#These people are cancer. These people shouldn't be talked with or engaged with at all.

[nando161mando]

These people are cancer. These people shouldn't be talked with or engaged with at all.

[p1utofairy]

PAC: your upcoming relationship 🎀🫧🎆

pile 1 🧸 —

ok so i immediately heard let the light in by lana del rey ft. father john misty! this is a very passionate relationship pile 1 wow. your person is very patient, attentive and willing to put you first no matter what. the dynamic will be similar to allie and noah's but minus the toxicity…there's a push and pull but just enough to keep each other engaged and entertained. i'm hearing a lot of witty playful banter, you grinning until your cheeks hurt and not being able to keep eye contact because they give you butterflies. i'm feeling some gemini influence in this pile hmmm communication will be really important between the 2 of you. i think you both are very similar when it comes to your interests and values but have a different approach to how you handle your feelings and express your emotions. you may be a bit more hesitant or resistant to sharing how you feel in hopes of keeping the peace but i feel like your person will encourage you to speak your mind instead of bottling it in. this goes for any scenerio as well, they want you to be able to step into your power and not dim your light for anyone or anything. your person could have prominent water/cancer/or 4h placements because they give nurturing vibes. i just heard "I JUST WANNA SEE YOU SHINE, CAUSE I KNOW YOU ARE A STARGIRL." you mean everything to them. even if you two were to have a disagreement, they'd probably be a bit moody at first but at the end of the day they'd want to talk it out and make up with you. (and i heard make it up to you) they'll never want you to go to bed angry at them or vice versa, this person is very mature and doesn't like to cut corners when it comes to their relationships. this person has an "all or nothing" type of mentality, when they commit themselves to you that's it. all they see you is pile 1, awww it's so sweet. you're gonna have lots of fun with this person.

pile 2 ⭐️ —

love you like a brother, treat you like a friend, respect you like a lover. OOOO pile 2 your person is very suave, they know exactly what to say and when to say it. i feel like they light up every room that they walk in & could definitely charm the pants off of anyone. it might be hard to take them serious at first or you may question if they're serious about you because they seem to be very friendly or more experienced. but i'm hearing that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, because although this person may give player vibes they’re actually a sweetheart at the core. i can see this person having a really bright smile, they'll love to make you laugh and put you in a good mood. you will bring a good balance to them, they need stability and you're exactly that. they're very confident and extroverted but deep down they feel like no one really sees them except for you. i'm hearing infrunami by steve lacy so maybe some of you already know this person. it honestly does give a good friends to lovers vibe. i can see you two texting a lot, going on little dates and having random/deep conversations about any and everything. maybe lots of discussions about movies? i'm hearing some of you really love cinema. i think you'll definitely see this person in a different light as you get to know them, compared to your first impression of them. it’s like when andie was putting ben through all those hoops until they went to visit his family in staten island…and once she saw him in his element/who he truly was at the core she realized her feelings for him. yeahhh this is super cute pile 2, i dig it.

pile 3 🍬 —

heyyy pile 3, right off the bat i keep hearing the word CUTE. like maybe this is what people will think when they see you and your person together? you two are absolutely made for each other, i think your inner child will really come out when you're around this person. i can feel the excitement, the giddiness and anticipation you two will exude when you're in each other's presence. i heard "like a kid in a candy store" lol that's adorable. power trip by j. cole ft. miguel is playing…yeah it's very much THAT. i feel like you both will pinch yourselves thinking is this real??? your person is gonna make you feel like you're on cloud 9 hehe i see them getting you flowers, writing you cute little messages on sticky notes and gifting you thoughtful things that you may have mentioned in passing but didn't expect them to remember. i feel like you (and maybe even your person) have been waiting/yearning for a connection like this for very a long time, i get an almost lonely energy. like you've been single for a long time and now you feel whole/complete. the intimacy between you two >>> not even just sexually but intellectually and emotionally! you're gonna feel so safe and comfortable with them. your person is very sentimental and they will never take a moment shared with you for granted. i see polaroid/photobooth pics of you 2 being all close and cutesy :) this person might be a little lowkey/reserved in nature but you definitely bring them out of their shell. the scene where jenna says “arrivederci” and is so giddy when matty responds back with “au revoir” is coming to mind. AH y'all are gonna be so goneeeeee pile 3 i love it for you.

