Psychology of Psychonauts | Ford's Follicles

[@Generallybreak]

"Let's do one of my random segues." He's dropped all pretext. Happy New Year, everyone.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Yeah I'm aware how bad I get sometimes lmao

[@mondenkindqueen]

Random? Yes. Meaningless? No.

[@Generallybreak]

Absolutely. I find it kind of wholesome that Dean at this point just admits he's going on a weird tangent and trusts we'll hear him out to see how it loops back.

[@daviddanijojohnson7628]

@@GamingUniversityUoGI can’t wait till you do the feast of the senses

[@genomicbeast]

"Those were innocent protesters Lucy!" was when the Ford Culler triology of mindscapes started to hit differently

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

We knew bad stuff happened but once we get the details it hits differently.

[@ShineOnYouCD]

I don't understand 😕

[@TazKoltin]

@@ShineOnYouCD the lice that Raz washed away represent Grulovian protesters who were unhappy with the monarchy Lucrecia Mux was called to Grulovia and drowned the protesters in the name of the Csar of grulovia The comment Ford makes is in reference to Lucy drowning innocent people

[@Nexsusthepro]

@@ShineOnYouCD with this level, you must drown some lice to continue, the lighthouse Ford protests and mourns them, Raz's reaction is confusion, as he's killing lice, despite the fact that within the context of the drowning of Grulovia, they represent peaceful protesters, the result is a sudden connection realization in the level/scene, to you/Raz, they are lice that must die to move forward for the sake of the game, to Ford/Lucy's friends, they are people.

[@MaxanArchyRandomXenic]

My step dad and I got to that part and it's now something said on a somewhat regular basis

[@elmerthiendoesgames9061]

"You're something from deep inside her" might also hint at Raz being her descendant.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Ford really had no clue who he was talking other than the survival instinct named Maligula.

[@elmerthiendoesgames9061]

​@@GamingUniversityUoGThe character who delivers the foreshadowing doesn't have to know the full extent of what they're saying. I guess I was analyzing it more from a storytelling perspective than a psychological one.

[@Tengu125]

Not her descendant, but her sister's, if I'm remembering correctly.

[@mr.dedede1324]

Wait, is that why raz is such a powerful psychokinetic?

[@Generallybreak]

The vermin analogy is pretty chilling if you've read the propaganda from the USSR and Nazi Germany. That analogy resonated with them a lot.

[@yellowbat79]

Right now in Iran, the Islamic Regime's propaganda regularly refers to protesters as Vermin. It's definitely a pattern between dictatorial powers

[@starpokeheart664]

Glad you brought that up because one of my favorite books my English class read was Mauz

[@cloudian159]

Yeah, cause when you're starving there is no bigger enemy then rodents. They destroy your food and eat everything.

[@Claymann71]

People have always demonized each other to Justify Wars. Such as comparing Pufin the Poisoner & his Orcish Horde to starving rats. The Soldiers of Ukraine call them Orcs, so that's the Common Insult. I prefer the rat analogy. Pufin's favorite animal, I hear.

[@darkimpulse2829]

the way Ford says "Those were peaceful protestors Lucy!" after drowning the lice always gives me chills

[@genericsmithson2870]

I managed to use clairvoyance on Maligula in the final battle and she sees Raz as a bug with signs, just like how she sees the protesters as insects. I also noticed that the lice in this level bear lots of similarity to the bug that Maligula sees Raz as. Not exactly groundbreaking but I think it is a cool little detail that I almost missed

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

These games are packed full of little things like that. Such attention to detail.

[@gingerhoof2157]

It’s interesting that chronologically this level represents the latest events in Lucy’s and Ford’s story. And it’s the one where he is completely powerless - he doesn’t have any means to interact with the world (hands and etc). So you can kinda see how he felt more and more useless the farther Lucy gave in for the darkness

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

And in the mailroom he did have hands but used then wrongly.

[@drakofox1362]

Now the vermin analogy was kinda creepy and that's exactly how I saw the lice of that level pests to get rid of, didn't think they was viewed differently in Ford's head until after I drowned the ones that was actually protesting with signs and everything that's when I put two and two together

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Yeah it was a shocking moment for sure. My first tip off was the article calling them, "Friendly Floods." The use of language to both distance from the serious of an action and make it sound friendlier is something used all the time in media.

[@drakofox1362]

@@GamingUniversityUoG god once your done with all of this I'm freaking replaying all the games to fully understand everything

[@metarcee2483]

It's like the term "friendly fire" in particular.

