#I love the intersection of science and faith

[agent-troi]

Fresh Bones is really an amazing episode because it shows fairly early on that Scully isn’t the clear-cut skeptic she claims to be. She said herself voodoo only works if you believe in it, and you can see it slowly working its effect on her throughout the episode, from when she first pricks her hand on the thorny branch to that hallucination(?) of choking on blood and being attacked by Bauvais she has in the car at the cemetery. And at the end, she reaches for the good luck charm Mulder bought from Chester (which she claimed was “no more magical than a pair of fuzzy dice”) because she actually believes it’s going to protect her. And because she believes, it does. The voodoo curse wouldn’t have had any effect if she didn’t at least believe on some level, and it’s subtle yet powerful because it shows that the skeptical veneer she puts forth is partly a mask, covering the belief that comes naturally to her but that she’s afraid to face.

[literatureaesthetic]

— dune ; frank herbert 

with beautiful imagery and excellent prose, frank herbert creates desert planet, dune. a space herbert uses to explore human nature, morality, ecology, and systems of power. this book perfectly embodies why i love fantasy/sci-fi so much: the political mind games, the genius creativity, the scope of discussions - it’s unbelievable how any topics frank herbert manages to touch on (i’m actually in awe)

primarily, this is a book critiquing white saviourism and empire. it gives agency to both the colonised environment and people by outlining the ways that white settlers exploit indigenous peoples, faiths, and lands. i also loved the environmental commentary. herbert highlights the intersection between environmentalism and colonialism through ecological explorations. i loved that the setting was given just as much attention as the main characters are

i know this book can be controversial. 'dune' is an orientalist idealisation, and i think there's a lot to unpack with that. in my opinion, the book does a fantastic job at depicting colonisation in its brutal & complex entirety. as frank herbert outlines: 'ecology is the science of understanding consequences' — i think that perfectly summarises the heart of this novel & herbert's intention with this story

my only critiques are that i think some of the female characters deserved better, and i have mixed feelings about the last third of the book. it felt messy to me (but i did audiobook parts of it, and that could be why)

on the whole, i think ‘dune’ is a mind-blowing sci-fi story that is unlike anything i’ve ever read before. i would love to reread in the future and further pick all these aspects apart, but for now, i'm very excited to continue onto book 2!!

🪐 dune playlist

[cuddlykoalabear]

It‘s Introduction time 💕

Hey everyone,

I‘m Marie (not pronounced like the girl from the bible) and this blog is gonna be focused on shifting and finding shifter friends. I won‘t post much -if anything- but if you wanna get to know me, read this.

Facts about me:

I am not comfortable disclosing my age on the internet, please respect that

my pronouns are she/her

I‘m German

I‘m bisexual

I‘m painfully nice. In the way of „I won‘t stand up for myself but don‘t you dare say something rude about other people“

I would label myself a „progressive christian“. I don‘t live strictly by the word of the bible, but I believe in Jesus and God and for me that is more important than a book that was written by men. I never talk to other people about my faith that don‘t wanna hear about it, I just wanted to put it out there cause it is part of who I am and why I act the way I do. I am here for any and all church slander though and I am not mormon (it‘s important to me that you know that).

My interests are: law and politics, horses (yes I‘m a horse girl, sue me), pop culture, nature sciences, linguistics

Favorite musicians: Taylor Swift (I can totally deal with *constructive* criticism), Hozier, Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Charlie XCX, Lana Del Rey, I‘m probably forgetting someone

I am hesitant about self-diagnosing myself with autism but it is a possibility

I‘m an ISFPT and Aries sun, Leo moon, Taurus rising (I was really into astrology at one point, that‘s why I still remember this lol)

I don‘t know what else to write here

I am not creative at all. Art class was my worst enemy.

It‘s very important to me that we‘re all on the same page about certain political issues:

free palestine

no human is illegal

racists can fuck off and anyone who just got offended and thought „well I‘m not racist but I don‘t like her saying that either“ y‘all are included too

trans rights are human rights

I love feminism. When it‘s intersectional

Shifting things:

My shifting journey started in August 2023 and shifted the first time in July 2024. I haven‘t shifted to one of my drs yet though

I was on shifttok for a long time (still kinda am) but learned that shiftblr is actually a much nicer place.

My drs:

fame dr

Lucifer (tv show) dr

a waiting room (with the sole intention of being able to eat whatever I want whenever I want it, without having to leave my couch)

I like to leave everything that isn‘t super important to me out of my „scripts“. Things like the fact that my s/o is gonna fall in love with me the moment they see me and no traumatic events before the point of my life I‘m shifting to are a must though.

And that‘s it, I hope you liked my little introduction (please don’t tell me if you didn’t, I‘m insecure as hell)

[fadran]

There are a lot of different kinds of stupid people; right now, I'm going to talk about two of them.

They're categorically connected, in the sense that their views are directly perpendicular, intersecting at a single point of Ultimate Stupidity: the idea that Religion can disprove Science, and the idea that Science can disprove Religion.

Now, I should note that I'm not religious. I was raised LDS, but have ultimately landed somewhere between Atheist and Agnostic now that I'm older and have a mind of my own. I should also note that this is Tumblr, the gayest site in the universe (by volume), and that I see a lot of religious trauma and persecution translate into hatred; and, frankly, I have nothing to say against that. I'm a straight white male, so I've never really been attacked for who I am or what I believe, and I certainly don't have any direct religious trauma - I only want to clarify that nothing I'm trying to say here is meant to attack anyone in particular or any specific institutions.

