Fear is the Mind Killer 0.5

Ah, the life of a war refugee. Trying to find your footing again after everything you've been through. I found myself in Bali with a burning desire to finally write that damn script. I kept myself busy with acting classes and other shenanigans until I stumbled upon Lampu - a local burn in Bali. But as it turns out, the Ukrainian community wasn't too happy with it. They said it was too Russian-centric and not marketed well enough to outsiders. And then there was this whole fuss about the winter party, Kholodok. They were pissed that it wasn't canceled after the war broke out. It was just one criticism after another, man.

How Ukrainians imagine Kholodok 2022.
How Ukrainians imagine Kholodok 2022.

In the swirling madness of it all, I had this urge to create something meaningful. And that's when it hit me that we needed a political rally. But then, I decided to gamify it, give it some extra oomph. It was like a reminder to the Russian burners in Bali of what was happening back home.

I came up with this wild idea for a virtual rally simulation, a kind of political performance art. Participants were invited to shout out loud anti-war and anti-government slogans like "Putin Khuylo" or "Net Voyne." But here's the kicker: they had to wear a shock collar for dogs while doing it. The collar would randomly shock them with increasing intensity as they shouted, and the amount of pain they could endure determined the NFT they would receive. It was like a modern-day gladiator game, where people had to push their limits and take a stand against tyranny. I called it "Sack the Tyrant," and it was a real trip.

A few selfies of myself testing out the shock collar.
A few selfies of myself testing out the shock collar.

It was wild to see the impact it had on people. Out of the 33 people who participated, about 20 of them were deeply moved. I could see it in their eyes, hear it in their voices during pre and post-interviews. Some of them even broke down in tears. The common thread was this realization that they were scared, and they didn't want to be scared anymore. It was a transformative experience for them, and for me too, man.

I don't know how it happened, man, but I got this hypothesis, you know? Like, maybe something I felt before, like the pain in my throat when trying to speak my mind, is something others feel too. Maybe getting zapped on the throat woke them up to that block.

For some, just realizing it was enough to break through, to cry and let it out. There was this one girl, man, her experience was pure beauty. I gave people the option to wear masks, since I was filming it and all. Some folks preferred to hide behind masks, while others bared it all. And there was this one girl who had a breakthrough in the middle of the game, tears streaming down her face, her mask doing little to conceal the rawness of her emotions. But as she sobbed and trembled, something inside her shifted. And in that moment of vulnerability, she ripped off the mask and declared, "I'm not afraid." With every word that followed, she shed her inhibitions and bared her soul to the camera, a true testament to the power of art and human connection.Her eyes were shining, and she was beaming with this newfound freedom. She said that for the first time in her life, she felt like she could say whatever she wanted to say, and nobody could stop her. It was a profound moment, man. It reminded me that art has the power to change people, to make them see things differently, to break down barriers.

A monument to the girl that started it all. Photograph from the future, Moscow (2032).
A monument to the girl that started it all. Photograph from the future, Moscow (2032).

And that's what I'm trying to do with my storytelling, too. I want to break down the barriers of fear and silence, to share my own story and to inspire others to do the same. We need more truth in this world, more honesty, more vulnerability. That's the only way we're going to get through all this shit, man.

I tell ya, this new chapter in my life is like a wild ride on a psychedelic rollercoaster. My anger is like a bubbling cauldron of potent emotions, ready to explode at any moment. And let me tell you, I have every damn reason to be angry at the government. They're like a bunch of soulless vultures, preying on the innocent and weak. But I'm not gonna let them win. No sir, my path is the path of creation, the way of the poet and I'm gonna share my anger in a way that lights a fire under people's asses.

A photograph of myself acknowledging my anger. Underworld (2022)
A photograph of myself acknowledging my anger. Underworld (2022)

I want people to realize that they're living in fear, and it's time to break free. It's time to take back the power and be angry, be inspired, and do things differently. I believe that the internal shift is where the real magic happens. And that's why I took it upon myself to initiate a shift in others, even if it was just a silly prank at a festival. Hell, if it works, it works. And I feel like I've made a dent, a small but significant dent.

So listen up, folks. If you're feeling the fire in your belly, don't be afraid to do something about it. Don't let fear hold you back from creating something truly powerful. Take a page outta my book and own that anger, baby. It's time to ignite a revolution.

There is a better timeline for us all. Why don't you come along?
There is a better timeline for us all. Why don't you come along?
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