#I'm at least glad that people seem to like me?

[quantomeno]

I've been following this matter for a while now (a quick search of newspaper articles showed it's been floated since mid last year, and I remember having to use my passport to verify my age on my gmail (it's not the account I use for tumblr, the account has my name in the address, so it's already pretty clearly me, so I was begrudgingly okay with it but am still annoyed my other account now can't watch age restricted youtube videos unless I tie it to my identity)). It's a vexed issue.

The first thing I'd like to point out is that the person quoted in the above post ("I am 100 percent etc") is Keith Pitt, a member of the Nationals who was resources and water minister under Morrison. I feel this is important because while he'd definitely be someone who'd vote in support of the measure, he's not a member of the party in power, let alone a Cabinet minister. His opinion is not necessarily that of the Prime Minister ― Anthony Albanese ― and it makes it seem like what he's talking about is what the government is planning to do.

What is the PM actually saying they'll do?

To be honest, I don't think the government knows yet. From what I can gather, there has been no suggestion by the PM that they would force people's accounts to have their real names. The Age a few days ago reported this:

"Australia’s eSafety commissioner has instead recommended a “double-blind tokenised approach”, whereby information would be provided to a verifying third party that would certify the user’s age to social media platforms without revealing details about the child. The details of the plan are being worked through by a trial of age-verification technologies."

(the "instead" is in reference to the current practice of social media platforms asking people if they over 13, which I'm sure most people realise would stop pretty much no child)

In that same article though they also said "the government has not unveiled key details, including the technology that would be used to keep children out". So I think there is quite a bit of time before anything is going to be written into law.

While I don't think your name will be "slapped onto your tumblr account" (if that does end up being what they do I would actually delete my tumblr, I really do not want that), there is still the question of privacy being invaded in that the government would (I think? I'm not a tech expert in the slightest) be able to connect you to your account.

Keep in mind that we are close to an election (there's been whispers it could be May next year), and this is an issue that (as the Keith Pitt quote shows) both of the major parties seem to mostly agree on. A cynical view is that the PM is talking tough to neutralise the issue so it can't be attacked by the opposition for not protecting children. The fact that both are talking about it does however suggest it will eventually come to pass (unlike other complicated legislation that was touted as 'essential' but then got shelved after being too hard to get through (naming no names i.e. Scomo's religious discrimination bill).

The other point to discuss is that while I really do enjoy people not knowing who I am on tumblr (and people in my life not being able to know I'm on tumblr), I also don't really think kids should be on social media (or at least not in the way they currently are). I avoided social media (I only had a facebook account I barely touched) until I was an adult (and even then I waited a while) and I'm quite glad, mostly because I think I'm a lot more mature. On the other hand, while I didn't interact with people, I grew up in a time when you could browse most platforms without an account, so it's not like I wasn't exposed to things on the internet. And then there's a bit of a moral panic about the internet, which can be a bit overblown at times. But then I'll hear a 14 year old I know mentioning stuff that makes me think he's kind of obsessed with growing muscles and I wonder if he's seeing these sorts of things online. I mean, there's a lot of garbage on the internet. But there's a lot of really useful things too... it's complicated and I'm not settled on an opinion yet.

Kids really do need to learn better internet practices and behaviours, but there are also kids in primary school with social media accounts. I mean, what does a 12 year old do in their life that they need the world to see? (don't answer that it's rhetorical, I'm sure there are plenty of 12 year olds doing interesting things worth showing off, but I mean, beyond messaging friends, 12 year olds don't really need to be communicating with strangers on the internet). Note too it's specifically social media (the definition is given by OP but it's anything where the main purpose is share content or talk to a wide audience of people. Things like games with chat stuff are also being looked into.

I'm also a bit of a luddite and think kids should read more. I'm not actually trying to convince people the ban is good, I'm just thinking aloud here. The whole thing feels rather heavy-handed, brute-force, and there's every chance kids will still find ways around it. I don't think this is the ideal solution, but I do feel there is a problem to be addressed.

But yeah, do tell your local member that you are concerned and want to make sure your privacy is kept safe. Just be aware of who your member is and their/their party's stance (all Labor MPs vote with the party, Liberals and Nationals can vote against their own party, so they may not all be in agreement). The Greens are opposed to it. I am not sure what the teal independents think of it.

You may also want to contact some senators from your state, not just your MP.

As for the contents of the letter, maybe something like:

Dear Mr/Ms/Dr (whatever title they use) surname MP,

I am a resident of your electorate (electorate name). (Maybe say a little bit about yourself, just what you think is relevant to the letter or your arguments).

I am writing to you to discuss the proposed social media ban for children. I am concerned (explain what/why you are concerned).

(Try to keep it brief, but also try to be personal)

State what you want your MP to do. Ask them to reply to your letter.

Sincerely,

your name.

