#STEM education tools

[beingjellybeans]

Young Filipino Innovators Shine at Swiss Innovation Prize 2024

The Swiss Innovation Prize 2024 recognized the ingenuity of Filipino innovators, awarding top honors to groundbreaking projects in sustainability, digitalization, and prosperity. The grand ceremony, held on November 21, 2024, at Azalea Hall, Somerset Central, Makati City, highlighted transformative solutions selected from over 160 entries submitted by young scholars, entrepreneurs, and…

[momatosfashion]

Revolutionizing Education: The Role of AI and Robotics in Shaping the Future of Children's Learning

The rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics are transforming the landscape of education, especially in the way children learn and interact with the world. As technology continues to evolve, these innovations are not only enhancing learning experiences but also paving the way for more personalized, engaging, and efficient educational methods. In this blog, we will explore how AI and robotics are revolutionizing children's education, their benefits, challenges, and what the future holds for the next generation of learners.

Understanding AI and Robotics in Education

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the ability of machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as problem-solving, learning, and decision-making. In the classroom, AI can be utilized to create adaptive learning systems that adjust to a child’s individual needs, pace, and learning style. On the other hand, robotics involves the design and use of robots—machines capable of carrying out tasks autonomously or with minimal human intervention. Robotics in education allows children to engage in hands-on learning through interactive experiences, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Personalized Learning with AI

One of the most significant impacts of AI in education is its ability to facilitate personalized learning. Traditional teaching methods often treat all students the same, which can lead to some children feeling either under-challenged or overwhelmed. AI-powered tools, such as intelligent tutoring systems and adaptive learning platforms, can analyze a student’s progress in real time, identify areas where they may be struggling, and adjust the curriculum to fit their needs. This approach ensures that each child can learn at their own pace and level, which leads to better engagement and improved learning outcomes.

For example, AI-driven apps like DreamBox or Knewton provide personalized learning paths for students in subjects like math and language arts. By continuously tracking performance, these systems modify lesson difficulty to ensure a student is neither bored nor overwhelmed. AI has the potential to provide a completely customized learning experience for every student, maximizing their educational journey.

Robotics and Hands-On Learning

While AI enhances the learning process through digital interaction, robotics offers a tangible, hands-on approach to learning. Children can learn programming, critical thinking, and collaboration by working directly with robots. Robotics also fosters creativity, as students can design and build robots, which helps them understand engineering principles, mechanics, and coding.

Robots like NAO and VEX Robotics are being used in classrooms to teach programming and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts in an engaging way. These robots are programmed to interact with students, guiding them through coding challenges and projects that promote problem-solving and teamwork. By creating their own robots and participating in robotics competitions, children not only gain technical skills but also develop important life skills such as collaboration, communication, and perseverance.

Benefits of AI and Robotics in Education

1. Enhanced Engagement and Motivation

AI and robotics bring a dynamic, interactive element to learning that traditional methods may lack. Gamified learning experiences, powered by AI, make lessons more engaging by offering rewards and real-time feedback. Robots can also act as “learning companions” that interact with students, providing a sense of excitement and curiosity. This level of engagement motivates children to actively participate in their education, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the material.

2. Improved Accessibility

AI and robotics can help break down barriers for students with learning disabilities or those who require extra support. For instance, AI systems can offer tailored resources and exercises for children with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning challenges, allowing them to learn in a manner that suits their specific needs. Robotics, on the other hand, can provide physical interaction that benefits children with special needs, helping them develop motor skills and engage with peers in collaborative settings.

3. Real-Time Feedback and Assessment

AI can provide instant feedback to students, offering insights into areas of strength and areas that need improvement. This can be incredibly valuable in helping children stay on track with their learning goals. Teachers can use AI tools to monitor students’ progress, track achievements, and assess performance more efficiently, giving them more time to focus on individual students.

4. Preparation for Future Careers

Incorporating AI and robotics into the classroom not only prepares students for the current educational landscape but also for future careers. As the job market continues to evolve, technical skills in AI, coding, and robotics will be in high demand. By familiarizing students with these technologies at an early age, we are setting them up for success in a variety of fields, from engineering to healthcare to finance.

Challenges and Considerations

While AI and robotics offer exciting opportunities in education, there are some challenges to consider. The integration of these technologies requires significant investment in hardware, software, and teacher training. Furthermore, the use of AI tools and robots must be thoughtfully integrated into curricula to ensure they enhance learning rather than replace essential human interaction in the classroom.

There are also concerns regarding data privacy, as AI systems often collect data on student performance. Ensuring that this data is used responsibly and that students’ privacy is protected is critical to maintaining trust in these technologies.

The Future of AI and Robotics in Education

As AI and robotics continue to advance, we can expect even more groundbreaking innovations in education. In the future, AI-powered virtual tutors may become more widespread, offering personalized one-on-one learning experiences. Robots could be further integrated into classrooms to assist teachers, help with administrative tasks, and even provide social-emotional learning support.

Additionally, the development of immersive learning environments using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) could allow children to experience interactive learning like never before. Imagine exploring ancient civilizations in VR or conducting science experiments in a virtual lab, all while learning from AI tutors that adapt to each child’s unique learning style.

Conclusion

The integration of AI and robotics in children’s education is not just a passing trend; it is the future of how we teach and learn. By personalizing learning experiences, offering hands-on opportunities, and preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow’s workforce, these technologies are revolutionizing the education system. However, it is essential that we approach this transformation thoughtfully, balancing innovation with ethical considerations and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to benefit from these exciting advancements.

By embracing AI and robotics in education, we can create a more inclusive, dynamic, and future-ready learning environment for children worldwide.

#momatos.in

[ctrinity]

Top AI Math Apps: Free Tools to Master Mathematics | 2024 Guide

Are you looking for innovative ways to engage your students and enhance their math learning experience? AI-powered educational tools offer a wealth of opportunities to make math more accessible, interactive, and effective. From interactive geometry software to personalized tutoring, these apps can help students of all ages develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. In this blog…

[rainydetectiveglitter]

Astro Notes

🌞 Sun in the 1H — The Sun finds its strength here (considered a "place of visibility"). You’re meant to be seen and recognized, and your life feels aligned when you’re expressing yourself boldly. Themes of leadership and self-realization dominate your journey—this is the chart of someone destined to carve their own path.

🌙 Moon in the 5H — The Moon rejoices in the 5th house, so this placement brings a natural affinity for creativity, pleasure, and children. Your emotional state thrives in spaces of joy and self-expression, but watch out for getting lost in indulgence or romantic idealism.

🗣 Mercury in the 12H — Mercury here suggests hidden or esoteric knowledge. This is the chart of someone with insights that go beyond the material world. Your speech and thoughts may feel isolated or introspective, but you’re gifted with a knack for unveiling truths hidden in plain sight. Potential for prophecy or dream work!

💖 Venus in the 2H — A placement tied to Aphrodite’s love for material beauty. Venus here blesses you with a natural allure and ability to attract wealth or possessions. Harmony in relationships may stem from shared values or building something tangible together.

🔥 Mars in the 8H — The eighth house signifies taboos, shared resources, and mortality, making this a fiery yet transformative placement. You face challenges head-on, especially in areas others shy away from. Battles over inheritance, intimate bonds, or spiritual power may define key parts of your story.

💫 Jupiter in the 10H — A classic "kingmaker" placement. Jupiter elevates your public life, granting you charisma and the ability to inspire. Benefic fortune arrives when you pursue roles of authority or influence aligned with your principles. Jupiter in the 10th can also signify divine protection over your reputation.

