Welcome to the sci-fi fantasy electronic and alternative opera... I'm a secular Atheist/Agnostic that leans toward Buddhism and Taoism, but I do eat meat and fish. Chicken, pork and seafood mostly, but every once in a while I eat beef. I don't play guitar and I've never owned a guitar in my life, but they certainly sound good in the hands of a skilled player. Nobody has black skin, and nobody has white skin and no two people have *exactly* the same skin colour and that's a scientific fact: *everyone* has an entirely unique skin colour.

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Canada. True North Strong And Free. Free As in Friends. English. French. Multinational. We bicker with heart and very much so with a future for all in mind..

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Gaming Industry Layoffs...


About a week ago, I read about the layoffs at Bethesda/Zenimax and Blizzard, with developers like id Software being devastatingly affected by Microsoft's XBox division layoffs, though it wasn't until very recently that I decided to speak about the issue.


Ironically, I had been looking for any signs of an old Doom/Doom2 editor that I'd used way back in the 1990s to create maps for Doom and Doom2 classic. Back in those days, there was already a very active modding community, a few years before Windows 95 hit the store shelves, in a time when most of us were working in Dos.


It still feels very unreal to me that all of these advancements in realtime rendering technology were first being developed in the gaming front, and all without the benefit of third party GPUs. There was definitely a video card market, though there was no adherence amongst video card manufacturers targeting the gaming market, to any particular 3D API (Application Programming Interface) at that time.


id Software had developed rendering technology back in the 1990s that did not require accelerator hardware, and ran on PC compatibles (and Apple Mac Plus/SE) with as little as 4 MB (not Gibabytes, Megabytes). Most of their optimizations had little to do with drawing to the screen and were more focused on scene culling, a process by which the software quickly determines what is visible within the confines of the first person camera's frustum, hence reducing significantly the transformations of  geometry to pixels that are drawn to the screen. 

Their second big advance involved binary space partitioning, which is basically a binary tree database of all sectors visible from the current line of site. These two advances allowed id Software's 3D engine to spend very little time drawing, giving the CPU a lot more time to deal with other aspects of their games, like enemy/ally AI, pathfinding and the sound/music engine.


Most of these advances, especially their implementation of binary space partitioning were cutting edge technology of the day, and eventually helped create the market for dedicated gaming GPUs. The very same market that has made the recent advances in AI possible.


I guess that's why its so hard to believe that such layoffs were necessary, especially considering that these companies that were affected had effectively been involved in these advances since the early days of pre-GPU and internet gaming. These industries would simply not have existed (as early) without the market forces driving the gaming industry. These forces created entire sectors dedicated to network infrastructure and hardware acceleration that eventually became the hardware running modern AI.


Read John Carmack's and John Romero's thoughts on the layoffs.


Don't these people deserve a reprieve in the sense that they were carrying the torch for those same early developers from the old days, and creating a bold new territory into which the future of gaming will certainly find itself.


Of course, its easy for me to say, as the money to support them isn't coming entirely out of my pocket, but it is partly, as a gamer. My hardware purchases, although not entirely about gaming, do contribute to that market, and even more so my purchases of entertainment titles.


Perhaps one way that we can help markets is by supporting them through quick and convenient means like cloud gaming. Basically, that doesn't require a powerhouse computer. Basically all it requires is a streaming video capable laptop or desktop, a reasonably fast internet connection (enough to play video as I stated), and to be signed up with a service that has cloud games, like XBox Gamepass Ultimate, Amazon Luna or NVidia GeForce Now (their cloud, your games) and most importantly, a little bit of our time.


I realize that there has to be a market to support these employees, but perhaps Microsoft is acting too quickly? Remember, that when the market indicates an upturn in revenue, that it takes time to rebuild development teams, and for the team members to gel. Taking drastic measures like layoffs often has long term consequences, especially limiting how a company can quickly manouevre to take advantage of sudden spikes in market growth.


Regardless, it is sad to hear about when that sort of thing happens, but maybe with the proliferation of successful indy companies that have a significant share of the gaming industry, these employees might find solace amongst young companies who have the same pioneering spirit as did id Software, Epic Mega Games, Apogee, 3D Realms and Potomac Computer Systems back in the old days.


Updates and other news

I had a chance last night to post a few comments on the videos of old friends and colleagues, including one video by my old friend Steve Vitali (him and I used to jam when I was 13), and Peter Falconeri (the bass player from our late 1980s rock/alt rock band: The Act, in which I was the piano/keyboard player).


New content on its way, as more big changes, though we're still a bit of a ways off from that. Enjoy your weekend and see you again on Monday!


I am Brian Joseph Johns and this is Shhhh! Digital Media at https://www.shhhhdigital.com or https://www.shhhhdigital.ca in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at 200 Sherbourne Street Suite 701.


Click image for contact information...

Friday, July 10, 2026

JULY 11, 2026 - ETA 12:00 EST - UNITED STELLAR COLONIAL MARINE DEPLOYMENT - LV-426 : COLONY SIGINT COMMUNICATIONS LOST

PROCEED DEPLOYMENT

2ND BATTALION - BRAVO TEAM

TOUCHDOWN ETA T-MINUS 24:00



Shhhh! Digital Media Presents... Aliens: Aeolus (Updated July 10, 2026 18:00 EST - More new content and story added)


On The Existing Aliens Sequels


One such sequel is Alien 3 [On Disney+], directed by David Fincher, which in and of itself was a failure of the studio execs to understand their fan base [On Strange Shapes] and who also failed to protect the investment that fans had made in the two characters that got ix-nayed in the beginning of the film. A fact that was not the director's or crew's fault, and you can learn more about that situation by hearing details of what went down from Corporal Hicks performance actor Michael Biehn [On Just Foolin' About - Michael Biehn on Hicks' Death in Alien 3]. In a sense, it was very much as if the studio execs were trying to finish off Burke's plan from Aliens, from beyond the fourth wall. Fincher and crew made the best movie they could with the material the studio had approved, but ut left many fans of the franchise outraged.