You may want to mail the letter rather than just emailing. This page from Oxfam I just looked up five minutes ago has some nice tips.

Hey Aussies, do you want your real name and ID slapped on your tumblr account? If the answer is fuck no, our gov’s got a upcoming legislation for banning 16 year olds and under from social media even WITH parental consent. And by “Social Media”…

The code defines social media as electronic services that meet the following conditions:

The sole or primary purpose of the service is to enable online social interaction between two or more end users

The service allows end users to link to, or interact with, some or all other end users

The service allows end users to post material on the service

Such other conditions (if any) as are set out in the legislative rules.

So. You know. Just the entire fucking internet. They even named youtube as banned, god forbid kids out in the bush get access to LGBTQ+ communities online when they could be watching adds for sportsbet.

I am 100 per cent supportive of eliminating bullying and fake information from online platforms. The easiest way to do that is to be able to utilise existing laws, and the easiest way to do that is to ensure there are no fake accounts. Your digital, online life is your real life. If you want to make comments, that's fine, but it should be as you, as a verified account. This means everyone knows who it is that makes those comments, that you can be found and prosecuted under existing laws, just as you would if you express those opinions in a newspaper, for example, or you went on to a television station and said something similar.

Contact an Aussie senator about this shit. They’re trying to slide it under all the USpol news.

[geekgirl101]

More 8x06 thoughts. Still processing

I've been trying to express my feelings about 8x06 on paper, and there's still so much swirling in my head. So apologies if this is too long and ranty.

The GA isn't happy for a lot of reasons. One was that Tommy did fit with the 118, he was friends with Eddie and Chim. Two: they were happy Buck was in a relationship, and it seemed like (at least in season 7) that he was finally off the hamster wheel. And they like Eddie and Buck's friendship and don't want to see them together. After all the BS takes I've seen from you-know-whos, I can't say I disagree at all.

It's like neither Buck nor the writers have learned anything from past love interests. Tommy is the one with the most potential because of how well he fits, and he clearly has a lot of abandonment issues. Hey, so does Buck. That could have been a great point to explore.

I don't think Buck needs to sleep around to explore himself. But I do think Buck never fully processed anything.

It's wild that Buck and Tommy dated for six months and NEVER had any real conversations about exes? Tommy does strike me as the kind of person who keeps people at arm's length, who maybe doesn't say much about his past unless he has to. He could have also held back because he was letting Buck set the pace. I know Tommy isn't a main character. But they could have done so much more with this and with him. Hopefully its not the end.

The show also did nothing to show Buck's growth in a relationship, aside from the fact that he kissed a boy and liked it.

8x01 showed us that Buck was competent, professional, and mature, and stupidly I was hoping that would extend to his relationship too.

I think Buck has to figure out what he wants out of a relationship, I hope we see more of Buck talking to Josh or Hen and then he and Tommy work on making a relationship that's lasting, honest, and full of love (if we're grudging up Abby, we can continue the red string here and make that nod too)

What also bothers me is they took 3 episodes to build Buck and Tommy and show us that they have chemistry and that Tommy shows up for Buck, they had two more moments where it was clear they were getting to know each other and were solid in season 7.

And then it took them 1 episode to tear it all down without ever showing Buck showing up for Tommy. They were supposed to be getting to know each other. But six months in, it's like they didn't even know each other at all... or actually. It's like Buck didn't know Tommy at all.

I find it frustrating that we got to see so little of them, and most of it was Tommy doing things for Buck, showing up for Buck, complementing Buck, and taking care of Buck. A relationship has to be a two-way street. You show up for me, I show up for you.

And I'm glad Tommy showed up for Buck. Buck deserves love. But so does Tommy. Tommy was clearly looking for love, IDk if he was looking for a family or anything long term. Maybe he was dealing with a bad breakup and Buck was adorable, and he thought, maybe this could be a thing for now, but he ended up falling for him, clearly, and panicked. But I think on some level he was looking for someone to show up for him too, even when things got hard. And maybe this is foreshadowing. I hope it is. But I refuse to get my hopes up about it, or about Buck's love life ever again.

[the-kiarah-organisation]

Being only a little influenced by your source is weird. I'm sitting here with an angel and someone who could only be described as a demigod, and last I checked our source material is just Some Dumb Guy Runs Around Solving Mysteries With His Son.

[egophiliac]

here's the Meleanor chibi speedrun! upfront warning for some flickering and/or flashing throughout from all the sped-up zooming/layer changes.

it turns out I only really recorded up to when I exported the PSD for the first time, so I went back and recorded a bit more to at least show a little of the reworked cape breakdown and background. and then bounced her rig around so you can see a bit of it too! the parts I'm not too embarrassed to show, anyway

even sped up it's still like 47 minutes (s-she took a really long time to make okay), so there are timestamps/chapters in the description if you click through! I certainly don't expect anyone to sit and watch it through, but maybe it'll be interesting to skip around in?