[astrojulia]

All about Cancer

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I always start by talking about people I know who have this sign… So, it's only in this short excerpt that I speak fully as a person who experiences astrology in everyday life and not as an astrology student (and a would-be astrologer). I can't escape the fact that I see people of this sign as highly emotional. No, it's not something negative (when well-performed), and it doesn't even mean that it's someone who cries for everything. It's just that it's a person who acts more emotionally than rationally (because we are all emotional beings).

As a general energy, I see that Cancer shows how we are beings trying to live a material life... There are several ways of seeing life, with beliefs or not. You can believe in the soul, spirit, etc. But you can't deny that we seem to see life through a window in our eyes, and there is a part of us that is not material. You can't deny that it's hard to live, but it's the best experience in our life. This energy of not being something material and that we are in a shell is what this sign represents for me.

As always, I need to say that when I write in the post, I need to put what the experts and the most important astrological community say and think, because I am responsible for every word I write, but here I always say that it is just my point of view, my studies and my evolution, because I’m the type of person who always wants to be better the next day. So let me tell you this: for me there is no underdeveloped aspect! For me, the underdeveloped part will always be our “Shadow self” that will appear when we most need to defend ourselves! Underdeveloped is our deepest instinct and we need to look at it as a Digivolution and not a Pokémon evolution (nerd references!!!). 

Cancerians are all about nurturing, taking care of their peeps, and doing their best to help those close to them. They can be pretty over-protective sometimes, and may make decisions that reflect what they believe is best rather than what's actually going on. But that's just because they care too much.

Cancerians' greatest strength lies in their emotional intelligence, and when they harness it effectively, they truly shine. In today's society, emotions often have a negative connotation, causing many of us to suppress our feelings and view emotional expression as a weakness. This can lead to moodiness and a tendency to romanticize things that shouldn't be romanticized. However, when Cancerians embrace their emotional side, it becomes nearly impossible to knock them off balance. They have a deep understanding of their own emotions, as well as those of others, which allows them to navigate relationships and situations with ease.

They are highly sensitive individuals, with an emotional depth that sets them apart. While their sensitivity can be a great strength, it can also make them emotionally vulnerable at times. They often feel things deeply and may be more affected by negative events or criticism than others. However, their vulnerability is also a testament to their immense capacity for empathy and caring, which is a hallmark of their personality.

They are known for their remarkable intuition and deep understanding of the world around them. They possess a natural sensitivity and an ability to read between the lines, which allows them to connect with others on a profound level. However, they can also be withdrawn and shy, sometimes retreating into their own world when they feel overwhelmed. This tendency to be reserved should not be mistaken for a lack of interest or engagement; rather, it is a reflection of their need for privacy and reflection. In moments of quiet, Cancerians can access their deepest thoughts and emotions, allowing them to recharge and reconnect with their intuition.

Cancerians are individuals who possess a deep well of emotions and a profound attachment to the people and memories that are important to them. They have a unique ability to cherish memories and relationships with great depth and passion, and they are often sentimental about the things that matter most to them. Their sensitivity and sentimentality are a testament to their caring and empathetic nature, which allows them to connect with others on a profound level. However, at times, their sentimentality can cause them to become overly emotional and maudlin. They may become lost in nostalgia or overly focused on the past, making it difficult for them to move forward and fully embrace the present moment. While their sentimentality can be a strength, it is important for Cancerians to balance it with a healthy perspective that allows them to appreciate the present moment and the opportunities that it presents.