The second potential sequel was originally written by Neuromancer [On Penguin Random House] [On Apple TV] writer: William Gibson, who coined the term cyberspace. Gibson penned a script that was eventually adapted into a comic book and audio book that preserves the four surviving characters from the end of the movie Aliens but that was ultimately rejected in favour of the Alien 3 movie that we received. You can listen to [On Audible] or read William Gibson's Alien 3 in comic book format [On Dark Horse].


Director Neil Blomkamp had prepared an original sequel for Aliens, that would have retconned both Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection [On Disney+], however, during development, the project was canned when it was indicated  by Ridley Scott that he would be working on a prequel called Alien: Convenant. You can find out more about Blomkamp's proposed Aliens sequel here [On YouTube], or you can catch up with him and his work on his latest projects under Oats Studios [On YouTube].


The fourth potential runner-up sequel? It might be this one, here that is currently a work in progress.


That's coming from a guy whose father, the day after having seen the movie Alien [On Disney+] at the theatres (back in 1976), came home from work and gifted me this graphic novel because I was too young to see the rated-r movie at the theatres at that time. 


Thankfully, reading the graphic novelization didn't turn me into a serial killer, though it might have made me into a cereal killer, because as I recall, I ate an entire box of Shreddies by myself as I read the graphic novel that day.


Brian Joseph Johns






Are you a fan of the absolute bad asses of the United Stellar Colonial Marines?

Play Aliens: Dark Ascent [On Steam] [On Epic]


Looking to try your merit as Ellen Ripley's daughter, Seegson Engineer Amanda as she takes on the legacy of the xenomorph?

Play Alien: Isolation [On Steam] [On Epic] [On GOG]


The Alien Legacy continues...

Watch Alien: Earth and the complete Alien collection [On Disney+]


Looking to keep up with the retro and latest of the ACTION and SCI-FI greats?


Chapters

  1. Activation (Finished December 24, 2025 18:00 EST)
  2. Alienation (Finished April 3, 2026 12:15 EST)
  3. ASPHODEL (Finished April 4, 2026 11:30 EST)
  4. Aeolus (Finished July 8, 2026 20:30 EST)
  5. Actuation (Finished July 9, 2026 19:00 EST)
  6. Accidental Architecture (Started July 10, 2026)

Monday, July 6, 2026

Happy Belated 4th of July

I must appologize for my tardiness with regard to my happy 4th of July wishes, but its been a very busy and stressful week. However, not so much so that I can't take a moment and wish my readers from the United States a most happy 4th of July, and a great month as well.


Thank you very much for, with the help of many other nations around the world, making this web site, which is nothing more than a collection of words and images, as popular as it is. I think that its pretty awesome that we can celebrate our collective birthdays as nations, during a time when we've really diverged in terms of realizing our nations' ties, throughout Europe, into Asia, and around the world.

Brian Joseph Johns


There's lots more to come.





Friday, July 3, 2026

Shhhh! Digital Media Presents... The Butterfly Dragon: Heroes of our Own Reimagined: Episode 13 - The Dragons Rise (Finished July 3, 2026 22:30 EST)

Remember, in the midst of updates currently under way at Shhhh! Digital Media, if the domain suddenly isn't available (you can't access the website), use this hostname url: https://shhhhdigitalmedia.blogspot.com.

Brian Joseph Johns.




Do you want to be a fashion or outfit designer?



You are an inspired student of Wing Tsun who has ascended to protect the teachings of your temple...

Play Sifu [On Steam] [On Epic]


You are a champion martial artist, representing your fellow humanity in an eternal competition to the death... FIGHT and Finish him!

Play Mortal Kombat 1 [On Steam] [On Epic]


Want to pick your champion and style and then bout against the other greats of martial arts?

Play Shaolin versus Wutang [On Steam]
Play Kings of Kung Fu [On Steam]


Wanna be a Captain or Admiral?




Warning: This episode deals with sensitive topics and is intended for a mature audience. Reader discretion is definitely advised.

For your information, the character Helayne Ying aka the Butterfly Dragon, she's Chinese, not Filipino with all due respect, though in one episode of Two Butterflies, there is a tribute to the superhero Darna.

Dragon Butterfly is Japanese and soon to make her first appearance in this new series...

Chapters

  1. Lefrange - Le Danters - Le Farnham (Finished June 24, 2026)
  2. The Dragons Awaken (Finished June 25, 2026)
  3. Warehouse Warpath (Finished July 2, 2026)
  4. Harbourfront Blockade (Started July 2, 2026)

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Writing, Culture And One's Personal Life...

Greetings and salutations.

I'm Brian Joseph Johns, aka Shhhh! Digital Media.


I wanted to discuss another issue, and one that might make some people uncomfortable. I seem to excel at doing so, while confronting the kinds of things that most people don't want to face, or believe they have a grasp of, only to find out that they don't truly understand that into which they delve.


The politics of writing fantasy fiction that involves other worldly cultures can sometimes be quite aggressive, and have a very vicious dynamic. Though I try to keep those aspects from my writing, and rarely use my writing as a personal vent, when it comes down to everything, my words are mostly what I have. They're based upon nearly sixty years of life experience, from near the top at one time, to right near the bottom at another time, and everywhere in between.


I'm not part of any religion that discards one's life once they convert, and then cannabilizes their history and hands that history out to other members of the religion. So, for instance, I was suddenly born in 2022, or at some other fictitious point that others assume that I converted to any such religion, because I never did. I've steadily been dedicated to the road of agnostic secular atheism and leaning toward Budhism and Taoism since around late 2005. At that time, or any time before, I did not lose the entirety of my history to anyone else. So my memories and experiences, are still in tact and part of my life, and despite what most people seem to believe, if you don't have your experiences recorded on video, that doesn't mean that they never happened. If that was the case, then everyone's ancestry would essentially disappear, because how many people before 1930 are on film? Still or moving pictures? I just wanted to touch upon that, as it would explain a lot of how I know what I know. I've lived nearly an entire life.


