I come back to watch this every year or so. I've been so sick emotionally the last couple days I couldn't stop puking because of it. Tonight I'm actually smiling because of Day9. I'll always appreciate these videos.
Its funny Ive been dealing with depression for a very long time and I just can never get my family and friends to understand how that feels but this is actually a great and simple way for me to express it. If only I would have found this a bit sooner I could have avoided the biggest ninja star of all
Dodging is good if it means integration and understanding in a way that changes the way you FEEL about things, not the way you think! Dismissing and escaping does not heal emotions it only accumulates them and puts them on the background, and then you "suddenly" find yourself feeling bad "for no reason", when in reality you feel those suppressed emotions. Healing means accepting and integrating emotions, it means having a dialog with them in a way you would have a dialog with a five year old. Feel them through, let them show you and tell you what they mean, and guide them to change if you are able to see that they don't have a real reason to be. In the past I was depressed and in pain like most of the time no matter how hard I would try to "cheer up", and now I barely ever feel bad, and never have to avoid pain.
Difference between practical psychology and philosophy. Practical psychology: this video. Philosophy: understanding that it was the kitten who was throwing ninja stars at you from the dark all along.
Day[9] I just want to say a big thanks to you. I've had a really bad anxiety disorder over the last few months, and I think the main cause of it was paying too much attention to ninja stars and missing out on all the kittens. These videos have really helped me put things in perspective. Thanks for the awesome Christmas present.
A friend I will have for the rest of my life showed me this video in college when I first started living with an extended severe depression and OCD, it helped alot
For being 'just a starcraft commentator' you are very wise and surprisingly accurate to how psychologists have come to understand emotion. It's fairly well documented that negative thoughts (ninja-stars) are more prevalent in our mind, we tend to ruminate about the ninja-stars and ignore the kittens. What's interesting is psychologists have found that in general it takes three positive thoughts/actions to counter one negative so the best way to deal is to do less bad or to dodge the ninja star.
I was kinda feeling happy focusing on the positives throughout the video til the very end when you said that it's better to watch this video with a partner... That brought me right down again. But I'm trying to focus on the good things most of the time.
Iginit, I'm really glad that you're starting to dodge the ninja stars! Never give up on trying to be the best person you can, and I really hope that you can overcome your problems and relationship problems! Keep on dodging, and know that there is a kitten for every ninja star you dodge.
When i talk to people about overcoming depression, i and the person i'm talking to usually share it, i tell them i try not only to get out of the giant pit i'm in, but to fill it up, so that i never fall back in. Good to see day9 has similar thoughts, good to know i'm on the right track.
Day9, you are amazing! I feel so much better being able to put everything i'm feeling into perspective, and thanks to you, I was able to. Everything you just said was absolutely fantastic, and you're right, I don't think i'll ever forget your system of kittens and ninja stars because it just makes so much sense! Thank you Day9, you truly helped me :)
I hate how this has so few views, it completely helped me out in life when I was dealing with constant sadness. It helped me "dodge" those ninja stars and enjoy the kittens... or puppies... because I like puppies.
acceptance of ''negitive'' emotions is a much better way of dealing - because after you accept it you start to enjoy them. Ain't no such thing as 'bad' feelings there are only feelings.
I liked this a lot. And I get where your coming from. You are very intelligent and a great speaker. I get 19/20 ninja stars. Just relieved when there's a kitten. I was diagnosed with high depression and high anxiety disorder. I've had it since I was a child. It sucks badly.
I try to be a 19/20 kittens, but I end up being half/half a lot of the time. The "fun" part is that I'm the one who ends up throwing ninja stars at myself, or I just see them coming and don't think I'm fast enough to dodge, so I don't even try. I'm also one of those people who won't let someone else clean the wounds for me, so to speak, so they end up doing a buttload more damage than they normally would. Thinking of emotions like this is absolutely beautiful. Just... yes. It sheds light in ways I would have never expected.
Friend sent me this, toild me I would look at the beginning and we'll see after. Man that was really a cool video, I looked through it all, and really mad me laugh. If I can't dodge the stars when they come, I can be sure to thinka bout your video and still get a smile out of it. Great video man
Thank you, this explains to me.. why i never truly enjoy something. i mean i get happy about it, but its gone and i never realize it was a good thing later.. i see it as just something that happened and not something that's good.
