Manifesto XXIII: Change

by otaking on Jul.19, 2009, under Manifesto

LISTEN UP YOU WHINERS!

LISTEN UP YOU WHINERS!

I have something to say to the following people, no matter who you are or what you’re into, like anime, or cosplay, or writing a novel, or starting a band, or traveling, or drawing a comic, or making your community a better place, or overthrowing the government, or ‘changing the world for the better’:

To everyone who’s ever claimed to want to change the world, or leave a legacy, or make a mark;

To everyone who says they have a dream or a destiny to fulfill but can’t do anything about it now because of the circumstances;

To everyone who is waiting for the right opportunity but feels the timing just isn’t right;

To everyone who writes on a blog or whines on a video or podcast or to friends over drinks about how bad things are and how different everything would be if they were in charge;

To everyone who believes they should be judged on their potential instead of on their actions and accomplishments;

To everyone stuck doing things they hate because they feel they have no other alternatives;

To everyone who ever traded in their dreams for a sure thing they detest;

To everyone who talks big about their plans but have done nothing about it;

To every special snowflake whose dreams are just not possible because society would frown on it or because their parents didn’t raise them properly or because their significant other doesn’t support them or because their friends would laugh at them or because they just don’t like being laughed at;

BULLSHIT.

If you’d wanted to change you would have done it already. And you would have started with yourself. You wouldn’t just shift employers, or cities, or cars, or uncannily similar-looking girlfriends or boyfriends. You wouldn’t spend more money to get more stuff. You wouldn’t buy clothes that hide the body you’re ashamed of but won’t do anything about. You wouldn’t strive for the next pay grade at the same dead-end job just because you don’t know what else to do. And least of all, you wouldn’t be content with mocking the people who are trying their damndest to achieve their dreams, no matter how foolish it makes them look.

Yeah, I’m talking about you, with your name-calling, with your dismissiveness about broad swathes of people you can’t be bothered to get to know. I’m talking about everyone who’s ever shown up to an event organized by other people just to diss it. I’m talking about everyone who fired off a snarky comment or twitter or plurk about someone instead of doing better than them. I’m talking about people who get off by saying how much everyone else sucks. Fine, we get it, you’re awesome.

Prove it.

“I don’t have to prove anything to you.”

BULLSHIT.

See, the fact is you don’t actually want to fulfill your dreams. You don’t want to make a better anime, a better costume, a better comic, a better novel, a better song, a better band, a better body, a better country, a better world.

If you did, you would’ve written that first chapter by now. You would’ve composed the first few lines of that song. You would’ve checked the Internet for ticket prices. You would have set the date for that trip. You would’ve attended the first class, the first workship. You would’ve lifted the weights, run those kilometers. You would have met or called or emailed the people you need. You would have posted the flyers, practiced for the first gig. You would’ve attended the right parties, shook the right hands, exchanged calling cards.

But you haven’t.

You protest. You say the time isn’t right.

The time is never right.

You don’t have enough money.

You will, if you start now and you know how much you need.

You don’t have enough time.

What are you spending your time on?

You don’t know the right people.

Start meeting them now.

You say you’ll do it someday.

‘Someday’ without a specific date means ‘never’.

You can do one of two things. You can admit to yourself that entertaining the idea that you’ll do everything you want to do ’someday’ is enough, that you don’t actually want to change, that you would prefer it if all these things fall into your lap while you stay exactly the way you are. Because you’re special and unique. You’re an individual. And somehow that gives you the right to act as if the world owes you a living, owes you the fulfillment of your dreams without you having to lift a finger. You can rest on your laurels, tell yourself that you could do things better if you could only be bothered, except your favorite show is on, or because the job you hate so much takes so much of your time, or because it doesn’t pay you enough, or because it just isn’t the right time, and it may never be the right time, ever. You can resign yourself to the fact that you prefer comfort and security over change, over some vague dream that would be kind of nice if it happened.

Or you can find out what you want, find out the first step to achieve it, and do it. No matter how uncomfortable it makes you feel. If it takes money you don’t have, find a way to make that money, or to do it for less, or for services or barter instead of cash. If it takes time then make the time. If it takes connections then make the connections. Make any connection. If it takes exposing yourself to criticism from other people, then endure it. And if it takes hard work and dedication, then commit.