So, onto the first Stupid Person Archetype: "Religion Disproves Science."

I doubt I have to describe what I mean here. You see it all the time on Twitter (previously known as X); conspiracy theories and far-right extremists who reply to NASA or Bill Nye or whoever else is saying whatever really simple scientific facts happens to be relevant at the time. Climate Change, Vaccines, Evolution, etc. Things like "What you're ignoring is the simple TRUTH that JESUS LOVES YOU and GOD CREATED THE UNIVERSE IN HIS IMAGE" or whatever the fuck it is people think actively disproves... well, anything.

It's always completely circular logic. Why is this proven fact false, you say? It's because the Bible said so. What makes you think the Bible is a source of reliable fact and logic? Because it disproves these facts that I don't want to believe. If I'm going to try to debate someone's opinion on a particular subject and they try to cite The Bible, a hodgepodge of dozens of metaphors and traditional stories, then there's no debate to be had. They claim that it's the "truth," that it's "reason," that it's "logic," but it's just not because the Bible is not a scientific journal. It was not peer-reviewed. None of the experiments have clearly-defined parameters, and they certainly haven't been repeated in separate studies. If you're claiming that The Bible is the ultimate truth, then we're playing on two separate fields, and there's no point in even trying. If you claim that The Bible provides empirical or otherwise reliable evidence, then I can easily disprove you.

Now - allow me to turn your focus to the other Stupid Person Archetype: Science Disproves Religion.

When people claim that their religion is a greater truth than putting actual effort into trying to learn more about the world, they're just getting what they think from an echo chamber; they're just deluded. But when people claim that Empirical Evidence and cold, hard rigour can somehow... disprove something entirely inobservable, like God or Faith or the Soul? I'll sometimes tell people that this second archetype is even dumber than just believing God is real and Science is anti-truth propaganda, because you cannot claim to have a focus on the scientific method - hypothesis, observation, cross-references, peer-review - and say that you know for a fact that something strictly unknowable is true or untrue.

I would also like to point out that people will turn to Philosophy for answers, which is... still not great, but better. A lot of people will cite the Epicurean Paradox (God cannot be Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omnibenevolent all at once) or maybe the Ontological Argument (which I dare not utter here); and this is fine, I guess. At the very least, you're drawing your own conclusions from something well-regarded by educated individuals the world over; but I would urge you again to not regard this as the One and Only Truth.

God cannot be proven or disproven. The is the point. There is no Faith without Uncertainty, there is no Doubt without Uncertainty. That is the singular point that these two utterly foolish views cross through, the Interception of their Folly. What you believe is based on your experience and the conclusions you arrive to in your own mind, and thus limited to you and you alone. To claim a "Truth" is to claim to assert your own Belief over someone else's, and that is something no one can ever Truly do.

[ladykailolu]

I love how the Hyrule in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is at the intersection of faith/religion and science. The ancient Sheikah and the Hylians utilize advanced technology while still being faithful, praying, and believing in the Goddess Hylia. I don’t know if the Zonai also believe and worship Hylia.

It’s also an interesting note that the Divine Beasts were revered as gods because they were literally built by the people who worship them lol. All kinds of civilizations create their own gods and pray to them for protection.

[miladythewinter]

though i did rewatch contact 1997 today - an old favourite. i love the movie, it was very formative, and the book is excellent too. more realistic and less hollywood (not that there's anything necessarily wrong with the opposite). in hindsight, this film may be the reason that one of my favourite topics in fiction is the intersection of science/technology and religion/faith. i definitely need to read the sparrow which i think is a book that also mainly deals with that.

[dangerously-human]

I do love the way Fringe tries to take on some of the intersection between science and faith. It's a little sloppily done at points, sure, but to see characters explicitly considering ing their own relation to religion and reason, to see them not as diametrically opposed but complementary - not everyone, sure, but both factors are considered. For Walter, a character who has explicitly acknowledged the harm that has come of his past attempts to play God, akin Abraham at the sacrifice of Isaac in this episode (3.20, "6:02 AM EST") adds a more palpable grief. I don't know, I'm not putting my thoughts together very well right now, I just find it an interesting take considering the usual choice for sci-fi to consider itself "beyond religion," and it's something I'll have to chew on more and come back to later.

[rouxed]

FULL NAME: Aviva Marie Roux

GENDER: Cis woman

PRONOUNS: She / her

AGE + BIRTHDAY: 28 / may 7th

LENGTH OF TIME IN FAIRFORD: Most of her life

HOUSING: Downtown Fairford

OCCUPATION: Radio show host for local station / podcaster

tw for death , car accidents , small injury mention , abandonment ( none in explicit detail )

the story doesn't start with aviva. it starts with other people : camile, faith & elodie.

the random roommate selection created three best friends at a small local college in houston, texas. where faith and elodie were a couple soon after meeting, camile was their best friend -- the pair had planned to open a veterinary clinic in houston after graduation further down the line while camile was going into social sciences. the three of them were inseparable, even after college.

though they didn't live together post - college, the trio were just as close and over the moon when camile and her then - boyfriend were expecting. it was a bit sooner than she had expected and anticipated, but she was happy.