[@patknack7368]

Not 100% it was what the writers were going for, but Cruller’s form can also represent being in the barber’s chair. While in the chair, you’re expected to be completely still, with only your head visible through the smock. Being in the chair forces a moment of quietness and possible contemplation that may not be possible when active. Cruller is going through that contemplation about Lucy’s identity and coming to terms with her actions versus the image he has of her.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That angle was pointed out to me as well in the comments. I'm a dummy for not looking at it that way. It was mostly the lights coming from the eyes that gave me that impression. Technically it could be both. Guess I play too much Alan Wake so I see lighthouses everywhere.

[@cagedcreature439]

Another thing about the ford lighthouse is that he designed after a barber pole. Barber poles were originally designed to let customers know that the barber is allowed to preform bloodletting on their host. An ancient medical treatment , where it was believed that if one were to remove blood, they can remove impure fluids in the system, as to cure the host.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You know what, I'm ashamed to say I never put that together. Well I'm fired.

[@racer927]

I'm curious to see how Strike City will turn out, particularly the analogies to bowling and germs, the way Ford is repeatedly trying to disinfect the good memories he had with Lucy or, and I'm kind stretching the Mental Connection here, the idea of bowling a perfect 300 game with the way he was trying to get the perfect relationship with Lucy and the regret of not being able to save the relationship could be akin to missing a strike and not being able to pick up a spare, or perhaps the nigh impossibility of repairing Lucy's mind being like attempting to save a 7-10 split.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Already got Strike City scripted and recorded. Should be coming out in a few weeks.

[@EmpyreanRagnarok]

I'd argue that the even more dangerous route of thought is when someone looks at their philosophical enemies dehumanizing someone, and then unironically thinks "Well good thing I'm so much better than those scum that I'd never do that.."

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Sadly I notice that too. When someone finds a way to justify it for themselves but condemns the same thing in others. I have a lecture I do on this particular topic regarding how we imprint archetypes improperly onto the persona of an individual. Maybe one day I'll have a game topic that let's me bring it up in full.

[@mitchellalexander9162]

As vengeance begets vengeance, He who fights Monsters can still become the very same Monster unless he grips onto his moral compass tightly and is always kept in check by his bonds.

[@stinkzsys4995]

As someone who suffers with DID, among other things, the mental worlds within Ford and Cassie always spoke the most to us. Ford being an incredibly accurate portrayal of DID that hits way too close to home, even if it is exaggerated for the purposes of storytelling, and the way Cassie's archetypes interact being unfortunately similar to the experience some of us have had with each other in the past. We've had that one who tried to just lock everyone away to maintain control, just like Librarian Cassie did. We've had moments where we had to have outside intervention from friends and family because the system just could not get along correctly, like Raz had to do. We have experienced almost all of these things we see in these characters and more. We are fortunately in a much healthier state now when it comes to our disorders, our plurality, and all the quirks of both. We have acknowledged that even if we put the pieces back together of what we "were", we have changed so much that we can never go back. So, we've focused on making anew. Working in cooperation with eachother to keep everything running, trying to work as a unit of many wonderful multitudes rather than just a broken mirror of one. But the journey to get there was rough, to say the least. We await the rest of this with high hopes. Happy new years, everyone.

[@NicolasDominique]

It's so nice to start 2023 with a new Psychonauts analysis. Splendid works as always!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Got to start the year off right!

[@scottforrester5306]

Absolutely loving this series. As a guy doing Psychology at University this is really interesting to tie into other ideas I have been learning. Ontop of that due to money issues I was never able to play the OG psychonauts nor its sequel as of writing, so this gives me something I always wanted which I never got before. Keep going my man, ill tune in every episode to watch.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I appreciate it and will do! I've always been curious how this series lines up with what you all study at University on the topic. I've always thought it would be an amazing opportunity to teach a class on abnormal psyche using the game as a basis. Like they teach literature classes on Lord of the Rings.

[@bagaboo4746]

Both of the games are free on Xbox gamepass

[@Seifer911]

Hey, this might seem odd, but in a previous video, you discussed associative memory disorder. It was thanks to your video that I discovered that I have it... so many things in my life didn't make sense until now. Thank you. (And yes, this was properly diagnosed by a medical professional. I did not watch a youtube video and self diagnose.)

[@marcelcummings7418]

Average Astolfo pfp user

[@Seifer911]

@marcelcummings7418 what?