And if any of this sounds too hard, or too scary, or too uncomfortable, then shut up and admit it to yourself once and for all: You don’t want to realize your dreams. It’s just not worth the trouble, not worth the time, the money, the effort.

Just admit it: Your dreams aren’t worth changing for. Your dreams aren’t worth the time, the money, the effort, the sleepless nights. Your dreams are just broken little toys you like to take out of the toy chest whenever you want to feel better about yourself, especially at the expense of other people, then put away at your convenience. Why do you think other people’s dreams are foolish, or pointless, or misguided, too? Why do you pretend to be better than everyone else, when all the world knows you aren’t? Why do you think your irony and your sarcasm and your mockery and your ennui somehow make you better than the people who try and fall flat on their faces, but pick themselves up and try again, and again, and again?

Because you’re scared. Because you don’t want to expose yourself to the scrutiny of others. Because you’re special and if the world doesn’t see that then it’s the world’s fault, not yours. Take me for what I am, you say, and give me all the money and fame and glory that I deserve without having to even try. Without having to change. Why change? You’re awesome and everyone else sucks.

BULLSHIT.

Here’s an idea: Lead from the front. Lead where everyone can see you. Lead where everyone knows what you stand for, instead of sniping from the sidelines, pretending to be so much better, if only you could be arsed to try. Lead where everyone will know whether you succeed or fail.

Put up. Or shut up.

Shut the hell up.

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84 Comments for this entry

  • Mike Abundo
    July 19th, 2009 on 7:41 pm

    I wish my detractors would heed your advice. I would rather have competent competitors than impertinent hecklers.

    The former are a fun challenge. The latter are an unwelcome annoyance.

    Reply
  • Jericho
    July 19th, 2009 on 9:53 pm

    You’re full of shit man!

    Lead from the front where everyone can see you and not from the sidelines? Wow! Such tactics would lead you to your doom. Kid.

    You talk smart but in reality you’re full of shit. People tried to change the world. But for someone to rise you’ll have to work in shadows. Not in the front lines. Those who work in the front lines get killed by those in power.

    How the fuck are you going to gain power if from the start of the battle you go to the front and show yourself?

    You’re watching too much anime man! Not everyone has a Gundam or Geass or a henshin belt that could go save everyone.

    I don’t usually comment on blogs but you’re really full of shit.

    Reply
    • casualsavant
      July 19th, 2009 on 10:36 pm

      “How the fuck are you going to gain power if from the start of the battle you go to the front and show yourself?”

      It’s called LEADERSHIP. Had you even briefly perused your history books you might realize that it has basis. Leaders aren’t in the rear with the gear, they’re out front showing the way. And yes, if you’re leading your men towards something that’s either not worth fighting for, dying for, or living for then they WILL shoot you in the back.

      Working “in the shadows” with your petty power plays opens you up to more risk of getting screwed by some bigger fish. Real leadership? That makes you untouchable, because people see what you stand for and while they may disagree violently, they know you’re a force to be reckoned with. Anything else is laziness, akin to say, using expletives because you don’t know how to express yourself better.

      Reply
    • Zooey
      July 20th, 2009 on 1:01 am

      This kind of reply is exactly what makes it hard to be egalitarian. Otaking’s blog is a haven of free speech. Unlike your wonderful world where anyone who disagrees with you is gay or sterile, or whatever puerile terminology you prefer. Go back to your kindergarten, boy. Come back when you can construct an argument without name-calling.

      Reply
  • Caiman
    July 19th, 2009 on 10:06 pm

    I tl;dr’ed. Well, be happy with the additional click that I gave your blog.

    Reply
  • S.
    July 19th, 2009 on 10:42 pm

    hmm… jericho. walled city. and yet it just took one person with a loud enough trumpet. who happened to be the LEADER of an army.

    oh and did i mention he also had a dream?

    Reply
  • Aodhan
    July 19th, 2009 on 10:52 pm

    There was a time that some kinds of dreams had tangible obstacles. The general availability of computers and now the proliferation of Open-Source alternatives have removed many of those barriers.

    I had excuses before, with those barriers dropped the only one left was “I’m afraid.”