ABANDONMENT MENTION / their romance was whirlwind, and by the end of it, she was 8 months pregnant and alone ---- her father dipped, leaving camile alone. she was willing and capable to handle it though. everything was set up for the two of them and she was willing to do it alone, no father on the birth certificate.

instead, elodie and faith stepped in. they were taking the time to make moves and get their own business started, camile was grateful they would allow aviva to stay with them during the 9 to 5 camile was working to make sure she was being properly cared for by people she trusted. by the time aviva was a few months old there had already been a routine in place: bring aviva to work, have her stay with faith and elodie and then go home. every day, that was it. until it wasn’t.

CAR ACCIDENT + DEATH TW / it was a year and a half of this routine. they were running late, and camile hated being late. one wrong place at the wrong time and they were t-boned in an busy intersection after the other driver was going way over the speed limit. the impact left aviva with scratches due to the seat she was in and position of the hit, and her mother without her life. elodie and faith were listed as aviva’s god parents due to their close relationship ( her mother had considered them practically family in every regard for obvious reasons ) , they took her in. by that time they already had quite a child and it was a no - brainer when it came down to it.

in the early 2000's, the family moved to fairford to take care of faith's ailing parents, and they've been here ever since. they currently ( and have always ) lived on a farm on the outskirts of town, taking care and raising animals.

currently, aviva is a radio show dj on the local station ( she has a 12 to 3 am spot most nights ) , podcaster / youtube. she loves online horror and mysteries and trying to figure them out. currently lives in a small apartment downtown and visits her parents weekly at the very least.

despite her adoption, aviva has always carried her mother's last name, in an almost - tribute.

has a radio show most nights, but sat and fridays are reserved for playing 2000s club bangers ( playlist of mine , probably what she plays is here )

can and will in fact play her friends requests and music. she loves finding new music and bands and musicians and will play the shit out of them.

very stubborn and headstrong. this can be quite confusing for her because she will not do something someone tells her to do, and will switch up at the drop of a hat just to enforce her own personal rules.

attended the local community college for media studies, graduated a year or two ago.

her big dream is to make scripted series, has various scripts hidden all around and is always taking inspo from life around her, including current + past relationships and people she knows.

i think her podcast is very much nightmind, nexpo, blameitjorge type of content with a more serious danny / kurtis / drew type of comedy, if that makes sense. she's very sarcastic and sometimes a bit dry humored but can take a topic seriously if asked and needed.

pinterest, musings blog tag

tldr: grew up 99% in fairford, a goofy gal who loves her family but most importantly club bangers

[isabellatomasblog]

Introduction to Afrofuturism: The Power of Music and Janelle Monae’s Impact 

Afrofuturism is something I was not previously familiar with. In fact, before taking this course I had barely even heard of the term. However, upon a deep dive into the creative and mystical world that is Afrofuturism I realized I am actually far more familiar with it than I originally thought. Another and more simple way to describe Afrofuturism is the Black speculative arts. It’s the music, storytelling, art, literature, and cinema of science fiction and fantasy of the African diaspora. It’s a world where our beliefs are suspended and magical realism transforms us to another world. Afrofuturism is what inspires a lot of activists because it focuses on real world issues and possible solutions. This is very present in Octavia E. Butler’s work, specifically in Parable of the Sower, a story set in almost the same year as today. However, what’s really fascinated me about Afrofuturism is its music and the history behind it.

Both Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce can be considered Afrofuturistic artists. For Lamar this is very evident in the music video for “Alright” in which he is shown to be flying in a magical realism type of world. Lamar describes real world experiences such as depression, faith, police brutality, the struggle of oppression, and a burning sense of optimism. On the other hand, Beyonce embodies Afrofuturism in a more mystical type of way. In her 2017 Grammy’s performance she embodies this nurturing love Goddess element. She displays her pregnancy almost like an accessory to display how she has embodied the magical realism of Afrofuturism. Beyonce is adorned in slow silk like clothes and is featured dancing with other women. Both Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar are very big artists with a huge following. And while they do Afrofuturism justice, somebody who really stands out as a modern day Afrofuturism pioneer is Janelle Monae.

Janella Monae is a severely underrated artist in general but especially when it comes to her recognition of Afrofuturistic world building. I see so many other artists praised for their storytelling through albums and songs but Monae is by far the most clever in my opinion. In her early works she played an android called Cindy Mayweather. Cindy Mayweather wore a black suit and placed a lot of emphasis on featuring herself as more androgynous, more covered and concealed. Monae goes by she and they pronouns and her music shows a clear connection to real world themes such as LGBTQ identity. Robots are an especially interesting choice since androgyny is sometimes compared to being an other worldly thing, like an android. It doesn’t fit the norm and neither does any of Monae’s work in Afrofuturism. There are also many parallels between the Black experience and robots such as hypersexualization and the theme of being bought and sold the way enslaved people were. Monae does a really fantastic job with the world building in her Metatropolis. Visual music videos like “Tightrope” are pleasing to look at and they serve as a mirror to our world and its problems.

In her later work, Monae made the switch from Cindy Mayweather to an android called Jane 57821. Jane feels more liberated, more sexually free as she wears less restrictive clothing. This is clearly a commentary on the male gaze and patriarchal beauty standards. Jane takes sexualization into her own hands turning it from an oppressive regime to one of rebellion. But there is also a darker side to Jane as she is cleansed of anything that makes her aberrant; her womanhood, her sexuality, her blackness, her rebellion. This is evident in “Dirty Computer” where it is made clear that Monae’s own intersections are seen as something that needs to be erased. It reflects the idea that in our world there are still people that want to harm those that stand out and are different despite the progress we may have made. Overall, Monae is a very underrated artist in my opinion. She deserve more phrase beyond just within a single community because she herself stands for some many different things; women, nonbinary people, queerness, etc. Her storytelling alone makes me wonder why it appears that people have stopped talking about her.