Sometimes I have kittens with ninja stars and that's never a good thing. If I'm lucky, they throw the stars at each other. Seriously though, this is one of the most helpful videos on the internet.
I got hit by a huge ninja star today. My friends came into the light and healed the wound. Soon enough a kitten walked by and rubbed his head around my legs. And I was able to pet a kitten afterall. Day[9] saved my day and my life. -3
I listened to love letters in the sand by Pat Boone, while watching this videos, and Day9 philosophing really reminded me of some of the old Woody Allen movies, where - at the end of his movies - he stands there, explaining the whole thing, and philosophing about it, while smooth jazz music is played in the background :)
Wow... day9... you are soo unbelievable cool man.. This is exacly... how i feel all the time. Honestly im so emotional right now. i don't know why but i really really really get you. I hope i grow up just like you!.
Have had a hard time dealing with drug abuse lately, culminating in my love and greatest friend leaving me. Feels like I've been under constant, merciless shuriken bombardment by ninjas that'd make Uma Thurman cringe. Today however, I forced myself to move. Maybe it was sheer luck, but instead of feeling the familiar pain of metal biting flesh, I felt nothing. Shortly after, the bombardment paused briefly, and the most adorable kitten walked into the light. I hugged the shit out of that kitten.
I liked the vid, but I think a bit differently. I think that emotions follow a pattern. Unpleasant ones come when an unpleasant situation occurs, and pleasant ones come when a pleasant situations come. BUT! What feel's good and what is good in reality don't come together. What is important is choosing what is good regardless of instinct and how it feels. So my criticism is that these good/bad feelings (kittens/ninja stars) are not completely random coming out of the dark, though often they are random. Yet, once again, anything that feels good/bad isn't the brain acting in chaos (where a person randomly gets penetrated in the arm or snuggled by a cat), but more likely social, health, and economical factors. The extend of guidance one can expect from choosing what feels good and what feel bad is another topic however. I generally agree with Day9 and I know I'm not really 'refuting' him, but I believe that what I mentioned above addresses some common perceptions.
i've actually have watched this like 4 times now. this is so freaking brilliant. im still a defenate all-kittens -kinda girl, luckily, but not all my friends are. have used this video to help them, works like charm! :>
thanks day [9] i am definitely subscribing to your stream once i scrap up some dough, you're someone that can inspire and you have helped me complete my Accepted Challenge: 99% kittens and 1% ninja stars
this is like the most understandable example i've ever come across how to understand "the other type" of people you yourself are not. if it feels hard to understand that the first place.... smart guy is smart. \o/
Amazing video, so great at putting into words what I've always felt. Only critique is the "watch this video with someone line." BAM, ninja star to the face right there.
i usually cheer or sing when something good happens. becuse usually ppl dont react to good things only bad things, so to start reacting to the good things has helped alot !!! :)
Still love kittens and ninja stars comes to me whenever things get rough puts things in perspective helps me think about things from different viewpoint
I feel like saying this video was good, is little, to stand out after everyone's already said it's good. But I liked the metaphore and the video was good.
Day 9 . how can someone apply this method. from either the outside or in. to someone who has a disease like bipolar? or anxiety? it would be interesting to hear your input of the intensity of these kittens or ninja stars in relation to a harsh subject. thanks
I use logic and rationality 95% of the time. They are the best thing ever when you use them well; you can use them to be super passive aggressive, with that you make the other person feel bad and then you get really good emotions out of it and you feel really good...:D
@Karmoon7 I'm just trying to consider the whole fanbase here. I rarely play SC2, and I mainly watch Day9 because he's hilarious. Then there are the fans that go even further and look up to him as a guide and adviser for things outside of SC2. He's just.. real. He's down to earth. I see nothing wrong with him sharing his thoughts on the many aspects of life; especially when he makes some good points lol.