They have a deep appreciation for tradition and are often drawn to the customs and practices of the past. They find comfort in the familiar and enjoy the sense of continuity that comes with following longstanding practices. However, at times, their attachment to tradition can cause them to become overly bound by the past, making it difficult for them to embrace new ideas and ways of doing things. While their respect for tradition is a strength, it is important for Cancerians to balance it with an openness to new experiences and perspectives. By doing so, they can broaden their horizons and grow in ways that enhance their lives and enrich their relationships with others. When they are able to strike a healthy balance between honoring the past and embracing the present, Cancerians can tap into the wisdom of the past while remaining fully engaged in the world around them.

They have a strong attachment to their homes and families, and often derive great satisfaction from nurturing and caring for those closest to them. They are domestic in nature, and find comfort in creating warm and inviting spaces that reflect their personal style and values. However, at times, their focus on the domestic sphere can cause them to become overly sheltered, limiting their exposure to new experiences and perspectives.

So, in other words:

At their best, Cancers are:

Nurturing: Cancers have a natural inclination to take care of others. They are empathetic and compassionate individuals who enjoy making others feel loved and cared for.

Kind: Cancers are kind-hearted and will go out of their way to help others. They believe in treating others the way they want to be treated and always try to put themselves in other people's shoes.

Loving: Cancers are affectionate and express their love openly. They value close relationships and are devoted to their loved ones.

Honest: Cancers inspire others to admit, face, and accept the difficult truths in their lives. They have a strong sense of integrity and believe in being honest with themselves and others.

Supportive: Cancers are incredibly supportive of those around them. They encourage others to pursue their dreams and offer a shoulder to lean on during tough times.

At their worst, Cancers can be:

Passive-aggressive: Cancers may resort to passive-aggressive behavior when they feel hurt or upset. They may say one thing but mean another or use sarcasm to express their feelings.

Irrational: Cancers can be highly emotional and may let their feelings cloud their judgment. They may make decisions based on their emotions rather than logic, which can lead to poor outcomes.

Moody: Cancers can have drastic mood swings, going from happy to sad or angry within a short period. They may have a hard time controlling their emotions and may take their feelings out on others.

Expecting repayment: Cancers may do good things for others but always with the expectation of being repaid in some way. They may keep track of their good deeds and expect others to reciprocate in the future.

Victim mentality: Cancers may adopt a victim mentality, feeling sorry for themselves and blaming others for their problems. They may have a hard time taking responsibility for their actions and may feel helpless or powerless.

As the fourth sign of the zodiac, Cancer is the first reflection of what we really are. After the certainty that comes with the strength of Aries, Taurus stirs things up, and that's why we need to return to the past, to our origins, to review what we really are.

As a water sign, Cancer is the surface that reflects everything above. It's there, and at the same time, it's not, always being an illusion, a mirage. As a cardinal sign that seeks things, Cancer seeks security, just like the crab that has its shell to protect itself from everything and is always looking for a home that can better comfort it (Paguroidea).

The connection between Cancer and its opposite sign Capricorn is incredibly intricate, as it delves into the interplay between our instincts and our super ego. It represents a harmonization of the child's desires and the adult's needs, or even the reverse dynamic

Cancer, as a zodiac sign, is ruled by the Moon, which is often associated with the realm of emotions. Being influenced by the Moon, Cancer symbolizes the depths of our instincts, the richness of our feelings, and the core of our fundamental desires.

(CC) AstroJulia Some Rights Reserved

Sources:

“Os astros sempre nos Acompanham” by Claudia Lisboa

“DEPTH ASTROLOGY: An Astrological Handbook”, Volume 1, by Gargatholil

Servant of the Fates on tumblr

PSD by wildfireresources on deviantart

[skrunklowumbo64]

DISCLAIMER: Don't engage with a toxic user that's being called out, just block, report, ignore, & move one.

Remember when I made a public apology for making a callout tweet about a certain Tumblr group of IDW Sonic critics (a certain fox was one of them) on Twitter like roughly 2 years ago?

Yeah, I was in good terms afterwards, but a year later, when I randomly saw the edgy sadist fox man wishing death on a comic book writer showing up in my personal Twitter timeline, I took my apology back from him (plus some of his associates overtime) & gave my two cents about it.

