#Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things

[tctmp]

Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things: Directed by Matt D'Avella. With Dan Harris, Ryan Nicodemus, Rick Hanson, Jesse Jacobs. How might your life be better with less?

[valtsv]

is all true crime bad? genuine question. not referring to the very obvious disrespectful ones that are usually brought up when discussing the topic but rather documentaries and things of the sort. I feel like a lot of the documentaries around real crimes I watched bring up issues that aren't really talked about and a lot of the times are covered by institutions/media and also inform people on various things that they probably wouldn't have been aware otherwise so to me they can be very informational. there's also cases where victims of abduction for example have been recognised years later because of media like this which is objectively a good thing so I would like to know a little more about other negative impacts that might not be so obvious. if you have any source I can research on that's also great. sorry to bother!

i think that "true crime" in itself is a nuanced and varied topic and have no intention of tarring everyone who has an interest in it with the same brush, because there are definitely respectful ways of engaging with it that do their best to avoid and minimize harm. however i think that the popular culture depictions of true crime and capitalization on it as a form of entertainment tend to do more harm than good to both victims, who are frequently exploited for "content" and/or have their trauma dredged up for consumption, and consumers/producers, since a lot of mainstream true crime media reinforces harmful stereotypes, paranoia, surveillance tactics, and social divisions, and sensationalizes human cruelty and suffering. not to mention that this kind of approach to and fascination with horrific crimes and unusually cruel and violent criminals may encourage more people to inflict violence on others in order to gain notoriety and fame.

i don't think it's wrong to be interested in these things and to want to understand what makes people do horrific things to other people. one of my hyperfixations is the history of decapitation/capital punishment and its legacy, which is a topic that is fraught with issues surrounding the abuse of some of the most marginalized and vulnerable members of society. i myself am fascinated by it partly because of my own past experiences with abuse and marginalization. being interested in unpleasant things doesn't make you inherently a bad person, and thought crimes don't exist. however it's really important, especially when it comes to topics like this, to be self aware and critical of the information you're given, and to be careful not to be taken in by popular opinion and stereotypes without questioning them, or to get so immersed in your pursuit of knowledge and understanding that you lose your grip on reality and fall victim to misinformation and bias. believing too strongly in your personal ability to recognize and identify criminals and "criminal traits" and "solve" crimes, especially when the justice system is as flawed as it is, is more likely to lead to incorrect assumptions, the persecution of the marginalized and vulnerable, invasions of privacy and miscarriages of justice than it is to help.

[kbookblurbs]

Tress of the Emerald Sea - Brandon Sanderson

5/5 - refreshing main character; well worn, familiar, comfortable plot beats; more fun worldbuilding!

Tress of the Emerald Sea is easily my favorite of the Cosmere secret projects. Much as I felt watching later MCU projects, having a book that stands largely on its own, with minimal references to other lore, and a wonderful sense of whimsy is not only a fun and approachable new entrance to Sanderson's writing, but also a nice change of pace from his other works.

The plot beats feel quite familiar because they feel somewhat like a fairy tale and the book actually benefits from this. The journey that characters are undergoing, the dogged attempts to be better and to grow and to understand how they're changing is something that is so sweet and reliable to watch.

Tress is also just a breath of fresh air among Sanderson's protagonists. Not that the others can't be kind or inspiring or protective of those they love, but Tress is all of these things to a fault. She cares for those who she's never met. She's practically overflowing with empathy for everyone around her, abhors lying, and finds herself comfortable with herself as she's changed. I do feel that Sanderson is relying a little heavily on romance at times, but having the romance be something secondary to Tress as the plot progresses was something very dear to my heart.

I know that some people dislike Hoid's narration style, but I personally find him funny. I think he also functions as a bit of a mouthpiece for Sanderson's own ideologies at times, and while I could see how that would be something to critique as a monologue or as preaching, it feels very appropriate for the character. Plus, many of the things he says poke fun at the tropes of the epic hero dramas that Sanderson is so good at - it's important to me that he's able to laugh at himself a little here.

Finally, I must profess I am obsessed with the idea of a sea of spores. And not one sea of spores, but twelve, all of which have different growth patterns and effects. Turning water, something to vital to life, into something dangerous here adds a really delicious sense of tension to the novel. The fear is also something that's easily based on something people are familiar with - if you've ever seen a documentary on ant zombies or watched The Last of Us, you'll have lasting worries about fungal infection.

[not-goldy]

i just don't understand why you guys are so adamant to think jimin is a liar and just simply not listen to him. jimin has never shyed from the truth and even if there are times where he tries to be subtle he makes it still glaringly obvious. im convinced majority of you just didnt watch the documentary and just watched the jikook cut because otherwise you would see how jimin came up with the lyrics what he said about the lyrics and meaning and why he chose jungkook to do it. never once did he even slighty imply it was a romantic love song for a secret partner. jungkook is the vocal model all members use. he is the member all members go to if they want vocal backing. he's done it with yoongi, jhope and now jimin and not to mention the group itself😭 and it's not letter ft jungkook it's letter by jimin. full stop. jk has credit of backup vocals just like namjoon has writing credits there is no difference. the least you all can do is respect jimins music and not just see and hear what you want to fulfill your shipping narrative.

Aht aht aht aht

I'll stop you right there.

I don't care bout all you said from paragraph one - I mean if it don't apply i let it fly. Find whomever is giving you the said headache and take it up with them but I won't let you conflate the credits of these men.

There is a difference between JK being credited as background vocals and Namjoon being credited as writer. No it's not the same thing. They both contributing their unique strengths to his project.

