#thecupsmith writes

[thecupsmith]

[thecupsmith]

Is "The Incal" prototype Philip J. Fry?

So, I finished reading The Incal and I noticed some...parallels that no one else appears to be talking about.

This is John Difool, protagonist of 1980 trippy french sci-fi adventure The Incal, written by Alejandro Jodorowsky and illustrated by Jean Giraud (aka Mœbius).

He is a private detective and one of the most important people in the universe, anointed by celestial powers save the human race, die and be revived multiple times, and has witnessed the destruction and recreation of the universe multiple times.

Despite this, he something of a coward and a hedonist, only wanting to drink, smoke, and get laid. The only thing really motivates him to rise to his potential is best friend, a concrete seagull and his on again off again girlfriend, who he met in a sewer.

Contrast this with Philip J. Fry, protagonist of 1999 animated sci-fi comedy television show Futurama, created by Matt Groening.

He is a delivery boy and also one of the most important people in the universe, being anointed by fate to save the human race, die and be revived multiple times, and has witnessed the destruction and recreation of the universe multiple times.

Despite this, he is generally a slob who is only interested in drinking, eating, watching TV, and trying to get laid.

The only thing that really motivates him to rise to his potential is his girlfriend, who originally came from a sewer.

Also, his original best friend is also a dog made out of rock.

I don't see anyone else talking about this parallel, but now that I see it I can't unsee it and it adds a whole new extra layer to my readings of both Futurama and The Incal.

[thecupsmith]

Modern fantasy idea:

So there's this idea in modern occultism called Lemuria which is often treated as this lost advanced civilization that (depending on the telling) was equal to/at war with/proceeded/descended from Atlantis and some people to claim they are part Lemurian, a reincarnated Lemurian, or have Lemurian knowledge.

But the thing is, the concept of Lemuria started out as a legitimate 19th century scientific theory trying to explain why there are lemurs in both India and Madagascar. The idea was there was once a land mass connecting the two, the lemurs crossed it, then the land mass drifted away or sunk and became lost (they didn't fully understand tectonic plates at the time). The occultists just took the name and the idea of a "lost land" and made up the rest.

But what if both are true? Lemuria was a real advanced lost civilization with hidden knowledge that can tip the scales in the great modern spiritual conflict, but the residents are also hyper advanced lemurs.

[thecupsmith]

I worship the best god, Placebo! His powers are so far reaching all other miracles and effects must first be checked that they did not actually come from him.

[thecupsmith]

I am the village idiot. Not in the derogatory sense though. Rather, in the sense that my foolishness is considered a local utility, I am owned collectively by the village, and my services can be reserved in 1-4 hour increments at the library or county office.

[thecupsmith]

I've been thinking about going back for my PhD some day to try to change the system from within.

Is revenge a good reason to pursue an advanced degree?