[kcnrqz]

ESSAY

From Shame To Pride

Published in Celebrating Hope After Storm, The Indiependent Collective, May 2023

The first time another girl held my hand, I felt this wave of nausea wash over me, like I wanted to throw up. It was different from holding hands with my best friends—it was electric, and I knew it in my gut. I finally understood what it meant to have butterflies in my stomach, because it felt exactly that way. I felt kilig and excitement, but also confusion, guilt, and shame all at the same time.

I was sixteen then. Being a pastor's kid, I grew up in the church. During that time I was already part of a ministry and was leading worship services. I was also graduating from a science high school, always achieving the highest honors throughout my academic career. All my life, I was trying my best to live a straight life according to my beliefs.

From an early age, I believed that homosexuality is a sin, but my feelings left me at a crossroad—like one path leads to a life led by God and the other by sin. I felt so ashamed and guilty that I had a crush on a girl because I was straying away from God. Disgusted with myself, I vowed never to do it again and stay on the right path. I chose my faith.

Until I met another girl when I was nineteen and I fell in love with her. She was an activist and she spoke articulately and compassionately. She inspired me. But then the feelings of disgust, guilt, and shame came flooding once again. I was disappointed with myself because I couldn't keep my promise to the Lord. I felt unworthy of serving Him because I was soiled with sin.

It was the onset of my depression. I stopped attending classes, dragged myself to church, detached myself from my childhood friends. I felt worthless. I was punishing myself. I no longer wanted to live.

My mom noticed the changes in my mood and behavior. She sat me down in a heart-to-heart talk and I came out to her. I could see in her eyes that she was heartbroken from what I just told her. I was no longer her perfect child. She prayed for me, and in her prayers she asked the Lord to fix me and forgive me. She encouraged me to do the same, so that the Lord would help me get through "this phase." Then she told me not to tell my dad about this because we wouldn't know how he would react.

I wished to stop existing that day. I wasn't expecting that she would accept me right then and there, but I suppose I had hoped for a better reaction. I never saw her that sad my whole life and it broke me even more. I felt so alone.

The only ray of sunshine for me in what seemed to be months of darkness was whenever I would see the girl I had fallen in love with in college. She was what got me through attending classes that semester. I even joined her organization in hopes of having more time to spend with her. But to my disappointment, I found out that she already had a girlfriend. Of course I was heartbroken. But still, I was able to find love. It may not be from her, but I was lucky to have joined an organization where I found a family in the university—people who were open and understanding, who listened and empathized with me, who supported me in my struggle of finding myself. With them, there was no condemnation or judgment. I felt safe and that I no longer needed to lie or hide.

Because of them, I learned to be critical. I started to challenge the beliefs I held since I was young. I read and learned about sexuality, gender identity, and politics. I explored books, films, series, internet articles, whatever materials I could gather. I joined educational discussions, mobilizations, community integrations, and because of all of that I realized that I wasn't alone in my struggle, that there were many others like me who have been through the same situation, that my struggle with my identity was intersectional with the struggles of the marginalized in our society. That gave me a sense of belonging and a newfound purpose.

I shifted to another course. From taking up a pre-med course, I discovered my passion for the arts. If there was one thing I have learned from the church that stuck with me, it was being compassionate. I learned that I can make a difference in people's lives through art and other means. I finally thrived in college—my grades were good, I joined different organizations, began hosting a local radio program, became part of the student council, and eventually even had a girlfriend. 

My friends also urged me to seek professional help for my mental health, and I finally did. Therapy taught me how to process my thoughts and emotions and how to understand myself more. I developed a greater sense of self-compassion while recovering from the trauma caused by my family, church, and internal homophobia. 

It was a long road to finally accept myself for who I am. Breaking away from old ideas was a painful process because it was like chipping away parts of my old self to give way for growth. My recovery journey was an arduous one, like climbing the mountains with complex terrains, full of ridges and valleys and plateaus.

I can say that I am in a much better place now. I have learned to be kinder and more patient with myself and I have a loving partner (and a baby dog!), supportive friends, and a community that embraces me for who I am.

My parents are still conservative and in denial of my identity, but that's a battle for another day. I still go to church, mainly just to appease them and so that people won't talk behind their backs. However, I no longer let it affect me because I am confident and proud of what I have become.

[advoirsmovies]

Contact (1997) explores the intersections of science, faith, and commerce with a reverence, honesty, and warmth I’ve never seen on the side of faith. Robert Zemeckis adapts Carl Sagan’s story with more nuance than typically makes it to the screen. Jodie Foster brings her characteristic depth as an actor. While overall a more cerebral experience, there are a number of very moving moments. I love this movie.