A singer is not a writer. Not all who sing CAN WRITE and not all who write CAN SING.

You do not have to take away from the art of an artist just because crediting one of those artists makes you uncomfortable.

Like you said, JK is credited as background vocals.

Why can't you leave it at that and be okay with the fact people celebrate that? We will celebrate that whether you like it or not. Will do🙂

You can't be this peeved that people want to celebrate that. You can't be. That's so messed up arguing the degree of importance- if it wasn't at all important to JM he could have skipped having Jungkook on. You not the least bit curious why he bothered with Kook on his song to begin with??

Messes with your head don't it???

Whether his contribution is to you minimal or not he's on there.

There's nothing wrong with acknowledging that FACT. And if you can acknowledge THAT FACT THEN WE HAVE NOTHING TO ARGUE ABOUT.

JUNGKOOK IS ON THERE. WHETHER YOU CALL IT A DUET OR A SING SONG- LIKE SHAKESPEARE SAYS, WHATS IN A NAME.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME IS SWEET.

WE DONT CARE WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO CALL LETTERS- WE GOOD AS LONG AS JUNGKOOK IS THERE🙂

WE ARE NOT ANAL. WE ARE NOT STUCK ON CALLING IT A DUET OR SYMPHONY. THAT'S YALL CRAZY PSYCHOS' TERRIAN BUT ARGUE THAT WITH YOUR MAMAS AND LEAVE US ALONE.

Yall solos sound the same whether it's Tae solos or BTS antis. I recall this same debate over Jimin's part in Angel pt 1 with some saying its irrelevant because it's 5 seconds.

Then they argued Jimin didn't deserve writing credits for his "sick and tired but I don't wanna mess up" in BTS' disease.

If he appeared 5 seconds in a movie yall will call him an actor worth nominating for Oscars

If Jimin did Bg vocals for any one especially if it were a song this good and if it trended on the charts at number one yall would be doing back flips so kindly SIT SOMEWHERE AND LET US JIMIN JIKOOK STANS HAVE OUR TIME.

We have yalls digits. We know how yall operate. You are the same. So please just fuck off these Jikook spaces and do this toxic shit in your own spaces WE DO NOT WANT TO COMMUNITY WITH YOU😩😹

WHY WONT YOU JUST GO AWAY

Downplaying Jungkook when if it were your faves you'd be rejoicing

The disrespect 😤

The Tuktukkers syndrome yall have😹

One and the same brain cell I swear.

What else did you say...... oh right-

Everyone goes to Jungkook for backing because

Wait for it

A. HE IS A VOCAL KING AND VOICE LEADER OF THE GROUP

B. HE IS A GOOD TALENTED SINGER AND HE HAS A SWEET VOICE TOO

C. HE HAS SOCIAL CURRENCY AND CLOUT

D. HE'S JUNGKOOK

But Jimin went to Kook for letter because

A. KOOKS VOICE WORKS SO WELL WITH HIS

B. LETTER CARRIES MEANING TO HIM

C. ADDING JUNGKOOK'S VOICE WOULD NOT DETRACT FROM IT'S MEANINGFULNESS TO HIM AND WHOMEVER THE SONG IS MADE FOR- WHICH IS NOT YOU.

D. HE DID NOT INTEND THE SONG FOR HIS SOLOS

So even if you believe with your whole chest that the song is for his fans, ITS FOR A SPECIFIC SET OF FANS WHO WOULD APPRECIATE WHAT HE TRIED TO DO WITH THE SONG- AND TRUST WE DO

ITS NOT FOR YOU KIMBERLY

Read my lips

Or hands

LETTERS IS NOT A LETTER TO YALL TOXIC SOLOS SO YOU CAN SKIP THIS ONE LEAVE IT FOR US YALL DONT WANT IT SAY THAT AND GO😹

You know you hate it SAY that to Jimin and go. Tell him you hate Letter because he dared to involve his Jeon Jungkook. Your problem is with him not US you just have a weird inarticulate cognitive dissonance that's preventing you from admitting that.

It's one thing to call out jokers making a song made by jimin and Jimin alone about Jungkook but to come out here with convoluted think peices about the degree of importance attached to a members participation on his song is sad and pathetic.

Fighting for a song yall not even included in😹😹😹

JUNGKOOK IS YOUR IDOLS IDOL HONEY

Best to believe that.

Wipe your tears with the back of your hands I'm out of tissues

[tayfabe75]

