Offer Your Humanity: 3 Prescriptions for Zombie-fied Mental States
■ Self-Observation: Introduction to Facial Zombie Studies
On my way home today, I looked at my reflection in the train window and thought:
“Who is this creature with hair pasted onto a hollow shell?”
No, it was me.
My eyes are dead. My face has logged out.
It was after a night where even taking a bath felt like a chore, and I ate white rice with soy sauce while crying.
My complexion is somehow “#ZombieGray.” Not even Photoshop could save it.
I thought, “I haven't recovered my soul.”
I can only conclude that my humanity has naturally evaporated.
In technical terms, this is the “Humanity Transpiration Phenomenon” (*a made-up term).
■ Metaphorical Thinking: An Attempt to Apply the Game 'Dark Souls' to Daily Life
Are you familiar with the game 'Dark Souls'?
It’s fine if you aren’t. It’s actually better for those who don’t know (because there’s room for me to evangelize).
In this game, the protagonist is in a state of “dying but not staying dead.”
In other words, it’s like working at a black company whether you’re asleep or awake.
Moreover, every time you die, your “Humanity” decreases.
Your expression dies, your skin gets rough, and your eyes become vacant—
Wait, that’s me today.
However, there is good news.
In the game, there is an item called “Humanity,”
and if you use it, a fire is lit, and light returns to your face.
I wish they sold this in reality. A pack of Humanity (10 count).
■ The Mechanism of Humanity Erosion in Modern Society
The “three days of conversation consisting only of ‘good work’” phenomenon
The “communicating with the floor before taking off clothes after getting home” incident
The “seeing myself in the mirror as an ‘emissary of nothingness’” experience
These events are signs that your humanity meter is at zero.
By being constantly exposed to the radiation of extroversion emitted by society,
we gradually degenerate into “creatures less than zombies.”
*Individual differences apply, but an average of one zombie-fication per week is reported (according to our company research).
■ Brain Stop Button: “Not Thinking” is a High-Difficulty Skill
"Let's stay positive!"
"It's okay, tomorrow will surely be a better day!"
—Yeah, forced logout.
Positive words have become nothing more than spells.
When they're cast, my MP drops. How strange!
That's why I want to say this.
"Time spent not thinking" is the ultimate skill for recovering one's humanity.
And that's where today's prescription comes in—manga.
If you can laugh, you're probably still alive.
Your brain is revived by laughter.
A smile creates room in your heart.
Let's go with that logic.
◆ Prescription 1: "Sweetness and Lightning" (Gido Amagakure)
Effect: A meal is a soup of humanity.
A father, his daughter, and a high school girl just making meals.
But that "just" is warm enough to make you cry.
Cutting vegetables. Cooking them. Tasting and laughing.
Was all of that just rehabilitation for my humanity...!
You gain that confidence. Freshly cooked rice is hope.
◆ Prescription 2: "The Vampire Dies in No Time" (Itaru Bonnoki)
Effect: The concept of life and death becomes irrelevant.
The vampire dies in a second. And then comes back to life immediately.
This rhythm is the perfect cremation beat for your mental state.
He dies so much you just think, "Died again? Whatever."
Yes, when even death turns into a gag, reality starts to look a bit better.
You get a philosophical illusion that "isn't just being alive pretty amazing?"
In other words, existence affirmed through gags.
◆ Prescription 3: "Limit OL Kiriko Kirigiri" (Mai Arata)
Effect: OS bugs out and freezes -> successful reboot.
The protagonist is an office worker with zero expression.
When she hits her limit, her perception bugs out and she enters another world.
But it's funny. For some reason, it's funny.
I completely empathize with the depiction of her brain being dominated by "fatty tuna bread."
After reading, you get a refreshing feeling like, "I laughed, but my memory flew away."
Side effect: You'll suddenly want to eat bread afterward.
■ Society, please just be quiet for a moment (a cry from the heart)
"Be positive!" "Cheer up!" "Smile~♪"
—Those words are in a communication state where I can't receive them right now.
But when I read a silly gag manga and
let out a little laugh, a spark was lit deep in my soul.
Yes, humanity has not gone extinct yet.
■ A final word: To you who are on the verge of becoming a zombie
You laughed a little today.
Just by that, you're probably still on this side of "okay."
Humanity may diminish, but it recovers through laughter.
Being able to say stupid things with a straight face is also proof that you're alive.
…It was as if a single bonfire had been lit inside my heart.
So—
Don't offer up your humanity. Take it back with laughter.
Toppin-parari no pu
#OfferUpYourHumanity
#MentalRecovery
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