[@Claymann71]

I love Ford's whole Character Sheet. Psychic James Bond but WITH CHRISTOPHER LOYD (Now he's Inspired both Rick Sanchez & Ford Cruller!) & he used to be a hippy with an awesome Romani wife who is ALSO a S-Class Psychic. Amazing Character Design & Writing. 👏

[@MonfangHowlett]

You should not use KZbin videos to self diagnose. Seek a professional for such matters who can know your specific case.

[@susanthefish2559]

Did you get a professional diagnosis? Or are you self-diagnosed?

[@katietaylor8314]

This level has an amusing bug which I've encountered several times: if you get struck by lightning while climbing the lighthouse, sometimes Raz stays as a cute little walking X-Ray for the entire rest of the level including the ending cutscene. By the way, speaking of Ford, I was rather charmed to find out Honey Pepper Boar Bacon is actually a thing! I looked it up.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I love fun little tricks like that. And yum! I'll have to try it

[@katietaylor8314]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I found dozens of recipes - I should try it too!

[@quiaudetvincit3400]

I absolutely love games that explore psychology with such depth and nuance, and I love waking up in the morning to a new episode of this series. If you have the time, you should definitely check out Omori, another great game that delves in deep into the psychology relating to guilt and loss. I think you'd enjoy it as much as I have.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Never heard of that one. I'll toss it onto the list for games to check out.

[@kaistephens2694]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Oh, dude, Omori is beautiful and also supremely fucked up and haunting. Please play it.

[@Techhunter_Talon]

A little suggestion for a game to look at in the future is 'In Sound Mind'. It's a horror game but it has a similar focus as Psychonauts where you delve into the minds of others and attempt to resolve what ever is bothering them. Though in this game most of the characters you interact with are either dead or near death and with only one who is still alive. Also, your character is someone who works in the mental health field and even he has a few problems, some of which are the recent string of patient deaths that definitely makes the character question how good he is at his job. It's a pretty interesting game.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Sounds rather interesting

[@matthewwilliams8267]

Huh, was just watching this, and all of a sudden, 'In Sound Mind' pops up. But, yeah, hopefully they get to it, especially the songs.

[@FevilDraws]

already love how you made a point about change by using an entirely different but slightly similar game thats just as based as Psychonauts, keep up the good work!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It was too good an opportunity to pass up! Love the Alice series and that line from the cat always stuck with me.

[@Orange_Tree_]

PEGI 7 game. Dissection of human psyche. Alchemical purification process. PEGI 7 game. Analysis of relations between political powers and opposition. PEGI 7 game. How can you not love this channel?

[@mkgaca8721]

I always wondered about the connections of DID and Ford. Its not 1 to 1, a main component is that the trama happend in early childhood, but most of Fords trama happend in his later years. I suffer from it, and Ford has been a comfort for me ever seince I relized I was a system that you can "heal" a broken mind.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Yeah it isn't an accurate display of DID. Ford says he has multiple personalities so in kind of went with it. It's why I didn't dwell on it much.

[@mkgaca8721]

@Gaming University Absoultly. Though I would have loved if there was a semi-accurate depiction of DID lol. With how they handle other mental health issues, I dont think it would be botched as bad as some other media.

[@hostofwords]

I'm so glad they let Raz treat the situation seriously. So easy to insert a quip or zinger, but the moments are allowed to stand as they are.

[@wazzupyuwu]

fords minds were always some of the most interesting to me, and certainly the most heartbreaking. i already have a huge soft spot for stories about love within tragedies, and each one of fords minds delivers a near vomit inducing gut punch in its own way. like, the absolute shock when i realized the lice were representing the citizens of grulovia made me stop for a moment the first time i played, and it still gets to me upon replays. REALLY excited to see what you have to say about the other parts of ford, and everything else beyond that

[@Dasher260]

"War changes everbody. Inside all of us... we all have-" "Dark roots." "Well, sometimes we need that darkness, to survive." "Careful. Sometimes it's hard to get it back in the bottle." Such a smart game. Admitting the need for 'darkness' without condemning it... but at the same time, warning that it's very easy to go too far.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I couldn't have written it better myself. Necessary but hard to control.

[@Enigma2Me]

8:37 The lighthouse could also be how Ford views himself as helpless and unable to really help Lucy either. Yeah he can "guide" her with his light, but that didn't mean she was going to follow the light. And all Ford can do is watch as the woman he loved turns into something unrecognizable, desperately pleading with her to stop but unable to stop her himself. A static observer to the horror unfolding.