The reason why he wished death on a comic book writer was because the satanically evil boogiestans were harassing & doxing his friend who had cancer. You know the old saying, 2 wrongs don't make it right. This isn't the only toxicity thing he has done & I got several evidence to show below.

CW/TW: Excessive Slurs, Bigotry, SH, & SA

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BONUS EXAMPLES

Plus archived links to his Twitter & Tumblr accounts.

There are way more than what are shown in the images & I can't expect to find them all. Several or so of them are from a few years or nearly a decade ago, but it does prove that he's always been an heartless irredeemable sadist, even before IDW Sonic existed & before you pull that "years ago" defense card, his behavior hasn't changed for the better, like these for example (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11).

What do I think about him?

He's overly smugged, to a point of being arrogant.

He gets overly insecure whenever, for example, any Sonic game gets any criticism &/or negative opinions from people who're either fans of Sonic or not.

Most of his "critiques" are in bad faith.

He has extreme accusatory behavior (I.E. He accuses people of hating Sonic & not playing the games for daring to like anything non-game Sonic related, getting things about Sonic wrong, & making AU fan fics that differs from the games).

He has a habit of blocking anyone over the most pettiest things (I.E. Anyone using the term, Mobius, being told to calm down, people liking transgender Bridget, people liking SnapCube & Team 4 Star (he also wants them banned over it), etc.).

He constantly relies on ad-hominem attacks & vulgar insults whenever he talks to anyone he doesn't agree with, either directly or behind their backs by screenshotting their posts then posting them in his clique chamber to complain about it or both.

He's got this obnoxious Anti-WokeTuber vibes going on despite claiming to be against bigotry.

He gets easily butthurt over people enjoying any non-gaming media or anything in general of not just Sonic, but also Kirby, Castlevania, Dragon Ball, TMNT, & more as well.

He's a massive hypocrite, like for example, he hates anyone making & enjoying non-canon Sonic material while he's faving/making rule 34 fan art & fan fics involving sonic characters voring each other or any other fetishy things (which are also non-canon material).

etc.

If you're wondering if I'm aware about his certain questionable fan fics & favs, I knew already cuz I was the one that caused a chain-reaction on Twitter in the first place by randomly DMing some one rando about it & I honestly wish they shouldn't bring it up whenever they argue with said fox. If you want me to talk about what I think of this Dwai guy nowadays, maybe, but not right now.

How do you think I found out? I just googled the username, checkout their account on some furry site, & went to their profile from some controversial bunny site that's publicly shown on their profile bio out of morbid curiosity. Before you ask, I don't have an account on that controversial bunny site & never will.

My reaction to said content on there was disgust & uncomfortable. I hardly engage with those UCP addict types cuz they're not the most pleasant people to talk to & they're always predictable.

Did you know that he was banned on Twitter seven times, plus all tweets made before 2023 aren't searchable & apparently his first 6 bans had something to do with involvement with you know what? If you're morbidly curious about it, examples here. Remember, don't waste your time trying to argue about it.

The more I see toxicity from him, the more I having trust issues increased & regret making an apology to him, to a point where I think he's too FUBAR to deal with.

If he sees this, he's gonna be like, "TWEEGARD ZNOHVWEHK!", "MUH VWEE ZPEECH/VWEE KONTWEE!", "DOT TEEL MEE WAT 2 DOO!", "PEEOHWEETON!", "KOHTIZT!" "VWEEN/EYEDEEDUBBAHEW STAEN!", "CHUHZT SEH YOO HEHT SAWNIK GEHMZ & GOH!", "YOO HEHT MEE CUZ I KWEETESEYEZD VWEEN!", "CHUHZT PLEH DA GEHMZ!", "SWAENDOHAHR!", "STAHKR & HOHWAZZAHR!" the no you card, strawmanning, "At least I don't (Insert whatever bad thing the stans did)!", ad-hominem attacks, the "Stans are being mean to me!" sob stories, the whataboutisms, screenshotting then whine &/or being smugged about me in his clique-ish echo chamber, & more, guaranteed.

