusiastic support of its supporters in the stadium and the streets of Doha, had an amplifying effect on the country’s global visibility and image. This competition put Morocco on the international tourism map, attracting a significant influx of visitors and creating immediate spotlight on its attractions. As a direct result, Morocco exceeded in 2024 its initial target of 17.5 million tourists planned for 2026—a remarkable achievement. However, without contesting the announced figures, this bright spot should not mask certain challenges. A closer look at the statistics reveals a different reality. A significant portion of recorded tourists, about 50%, are Moroccans residing abroad (MRE), who visit mainly for family reasons rather than tourism linked to government strategies. It should not be overlooked that these same MRE often denounce recurring problems, foremost among them the high cost of air transport with Royal Air Maroc, which is heavily subsidized by public funds. Price gouging in hotels and restaurants, especially in summer, is also widely criticized. These difficulties impact the retention of international visitors as well, as return rates are very low. The fact that operators at all levels impose exorbitant price increases during peak season tarnishes the country’s image and discourages visitors. Staying in Morocco is abusively expensive for unclear reasons. Indeed, few tourists return multiple times after their first visit. This raises questions about the quality of the customer experience and the destination’s competitiveness. Excluding MRE and visitors traveling for professional reasons, the number of foreigners visiting Morocco by deliberate choice is therefore not that high. This calls into question the efficiency of the very large subsidies granted to the sector and, above all, the effectiveness of the promotional campaigns. The Ministry of Tourism and the National Tourism Office attribute the recorded success to their proactive policy, but the reality shows that this growth largely relies on the emotional attachment of the MRE, a factor less controllable by public authorities. Will the post-World Cup momentum and the goodwill generated be sustained over the long term? It is difficult to precisely gauge how much of the upswing is due to the World Cup context and what the real impact of public policies is, especially subsidies and aid allocated to the sector. This impact, however, cannot be ignored. To maintain the course and ensure sustainable growth of the sector, it is essential that Morocco continues and deepens its efforts: ongoing investments and innovation in the tourism offer. However, the major urgent challenge remains controlling the outrageous costs for visitors. The government’s silence on this issue risks hurting the sector badly. The summer sunshine is too expensive. It is time for the entire industry to stop acting like predators, and for scams and extortion to be forever banned quickly. Another key challenge is integrating sustainable development policies to preserve natural and cultural resources within the broader framework of inclusive development across all regions of the country. It is also imperative to include citizen awareness and education in this vision. Polluted or neglected beaches and sites, annoying incivility, and inappropriate behaviors are additional challenges to be addressed. Tourism must remain one of the major engines of Morocco’s economy, generating jobs and wealth while enhancing the country’s international standing. Still, we shall wait until the end of the campaign to make a final judgment, especially on the trajectory of the numbers and the effectiveness of measures announced in the sector’s development strategy, and above all to draw the necessary lessons.