Secondly, writing a story that bridges worldly cultural tradition with modern day fantasy, sci-fi or action can be challenging. Even daunting, especially when dealing with the movement toward authenticity, which unfortunately is more and more becoming a weapon against expression. In all truth, if it were fully enforced, there would be no books at all, or none that explored ideas that didn't already exist, and that only included aspects of the author's environment and identity. Women could only write books with women characters, and male authors about male characters. I doubt fiction would even continue to exist. We'd lose the better part of an artistic inspiration that has connections to every single human achievement there was ever been, while some of the greatest achievements arose from the minds of truly creative and imaginative scientists, whose minds were not restrained by ideas like authenticity.


Thirdly, and this has to do with a person's private life, especially those of authors or content creators, and especially with regard to their intimacy and sexuality. There are groups out there, many of them criminal in nature, though most that I've encountered are zealous bigots or political opportunists who simply use a person's sexual secrets as weapons against them, and to implore others away from such persons.


As I've stated, my love interest is Southeast Asian, and my last girlfriend is Korean, a short but serious relationship and before that, I was seriously involved with a Chinese woman. In both cases, they were stalked by other citizens as a means to keep them away from me, on the basis of my being a light-skinned Canadian Welsh person. A particularly racist relgious ideology was against my being romantically involved in that direction, and the same group still has their tendrils in many situations with regard to my life in that matter. Something I'm currently dealing with in via legal means.


From a political standpoint, the members of this and other connected ideologies have been trying to paint me as if I'm a cultural rapist of sorts, because of my intimate appreciation of Southeast Asian women, and quite often content that celebrates that and one of the greatest joys of our existence. Our sexuality.


Information like this about a person is a great weapon when used out of context and without the complete picture of what is actually going on. For instance, these groups who collect such information and perhaps some form of monitoring of my devices, which I don't really feel the need to hide, though it only reveals to me how voyeuristic some religious ideologies actually are. I wouldn't put their motivations beyond yoyeurism. Its voyeurism, that uses the information gathered about a person as a political weapon against them, and in order to turn the very cultures they depict and protect against them, because such groups now see the political merit in maintaining strong cultural ties throughout the globe, though I've found these groups who do this purely for that sort of gain, to really not give a sh#t about the cultures they're trying to loop into their ploy.


Imagine you're part of a culture whose history goes back thousands of years. You've setup a mostly isolated civilization on a large island just off of one of the largest continents. Through millennia, you've developed your own unique and distinct culture, that embraces many extremes, that other cultures either speak about in hushed tones, or outright sweep under the carpet in denial if ever confronted with such ideas.


A thousand years later, and that culture in terms of identity, is one of the strongest and most recognizable througout the world, and I hope with all my heart, unapologetically so. Then, a group on the other side of the world decide that your ways go entirely against their morality and their religion. They start a secretive movement to alter those sorts of activities in other countries that violate their religious ideas, and they attract a lot of people of a similar inclination, who grew up believing that they understood the true nature of innocence, when in fact, they're truly the destroyers thereof.


They show up on the shores of this country in the day and age of social media, and social video sites, and begin behaving like idiots in public in this country of thousands of years of continous history, cutting them down about all of their aspects, and secretly taking jabs at aspects of their very forward thinking and progressing attitudes toward sexuality. A subject rarely spoken about, but fiercely defended as it is and has been a very big aspect of their culture and their social bonding. Discretion first, however, while in the face of these tourist invaders of their culture, these people turn it into a circus much to the embarrassment and chagrin of that thousands of years old culture.


A few years of that sort of treatment and behaviour arising from the ignorance of these people who essentially want to tell everyone else how to live, outside of their own borders, but don't want to hear how to live with regard to their own borders. A few years of that, and many embarrassing and purposely spiteful videos mocking their culture, and they decide to close the doors, especially as they realize that aspects related to their culture are under direct attack from zealots, who are mostly disgusted with everyone else, and the greatest gift they ever got for free: the wonder of the human body. They waste that wonder destroying ideas and aspects of another culture with thousands of years of continuous history, and the culture who is facing them on this is barely a few hundred years. Has a monstrous problem with sex trafficking linked to naroctics, and horrible exploitation of women therein. And they decide they're going to pack up and go to this other country, and mock them, and anyone who sides with them, or anyone who understands that one of the greatest joys of being alive, is our capacity for intimacy. Not at the cost of exploitation, but certain the freedom to choose how adults enjoy this aspect of their life. There is no weapon that any religion has ever wielded that has more weight and power than sexuality. When its wielded as a weapon, women's rights to self determination suffer.


Now, you might think that I'm biased. I'm sticking up (forgive the pun) for that which allows me the greatest pleasure, but I'd have to say that is not the case at all. I'm sticking up for that culture on the grounds that nobody else will, because the way things work most often is that people who stand on the assumely right side of that issue, are the ones who are just, when in fact I'd say that is not the case at all. Just is a woman's right to self determination, and that's coming from someone who has some pretty kinky fantasies about control. My point is that we should never be denied the right to think as we choose, and women should never lose their right of self determination with regard to their own body.


If you want to clean up the world and protect innocence. Real innocence. Then take your credit card processing empire, and start cracking down on all of the delivery services that are now doubling as credit card doors for narcotics motivated prostitution, instead of attacking a culture for whom intimacy has been an integral part of their history. Now you've embarrassingly brought it to the forefront, and embarrassed a thousands of years old culture in the process, though I know they aren't. They have honour and dignity enough to outlast the worst of the likes of ignorant zeal.


If any of those cultures of Southeast Asia ever chooses to abandon me or Shhhh! Digital Media, I have to say that I don't own them. They are my friends because they choose to be, not because I am some manipulative tyrant in a political armwrestle with them. They'll always have my loyalty and for good reasons. My life was saved by women from that part of the world, who accepted me as I was, when I had absolutely nothing. Real innocence, is when you look into the eyes of a woman (or man as the case may be), and regardless of their misgivings, and in celebration of their best moments, you can look past it all and without judgement or remorse. Especially with regard to aspects of their life that were purely about play.