⏳ Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pallas in the 2H — A heavy emphasis on the 2nd house ties your material possessions to themes of duty (Saturn), disruption (Uranus), illusion (Neptune), and strategy (Pallas). You’re navigating the weight of what you own or value—learning to master a balance between control and letting go is crucial.

🕳 Pluto in the 12H — The 12th house governs things unseen—Pluto here is akin to Persephone's descent into the underworld. Deep, subconscious transformations may shape your life path. Spiritual growth occurs through surrender, forgiveness, and diving into your shadow self.

🌐 Chiron in the 9H — The 9th house deals with philosophy, travel, and belief systems. With Chiron here, you might struggle with your faith or find your worldview shaken by personal wounds. However, these experiences push you to share wisdom and inspire others on their own paths.

💍 Juno in the 8H — Relationships for you are not surface-level. Juno in the 8th craves deep, binding intimacy. Themes of merging and transformation play out in partnerships—this isn’t a placement for lighthearted romance. Think soul contracts over fleeting connections.

🔥 Vesta in the 1H — Vesta in the Ascendant makes you a keeper of the flame. There’s something sacred about your individuality and presence. You may dedicate much of your energy to self-discipline or perfecting your identity, often attracting those drawn to your purposeful aura.

🌀 Node in the 1H — Your destiny pulls you toward asserting independence and finding your voice. The past may tether you to partnerships or codependent tendencies, but growth lies in carving your own road.

🐍 Lilith in the 3H — The "dark goddess" in the house of communication shows a razor-sharp tongue and an unapologetically raw way of speaking. Themes of rebellion might arise in sibling relationships or education. Words become a tool of both power and seduction.

💰 Fortune in the 8H — True prosperity comes from transforming life’s challenges into opportunities. You might gain unexpected financial blessings or have a knack for finding luck in the darkest corners of life. This is an alchemist’s placement—your fortune thrives in rebirth.

[liketolaugh-writes]

Bruce looking past the fact that (recently adopted) Danny is a powerhouse and recognizing that he has other skills also. <3

Danny is a STEM kid and just as brilliant as his sister, you cannot convince me otherwise

Danny gave Bruce the handwritten list of powers in the morning. Bruce stared at it over his cup of coffee, then gave Danny a flat, somewhat disbelieving look. Danny shrugged sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Sorry,” he said, perching on one of the stools. “I can point out the ones I don’t use if you just want to work on the ones I do. At least I have an idea of what needs improving with those.” Alfred gave him a cup of coffee and a plate of bacon and French toast, and Danny smiled at him. “Thanks, Alfred.”

“We’ll have to prioritize your training,” Bruce allowed after a moment, frowning down at the paper. Dick leaned over to look and whistled. “But all of these will be addressed eventually. You should have at least a moderate grasp of every tool at your disposal.” He looked up. “You intended to work in the lab today, correct?”

Danny nodded, playing with a strip of bacon. “I’ll probably spend most of today making a big batch of phaseproof coating,” he said. “Then I can experiment with mixing it with paint and maybe coat some of your spare weapons in it? That should work for the bo staff and escrima sticks, maybe a set of brass knuckles. But I’ll need to make a different solution for the edged weapons.” His mind wandered, thinking of how he could adapt what he knew of the Bats’ gear to work against ghosts.

“Who’re the brass knuckles for?” Dick asked, raising an eyebrow at Danny. Danny flushed and shrugged.

“Batman,” he said. “You don’t really use a weapon, right?” Bruce grunted. “But phaseproof cloth isn’t something my parents ever really figured out. I can work on it, maybe, but I thought brass knuckles would be an okay compromise for now.”

“Hn.”

“Good thinking,” Dick praised with a smile. “It’ll be easy to add to the utility belt too. Should we ghostproof my main set or a spare?”

“The main, I think, if you’re okay with it,” Danny said, tilting his head thoughtfully. “You probably won’t even notice. But the edged weapons should all be spares. Ecto-treated metal tends to glow.”

“Not great for stealth,” Dick nodded. “Whatever you think is best, baby spook. We have the resources.”

“You’re hyper-specialized,” Bruce noted without inflection, sipping from his coffee. Danny winced.

“Sorry,” he muttered. It was easy to forget that all this was pretty useless outside of Amity Park. Bruce shook his head.

“It’s not a problem. But we’ll need to diversify your skillset. Your talent for chemistry and engineering should expand beyond ectoscience alone.” He studied Danny contemplatively. “Higher education might be beneficial, perhaps a PhD.”

Danny’s eyes went wide. “What? I’m barely passing high school!”

“I had Casper High send over your transcripts,” Bruce said. Danny flinched. “You had a B+ average in middle school, with a particular bent for math and science. You also participated in several advanced extracurriculars, including a junior astronaut program, space camp, and competitive robotics. Further, you clearly have a comprehensive understanding of your parents’ work, which eludes both the Justice League engineers and JL Dark. You had these talents prior to acquiring your powers, and it would be a waste to discard them in favor of your raw combat ability.”

Danny stared at Bruce, open-mouthed and speechless. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d considered even the possibility that he could have a future outside of his hero career.

“…Do you think I could do that and be a superhero?” he managed after a minute, quieter than he’d meant to.

Bruce nodded sharply. “Most Justice League heroes maintain a career outside of heroics,” he reminded Danny, without even sounding like he thought Danny was an idiot for asking. “Aside from myself, there is also a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist, a museum curator, a forensic scientist, and a fighter pilot.”

Danny had known that on some level, but it had always seemed unreal. Practically a myth. “When am I going back to school?” he asked, hardly able to believe that he was suddenly looking forward to it.

“At the beginning of next semester,” Bruce said. “Your parents’ trial should be completed by then. I assume you don’t want to be announced publicly until that happens.” Danny shook his head fervently. “You may need to complete some make-up classes online, but we can discuss that next week.”

“Thanks,” Danny said sincerely. He was talking about a lot more than his re-enrollment.

[weaselle]

i am convinced that human evolution and development was centered around the basic up-grade from "i steal your resources" to "i steal your behaviors and concepts"

We got clever enough and we just started copying absolutely everything we observed just because now we could figure out how to copy concepts and things that other animals were doing

see that squirrel hoarding acorns for the winter? we can do that. okay now how do we make these acorns edible, cause they are poisonous to a number of animals and we don't do great with them either. What if you put them in the fire? or just on hot coals? what if you put them in water on hot coals and boil them? Oh if you soak them in cold water for 24 hours and maybe change the water a couple times you can totally eat them? YOINK storing acorns for winter is our idea now.

or, you ever seen a weaver bird do it's thing? if not i'll give you one guess what they do

or how about the tailor bird that uses spider silk to stitch the edges of a big leaf together to make a nest in

or sometimes they'll stitch a bunch of leaves into a little cup for a nest

like i'm not trying to downplay how clever it is to be the first humans to weave or sew, and indeed, being the first person to weave that anyone knew about probably happened many times throughout human existence but my conceit is that most if not all of those times was a human seeing something in nature that was basically weaving and going "i'ma do that, and get real good at it - i'ma take that concept and really make it mine"

like it wouldn't surprise me if humans got dogs because we saw how ravens were treating wolves and went "shit yeah, great idea - YOINK that's my idea now."

most of the things that we think of as special human skill or behavior can actually be found elsewhere throughout nature -- all over there are animals using tools, farming, ranching, building, etc.

my favorite primate behavioralist anecdote is a group of people studying tool use in chimps were spending their days in the bush logging the use of twigs to catch termites, and over the campfire at night they're like "it's so boring i wish they'd do something more impressive than this completely basic tool skill."

and one of them was like "actually... how do we know its not a difficult skill? has anyone tried to use a twig to catch termites and see?" and so the next day, like good little scientists, they went out and recorded their attempts at catching termites with twigs.