[@brendantoungate8287]

Just wanted to say thank you for the awesome Psychonauts 2 content! This game is truly incredible.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It is my absolute pleasure! This series is a treat to work on.

[@kiayaplews8593]

You'll have to use the Senior Bowling League Pass next... I can hardly wait for you to explain what sentient germs and a date at the bowling alley have in common (theoretically, the concept of "the end of the world" is different for everyone, but it often revolves around something minor in the grand scheme of things), plus I love the joke the game designers managed to sneak into that aspect of Ford's mind: RAZ: I wonder if there's any brains up there. YOUNG FORD/BOWLING PIN FORD: More than you have, sonny! It's extra hilarious because, while all three mirror shards are kept in a large, towering version of Ford Cruller, this is the only version in which Ford's effigy is young, and that likeness is on a bowling pin... in other words, Ford sees his younger self as a "pinhead" for letting his feelings for Lucy get him in this mess to begin with. You can add that to the video.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Lots of pun play here. I love it lol.

[@kiayaplews8593]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Thank you... but seriously, when is your next video for Psychonauts 2?

[@aaronscott8653]

Love your videos really brings to light psychological issues a lot of people suffer from everyday and might help people to realise if they have one or not.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'd still say run by a professional but I'm glad to be able to point some people in the right directions. Understanding of what people go through is the first step to empathy.

[@MrFez-ef1kd]

Didn't get a notification, but apparently the collective unconscious pings me when GU uploads so that's neat.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Oh sorry that's me. I put our some collective unconscious sonar waves to let you know

[@lanuudo]

Your videos showed me one of my favorite games franchises thanks for your Psychonauts videos c:

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You got it!

[@blacklight683]

You know, its interesting watching these because i am pretty sure i've seen all of these so far in me, and in others It just shows how common they are, they are in every person. No one's perfect but what interests that when i hear all of these i formations i reflect on myself first, and say to myself 3 questions, if the answer is yes then i go to the next one "do i have this?(as in do i actively or passive think this?) Why do i have it?(the yes here is being something that isnt negative) And finally SHOULD i fix it?" Cuz remember if you try to fix every single thing you will reach a point of being unrecognizable and as said in this video change isnt always good so pick wisely what change you think is and isnt good and only do the good changes But that's me, am not the representation of all of humanity, which is why its interesting to see other people using these to reflect on others and justify themselves using it instead of reflecting on themselves first and understanding why others do what they do in the first place

[@buzztheshowhost4783]

In a pretty twisted way he's kind of the jack of all trades

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Kind of it. This guy seriously has some job security.

[@trolldecai6874]

its like 3 am but im excited for a new Psychology of Psychonauts

[@Claymann71]

Found at 6 am. 👍 Always good for starting the day right!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Glad to help start the day right!

[@trolldecai6874]

@@GamingUniversityUoG it ended the day i passed out like right after

[@Karlusman]

Even if you went in to it, you cant change my mind that the Psychonauts are not just cooler therapists.

[@dr.jackbright963]

Therapists...but war crimes /j

[@magicrainbowkitties1023]

Therapists that set squirrels on fire

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Therapists... but more bacon

[@TheRoomforImprovement]

The “those were peaceful protesters, Lucy” line is devastating once you understand the context.

[@AgentChick]

I was not expecting you to start posting these Psychonauts analysis this often instead of once every other month, but I'm not complaining! Some of my favorite content in the platform.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I didn't even realize how I was uploading one like every 3 months. Dont know how you all put up with me this long lol. I'm glad you have been enjoying this series!

[@AgentChick]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Well the wait is always super worth it, even before you finished the Psychonauts 1 series, they're really high quality even if they took a bit :P

[@TooRudeProductions]

I love these videos man, I've loved this franchise since the first game all those years ago, it's great to see someone dissect it

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I didn't find it until several years after the initial release. But Psychonauts is a love of mine for sure.

[@snowblossom4961]

Upon seeing you mention it if you do ever want to cover the Alice McGee series i would consume the hell out of it.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I havent played those in years. Would need to replay them. But yeah that series is highly requested.

[@spaceman1159]

genuinely some of the most interesting videos ever made

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much! I very much appreciate getting your feedback.