    The newer techniques of software development gave me the means to fight that. Fantastic software can now be built in tiny easy-to-chew steps. So now my only opponent is being lazy. But I’m moving.

    But the software development techniques are much like writing a story, you can do it a page or paragraph or even one sentence at a time.

    In many cases the only barrier left is really ourselves.

    Reply
  • Victor Stillwater
    July 19th, 2009 on 11:00 pm

    Oy vey….

    My apologies Otaking. I just noticed the blog post here after following your username link, and saw the post.

    I didn’t mean to have someone come here and troll you.

    Reply
    • otaking
      July 19th, 2009 on 11:52 pm

      No apologies necessary, Victor! Trolls are a fact of internet life. I worry for trolls who decide that it’s a good idea to piss off my wife though :D

      I hope you enjoyed the read though. I stand firmly behind everything I’ve said. :) And no, this isn’t directed toward anyone in particular, although it sure feels like it sometimes, doesn’t it?

      Reply
      • casualsavant
        July 20th, 2009 on 12:34 am

        It’s not that I can’t stand someone who thinks you’re “full of shit”. I can’t abide someone who can’t intellectually defend their point of view. If someone is going to disagree (or get incredibly defensive) about something you’ve said, then at least have an organized and well-thought out response.

        Reply
      • Victor Stillwater
        July 20th, 2009 on 2:29 am

        I don’t agree completely with everything you said, but I do understand where you’re coming from. :)

        That said, I also do realize that while Pinoy Cosplay at blogspot can be crass at times, they do make a habit of pointing out inconsistencies.

        I feel that they aren’t “leaders in the field” so much as pundits analyzing the social landscape they’re observing, wondering why the people with the leadership skills and the know-how to change things aren’t doing anything to change it, or are going about it in a way that doesn’t seem as well-thought out as GT and company would have liked.

        Anyway, I may be reading into things too much, so I’ll leave it at that. More power to you, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to stick around and read what you have to say. :)

        NOTE: This is addressed to Otaking. Not sure if that’s actually noted here to begin with.

        Reply
  • ksolaris
    July 20th, 2009 on 1:17 am

    @Jericho:
    “You’re full of shit man!”

    Nyuh-huh. And you’re not. Right.

    Reply
  • .holden caulfield
    July 20th, 2009 on 1:25 am

    I got what I hoped for.

    Reply
    • casualsavant
      July 20th, 2009 on 1:47 am

      It hurts, no?

      Reply
      • holden caulfield
        July 20th, 2009 on 7:43 am

        It’s excrucuiating. Because my mind is running off a list of reasons why as yet I’m not exactly doing what I want to do with my life. And the kindest thing I can say to myself is that the reasons are merely explanations, not excuses. So that makes me a walking pile of BULL… :( I don’t agree with the Otaking a hundred percent, and he knows why. But I support him a hundred ten percent.

        Now pardon me while I go hit something, and maybe, tend to my wounds.

        Reply
  • Cosplaying God
    July 20th, 2009 on 2:01 am

    Jericho a poster from PC apparently didn’t read the whole entry.

    Seems like this blog sent trolls to PC as well. Internet drama. Gotta love em.

    Just wondering. Why did you leave a comment that relates to your blog in PC? I don’t mind your idea. Each to his own as I always say. But why ruin their fun? Apparently RG, CS and Az have been screwing people. Most of the people who read and post in PC are kids. What good do they have against RG and company?

    And no, we’re not here to change the way things go. In fact we enjoy the hate that has been going around. That is why I work as CG’s eye. I get info and start messing with people with the hall of shame.

    Nothing against you dude. Though you did get my attention when you said enough is enough. We wont stop. We wont stop working in the sidelines and bashing people. Why we do it? Its fun. Even you’ll have to agree.

    As for changing things and going to the frontlines. CG has his goal. He’s working on it alone in the shadows at the moment. Don’t worry once he makes it I’ll be sure to tell him to send you an invite to that project of his. Not everything works out well at the front. History is messed up cause of the fronline system. We’re doing things differently. So far its all going well.

    I’ve posted enough. Oh. To trolls from PC. Don’t vandalize blogs. Its not our thing. Same goes to trolls from this blog. Lets all try to be civilized here.