And lo and behold out of the whole group and all their attempts that day, only, like, a single termite was caught by a human, mostly by chance. Suddenly the whole situation flipped - they'd been thinking of it as basic unskilled tool use, but actually the chimps knew how to do something that none of them could easily figure out on their own - or even together as a group!

y'all, they had to go back to watching the chimps do it to figure out how. Think about that. University degrees, scientific minds, educated people... and they had to be taught how by the chimps.

It turns out there's a reason that young chimps will spend like a year closely studying how an adult is fishing for termites. You gotta select the right kind of twig or leaf stem, maybe you fray the end like a paint brush depending on particulars, you gotta have just the right poking and little shaking technique to provoke the termites into biting the twig, it's a whole thing. There's even regional/cultural differences in the general approach to termite fishing that are distinct between groups that live in different areas.

Now, wild chimps have been observed using objects as tools to fashion crude spears for hunting (it's the mothers doing it by the way, and slowly some of their kids have been growing up doing it, which will probably result in refinements and developments eventually.

ants do both farming and ranching. For real. Some species of ant grow a fungus they eat AND it's a domesticated fungus, like our corn, it can't actually reproduce and survive in the wild without the ants farming it. They maintain its growing conditions and feed it leaf litter mulch, and the fungus produces some kind of ant food idk i forget the details about that. But that's farming. They are farming a domesticated mushroom, basically. And other species of ant will maintain a herd of aphids; they'll move them from grazing area to grazing area, and protect them from predators, and they "milk" them for a liquid food substance and also every now and then they straight up eat one. That's ranching.

beavers sometimes have muskrat... tenants? pets? The muskrats low key pay rent by changing out the reed bedding they all use, and they live in the beaver's lodge with them and eat some of the food. So. idk

Some Tarantulas keep frogs as pets

anyway my point is, i think the true human skill that sets us apart is our ability deconstruct and reconstruct anything we see into something that is for us. Oh, you eat that? Now WE eat that. You have the perfect teeth to drill little holes in specific tree trunks to let the sap ooze out and eat it because it's high in sugar? We don't have those teeth but we're gonna do that now and if we can't figure out a tool that's as good as your teeth at it, watch out, because we will absolutely just also steal your fuckin teeth.

[rebeccathenaturalist]

This is encouraging news! Poached cheetah cubs are popular on the black market, and any tools that can help stem the trade will be much-needed.

This poaching has been going on for many decades; actress Josephine Baker could often been seen with her pet cheetah Chiquita in the 1920s, and mid-century demands from zoos for cheetahs likely also fueled illicit trade. Today they are still seen as status symbols, with many ending up as pets on the Arabian peninsula in spite of increasing prohibitions.

Many poached cubs never survive to be sold to new buyers, and every cub taken out of the wild reduces the already plummeting population; perhaps 10,000 at most remain in the wild today, down from 100,000 a century ago.

Want an easy way to help? Don't share, like, or otherwise support videos that show big cats and other wild animals as pets (yes, that includes supposed "rescues" like Messi the cougar who is treated like a housecat instead of living in a proper big cat refuge--and whose owners have had more than one cheetah that they show off on their social media.) Educate others on how wildlife are not pets and while they may seem to be cute and cuddly, keeping them robs them of the chance to have a truly wild life and supports unsustainable, and often illegal, wildlife trade.

[andhumanslovedstories]

My hospital is offering to pay for my masters degree in either nursing or education, which is interesting and something I’m pondering. Of those two, probably education. I’m not interesting in nursing research, and I have NO desire to become a nurse practitioner. There’s never been a time when I thought to myself, “boy I wish I had to know MORE about pharmacology.” My chief loves in nursing are 1) talking with patient, 2) successful symptom management, and 3) it’s impossible for me to do my job at home. I clock into my shift and then baby? Ooh baby, I clock the fuck out.

Education is interesting to me, I genuinely love teaching, I think there’s nothing cooler or more satisfying when you figure out the right way to explain something so that someone really gets it. Unfortunately my mother whom I love dearly and respect highly is a nurse educator who loves the exact same parts of nursing as me and loves teaching for the exact same reasons. I’m not sure I’m ready to literally become my mother.

(For real, this morning mom and I were chatting, me about my presentations on conversational tools to de-escalate and connect with patients in mental health crises, and Mom about her project to prevent and treat delirium through nursing interventions, and we were like “jesus christ we are basically devoting ourselves to the exact same passion project on opposite sides of the country. After Mom made this observation, we cackled, in the exact same identical way.)

What I actually need to do is to convince my hospital to pay entirely for my masters in creative writing, which is the masters I’m actually interested in pursuing, which is also the masters that I need least to advance my career or skills. It just. Seems fun. Its always seemed fun. I got my first bachelors in History and English with a concentration in creative writing, and that’s always seemed like more real of a degree to me than my bachelors in nursing. I’m a liberal arts girlie forced into a STEM world. Anyway, I do refuse to pay for grad school, so that’s gonna be a big factor. I’ll tell the people in charge of the hospital education budget that if they pay for an MFA, I’ll write the best fuckin unit newsletters anyone has ever seen.

[mistresslynndramione]

Antisemitism in the Dramione fandom

This is the first of two posts I’ve written on antisemitism.

Antisemitism in the Dramione fandom

How antisemitism manifests in a broad sense, including how to deconvolute Palestinian activism from Jew hate, and personal accounts of Antisemitism that me, my family and my community have experienced over the past year ranging from bomb threats to harassment and vandalism to people screaming from a car at my friend’s kids that they’re baby killers (still working on this one, it’ll appear soon)

And now onto fandom.

One of the nice surprises I found when entering the Dramione fandom, was being exposed to a wide variety of people with experiences I didn’t have, where I could understand hardships others faced which I had no exposure to. To name a few: fatphobia, ableism, transphobia, racism, struggles with mental health and being neurodivergent, and living with debilitating and chronic diseases.

I was able to learn because marginalized communities felt empowered to discuss their struggles online under relative anonymity and with the support of others. It was an opportunity for those willing to listen to be educated. And I’m thankful because since joining fandom, I’ve truly broadened my horizons.

Being able to access people and their very personal, intimate experiences in a way one wouldn’t be exposed to IRL reflects the very best of the internet and demonstrates its potential. The internet, like books, is an excellent tool for bridging differences, empathizing with and understanding others.

And that’s something we should all strive for.

However, there is one marginalized minority that is not empowered to discuss their struggles and experiences in fandom. Not only are we shut down, deplatformed, disempowered and ostracized, but those that support or associate with us are too.

The Jews.

You will hear how every single oppressed minority experiences bigotry in fandom and in their lives. How the LGTBQ+ community experiences homophobia and transphobia, how POCs experience racism, how women experience misogyny, how Muslims experience Islamophobia, how people with disabilities experience ableism, how heavier people experience fatphobia – but you won’t hear how Jews experience antisemitism.

Rather, Jews are told by everyone else what our experiences with bigotry are. Goysplaining, if you will. We are told what is and isn’t antisemitism, as if people that aren’t Jewish know better. We’re told that we’re weaponizing antisemitism for political gain. And fringe, minority Jewish opinions are elevated and Jews are tokenized to justify bigotry and shield those who spread it.

These tactics aren’t new. Feminists and other minority rights activists describe facing the same obstacles. It’s only Jews that are treated differently by those who claim they listen to minorities – and should know better.

The hypocrisy is that those who profess to be advocates of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion simply will not include Jews or listen to Jewish experiences when it’s not politically convenient. They silence and exclude us when we protest bigotry stemming from the progressive wing of politics. And that’s despite the skyrocketing antisemitism across the world (and in fandom) since Oct 7, 2023, precisely when listening to Jews should be of paramount importance.