If you're saying I made this because of that one argument or whatever, I always had issues with him before it, not because of different opinions, but because he's the most insufferable individual to talk to due to his arrogant, nihilistic, cuss-happy, & creepy nature regardless if it's about Sonic or not.

For those who're about to ask me to make more callout posts about the people associated with him, I'm not interested & please don't beg me into making them.

If you also have issues with him, share your thoughts here, it also doesn't just have to be about IDW Sonic or Sonic general.

[dogsliampaynedoesntinstagram]

Do you believe it's morally right for us, strangers to and fans of celebrities, to discuss their private lives? Is it fair game for us to do so since they're putting themselves in the public eye. Is it simply a matter of a line that shouldn't be crossed. Harmless talk about who they're dating being ok vs. their medical history not. Think Kate Middleton who had to make a video about her cancer diagnosis, probably before she was ready to, simply to quell conspiracy theories and maybe to get ahead of the medical breach that would leak her diagnosis. Where does talking about a celebrities sexuality and their sex lives land on that line of what's acceptable to talk about and what's not?

This is what I meant when I said that I'm understanding all my anons through the lens of anxiety at the moment.

Because the first sentence has been rolling around in my head ever since I read it - 'is it morally right to discuss celebrities private lives'. I think that framing - suggesting as it does the options that either something is righteous or people should not engage in it - reveals a huge amount of what is a problem in fan behaviour.

One of the impacts of this black and white thinking is shown in the next sentence. If someone's starting point is that everything that they do must be right - then if someone doesn't like what they do - they need to be proven wrong. The idea that some kind of action of celebrities could make everything we do 'morally right' - allows for the complete erasure of any discussion of harm or consent.

To suggest that some topics of discussion could be harmless is absurd to me - we have no idea about people's lives - we have no idea about the impact that our words might have.

I think a lot of the problem comes from starting in the wrong place - if you start thinking your actions must be righteous - you will very quickly have to insist that other people are wrong and minimise harm.

Instead I'd suggest a different model - where very few things are absolutely morally right or morally wrong. Rather than getting into a more full discussion of what this would mean in all circumstances - I'll focus on what it means for discussion of other people's lives - particularly celebrities.

To me the key thing is acknowledging that discussing other people's lives, even to a relatively small audience, could do harm (to the person you are talking about or to other people). And only proceeding if you accept the risk of that harm. My suggestion is that the ethical way of proceeding is not to insist that you are perfect and could not possibly harm anyone - but to acknowledge and accept that there is risks to what you do and (if appropriate) think about how you might minimise those risks (most obviously by limiting the audiences you talk to).

There's lots of other things I could say about this - but I just want to make a couple more points. I think the Kate Middleton case is an important example - this speculation is far more likely to do harm if it's right than if it's wrong. If nothing had been going on and she had just been recovering from surgery and having a break - the impact on her would have been minimal. It was because she was dealing with a serious health issue that it will have caused so much additional stress (and the same is true if any of the speculation about what might be wrong was true).

I've made this point before - but the same is true with Harry and Louis. Larries are far more likely to have done harm to them if we have been right, than if we have been wrong. It's not enough when thinking about the ethics of what we do to think 'but what if we're wrong' (although I do think that's important). It's also important to think 'what's the worst impact that this could have if I'm right.'

This is also my approach to wider fandom - I think it's important to acknowledge that we could be doing harm and we wouldn't know. I was thinking this with the meeting in airports/being outside hotels discourse. Most of the time that's going to be fine - but there is also always a risk that it will ruin an artists day or have an impact on their mental health. Anyone who has themselves been too stressed to deal with other people - can imagine how dealing with a lot of strangers who want things from you might make things worse (and if it is it's very unlikely an artist would feel free to say that). I think whatever fans do we need to do with an understanding and acceptance of the ways that it might be harmful to the artist.

[trashbag-baby666]

Heart Of Glass-Rooster Bradshaw

Chapter Six

WC: 727.