    Reply
    • otaking
      July 20th, 2009 on 4:06 am

      Hi there. :) You did what I least expected considering what’s happened so far, which is give a reasoned reply. I don’t agree with the hate-mongering, but I do know someone with a good story when I see them. And while I do enjoy a good bit of lampooning (especially when there’s a grain of truth in it) I still believe in leading from the front. Don’t misunderstand; I’m not advocating open warfare instead of sniping ‘from the shadows’. I’m advocating change.

      As for the post, it was never intended for PC directly. But my comment was, because I believe there are other ways. The name-calling is only weakening your cause, giving sympathy to your enemies.

      I believe everyone who’s used the local otaku scene to further creepy or malicious agendas will get what they deserve. You’ll see.

      Reply
  • Zooey
    July 20th, 2009 on 3:17 am

    “We wont stop. We wont stop working in the sidelines and bashing people. Why we do it? Its fun… And no, we’re not here to change the way things go. In fact we enjoy the hate that has been going around.”

    I’m so thrilled that people like you are teaching these kids. Can’t change anything because it’s too big? Because you’ll get hurt? Boo hoo. Let’s just sulk. While your skulking and cowering in fear, the rest of us will be making the mistakes you’re too afraid to make, and learning from them will propel us to victory. That’s a lot more fun.

    There is a time for stealth, a time for fun, but never a time for divisiveness and hate.

    Your “fun” ruins it for the rest of us.

    The admission that you have no real reason for doing it, just reinforces my entire argument. Thanks for making my case for me.

    Reply
    • otaking
      July 20th, 2009 on 4:13 am

      Where have you been all my life? :-o

      Reply
    • Cosplaying God
      July 20th, 2009 on 10:20 am

      “I’m so thrilled that people like you are teaching these kids. Can’t change anything because it’s too big? Because you’ll get hurt? Boo hoo. Let’s just sulk. While your skulking and cowering in fear, the rest of us will be making the mistakes you’re too afraid to make, and learning from them will propel us to victory. That’s a lot more fun.

      There is a time for stealth, a time for fun, but never a time for divisiveness and hate.”

      First of all. Like what I said. We’re not here to change things. So why are you saying “Because you’ll get hurt and all that idiotic talk?” We’re doing this all for fun. At least in my case. I do enjoy the internet drama. Like what some people in PC say “Its a freak show” And its free. And now I wonder where you get your dumb ideas about teaching kids and us being here to change things? Why bother revealing ourselves if we don’t have a good reason to do so? We would if we have a good reason to do so? It would be weird to go like “HI EVERYONE I’M CG MY REAL NAME IS! AND I LIVE IN!” Give us a good reason to reveal ourselves and we would.

      “Your “fun” ruins it for the rest of us.

      The admission that you have no real reason for doing it, just reinforces my entire argument. Thanks for making my case for me.”

      The only reason why it ruins the rest for you is you keep playing with fire. Why do you even bother messing with something that doesn’t concern you? You can always ignore us you know. But you just have to dive right in and keep on talking. Very smart move for someone who keeps going in other people’s domain.

      What case are you talking about by the way? I find you senseless for having no case at all.

      Our reason for why we do it? Ain’t having fun reason enough? Life is full of stress. Having fun keeps the stress away. Of course we do have fun in other ways as well. What we do online is just a small part of our fun activities.

      Reply
      • Jie
        July 20th, 2009 on 11:34 am

        QUOTE: “Why do you even bother messing with something that doesn’t concern you?”

        Because it’s much the same way as, in high school, you see bullies poking fun at other people just because they can, or think it’s fun. Seriously, it’s inane, it’s childish, and it doesn’t even accomplish anything, except maybe for the tired “lulz” that gets rehashed every other day.

        Instead of doing those, why not do something productive like, oh, I dunno, changing yourself like what Otaking posted. I used to also enjoy being privy with internet drama in internet cliques and groups but at the end of the day, I realized I’m getting older and doesn’t have anything to show for it yet. So I’m getting up and forcing my arse to work towards what I want. And believe me, it feels much much better than skulking around in forums and blogs and sniping people from the sidelines.

        Reply
        • Cosplaying God
          July 20th, 2009 on 12:01 pm

          Change myself? I’m satisfied with what I do. Why would I change?