Do a quick google search ‘antisemitism + your country/closest major city and/or university’ to get a taste of what we’re dealing with. The US, Canada, France, Sweden – no country is immune. It’s everywhere. Everywhere. And it’s been all over the news. We have been speaking up about antisemitism on the far left for years and are screaming about it now that it’s being mainstreamed. So, if you’re only aware of Jew hate when it stems from right wing politics (tiki torches, space lasers and the great replacement theory), that should tell you something about the media you consume.

It’s a problem which has worsened over the years because progressives – the very people who claim to be anti-bigotry – only oppose antisemitism when it comes from the right wing and refuse to listen when Jews speak about it on the left.

The result is that most self-identifying liberals, Democrats, progressives, etc. are only able to identify anti-Jew bias when it comes from white supremacists. A common sentiment I’ve heard is “I’m not antisemitic, I learned about the Holocaust.” Which is akin to saying the US isn’t racist because they emancipated the slaves.

Just like racism, sexism, etc, antisemitism is the sea you swim in. It wasn’t solved with school field trips to Holocaust Museums because it’s much subtler than that. If you want to be anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-Islamophobic, anti-transphobic/homophobic, then you need to work hard to understand how those forms of bigotry are expressed and examine your subconscious biases. Most people simply don’t know how latent antisemitism lingers in their prejudices because society has never addressed them in the way they’ve (tried to) addressed latent sexism and racism.

The bigotry was always there, waiting to be harnessed. And those underlying prejudices fed the mass explosion of Jew hate across the world.

What does that have to do with antisemitism in the Dramione fandom?

Before the unprecedented increase in Jew hate, I’d seen the occasional bigoted comment and avoided the people that made them, preferring to stay apolitical in fandom anyway. But after Hamas invaded Israel on Oct 7, 2023, a loud portion of fandom started spreading hate speech and advocating for violence against Jews. It got worse as the war continued, and still continues even though it’s been over a year.

As conflicts elsewhere often do, this war has exposed the bigotry we have in our privileged society. Hate crimes against Jews (and Muslims) have since skyrocketed around the world. Most people are unable to separate their Palestinian activism from Jew hate due to lack of knowledge about the conflict and how antisemitism manifests. Some purposely muddy the waters, intentionally leveraging societal prejudice.

Like many Jews in fandom, I didn’t want to be exposed to hate speech and curated like hell. The rhetoric that describes Jews in progressive spaces is dishonest, demonizing and used to threaten, harass, ostracize, and call for violence.

Fandom, being loudly progressive in its politics, is no different. And because no one in fandom listens to Jews when we speak up, we are dehumanized and ostracized in fandom spaces, while violence against us is glorified. Fandom twitter and Bluesky quickly became cesspits. I’ve left chats, Facebook groups, and discord servers where antisemitic views were shared and allowed to stand uncontested despite those very spaces claiming to be against bigotry.  

Fandom will pride itself on being against antisemitism, despite having no idea what it is. I’ve seen righteous indignation over depictions of hooked-nosed goblins and piles of gold in the recent Harry Potter game but posts demonizing Jews and glorifying violence against us are enthusiastically supported. The former is virtue signaling with no impact on our lives. The latter directly impacts our safety and how we interact with society.

I understand that a lot of this is ignorance. Most people have good intentions. They by and large don’t think about the accuracy of their words, the consequences of their actions, and don’t know that they’re hurting their local Jewish communities. However, many do understand and are intentionally hurting their Jewish communities, leveraging the platform and legitimacy Progressives give them.

Until the recent antisemitic cybermob (I’ll get to the cybermob in a bit), I hadn’t seen anyone in fandom stand up to Jew hatred on the left. Not a single person. Not a peep from those professing that black lives matter and trans rights are human rights.

Posts glorifying resistance are glorifying Hamas and legitimizing the rape, torture and murder of Jews. When hundreds of people like and share those posts, they’re supporting the rape, torture and murder of Jews. Ironically, they’re also supporting the rape, torture and murder of Palestinians as well, because Hamas doesn’t just terrorize Jews.

Posts condemning the existence of Israel are calling for the erasure of an entire country, calling for the persecution and oppression of Jews and non-Jews alike. People cry “Free Palestine!” in one sentence and call for the destruction of Israel in the next. As if wanting two free, independent countries isn’t advocating for freedom? People can’t claim to be against oppression if they want to take away the freedom and independence of Israelis. And why would anyone want to do that? Israel is a free, multi-ethnic secular democracy home to 10 million people: Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze and Bahai.

You said something about a cybermob?

Last year, I was inspired by a group of several hundred Jewish students at Columbia University which has been something of an epicenter for Jew hate. They wrote and signed an open letter entitled: “We would like to speak in our name.” Those brave souls stood up, described the threats, harassment and ostracization they’d been subjected to at a place which was supposed to safe and inclusive for all, and declared themselves proud Zionists. They stood tall and corrected the misinformation spread about Jewish identity both by those who hate us, and those who are thoughtless and don’t know any better. My friend’s kid was one of them. And I’m proud of him for speaking up. That is bravery.

(If you want to know what the Jewish experience has been like after Hamas invaded Israel, their letter is an excellent read. My experience in fandom has been the same, just virtually.)

So, taking inspiration from those students who would face real life consequences instead of merely virtual ones in a fandom of wizard porn, I stood up for myself, my children and my people, and joined those courageous kids by posting on my Instagram bio: “Proud Zionist: two states for two peoples.”

I knew most people have no idea what ‘Zionist’ means. I know it’s currently used as a slur to threaten, harass, bully, boycott, ostracize and call for violence against Jews. And I know that since the war started, the Wikipedia entry for Zionism has been modified by those that hate us, in a way few Zionists would agree with, no longer reflecting what Zionism is. So I clarified my declaration in a way that would leave no room for argument by writing directly afterwards “two states for two peoples.”  

“Two states for two peoples” is a statement that advocates for an independent, safe and secure Palestinian state where Palestinians have self-determination. It is also a statement advocating for an independent, safe and secure Israel - where Jews have the right of self-determination. The right of Jews to self-determine in our ancestral homeland (Israel) is the most basic definition of Zionism and from which all versions of Zionism derive, no matter how they differ in implementation and belief.

Two separate states: Israel and Palestine; for two peoples: Israelis and Palestinians.

A bit of history: The two-state solution has been the cornerstone of peace talks supported by both left and right political leaders in Israel and across the world for 30 years to bring peace, coexistence and end the Palestinian portion of the larger Israeli-Arab conflict. Starting with the staged progression outlined in the Oslo Accords back in 1993, two states was the goal that spanned Israeli Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, Binyamin Netanyahu (yup, he was the PM back then, too) and finally Ehud Barak with Yasser Arafat serving as leader of the PLO and Bill Clinton mediating. Two states were the goal of the Camp David Summit in 2000 with Clinton, Arafat and Barak. It was the goal of the Taba talks in 2001. It was the goal of the Road Map – constructed between Ariel Sharon, Mahmoud Abbas, Russia, the UN, the EU and George Bush Jr. It was the goal of the direct peace talks catalyzed by the Arab League between Ehud Olmert and Abbas in 2007-2008. A two-state solution was central to the Obama administration’s Middle East policy with the still current leaders Netanyahu and Abbas. It was the goal of the Trump administration; it is the goal of the Biden administration. Kamala Harris declared it as her goal in the recent presidential debate.

In short: regardless of who is in charge of Israel and what their goals are, being a Zionist and advocating for peace alongside a Palestinian state are not mutually exclusive.

If you are an advocate of the two-state solution, for the right and freedom of both Jews and Palestinians to self-determine in their homelands, if you think both Israel and Palestine have a right to exist, you are de-facto, a Zionist. Just like if you think men and women deserve social, legal and economic equality, you are de-facto, a feminist.