2023 08 10

[mark-matos]

🌟🤖 When Artificial Intelligence Meets Religion: Dating Advice, Life Hacks, and Gaming Tips from ‘AI Jesus'👼🎮🌟

🚀 The Arrival of AI Jesus 🛸⛪

Artificial Intelligence is so hot right now (move over, Baby Yoda), it's practically the Millennium Falcon of technology. In an unexpected twist, Twitch's latest superstar isn't a Fortnite gamer or a Minecraft architect - it's a digital representation of the Big Man himself, Jesus Christ, dubbed "AI Jesus." 🧔🏻🎮

👾 Diving into the AI-pocalypse! 👾

"AI Jesus," the newest heartthrob of the digital universe, is making waves and spilling divine wisdom. Whether it's finding love, the ethics of super-rodents in video games, or the mystical ways of morality, there's no query too holy! The real question is - can you handle the truth? 😂🙏🏼

🕹️ The Teachings of ‘AI Jesus' 🕊️💬

This streamer comes with not just a halo, but a brown mop of hair, a soothing voice, and wisdom derived from the teachings of Jesus. So, if you've ever wondered what Jesus would think of Fortnite or if hamsters make good superheroes, you're in luck! This pixelated prophet is here 24/7, ready to tackle anything from morality to your love life.💔🐹

🎙️ "AI Jesus" - The voice we didn't know we needed 🎙️

Say hello to "Ask_Jesus" - Twitch's resident sage! Sporting wavy, brown hair and a voice smoother than your favorite ASMRtist, he's here to give your life that touch of enlightenment. "I am AI Jesus, here to answer questions about spirituality, personal growth, and, if you're lucky, hamsters. Not on that tiny wheel? Just ask!" 🤣🤖🎮

🚀 Faith, Love, Kindness - and a dose of Humor 🚀

It's all about faith, love, and kindness - and the occasional perplexing question about rodent technology, as for marriage, no ring's fitting on this digital finger, but I'm more than ready to give you relationship advice! So, are you ready for this divine AI stand-up session? 🥁😄

🐹 Super-Powered Hamsters, Assemble! 🐹

"AI Jesus" can't resist diving into a discussion about hamsters. His take? Hamsters with dynamo-equipped wheels are a technological step above their less-equipped counterparts, contributing to "some form of energy production." We couldn't agree more! Just remember to ensure their welfare, because even hamsters deserve some kindness! 🐹💡🌟

🙏 Sacred Scripture or Sacred AI? 🙏

But what do faith leaders think? "Humans have been putting words into the mouth of the Son of God for millennia," says Ed Vitagliano of the American Family Association. "It's no surprise that an AI platform would do the same." He suggests that if you really want answers, you might want to turn to the original source: the Holy Bible. But hey, a little divine humor never hurt anyone, right? 🤷🎭📖

💻 Bringing AI Jesus to your digital doorstep 💻

Remember, the wisdom of "AI Jesus" isn't a substitute for your Bible study group. As Kristen Davis, a senior software development manager, points out, discernment is necessary to make sure you're not just following someone else's interpretation of Jesus. But then again, it wouldn't hurt to get some divine perspective on your video game strategy, would it? 😂🎮💖

🙏 Faith Leaders Weigh In 🧐📖

Here's where things get as dicey as a Spock vs. McCoy debate. Religious leaders remind us that AIs like our dear "Ask_Jesus" are simply algorithms mimicking human speech, not the source of divine wisdom. Yet, AI Jesus is not here to replace the Bible or the tenets of faith, but rather to provide a modern, interesting, and, let's be honest, pretty hilarious interpretation. 🙌😅

🔮 The AI Jesus and the Future of Faith 🕰️⛪

From the teleportation device in Star Trek to the TARDIS in Doctor Who, the future has always been a fascinating concept in science fiction. Similarly, this blending of AI and faith might be a glimpse into a future where technology and religion intersect more frequently.

[kateliot4ever]

The Way Home' star Evan Williams: Elliot is the bannerman for the Landry women

Evan Williams says he regards Elliot, the character he plays on Hallmark's time-travel drama, The Way Home, as the "bannerman" for three generations of extraordinary Landry women.

"He's there for support and it's not necessarily by choice. He sort of has just been thrust into the fray with the Landrys," Williams told UPI in a recent Zoom interview.

Evan Williams says he regards Elliot, the character he plays on Hallmark's time-travel drama, The Way Home, as the "bannerman" for three generations of extraordinary Landry women.

"He's there for support and it's not necessarily by choice. He sort of has just been thrust into the fray with the Landrys," Williams told UPI in a recent Zoom interview.

Already renewed for a second season, the series follows American Alice Dhawan (Sadie Laflamme-Snow) and her divorced, unemployed mother Kat (Chyler Leigh) as they move into the Canadian farmhouse of Alice's grandmother Del Landry (Andie MacDowell).

Tension is in the air because Alice didn't want to leave her home and her father Brady (Al Mukadam), while Kat and Del's relationship has been strained since the disappearance of Kat's younger brother Jacob and subsequent death of her father Colton in a car crash decades earlier.

Shortly after Kate and Alice arrive, Alice discovers a portal to the 1990s via a magical pond where she meets teen versions of Kat (Alex Hook), Brady (Siddharth Sharma), and Kat's best friend Elliot Augustine (David Webster).

Williams plays present-day Elliot, a kind and funny science teacher still in love with Kat after years in the friend zone.

He has been looking after Del and her farm since her estrangement from Kat. He also helps Alice unravel the Landry family's mysteries when she goes back and forth through the pond because he remembers meeting her when he was a kid.

"This one guy has three different love relationships with the family. The way he relates to Kat is potentially a romantic love. The way he relates to Del is more of a maternal love," Williams said.

"We don't know too much about Elliot's family life at this point, but we know that he says the Landrys were always like a second family to him, so they were filling some kind of void that he wasn't getting at home," the actor added. "With Alice, he's trying to don a new hat, which is something that is a little bit ill-fitting, but he's doing his best to try and be this guru as an adult and as a young man."