[@michelecastellotti9172]

What i like of this game is that unlike many other horrors or psychological games, movies or books, it treats everything with a ground of reality:"we all have some dark roots inside of us, sometimes we need it to survive. careful! Sometimes its hard to put it back in the bottle" it perfectly represents humanity, because lucretia was simply human, it wasn't some dumb stories on:"da tru nature of humaniteeeh" its a story of the nature of the human emotion, she wanted to help, but as you said: she didn't think far enough and lost control over her own actions and events these caused

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I mean we all carry remnants of our caveman past where certain things were necessary for survival. Luckily we don't have to engage in our inner Maligula anymore. She was just in a horrible situation and snapped.

[@thedbdentity2102]

Barbara Ford makes a pretty strong point. Well yes sometimes anger and other negative emotions are required but you have to remember you need to get them back under control and that can be hard

[@palemourningrose2463]

I really liked this level because it was easily the most overtly dark of the three fragments. Literally and figuratively. It dives into some very dark topics and deals with serious problems, and while it is the last fragment most people played in my experience, it’s the moment I think a lot of us realized just how serious things were getting.

[@drakothedragon]

You wouldn’t believe how fast I clicked this video when I saw it pop up in my recommended.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

0.85 seconds?

[@SoratheWonderful]

1:26 and that can be said as well as the campsite Whispering Rock.

[@Phlosioneer]

Great stuff as ever! I’m a bit concerned that the videos are getting shorter and shorter, but maybe that’s just the reality of production on YT. Going to start supporting on patreon to help keep this going.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It really depends on the mental world. Some are small and some are bigger. Hollis had to be split into two videos for that reason. Psiking Sensorium is going to be a huge one.

[@KaminoKatie]

3:14 Double Fine should've have Bob and Helmut live their psychedelic cottagecore fantasy in a pretty cabin instead of living in the feel mobile tbh

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Who knows what they will do after the story ends here.

[@bluethelucario6194]

Okay, now I want you to do a video on Alice: Madness Returns XD. Great vid!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Haha maybe I'll replay it soon for that. I'll have to figure out how exactly to present it.

[@misterdonlon]

Excellent analysis as always my friend!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much!

[@misterdonlon]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Messed up a bit with the release of my Ford video sandwiched between yours but hey at lest we took different approaches!

[@maxtrieschmann2573]

Great work as always!!! Honestly though, I thought it was gonna go: Strike City, Crullers Corespondence, and then Ford's Folicles.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I debated the order on these. Figured diving into the antagonist more was a better start.

[@maxtrieschmann2573]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I gotcha 👍

[@moneylover318]

​@@maxtrieschmann2573Which do you think is better? A lot of people seem to debate which should be first.

[@crimsoncuttlefish8842]

Liked because Alice reference

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Too good to pass up. I've been asked to explore those games in the past so I felt like teasing the audience with that a bit lol

[@RedGunnerguy]

Interesting points. Great video. There is one How does Ford's environment actually affect his mental state. We only have three examples so it is really hard to say. What would happen if it wasnt a bowling alley but an arcade? Or if there canteen was still open? Or if he worked at the bar? My guess is that Ford just throws himself into whatever form of work is available. I see no true link between the hairdresser and lucy. It is not like he ever did her hair, as far as we know. BUT, and I assume you will touch on this in later videos, certain places will remind him of his regrets. A bowling alley will remind him of Lucy, a mail room will remind of his correspondence.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It is really just symbolic associations. We can find some kind of link between an environment and something else if we really try to.

[@sphereofcompassioncreation156]

All caught up on your incredible videos! Thanks for helping me appreciate this series even more! I think you may have missed something. Not in the game but about psychological disorders. Have you heard of the term speciesism? It’s where one determines one species to be better than another. In most cases the “lesser” species is itemized. A good example is how most people are against cruelty to dogs but are fine with farm animals being killed. It’s often rationalized as something necessary, but it’s not. Vegans have shown that to be true. Many people are against hunting for sport because it’s done for reasons of pleasure or enjoyment, but that’s the core reason that many humans purchase and consume animal products. It’s been normalized but when we think about it, exploitation is wrong no matter who the victim is. Vegan Activist Gary Yourofsky also pointed out that speciesism is the route of all discrimination. It’s the first one we are taught but like all prejudices it’s a learned behavior. What are your thoughts on speciesism and how it conditions our minds to be apathetic to the suffering of our fellow animals both human and non-human?