If you think that in my writing, I don't celebrate, or bring value to their culture, you're obviously not reading it. Most of the readers that keep coming back, know that for everyone and everywhere I write about, there's almost always something represented about those places that is inspiring, and insightful as to their culture and history. Including those I've written about Canadian culture across the board.


If you're upset that MissGvious is angry at the current point in Butterfly Dragon Reimagined, then remember all of the times that the other characters experience suffering of some form, if you believe my writing to be racially motivated.


One piece of advice I have for you out there. Never deal with any cult that removes you identity, and replaces it with another. If you do, deal with them legally. Either a cease and desist, or a summons.


Brian Joseph Johns

CEO/Author
Shhhh! Digital Media

I'm a secular atheist agnostic that leans toward Buddhism and Taoism. I'm not a Jehovah's Witness or Mormon or a Scientologist or a member of Prince Hall with all due respect. 

I'm not Irish. I'm Canadian Welsh, and would never be a part of any ideology that would remove or replace a person's identity against their wishes.

No blue rose for me. I am not a Hell's Angel or a member of any group for whom expression is flipped to its exact opposite. I say what I mean and mean what I say, and won't budge on that for anyone, no matter who they are. Everything I stated above, I absolutely meant.

Its unfortunate, but where I live, there are people who steal or replace your identity so that everything you say and do goes to the credit of someone else. My name isn't Bobby, or Shane and I'm not Michael Jacks by the way. However, I have a good friend named Captain Shayne on social media. 

I am not Ron Silk. I am not John Penny.






















Changes and Updates...

Hi again, back at the job after a wondeful Canada Day, complete with an absolutely awesome Eggs Benedict dinner (vegans and vegetarians can substitute the bacon with Shiitake Mushrooms or spiced Egg Plant). I had the bacon myself. Its tradition, though I do invite readers who refrain from eating bacon to try it with the alternatives I've suggested. Its really good, especially once you get the hang of how to make a Hollandaise sauce.


Regardless, there will be more hiccups throughout the week and into next week as I get everything nailed down with the domain, not to mention I'm just waiting for the transfer to be completed and being extra cautious about security. 


You might receive warnings from your web browser to indicate that the site isn't safe, which you can ignore. The reason behind those warnings is that the SSL certificate, which is needed for both SSL or TLS encryption can't be issued until the domain transfer has taken place. I expect that process to be completed in the next few days (it can take as long as a week, or longer in some rare cases). If that warning message makes you uncomfortable, then try again in a week when most likely, it will have been resolved.


For the rest of this week its going to be Butterfly Dragon Reimagined, and then into next week I'll be doing Era of the Spellbound.


Brian Joseph Johns


Click image for contact information...
















Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Happy Canada Day!

 



History of the Day

  • Original Name: The holiday was originally known as Dominion Day.

  • Name Change: It was officially renamed to Canada Day on October 27, 1982.

  • Growth: What started as a union of four provinces has grown into a federation of ten provinces and three territories. [1, 2, 3]
We've come a long way together.


Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Shhhh! Digital Media and the future

A new era is beginning for Shhhh! Digital Media, and one that is going to bring more challenge, but also potentially allow for much more growth.

I've recently taken steps to relocate the domain registration back to the country of Shhhh! Digital Media's true origin, though I've done this both with a sense of sadness and nostalgia, for my previous registrar, whose offices are located in a city in the United States whose name has been synonymous with the superhero genre of stories since their early years.

I'd like to take a moment to thank Squarespace, who handled my domain registration and support requests with the utmost professional and friendly attitude, while remaining firm when need be. They have been a part of Shhhh! Digital's backbone for several years, and I'd like to thank them for being one of the few reliable and stable elements that were part of the Shhhh! Digital family throughout that time. Great service and great support. I don't think that anyone could ask for much more and my words are the most sincere.


The Shhhh! Digital Media domain over the next day or two might experience some "hiccups" (not as a result of our July first party mind you), but as a result of this transition to a new domain and host.


If you should lose access to Shhhh! Digital Media, then use the following url until we've set up the servers to point correctly from our new registrar. That will be the first step.


https://shhhhdigitalmedia.blogspot.com


This transition should be fairly brief, but in case it isn't, you have an address you can use to access Shhhh! Digital Media if and when the lapse in domain affects the current dns cache of servers between you and use.


There will be much more beyond that, but I'll start here.

In saying that, this situation kind of reminds of a quote by fellow author T.S. Eliot:

"We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time."

Perhaps Shhhh! Digital Media will know its home for the first time this July 1st, 2026.

Thank you to our friends throughout the world. Shhhh! Digital Media would not be the social success that it is without you. Its good to know that a mountain of words and a smattering of artwork can still appeal to those spirit searchers out there, seeking to learn the secrets of the universe without laying her bare.

I bid you farewell, but not for long, for today will bring much more content.

Brian Joseph Johns

Friday, June 19, 2026

Shhhh! Digital Media Presents: Grand Tapestry of Moments 05 - Mirror, Mirror (Finished June 19, 2026 18:45 EST)


I'm approximately 6 feet tall. I weigh about 175 lbs. I don't have blue eyes or brown eyes, but I have a very pale monitor tan. I'm Brian Joseph Johns and this is Shhhh! Digital Media.




Chapters
  1. The Fatal Shot (Finished May 8, 2026)
  2. From A Considerable Height (Finished May 9, 2026)
  3. Desserted (Finished May 12, 2026)
  4. The Predator and the Prey (Finished May 15, 2026)
  5. Shower (Finished May 20, 2026)
  6. Birth (Finished June 18, 2026)
  7. Exit or EXFIL: Friends in Parallel Places (Finished June 19, 2026)

Warning: This episode contains mature situations intended for an adult audience. Reader discretion is advised.


Monday, June 15, 2026

My Stance On AI... (meaning both Shhhh! Digital Official and Shhhh! Digital Legacy)

Hi. Shhhh! Digital Media here.


