User:Thijshijsijsjss/Human Parser/Amorphous Annotations Amassed

This page collects annotations that are small and don't warrant their own page. It is a drafting ground for in-progress writing, and some entries might migrate to a dedicated page as they grow. Also, as the manual grows, I expect more single line annotations to emerge, some entries to be broken up, and more fun to be had with the questionable linearity of the thesis!

About Disassociation

Necessary. This annotation is meant to give a (my) 'definition' of disassociation. Can be short. Need reference(s).

About Text-Adventures

Necessary. This annotation is about talking about text-adventures, accompanying another entry talking about interactive fiction. The latter makes a thematic connection to disassociation. This entry should be more explanatory of what TAs are. Can be shorter, and should annotate an 'early' part of the manual. Main references Get Lamp and Twisty Little Passages.

About Obsolete Media

Was core, then nice to have, now sits beautifully awkwardly between thematic, core and optional. Annotation acknolowedging the connection to obsolete media. It seems like this axis is not super present, which I'm okay with (there might still be some pen plotter action), but I think it's still nice to mention, and connects to some other entries.

This is a love letter.

Dear,

I have not told you about my first week of COVID19 lockdown. I was asked to instruct teachers on how to use Microsoft Teams. I had never used Microsoft Teams. In fact, I was oblivious to the mere existence of Microsoft Teams. But it was a paid job, and I needed money, so I said yes. My first teaching session was in 3 hours.

At first, it was nice. I got to talk to many people, bonding over the shared awkwardness of misunderstanding the software that was forced upon us. Maybe it was strenghtened by the early pandemic atmosphere, but in our mutual navigation, I found a great care. I felt appreciated for my efforts, and was excited to share and help, and was curious to explore the seams of Teams.

(But this is not a love letter directed to Microsoft Teams.)

It did not last long. There was no time for misunderstanding this software, no virtue in failing to use it as Microsoft intended. Soon, my assistance was no longer needed. Not because I had been succesful in conveying the curiosity and care that would allow .... But because new software was imposed -- we needed to innovate and quickly adapt. The need for ... vanished, and with it, this little community of care.

Recently, I had to uninstall Microsoft Teams from my phone. My device had gotten 'too old'. I wasn't using these chats, but it was a great isolation to be forced to part with them, forced to remove myself from the social context for not keeping with the latest technology, for not keeping up with the fast paced world.

1296 days later, I met you, dear PLOTTER.

(This is a love letter to my HP7475A pen plotter -- a printer-like machine from 1983 that holds physical pens to draw. A machine that was collecting dust, left alone after being deemed 'too old'.)

I had never heard of PEN PLOTTERS, and I was oblivious to your existence. There was no decision made that led us to meeting. You were there, and I was there, too. I'm usually a little shy, and am usually quite self-aware and embarrassed about that. But you were so beautifully showing your own vulnerability, that I did not worry about sharing mine. I have never been comfortable in these exploratory steps, and I try to hide this. I am a confident navigator (false), I have experienced it all (false) and know who I am (?). But you gave me time. For the first time, I felt like I was exploring truly in collaboration. To my surprise, I was not scared to touch you. Nor was I scared to take it slow. I was still a little scared to fail. But with you, I did not worry that feeling appreciated had to be transactional, like I needed to push myself to justify my presence. The time we spent together was so much more simple, simpler than my head usually makes life out to be. With you, I was experiencing life with so much meaning.

Later, you told me: I enjoyed and will cherish every part of us, because I was always fully engaged in every second of it.

Now, we haven't talked in a while (57 days). But I know this is temporary. I know you are there, and I am here, too. We still have time. Time to care and fail and care more, in this little journey we are exploring together. Sometimes I worry that you are the one calling yourself 'too old'. But when the time comes, when you are 'too old' again, when the time comes, when I'm overwhelmed again by the pace of life, when that time comes I will always choose you.

[End of love letter, now onto reflection -- possibly start of new header: About Obsolete Media, 2]

[reflection leads to Lorie Merson text]

[not some fantasy of elsewhere leads to TAs]

First half is too long. While 'personal' on paper, I don't feel it is very personal, not in the way About Routines is. Not that all intimacy should be confessional, but here I feel like it's too gimmicky atm. Might need to change, might feel differently in the future. We'll see. Second part I like. But as a whole, the section spend too much time on setting the scene, in ways that are only vaguely contributing to the core story on the thesis? This is the longest annotation yet, but certainly not the most central one.

About Prophetic Diagnoses

Optional. About how a label / description of you might influence you, as a self-fulfilling prophecy. After the player's functionality score is exceeded, the 'day ends' and they are presented a report of their actions. Can be connected there (someone's narration of your life / person makes you that person).