I used to be a "19 kitten and 1 ninja star lightly tossed at me, which bounces off and doesn't really hurt", kind of person, but then I was completely buried in ninja stars, and the pile is continuously growing completely outside of my control, with no hope of more kittens arriving any time soon. I built a couple robot kittens recently, which help a little bit, but they're really not the same... (Okay, I think I took the analogy a little too far. lol)
so sean, i have a dilema. You know your Gg button? well i took that sound clip and made it my text alert sound on my phone. i had my phone on max volume, enjoying my new sound, when suddenly i had to go somewhere. When i returned home, my phone was missing, and now every couple minutes, from some unknow place in my house, my phone yells GEE GEE!!! To be frank, it's annoying as hell. I can't call it because i was switching the sounds, and it is set at none. What should i do?
@nilockin maybe they are missing the other kittens because they are looking for the stars to come. But I would say that learning to dodge is still their best bet.
Hi Day9, Regarding the basis of your theory with the split between "reality" and "emotions", if you've never read them, you might want to read Paul Watzlawick's books, as they explain very well those concepts from Constructivism. Easy and funny books to start are "The situation is hopeless but not serious - The pursuit of unhappiness" and "Ultra-Solutions: How to Fail Most Successfully ", then go on with "How real is real?", and then "Munchhausen's Pigtail"? I think you should enjoy them. :)
Day9, have you ever read 'How to Win Friends and Influence People'? I think you would find it incredibly interesting and enlightening. A lot of what you say mirrors some themes in the book, though described in a different manner.
@Erzz197 One kitten's side has enough surface to block a dozen ninja stars. So even with half and half, if you reach for your kittens to help you, the net outcome will be kittens.
Am I a bad person if I generally use the kittens to block the ninja stars? I mean I feel this would kinda accurately describe me as I am rather emotionless most of the time, not really feeling the pain of ninja stars but not really enjoying the kittens either.
![Day[9]'s Musings - Game Design - Baseballs vs Frisbees](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kxx55e1ZQCY/mqdefault.jpg)
![Day[9]'s Musings - Game Design - Baseballs vs Frisbees](/img/tr.png)
![Day[9] Story Time - 3rd Grade Bill Gates](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z3uLLTA1NaU/mqdefault.jpg)
![Day[9] Q&A: Happy and Painful Experiences](/img/n.gif)
8 years later and so far you're right. I haven't forgotten. I probably never will. Such a great video. Thank you Day9.
I come back to watch this every year or so. I've been so sick emotionally the last couple days I couldn't stop puking because of it. Tonight I'm actually smiling because of Day9. I'll always appreciate these videos.
12 years later and i still find myself comming back to this. Thank you day9.
I legitimately think you should do a TED Talk on this XD
I watch this periodically, and it always makes me smile
Its funny Ive been dealing with depression for a very long time and I just can never get my family and friends to understand how that feels but this is actually a great and simple way for me to express it. If only I would have found this a bit sooner I could have avoided the biggest ninja star of all
This is even better to watch now that he has two permanent real life kittens. :)
+Elelwyn Now all we need to complete the metaphor is to throw ninja stars at him at conventions :O
Dodging is good if it means integration and understanding in a way that changes the way you FEEL about things, not the way you think! Dismissing and escaping does not heal emotions it only accumulates them and puts them on the background, and then you "suddenly" find yourself feeling bad "for no reason", when in reality you feel those suppressed emotions.
Healing means accepting and integrating emotions, it means having a dialog with them in a way you would have a dialog with a five year old. Feel them through, let them show you and tell you what they mean, and guide them to change if you are able to see that they don't have a real reason to be.
In the past I was depressed and in pain like most of the time no matter how hard I would try to "cheer up", and now I barely ever feel bad, and never have to avoid pain.
Difference between practical psychology and philosophy.
Practical psychology: this video.
Philosophy: understanding that it was the kitten who was throwing ninja stars at you from the dark all along.
Day9. I have been through a lot, and mr Plott you have been a ton of help. I hope you do stuff like this more in the future. Ya got a gift son.
I come back to this vid every now and then, helped me through some though times. Thanks Sean.
Day[9] I just want to say a big thanks to you. I've had a really bad anxiety disorder over the last few months, and I think the main cause of it was paying too much attention to ninja stars and missing out on all the kittens. These videos have really helped me put things in perspective. Thanks for the awesome Christmas present.