I just watched an interesting video that brings up a very good point with regard to how AI proliferates into the many different areas of society, and how we need to be aware at the very least, and vigilant with regard to how the investment money pushing this move forward is being used.


Now this video I happened to watch was for a situation in the United States, but I think the message presented by the video very much applies to society as a whole, especially with regard to our educational system here in Canada, in Europe, in Asia, and in countries throughout the world.




The content producer's point I believe wasn't an attack on AI, nor was it presenting the idea that AI should be expelled from presence in schools. The video presents the fact that as with any newly arrived technology, especially one that's been heralded for nearly a century as being a key force that will revolutionize society (read the works of Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick, Dr. Michael Crichton, Frank Herbert, Fritz Lang or watch any Ridley Scott movie from the Alien franchise, or any of a number of James Cameron movies including Aliens), that we should be mindful of how taxpayer dollars are being spent with regard to integration of these technologies.


Kids are going to get exposure to AI no matter what we do, and most of the relevant ways that AI will shape education will probably be the most invisible to us and that's already occurring. Think of it, any Google search you do now (as with just about any other search engine) includes a breakdown and analysis by AI with regard to the subject matter and that's an important thing to consider.


I know that the first thing that I do when I don't know about something is that I search for it on the internet, and now we're given a comprehensive breakdown about the subject and can even interact with the search through AI, which allows us to navigate the immense search results, and narrow down aspects of the topic very quickly. Just three years ago, that didn't exist. AI is and will undoubtedly be involved in education and already is in more ways than we can count.


I think that the point though of this video that I watched was not to kill AI, or investment in it. It was to be cautious about where money is invested, especially when the influx of that money is intended to improve key areas of infrastructure. So I found this video to be interesting and well presented with regard to this particular case.


Though keep in mind that I am not a Member of Parliament nor involved in politics at all, but I do vote and file taxes and am appropriately concerned as to where our Canadian investment in infrastructure is spent.

Brian Joseph Johns





























Saturday, June 13, 2026

Shhhh! Digital Media Presents: Era of the Spellbound: Episode 14 - The Victory of Disaster (Finished June 13, 2026 23:00 EST)


Despite this storyline taking place mostly in Shepperton off the Thames, United Kingdom, it is entirely written in Moss Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Shepperton is close to my heart in ideas rather than kilometers.


Temu? I am looking forward to the shipment of my order. You've totally got an awesome thing going there. And I want some. So I bought some.

Thank you to PC Express! Great service, great staff and a credit to the entire quality assurance paradigm.

Definitely, the recent grocery GST Grocery Bursary was very helpful in filling my fridge and cupboards with groceries, and enough to pay some bills and enjoy an evening or two over the weekend. Its great to see our tax money come back to us. That alleviation of weight comes back to the economy in many ways. Both promoting domestic businesses through consumer spending, and encouraging imports and exports through reciprocal trade in a buyer confident market economy.


Been eating a home made modified version of Yakisoba, with real bacon, egg, rice and veggies and its completely awesome!


Don't let bad actors employed by banks, finance companies, finance institutions or collectors hold your identity hostage. Lets take our human rights and our power back away from these criminal cults. Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and make them responsible for their identity crimes. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is backed by the RCMP and OPP and helps Canadians in the fight against identity theft and identity fraud.


I'm not a security guard and have never worked as a security guard, but its an honest way to make a living for an honest person.


Finally, anyone who reads this and interprets it as my attempt to steal John Penny's history is full of you know what. I've always been attracted to Southeast Asian women as much so as I am to European women. The truth is that there are some people that didn't want that to be the case, or wanted it to remain hidden so that anyone could wear that impression as their own, which required that in the case that I met someone Southeast Asian, that said group and cult would do everything they could to sabotage such a relationship. John Penny's history is his history, and my history is my own and I have nothing but respect for those who kept their principles back in those days, both women and men. 

Besides, its a hate crime to replace a person's identity in order to replace any aspect of their being that is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Human Rights Act of Canada (including their skin colour and their religion), and the United Nations. My name is not Michael Jacks. My name is not Shane. My name is not Sydney.


This content, all of it, meaning this post and every other post, is produced in Canada, and both publisher emails are mine. brian.joseph.johns@shhhhdigital.com and fav.inbox@gmail.com. They don't belong to two different people, and more people should name their emails after their true identity. The fav.inbox when I created it meant favourite inbox, long before I had plans to turn Shhhh! Digital Media into a publisher.


One two three...


Brian Joseph Johns



 

I am Brian Joseph Johns and this is Shhhh! Digital Media at https://www.shhhhdigital.com or https://www.shhhhdigital.ca in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at 200 Sherbourne Street Suite 701.


[Spellbound - Siouxie And The Banshees]


Do you like enigmatic characters, engrossing story, magic and the ever atemporal weave?

Play Baldur's Gate 3 [On Steam]


Do you like Dark Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, while forever averting the greed of the Stygian Empire or the Priests of Set?


Do you like daring storytelling and stylish, cutting edge animation? Do you like to be left with the lingering contemplation of intense drama and gripping character dynamics?

Watch Crunchyroll


Chapters

  1. Nothing But A Kiss (Finished May 30, 2026)
  2. The Thought Of A Merger (Finished June 8, 2026)
  3. When Somebody Cares (Finished June 10, 2026)
  4. The Church Moves In (Finished June 11, 2026)
  5. Miracles Or Mirage (Started June 11, 2026)


Wednesday, June 10, 2026

A Lady's Prerogative: SAPCHoP And The Lost Sanata (FINISHED)



Most recent updates:

ALL DONE THE FIRST COMPLETE DRAFT OF THE STORY. ENJOY!


If you enjoy reading the content on this website, then please consider making a donation to one of the following charities, or buying merchandise on our shop at https://shop.shhhhdigital.com.

I write. I play. I contemplate. I gripe. I rationalize. I ponder. I bash. I admire. I lust. I feel. I laugh. I live in the memory of an intensity I had when I was younger. An idealization of the energy and fearlessness of being alive. When you arrive at a certain point in life via time, no matter how vital you feel, you'll know exactly what I mean. That's when you need to pay the most attention, yet ply the most wisdom.

