Philby Bear
@philbybear.bsky.social
A game master, voracious bookworm and cinephile, a tired socialist and a manic depressive chocolate salesperson from Montreal. They/them. 34.
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Everyone?
Meet Bowie, the corgi puppy with heterochromia.
Sadly, I’ll only be taking him home early February.
These photos will have to tide me over until then.
Meet Bowie, the corgi puppy with heterochromia.
Sadly, I’ll only be taking him home early February.
These photos will have to tide me over until then.
Reposted by Philby Bear
Personally, I prefer "the gods are strange and kinda doing their own thing over their own people" like the clown puppet in that Ligotti story.
January 6, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Personally, I prefer "the gods are strange and kinda doing their own thing over their own people" like the clown puppet in that Ligotti story.
Gang, be honest:
Did I select the wrong wine bottle for this?
Did I select the wrong wine bottle for this?
January 6, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Gang, be honest:
Did I select the wrong wine bottle for this?
Did I select the wrong wine bottle for this?
January 6, 2026 at 2:52 AM
Reposted by Philby Bear
Vol. 4 of Balthasar’s THE GLORY OF THE LORD goes into detail on this and how myth became poetry became plays became philosophy.
It made sense of why a David Bentley Hart would make a (laughable) attempt to create a Christian monism, or a Michael B. Heiser fills the world with intermediate beings.
It made sense of why a David Bentley Hart would make a (laughable) attempt to create a Christian monism, or a Michael B. Heiser fills the world with intermediate beings.
I don't even disagree with that. Homer's heroes might not like the gods, but it was still important to sacrifice animals before a battle or a voyage.
Of course, even in Homer's time, there was a philosophers took issue with this framing, even questioning these presumptions and practices.
Of course, even in Homer's time, there was a philosophers took issue with this framing, even questioning these presumptions and practices.
January 6, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Vol. 4 of Balthasar’s THE GLORY OF THE LORD goes into detail on this and how myth became poetry became plays became philosophy.
It made sense of why a David Bentley Hart would make a (laughable) attempt to create a Christian monism, or a Michael B. Heiser fills the world with intermediate beings.
It made sense of why a David Bentley Hart would make a (laughable) attempt to create a Christian monism, or a Michael B. Heiser fills the world with intermediate beings.
Now, someone pointed out to me that it's not so much an issue about power or material than cultural observance. Ancient/medieval societies and plenty of other cultures worldwide breathed their gods as part and parcel of the universe, that every action was embedded with their will and intention.
This is why I like to emphasize there's a difference between *knowing* the gods of your setting are real and believing in them. Belief is a kind of emotional investment that, frankly, not all gods should warrant in the first place.
this is what gets me about atheists in the DC Universe comics
dawg, the living God has a physical representative in your universe, what do you mean you don't believe in him. it would be easier to list the gods that didn't exist in DC
dawg, the living God has a physical representative in your universe, what do you mean you don't believe in him. it would be easier to list the gods that didn't exist in DC
January 6, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Now, someone pointed out to me that it's not so much an issue about power or material than cultural observance. Ancient/medieval societies and plenty of other cultures worldwide breathed their gods as part and parcel of the universe, that every action was embedded with their will and intention.
THE CHAD OF EQUINES HIMSELF.
January 6, 2026 at 2:06 AM
THE CHAD OF EQUINES HIMSELF.
Reposted by Philby Bear
The one thing I'll give Marvel over DC is that they really hit the sweet spot of The One Above All being Jack Kirby. The closest thing in DC is probably the Source Wall, which you can interpret as the ultimate fourth wall.
January 6, 2026 at 1:58 AM
The one thing I'll give Marvel over DC is that they really hit the sweet spot of The One Above All being Jack Kirby. The closest thing in DC is probably the Source Wall, which you can interpret as the ultimate fourth wall.
Reposted by Philby Bear
"Don't you know there ain't no Devil? There's just God when he's drunk."
January 6, 2026 at 1:54 AM
"Don't you know there ain't no Devil? There's just God when he's drunk."
