#Narby

[smokefalls]

Each of us is ultimately alone: a discrete little being with access only to our own senses and sensations, our own thoughts, and our own fragile body. Left to fumble for meaning in our constant pursuit of imperfect intimacies. We submit ourselves endlessly to that mortifying ordeal of knowing each other, just for the chance to be alone together. Language might be the best thing that we have to bring the void between ourselves, but it will never be enough.

Carrow Narby, "Indescribable" from It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror

[huariqueje]

Untitled , Lamp Room 253 - Narbi Price , 2017.

British , b. 1979 -

Acrylic on canvas , 60 x 45 cm.

[river-in-the-woods]

The Cosmic Serpent by Jeremy Narby

"How could nature not be conscious if our own consciousness is produced by nature?"

This book is a fascinating exploration of the intersection between science and spirituality, whereby Narby goes down a rabbit hole of connections between molecular biology and indigenous mythology, including the shamanistic use of hallucinogens and what they reveal about the nature of spirits.

As a biologist who tends to keep science and spirituality separate for practical reasons, I found it really interesting to see Narby delve into many examples of how indigenous shamans had, essentially, discovered key scientific concepts before their modern conception. This was something that I was already vaguely aware of, and I enjoyed Narby’s detailed expositions thereof.

Though, perhaps due to the brevity of his spiritual knowledge, I feel he may have been a tad overtaken by enthusiasm and developed some tunnel vision in his quest to realise the nature of spirits. Namely, I believe Narby may have lost sight of the notion that anything we know about spirits lies within the intersection of the spiritual and physical; there are things that lie outside of this intersection that we cannot perceive about the spirits, and likewise things that lie on the physical side of the intersection that spirits cannot perceive about us. His book deals solely with that small overlap and I would reiterate that this is not all that there is.

Regardless, I truly appreciate the sincerity of Narby's self-reflection of his experiences, the palpable admiration that comes through in his writing for indigenous people and their knowledge, and his concern for their future. He highlights some of the obstacles faced by those who would reconcile science and spirituality. Science, that was once the bastard child of Religion attempting to escape from Religion’s shadow, is now performed in ways that work against that initial desire to understand the mechanisms of the Divine.

"... biology has become an industry that is guided by a thirst for marketable knowledge, rather than by ethical and spiritual considerations."

Well, I think we've made some progress on the ethical fronts, if not the spiritual, since the publishing of this book.

To be honest, I started reading Cosmic Serpent as part of my search for more information on serpent power, and not because I was interested in the intersection of science and mysticism. I was happy to find that some key messages in this book aligned with knowledge received in my own communications with spirits. The Serpent is magic, knowledge and life itself, and one benefits greatly from delving into its mysteries.

[showmethesneer]

"Monsters represent our fears, traumas, aspirations, and desires. Mermaids, werewolves, cryptids, and witches all make regular appearances in works produced by queer storytellers because the monster embodies so much meaning at once, it remains a contradictory figure. It is our distorted mirror image, our secret self."

-"Indescribable" by Carrow Narby from It Came From The Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror edited by Joe Vallese

[beehaiku]

“My gender is void, the null set, nothing. But it is impossible for anyone to look at me and see nothing. I cannot make myself unseen.”

Carrow Narby, “Indescribable” from It Came From the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror

This essay covers disability, gender, and being perceived as a “thing” even if your personhood is on some level acknowledged, especially in a hospital setting where you are totally vulnerable to what a doctor sees when they examine you. It’s really hitting home for me as someone who’s been through, and goes through regularly, the violation of self that medical interactions require. In relation to the horror movies discussed, The Blob and Society, the essay becomes a discussion of how the total dissolution of boundaries that blob-creatures achieve in combining the self with the other through absorption of the other by the self is the only way to truly be known without being perceived. I really enjoyed it (and am enjoying this whole anthology so far!) and it’s really cool to hear people like me say out loud the thoughts I have about myself. :)

[glitterpuff]

I'm working on new fiction, but I haven't sold or published any in a while. In the meantime, if you'd like, check out this story that I had in PodCastle back in 2018(!).

[nasa]

For the Benefit of All: Assistive Tech Developed from NASA Tech

What do modern cochlear implants and robotic gloves have in common? They were derived from NASA technology. We’ve made it easier to find and use our patented inventions that could help create products that enhance life for people with disabilities.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which highlights the contributions of American workers with disabilities – many of whom use assistive technology on the job. Take a look at these assistive technologies that are NASA spinoffs.