          I did mention “Of course we do have fun in other ways as well. What we do online is just a small part of our fun activities.” Must I explain this part to you in details?

          Besides CG rewards me well.

          Don’t worry about change. If all goes according to CG’s plan things will change. At least to those who are a part of his big plan.

          Reply
      • Zooey
        July 21st, 2009 on 4:09 pm

        Oooooh. My entire self-worth is threatened by my exclusion from the CG cosplay mafia. Clearly your well thought out opinions and utter lack of understanding of my argument has made me see the light.

        Reply
        • Cosplaying God
          July 24th, 2009 on 7:23 am

          Clearly indeed, that your lack of open mindedness has turned you into an idiotic fool.

          Point is, mind your own business. At the start, I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to the one who has brains here. Namely the poster of this blog.

          Reply
          • Zooey
            July 24th, 2009 on 8:56 pm

            You have the clarity of mud. My “lack of open-mindedness”? I’m sorry I used such a big word like “egalitarian”. Maybe you don’t do too well with paragraphs either, so I’ll itemize.

            (1) I’m actually for open-mindedness. I would prefer respect for other people’s likes, dislikes (inclinations and preferences may be too big for you to understand). There is a difference between people laughing AT you and people laughing WITH you. I, like otaking, would like to see a cosplaying community not a rabid set of cosplaying cliques.

            (2) The internet is based on the concept of interaction. I refuse to “mind my own business”. Surely, since you’re so insistent on your right to cruelly criticize others, it’s hypocritical to ask me to “mind my own business”. As a common idiom states – if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen. I have as much right to criticize your behavior as you do to criticize others. I, at least, give you the benefit of civility. Unless you prefer name-calling?

            (3) BTW, if you still don’t understand what my point is – you’re “fun” comes from making other people feel bad. You’ve previously admitted that you have no reason for being cruel except that you enjoy making other people feel bad. So let me ask you then, if you’re view is that I’m meddling with things that “don’t concern me” and “playing with fire”, aren’t you doing the same thing by making destructive comments?

            I hope this edifying. I’ve enjoyed playing with you. Run along now.

            Reply
            • Cosplaying God
              July 25th, 2009 on 3:39 pm

              Like what I said. My fun doesn’t concern you. And so what if it hurts others? It doesn’t matter. When people get hurt no one cares. They only care when someone they like or related to gets hurt. And its not like we spend all the time of our lives doing this. We do have OTHER activities than wasting our lives online.

              What destructive comments are you talking about?

              The reason I find you idiotic is because I say something you reply with something dumb and almost unrelated.

              And I don’t care about the current cosplay community. To hell with them all. In fact its destruction is what would bring us closer to our goal. But sadly it wont happen.

              Reply
              • Zooey
                July 27th, 2009 on 1:34 pm

                Ho hum. Bored now. It’s no fun when you keep blunting your own points. What’s the point of an open intellectual argument? Clearly you’re ill-equipped. I don’t argue with the illiterate.

                Reply
                • Cosplaying God
                  July 28th, 2009 on 10:25 am

                  You’re an idiot. I shall explain why.

                  “We wont stop. We wont stop working in the sidelines and bashing people. Why we do it? Its fun… And no, we’re not here to change the way things go. In fact we enjoy the hate that has been going around.” – I said this.

                  I’m so thrilled that people like you are teaching these kids. Can’t change anything because it’s too big? Because you’ll get hurt? Boo hoo. Let’s just sulk. While your skulking and cowering in fear, the rest of us will be making the mistakes you’re too afraid to make, and learning from them will propel us to victory. That’s a lot more fun. – Idiot said this. Who is cowering in fear? Who are the little kids we are teaching? To hell with the little kids.

                  Oooooh. My entire self-worth is threatened by my exclusion from the CG cosplay mafia. Clearly your well thought out opinions and utter lack of understanding of my argument has made me see the light.- idiot said this. how could you even call that an argument if your idiotic reply doesn’t even have anything to do with what I just said? Truly you are an idiot. If you plan to argue then at least have some brains.

                  And as for my fun ruining other people’s fun. Too bad for you. I do not care about the people we hurt. If they get hurt then that means they are stupid. If they are smart they wont get hurt.