The, uh, *other* rational takeaway from this is that maybe one of the pitfalls of a shared universe of intellectual properties passed between countless writers and editors over the years is always going to make for an incoherent theological tableau.
When you get right down to it, the only other rational theological conclusion is that reality is made of cosmic bendy straws and God is literally whatever you want Him to be issue to issue, from a distant aloof father figure to a raging dickhead to Mr. Rogers, and they're all true.
January 6, 2026 at 1:54 AM
The, uh, *other* rational takeaway from this is that maybe one of the pitfalls of a shared universe of intellectual properties passed between countless writers and editors over the years is always going to make for an incoherent theological tableau.
Reposted by Philby Bear
Even in Homer’s epics, the protagonists seem pretty ambivalent about IF they actually believe in the Olympian super-beings, even while they’re actively choosing sides in the Trojan War, Ares literally fighting in battle and Apollo aiding Paris to kill Achilles.
This is why I like to emphasize there's a difference between *knowing* the gods of your setting are real and believing in them. Belief is a kind of emotional investment that, frankly, not all gods should warrant in the first place.
this is what gets me about atheists in the DC Universe comics
dawg, the living God has a physical representative in your universe, what do you mean you don't believe in him. it would be easier to list the gods that didn't exist in DC
dawg, the living God has a physical representative in your universe, what do you mean you don't believe in him. it would be easier to list the gods that didn't exist in DC
January 6, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Even in Homer’s epics, the protagonists seem pretty ambivalent about IF they actually believe in the Olympian super-beings, even while they’re actively choosing sides in the Trojan War, Ares literally fighting in battle and Apollo aiding Paris to kill Achilles.
As an aside, regarding DC... it's... kind of funny to express any bafflement that anyone could be atheist regarding the existence of the Christian God, considering, uh, this guy's whole thing.
January 6, 2026 at 1:41 AM
As an aside, regarding DC... it's... kind of funny to express any bafflement that anyone could be atheist regarding the existence of the Christian God, considering, uh, this guy's whole thing.
Reposted by Philby Bear
"But Granny, you know the gods exist?"
Granny sniffed "no cause to go around believing in them, only encourages them"
Granny sniffed "no cause to go around believing in them, only encourages them"
January 6, 2026 at 1:33 AM
"But Granny, you know the gods exist?"
Granny sniffed "no cause to go around believing in them, only encourages them"
Granny sniffed "no cause to go around believing in them, only encourages them"
Also this!
The prospect that the gods are just another sufficiently advanced race of superbeings, not so much truly divine as "merely" powerful, is grounds for a solid argument against their divinity.
Hell, Marvel comics keep ping ponging back and forth between whether the Asgards are aliens...
The prospect that the gods are just another sufficiently advanced race of superbeings, not so much truly divine as "merely" powerful, is grounds for a solid argument against their divinity.
Hell, Marvel comics keep ping ponging back and forth between whether the Asgards are aliens...
I mean, The New Gods are just aliens who aren’t that different from Superman when you break things down. The Greek Gods in Diana’s world are (true to myth) assholes, so I don’t think it inspire stable worship.
January 6, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Also this!
The prospect that the gods are just another sufficiently advanced race of superbeings, not so much truly divine as "merely" powerful, is grounds for a solid argument against their divinity.
Hell, Marvel comics keep ping ponging back and forth between whether the Asgards are aliens...
The prospect that the gods are just another sufficiently advanced race of superbeings, not so much truly divine as "merely" powerful, is grounds for a solid argument against their divinity.
Hell, Marvel comics keep ping ponging back and forth between whether the Asgards are aliens...
Reposted by Philby Bear
Like, okay you exist and you’re very powerful and immortal and maybe even my creator
But are you the source of holiness? Are you the unity of existence?
Are you truth?
But are you the source of holiness? Are you the unity of existence?
Are you truth?
January 6, 2026 at 1:23 AM
Like, okay you exist and you’re very powerful and immortal and maybe even my creator
But are you the source of holiness? Are you the unity of existence?
Are you truth?
But are you the source of holiness? Are you the unity of existence?