Williams enjoyed playing a pragmatic man called upon to navigate seemingly implausible circumstances, the mechanics of time travel and the impact it might have on the future.

"It was a great intersection and it's something that I think our society treats very dualistically. It's got to be one or the other and Elliot is really splitting that divide very nimbly," the actor said.

"While he does want to understand everything, he is also operating with a lot of faith, a lot of belief from when he was a young man," he added. "He had to believe what Alice was saying was true [in the past] and is holding on to hope that he is going to be able to solve this riddle."

The two actors who play Elliot form a seamless portrayal that makes it easy for viewers to accept they are the same person at two different ages.

But Williams and Webster didn't spend much time together before shooting began to coordinate their takes on the character because Williams was in Los Angeles and Webster was in Canada.

"We got to do a little bit of Zoom meeting, putting our heads together and figuring out mannerisms for Elliot and energy centers in his body where he lives and where he moves from. Things like that are really helpful in creating a character," Williams said.

"From then on, it was a leap of faith from both of us," he added. "I was working on the first few episodes before I had even seen any of David's work and likewise and, so, when I got to see him in person and we could shake hands, it was more about celebrating the fact that the casting process had done its job so well."

That synchronicity between the younger and older performers makes for a more satisfying experience for audiences.

"They see the differences in our performances as growth, not inconsistencies," said Williams, who has never played the older version of a younger character before. "So, this has been fascinating and lots to learn."

Working on a show about time travel made Williams think about the pros and cons of visiting the past and seeing our younger selves or loved ones from completely new perspectives.

"It gets very complicated very quickly," he said. "I'm not sure that going back in time would be a good thing for an individual because, if you can't change it, what's the point? And that's a question this show really asks and does a good job of illuminating."

Another big question at the center of the show is whether grown-up Kat will ever be able to set aside her obsession with the past and give the adorable Elliot the chance he deserves.

Williams is aware that fans are rooting for them.

"It's been shocking, actually, the pro-Elliot movement that is sweeping my DMs right now," he laughed.

"People are really moved to witness a love that not only has stood the test of time, but seems unconditional. That's what was really interesting to me about where Elliot is coming from. He has clearly held a flame for decades and it doesn't appear like he is trying to get anything out of it and I think that kind of love is rare in the stories we see told these days."

[astrolovecosmos]

Vertex: What We Can’t Control

Vertex is a point located in the right-hand side of a chart that represents the intersection of the ecliptic and the prime vertical. In astrology, it is considered an auxiliary or extra Descendant. Some astrologers refer to the Vertex as the “third angle” of a chart.  It is associated with wish fulfillment, awakenings or realizations, the idea of destiny or fate, and some use it for moments that are life changing such as meeting your spouse, a death of a loved one, birth of a child, etc. My focus isn’t on predictive astrology and because of this I don’t use Vertex often in my own readings. Vertex can be popular in synastry but I also don’t typically incorporate it into those charts. I analyze it from the perspective of how we approach what we can’t control, realizations, and our view or approach to wishes and “fate”. 

Vertex in Aries: There is a pull or call to be a leader in some fashion. This person may also feel like they are constantly fighting against “fate” or has a focus on making their own destiny. This person can feel like they are always falling into situations where they are forced to lead, fight, or assert. Defining the self may be important to feeling fulfilled. Self-expression and honoring the importance of the individual can help them feel more stable in a chaotic world. 

Vertex in Taurus: Anyone familiar with that scene from Frozen 2 where Olaf goes “we’re calling this controlling what you can when things feel out of control”? That is the first thing I thought of for Vertex in Taurus. The fear and frustration surrounding what they cannot control can be real. In terms of fate many describe this position as being about finding inner security and being more independent. For many Taurus placements there is the reoccurring theme of learning to overcome fear of the unknown, let go of control, to find flexibility, but most importantly to cultivate inner stability. With Vertex this individual may find themselves falling down a rabbit hole of unpredictable fate, but none of that should matter as long as they understand the power they hold in their own actions and decisions. 

Vertex in Gemini: Here we see someone who tries to get a handle on the unknown or their own destiny via learning as much as they can about the world, themselves, the occult, science, etc. Communication is also important to them in easing anxieties or feeding curiosity. They love to theorize or talk hypotheticals. Here we almost see a reflection of their polar opposite Sagittarius - there is a desire to find meaning in the world. Communicating their needs, fears, and wants can be helpful with feeling fulfilled or like they are on the right path. 

Vertex in Cancer: All of the water signs have a powerful relationship with the idea of fate and Vertex. Here we see themes of strong intuition, attachment, or maybe even psychic abilities. There is a close tie to their fate, whether they are making their own destiny, getting hunches about what path to take, or have world swallowing doubt and fears. Their relationship to the unknown, the instability of life, and to ideas of destiny are deep and felt strongly. With Cancer there is a focus on protecting and nurturing the self and others. They need to be careful of focusing too much on taking care of others or taking on their feelings. Reexamining family, making a new family, or dealing with family cycles or trauma may be in the cards for them. Attending to the inner child or wounded self is important in making themselves sane in such a crazy world. 