"End of era. I can't make retrospective statements. It's why I've been filming this documentary for 12 years. Every single time a statement ends, the idea to follow that with a retrospective statement, something that looks back, something that is celebratory of a previous thing, blargh, it makes me wanna crawl out of my skin, I hate it. I just wanna go forward. This is the only record where I do look back a little bit. I mean, I think the only time I specifically do it is in 'Guys'. 'The moment that we started a band, was the best thing that ever happened'. It's quite sad. It was also one for the homies, you know. I wanted to write a love song for friends. People don't have that very much. I love that idea. And even if it was the fact that going through the DNA of who we were, to make this record, there's so much reference to old emo core, or house music that we were growing up with. It feels like we went right back. We went and found all the old photos, you know, of where we came from, is almost how it felt to make this record. When I made this record, I was like, '[beep], this is the last 1975 record, for ages'. Not the last 1975 record, but this is definitely us stopping making music for a bit. There's essentially been lots of different album out, for this record. We live in a world of, you know, iTunes uploads six months before the record comes out. Someone's like, 'we needed a piece of artwork,' and I keep going, 'Okay, 'I'll give you our piece of artwork'. The artwork changed every week. The artwork now is basically the most minimal version, example, of what we've had, and it's all been based on texture, and the concept of wabi-sabi. The record's been about deconstruction. The record feels like it should be just in a paper bag. I wanted to steal The Durutti Column idea. The Durutti Column, one of my favorite bands of all time, they made one record, the vinyl cover was sandpaper, so it destroyed any record that it was next to. I mean, oh my God, how [beep] badass is that shit? That is so my vibe. I wish that I had of done it, but the thing is I love that idea so much that I couldn't have passed it off as my own. I grew up in punk and hardcore. The most punk person that I have ever met in my life is Greta Thunberg. She gave me a sense of hope, do you know what I mean? We're all kind of wallowing in nihilism, and what's the point? And when you meet her, she don't give you a pat on the back, I'll tell you that much, but she [beep] means what she's talking about. We were talking about the Sega Mega Drive startup sound of The 1975, and we were talking about how that happens every time, and we were like, 'What is the most modern version of that?' And then the conversation became, 'Well, what is the most modern thing? What is the most modern statement?' And it was Greta Thunberg, we realized, we get Greta Thunberg to sing it. 'We are facing a disaster of unspoken sufferings for enormous amounts of people'. That idea was obviously exciting, immediately. Using that platform is a great thing to do, and it's also creatively exciting. The moment she's deemed, she's one of the most important figures of our generation, but I really like the idea of formally encapsulating that in a piece of music that therefore exists in pop culture, in the way that music does, and goes on a record. You know, no one's gonna find a tweet about Greta Thunberg in the rubble, in a thousand years, do you know what I mean? But if in a thousand years they found that record, that would move somebody in a thousand years, who finds that in the rubble."

May 22, 2020: Matty explains The 1975's Notes on a Conditional Form album. (source)

[system-of-a-feather]

I was watching a video with my fiance about a guy roasting a guy's documentary on the benefits of Minimalism, and since those guys couldn't get to the point and explain it well in a whole ass documentary, allow me to explain the benefit of minimalism and why a lot of people find that it helps

Minimalism makes a lot of people happier because the less you have, the more you are forced to engage and enjoy what you do have. If what you do have is nothing but the necessities to life, then you will inevitably find joy and happiness in the things that are inherently around you.

If you can learn to be happy with basically nothing, then the stress of needing excess money, the fear of living below your life style, the constant chase of needing to get the next thing, etc goes away as you learn that even with nothing, you can and will still be happy. Everything above nothing is bonus but not necessary to be happy.

If you can find joy with the most simple of things, then everything more than that becomes optional but also all the more enjoyable.

It's also in this that it's important to acknowledge that the mindset and understanding of minimalism does not always have to go to the extreme of nothingness. The joys of minimalism, in my opinion, comes from the amount of which anything beyond minimalist becomes a treat.

Even if you believe in the concept of minimalism, you can still enjoy a fleeting treat every now and again, just to enjoy how diverse and engaging the world can be.

[obsessivelollipoplalala]

About Queen I'm really just looking forward to get more into them but there's like a ton of things left and right and decades of history so do you have any book or documentary or something that you like or think is a good starting point.

Ohhhh yes. I’m glad you asked because I’m not exaggerating when I say most Queen documentaries and books have a fair amount of bullshit in them, and most of that bullshit surrounds Freddie Mercury, due to the world’s apparent inability to cope with his being a gay man. Do NOT read anything by Lesley-Ann Jones. She’s published lies about multiple celebrities and has appeared in some Queen documentaries to keep spreading her bullshit. Do not listen to anyone who said Freddie had a romantic/sexual relationship with actress Barbara Valentin (she was a terrible liar).

For books, I actually made a post about this before, but I can talk about it again. A great starting point is Mercury and Me, written by Jim Hutton, who was Freddie’s partner for the last 6.5 years of his life. It’s a very accessible read that is honest and presents one of the most human pictures of Freddie out there, flaws and all. To me, it’s an essential read for anyone interested in Freddie as a person, and I think it was really important for Jim to tell this story, which would’ve been erased otherwise by PR. I read it 5.5 years ago and have not been normal since lmao. Here’s a PDF.

Don’t Stop Us Now by Thor Arnold and Lee Nolan is a short, fun book about Freddie’s time with them in the gay scene in NYC. It has a lot of pictures and a portion of the proceeds go to the Mercury Phoenix Trust. Thor and Lee were true friends to Freddie.

I’m going to recommend the first couple of books by Freddie’s personal assistant, Peter (Phoebe) Freestone, because I think they’re largely factual. But Phoebe does have a strange view of Freddie sometimes tbh—his takes are colored by hero worship and his own biases, in my opinion, but that’s another post.

For the actual band, Queen in 3D is really fun. It’s a collection of the 3D, stereoscopic images Brian May took of the band, along with his commentary and anecdotes about the pictures. It’s not a memoir, but it’s the closest thing we have to one from any of the band.

That’s it for starting point books. I can recommend two documentaries with no caveats: The Final Act and Days of Our Lives.

The former is about Freddie’s final days with his illness and also contextualizes his death in the larger AIDS epidemic. It came out in 2021 and features Brian, Roger, Anita (Freddie’s good friend and Brian’s wife), Kashmira (Freddie’s sister), and Peter Freestone. It’s quite sad, though. Days of Our Lives also heavily features Brian and Roger and focuses more on the band as a whole.