Are you truth?
Exactly this.
Q and his kind are the closest thing to genuine deities the Trek-verse has, and they're all a bunch of man-children. Why build a church around those assholes?
Q and his kind are the closest thing to genuine deities the Trek-verse has, and they're all a bunch of man-children. Why build a church around those assholes?
Yup. As silly as Picard worshipping Q.
January 6, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Exactly this.
Q and his kind are the closest thing to genuine deities the Trek-verse has, and they're all a bunch of man-children. Why build a church around those assholes?
Q and his kind are the closest thing to genuine deities the Trek-verse has, and they're all a bunch of man-children. Why build a church around those assholes?
This is why I like to emphasize there's a difference between *knowing* the gods of your setting are real and believing in them. Belief is a kind of emotional investment that, frankly, not all gods should warrant in the first place.
this is what gets me about atheists in the DC Universe comics
dawg, the living God has a physical representative in your universe, what do you mean you don't believe in him. it would be easier to list the gods that didn't exist in DC
dawg, the living God has a physical representative in your universe, what do you mean you don't believe in him. it would be easier to list the gods that didn't exist in DC
You know, if a fucking Warhammer demon named “Cuchulainn the Impure” tried to convince me God is fake, I’d believe in God approximately 50,000 times harder than I have every other day in my life combined.
January 6, 2026 at 1:12 AM
This is why I like to emphasize there's a difference between *knowing* the gods of your setting are real and believing in them. Belief is a kind of emotional investment that, frankly, not all gods should warrant in the first place.
[cw: accidental childhood self-harm]
I, uh, was dog-sitting for my neighbours when I was 10, couldn't find the can opener, so–having seen hobos on TV do it–I tried opening a can of dog food... with a sharp knife.
Wound up plunging the tip into my hand. Yeah. Still have a scar to this day.
I, uh, was dog-sitting for my neighbours when I was 10, couldn't find the can opener, so–having seen hobos on TV do it–I tried opening a can of dog food... with a sharp knife.
Wound up plunging the tip into my hand. Yeah. Still have a scar to this day.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 6, 2026 at 12:44 AM
[cw: accidental childhood self-harm]
I, uh, was dog-sitting for my neighbours when I was 10, couldn't find the can opener, so–having seen hobos on TV do it–I tried opening a can of dog food... with a sharp knife.
Wound up plunging the tip into my hand. Yeah. Still have a scar to this day.
I, uh, was dog-sitting for my neighbours when I was 10, couldn't find the can opener, so–having seen hobos on TV do it–I tried opening a can of dog food... with a sharp knife.
Wound up plunging the tip into my hand. Yeah. Still have a scar to this day.
You know, much as she hurt me?
… I can’t bring myself to hate her.
Hell, a decade after our disastrous split, we reconciled, to some degree. It’s as close to closure to chapter of our lives either of us may ever find.
Besides, as said, given her circumstances? She could have been worse.
… I can’t bring myself to hate her.
Hell, a decade after our disastrous split, we reconciled, to some degree. It’s as close to closure to chapter of our lives either of us may ever find.
Besides, as said, given her circumstances? She could have been worse.
In fairness, her family disowned her after she’d come out as trans, her career in naval intelligence was rife with discrimination, and she had a nervous break that led to her discharge.
I’d be a miserable misanthropic recluse to, given the circumstances.
I’d be a miserable misanthropic recluse to, given the circumstances.
January 5, 2026 at 11:22 PM
You know, much as she hurt me?
… I can’t bring myself to hate her.
Hell, a decade after our disastrous split, we reconciled, to some degree. It’s as close to closure to chapter of our lives either of us may ever find.
Besides, as said, given her circumstances? She could have been worse.
… I can’t bring myself to hate her.
Hell, a decade after our disastrous split, we reconciled, to some degree. It’s as close to closure to chapter of our lives either of us may ever find.
Besides, as said, given her circumstances? She could have been worse.
Question:
What’s the most efficient way to scrape stickers off empty wine bottles?
