My Raiden Manifesto

[Abishai100]

I'm a big fan of video-games (even though I'm approaching 40), and one of my favorite video game franchises is Mortal Kombat which boasts the unusual and mighty Oriental god of lightning Raiden (a martial arts master who can control the forces of electric energy).

Raiden symbolizes all of the greatness (IMO) of modern consumerism floweries including culture exposure, and while Raiden (being a combat-avatar) is not exactly a 'diplomat' of the Orient, he certainly draws attention to the intrigue of Eastern cultures (plus, he's a terrific warrior and declared 'master' of Mortal Kombat tournaments!).

So for my 39th birthday (June 13th), I will purchase the MKX game for my PS4 and play with Raiden and think about Oriental mythology (is 'Orient' still a PC term?)...

Besides, isn't some of the 'pedestrian charm' of our capitalism-subjective and consumerism-hyped 'TrumpUSA' a little bit of 'video-game euphoria?


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RAIDEN: I control all electric energy.
TRUMP: That's bad news for Facebook users, eh?
RAIDEN: I do not intend to create turbulence on the Internet...
TRUMP: Why are you boasting about your 'mastery' of electricity then?
RAIDEN: I'm a master of lightning, not consumer electronics!
TRUMP: Hey, it's all electrons to me...
RAIDEN: My only rivals in the Mortal Kombat universe are Kung Lao, Reptile, Sub-Zero, and Kotal Kahn.
TRUMP: I hear Leatherface is a new warrior-avatar in the game Mortal Kombat X.
RAIDEN: Leatherface is a real menace and a chainsaw-wielding ghoul, but he does not reign over electricity.
TRUMP: Well, his power-tool is certainly 'energized.'
RAIDEN: Youngsters today like using Leatherface as a combat-avatar...
TRUMP: Can you defeat Leatherface?
RAIDEN: You can't wield a power-tool without accepting the humility created by lightning, my friend.
TRUMP: I'm not your friend, I'm the U.S. President!
RAIDEN: And a former owner of the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey!
TRUMP: You know of my casino? Are you a fan of gambling?
RAIDEN: I see no philosophical problem with amateur blackjack/roulette...
TRUMP: Are you a fan of the Hollywood film Casino (Robert De Niro)?
RAIDEN: Yes(!), and I'm also a fan of online MKX tournaments and gameplay (but I prefer homeplay).
TRUMP: Well, enjoy your complementary TrumpUSA 'tasty cup' of Starbucks coffee my Asian-god friend...

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RAIDEN:

 

[Abishai100]

Dystopia

I like the various female warriors in the Mortal Kombat franchise such as Sindel, Kitana, Sonya Blade, and Mileena.

I especially like Mileena (a vicious clone of Kitana), since she represents feminine rage and therefore serves as a perfect 'dystopian foil' for the energized Raiden.

I wonder what First Lady Melania Trump thinks of 'video-game religion.'

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MILEENA: The battle realms in our universe are governed by Machiavellian profit.
RAIDEN: That's what people cynical of Starbucks and 'TrumpUSA' think.
MILEENA: Are you a huge fan of First Lady Melania Trump?
RAIDEN: I think she's beautiful but may be treated as a 'token.'
MILEENA: Her husband will be a 'lame-duck,' if he follows a useless rendition of the flawed Reaganomics.
RAIDEN: What do you care about consumerism and capitalism, Mileena?
MILEENA: I'm a clone of Kitana, so I care about investments in science (especially investments by politicians).
RAIDEN: Do you think President Trump cares about science?
MILEENA: I only wonder if he cares enough about renewable energy (e.g., wind energy).
RAIDEN: America will have to keep pace with OPEC (e.g., Algeria), which are investing heavily in wind farms.
MILEENA: If President Trump continues with his questionable comments in the media, he'll be censored.
RAIDEN: I hope criticisms of Donald Trump do not land on Melania Trump.
MILEENA: Well, we have video-games to worry about...
RAIDEN: Yes, well, Microsoft has done well with the Xbox.
MILEENA: I think sentient beings care about the division of gender, since it symbolizes power...
RAIDEN: I wonder what Melania Trump thinks of Herman Melville's "The Lightning-rod Man."

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