I know many people who would balk at being called a feminist because they have negative associations with the label, despite holding feminist beliefs. Similar to how some might balk at being called a Zionist because of the negative associations created by those that hate and/or don’t understand Jewish culture and history.

And yet, everyone should be a feminist – it’s a human rights movement.

Everyone should be a Zionist – it’s an indigenous people’s rights movement. It’s the Jewish liberation movement.

I’m proud to call myself both.

I didn’t expect anyone to know the history, but I did assume most people knew what ‘two states for two peoples’ meant. Naively, I thought that for those who didn’t know the definition of Zionism – stating ‘two states for two peoples’ would provide critical context.

One would think that if someone didn’t understand because they’re uninformed on Jewish culture, identity and Middle East history, that they’d take a moment to question their assumptions, do some research or (here’s a wild suggestion) ask me for clarification on words and phrases they don’t know the definition of before diving headfirst into a bigoted cybermob hellbent on hurting people.

The change in my bio was noticed on Instagram and had some negative reactions, but it didn’t spiral. And that’s pretty much what I expected the fallout to be because I’m not very active on social media – by choice. If people want to block/unfollow/mute me, they’re welcome to do so. I’m a big fan of curating and have no desire to interact with people contributing towards the skyrocketing Jew hate that my kids are growing up with.

The twitter fallout.

The contents of the tweet that started the cyber mob was a glib:

“hi hello, MistressLynn is, apparently, a proud zionist.”

Accompanied by a picture of my Instagram bio (where you can clearly see ‘two states for two peoples’) alongside a picture of the AO3 profile for a fest I was co-hosting with others at the time.

My bio had been changed for a few weeks, why wait until the fest reveals to incite a twitter mob? My guess (and this is purely speculation) about the timing, is that waiting for the fest reveals would maximize the drama, inflict the most harm and cause the most hurt because what happened on Instagram didn’t go anywhere.

I don’t really participate in social media, so I rarely know or care what’s happening in fandom. No feelings would be hurt, no tears would be shed, it would be a waste of a good dumpster fire if it were only me that was targeted. But the fest reveals would broaden the targets of the cybermob, via association.

Multiple targets. Maximum drama. And that’s exactly how it played out. You can see the tweet had 87.1K views. If you’re a fandom creator and like attention – bullying people is a surefire way to get it. Instigating drama almost always results in more interaction than fic and art creation. And those that latch onto it often seek the same.

Twitter exploded into a foaming-at-the-mouth frenzy over several days and spread to other platforms demonizing me, demonizing Jews and anyone who dared associate with me. Lots of dopamine for those that enjoy being cruel to others, or watching people get bullied by cybermobs.

Schadenfreude.

I’m not on Twitter. I had no idea anything was happening until a friend told me. Some of the fest participants joined the mob, turning on those they’d not too long ago been joking around with.

So many lurkers were justifiably shocked and horrified at what ensued on twitter, Instagram, the Dramione Writing Society discord and other servers, and tumblr, including the usually nuanced Dramione-Asks/Dramione-Discussions tumblr accounts.

To sum up the fallout:

Me: I’m a Proud Zionist who advocates for peace and coexistence in the form of a Palestinian state alongside an Israeli state.

Fandom: Lynn is a white colonialist oppressor of brown people, a Jewish supremacist, a white supremacist, a racist Islamophobic imperialist, an apartheid supporter, a baby killer, a child killer, and of course, pro-genocide. Ergo, Lynn should be run out of fandom, cancelled, boycotted, ostracized – the worst that any of us can to a person in cyberspace. And anyone who participates in her fest should immediately withdraw their participation because if they don’t, that means they are also pro-genocide, pro-Apartheid, pro-Colonialism, pro-Imperialism, pro-white supremacy, pro-baby killing and should similarly be boycotted and ostracized.

It's cartoonish. Many dystopian novels were written about this kind of rabid, hateful, mob behavior.

To be sure, the only political position the fest had was that Draco wanted to get reamed by Hermione.

And as if that wasn’t enough…

Also fandom: Everyone who associates with Lynn should immediately STOP associating with her because if they don’t, then they are pro-genocide, pro-Apartheid, pro-Colonialism, pro-Imperialism, pro-white supremacy, pro-baby killing and should be boycotted and ostracized, too. All Dramione spaces should stop promoting her work. All readers should stop reading and promoting her work. If they don’t, that means they are pro-genocide, pro-Apartheid, pro-Colonialism, pro-Imperialism, pro-white supremacy, pro-baby killing and should be boycotted and ostracized.

Do you see how this works? It’s not very subtle.

The mob went after everyone and didn’t ask questions. Participants were attacked out of nowhere as were those that associated with me.

Maybe I missed something, I only saw a few screen shots, but I’m very familiar with how hatred of Jews is expressed by progressives. It’s predictable.

The @dramioneasks/@dramionediscussion tumblr did the same thing, albeit more politely. But polite antisemitism is still antisemitism. I didn’t see how the Facebook groups handled it. Dramione reddit, to their credit, had enough of a moral compass not to allow the cybermob spread to their platform.

Many of my friends are still reeling and want nothing to do with fandom anymore. Even though I’d talked with them about my experiences with antisemitism IRL, until they’d experienced it directly in a community they frequent, with mutuals, I don’t think they really understood how bad it’s been.

To be clear: I don’t hold the instigators any more responsible than those who participated or just silently shun. In my eyes, they are all equally responsible, with some being more vicious than others. A mob is not one person, it is many. If it wasn’t this tweet by this person, it would have been someone else. Unfortunately, the Dramione fandom has a culture of inciting cybermobs. Because it’s the internet, and sane, educated, rational voices are not the ones that prevail.

Despite it being over a year later, I have friends who will only interact with me privately for fear of being bullied via association. A valid fear considering how crazy fandom is. We told fest artists and writers who didn’t know what to do yet had the strength of character not to engage in a bigoted cybermob, that they should prioritize their mental health, no hard feelings.

You probably figured it out, but this is exactly what bigotry towards Jews looks like. A misinformed, ignorant mob full of people that don’t know anything about Jewish religion, culture or history – who refuse to ask and learn – viciously stripping Jews of an integral part of our identity and redefining us by the most heinous, most appalling things society is capable of, and using their power to attempt to drive us out of the places they frequent.

Do you claim to be anti-bigotry? To speak up and fight it where you see it? Well, this was it. This was your opportunity. Antisemitism in a space you frequent. With people you interact with. It might be worth thinking about what you said and how you acted during that cybermob. Because that cybermob was an example of the language and tactics currently being used to silence Jews, ostracize us, threaten us, and incite violence against us everywhere around the world.

It takes a lot of courage to stand up to people caught in a mob frenzy. Some people supported me privately. And some did so publicly. Those who spoke out were shouted down with heinous accusations. Brave souls, I appreciate every single one of you.

It’s important to stand up to Jew hate, as it is important to stand up to all forms of bigotry. We’re forever indebted to those who stand beside us against those that wish to cause us harm.

At some point I was shown a tweet, one of the few sane, informed comments amongst fandom’s hysteria:

“I know jack about this community, but what’s wrong with her bio. She wants two states, that’s the most milquetoast, safe, non-offensive take one could have on the conflict”

Yup.

Sadly, only 44 views. Cybermobs aren't interested in rational analysis.

At any time during the weeks my bio had changed, anyone could have reached out and asked: What do you mean when you say you’re a proud Zionist? (I wrongly assumed that ‘two states for two peoples’ answered that question). Those who were that unfamiliar with the conflict could’ve asked: What do you mean by “two states for two peoples”?