To start with, that’s really it. Similar to the books, there are documentaries where true stories are told and/or reliable people are interviewed, but they’re caked in between such bullshit that I can’t recommend them to new fans. The doc Freddie’s Loves, for example, has Jim Hutton, but the rest is trash lol. The Great Pretender also has a really nice section about Jim and interviewed Terry (Freddie’s driver), but they interviewed Lesley-Ann Jones and spread her lies. The Untold Story has good parts and interviews reliable people....but it focuses way too much on Mary Austin (homophobic ex-girlfriend) and her egotistical narrative of being the Ultimate person in Freddie’s life.

Days of Our Lives and The Final Act mainly interview a small circle of people who were actually close to Freddie, and are relatively minimal with bullshit. Those recommendations come without caveats. It looks like TFA is on YouTube

[lifestyle-hub]

9 Ways to Combat Decision Fatigue in a World of Endless Choices

Image credit: Cottonbro||

It’s the end of the day, and you’re staring blankly at your phone, unable to decide whether to order pizza, noodles, or maybe just cook dinner.

It’s not laziness, it’s decision fatigue. We live in an era where choices are everywhere, from what to wear in the morning to which Netflix show to binge at night. While more options may seem like a good thing, they can lead to mental exhaustion, leaving us drained and overwhelmed.

So how do you take back control and reduce this daily stress? Let’s dive into 9 simple, actionable ways to combat decision fatigue.

1. Simplify Your Routine

Ever heard how some of the most successful people like Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg stick to the same wardrobe every day? They do this for a reason, by reducing minor decisions, they save their brainpower for more important choices. You don’t have to go full uniform mode, but simplifying daily routines can go a long way in cutting down decision fatigue. Whether it's meal prepping your week’s lunches, choosing a go-to work outfit, or setting up an automatic morning routine, having fewer decisions to make will lighten the mental load.

2. Limit Your Options

The more choices we have, the harder it becomes to decide. This is the classic paradox of too much choice. To avoid this, set boundaries for yourself. For instance, limit your entertainment options to just three choices: one movie, one show, and one documentary. The same applies to your daily tasks. Prioritize the top three things you need to accomplish, and ignore the rest until they’re done. Less is more!

3. Batch Your Decisions

Imagine having to make a hundred small decisions throughout the day, it’s exhausting, right? Batching similar tasks together is a powerful way to minimize the number of decisions you make. Instead of figuring out what to eat for dinner every night, plan your meals for the week on Sunday. Instead of checking emails all day, dedicate two specific times to respond. By batching decisions into a single timeframe, you free up mental space and reduce the constant barrage of choices.

4. Create Decision-Making Habits

Habits can be your best friend when it comes to fighting decision fatigue. The more decisions you can turn into habits, the fewer choices you have to actively make. For example, if you always work out at the same time every day, it becomes second nature, eliminating the need to constantly debate with yourself about when or whether to exercise. The beauty of habits is that they automate your decisions, leaving your mind free for other things.

5. Know Your Decision-Making Peak

Your brain doesn’t operate at the same level all day. For most people, cognitive function is at its peak in the morning. This means your ability to make sound decisions is stronger earlier in the day. Schedule your most important decisions whether they’re about work, finances, or personal life for when you’re most alert. Save the less critical decisions (like what to watch on TV) for later when your mental energy is lower. By aligning your decision-making with your mental stamina, you’ll make better, more thoughtful choices.

6. Embrace “Good Enough”

I wouldn't say the term “perfect” is not possible or bad, but perfectionism is the enemy of decision-making. We often get stuck in analysis paralysis, trying to find the perfect solution when “good enough” would suffice. The truth is, in most situations, there is no perfect answer. Accepting “good enough” speeds up decision-making and reduces the stress that comes with overthinking. Whether it’s choosing a restaurant or making a work decision, ask yourself, “Is this good enough for now?” More often than not, it will be.

7. Make Use of Tools

We live in a time where technology can help ease decision fatigue. Apps like Todoist, Trello, or even simple to-do lists can help organize your tasks and priorities. Decision-making templates can help narrow down your options. For example, if you struggle with choosing a new book to read, create a shortlist based on recommendations, then use a decision matrix to weigh your options based on criteria like length, genre, and reviews. These tools act as shortcuts for your brain, giving you a framework to make faster decisions.

8. Delegate When Possible

You don’t have to make every decision yourself. Whether it's work-related or personal, delegation is a powerful tool to reduce decision fatigue. Trusting others with some choices allows you to focus on the ones that matter most to you. At work, this could mean passing tasks down to a coworker or team member. At home, it might involve letting your partner or kids make dinner choices or weekend plans. Don’t be afraid to ask for help it’s a sign of strength, not weakness.

9. Take Regular Breaks

Our brains are like muscles, they get tired from overuse. Taking regular breaks throughout the day can help reset your mental energy, allowing you to make better decisions. Whether it's stepping outside for a quick walk, doing some stretches, or practicing mindfulness for a few minutes, these small breaks can prevent decision burnout. When you feel overwhelmed, don’t push through, pause, reset, and come back refreshed.

Fewer Decisions, More Clarity

In a world filled with endless choices, the secret to clarity is cutting through the noise. It’s about making fewer decisions so you can focus on the ones that count.

So, take a deep breath, start with one small change, and watch as your decision-making power grows stronger.

Kad

References

Baumeister, R. F., & Tierney, J. (2011). Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength.

Schwartz, B. (2004). The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less.

Iyengar, S. S. (2010). The Art of Choosing.

[aquabuggy]

was wondering if the rising attention surrounding 'lost media' has impacted your documentary/archival efforts into something this niche? as someone with a similar interest it's definitely given me a more universal concept to compare my own work to, I'd also just be interested in hearing more about your process in general. Sorry if this worded too pretentiously lol

Oh it’s not pretentious at all, don’t worry.