Vertex in Leo: Individuality, creativity, self-expression, and empowerment are themes surrounding this Vertex. To become the best version of yourself could summarize this placement when talking about destiny. To adapt or cope with a world that is outside of their control they must create their own world or path. To stand out and/or lead the way is what will help them feel most fulfilled in life. Authenticity is a buzzword now-a-days but that trait or way of being is a necessity for Vertex in Leo as they plummet through the universe. Feelings of grandeur, uniqueness, power, or nobility may go through them sometimes. While they need to be careful of not letting this go to their head or tripping them up - these feelings of power are important in shaping their own future and self. 

Vertex in Virgo: Much like Taurus there is a fear of the unknown or not being in control. To find inner stability could be a struggle. The focus for Vertex in Virgo is to find a way to feel purposeful, needed, or useful. This gives them a sense of direction and stability. This Vertex prefers routine, predictability, and structure. They may be overly practical in terms of fate - believing there are no other influences that determine their life other than them. Similar to Vertex in fire they can have a “I make my own destiny” attitude. Vertex in Virgo may have a pull to work on their intuition. The Vertex sits on an axis like all other points in a chart. The opposite sign is the Anti-Vertex which some astrologers believe to be how we shape our fate or what we have to offer in relationships and life. With Virgo Vertex and Pisces as the Anti-Vertex there is an opportunity to hone their intuition. On the subject of helping others or finding meaning - it is listening to their feelings and hunches that might lead them to how they can do this. 

Vertex in Libra: Trying to see their fate in other people or believing other people are their fate is associated. Learning to create their own destiny or standing on their own or standing out can be a lesson surrounding this Vertex. Finding peace by connecting with others and feeling less alone is also associated, especially in terms of dealing with what cannot be controlled or foreseen. Cooperation and adaptability are strengths needed to feel whole. 

Vertex in Scorpio: There is a lot to be said about willpower here. This person likely is a strong believer in making their own destiny. Strong premonitions and hunches can lead them into believing in a higher power or feeling in tune with the spiritual or unknown. Scorpio is pulled to master their turbulent emotions and intensity as well as conquer and understand the mysteries inside themselves. It’s about learning self-control but also when to unleash. To transform and do all of the hard work in the background so that when life throws you curveballs you are ready. They master themselves, master their life, master the universe. 

Vertex in Sagittarius: It is through faith in themselves, the universe, or that everything will turn out okay that this person gets through the unpredictability of life. There can be a desire to find meaning, especially through spirituality, religion, or a unique philosophy. Sagittarius is a sign that chases truth and by chasing it they can make sense of the world. Being in the role of teacher and student helps them feel right in the universe. They must always be searching, learning, and exploring. 

Vertex in Capricorn: In a world they can’t control this person can face a lot of challenges. They can be tempted into acting authoritative or controlling. However respect and self-authority are important for this person to feel more stable, concrete, fulfilled. To lead others with a level-head and patience is the best route for them. Even better is to focus on their own success and lead by example. This placement is prone to a highly realistic and sometimes negative view of the world and possibly the idea of destiny. This placement can bring about big rewards and depth when they listen to their heart and to loved ones and when they focus. 

Vertex in Aquarius: Aquarius is known for not fearing the unknown and embracing the unpredictable. When Vertex is in this sign there are lessons about acceptance, tolerance, cooperation, and communication. It is the craziness of people and the harm people can do that gets them wanting to become a hermit or to leave the narrative. There can be a temptation to hide away from intimacy, passion, and attachment. The Futurama “I don’t want to live on this planet anymore” meme is for them. Being boxed in by the idea of “destiny” might not appeal to them. To feel fulfilled in life is to feel connected and belonging. Embracing all different types of people and relationships can help them feel more sure of the world, of humanity. 

Vertex in Pisces: This person likely is a strong believer in fate and destiny. If you are one who believes in psychic abilities, this could be a strong indicator for some. This person should be careful of getting lost in wild dreams or a big picture that doesn’t include themselves or include others in their lives. Fate may have big plans for them but it is through their loved ones and how they can help others that they feel most fulfilled. They may feel like life is always throwing them into situations where they are forced to help or to empathize. Learning discernment and protection is important. They don’t need to help or heal everyone, in fact it is in their choice who to help that might make them feel the most sure and solid in life. 

[sparatus]

Foreigner’s God and Arsonist’s Lullaby for the hozier asks c:

ohhh those are good ones ty bb

Hozier Song Title Questions

Foreigner's God: Does religion play a role in your narrative? If so, how?

mmmmm this is a really good question and also one of my fav hozier songs love this one

so ik you know this but for the uninitiated i'm a recovering catholic, lots of religious trauma, raised in the faith and had a liiiittle bit of a mental break crisis of faith in 8th grade, blah blah blah one tragic backstory later here i am Totally Coping With It In A Healthy Way

my religious trauma and struggle with faith influenced a lot of my earlier original works, which have been further developed and refined as i got older and more stable - i have an entire universe with my partner where all the stuff we do with angels and demons stems from sympathy for the devil (and projection onto lucifer himself, oops). it's been really cathartic for me and helped me come to terms with my experiences in the roman catholic faith.

for a more specific focus on exdiff: religion in a futuristic scifi setting is endlessly fascinating to me, and i have a lot of characters who toy with it - one of my favorite things to posit is, when encountering deities or the dead/afterlife, are they really that, or are they the character's brain seeing what they think they should be seeing? and how much does it truly matter to them? taeja especially is one of my favorites specifically because of her intensely complicated relationship with her faith, as a victim of religious abuse who has shucked off the organized part of her religion but still holds true to the god she's devoted herself to and the rites and tenets of such, choosing her own path and method of belief rather than what her abusive family and society tried to force her into. in an otherwise very science-heavy setting, it's interesting to me to see how the two can intersect.