[@tsm688]

Racial discrimination is not based on values from food. Someone who **ate** people based on ethnicity would be more than a hate criminal, they'd be deranged. You're throwing tons of thinly-related concepts at the wall and finishing with "they're all the same", but I don't think they are. And you're tossing around so much straw it's making me sneeze. You can't just tell me "what people think", and can't declare a hot-button issue to be a mental illness because one psychologist made up a word. Speciesism as a mental illness is not that **useful** an argument either. You're not going to convert the 80% of meat-eating humanity by telling humanity it's mentally ill. Tell humanity vegetarianism is cheaper. Tell them it's better for the environment. Those two cut down my meat consumption a lot without you saying a word, because I'm cheap... Look up what the term speciesism was invented for. It makes much more sense in that context.

[@jahjalh9648]

What game is that cat from? Like, I know it's Alice in wonderland, and that it's some version of the Cheshire cat. But I don't know what game it is specifically.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That clip is from Madness Returns. It is the sequel to American McGee's Alice in Wonderland. A really dark twist on the story. Examines what happens to Alice's Wonderland after she suffered a trauma. Her world gets corrupted too.

[@AntonMonster]

Judging by how many characters we have in Psychonauts 2, I’m excited about future videos 😊

[@FoxFable]

4:23 HIM ITS THE HIM

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Lmao. How did the cat get in here?!

[@furnaceheadgames9001]

1:07 I DID not know that

[@tasertag7513]

Another good one.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you!

[@tasertag7513]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Hello!

[@treynash1405]

Talk about cutting to the chase, wonder what you'll go with next; FORD'S OTHER PERSONALITIES, or PSI KINGS SENSORIUM

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Spoiler alert. Next up is Strike City then we get the Psiking!

[@codyboise9989]

Whenever I play through ford's fractured minds I always start with barber ford first before going outside the motherlobe that way I have all the nuggets of wisdom and figments.

[@blazlock7285]

So much mental traps that... well, fibds himself not wanting to shoulder most of the responsability himself, especially with all the secrets he has made, was fotced into and caused.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Sometimes emotional turmoil is too much to bear. Ford's story reminds me of the ending of Pi. If you've never seen that film I'd recommend it.

[@lostmediadetective2590]

Hey I like that the censors have new haircuts in the level

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Censors getting ready for a fancy event it appears

[@lostmediadetective2590]

Or because the mind you go into is a barber it could represent a bad hair day

[@AE1OU]

Cant wait for the next one

[@Claymann71]

Federal Holiday in USA. No work today. _Time to Speedrun Psychonauts 1 & 2 again._

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Too bad I'm working anyway :( Enjoy our speedruns

[@Claymann71]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Ideas aren't made, they escape. Absolutely amazing video, everyone! The world needs more Psychonauts & Internal Introspection. _... I wonder what Putin the Poisoner's Mindscape would look like..._

[@tinkerblunder5150]

Take this with a grain of salt, I’m the furthest thing from an expert on mental health. If I got anything wrong do not hesitate to tell me. I remember hearing one of the reasons personalities are added to a DID system is because the mind thinks they’re a personality who can help with that specific scenario. Seen in fictives (alters based on fictional characters) but I find it interesting that the barber personality has such an emphasis on Lucy and failure to help her change in a positive way. With the barber he can help people change while keeping them true to who they are. I’m not the best at explaining, and again, if there are any experts who know I’m wrong please don’t hesitate to tell me, and if this comment hurt anyone I will delete it.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm not an expert either so you're good. Just a guy who can use google and knows how to research. But yeah I've heard that they usually arrive during childhood as a means to disassociate from traumatic or stressful experiences. A personality there to take over while their primary self checks out so to speak. Again not an expert in this. There are some comments from people who do experience it you can discuss it with in more detail.

[@EchoSanchez]

I wonder if when Ford first met Raz or Felt his presence, that his psychic energy felt similar to Lucy's and thats why he gave him special treatment,especially after finding out he has Hydrokinesis (the hand) but subconsciously.

[@Chimeragui]

What’s funny is that the Cheshire Cat in AMA and MR could be considered the rational part of Alice’s mind, while Alice herself is the emotional side, hence him rightly noting a fundamental truth: While change is inevitable, this does not mean that it is inherently _good_ This is especially pertinent considered the truth about the changes Bumby tried to instill in Alice.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Cheshire cat was almost trying to warn her about Bumby during this scene. Depending on how you want to look at it.

[@Chimeragui]

Hell by the Cat’s own admission when Alice remarked that he is unhelpful, he and Alice both know full well that he can be helpful _if_ she is willing to listen. Case in point, he warns her to be on her guard because while Wonderland has healed from the previous game, things are still not right

[@redrasegarden]

Oh, maybe you can do something like this with the Alice games?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I never rule anything out.

