What makes an alchemist?

[Lawliet]

'lo, people.

I'm an 18-year-old from somewhere in the north of England. Despite my name being rather feminine, I am in fact male. ;P

I know this is probably a risky statement to make, but I think of myself as an actual alchemist as opposed to a studier of alchemy or someone with a curiosity. I was first briefly "introduced" when I was 9 years of youth. I believe the universe contacted me (it's often stated that the universe reveals a person's "fate" to them at a young age) via a medium it knew I'd pay attention to - that being... video games, seeing as I didn't/don't watch much TV or read books. The game in question was a Zork sequel which features alchemical symbolism & I remember that game moving me in a way that I still don't understand. After a 4- or 5-year break, I was once again reminded of alchemy through another computer game (the legendary Shadow Hearts series) which sparked my interest to seek material to study. As luck should have it, my anger management counsellor at the time had several alchemy books in his library which he was happy to lend to me.

My obsession with computers and technology in general should be obvious by now. I'm a low-level programmer (strangely enough, low-level programmers are more skilled than high-level programmers) and somewhat of an engineer. I'd say I'm also more of a philosopher and an analyst than a studier or practitioner in relation to most things. In my eyes, even analyzing alchemy makes you a part of it... hence the "I'm an alchemist" claim. I think I'll create a new thread on my theories after I've posted this.

So... that's me. Alchemist, hacker and -- in the eyes of most -- whackjob. Lookin' forward to meeting heads with you all.

[BeautifulEvil]

Hi, welcome to the board Lawliet.

My obsession with computers and technology in general should be obvious by now. I'm a low-level programmer (strangely enough, low-level programmers are more skilled than high-level programmers) and somewhat of an engineer.

That's really cool because I am also a programmer. I do alot of work with C/C++, Java, PHP, and Perl. I guess you work with assembly right?

I think I'll create a new thread on my theories after I've posted this.

You seem fairly intelligent -- I'll be looking forward to reading your thread.

So... that's me. Alchemist, hacker and -- in the eyes of most -- whackjob. Lookin' forward to meeting heads with you all.

Ditto!

[MythMath]

Welcome...

Congratulations on your 'early warning' of your life's work...

[Lawliet]

Thanks to both of you for the warmth.

BeautifulEvil: Most of my coding is done in x86 assembly, aye. Some say it's counter-productive, but I'm actually more comfortable working with opcodes and the difference in development time isn't great enough for me to worry about. Have you ever looked into ASM in any depth? Even if you don't use it, there're ways in which it can improve high-level programming. I guess that only really appeals if you're as fanatical about performance as I am. (Might be better to take this to PM, according to the forum rules.)

[deviadah]

Welcome to ALCHEMY FORUMS!

[sleeveless]

Welcome!!!!!

[LadyHydralisk]

I understand your story completely. (Or I percieve that I do)

Welcome to Alchemy Forums.

[m1thr0s]

Alchemists are the original *hackers* so that's no big shocker...disassembers...reassemblers...reverse engineers...all that stuff. Alchemy has been called an *essentialist* philosophy which is only partially correct, depending upon your interpretation of the term *essentialism*, but in the broadest sense of the term this is almost certainly true. They tend to believe that a thing can best be understood by understanding its compositional components and improved upon by reconfiguring those components at will.

Alchemists are typically willing to "rush-in" where science fears to tread...another aspect of alchemy separating it from Chemistry per se. Alchemists routinely treat matters of Spirit the same as matters of Matter, using only Nature and Common Sense (else Intuition) as Counselor and Guide. It is primarily Alchemy that harps on there being no fundamental difference between Mind and Matter not accountable as a difference of Vibration alone.

Ultimately there must be a very long list of little warning signs that you may have contracted this (usually fatal) condition called Alchemy. It is true that there is not just one kind of Alchemy for instance, but all forms of Alchemy are aggressively involved with the business of Hacking...Hackers is what we Are. And if the Soul itself can be hacked...it'll be Alchemists that do the hacking. Everybody else will either be too timid or too muddle-headed to manage the job correctly. Some things require the services of a professional.

m1thr0s

[LadyHydralisk]

you better believe it

boot up or shut up

hahahahah

[deviadah]

It is primarily Alchemy that harps on there being no fundamental difference between Mind and Matter not accountable as a difference of Vibration alone.

I like it when something that can fill an A4 fits in one sentence alone!

It is true that there is not just one kind of Alchemy for instance, but all forms of Alchemy are aggressively involved with the business of Hacking...

This is why I feel that Alchemy and Anarchy have so much in common... and of course I am talking about the essence of anarchy, not these leftist scum running around throwing bottles at cops.

This essence is the notion not to rule, nor be ruled, by no other than oneself over no other than oneself. Alchemy does not impose its power on anybody else. This is an essential facet!

When most religions often impose their will on its followers alchemy does not, and alchemy can be viewed as a religion!

A religion is a set of common beliefs and practices generally held by a group of people, often codified as prayer, ritual, and religious law. Religion also encompasses ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as personal faith and mystic experience. - wikipedia

I've really been into trying to adopt Alchemy into quantum theory... let's get a thread going on this:
Quantum Theory & Alchemy

[highvision]

yeah, im still in high school, and studying web design. my web site is on alchemy, and thats kinda how i found this. i like alchemy and symbolism. my symbol: ivy, my element: aether.

[deviadah]

yeah...

Create your own introduction thread instead of hijacking Lawliet's!

[BeautifulEvil]

I think you scared the poor soul away!

[deviadah]

Lawliet too it seems...

[goldenfolden]

just becuase people think you are something doesnt mean you really are, after all i dont remeber when we were all at the same place,. anything ever being brougth up that people were going to do their own things, but i think it is ok for any body to try and study something they saw someone else doing first

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