C/W: Angst.

HOG Masterlist!

Mazy and Phoenix had been discharged. Payback had taken Phoenix back to her apartment to stay with her and keep an eye on her. They had canceled training for the day again.

Mazy chewed her lip nervously as they road in the Bronco home. She glanced at Rooster, she felt so unbelievably guilty about yesterday.

"I'm really sorry Bradley," Mazy spoke up.

"You have nothing to be sorry for darlin'" Bradley reached over and rested his hand on her leg.

"You should never feel that kind of pain and worry like you did yesterday." Mazy sniffed looking over at her beloved Bradley.

"Mazy," Bradley breathed out as they pulled into the driveway and he put the Bronco in park and looked at her. The dark haired girl kept her gaze forward and not to break it.

"I have a headache come on let's just go lay down." She sighed getting out and grabbing her bag stomping inside. Bradley sat there for a moment, he understood how she was feeling. She had scared the shit out of him yesterday when that happened but accidents happened.

Sometimes they were deadly. Sometimes they ended in death.

Bradley let out a huff of defeat and shut the garage before following Mazy inside.

Bradley kicked off his shoes and set his keys and sunglasses on the island table and be lined it for the bedroom.

Mazy had already changed into one of his old shirts and a pair of shorts. She was curled up in their big bed the pastel pink comforter nested around her pulled up to her neck. Her hair pulled into a messy bun and her gaze fixated on the wall ahead of her.

Coincidently enough the wall they filled with frames of them. Both of their naval academy graduation pictures, engagement pictures, one of them in a jet with the canopy open both with huge, stupid smiles on. Mazy back seated for Bradley for a little bit of time on a deployment once.

Bradley couldn't have crawled in the bed quicker than he did. He curled into her letting her be the little spoon.

They just laid there together until she was ready to talk. Something Bradley was quick to learn was how stubborn the Mitchell's were. Just like her dad Mazy would dig her heels into the ground and die on hill rather than tell anyone her emotions sometimes.

This time it was different, he could tell she wanted to talk but was trying to find her words.

He often couldn't find his words either leaving them both in comfortable silence rather than talking.

Bradley placed a delicate kiss on the bottom of her exposed neck his mustache ticking her.

"I'm sorry," Mazy rubbed her eyes.

"Hm?" Bradley hummed his eyebrows turning up.

"It was too close we shouldn't ever have it be like that. The way my Grandpa burned in leaving my dad, the accident with your dad, my moms cancer." Mazy just started spewing they both grew up surrounded by death it's all they ever knew. Sometimes Mazy just wished she'd never have gone out of her way to be with Bradley.

Don't get her wrong she absolutely loved him and would do anything for him.

But they were aviators and things happened, people died sometimes. So eventually one of them would burn in leaving the other.

"Mazy," Bradley repeated her name similar to the few times they had talked.

"One day I'm just gonna burn in and leave you alone with death once again." Mazy rambled.

"Mazy stop," Bradley rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Bradley you know it happens. Pilots lose wingman's and eventually." Bradley cut Mazy off by pressing his lips to hers. He didn't know what else to do. She kissed back instantly their soft lips locked in together.

Mazy sniffed as she felt hot tears stream down her face.

Bradley ran a hand through her hair as they pulled away. Mazy let out a sob her eyes closed the tears running down her pale skin. Bradley loved how in the California sun her freckles were far more visible.

Bradley held her face wiping her tears away.

“Mazy it’s okay,” Bradley gently cooed her.

“I’m sorry,” she sniffed and opened her eyes up again staring into his big dark eyes.

“It’s okay, come here.” Bradley let her crawl into his lap as she curled into his chest.

Bradley wrapped his arms around her stroking her hair and holding her close with his other arm.

