The Desinhibitionist Guy

  

The Desinhibitionist Guy

    In the heart of the forest, there’s a name everyone knows—Derry. He doesn’t shoot arrows with unparalleled precision like Felix, the young prodigy who amazed even the elders with his skill. Felix’s talents made him an impressive addition to the wooden society, but he wasn’t the one who truly captured the community's admiration. That honor belonged to Dermot, better known as Derry.

What makes Derry special isn’t any extraordinary skill or talent. He isn’t the fastest runner, the strongest builder, or the sharpest strategist. His magic lies in something far simpler yet infinitely more profound—his genuine kindness and unshakable desire to live harmoniously with others. Derry doesn’t seek to outshine or outdo anyone. He just wants to enjoy life, contribute to the community, and be a good person.

Surprisingly, this made him a standout figure. While others struggled to balance their ambitions with the good of the group, Derry had no hidden agenda. His honesty and lack of selfishness earned him respect, even from the most competitive members of the society. Because he had nothing to lose, Derry could speak his mind freely. His straightforwardness wasn’t just refreshing—it was transformative.

But Derry’s true power lies in his ability to unlock something extraordinary in those around him: their freedom. While most of the forest dwellers carried the heavy burden of fear—fear of failure, judgment, or loss—Derry showed them a different path. He had a knack for stripping away those worries, helping others realize that life’s pressures mattered far less than they thought.

With Derry around, people felt lighter, more at ease. They laughed, shared, and embraced the moment without the invisible chains of their insecurities holding them back. Derry didn’t just inspire others to let go; he gave them permission to be themselves and to have fun without guilt.

In the end, Derry’s gift wasn’t just his disinhibition—it was his ability to remind everyone that joy, honesty, and community also matter.

Toni Font Bardolet, Aberdeen 27/12/2024

The Real Philosophical Battle

 

The Real Philosophical Battle

    Jameson and Louis met by chance in the twilight of their lives. They had known each other since elementary school, and while memories can become blurry over the years, those of childhood often remain vivid in a mystical way. They were pleasantly surprised to discover that they were both still alive, despite having taken completely different paths and having antagonistic ways of being.

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They were both, at their core, good people, shaped by the same environment, but their different perspectives and personalities had made them antagonistic across the spectrum of different ways of being.

James had built his life solely through his own strength. While this determination is commendable, it also made him emotionally distant, focused solely on his individual goals without realizing that collaboration could open up new opportunities. He operated under an unspoken rule: “No one gives a shit for no one, so there’s no point in doing anything different.” Consequently, his worldview was austere: people were either with him or they didn’t exist at all. Despite this, he was not an unhappy man; in fact, he found satisfaction in his accomplishments. He did not believe in sincere friendship, as he believed friendships were merely transactional.

Instead, Louis thrived when surrounded by the happiness of others. He found it almost impossible to experience true joy in solitude, as it seemed irrational to him. He adhered to the unwritten principle that happiness can only be discovered within a community, believing that, at its core, humans are social creatures by nature, unlike other species. Throughout his life, all of his achievements were tied to collaboration; he was actively involved in the cultural facets of contemporary society and participated in numerous projects alongside a wide variety of people.

As a reader, where do you find yourself in this narrative? It appears that we all carry a bit of both James and Louis within us, doesn’t it? Is it truly worthwhile to lead a life centered solely on personal happiness—one that fades as quickly as our existence, like a flickering lighter running out of fuel, leaving nothing behind but a memory? Or should we strive to stay deeply connected to the social fabric, considering what will endure after we’re gone?

Finally, Louis asked, “Are you happy with the life you’ve led? What are you leaving behind? What is your contribution during your time on Earth?” James replied, “Honestly, I’ve left almost nothing behind me. And what about you? Do you really think anyone cares about the effort you put into society?” With that, James didn't wait for an answer, he just turned around and walked away with a smirk. He went to his cold, empty home. Louis stood there for a moment before shaking his head, resigned to the realization that there was nothing he could do to change James. Louis headed to the social bar at the nursing home.