Low-Vision Headsets

The Joint Optical Reflective Display (JORDY) device is a headset that uses NASA image processing and head-mounted display technology to enable people with low vision to read and write. JORDY enhances individuals’ remaining sight by magnifying objects up to 50 times and allowing them to change contrast, brightness, and display modes. JORDY's name was inspired by Geordi La Forge, a blind character from “Star Trek: The Next Generation” whose futuristic visor enabled him to see.

Cochlear Implants

Work that led to the modern cochlear implant was patented by a NASA engineer in the 1970s. Following three failed corrective surgeries, Adam Kissiah combined his NASA electronics know-how with research in the Kennedy Space Center technical library to build his own solution for people with severe-to-profound hearing loss who receive little or no benefit from hearing aids. Several companies now make the devices, which have been implanted in hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

Robotic Gloves

Ironhand, from Swedish company Bioservo Technologies, is the world’s first industrial-strength robotic glove for factory workers and others who perform repetitive manual tasks. It helps prevent stress injuries but has been especially warmly received by workers with preexisting hand injuries and conditions. The glove is based on a suite of patents for the technology developed by NASA and General Motors to build the hands of the Robonaut 2 humanoid robotic astronaut.

Smart Glasses

Neurofeedback technology NASA originally developed to improve pilots’ attention has been the basis for products aimed at helping people manage attention disorders without medication. The devices measure brainwave output to gauge attention levels according to the “engagement index” a NASA engineer created. Then, they show the results to users, helping them learn to voluntarily control their degree of concentration. One such device is a pair of smart glasses from Narbis, whose lenses darken as attention wanes.

Anti-Gravity Treadmills

A NASA scientist who developed ways to use air pressure to simulate gravity for astronauts exercising in space had the idea to apply the concept for the opposite effect on Earth. After licensing his technology, Alter-G Inc. developed its anti-gravity G-Trainer treadmill, which lets users offload some or all of their weight while exercising. The treadmills can help people recover from athletic or brain injuries, and they allow a safe exercise regimen for others with long-term conditions such as arthritis.

Wireless Muscle Sensors

Some of the most exciting assistive technologies to spin off may be yet to come. Delsys Inc. developed electromyographic technology to help NASA understand the effects of long-term weightlessness on astronauts’ muscles and movements. Electromyography detects and analyzes electrical signals emitted when motor nerves trigger movement. Among the company’s customers are physical therapists developing exercise routines to help patients recover from injuries. But some researchers are using the technology to attempt recoveries that once seemed impossible, such as helping paralyzed patients regain movement, letting laryngectomy patients speak, and outfitting amputees with artificial limbs that work like the real thing.  

To further enhance the lives of people with disabilities, NASA has identified a selection of patented technologies created for space missions that could spur the next generation of assistive technology here on Earth.

Want to learn more about assistive technologies already in action? Check out NASA Spinoff to find products and services that wouldn’t exist without space exploration.   

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[talonabraxas]

“This is perhaps one of the most important things I learned during this investigation: We see what we believe, and not just the contrary; and to change what we see, it is sometimes necessary to change what we believe.” ― Jeremy Narby, The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge

Ayahuasca Serpent Talon Abraxas

[beachsideufo]

Flug forma darma wawrmo narbi?

yuea ,,mayube

[smokefalls]

For one thing, I am not a woman. I wouldn’t know how to correct anyone about this, though, because I am not a man either. I am not something in-between, or in some third-gender category like nonbinary. My gender identity does not have a name, because I do not have a gender identity. My gender is void, the null set, nothing. But it is impossible for anyone to look at me and see nothing. I cannot make myself unseen.

Carrow Narby, "Indescribable" from It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror

[huariqueje]

Untitled , Fish Sands - Narbi Price , n/d.

British , b. 1979 -

Acrylic on board , 70 x 100 cm.