I’m friendly, I’m open. I don’t engage with fandom drama and actively avoid those that cause it. Unlike many other popular writers, artists and their groupies, I’ve never participated in cybermobs or used my platform to bully. On contentious issues in fandom, my approach has always been civil, polite discussion. While the cyber mob was still going, I explicitly stated that people could reach out and DM me, that I’m happy to answer questions. Anyone could have asked for clarification, at any time.

A few people did. It’s not hard.

But that’s not how mob mentality works. Folks caught up in hysteria don’t want to educate themselves.

Does this story sound crazy? It was crazy. I wish I could say the Jew hate was limited to on-line fandom spaces, but it’s not. And that’s why I’m speaking up.

For those of you whose knowledge of antisemitism is limited to media coverage of white supremacists, you now have an example of antisemitism from progressives in the community you frequent, among the people you associate with. If you followed fandom twitter, bluesky or the @dramioneasks/@dramionediscussion tumblr or were a member of the Dramione Writers Society and other Dramione spaces at the time fandom went batshit, you now have firsthand experience observing an ignorant, antisemitic cybermob in action.

How people behave during times of conflict tells you a lot about their character. And I’m happy to say my friends are wonderful, kind, ethical people who have good heads on their shoulders. I knew all that before this happened, but it’s still amazing that I was lucky enough to meet them.

Not only that, but during the cybermob frenzy, dozens of people reached out to tell me they were shocked at the fallout and didn’t agree with what was going on. Some who I hadn’t spoken to in a while. Others reached out who I’d never really spoken to before. Several Jews told me they still can’t believe how we’re vilified in fandom and that it’s become acceptable to glorify violence against us.

All this to say, the circle of those I can trust is a lot larger than I previously thought. I’ve found the absolute best of fandom and I’m thrilled.

So, what happens next? What was the purpose of this screed?

A good rule for fandom drama (and the internet in general) is: if I don’t see it, it doesn’t exist. However, as a Jew and a parent, it’s not good enough to curate. Just because I’ve isolated myself from fandom’s anti-Jewish prejudice, doesn’t mean there aren’t real life consequences for others. Online anti-Jewish rhetoric is a major cause of the hate crimes we’re suffering from right now. It’s impossible to decouple online behavior from real life consequences when it’s this pervasive. My daughters are growing up in a world which is increasingly hostile towards Jews, and they’ve already experienced bigotry in our (progressive) schools and community. Both from their peers and from those responsible for educating them. It’ll get worse when they go to college.

And so, I feel a responsibility to speak up for what is right and educate in the places I frequent. That means speaking up in fandom. I think most people who parrot antisemitic hate speech don’t quite understand what they’re doing and need to see the effects of their rhetoric on the people they have othered – whether intentional or not.

I’ve seen some people observing the hysteria around my declaration that I’m a Proud Zionist saying that they want to ‘do the right thing.’ But they don’t have the knowledge or the experience to know that the person that screams the loudest isn’t necessarily the arbiter of what is ethnical. And certainly, our leaders failed to provide moral clarity on the rising Jew hatred, which was and is still a huge failing.

But as I stated earlier – fandom, like most progressive spaces – isn’t a place where Jews are empowered to discuss the bigotry they face. So how will people learn if we’re shut down by whoever screams the loudest?

Do you consider yourself to be anti-racist? Anti-bigotry? I would hope so. But it that’s true, then you need to listen to our experiences with bigotry and – unlike our leaders - speak up when you see it. Even if it’s uncomfortable. Even if and especially when it comes from people on your side of the political aisle because that’s precisely where it will make a difference.

Silence in the face of such bigoted rhetoric allows violent forms of antisemitism to grow and spread. And we’ve been seeing that violence in my community, reflecting what Jews across the world are similarly experiencing. If people don’t speak up, it gets worse.

Is this the kind of world you want to live in?

If anyone is interested in learning, I’m happy to help. I don’t care what you did in the cybermob. Forgiven, forgotten, I probably didn’t see it anyway. Participating in the cybermob can be a good thing if it’s used to learn and make yourself a better person.

Socmed platforms are not good places for nuanced discourse. It’s common to exaggerate, remove context, lie by omission or outright lie when discussing this topic. The simplistic sloganeering, tik tok videos and memes prevalent in fandom are not a substitute for the informed discourse necessary to cover such a complex topic. So, I’m not going to publicly discuss the content of my posts.

However, if you’re approaching this topic in good faith, I’m willing to DM you for as long as you want. These are worthy discussions to have, and I’ll do it for my children. In fact, these posts are a work of love for my daughters, so they’ll have the strength to be proud of who they are, and the knowledge to defend themselves when they’re attacked for their identity, as I was. Because in this world that is increasingly dangerous for Jews, they will be.

Thank you for listening.

[familyabolisher]

> there exists an arbitrary social distinction between ‘STEM’ and ‘humanities’ which (put crudely) invests greater intellectual merit in STEM as a category of learning more directly involved with positivism and empirical deductions & with a greater capacity for describing an ‘objective’ reality, as opposed to ‘humanities’ as a subject area with less deference to positivism and more deference to subjectivity and fewer obvious methodological paradigms

> this objective/subjective binary gets translated into what is effectively a ‘facts vs feelings’ distinction

> this distinction rests on about a hundred different incorrect premises (that positivism is the most intellectually rigorous exercise and that the conclusions it arrives at are describing a prediscursive reality and that little or no subjectivity is ever imposed on scientific conclusions; that the study of literature, art, history, philosophy, theology, music, etc., can be collapsed into a ‘vibes-based’ approach and don’t themselves rely on methodologies, specific epistemological branches, specialised terminology, &c. &c.; that the study of literature, art, history, philosophy, theology, music, etc. and also the study of mathematics, biology, physics, astronomy, chemistry, computer science, psychology, etc. can be grouped into two distinct categories with no overlap and that have nothing to say to one another; that we should be giving discursive weight to the idea that ‘intellectualism’ is a measurable property and a laudable one, and that this is not the discourse of eugenics; this list goes on for a while)

> somehow, rather than challenging these hundred different incorrect premises in any serious way, there exists a significant chunk of humanities students (most often students of literature) who reify the idea that their subject is essentially based on ‘vibes’ and intuition, such that really anyone should be able to do them; they defend the intellectual merit of their subject through the suggestion that ‘STEM people’ who lack their fluency in literary studies are in fact not as ‘intelligent’ as they imagine themselves to be

> this is largely reacting to a cultural phenomenon of ‘STEM people,’ empowered by the widespread perception of their subject as being more intellectually challenging and socially worthwhile than humanities, deriding the study of humanities subjects either as being ‘easy’ or as not being worth the effort in the first place; or both

> nevertheless, it sucks

> suggesting that ‘STEM people’ (or, more broadly, ‘everyone’!) ought to have a fluency in literature (and that their not having this is somehow of concern in a vague sense; implicitly a moral failing) ignores several key facts, including: that a study of literature is as predicated on access to particular time and resources as is a study of, say, biology; that lit studies are as capable of political conservatism as any other discipline and that political conservatism can easily come from practices of ‘critical thinking’ which apply literary methodologies to reach reactionary conclusions; that, just as a study of biology requires the acquisition of knowledge beyond the quotidian and/or intuitive, so too does a study of literature

> it is good to develop critical reading skills and to be able to read broadly and confidently, as these are useful tools for navigating and politically articulating the world around you; it’s bad and also just weird and boring to ignore the contingencies that the development of those skills rest upon in favour of trying to one-up your perceived academic rivals; it’s also weird and boring to be extremely put out that someone is more interested in astrophysics or microbiology than they are in the history of the novel

> all education in all forms is stratified by access contingencies; if you see the critical faculties that you imagine only a humanities education to be able to give you as morally necessary skills, why aren’t you focused on challenging those contingencies?