A friend I will have for the rest of my life showed me this video in college when I first started living with an extended severe depression and OCD, it helped alot
For being 'just a starcraft commentator' you are very wise and surprisingly accurate to how psychologists have come to understand emotion. It's fairly well documented that negative thoughts (ninja-stars) are more prevalent in our mind, we tend to ruminate about the ninja-stars and ignore the kittens. What's interesting is psychologists have found that in general it takes three positive thoughts/actions to counter one negative so the best way to deal is to do less bad or to dodge the ninja star.
I'm back to this video after 5 years... He has no Idea how much he affected my life
7:45 Damnit Genjii, let me build my turret in peace
I still think of this multiple times a year. It's such a good way to explain personalities
Never forgot this. He was right! 1:23
I was kinda feeling happy focusing on the positives throughout the video til the very end when you said that it's better to watch this video with a partner... That brought me right down again. But I'm trying to focus on the good things most of the time.
10 years later and I still link this to people sometimes.
I just linked this to my mom in the hopes of helping. Been 10 years and I still never forgot this great video :)
Metaphorically, I pick up the kittens and let them get hit by the shurikens. I don't get hurt and it doesn't kill the kittens :)
Iginit, I'm really glad that you're starting to dodge the ninja stars! Never give up on trying to be the best person you can, and I really hope that you can overcome your problems and relationship problems! Keep on dodging, and know that there is a kitten for every ninja star you dodge.
about to watch this for the third time in a row cuz i feel so good listening to someone who gets it! Go Day9 gooooo!
When i talk to people about overcoming depression, i and the person i'm talking to usually share it, i tell them i try not only to get out of the giant pit i'm in, but to fill it up, so that i never fall back in.
Good to see day9 has similar thoughts, good to know i'm on the right track.
i appreciate that you are not always positive because it gives you the chance, like now, to help those of us (me) who struggle with the negativity
I haven't played starcraft since broodwar... But I've watched almost every one of day9s videos... You sir are a genius!
Day9, you are amazing! I feel so much better being able to put everything i'm feeling into perspective, and thanks to you, I was able to. Everything you just said was absolutely fantastic, and you're right, I don't think i'll ever forget your system of kittens and ninja stars because it just makes so much sense! Thank you Day9, you truly helped me :)
I want to adopt this guy!!!!
I hate how this has so few views, it completely helped me out in life when I was dealing with constant sadness. It helped me "dodge" those ninja stars and enjoy the kittens... or puppies... because I like puppies.
acceptance of ''negitive'' emotions is a much better way of dealing - because after you accept it you start to enjoy them. Ain't no such thing as 'bad' feelings there are only feelings.
I liked this a lot. And I get where your coming from. You are very intelligent and a great speaker.
I get 19/20 ninja stars. Just relieved when there's a kitten. I was diagnosed with high depression and high anxiety disorder. I've had it since I was a child. It sucks badly.
Thanks Sean, you helped me through a lot of bad times with this video. You have Literally saved my life a couple of times by now.
I try to be a 19/20 kittens, but I end up being half/half a lot of the time. The "fun" part is that I'm the one who ends up throwing ninja stars at myself, or I just see them coming and don't think I'm fast enough to dodge, so I don't even try. I'm also one of those people who won't let someone else clean the wounds for me, so to speak, so they end up doing a buttload more damage than they normally would.
Thinking of emotions like this is absolutely beautiful. Just... yes. It sheds light in ways I would have never expected.
I love it when day9 talks about non-sc2 specific stuff, since i don't even play sc2 and i subscribed to him because of this stuff ^^
Friend sent me this, toild me I would look at the beginning and we'll see after. Man that was really a cool video, I looked through it all, and really mad me laugh. If I can't dodge the stars when they come, I can be sure to thinka bout your video and still get a smile out of it. Great video man
Thank you, this explains to me.. why i never truly enjoy something. i mean i get happy about it, but its gone and i never realize it was a good thing later.. i see it as just something that happened and not something that's good.
What an excellent analysis. Very helpful. Thank you so much day9! This was great! And I came across it at a very timely time:-)
I cannot agree with this video more. It's amazing what you've taught me. You're amazing, Day9.
Sometimes I have kittens with ninja stars and that's never a good thing. If I'm lucky, they throw the stars at each other.
Seriously though, this is one of the most helpful videos on the internet.