[wumblr]

still think it was remarkably and unusually shitty for y'all to brigade me because i saw a bomb test. i have, again, said it all before but there's functionally no difference between these dumbasses and a far-right conservative. they're lucky i have bigger problems than arguing with the cartoon obsessed braindead about nuclear policy, i know i'm not getting an apology when i'm proven right yet again, because i have, again, been talking about this since longer ago than when some of y'all were first learning shapes and colors. ain't my first goddamn rodeo, i can tell it is some of y'all's though because you were asking for photos as if there's anything to be proven by that. think for one fucking second. sorry for not talking down and explaining it in easy to digest little animated stories, maybe that would have worked since they're all hopelessly conditioned to expect nothing else.

you think i took a dslr out to visit a decommissioned proving ground in between visits with my dying mom? do you know i stopped out there because i was driving 1200 miles further to pack up the last of a storage unit to move across country for an engagement to marry that fell apart? even aside from the fact i didn't go expecting to see anything, it's fucking personal. i wanted to walk the leviathan ground like some belly of the beast shit and my mom was getting sick of me trying to hold her to account on her deathbed anyway. no, it's not radiation poisoning or cancer, it's octopus-pot heart and i'm pretty sure it's my fault. it's my aunt that's fighting cancer, currently, this year, as opposed to every other person i've known who's fought it. not that it's any of your fucking business but if any one of you took the time to walk a mile in my shoes you'd be dead from sheer stress on the first step. stress is what killed the engagement. little else i can do but laugh at how stupid this is because of course, what else would happen? you can't make me unsee it, so none of your objections matter one half of a shit. i didn't want your attention and i don't care what you think.

the fact that still gets me is like... so we both agree you shouldn't believe me sight unseen -- that was stated outright in the one post you couldn't read -- so... what were you actually disagreeing with? abject lack of context? the precious idea of me you have in your head? it'd be hilarious if it wasn't such pathetic, wilfully malinformed bullshit over such a gravely serious subject. we were disagreeing over whether authorized testing is detectable by unauthorized test detection methods or over whether another country would call our bullshit in the middle of declaring six different wars? i'm sorry, i mean humanitarian proxy conflict interventions. so, we were disagreeing about reactors, huh? as a proxy conflict? i've already said that the braindead model the behavior of the empire interpersonally. we were arguing over whether you knew more about detection than the wing of government designed to evade precisely that? appealing to the authority of a crumbling infrastructure? which part, precisely? we were arguing because i said maybe two kilotons and you pictured castle bravo? stupid.

so hellbent on believing you wouldn't hear about a bomb test on the internet while you fawn over the possibility of covert celebrity migration from twitter. yet more trifling ass bullshit. put it together, dumbass. you didn't hear me any of the other times i talked about it, maybe that's why i have a notebook here while i'm trying to figure out how to detect what's designed to evade detection so i and the other three people in the world who care about this can figure out the appropriate means to make you hear about it in a way you can afford to believe without having to crush yourself under the weight of your own culpability in it while the IAEA is busy debuting drones at COP27. i wish they'd all just die on god but that'd be a mercy they don't deserve.

[runliveandsmile]

The most important points have been mentioned already, but since I was masochistic enough to skim through the 2020 paper there's just a few more points I'd like to add. (Cave: Subjective statements following. This paper has put me in a bad mood.)

First off: "Peer-reviewed" does not always mean that it's a good study. I have read far too many papers that show methodological deficits to believe otherwise. This is annoying as a reader if you're trying to find reliable information, but it's (usually? hopefully?) not malicious: The reviewers requested by the journal are often working under time pressure (reviewing is voluntary work, you don't get paid for it and have to do it on top of your normal workload etc.), might specialise in different fields and therefore not know particular details etc. Please don't blame the reviewers (as tempting as it may be).

That said, this is paper is just not very good.

Literally the first paper the authors cite is miscited. The *first sentence* of the paper states "Although studies have shown that there is some abatement of autism symptoms over time (e.g., Woodman et al., 2014), many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continue to experience significant challenges throughout adulthood." Now, if you look at the references, the title of Woodman et al., 2014 is "Residential transitions among adults with intellectual disability across 20 years." And if you check the paper, there is not a single mention of ASD or autism in the entire paper! So what happened here? A simple search for "Woodman AC autism" in Google Scholar reveals that Woodman also published two other papers in 2015 and 2016 titled "Change in autism symptoms and maladaptive behaviors in adolescence and adulthood: The role of positive family processes" and "Contextual factors predict patterns of change in functioning over 10 years among adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders", respectively. Doesn't that sound like something that fits the context far better? It's likely that the authors meant to cite the 2015 paper. They just apparently failed to check their reference list even once. That's just sloppy and I can and will blame them for that.