                  Reply
                  • Interplanetary Good Vibes Zone
                    July 28th, 2009 on 11:08 pm

                    Keep talking man :D I love your whole “Hurt other people for fun but mind your own business ‘coz I’m butthurt” life philosophy. It’s very non-Euclidean.

                    Reply
                  • Cosplaying God
                    July 29th, 2009 on 2:26 am

                    Okay. Fun is over.

                    @CG: You know no matter how much you talk it wont do you good.

                    From what I see this is how your conversation goes.

                    CG: Hello I’m an idiot how are you?

                    Zooey: Boohoo! I am butthurt because you’re so smart!

                    CG: How dare you butthurt me! D:<

                    Zooey: Whaaat? You're gay?

                    CG: NO! I SAID I'M AN IDIOT! D:<

                    Interplanetary Good Vibes Zone: Hello! HAHAHAHAHA! Look at the moron!

                    So stop arguing here and go back to work. Also since you're out of domain you can stop using the CG username. Okay?

                    Won't even bother replying to the others. I might end up getting that kind of conversation.

                    Reply
                    • Interplanetary Good Vibes Zone
                      July 29th, 2009 on 12:37 pm

                      May I have your attention please? Will the Slim CG please stand up? Will the real Slim CG please stand up?

                      We’re gonna have a problem here :D

                    • Cosplaying God
                      August 1st, 2009 on 1:37 am

                      Fine. But before I go I would like to say FUCK YOU
                      Interplanetary Good Vibes Zone. Your music sucks!

                    • Interplanetary Good Vibes Zone
                      August 1st, 2009 on 4:23 pm

                      Aww, did someone forget to take their meds today? :D Well, at least I’m not as FAIL as your domain name spelling. So enjoy your FAIL domain, ‘Divine Judgement’! At least you didn’t pay for it!

                    • Arogo
                      August 2nd, 2009 on 2:32 am

                      Actually, “judgement” and “judgment” are both acceptable ways to spell this word. Just saying, dude.

                    • Interplanetary Good Vibes Zone
                      August 2nd, 2009 on 9:27 am

                      “Judgement” is British English. Bet you didn’t know that did you? :D It’s either a pretentious affectation, or just the sign of a retard who doesn’t use a spellchecker.

                    • Arogo
                      August 2nd, 2009 on 10:19 am

                      Actually, I did. The guy two posts above me probably didn’t, though. XD

                    • Arogo
                      August 2nd, 2009 on 10:32 am

                      Maybe this CG guy was once a wide-eyed, animu-lovin’ cosplayer who had his/her hopes dashed on his/her first attempt at cosplaying. Now, he wants to destroy EVERYTHING, since he blames the entire community for his massive post-sodomy butthurt.

                      Cosplaying Gawd, it’s alright, man. Let it all out. We’re not all cold and uncaring bastards. We’ll listen to your inner child, if you let him/her speak out.

                    • otaking
                      August 2nd, 2009 on 10:47 am

                      You make a compelling argument, Arogo. :) Also, welcome to the blog!

                    • K
                      August 3rd, 2009 on 9:35 am

                      CG said I shouldn’t be using his name and link. So I post as K.

                      By the way, Interplanetary shit head. You messed with the wrong CG. You’re stupid. You make insults to the wrong person. I don’t own the domain you make fun of the original CG does. If you’re planning to make fun of me do it right. And do it in my actual blog. :D

                      @Arogo: You enjoy butt sex do you? CG plans to destruction not because he is bitter but because he is a perfectionist. He plans on making a new community. Again. You people are too close minded. That is what makes you all dumb. :D

                    • Interplanetary Good Vibes Zone
                      August 3rd, 2009 on 1:02 pm

                      How to put this in a way you can understand… You posted as CG. Then you accuse me of being stupid for messing with the wrong CG because you’re not really CG.

                      Um… retard much?

                      Even CG called you an idiot already. Are you just that dense? Give it up already or he’ll kick your ass harder than he can ever kick mine.

                    • Arogo
                      August 3rd, 2009 on 3:31 pm

                      Why yes, I do enjoy buttsecks. I do require my partners to be clean, so don’t bother asking. :)

                      Wow, so CG plans to destruction! TO DESTRUCTION! A perfect cosplay community in which only CGs will be part of!