In the midst of this experience: I try to hit each of these organizations myself, with something when I can.


This content is produced artists indicated on the site, and by me, Brian Joseph Johns. 

I, under no circumstance will trade, barter or otherwise swap my own identity for that of another person and I protect the same right for those who've contributed their artwork to the various projects under my management at Shhhh! Digital Media, my own company. These rights are protected by law under the Charter Of Rights And Freedoms under section 7.


If you like my work here and read it, please consider donating to one or more of the following causes.

Our future depends upon ensuring that organizations like these that can truly make a difference have the resources they need. That literally nurture our future and innovation.


A Lady's Prerogative: Sanata Claws And His Helves - FINISHED or is it?






This content is produced artists indicated on the site, and by me, Brian Joseph Johns. 

I, under no circumstance will trade, barter or otherwise swap my own identity for that of another person and I protect the same right for those who've contributed their artwork to the various projects under my management at Shhhh! Digital Media, my own company. These rights are protected by law under the Charter Of Rights And Freedoms under section 7.



Monday, May 25, 2026

Shhhh! Digital Media Presents... The Butterfly Dragon: Heroes of our Own Reimagined: Episode 12 - Full Circle (Finished May 25, 13:00 EST Artwork and minor edits to come)

Been eating a home made modified version of Yakisoba, and its completely awesome!

One two three...


Brian Joseph Johns





Do you want to be a fashion or outfit designer?



You are an inspired student of Wing Tsun who has ascended to protect the teachings of your temple...

Play Sifu [On Steam] [On Epic]


You are a champion martial artist, representing your fellow humanity in an eternal competition to the death... FIGHT and Finish him!

Play Mortal Kombat 1 [On Steam] [On Epic]


Want to pick your champion and style and then bout against the other greats of martial arts?

Play Shaolin versus Wutang [On Steam]
Play Kings of Kung Fu [On Steam]


Wanna be a Captain or Admiral?




Warning: This episode deals with sensitive topics and is intended for a mature audience. Reader discretion is definitely advised.

For your information, the character Helayne Ying aka the Butterfly Dragon, she's Chinese, not Filipino with all due respect, though in one episode of Two Butterflies, there is a tribute to the superhero Darna.

Dragon Butterfly is Japanese and soon to make her first appearance in this new series...

Chapters

  1. Keeping The Muscle Firm (Finished April 5, 2026)
  2. Trust (Finished April 6, 2026)
  3. Matters of a Missing Formula (Finished April 6, 2026)
  4. Cut to the Chase (Finished April 6, 2026)
  5. An Appointment with Kyra (Finished April 7, 2026)
  6. The Return: A Friend and an Enemy (Finished May 25, 2026)
  7. Regroup and Recoup (Finished May 25, 2026)

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Shhhh! Digital Media Presents: The Ancient Roots of Modern Fantasy and Superheroes

Modern fantasy novels and superhero comics may feel like products of the last century, but their deepest roots reach far beyond our current lifetime. Every creator draws from what came before, and the stories that shape today’s fiction are built on ancient myths, folklore, epic poetry, and archetypal struggles that have traveled through cultures for thousands of years.


Why These Stories Endure


What makes these stories lasting is not just the setting, the costume, or the special effects. It is the plot: the human struggle to overcome fear, confront chaos, survive loss, and achieve some meaningful end. That is why readers and viewers recognize themselves in heroes, whether the hero is a warrior, wizard, detective, or caped avenger.

People often experience stories only through the lens of the present moment, as if the ideas were created for our current era alone. In reality, many of the themes we think of as modern have been echoing through ancient history across the world. The same patterns appear again and again: the journey into the unknown, the burden of power, the test of character, the fall and return, and the transformation that comes through ordeal.


From Myth to Modern Myth


Before Marvel and DC, there were gods, demigods, and legendary champions. Figures like Gilgamesh, Heracles, Beowulf, Cú Chulainn, and Robin Hood established the shape of the hero long before comic books existed. These stories gave later generations a framework for exceptional individuals facing impossible trials, protecting the vulnerable, and crossing between the ordinary world and something greater.

That tradition continued into the age of pulp fiction and early fantasy. Masked avengers, brilliant detectives, secret identities, and larger-than-life adventurers helped create the DNA of modern comics. At the same time, early fantasy writers were building worlds of magic, dark sorcery, and heroic quests that would influence everything from epic novels to role-playing games.


The Hero’s Journey


This is where Joseph Campbell became so important. His work helped explain why so many stories across different cultures feel familiar even when their details differ. Campbell recognized that the hero’s journey is a recurring pattern in human storytelling: a call to adventure, a descent into challenge, a confrontation with change, and a return transformed.

That pattern still powers modern fiction because it speaks directly to the human condition. The most successful stories are not just about powers or spectacle; they are about struggle, identity, sacrifice, and renewal. Whether the protagonist is saving a kingdom, a city, or themselves, the emotional engine remains the same.


Why Creators Keep Returning


All content creators are influenced by what came before them, even when the connection is hidden or unspoken. Writers, artists, filmmakers, game designers, and comic-book creators continually reinterpret old ideas for new audiences. What changes is the surface; what stays is the underlying structure.

That is why older myths still matter so much. They are not relics of a distant past. They are living story patterns that continue to resurface in new forms, shaped by each generation’s language, fears, and hopes. Modern audiences may think they are discovering something entirely new, but often they are encountering an ancient story wearing contemporary clothes.


Conclusion


Fantasy novels and superhero comics are part of a much older human tradition. Their greatest strength lies in the way they connect modern people to timeless struggles that have always defined the journey of the hero. The setting may change, but the core remains the same: a human being faces the unknown, rises to the challenge, and returns transformed.

If you’re writing, drawing, filming, or building worlds of your own, that legacy is worth remembering. Every great story stands on older ones, and the most memorable works are often the ones that understand how deeply the past still lives inside the present.


Updates


There will be more than a few updates this week. Stay tuned for what's to come.