I will say the rise in popularity surrounding lost media as well as the stressed importance of archival has done a lot to motivate me. I was interested in preserving toy history before lost media got popularized, but it did wonders to convince me just how many people can be fascinated by the simple stories of things they might not even be interested in usually. Of course media should be preserved regardless if you have an audience or not to see/care about it, but it doesn’t hurt to know people really are out there that do. More attention also is a great tool for more vigorously combing the internet for information that could’ve easily been missed, as people love a good mystery, especially one they themselves can possibly help solve. It’s definitely one of the big reasons I started this blog.

In around 3 years, the original Wonderful Waterfuls will turn 50 years old. 50 years. That’s half a century. The exact creator of Waterful Ringtoss still isn’t widely available information. I don’t know their name. They may not be around anymore. I hope they are, when I find them I have so much I’d like to ask them.

Back when Netflix put up the first batch of The Toys That Made Us, I was curious if an episode on Waterfuls would ever drop. But after all my time researching these things, I don’t know if one ever will. Because despite being in several generations of peoples childhoods in some form or fashion, there’s very, very minimal information about them. There is no comprehensive list just showing every game that was released. There’s next to nothing, almost all information you have to search for through secondhand listings and infer through context. The most popular line of these games there is, and we’re missing very basic details about them. That’s part of my duty, I feel. To fill in as many missing details as I’m able with the information I’ve gathered and intend to keep gathering.

And the longer I’m in this hobby, the more stories I infer from the things I find. Unspoken tales and series of events that honestly likely have never been recorded to any degree. What do I mean? I’ve been somewhat haunted lately by a series of water games made by a company trying to get in on the craze, and how they really truly tried to create something original, but their new ideas kept failing in the final products, to the point they eventually caved in to the typical design conventions of the time (Waterful-ification, if you will). I’m still collecting for that, I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

I don’t feel I’ll run out of content anytime soon.

[myriadxofxmuses]

Tagged by: @heartxshaped-bruises

Tagging: @savagecuhnt, @lunarruled (Ky), @uncxntrxllable (Bailey & Lakota), @littlewrensx (Wren), @thanaredreamtof (Felicity & Sam), @interxstitial, @wynterlanding, @blindspct (Miley), @fangsandmagic, @waveofstars (Chey)

Ethan

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

That he's all bad. Ethan can be surprisingly caring at times, but it is only with select people. He is also quite malleable when it comes to others who are generally good. It sort of rubs off on him and he tries to emulate their behavior. He is if nothing else adaptable, but on a small level he wants to be that way.

AN IMPORTANT HEADCANON

He has a lot of food allergies. His mother's pregnancy with him was hard and he was born with the immunity fragility. Sadly he had to find out the hard way with each new allergy, given that his parents rarely cared for him properly - nannies also opting for short stints of employment for his care.

A USELESS HEADCANON

One of his favorite forms of entertainment is documentaries. Ethan will watch any and all kinds. Some of his favorite genres deal with nature or religion. He knows all kinds of trivia because of it.

POTENTIAL TRIGGERS

Abuse, drinking, suicide attempts, NSFW- like murder, minimal stalking, gore, knives, death, violence, drug use, torture, ruffies, etc.

SOMETHING YOU ENJOY ABOUT (WRITING) THEM

Actually, and this probably makes me a total psychopath, but his coldness. The way his character just shuts it off. Just like that. He has no attachment and is one hundred percent free of emotional repercussions. I could never do that. I get attached to easily and quickly, but it can be fun to explore what it is really like when you truly don't care what others think.

SOMETHING YOU WANT OTHERS TO KNOW BEFORE WRITING WITH THEM

While Ethan can be very loving at times, that is not his go to. It takes some time and effort to get past his douchey, asshole, narcissistic, sociopathic ways to get to what little good in him he has. He does not open up to everyone and can be very difficult to interact with at times.

Oscar

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

That he has it all figured out and is put together. He does not deal very well with, as he calls it, his broken mind. He has quite a few breakdowns, all usually private and behind closed doors, but it leads him to drink. Oscar isn't big on meds, so he's very apprehensive when speaking to anyone about it - seeing it as a sign of weakness that he can't figure it out alone. Alcohol however is the one thing that not only helps him forget, but has also been an allowed vice throughout his career choices. Definitely not a great coping mechanism, but it's his nonetheless.

AN IMPORTANT HEADCANON

Family is essential for him. And his loyalty to Emily is unwavering. As is hers. They are extremely close siblings and come as a package. But that's not to say they come as a pleasant package. It is entirely possible for significant others or outside friends not to like the other. While blood is important they fully understand family is chosen and even the tightest family has internal turmoil at times. Loyal as they may be to each other, they will also fight to keep those who matter most to them.

A USELESS HEADCANON

Oscar can wiggle his ears. Not something he shows off, but he found out when he was a kid. After watching Little Rascals with his mom, he tried to copy Alfalfa and wiggled his ears.

He also sings in the shower.

POTENTIAL TRIGGERS

PTSD, drinking, NSFW- like crime, guns/knives, death, violence, war, black market weapon sales

SOMETHING YOU ENJOY ABOUT (WRITING) THEM

His strength. Both emotionally and physically. He is surprisingly just and fair when you consider his upbringing. While he isn't without flaws, he has very solid moral compass.

SOMETHING YOU WANT OTHERS TO KNOW BEFORE WRITING WITH THEM

He can be overprotective and his trust is hard to get. Oscar likes to know everything about a person and is not above using his job to perform background checks. Even though he is morally good, he is willing to bend the rules when he needs to continue on that path.