I got hit by a huge ninja star today. My friends came into the light and healed the wound. Soon enough a kitten walked by and rubbed his head around my legs. And I was able to pet a kitten afterall. Day[9] saved my day and my life. -3
I was watching this with my kitty :D
10 years later and still so True :)
Never forgot about this 😃
I just died of laughter watching this with the english auto subtitles for youtube :D
Great job on this Mr[J], keep up the good work !
I think Day[9] understands human emotion better than any therapist I've ever had.
I listened to love letters in the sand by Pat Boone, while watching this videos, and Day9 philosophing really reminded me of some of the old Woody Allen movies, where - at the end of his movies - he stands there, explaining the whole thing, and philosophing about it, while smooth jazz music is played in the background :)
Someday, in the future, you will be an important figure in some social theory of living. Kudos for you sir!
Thanks Sean. This is really spot on.
i had pretty sever depression high school too day9, thanks for sharing your method of dealing with it
Wow... day9... you are soo unbelievable cool man..
This is exacly... how i feel all the time.
Honestly im so emotional right now. i don't know why but i really really really get you.
I hope i grow up just like you!.
Have had a hard time dealing with drug abuse lately, culminating in my love and greatest friend leaving me. Feels like I've been under constant, merciless shuriken bombardment by ninjas that'd make Uma Thurman cringe. Today however, I forced myself to move. Maybe it was sheer luck, but instead of feeling the familiar pain of metal biting flesh, I felt nothing. Shortly after, the bombardment paused briefly, and the most adorable kitten walked into the light.
I hugged the shit out of that kitten.
I liked the vid, but I think a bit differently. I think that emotions follow a pattern. Unpleasant ones come when an unpleasant situation occurs, and pleasant ones come when a pleasant situations come. BUT! What feel's good and what is good in reality don't come together. What is important is choosing what is good regardless of instinct and how it feels. So my criticism is that these good/bad feelings (kittens/ninja stars) are not completely random coming out of the dark, though often they are random. Yet, once again, anything that feels good/bad isn't the brain acting in chaos (where a person randomly gets penetrated in the arm or snuggled by a cat), but more likely social, health, and economical factors. The extend of guidance one can expect from choosing what feels good and what feel bad is another topic however.
I generally agree with Day9 and I know I'm not really 'refuting' him, but I believe that what I mentioned above addresses some common perceptions.
Thank you for making this
AWWWWWWW. All the good things. Best of luck to you two.
sometimes i cant make time for a daily, but i always neglect all of my work to watch day 9 talking.
wow, Day9 never ceases to astound me with his vast knowledge of life.
I love this video. I watch it whenever I have a bad day to remind myself of all the kittens that exist amonst this world of ninja stars
Thank you for the nice talk on emotions, Kermit.
i've actually have watched this like 4 times now. this is so freaking brilliant. im still a defenate all-kittens -kinda girl, luckily, but not all my friends are. have used this video to help them, works like charm! :>
I likt the idea that reality and emotions arent the same, And that your emotions just tell you how you feel.
thanks day [9] i am definitely subscribing to your stream once i scrap up some dough, you're someone that can inspire and you have helped me complete my Accepted Challenge: 99% kittens and 1% ninja stars
Thank you Sean for this great Video!
this is like the most understandable example i've ever come across how to understand "the other type" of people you yourself are not. if it feels hard to understand that the first place....
smart guy is smart. \o/
Amazing video, so great at putting into words what I've always felt. Only critique is the "watch this video with someone line." BAM, ninja star to the face right there.
I couldn't help but think of a kitten flying on ninja star. Todays going to be a good day.
Ty Day9 for giving me the courage to asking out this person I like!
I ignored my 2 kittens to watch this. Now I feel crappy.
This video is a big, cute, snuggleful kitty. Now I feel all warm fuzzy
i usually cheer or sing when something good happens. becuse usually ppl dont react to good things only bad things, so to start reacting to the good things has helped alot !!! :)
I loved this! Thank you so much! This is so helpful and a lovely way to think.
Nice video. I watched all of it and found it really interesting.
06:05 God i love you Day9.. all your dailies are like little kittens to me! :)
Still love kittens and ninja stars comes to me whenever things get rough puts things in perspective helps me think about things from different viewpoint
You are a mastermind, Sean Saintmichael Plott!
