Stars gave us mathematics, physics, geography, agriculture, and in recent years, a revelation about our own biology. So why is astrology deemed wildly improbable? — ‘I can’t believe people like these exist…’ is a common sentiment when conversations about astrology kick off. Why, indeed, would we believe in something as seemingly inconsequential to humans as the stars? And why are more and more people exploring their curiosity about cosmic happenstance?

When life shifts and realities are shaken, who’s up for the challenge? — Empty streets. Grey buildings. Eerie silence. A town that was not long ago a colourful matrix of holidayers and drifters, weirdos and wizards, hustlers and pushers, musicians and mountaineers, cows and children, was now lifeless and doom-laden. “Where am I,” Pix whispered to herself during her walkabout. The SHOE (Stay…

What must be done when there are plenty of ideas but none would come out? — It’s a rainy day. The monsoon has well and truly arrived. The downpour starts in the morning, takes its rest at midday, and starts again late in the afternoon. …

If human emotions are pre-programmed, who must break the code? — Top Controllers in the lakeside town of Rembibi slowly eased the local SHOE programme. Social gathering restrictions were also relaxed. Food shops and Consumption Hubs were allowed to operate as usual. People were now allowed to roam but no one must be on the streets past a certain hour. Pixel…

All sorts of pastime had been tried. But what about a medieval game of questionable kings? — Creativity comes to play when they are bored. They’d put up a tightrope line to walk across on, climbed trees, painted walls, played cards, self-tattooed, exchanged massages, brewed beers, grew drinkable alien matter, baked loaves of bread, made music, planted food, foraged magic, gone swimming, abused smoking, walked around aimlessly…

Isolation frustration has set in. Some are hit harder than others. It’s just another day. — The SHOE had successfully torn physical connections apart in a strategic effort to restrict further contagion. Consequences weren’t far behind. The MHV (Much-Hyped Virus) continued to spread anyway, and humans became emotionally alienated. Their thoughts on loneliness and existential dread intensified. It was strange to witness. My girl curled up…

Pixel and her friends did something naughty. They ended up in the company of same-but-different peoples. — The two-legged chaoses decided to spend a few nights in a high-altitude village 12 hours walk up and away from Rembibi. They have explored the surrounds and have lightly mastered the overgrown footpaths, even on moonless evenings. They were excited about having new impressions and new experiences.

Someone asked an alarming question. Will another question answer the original question? — I’ve been living rent-free on Pixel’s forehead for about five months now. Unlike aggressive viruses that dream of terminating humans, warts like me are happy to hang around and live with our host until they take themselves to the dreaded skintologist. Yesterday, Pix had a group of wildlings around. They…

Pix gets a breather from the SHOE programme (Stay Home Or Else). Her short-lived freedom gives her a glimpse of what’s happening Out There. — There was excitement in the air as Kunashmu relaxed its SHOE programme (Stay Home Or Else) for three days. “I don’t know what to do with all this freedom now that I’m so comfortable in my isolation bubble,” Pix told her landlord Fungus, who delivered the news to her.