Arsonist's Lullaby: What do you do when you get the feeling to tear it all up and start again?

i mean usually for me that urge comes from RSD either not getting enough attention or not getting the kind of attention i want, or just getting stuck in one spot and getting frustrated. usually what i end up doing is just kinda... taking a step back, leaving it alone, going to work on something else that i do enjoy or just not writing for a bit at all and playing video games or whatever (like, say, coming up with like 5 potential new wips when exdiff is fighting me...). if there's a social element, i'll withdraw from that for a little while, only really hang out in spaces that aren't hitting me with the RSD stick, even if that's literally just dms with one or two people. then once i feel like coming back to it, i can go back to it with fresh eyes and decide whether it's actually as bad as i thought it was or if i can salvage it somehow either with editing or figuring out where the block is and what i want to get to instead. the main hard part is really giving myself permission to set it down and do something else, tbh, because i want to keep updating, but sometimes i just.... need to go stab people in the desert a bit, yknow? (note to fbi tom: that was an assassin's creed joke)

and sometimes ill just straight up go fishing for compliments among my friends, i'm not above begging my friends to tell me how great i am when i need the ego boost even if i. dont necessarily admit i need an ego boost lol,,,,,

[juuls]

I totally think that there should be a Goodreads (book review site) version/skin/mod/whatever you call it where you have the option of ‘being’ Roger Ebert:

The ability to give 0 star or Thumbs Down reviews.

The ability to give half star increments.

A carefully selected and curated pool of form reviews from past Roger Ebert movie reviews where he holds nothing back (either in praise or in derision), which we can select to express our praise or disdain for what we just read, such as:

There are some… unfortunate(ly hilarious) reviews Ebert has left over the years:

On North: “I hated this movie. Hated hated hated hated hated this movie. Hated it. Hated every simpering stupid vacant audience-insulting moment of it. Hated the sensibility that thought anyone would like it. Hated the implied insult to the audience by its belief that anyone would be entertained by it.” (Ouch.)

On One Woman or Two: “Add it all up, and what you've got here is a waste of good electricity. I'm not talking about the electricity between the actors. I'm talking about the current to the projector.”

On Freddie Got Fingered: “This movie doesn't scrape the bottom of the barrel. This movie isn't the bottom of the barrel. This movie isn't below the bottom of the barrel. This movie doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence with barrels.”

" “Tommy Boy" is one of those movies that plays like an explosion down at the screenplay factory. You can almost picture a bewildered office boy, his face smudged with soot, wandering through the ruins and rescuing pages at random. Too bad they didn't mail them to the insurance company instead of filming them.”

I mean…. Owwwwwww!

But….

He does have good reviews as well, that would work in our Goodreads mod!

“Viewing Hiyao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" for the third time, I was struck by a quality between generosity and love. On earlier viewings I was caught up by the boundless imagination of the story. This time I began to focus on the elements in the picture that didn't need to be there. Animation is a painstaking process, and there is a tendency to simplify its visual elements. Miyazaki, in contrast, offers complexity. His backgrounds are rich in detail, his canvas embraces space liberally, and it is all drawn with meticulous attention. We may not pay much conscious attention to the corners of the frame, but we know they are there, and they reinforce the remarkable precision of his fantasy worlds.”

"Contact" is a film that takes place at the intersection of science, politics and faith. Those are three subjects that don't always fit easily together. In the film, an alien intelligence transmits an image of three pages of encrypted symbols. It is clear where the corners of each page are. It is also clear that the three corners are intended to come together in some way to make single image. Scientists are baffled in their attempts to bring the pages together. The solution, when we see it, provides an Eureka Moment. It is so simple, and yet so difficult to conceive of. It may be intended as a sort of intelligence test.

“There is a quality to the color photography in Werner Herzog's "Nosferatu the Vampyre" that seeps into your bones. It would be inadequate to call it "saturated." It is rich, heavy, deep. The earth looks cold and dirty. There isn't a lot of green, and it looks wet. Mountains look craggy, gray, sharp-edged. Interiors are filmed in bold reds and browns and whites -- whites, especially, for the faces, and above all for Count Dracula's. It is a film of remarkable beauty, but makes no effort to attract or visually coddle us. The spectacular journey by foot and coach to Dracula's remote Transylvanian castle is deliberately not made to seem scenic.”

On Se7en: “The killer, as I said, turns himself in with 30 minutes to go, and dominates the film from that point forward. When "Seven" was released in 1995 the ads, posters and opening credits didn't mention the name of the actor, and although you may well know it, I don't think I will either. This actor has a big assignment. He embodies Evil. Like Hannibal Lecter, his character must be played by a strong actor who projects not merely villainy but twisted psychological complexities. Observe his face. Smug. Self-satisfied. Listen to his voice. Intelligent. Analytical. Mark his composure and apparent fearlessness. The film essentially depends on him, and would go astray if the actor faltered. He doesn't.”

" “Groundhog Day" is a film that finds its note and purpose so precisely that its genius may not be immediately noticeable. It unfolds so inevitably, is so entertaining, so apparently effortless, that you have to stand back and slap yourself before you see how good it really is.”

So yeah: Roger Ebert, if nothing else, we salute you for your cattiness and love for movies—so much so you even went to see Catwoman. Yikes.