Toni Font Bardolet, Aberdeen 19/10/2024

Cognitive Overload

  

Cognitive Overload

Jack: "Why did it take you so long to confess?"

Shon: "I don't know; I guess I was scared."

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    An ordinary Friday for Peter, Jack, Shon, Jacob, and Paul took an exciting turn this winter evening as snow blanketed their little town of Greenstone. This added a special thrill for these young post-teenagers. After playing their punk music at the small venue provided by the council for the town's youth, they headed to Barni's pub to enjoy some sandwiches and drinks.

As the night went on, a magical aura enveloped the boys, drawing them out of the pub and into the town center. They had a 5-liter plastic container of calimotxo (a mix of red wine and Coca-Cola) that the bar attendant had agreed to make for them at a reasonable price. They were all in high spirits, singing punk songs and laughing at their current jokes.

The snow on the streets was dirty and almost melted, but in a locked park with a football pitch, the snow remained a pristine white. Paul encouraged his friends to jump the locked fence and play on the snowy pitch. They quickly set up a game: Jacob was the goalkeeper, Peter and Shon were one team, and Jack and Paul were the other. Using the now-empty container as the ball, they played as they had many times before, with the first team to score three goals winning.

Shon, having less football skill and patience, was always quick to tackle his opponents. He started a friendly tussle with Jack, and the slippery snow made it even more fun. As they wrestled on the snowy pitch, a blue light suddenly illuminated the white snow—it was a police car on the other side of the fence. Seeing the light, Peter, Jacob, and Paul bolted to escape on the opposite side of the park. However, it was too late for Shon and Jack; the police recognized them by name. There was no point in escaping since everyone knew each other in their small town.

During the ride to the police station, Jack stared fixedly at the car roof with a "why me?" expression, determined to get out of the station as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Shon couldn't focus his gaze anywhere, constantly shifting and switching his thoughts. The police officer on duty at the station, Helen Robinson, decided to apply protocol D-2 for these two young men. This meant they would be interrogated separately by different agents at the same time, and afterward, the officers would compare the information they had gathered.

Officer Neil takes a statement from Jack:

Neil: Hi Jack, what were you doing in the locked park at that time of night?

Jack: We were just having fun playing football in the snow with a plastic container as a ball. Why did you take us here? You know who we are, where we live, and who our parents are. I can even tell you the names of those who escaped. I’m not worried because we did nothing wrong, and you know it.

Neil: Yes, we know who you are, but if the council locks a public place for a reason, it must be respected. You didn’t respect that.

Jack: Fine, give me a fine if you want, but there’s no reason to treat us like criminals. There’s nothing valuable to steal or break, and we weren’t bothering anyone. We were alone. Just let me go. I have nothing else to say.

Neil: Ok, thank you, Jack.

Officer Chris takes a statement from Shon:

Chris: Hi Shon, what were you doing in the locked park at that time of night?

Shon: I was with Jack having a chat.

Chris: But we saw other people running away. Who were they?

Shon: I don’t know; I didn’t pay attention to them.

Chris: So, where were the rest of your group, Paul, Jacob, and the others you’re always with?

Shon: Maybe at Barni’s pub. Yeah, I guess so.

Chris: Why were you two having a chat in a locked park?

Shon: Um... well, maybe for privacy.

...(and the questioning continued for quite a while)...

Shon was overwhelmed by many thoughts, caught between his loyalty to friends and his desire to be a good citizen—values that seemed irrelevant in his current situation. This cognitive overload prevented him from realizing, as Jack did, that they hadn’t done anything seriously wrong. There was no real need to withhold his friends' names or worry about being a good citizen in this context.

When Jack finished his declaration, he had to wait a long time for Shon to complete his, even though they had started simultaneously. When Shon finally emerged from the adjoining room, Jack asked, "Why did it take you so long to confess?"

"I don't know; I guess I was scared," Shon responded.

"Oh mate! You're absolutely mental," Jack commented resigned.

Toni Font Bardolet, Aberdeen 19/07/2024