[@redrasegarden]

@@GamingUniversityUoG look forward to whatever comes next

[@willisrose9756]

Yes!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You mean, ahhh yeahhh!

[@bloxyoyo]

i believe the chronological order for the minds is: strike city, crullers correspondance, and then fords follicles.

[@lostmediadetective2590]

For short term memory,It’s all cause and effect

[@ncarter7999]

Yeah. Multiple personalities is not really a thing. That's just in the movies

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

D.I.D. is a real thing, albeit extremely rare. How hollywood uses the idea of multiple personalities is rarely accurate though i agrees. It would be more accurate to say Ford is in a Fugue state though.

[@frostyvoid827]

6:19 - 🤨📸

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Hmm...maybe he is referring to Pillowpants

[@PangotheEevee]

Keep up the good work

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Will do!

[@lukemills237]

Speaking as a bunch of people living in one head (not DID tho), we find the classification of alters as just being personalities demeaning. They are full-fledged people in every way that matters. Whether system members want to integrate or not is a deeply personal decision, and existence in a plural state is not inherently problematic.

[@dr.jackbright963]

When one system sees another in comments 😐👉 👈😐

[@lukemills237]

@@dr.jackbright963 Cat: Hi!

[@MrJoeyWheeler]

...so in other words you're an abject nutjob who wants attention. I thought your particular brand of crazy disappeared when tumblr died. Also you've clearly not thought it through. If your "multiple personalities" are "full fledged people in every way that matters", then clearly you should be paying the tax and rent of multiple people.

[@dr.jackbright963]

@@MrJoeyWheeler follow up, 3.5% of the world population has some sort of dissociative disorder (osdd, did,pdid) more people world wide than people with red hair.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

As someone with red hair now I feel like in such a minority. Lovely lol.

[@EMD766]

I can’t help but feel this video dropped today to tell me to get a haircut…

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Do it!

[@enzothenet1027]

I like every time it is a mecanical outside and human inside

[@maxleroux]

I always thought it was weird that you didn't have to go into anyone else's mind first to enter this mental world, while the other two personas have obstacles in the way. Maybe the game developers planned to make a metal world for Otto Mentallis, but had to scrap it due to budget constraints. Also, what made you want to cover this mental world next? Just seems like an odd choice to me in terms of story progression.

[@ilregiallo4151]

I think Otto mentalis could have a big role in a possible future sequel. His last lines made me worry a lot.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Oh yeah Otto definitely is something they have to tap into for a third game. I was just talking to the discord about my opinions on a potential plot line related to him. So it is established a brain can be in the brain frame essentially indefinitely. And that it can be popped into other bodies. Does this suggest a brain could be hundreds of years old and body hop to become immortal?

[@ilregiallo4151]

@@GamingUniversityUoG It is hard to tell, since in this world the rules of neural anatomy are pretty different (I mean, you can loose your brain by sneezing!). What I was worried about is Otto's idea of allowing everyone modify their own mind. There are a lot of dangers in that.

[@TheIvoryDingo]

I think the reason why we don't enter Otto's mind may be because he is the member of the Psychic Six who is the most outwardly 'stable' out of all of them. While all the others have hidden themselves away from society in one way or another (though one unwillingly), Otto is still actively working for the organisation by providing the gear for the various agents. And while he may spend most of his time at the lab, that seems more like a symptom of being too focused on his work than out of a desire to avoid society (as he most certainly enjoys any praise).

[@DoodlePrince]

Splendid

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@cartooncass1726]

Double Fine very specifically turn away from linking Ford to DID because they learned after the first game how the depiction was rather disrespectful to people with real DID and what Ford has is now purely link to the Astralathe

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That's a smart move honestly. I was hesitant to even include this because this really is not how it is expressed in real life. But Ford has a line of dialogue about it so I touched it quickly. Deciding to focus on other things

[@squidd1723]

Never take this man to a prison….

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

But we need a prison barber ford.

[@ajxx9987]

I kind of feel like he's the actual antagonist of the game I was so surprised that he got away with it so easily, he should have been held accountable for what he did imo

[@KaminoKatie]

He's essentially Obi Wan

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I wouldn't call him an antagonist since he doesn't act in direct opposition to the protagonist. Definitely has some serious flaws though.