Article by Brian Joseph Johns and Perlexity AI.

Research by Brian Joseph Johns and Google Search AI.


Thursday, May 21, 2026

Shhhh! Digital Media Presents... The Butterfly Dragon: Heroes of our Own Reimagined: Episode 11 - The Point of No Return (Updated May 21, 16:30 EST)






Do you want to be a fashion or outfit designer?



You are an inspired student of Wing Tsun who has ascended to protect the teachings of your temple...

Play Sifu [On Steam] [On Epic]


You are a champion martial artist, representing your fellow humanity in an eternal competition to the death... FIGHT and Finish him!

Play Mortal Kombat 1 [On Steam] [On Epic]


Want to pick your champion and style and then bout against the other greats of martial arts?

Play Shaolin versus Wutang [On Steam]
Play Kings of Kung Fu [On Steam]


Wanna be a Captain or Admiral?




Warning: This episode deals with sensitive topics and is intended for a mature audience. Reader discretion is definitely advised.


Chapters

  1. Prologue (Finished Friday March 27, 19:45 EST)
  2. Discovery (Finished Saturday March 21, 14:30 EST)
  3. Visiting Hours (Finished Saturday March 21, 14:30 EST)
  4. The Garden and the Dragon (Finished Wednesday April 1, 19:30)

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

A Quick Update And Gripe...


Hi. Brian Joseph Johns here. 


First of all, I don't live in New York, and no content on Shhhh! Digital Media is produced in New York, with all due respect.


Second, I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in Regent Park, in 200 Sherbourne Street Suite 701, and all Shhhh! Digital Media content is produced from this home office location and has been since April of 2012.


Third, I am not a security guard and never have been. Security work is honest work for an honesty person, hence I am not putting down or criticizing it as a means of employment. I am however making a distinction as to my identity and my activity, and the activity that goes on with my devices (computer, laptop, tablet and phone).


Fourth, I am not a part of any ideology who switch the responsibility of activities between people or computers in the same building or residence, or the same community, or any swapping of any kind. I enjoy my work and writing, and as much so my occasional gaming during the evening, and at night, my delving into Asian erotic content (mostly Japanese, Korean and Chinese) and always have enjoyed it. I don't have a "brown skin" fetish and never have, and I am not a member of any ideology who alter the context of one's expression to mean the exact opposite of what was expressed. My last two serious relationships were with women from Southeast Asia, and as an adult, I'll stand by them and my love of the fact that they are neither judgmental nor invasive about any aspect of life and one's tastes in the language of love.


Fifth, I've never been involved with a woman named Karen, nor have I ever been involved with an Irish woman. Perhaps I don't know what I'm missing, but the truth is that I've never been involved in that direction, and that I didn't grow up in Allenbury Gardens and that I'm not a rapper, and I'm not Snow. I do have a friend who grew up in Allenbury Gardens, who has a wonderful wife named Karen (she's not Irish however), and they both turned out to be amazing parents too, so no offense meant towards them for my statements. I'm just trying to ensure that I don't end up with the garbage of a snow blower.


Sixth, I've never fathered a child in my life. Either wanted or unwanted. The creation of such situations is often the first step involved in counterfeiting membership to secret societies, and most often, by counterfeiters. Its a method of taking a situation that does not exist, and making it the competitive responsibility of two or more possible fathers, and then using that connection between those men to create a competitive link whereby one can end up with the blame or credit for the actions of another, and this becomes a daily aspect of life as conducted by the cults who create these situations and then use them to hold the identity of others hostage under the idea that if one does not take responsibility, then they are not themselves. These scams are designed to take the identity of other people using that very idiom and by creating situations where others take the responsibility for a person's actions as a means to justify the absconding of their identity. Its a scam and has been around for quite some time, and often sold with the idea of being initiated into a secret society of some form. In all cases I've seen it occur, all of the groups responsible turned out to be counterfeiters.


In the places where such activities occur, there is often a local effort to steal the output of the people they target, and at the same time make the target responsible for the activities of others. Again, using this idea of responsibility where if you don't accept the responsibility for your bad, you don't get the good. Most such cults I've described use this idea, and often combined with auditing, as a means to commit identity fraud and creative and intellectual property theft, with the help of a criminal community, or just a local collective bullies who use the power of their collective to get away with crimes against those who are brave enough to go it alone or have been purposely isolated so as to be victimized in this regard.


I have a lot more to arrive in the future on Shhhh! Digital Media, but I am not going to put up with abuse, either locally or afar. I made every effort to make peace over the last week with my harassers and they indicated they prefer conflict. I'll deal with that later. I just wanted to explain this to my readers who enjoy what I have to offer. I probably don't have a lot of time left, despite being very fortunate to hold my age well. Time is fleeting, and I'd prefer to enjoy it rather than to fight abusive ideologies.


Nobody is controlling me by the way, and I don't control anyone. Its fun to think about, but what kind of a monster would actually try to do something like that to someone unwilling?


There's a big difference between thinking and doing. I live by the idiom: think freely, act responsibly.


I don't take the credit for the efforts of others, but I've lived in the midst of people for whom that is entirely a way of life. To collectively gang up on an individual, and take everything they work on, and give it to the credit of people who have nothing to do with the effort that went into creating it. Whether its artwork, or work on one's own body and health, or work on one's craft at a skill or talent, or anything that is notable and worth wearing as a form of bling, taking it from the person from whom it really originated. Some such collectives turn it into a competitive game, by trying to trick their victims into contradicting aspects of their own life and creations, at which point if you do, you lose what you contradicted and it goes to someone else who is more consistent. There are organized groups for whom this is entirely their daily goal. Take it all from one or more people, and use it to fuel the lives of members of their collective.


My thoughts originate from my own mind and body, and not from anyone else, and I don't put up with cults of any kind imposing some form of surcharge for what I think. My stories and characters don't come from other people, and I very much resent collective ideologies attempting to create the illusion that they do and I will take them on and to task in exposing them in every way that I can. Such ideologies want people to think that the best of me is coming from them, like I'm some puppet of their cult. We'll get that sorted out and to the degree that there's no question that they have no influence over me whatsoever, except to disprove their influence altogether. I'm not a Hell's Angel and never have been, nor am I a Panther and never have been.