Ivy

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

That she has no attachment to things. She is very good at hiding her true emotions under a mask of nonchalantness. When in reality she can't help but become emotionally invested in both people and life in general. It causes for a lot of lonely nights working through disappointment and sadness.

AN IMPORTANT HEADCANON

When her father got sick and died from his work, she went after the company responsible. It was a total failure in the end and nothing came of it, the corruption too high for her to fend off. But it was what led her into hacking for real. She'd always been tech savvy, but this was what really helped hone her skills.

A USELESS HEADCANON

While she has a cat, Ivy is really a dog person. She just can't have them in her apartments. She also watches true crime/interrogation videos for white noise while she works.

POTENTIAL TRIGGERS

Crime - hacking, internet stalking, law breaking in general, minimal drug use (marijuana), drinking

SOMETHING YOU ENJOY ABOUT (WRITING) THEM

The tech and stealth aspects of her life. I have always loved hacking/hackers/surfing the depths of tech and it is fun to write her in scenarios where she can actually use it.

SOMETHING YOU WANT OTHERS TO KNOW BEFORE WRITING WITH THEM

Even though she likes to avoid becoming attached to others, she is a very open and accepting person face to face. She will keep others at a comfortable distance while still remaining a loyal and trustworthy friend. She would be a great ally when it matters.

[zeurille]

Portable

Today, I watched a history documentary on YouTube about Saudi Arabia, and I saw these nomads. The narrator said, “Everything they own…has to be portable,” and I reflected on the way we’ve lived these past few years here in the UAE. A country that shares a history of nomads with its Arabian counterparts, it’s interesting that this nomadic lifestyle is mirrored in how we constantly move from emirate to emirate (Sharjah>Dubai>Abu Dhabi), and how we have to constantly throw things out or bring them with us. I feel like we are essentially nomads ourselves; we have permanent boxes with us and we rarely have house decorations!

This apparent link to the past helped me be more at peace with the fact that we don't have a permanent home to call our own. At least not while we're living here. To see it as a possible lifestyle gave way to new mindsets about managing storage space and its direct relation to weighing the need of purchasing new things. Space becomes an important factor when acquiring new furniture, shifting from traditional to digital media, deciding what to cook in the kitchen, arranging sleeping quarters, purchasing clothes, etc.

It is encouraging that it's now okay for me to not own a lot, and it helps me place more value on what I purchase, keep, create, and acquire from all the places I've gone to. I've been more mindful of these things, and it helps me maintain a minimal lifestyle. A life that doesn’t cling to so many material possessions that can just clutter up the household or prove too heavy to transport during our next move, which will be imminent.

Would I still want a permanent house of my own in the future? Maybe, but right now this seemingly nomadic lifestyle throughout the decades has taught me that it's okay to live a simplistic life free of attachment from objects and places that may not hold as much meaning to me as I would have myself believe.

As the narrator said, "Everything you own must be portable."

[archtia-codex]

Pepe the King Prawn meme (Fic Writer/Reader Edition)

I posted this on Reddit, but what's the harm in cross-posting it here anyway–

I'm pretty sure we've all seen this meme.

You see this image nowadays, you know the stories are going to be wild. So let's share any equally horrifying and hilarious stories that you might have.

Here's mine:

It was the late 2010s, and I was a wee broke college student, living in a dorm that was one monkey invasion away from becoming Planet of the Apes. Every semester, we had room inspections to make sure we weren’t hoarding hazardous items like hairdryers or rice cookers or started any underground gardening operations under our beds. Standard dorm stuff. The catch? You had to be present for the inspection, like some kind of misbehaving kid in detention.

On the inspection day, our floor had been assigned to one of the male wardens. Cool. No pressure. And because my life back then was a whole ass Vine compilation, one of my council members of an ex-roommate (God bless her suck-up heart) invited him to a chit-chat. He decided to take a seat in our study area. Right next to my ancient-looking laptop, which at that moment was a time bomb of embarrassment.

Here’s the thing: before the inspection, I was multitasking on two very important projects:

An essay for a class that I was trying to finish before the deadline next week.

My magnum opus, my Prince of Tennis OC profiles. (Look, Wi-Fi was basically self-sponsored, privacy knowledge was non-existent back then, and Google Docs was a myth. Word was my only choice.)

Now, I figured the warden would just pretend to care what my ex-roommate was yapping about, glance at a few surfaces, and call it a day. I was proven wrong.

This man casually used the mouse to tap my laptop’s screensaver away and starts reading my files OUT LOUD.

First up: my essay. Not great, but survivable. He makes a comment about my sentence structure, and I’m like, “Haha, yeah, it’s a first draft.” Crisis averted, or so I thought. But THEN he minimizes the essay and lands on my Prince of Tennis OC profiles.

For those unfamiliar, Prince of Tennis is an anime where tennis players perform moves so ridiculous they make Fast & Furious stunts look like a documentary. My OCs? Oh, they were next level. I think one of them had a move that involved running at the speed of light, and I wish I was kidding.

This grown man (to give you a picture of how he looks like: egg-head and dad-belly) started laughing. Not like a polite chuckle, but full-on, tears-in-his-eyes laughter. I was also worried that he might broke my chair along his hollering. Through gasps, he manages to say, “You still write childish anime stuff like this?”

Sir? You’re wheezing over someone having fun writing about anime tennis?? Is that not somehow the example of childish, too???

He eventually left, after what I can only describe as the most humbling ten minutes of my college career. I spent the rest of the semester avoiding him and his class like they were the Black Plague, especially since his wife was also one of my lecturers for that semester. You just know that story made it to their dinner table. (I never got to find out, tho)

Moral of the story? Password-lock your laptop. And maybe don’t write fanfiction in a dorm room.