> none of this would be a problem if we removed the access barriers to all branches of education that capitalist intellectual production demands we keep in place; all of this is essentially a slapfight between a lot of people who have been fortunate enough to gain access to higher education and have internalised the social impetus to disregard + disdain those who didn’t

> all of you are so fucking annoying

[trainsinanime]

I sometimes reblog posts about US Americans being weird here, but honestly I don't love how angry or smug most of these posts are. It's just that angry and smug posts tend to get more traction, and so they get reblogged more, and so I tend to see them and reblog them myself. Hm, maybe there's a lesson for all of social media and for me in particular here.

Anyway, what I want out of these posts is not for any US Americans here to feel bad; it's just "funny" and perhaps, perhaps a tiny bit of consideration for how being US American means you experience the internet on easy mode.

This is not your personal fault. Nor is it ethically wrong. It's just a thing that exists, and it may be worth thinking about it.

Examples of that easy mode include:

It's your language. The vast majority of people on the internet need to know a second language to at least participate passively, let alone actively post. It's not just the internet; for e.g. my job, all documentation for all the tools is only in English, and I was required to listen to English lectures and write both my bachelor's and master's thesis in English, my second language, to pass. That's why e.g. posts about bilingualism tend to cause a bit of a discussion, because knowing a second language isn't a special skill but a necessary survival tool.

It is your world-wide culture. The list of most popular video games, TV shows, movies and songs tend to be fairly similar across the world (in particular the part of it we call it the western world, another discussion that I'll get into below), and they're dominated by the output of US media. There is no equivalent to e.g. Disney anywhere outside of the US.

It's your debates and discussions. Because of the huge importance the US has economically and culturally (not to mention militarily), we tend to discuss US topics a lot, and we tend to discuss them from an American point of view.

This introduces American oddities into a lot of the world. For example, I'm a STEM guy, I have a STEM education, a STEM job and my primary hobbies are also STEM based, so what I notice are imperial measurements like feet and inches. Those are not "one of two equally valid choices", they're the unique hobby of the English-speaking countries, and within them, increasingly only the US. But we still tend to see them here as if they were a normal usual thing, and often europeans (including me) feel compelled to provide translations into these units.

But it's not limited to that, court room dramas are another example where courts in the English-speaking world tend to work very differently from those in the rest of the world. E.g. there's no pleading guilty or innocent in most of the world. There are boundless more examples of that, and these things can be grating every once in a while.

As I said before, I don't think there's any moral value here either way. You're not wrong for being an American (but you're also not better because of it). As I hinted at before, I'm still in a very privileged position myself, being from a wealthy European country, and my culture even without Disney is still far closer to that of the US than it is to most of the rest of the world. I'm sitting in the very same glass house, just maybe a different corner (TODO fix this metaphor before posting).

For example, I'm talking about court rooms and inches versus meters, but if we're thinking about history and ethics, there's deep issues in both of them. When it comes to measurements, it's ultimately the question of whether you use the measurements of London or those of Paris. For most of the world it's a colonial imposition either way. You can make arguments for why one is better for technology than the other (and as you can probably guess, I have strong opinions here), but in the grand scheme of things, neither of them is more "ethical" or more "universal", not really anyway. Same with the way legal systems work, where again, countries either adopted (and more often than not were forced to adopt) either the English system or the French system (with quite a few countries choosing to adopt the German version of the French system as well).

I know that's a boring digression but it's something that's usually missing from these posts, especially ones written by europeans, including some I've written myself. I don't really have a conclusion to any of this either, except perhaps that this is something that's worth being aware of.

[academiclifexd]

"How Technology is Changing the Way We Learn"

In the past few years, there has been a sudden rise in the use of technology in various aspects of life, especially in education. With the increasing availability of digital tools and online resources, students now have more access to more information and learning opportunities than ever before. This shift has significantly changed the way we students study, collaborate, and comprehend academic content. As a Senior High School STEM student, I’ve witnessed firsthand how technology has shaped our academic journey throughout the years. Here are various reasons why technology is changing the way we learn.

1. Access to Various Sources

Back in the earlier days, the library was the primary source of information. The library was a haven not just for bookworms, but for students who needed help with their homework. The library had a collection of books that were full of specific information that assisted students in finding answers, solutions, definitions, and terms needed for their homework. Growing up in Gen Z like myself as a STEM student relies much more on technology nowadays than a physical library because with a touch of a smartphone or a click of a computer, you now have access to different websites that contain the information you need, especially when you need to conduct a research study, which most students use Google Scholar.

2. Interactive Learning Tools

Textbooks are no longer the only tools we use to learn. Interactive apps, simulations, and educational games have become commonplace in many classrooms. As a STEM student, I’ve experienced how these tools make learning more engaging. Apps like Khan Academy offer interactive courses in math, physics, and computer science, breaking down complex topics into bite-sized lessons with visual aids.

Platforms like Quizizz display flashcards that could help students enhance their active recall, memorizing, and understanding of the concepts easily because of the quiz game it offers.

3. Collaboration in Real-Time

One of the biggest changes technology has brought to education is the ability to collaborate in real-time, regardless of any location in the world. Platforms like Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom have been helping students ever since the Covid-19 pandemic struck. During the pandemic, remote learning platforms became essential for continuing education. Even though many students faced challenges with online learning, these platforms provided a way for education to continue without interruption all thanks to the implementation of Online Classes. Now, blended learning—combining in-person and online education—is becoming the norm, offering more flexibility for both teachers and students.

4. Personalized Learning

Every student learns differently, and technology is helping cater to these individual learning styles. Adaptive learning platforms use algorithms to tailor lessons to each student’s needs. If you’re struggling with a particular topic, these platforms adjust the difficulty and provide extra support until you grasp the concept. Tools like Duolingo and Grammarly, which offer students language and grammar support are just a few examples of how technology provides customized learning experiences.

For us STEM students, this is particularly helpful, especially when using Grammarly for a research project. Using Platforms like Grammarly helps correct revisable sentences and paragraphs easily in one click, providing less effort and less time-consuming for us students.

5. Preparation for the Future

Technology isn’t just transforming education for the present; it’s also preparing students for the future. As technology like AI and Programming evolves, we students could resort to learning skills like coding, and learning the different types of programming languages so that we could adjust to the evolving technology all around us.

6. The Potential Downsides

While technology has brought us numerous benefits, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges and disadvantages it presents. Overreliance on technology can often lead to distractions, with social media and games constantly thriving for attention. Furthermore, the concept of Technology and its use remains a problem in many parts of the world, where students lack access to the necessary tools and internet connectivity to fully benefit from online learning resources.

[mariacallous]

The rapid spread of artificial intelligence has people wondering: Who’s most likely to embrace AI in their daily lives? Many assume it’s the tech-savvy—those who understand how AI works—who are most eager to adopt it.

Surprisingly, our new research, published in the Journal of Marketing, finds the opposite. People with less knowledge about AI are actually more open to using the technology. We call this difference in adoption propensity the “lower literacy-higher receptivity” link.

This link shows up across different groups, settings, and even countries. For instance, our analysis of data from market research company Ipsos spanning 27 countries reveals that people in nations with lower average AI literacy are more receptive toward AI adoption than those in nations with higher literacy.

Similarly, our survey of US undergraduate students finds that those with less understanding of AI are more likely to indicate using it for tasks like academic assignments.

The reason behind this link lies in how AI now performs tasks we once thought only humans could do. When AI creates a piece of art, writes a heartfelt response, or plays a musical instrument, it can feel almost magical—like it’s crossing into human territory.