[santoschristos]

The Serpent is the symbol of the Mother Goddess... Mother Nature, evolution. Kundalites often dream of snakes, and it is a positive sign of awakening. Most commonly seen in dreams and meditations are cobras, blue snakes, and black red and white striped coral snakes. Don't be afraid! The snakes are symbols of life, wisdom, and the unified consciousness of DNA. The Shamans of South America who do the ritual of the vine, say that at the beginning of life on Earth, there were these serpent creatures that were fleeing an enemy. And they came down onto the Earth, and they made all of the forms of life on Earth to have a place to hide themselves, and that was the beginning of creation. These serpent creatures are your own DNA strands. Packed very tightly into every cell of your body is your DNA, and it is the blueprint that makes YOU. Scientists think that there's a lot of junk DNA along the chain that doesn't have any purpose. What scientists think is your dormant DNA is actually a multiple redundancy system. Encoded into that system is all of your vast potential for miracles. Some DNA is silent, and Kundalini can reawaken that DNA. Kundalini is the Fire Serpent, you can think of the Fire Serpent as the spirit of DNA. DNA emits light like a telsa coil emits electricity. Between the DNA of me, and the DNA of a plant, and the DNA of an oyster, there's not a hell of a lot of difference. It is through our DNA, through that piezio-electrical, vibrational exchange going on inside of us, we are unified with all other life on this planet. The collective consciousness of DNA. --Cosmic Serpent (Jeremy Narby) Art by R. Blume

[the-ellia-west]

Help Pls?

I think My action sequences are too long and detailed... Maybe I should try and rework my style? What do y'all think?

--------------------------------------------------

(Half-edited Chapter 6 Beginning)

Minor Spoilers!

---

However, before she got any closer to deciphering the warning, branches to her right rustled. Kasi whirled to face the sound and had just enough time to prepare herself before a man leaped out of the trees, tackling her. Kasi hit the ground hard, her vision going blurry as the darkness of the night swirled into her lungs. She kicked and scratched at the strange man to get her freedom as adrenaline shot through her veins. Sharp claws dug into the Outlander’s skin but didn’t cut through as she landed a good hit. The man grunted in pain and slammed her head into the ground again. Kasi struggled as hard as she could, just managing to see sharp, gritted teeth through the fingers covering her eyes.

She screamed, “Get off!” 

Kasi kicked at him again and just managed to squirm away. The outlander scrambled out of range of her attacker, panting. She drew her knife from its sheath in her boot. Her opponent narrowed his eyes.

“You’re an interesting one, little outlander.” Kasi flinched away from the unknown figure and his strange gravelly voice as she dropped into a fighting stance. The man extended his huge black wings, one charred and burnt, painting his image against the darkness like a tree in the dead of winter.

“Get away from me!” 

The shade’s wings snapped shut with a whoosh of cold air as he lunged for her. Kasi dodged and stabbed at the shade, who spun out of the way. He swiped at her neck, sending her back a step. The outlander grappled with the shade, trying desperately not to be overpowered.

But in a split second, he grabbed ahold of the seamstress’ leg with his talon and yanked it out from underneath her, throwing her into the dirt. Kasi hit the ground hard but squirmed wildly. If the shade was going to kill her, she at least wouldn’t make it easy for him. The seamstress grabbed the arm that pinned her shoulder and bit down on his wrist as hard as she could manage, hard scales making her teeth ache.

The shade hissed menacingly and Kasi shoved his arm away. She rolled out of his reach and leaped to her feet before he could fully recover. The outlander tucked her hair into her shirt and whirled to face him, breathing hard from her escape. Though bruises and small cuts covered her skin, she still held her knife in a strong defense. The shade growled and hit her arm, knocking her backward. But Kasi caught herself with her hands and propelled her feet upwards. Just as she’d hoped, her boot connected with his jaw in a sickening crack as she tumbled to the ground in a less-than-graceful landing.

Kasi scrambled to get her footing and ran toward him as soon as her feet hit the ground. The Outlander kicked his hand, knocking his claws away from her and brought her leg back for another kick. But he caught the second one and sent her sprawling into the narby bushes.

Kasi pushed back to her feet as he pounced back into the fight and smacked into him, knocking him towards the cliff’s edge. The shade screeched in surprise and gave the outlander a backhand across the face, his scales slicing through Kasi’s cheek. The young seamstress stumbled back and dodged around him as he tried to hit her again. She grunted softly through her teeth as she slammed her fist into the back of his head. The shade stumbled forward with a curse and Kasi wrapped her hands around his neck, pulling him backwards. 

“Let go, you little pest!” He sunk his sharp teeth into her wrist.

The outlander howled in pain just as two very familiar voices called out for her at once, “Kasi!” 

The shade rammed into her, his clawed hand closing around her throat. However, the pressure didn’t last long as Chrin and Xhaazi attacked the shade at once. The pair pulled him away from Kasi, and the shade hissed. The seamstress swiped her knife out of the grass as he yanked his wing out of their grip and flew at the seamstress again, wrapping his wings around her and restraining her arms. Kasi clenched her fist around her knife as the shade grabbed her by the neck, his scales rubbing uncomfortably against her scars as he held her out over the cliff edge. 

