seeing octarine.

"Octarine" is the color of magic in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. In a sense, it's a bit like ultraviolet-- invisible to the human eye, but visible by some animals (e.g. bees) or with the right tools.

I think of "octarine" as the metaphorical counterpoint to The Matrix's red pill / blue pill. To me, it seems like the "red pill" metaphor is often used as a bludgeon. A weapon with which to beat people who live in "ignorance." A metaphor used to divide people into "us versus them" camps.

Octarine, I feel, is a more useful metaphor. It can be used for mostly the same purposes. It encourages exploration and discovery. To "pull the curtain back" and discover how the world truly works.

There is joy to be found in discovery! Once you see octarine, you can't unsee it. It's more fun to share that joy, anyway.

xkcd's "ten thousand" comic.

Be well. :)