[@ajxx9987]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I didn't mean antagonist in a direct way but his actions weren't morally good in my opinion and caused more harm than good

[@Basile.BowBow]

"La Crue Noire" also directly refers to the deluge of Grulovia ("crue" means "flood" in french :)

[@jonmcknight18]

I can't wait for PSI King's sensorium because of the senses the six represent Audie being big because Helmut loves music and the most important part of music is the audio and tasty and sniffles being Compton and cassie o'pia because they were a couple and taste and smell are linked.

[@DatHarlequinOni]

Man Id love to see you do vids on the Alice video games now that Ive seen that clip.

[@ahitfan1captaina]

4:16 or 4:17 Nice reference to Alice Madness Returns, also I may have said this once but I'll say it again. You know, I checked a Wikipedia page for the Game "Alice Madness Returns" which is the sequel to "American McGee's Alice" and found something interesting, in "Alice Madness Returns" we a Skeleton that looks like Raz, and the wiki page that mentions this even says how similar both Alice Liddell and Milla are as they both lost families or loved ones to a fire.

[@centurosproductions8827]

Somehow, due to the way I progressed through the game, I didn't realize these worlds didn't have a set order you had to play them. I can't actually remember the order I did them, though...

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I did the bowling one first on my playthrough. Don't think there is a right or wrong order for them.

[@Titan990]

One aspect that will shown in the other ford levels is that they are all tall imposing figures yet can only watch/do their jobs. This shows Fords “uselessness” in his mind.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That is definitely a way of looking at it. Always immobile. With the exception of the postage stamp version of him.

[@Titan990]

@@GamingUniversityUoG and I really like how it’s a call back to the first game where Ford did the same thing: he couldn’t leave the underground area because the moment he leaves he becomes a different person. So he has to stay observing and not doing anything until the last act of the game where he finally decides to leave. Ironically he does the same thing in this game when his mind is restored.

[@codyboise9989]

Are you gonna do psi-kings sensorium next or are you gonna nail out strike city first?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Strike city since it comes after Compton.

[@maverickdarkrath4780]

Wait you can do the barber shop first?.....I thought that one was only available after beating Compton and *spoilers* worlds and there associated ford mindscape

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I never tried to do it before Compton. But yeah you can do these in any order. I struggled with what order to do all of these.

[@tomcarter5037]

I know this might sound random but what if on top of ford being a barber the hair is a reference to Helmut I mean he did "die" in grulovia

[@carelesswhisker4155]

Shit youre right, helmut DOES have hair...

[@tomcarter5037]

@@carelesswhisker4155 no I mean a lot of hair

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

He does indeed have hair

[@Leckaine]

Sorry to bother but what's the song at the very end at the outro, after the chernobylite one?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

If it is the outro music than a tune from the Chrono Cross OST

[@Torauma_Yume]

I wonder if lucy's mental transformation occured in between psychonauts 1 and 2, during psychonauts 1, or before psychonauts 1

[@flowerheart2054]

Before psychonauts 1, 20 years before psychonauts 1

[@ajerjavec4723]

Quick question is psi king next or are you going to do Germ city

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Germ city then Psi King

[@ajerjavec4723]

@@GamingUniversityUoG gotcha and one thing I wish you talked about and it’s implied to the lies that when some people use justification to do some thing that to an outside person is basically the same thing like when some women who claim to be feminists are disrespectful to men went to an outside person they’re just being sexist to men or when minority groups do many disrespectful things to the majority groups, and depending on what it is they can be considered racist basically in my mind justification can just be something to give yourself the moral high ground

[@HarleyMartin-s6p]

War war never changes

[@squingldoo4518]

YAAAAY, More useless information that I will never use but still take in because it is entertaining, WOOOOOO!!!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Wooo!! No joke I used to get called Snapple because I was full of random useless information

[@briansanders8122]

Don't you have to do the bowling alley and mail room before the hair salon?

[@Warrior-Of-Virtue]

The way this is all presented doesn't really make sense. In one of the mind vaults, it says that Grulovia was being invaded meaning that they weren't the aggressors. So when the Grulovians protested the war, they were protesting the fact that the Czar had sent his army to protect them and their homes. It really feels like this entire story was changed at the last second.

[@KaminoKatie]

It might have something to do with Mircosoft's buyout of Double Fine

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

The protesting was not really about the war itself. But Czar Theodore's dictatorial reign. Granted there might have been some rewrites but it was more focused on him hoarding resources and the common citizen suffering.

[@Abb-overseer]

What game is the cat from

[@Darchias]

Those were peaceful protestors Lucy...

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It's always heartbreaking to hear him during that line.

[@waterman7082]

Wait they're not done?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Nope we got many more to go.