Sounding thoroughly annoyed, the shade turned his head back to the two boys, “Neither of you will attack me or I will drop her.”

Chrin and Xhaazi froze. 

He tightened his grip on Kasi’s neck and the tailor’s apprentice froze. She couldn’t stab him or he would drop her. The shade turned to her, his eyes glinting in the faint light of the moons overhead.

“What are you doing? What do you want from us?” Kasi gasped as she glanced down at the wild waves attacking the bottom of the cliff.

@oliolioxenfreewrites @corinneglass @phoenixradiant @sunflowerrosy @kia-is-poisoned @rivenantiqnerd @aesthetic-writer18 @ryahisbored

@nkikio @somethingclevermahogony @mjparkerwriting @agirlandherquill @fantasy-things-and-such

@illarian-rambling @purplehandshumanfeelings @bluberimufim @artsandstoriesandstuff @wyked-ao3

[socalledfreethinker]

Hello, my name is Ron Dodson of @slocum-dodson. I represent the Slocum's Joe Coffee and Doughnut company.

I'm sending you this message to let you know that you can visit a Slocum's Joe in your settlement because we are now open 24/7.

Some of my employees haven't seen their families in days.

We offer many fine treats like Quantum Crunch Doughnuts, Maple Bars, Tea, Plain Black Coffee and Much, much more!

Come on down, tell them Ron sent you!

:)

some narby’s shit is now occurring in my askbox. i don’t feel safe.

[blood-choke]

Thanks for saying the bit about butch being identity more than presentation. I'm aware it is, like I'm not dumb, but I never feel like I show the fact that I'm butch enough, even if I'm soft butch. Like wearing androgynous clothes means fuck all in modern day since women's fashion is androgynous at a base line currently, plus I have very long hair and tend to keep my nails somewhat long so my identity doesn't show at all and it makes me constantly feel like I'm appropriating the label. But like if I were cis, I'd probably take testosterone for a bit like she/her Lea did; that idea is super enticing. As is I like being trans because it gives some masculinity to my physicality. If it were the past where women wore dresses, I'd definitely wear men's clothes (probably mixed with some parts of women's stuff). Just modern day doesn't let me visibly defy social norms as much as I want. My leather jacket and boots just isn't enough to show my identity.

Sorry for the ranble. Just made me feel way better, seeing confirmation that it's largely identity. Even if I don't have anyone to truly express it with.

you're welcome!

it was definitely something i had to unlearn; especially now with so much of lesbian bar culture having been pushed out and forgotten, a lot of younger people just.. don't know what these words mean, and when i was their age, butch and lesbian both were Bad Words that you never said at all except to demean someone.

reading older lesbian literature helped me overcome that and learning about all of the people that came before us; both about butches and femmes. digging through archives and putting myself into butch/femme spaces online has been hugely beneficial to me. i used to feel the same & like i could never "claim the label" because i didn't look a certain way, but that's just simply not true.

and this is especially not true for lesbians and other women who are already having other labels forced upon them by society; for not being white, for not being skinny, for not being hyper feminine, for not being cis, etc.

one of the things that made it really click for me was picture archives, specifically these kinds of pictures:

(pride, nyc, 1977 by meryl meisler)

this one is nancy tucker & her partner, and the two of them would switch shirts throughout the march. (1970 by kay tobin lahusen)

you can see how similar butches and femmes can look, and this is also what i mean when i say femmes are just as sanitized in popular media. butch and femme can be adjectives, but they are also nouns, they are genders and they are roles that people fill within lesbian relationships and within their community; how they move through the world, interact with society and how they interact with other lesbians and other women romantically and sexually.

this quote is one of my favorites:

“Butch is a trickster gender—and so, in a similar way, is femme. Lesbian gender expressions do not emulate heteropatriarchy, they subvert it. Femme removes femininity from the discursive shadow of masculinity and thereby strips from it any connotation of subordination or inferiority. Butch takes markers of “masculinity” and divests them of their association with maleness or manhood. Butchness works against the gender binary—the masculine/feminine paradigm—and reclaims for women the full breadth of possibilities when it comes to gender expression.”

— Caroline Narby, “On My Butchness”

[aevallare]

arbys or narbys which is better

narby's is one letter off from naurby's which is arby's in australia