                      I like it. It’s inspired. I can see it all clearly nao!

                      In A.D. 2009

                      Philippine Cosplay was Sucking.

                      What happen ?
                      Somebody set up us a con.
                      We get invite.
                      What !
                      Website turn on.
                      It’s you !!
                      How are you cosplayers !!
                      All your cosplay are belong to us.
                      You are on the way to DESTRUCTION.
                      What you say !!
                      You have no chance to survive make your new costume.
                      Ha ha ha ha….

                    • otaking
                      August 3rd, 2009 on 4:05 pm

                      :-o someone make a vid of this NAO!

  • Ultraelectromagneticpogi
    July 20th, 2009 on 4:44 am

    omg wtf dood!? u d suxxorz! ure full of fukkin shitz!

    Seriuzly guyz, u have no konsept of reality. U hav no chans of surbibal. All your base are belong to us. U gurren lagann wannabes will be crushed in the end by the anti-spiralz lololol.

    Looooooseeeeeerz! :P

    Reply
    • holden caulfield
      July 20th, 2009 on 7:57 am

      “All your base are belong to us.”

      Christ. How the hell do you expect anyone to take you seriously when you spell and string sentences together like a freakin’ idiot? Get a dictionary or a grammar book and READ IT. On the other hand, you might misspell your words because you think it’s CUTE. It is, on a TWO-YEAR OLD. Either way, if you can’t make a coherent comment, I suggest you just SHUT THE HELL UP.

      Reply
    • Gohlico
      July 20th, 2009 on 11:19 am

      Jesus Christ that was the most retarded troll post I’ve ever read. If this is the future of the interwebs, I fear for it.

      Reply
    • idle.eidolon
      July 20th, 2009 on 8:52 pm

      wannabes? wannabes?!?

      Reply
    • Arogo
      August 2nd, 2009 on 10:34 am

      This proves it. You don’t need brains to get on the intarwebs.

      Reply
  • Rosa
    July 20th, 2009 on 12:58 pm

    Thank you for this post. :)

    Reply
  • GamerTotoy
    July 20th, 2009 on 6:05 pm

    For the record, the Cosplaying God here is not the CG who posts the weekly Hall of Shame and his opinions don’t reflect the Pinoy Cosplay blog. Apparently he’s a friend of CG who’s in for picking on little kids. No idea what he’s smoking

    Reply
  • GamerTotoy
    July 20th, 2009 on 6:12 pm

    I am yet to confirm if he even really is a friend of CG, actually. Forgive the double post. I am apparently too stupid to know how to edit.

    Reply
  • Dodge
    July 21st, 2009 on 11:50 am

    Bloody brilliant. :)

    Reminds me of a blog entry I wrote a few weeks back, allow me to quote a few lines:

    “Trying is a waste of effort. Trying makes you exert effort and focus energies into producing nothing. Trying, until it produces results, only reflects an intangible idea in good faith.”

    And S’s allusion was spot on. Haha.

    Reply
  • Lorie
    July 21st, 2009 on 3:29 pm

    Thank you Cliff, for giving me one more reason to get off my butt. We may be in diametrically opposite poles of the ideology spectrum, but I respect and admire this self-admonition. It may have elicited a rabid response from some, but I appreciate that you dared to share what you could have written in a diary and kept for yourself to relearn from years from now.

    It’s funny, but this is like God giving me a poke on the shoulder, an exhortation to not stop at the point of having gotten up from where I crashed and burned. I guess that the Psalm, The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;/The earth is the Lord’s, with all its wealth; the world and all the people living in it. (Psalm 24:1), is true. Coz at this moment, He surely spoke to me through you.

    Thank you, both you and Maoi; your steadfast love for each other is an inspiration as well.

    And with that, I dust off my dreams from the ashes they fell into; thankful that an unexpected prodding such as this are my spurs for another day.

    Again, thank you, and blessings to you and Maoi. :)

    Reply
  • seedsop
    July 26th, 2009 on 12:58 am

    I’m sad that I only got to read this just yesterday but I really enjoyed it.

    We bitch and moan and whine about how things don’t change but we never do anything about it. And we continue to make excuses of not being able to do anything which is why things remain the same way.