I understand the concept of co-creation, and it very much is an enticing idea, but the truth is that for anything to get going, it begins with the action of a person towards the ends of producing something, and most often than not, it begins with a solitary vision that is driven from the ideas of a solitary person inspired by people who similarly pursued the realization of their own creations. As that vision grows and is shaped, it becomes something more tangible and real, but the fact remains that it started as the pu vision and pursuit of one person who made the effort to take it from thought to reality.


We live in a day and age where there is much knowledge about an aspect of existence that has long been a reality, and that is that the human body and biofield is very much like a naturally occurring WIFI on a biological level and there are people who've learned to harness it to the degree that they can literally as a group, connect to another person's body as if it were a WIFI router.


These same people who've practiced such efforts, and collectively work towards targeting specific people for such purposes, can then gain access to that person's senses and even their mind's eye to read their thoughts, and there very much is a scientific basis to explain how all of this is possible. I've been revealing that aspect for years with the first Butterfly Dragon storyline, as a means to expose people who've long been trying to steal my creative and intellectual property, and who've likely done the same with that of other people as well. Taking the steam out of their drive towards such pursuits, or outright stealing it from them with the power of a collective to back it up.


Imagine that you're working on something, and there's a collective who are capable of connecting to your body without your knowing, and essentially listening in on all of your creative process. Your thoughts and contemplations, these people essentially secretly seated close enough to you as the source to spy on your process as it unfolds, and get the scoop on everything that you do, enough so that they can lay claim to it as much so as you. This is an ideology that has been committing this sort of crime for a long time, and more recently, computer technology has made it possible for them to find the people they connect to physically in the world, so they can both know who they're connected to in this fashion, and who they are in the real world, and use the power of their collective to steal everything from you in this regard. Yes, they have done it before. They're doing it now, and they'll probably do it again until they're confronted in some fashion so as to stop them.


If your creative work draws attention, then there's a form of power in a group convincing other people that everything you do, originates from their group. In my case as a writer, this entails with a collective cult who attempt to create the impression that everything I produce comes from them, and specifically from people they've chosen to give the credit for my work, for those people to wear as a form of bling.


I believe that when you know of this, and then truly realize the quality of the people doing this, that will be enough to undo them for good. It would be akin to overhearing William Shakespeare as he wrote the poetry from Romeo and Juliet, and to take that poetry into one's memory, to later use as a pickup line in a pub, in order to lure the wiles and romance of a woman who is looking for serious commitment and a future husband, but using that poetry as a pickup line to obtain a one night stand. Find her. F#ck her, and forget her. That's essentially what this collective is doing and the level of value they place upon what they're taking in that regard.


These are people who from the people they target, take everything, absolutely everything, and give nothing at all ever, and then to top it off, create the illusion that everything they take originated from them, when in fact it never came from them at all. They've been doing this to the people they target for decades, perhaps even longer. It is only now that they've really grown into a power given the fact that they can synchronize their efforts using modern technology, stealing from one network (the network of the body and nervous system), and using it to propel themselves in another network.


I have spent most of my effort promoting women, and certainly very unique characters, women and men alike. I've never used my writing to pickup women, or to "get laid" or for anything of that purpose, especially to pull one over on women, or otherwise lead them on believing they're getting one thing, when in fact they're only getting abandoned the next day. I don't use my writing as a currency, but given my unique situation, it is very difficult for me to be social seeing as I'm isolated by a very abusive collective cult, who have yet to answer for this. They will, eventually. Several women from my earlier life have been stalked by this cult, and implored not to communicate with me, or protect me, and when and if they do, they're often punished. I know because I've checked this out myself in the effort of investigating this cult, who've attempted to replace my history with that of someone else, even creating situations later in my life that would be used to replace my previous relationships, and this group are a form of organized crime, and yes, I'm doing everything I can to take them down short of breaking the law.


I just thought I'd make you aware that there are things afoot that are destroying the peace and fabric of society and posing a very big hurdle to the progress of Shhhh! Digital Media towards the end of becoming a full fledge publisher and production house. If you think I'm being too toxic by confronting this, then I'd be all to glad to withdraw my content and do something else, but I won't see my content cannibalized by any abusive collective, and I will not cease in exposing this as well. 


Keep in mind that this group has even stalked ex-girlfriends of mine, threatening them not to speak about me in any positive manner or to help me, while the group also created one or two situations to wreck my reputation with women and make the men in their cult appear to be more consistent with my ideas and creations. The people doing this should be investigated for it.


Anyway, I'll be back with more tomorrow, and even if I don't get Grand Tapestry of Moments Ep 5 done by tomorrow, I will in the afternoon start working on Butterfly Dragon Reimagined and hopefully have something published by tomorrow in that regard, so you don't have to put up with what you may perceive to be toxic masculinity in the form of a very different version of Brad Stanton.


My hair is much shorter than in the image below, but it should be grown back to close to that length within a month. I don't have hepatitis and never have, but I'd never harass anyone over their health issues, let alone anything else, and being reactive to the abuse of others isn't a sign of a lack of consciousness. Consciousness is directly proportional to what you encourage in other things. If you try to reduce it, by means of manipulation like the action/reaction assumption, then you're reducing your own consciousness, and nobody else's.


Hate isn't love and love isn't hate, and I definitely have not said the opposite of what I intended in this post. Everything is stated exactly as it is intended, and I am not a member of any ideology that reverses the polarity of expression and never will be.


I've never been incarcerated in jail or prison. I'm a heterosexual male and I am not a member of Jehovah's Witness or a member of Prince Hall and never have been. I'm a secular Atheist that leans toward Buddhism and Taoism.


I am Brian Joseph Johns and this is Shhhh! Digital Media at https://www.shhhhdigital.com or https://www.shhhhdigital.ca in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at 200 Sherbourne Street Suite 701.