Mr. Tact wrote on Feb 14, 2017, 00:21:

Cutter wrote on Feb 13, 2017, 23:44:
You say that like it's a bad thing.

Lulz, my immediate thought -- "What is sex magic?"

Goggle says...

"Sex magic (sometimes spelled sex magick) is any type of sexual activity used in magical, ritualistic or otherwise religious and spiritual pursuits. One practice of sex magic is using the energy of sexual arousal or orgasm with visualization of a desired result. A premise of sex magic is the concept that sexual energy is a potent force that can be harnessed to transcend one's normally perceived reality."

its not just a modern concept, its been around for quite a while

perhaps made most famous in India during the medieval era by a diverse group of tantrikas often referred to collectively as the "mahasiddhas"

while the modern idea of "tantra" is a mostly fictional commercialized bastardization of these practices, the actual rituals of sexual meditation were certainly quite real (among many others like ritual intoxication, ritual cannibalism, etc)

in fact they probably go back much further, as the Siddhartha Guatama (the Buddha himself) references spiritual paths of extreme hedonism (around 400 BC).. and of course in the West we have the classical tradition of the Cult of Dionysus which is another example

VaranDragon wrote on Feb 14, 2017, 04:31:
Can someone explain to me why you need to unlock your phone at the border?

The same reason the TSA asks you to remove your shoes at the airport, the illusion of security.

Can someone explain to me why you need to unlock your phone at the border? AFAIK phones have not yet replaced identity cards and passports. They got a tip from the NSA that he posts stupid cat memes? What?

A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone.

Although it doesn't seem to be the case THIS time, JPL employees often have company issued phones that contain confidential or restricted information. Both the owner of the phone (for revealing) and the customs officer (for coercing) could be opening themselves up to prosecution under the States Secret Protection Act.

Mr. Tact wrote on Feb 14, 2017, 00:21:

Cutter wrote on Feb 13, 2017, 23:44:
You say that like it's a bad thing.

Lulz, my immediate thought -- "What is sex magic?"

Goggle says...

"Sex magic (sometimes spelled sex magick) is any type of sexual activity used in magical, ritualistic or otherwise religious and spiritual pursuits. One practice of sex magic is using the energy of sexual arousal or orgasm with visualization of a desired result. A premise of sex magic is the concept that sexual energy is a potent force that can be harnessed to transcend one's normally perceived reality."

Such as... the creation of life?

Cutter wrote on Feb 13, 2017, 23:44:
You say that like it's a bad thing.

Lulz, my immediate thought -- "What is sex magic?"

Goggle says...

"Sex magic (sometimes spelled sex magick) is any type of sexual activity used in magical, ritualistic or otherwise religious and spiritual pursuits. One practice of sex magic is using the energy of sexual arousal or orgasm with visualization of a desired result. A premise of sex magic is the concept that sexual energy is a potent force that can be harnessed to transcend one's normally perceived reality."

Agent-Zero wrote on Feb 13, 2017, 21:00:
fun fact: One of the original founders of the JPL was Jack Parsons, a devout follower of Aleister Crowley. He enjoyed practicing sex magic, studying occultism, and performing elaborate esoteric rituals of questionable repute.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Two weeks ago, Sidd Bikkannavar flew back into the United States after spending a few weeks abroad in South America. An employee of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Bikkannavar had been on a personal trip, pursuing his hobby of racing solar-powered cars.

fun fact: One of the original founders of the JPL was Jack Parsons, a devout follower of Aleister Crowley. He enjoyed practicing sex magic, studying occultism, and performing elaborate esoteric rituals of questionable repute. He also had an apprentice magician training under him named L. Ron Hubbard. After L. Ron ran off with Jack's mistress (who was his wifes sister) they defrauded him of his life savings. A few years later he died from an explosion in his home laboratory at age 37.