I ask, because for the holidays I received a pair of eco-friendly rechargeable lightbulbs. You’re supposed to slot them into bottles, and voila! Boutique lamps.
Figured it’d pretty up the apartment.
What’s the most efficient way to scrape stickers off empty wine bottles?
I ask, because for the holidays I received a pair of eco-friendly rechargeable lightbulbs. You’re supposed to slot them into bottles, and voila! Boutique lamps.
Figured it’d pretty up the apartment.
January 5, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Question:
What’s the most efficient way to scrape stickers off empty wine bottles?
I ask, because for the holidays I received a pair of eco-friendly rechargeable lightbulbs. You’re supposed to slot them into bottles, and voila! Boutique lamps.
Figured it’d pretty up the apartment.
What’s the most efficient way to scrape stickers off empty wine bottles?
I ask, because for the holidays I received a pair of eco-friendly rechargeable lightbulbs. You’re supposed to slot them into bottles, and voila! Boutique lamps.
Figured it’d pretty up the apartment.
Honestly, I’m happy Eyepatch Wolf (always forget his actual name) has made himself both champion and ambassador to such a *niche* sub-genre of art, of unfiction, of this intersection between kitsch, nostalgia, digital media, analog art and performance.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=5hkk...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=5hkk...
You Cannot Play These Games
YouTube video by Super Eyepatch Wolf
m.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Honestly, I’m happy Eyepatch Wolf (always forget his actual name) has made himself both champion and ambassador to such a *niche* sub-genre of art, of unfiction, of this intersection between kitsch, nostalgia, digital media, analog art and performance.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=5hkk...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=5hkk...
Reposted by Philby Bear
We are all in a state of constant panic and terror. It’s important to take a second when you see something online that triggers you to ask yourself “am it really triggered or am I just experiencing nonstop psychic damage from the world and my brain sees this as an outlet for my fear and rage.”
January 5, 2026 at 9:53 PM
We are all in a state of constant panic and terror. It’s important to take a second when you see something online that triggers you to ask yourself “am it really triggered or am I just experiencing nonstop psychic damage from the world and my brain sees this as an outlet for my fear and rage.”
This doesn’t bode well.
Sorry, my American friends.
Sorry, my American friends.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been dissolved, ending its 58 years as the primary funder for PBS, NPR and local TV and radio stations
Corporation For Public Broadcasting Is Dissolved After 58 Years Of Service
www.huffpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:20 PM
This doesn’t bode well.
Sorry, my American friends.
Sorry, my American friends.
Wait, what’s that about Scott Adams?
… huh.
… anyway-!
… huh.
… anyway-!
January 5, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Wait, what’s that about Scott Adams?
… huh.
… anyway-!
… huh.
… anyway-!
… and my brother just sent me a message that reads, “This made me think of you, lol.”
It’s a picture of myself smiling juxtaposed with the soyjack meme.
I know he thinks it’s hilarious, that it’s good natured ribbing.
But, man, I wish he could read the room.
It’s a picture of myself smiling juxtaposed with the soyjack meme.
I know he thinks it’s hilarious, that it’s good natured ribbing.
But, man, I wish he could read the room.
January 5, 2026 at 4:21 PM
… and my brother just sent me a message that reads, “This made me think of you, lol.”
It’s a picture of myself smiling juxtaposed with the soyjack meme.
I know he thinks it’s hilarious, that it’s good natured ribbing.
But, man, I wish he could read the room.
It’s a picture of myself smiling juxtaposed with the soyjack meme.
I know he thinks it’s hilarious, that it’s good natured ribbing.
But, man, I wish he could read the room.
… I remember when my first girlfriend, a woman whose vicious and callous emotional abuse frightened me off dating for almost a decade, kept trying to shame me to give up my career as a chocolate salesman to join the Canadian military.
If you need a reason not to enlist, there's many.
January 5, 2026 at 3:41 PM
… I remember when my first girlfriend, a woman whose vicious and callous emotional abuse frightened me off dating for almost a decade, kept trying to shame me to give up my career as a chocolate salesman to join the Canadian military.