TL;DR: A dorm warden discovered my Prince of Tennis OC profiles, laughed so hard he cried, and I learned a valuable lesson about personal file privacy.

[rabbitcruiser]

World Soil Day

One annual celebration people will be forgiven for not participating in (or even knowing about) is World Soil Day. Yes, soil—as in that sticky brown stuff that gets walked all over into prized cream carpets. Sadly, it is the ignorance about the importance of soil and the degree to which people take advantage of all that it offers that have led to a drastic reduction in its quality all over the world.

These are precisely the problems World Soil Day aims to battle, as few things could be more important to humans, the inhabitants of Planet Earth, who could never hope to survive without the land.

Soil is, without a doubt, one of the most significant parts of the ecosystem. Contributing to people’s food, water and energy and playing an important part in reducing the impact of climate change, soil is a vital part of life.

For all of these reasons, it’s high time that World Soil Day became known to more people than just scientists concerned about the welfare of our planet. So it’s time to get ready to learn about and celebrate this important day!

History of World Soil Day

In 2002, the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) made a resolution proposing that the 5th of December be World Soil Day. The idea for the day was to make it possible to celebrate the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to human well-being.

Later, 2015 was also declared to be the International Year of Soils, in hopes of raising as much awareness as possible about the enormous role that soil plays in food security and, therefore, the very lifeline of humans. Unsurprisingly, so far it’s mostly been the global community of 60,000 or so soil scientists who have been the ones who are celebrating the day the most.

The chances of rather ordinary people exchanging ‘Happy Soil Day’ cards in the near future remain minimal. But that doesn’t mean that people can’t learn to appreciate the important role soil plays in human lives (even if it is darn hard to scrub off the carpet when those nearest and dearest feline friends leave muddy footprints on their way to the kitchen!).

Getting average people involved in becoming more aware of soil and taking part in its health is what this day is all about.

How to Celebrate World Soil Day

As it turns out, there are a number of things that average, regular people can do that can greatly help the soil they live off of to remain in good condition. It’s easy to get started with observing World Soil Day beginning with these ideas. Or for those who are super creative, they can come up with their own!

Get Educated About Soil

The best way to celebrate this day is to do exactly what scientists the world over so badly needs: to get educated. An enormous amount of damage is done to the planet every year–not due to ill will, but to ignorance. This is because many average people simply do not know enough about the earth to know when they are causing damage to it, sometimes damage that cannot be repaired.

Consider these resources for getting further educated on the issues related to World Soil Day:

Kiss the Ground (2020) This 90 minute documentary film featuring Woody Harrelson, Patricia Arquette and Tom Brady tells the important story of the soil being a viable solution to the world’s climate problems.

Symphony of the Soil (2012) Filmed on four different continents, this documentary features farmers, scientists, and ranchers who draw from ancient knowledge to pay respect to the importance of the soil.

The Biggest Little Farm (2018) Telling the story of one family’s attempt at farming, this documentary shows the way the little farm with depleted soil turned into a productive organic farm using regenerative agricultural practices.

Laguna Blanca (2012) Revealing how a farm in Argentina went from a single-crop, low-producing industrial farm to a multi-faceted area capable of production as well as lush greenery that houses many different wildlife.

Participate in a Soil-Friendly Activities

One of the first fun ideas average people can participate in is to plant a rain garden. For those who may not know what a rain garden is, it’s a shallow depression in the yard or garden that rainwater can easily flow into. This helps reduce soil erosion and promotes healthier soil.

Another important soil-friendly activity is composting. In order to stay rich in nutrients, soil needs access to fresh minerals which can come from dried leaves, dead plant parts, grass clippings and more. Keeping a compost heap in the backyard, filling it and turning it regularly not only improves the growing soil, but also reduces the amount of waste put into a landfill.

Read Kids Books about Soil

Got little family members, friends or school children who want to be educated on how important soil is to the lives of humans? Then try reading some different books with them about it! Here are a few to get started with:

The Magical World of Soil Biodiversity, by a variety of authors (2021).

You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Dirt, by Ian Graham (2016).

The Good Garden: How One Family Went from Hunger to Having Enough, by Katie Smith Milway (2010).

What’s Sprouting in my Trash? A Book About Composing, by Esther Porter (2013).

Landscape and Plan for Less Erosion

It is a good idea to reduce to a minimum the amount of flat or paved surfaces on a property, such as driveways and patios. This is because the water flowing over these types of surfaces has a tendency to gain momentum which causes more erosion than it normally would once it reaches the soil.

For those who absolutely must have that patio, they should consider having it built with paving stones so rainwater can flow directly downward into the soil instead. It’s a much healthier (and prettier!) way to get that walking path in the garden.

Place a Rain Barrel

Another simple way to go about conserving soil (and in this case, water as well) is to have a rain barrel placed somewhere strategic where it can easily collect rainwater that is flowing off of the roof, which can then be used to water the grass and the plants.

Whatever you decide to do, remember that even the smallest gestures can make a big difference to Mother Nature!