Of course, AI doesn’t actually possess human qualities. A chatbot might generate an empathetic response, but it doesn’t feel empathy. People with more technical knowledge about AI understand this.

They know how algorithms (sets of mathematical rules used by computers to carry out particular tasks), training data (used to improve how an AI system works), and computational models operate. This makes the technology less mysterious.

On the other hand, those with less understanding may see AI as magical and awe inspiring. We suggest this sense of magic makes them more open to using AI tools.

Our studies show this lower literacy-higher receptivity link is strongest for using AI tools in areas people associate with human traits, like providing emotional support or counseling. When it comes to tasks that don’t evoke the same sense of humanlike qualities—such as analyzing test results—the pattern flips. People with higher AI literacy are more receptive to these uses because they focus on AI’s efficiency, rather than any “magical” qualities.

It’s Not About Capability, Fear, or Ethics

Interestingly, this link between lower literacy and higher receptivity persists even though people with lower AI literacy are more likely to view AI as less capable, less ethical, and even a bit scary. Their openness to AI seems to stem from their sense of wonder about what it can do, despite these perceived drawbacks.

This finding offers new insights into why people respond so differently to emerging technologies. Some studies suggest consumers favour new tech, a phenomenon called “algorithm appreciation,” while others show skepticism, or “algorithm aversion.” Our research points to perceptions of AI’s “magicalness” as a key factor shaping these reactions.

These insights pose a challenge for policymakers and educators. Efforts to boost AI literacy might unintentionally dampen people’s enthusiasm for using AI by making it seem less magical. This creates a tricky balance between helping people understand AI and keeping them open to its adoption.

To make the most of AI’s potential, businesses, educators and policymakers need to strike this balance. By understanding how perceptions of “magicalness” shape people’s openness to AI, we can help develop and deploy new AI-based products and services that take the way people view AI into account, and help them understand the benefits and risks of AI.

And ideally, this will happen without causing a loss of the awe that inspires many people to embrace this new technology.

[echologname]

Murder Drones Theory: V was the mechanic

Each disassembly drone in a squad seems to have a specific role to play in order for their mission to succeed. In the case of N's team, J was the leader and N was the pilot but we have yet to find out if V had a similar purpose or not. However, if I were to propose an educated guess, she might have been a mechanic, in charge of dealing with any issues to the ship during transit. Of course, this knowledge would be lost to her upon their arrival to Copper 9, as with N forgetting he was even the pilot, let alone how to fly since JcJenson doesn't want their disassembly drones to come back.

Her hand replacements are far more unique than J and N's. Suitable for the potential for multiple tools (maybe that's how she broke her chain in ep 2?).

Even though her drive to rip apart drones seems quite contrary to "fixing" perhaps this desire to see the internal workings of machinery stems from once knowing how they work.

[athena5898]

(Al-Akhbar English) Red Scare Reborn: US Anti-Communist Push and Global Consequences

Ali Awwad

Between 1917 and 1920, the United States grappled with intense fear stemming from the Russian Revolution, which ignited anxieties about the spread of communism and anarchism. This fear led to widespread repression against leftists, unionists, and immigrants, culminating in arrests, investigations, and a climate of suspicion. A similar wave of paranoia resurfaced in the 1950s during the Cold War, known as the “Second Red Scare.” Senator Joseph McCarthy spearheaded this period with his aggressive campaign against alleged communists, expanding the witch hunt beyond politicians to include intellectuals, artists, and civil rights leaders. These events were justified under the guise of national security but were ultimately aimed at enforcing ideological conformity and silencing progressive voices.

Now, with the election of Donald Trump as the 47th US President, echoes of this Cold War legacy resurface. Trump’s administration is pushing the “Decisive Education on Communism” bill (H.R. 5349), designed to implement an anti-communist curriculum in schools. While ostensibly focused on educating students about communism’s “crimes,” this bill mirrors past repressive efforts, using education as a tool for cultural censorship and ideological control. The bill, spearheaded by Representative Maria Salazar, has faced opposition to amendments that would include education on fascism and other oppressive ideologies, highlighting its partisan agenda.

This bill comes amid growing support for leftist movements among young Americans, particularly in solidarity with Palestinians. The rise of these movements has sparked anger from the American right, which is increasingly challenged by shifting public opinions on US foreign policy. Opinion polls reveal that younger generations are more critical of authority and increasingly open to socialist principles. This shift in political consciousness is seen as a direct threat to established power structures, prompting fears of a new “Red Scare” targeting left-wing movements.

Parallel to these developments, conservative think tanks like the Heritage Institute have launched initiatives such as the Esther Project, which seeks to criminalize political activism against Israel and label Palestinian solidarity as part of a broader anti-capitalist agenda. These efforts aim to dismantle these movements through legal and political means, employing tactics reminiscent of McCarthyism. Trump's supporters plan to expand this repression to education and media, purging institutions that oppose right-wing ideology, and even considering military intervention against protesters, as seen in the 2020 George Floyd protests.

While the bill's focus remains on combating communism, its broader aim is to prevent China from challenging US global hegemony. The "communist threat" narrative is being used to justify escalating tensions with China, through economic sanctions and military alliances in the Indo-Pacific. This strategy not only aims to curb China’s rise but also seeks to compel other nations to align politically with the US These actions could lead to a new global conflict, marked by competition for influence, resources, and technology. As tensions rise, nations will be pressured to take sides, increasing international polarization. However, in the midst of this global upheaval, there may also be opportunities for change, as history has often shown.

Full article in Arabic: https://al-akhbar.com/culture/816676

[thehopelessyouth]

Being such an infamous Cocksman, Do you have any advice for a couple on their wedding night? Tips to make the night unforgettable?

Selithar clapped his hands together, his smile radiant with mischief at the question posed. “Ah, happy moments indeed! A wedding night—the most profound of nights, where two souls seal their love through the art of passionate exertion! To experience such a thing myself…” He sighed wistfully, his expression softening with feigned melancholy. “Alas, my love is a gift too wild and untamed to be confined by such bonds.”

He ran a hand through his dark, lustrous locks, his tone shifting to one of theatrical gravitas. “But... as the so-called ‘infamous Cocksman,’ I feel obliged to share the wealth of wisdom imparted to me by lips—many lips—of married women.” A faint blush touched his cheeks, though whether it stemmed from modesty or cheeky pride was anyone’s guess. “It seems even those bound in matrimony are not immune to my… unique charms.”

Clearing his throat, he straightened his posture, radiating an aura of self-assured authority, as though addressing a captivated audience.

“Now then, to achieve the unparalleled heights of wedding night bliss, here is my proposal,” he began, raising a hand to emphasize each point. “Invite me into the bedchamber. There, I would request the husband observe as I demonstrate the pinnacle of carnal artistry. For one to two glorious minutes, I shall bring the bride to a state of pleasure hitherto unknown. The husband will become my pupil, studying the rhythm of my hips, the whispers of seduction I murmur—such as, ‘You are boney; I like that.’” He paused, smirking with unrestrained delight. “Through this sacred demonstration, he will learn the secrets of true passion.”

Selithar gestured broadly, his voice brimming with mock sincerity. “Once my lesson is complete, I would recommend a brief moment of rest for the bride, so she may collect herself. The husband, now enlightened, would be prepared to take up the mantle of proficient lover. And rest assured,” he added, lifting a finger to punctuate his point, “this is no act of ego. I would make my intentions clear from the outset. Though there is, admittedly, a certain… superiority in my technique,” he grinned, “my purpose is purely educational, not possessive.”

His smirk widened as he concluded, “And thus, the happy couple—now properly equipped with the tools of love—would soon bring forth many children and embark on the path to a prosperous future. A fitting legacy for such a noble union, wouldn’t you agree?”