    I have made many enemies when I decided that enough was enough and it was about time that my voice was heard so that change can begin. Sadly, some people still don’t get it but I do what I can to enlighten people and to effect change. My group and I also try our best to do what we can to show the community what can be done and what changes must be made. And even if it’s only a little, a whole lot of little changes can make a huge difference.

    So I applaud you. And everytime I make an excuse for myself not to do anything, I will remind myself of this article as this applies to me as much as it does with everyone.

    Reply
  • Leeroy Jabroni
    July 29th, 2009 on 1:16 pm

    Hey yo yo muthafuckas, what’s up!? Leeroy Jabroni is in the house, yo!

    Hey otaking ya got some awesome shit here man. This blog post is the tits! I dig it, man. I was inspired like James Brown in Blues Brothers you know what I mean. You know what? Ignore them haters. Just do the usual cool stuff you do and you’ll do just fine. You’re a-okay in my book, bro. Peace, y’all!

    Reply
  • Colonel Nick Fury
    August 2nd, 2009 on 3:40 pm

    Otaking, I need to talk to you about the Avengers initiative.

    Reply
  • Paolo Cruz
    August 9th, 2009 on 9:18 pm

    Thank you for writing this. I don’t agree with you 100%; I do believe there are systemic restrictions to creativity, depending on one’s medium of choice. (Context: I’m an incorrigible dabbler… blogging, comics, zines, show organizing, and most recently, as a geek quiz master.) It’s exponentially more prohibitive in a developing/Third World country, and specifically in a culture that’s largely built on sweetheart deals and insider connections.

    I’m fairly certain i’ve debated this exact point with you, at length, on Plurk (where I used to post as “ipis dei”). I still think you downplay the material and structural limits on certain art forms, or ways of life. (I’d offer examples, but honestly, we could end up arguing forever about which ones are exceptions, which ones are “typical”, etc.)

    Bottom line: I support your fundamental point of “shut up and take action”, even if I disagree about the extent to which it can be successfully pulled off. But you’re absolutely right about not knowing unless you give it a shot. And that it needs to happen in real, practical terms. That’s what it all boils down to, right?

    Reply
  • Paolo Cruz
    August 9th, 2009 on 9:46 pm

    Okay, I think I just figured it out. Here’s the part of the manifesto I take greatest issue with:

    “Just admit it: Your dreams aren’t worth changing for. Your dreams aren’t worth the time, the money, the effort, the sleepless nights. Your dreams are just broken little toys you like to take out of the toy chest whenever you want to feel better about yourself, especially at the expense of other people, then put away at your convenience.”

    I can only guess that you’re directing this towards “hobbyists”, for lack of a better term. However, it feels overly judgmental towards *everybody* who opts to not use 100% of their available time, energy, and resources to pursue their dreams.

    In past experiences, i’ve been accused of being half assed, lazy, or otherwise not proactive enough about pursuing my dreams. To a certain extent, part of that is just me being a slacker, and I’m taking baby steps to change that.

    However, I also think it’s needlessly harsh to dismiss people who choose to realize their aspirations on a “part time” basis, in response to the everyday material demands of survival (and *not* because we’re cowing to some ideal about what a “socially productive” individual should be doing).

    If one can’t dedicate every fiber of their being to their aspirations (because of bills to pay, mouths to feed, or family obligations) it doesn’t mean their dreams are “broken little toys”. And if circumstance means one can only “take them out of the toy chest” so often, it doesn’t make us any less worthy of merit than those who are able to devote themselves to their dreams, full time.

    The tone of the latter half of the manifesto sets up a kind of zero/sum scenario; an either/or binary of “Doers” and “Non Doers”, without taking into account the idea of varying levels of “Doing”.

    Just my unsolicited two centavos. Feel free to acknowledge this as you see fit.

    Reply
    • otaking
      August 11th, 2009 on 3:55 pm

      If you aren’t pursuing your dreams — and your dreams don’t need to be selfish, they just need to be yours — then what are you doing? If it’s your dream to provide a happy, comfortable home for your family, and you aren’t doing it, then what are you doing?

      No, I don’t think I can compromise here. You are either doing your will, or you’re doing someone else’s. And that, my friend, is a waste of your time.

      Reply

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