Source

[nonhumanwithin]

hi uh how does one kinfirm a kin type like?? I struggle so hard with being able to tell? I haven’t gotten any kin memories that I know of so I kinda just go off my minimal instincts (which could be incredibly wrong) and honestly for all I know im just hyper fixating or something

Figuring out a kintype can be tricky, I wish you the best! I would document your experiences that you feel are aligned with your nonhuman identity, even if they can be caused by human things like enjoying swimming for example. If you personally feel that your kintype likes water or that liking water is an important part of your identity, write it down and look into kintypes that match that! It's okay if some traits don't end up aligning with the kintype you eventually fall on :)

All you really need is a few things to point you in a general direction and lots of free time to research animals. Look through wiki pages, documentaries, even look into prehistoric animals and mythical/fictional species! Also keep in mind that the wiki can only tell you so much. What ultimately decides your kintype is your own feelings. It's not the same as diagnosing a disease based off of symptoms- identity is not that simple. You may find an animal that gives you the "that's me" feeling in a way you can't shake even if your nonhuman traits don't totally match!

If you need more info to go off of in order to do any research because your minimal instincts aren't enough, try looking into different habitats and see if one clicks with you and go from there. Does any specific animal diet speak to you? Do you feel like your kintype is big or small? Is there any animal you've consistently liked throughout your life? If there is and you don't feel it quite fits, look up similar animals! If you're still lost, honestly just look up random animals or visit a zoo or find a blog that posts random animal facts and maybe something will click eventually.

Remember that you don't have to know right away! These things take lots of time for some people and that's okay. You have plenty of time to figure yourself out. And if you're wrong about some things, that's okay too. Even if you end up wrong about a kintype, I promise it's not the end of the world. You're definitely not the only one!

[sumbisafari]

Immersive Adventure: Exploring Tanzania's Wildlife on a Photographic Safari

Embarking on a photographic safari through Tanzania is like stepping into a National Geographic documentary come to life. With its vast savannahs, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife, Tanzania offers an unparalleled experience for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. In this blog post, we'll delve into the magic of Tanzania's wildlife safari, exploring the sights, sounds, and sensations that make it a journey of a lifetime.

The Call of the Wild:

Are you looking for Tanzania wildlife Safari? Tanzania, nestled in East Africa, is home to some of the most iconic wildlife reserves on the continent, including the world-renowned Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. These vast expanses of wilderness teem with life, from majestic lions and graceful giraffes to towering elephants and elusive leopards. Every corner of Tanzania's wilderness beckons with the promise of a unique encounter with nature's wonders.

Capturing Moments in Time:

For photographers, Photographic Safari Tanzania offers an endless array of subjects and scenes waiting to be captured through the lens. The golden light of dawn illuminating the savannah, the drama of a lioness on the hunt, the playful antics of elephant calves at a watering hole – each moment presents an opportunity to freeze time and immortalize the raw beauty of the African wilderness. Whether you're an amateur enthusiast or a seasoned pro, Tanzania's photographic safari promises to challenge and inspire your creative vision.

The Serengeti Migration:

One of the most awe-inspiring spectacles in the natural world is the annual Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores traverse the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing grounds. Timing your visit to coincide with this mass movement of wildlife can provide unparalleled photographic opportunities, as the plains come alive with a swirling sea of hooves and horns. Witnessing the Great Migration firsthand is an experience that will stay with you long after the shutter clicks.

Beyond the Big Five:

While the Big Five – lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinoceroses – may steal the spotlight, Tanzania's wildlife extends far beyond these iconic species. From the graceful impala to the quirky warthog, from the elusive cheetah to the majestic Maasai giraffe, the diversity of Tanzania's fauna ensures that every game drive holds the promise of new discoveries. A keen eye and a patient spirit are rewarded with sightings of creatures both big and small, each playing a vital role in the intricate tapestry of life.

Conservation and Sustainability:

As visitors to Tanzania's wilderness, it's essential to remember the importance of responsible tourism and conservation efforts. By supporting eco-friendly lodges and safari companies, minimizing our ecological footprint, and respecting the natural habitats of the animals, we can help ensure that future generations will continue to marvel at the wonders of Tanzania's wildlife. Additionally, engaging with local communities and learning about their traditional ways of life fosters a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of humans and nature.

Conclusion:

A Photographic Safari Tanzania is more than just a journey – it's a pilgrimage to the heart of the wild, a celebration of the untamed beauty that surrounds us. In the vast plains of the Serengeti, the mist-shrouded forests of the Ngorongoro Crater, and the sun-drenched savannahs of Tarangire, we are reminded of our place in the natural world and the profound connections that bind us to all living things. So pack your camera, open your heart to adventure, and prepare to be captivated by the splendor of Tanzania's wildlife safari.

[desn512rubym]

'Helvetica' - Documentary

Quick thoughts and notes:

It is the most common typeface (mostly because it's modern and came in during the rise of modernism, also it's very legible).

"Graphic design is the communication framework, through which these messages about what the world is now and what we should aspire to, it's the way they reach us." (03:00)

"Typography is really white, it's not even black. It is the space between the blacks that really makes it." (4:24)

Idealism (an idea that came through after WWII) - it says that designs soul responsibility is that it's part of a need to rebuild and reconstruct, to make things better. (7:40)

Helvetica means, 'the Swiss typeface'. Swiss designers in the 1950s were vital in the emergence of modernism in design. It came through a need for more rational typefaces. It's clarity, readability and straight-forwardness saw that it was very successful at the time. It "invites open interpretation not minimal association."(30:00)

"Readers should not be aware of the typeface but they are affected by it." (32:00)

Helvetica is said to be the typeface of socialism. It contradicts individualism since all of the letters are designed to be the same/very similar. (Interesting that type can be so political and hold so much connotation to such ideas).

Today opinions towards the typeface are very mixed, some still love it, they love it's simplicity or cleanliness (important to note that most of these people are older and were mostly designing at the time when Helvetica was designed), others say that it has become a default - "it's air, it's just there" (37:14) and that it's tired, overused and predictable.