[blooddrinkingbartender]

"I'm rather glad it didn't come to that," Antonio said, "At least the last time you might have had to step in, he wasn't entirely acting of his own free well. This time, he was."

He had to admit he had been tempted to bend Bill's will to his again, if only to make him stop acting like a complete asshole for a moment. But he was supposed to be taking a high road and not widening their current divide.

"I understand," Antonio said, "No one likes seeing the people they care about get hurt. But I know you'll be able work out this, and I'll be standing there silently cheering and possibly filming when you find whoever who did it... unless it was me."

He then chuckled again.

"Nothing like that. Just cues I pick up to make it seem like I'm reading minds," Antonio said, "But it'll good to see her. That's fine. A few noises don't bother me. Just remember to keep yourself safe as well."

It appeared that Bill had had enough to cool off and calm down. The cold didn't really bother him, being a dead man, but perhaps the cold night air had done him some good. He had taken to having a quick cigarette as well.

When he heard steps inside the house, he put it out against the small ashtray he carried then placed the butt inside. He would empty it later.

"Hey, Rook," he just said, "I'm sorry about all of that. I was really out of line in there."

It seemed Antonio really was right in that Bill needed that time alone to think and get himself together.

The joke most likely wouldn't have cheered Rook up much. Digging through the junk lying around in the pocket was the least she could do and she worried overdoing this would only make it more awkward.

"I can conjure as many crystals as I want on the go. I would have stopped him, if he tried anything." Rook reassured, "I don't want to see more friends get hurt. And whoever hurt Lucien better know a good surgeon because they won't be able to tell which is the front and the back side when I'll be done with them."

Human or not, she would make them regret everything. To hell with the rules.

"Don't worry, Willow will visit soon enough. She likes to show up at the most interesting times, especially if you can take a peek in people's minds now. I wont say a thing to Bill though, don't worry about that."

And she would most likely get back at her for stealing from her snacks stash. Rook's expression shifted to a frown once again as she stuffed her hands in her pockets.

"...I guess I should go now. I'll keep the crystal in my pocket so I can let you out as soon as this mess is sorted." She sighed, "You might hear some bits here and there."

[elviraaxen]

I'm probably not the first to admit this but goddamn was I a narcissistic prick when I wasn't on stimulants

[dee-daa]

as shitty as what in hell is bad is as a game (especially due to pb's greed), the community on this site is absolutely wonderful so far and seeing all the posts on my home page makes me so happy ^^

[smile-files]

i continue to find ii3 baffling. why did they make it (this isn't to hate on the season, i'm genuinely curious)

[longagoitwastuesday]

Inside me there are two wolves (I love Nobara and Gojo, I'm not sure at all I want them alive)

[seaofreverie]

Anyway. 150 days left until I see TMBG.

[sans-joke-book]

Frisk: I'm just a little kid, but everyone keeps dumping all their grown-up emotions on me and expecting me to solve their problems and save the world.

Link: First time?

[autogeneity]

I think it'd be funny to feign ignorance, but maybe if you would like to engage with him - you can talk to him. After all, he is just a rondom. Also... I think you have enough probable cause to speak to him. And to think he would like it too.

seems that talking to him is the consensus among everyone who's responded, and since apparently I am choosing to defer my life decisions to strangers on the internet...I plan to do this if I can figure out a suitable opportunity and approach

[bnuyy]

🪼. .

[lunarharp]

never done one of these so i thought i'd try it.

my 2nd full year as an Artist.... developed a lot. looking back at stuff from a year ago is painful as usual. first half of this year was mostly takarazuka. in march i started "painting", in the summer i started doing "lineless", then i realised that's basically painting but now i understood it and was having fun.

in september i started doing tons of black and white stuff to clear my head and because i was so inspired by witch hat atelier.

i want to keep improving

[hazmatmaid]

For some reason it's now fanon that Jevil and Spamton are exes and that bothers me on another level 💀

I think it's because Spamton quoted the hotdog divorce shitpost meme during the Spam Sweep Q&A (though that doesn't strike me as hard/definitive proof of anything between them).

But I understand; I've never really been a huge fan of that ship myself, particularly because Spamton himself has always expressed pretty clear and explicit hatred/disgust towards Jevil (or clowns in general, but Jevil seems to be the source of it).

I'd probably be fine with the idea of them being exes/divorced, if not for the tendency of some people claiming that to depict them as still having lingering feelings for one another, or there's a potential (or even desire from one or both parties) for them to get back together (like they're not really irreconcilable to the point of no return), or like they never had a big fight (or several) that would've led up to a particularly nasty breakup, when that's really not how divorce works.

Even if there was an attraction between them at some point, that doesn't mean they feel that way now (and from what I can tell, they don't).

[fragglerockopinions]

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