When I feel sad...I watch this and I feel better :)
Well Day9's right, I never forgot this, and its still a concept that's helped me greatly
I feel like saying this video was good, is little, to stand out after everyone's already said it's good. But I liked the metaphore and the video was good.
Day 9 . how can someone apply this method. from either the outside or in. to someone who has a disease like bipolar? or anxiety? it would be interesting to hear your input of the intensity of these kittens or ninja stars in relation to a harsh subject. thanks
Today I had an absolutely shit day then I took a Day[9] kitten to the face ...thank you Day[9] :) Really lifted my mood today :D
I use logic and rationality 95% of the time. They are the best thing ever when you use them well; you can use them to be super passive aggressive, with that you make the other person feel bad and then you get really good emotions out of it and you feel really good...:D
@Karmoon7 I'm just trying to consider the whole fanbase here. I rarely play SC2, and I mainly watch Day9 because he's hilarious. Then there are the fans that go even further and look up to him as a guide and adviser for things outside of SC2. He's just.. real. He's down to earth. I see nothing wrong with him sharing his thoughts on the many aspects of life; especially when he makes some good points lol.
Rationalisation is a defence mechanism so it is only natural to try to rationalise negative occurences and emotions
Can we expect a Day9 Motivational Talk 5 Piece CD Set?
I used to be a "19 kitten and 1 ninja star lightly tossed at me, which bounces off and doesn't really hurt", kind of person, but then I was completely buried in ninja stars, and the pile is continuously growing completely outside of my control, with no hope of more kittens arriving any time soon.
I built a couple robot kittens recently, which help a little bit, but they're really not the same...
(Okay, I think I took the analogy a little too far. lol)
Nice Video Day[9] :) . You are such a good person :) Greets from Germany :)
so sean, i have a dilema. You know your Gg button? well i took that sound clip and made it my text alert sound on my phone. i had my phone on max volume, enjoying my new sound, when suddenly i had to go somewhere. When i returned home, my phone was missing, and now every couple minutes, from some unknow place in my house, my phone yells GEE GEE!!! To be frank, it's annoying as hell. I can't call it because i was switching the sounds, and it is set at none. What should i do?
this made me think of a radiohead song i like :D "just because you feel it, doesn't mean it's there"
I would say I am a 12/8 Ninjastar / kitten ratio but I too am skilled in dodging as I've had it my whole life now.. Love you Sean :)
Interesting topic. I didn't sub for Starcraft, but for what Day 9 does
thats a Kitten right there.. made me smile!
wow this was really amazing I learned so much thanks day[9]!
Yeah... a kitten everytime i watch the daily and that's not the only way you help me. Thx Day[9]
As much as I'd like to believe positive thinking will solve things, mental problems are not solved by changes in attitude.
@nilockin maybe they are missing the other kittens because they are looking for the stars to come. But I would say that learning to dodge is still their best bet.
Hi Day9,
Regarding the basis of your theory with the split between "reality" and "emotions", if you've never read them, you might want to read Paul Watzlawick's books, as they explain very well those concepts from Constructivism.
Easy and funny books to start are "The situation is hopeless but not serious - The pursuit of unhappiness" and "Ultra-Solutions: How to Fail Most Successfully ", then go on with "How real is real?", and then "Munchhausen's Pigtail"?
I think you should enjoy them. :)
This video's title works as a very intriguing hook!
Day9, have you ever read 'How to Win Friends and Influence People'? I think you would find it incredibly interesting and enlightening. A lot of what you say mirrors some themes in the book, though described in a different manner.
I am so teaching this to my kids one day.
@Erzz197 One kitten's side has enough surface to block a dozen ninja stars. So even with half and half, if you reach for your kittens to help you, the net outcome will be kittens.
Am I a bad person if I generally use the kittens to block the ninja stars? I mean I feel this would kinda accurately describe me as I am rather emotionless most of the time, not really feeling the pain of ninja stars but not really enjoying the kittens either.
Got hit by a few ninja stars today and reacted pretty badly. Still trying to implement your sage wisdom, Day[9].
Day9 would be the ideal TED talks speaker.... Imagine the things he could talk about