Out of the 26 people that died over the course of the study, the causes of death were cancer (5), cardiac arrest (5), seizures (3), respiratory failure/pneumonia (3), choking on food (2), medication side effects (2), accidental poisoning (1), or unknown (5). And yes, the authors do state that "Being in fair or poor health was the strongest predictor of mortality". Gee, really? That's not a surprise for anybody, and it will not get a paper published, so they (cave: provocative allegation following) apparently decided to throw all those causes of death into the same pot, take some scores for "impairments in social reciprocity" and "independence in activities of daily living" and see if they by chance get statistically relevant results. And yes, with n=26 vs. 380, chance *is* a relevant factor. You wouldn't do statistics with that. Or at least shouldn't. (I'd claim that statisticians would weep, but the ones I have talked to seem to be far too used to this.)

"Perhaps the most intriguing finding of the present study concerns the extent to which impairments in social reciprocity, as evidenced in early childhood, are predictive of mortality that occurs decades later in adulthood." PLEASE tell me the causal relationship between "impairments in social reciprocity" ("abnormalities in joint attention, social smiling, responsivity to the approaches of others, interest in people, exhibiting a range of appropriate facial expressions to communicate, and social overtures") and cancer. I'm waiting. "[...] Future research that elucidates the mechanism by which impairments in social reciprocity may directly or indirectly affect survival in adulthood is needed to understand this finding fully, but the findings point to the importance of lifelong social engagement." Or you just did bad statistics. But how useful that *explaining* the causal relationship is now somebody else's job.

To not completely derail the point of the original post; sometimes there are papers which are just *not good* (which, to be fair, may be caused by systemic issues such as publication pressure etc.) and which may make a game of science telephone easier. (That doesn't excuse you from employing reading comprehension and fact checking, though.)

playing science telephone

Hi folks. Let's play a fun game today called "unravelling bad science communication back to its source."

Journey with me.

Saw a comment going around on a tumblr thread that "sometimes the life expectancy of autism is cited in the 30s"

That number seemed..... strange. The commenter DID go on to say that that was "situational on people being awful and not… anything autism actually does", but you know what? Still a strange number. I feel compelled to fact check.

Quick Google "autism life expectancy" pulls up quite a few websites bandying around the number 39. Which is ~technically~ within the 30s, but already higher than the tumblr factoid would suggest. But, guess what. This number still sounds strange to me.

Most of the websites presenting this factoid present themselves as official autism resources and organizations (for parents, etc), and most of them vaguely wave towards "studies."

Ex: "Above And Beyond Therapy" has a whole article on "Does Autism Affect Life Expectancy" and states:

The link implies that it will take you to the "research studies" being referenced, but it in fact takes you to another random autism resource group called.... Songbird Care?

And on that website we find the factoid again:

Ooh, look. Now they've added the word "some". The average lifespan for SOME autistic people. Which the next group erased from the fact. The message shifts further.

And we have slightly more information about the study! (Which has also shifted from "studies" to a singular "study"). And we have another link!

Wonderfully, this link actually takes us to the actual peer-reviewed 2020 study being discussed. [x]

And here, just by reading the abstract, we find the most important information of all.

This study followed a cohort of adolescent and adult autistic people across a 20 year time period. Within that time period, 6.4% of the cohort died. Within that 6.4%, the average age of death was 39 years.

So this number is VERY MUCH not the average age of death for autistic people, or even the average age of death for the cohort of autistic people in that study. It is the average age of death IF you died young and within the 20 year period of the study (n=26), and also we don't even know the average starting age of participants without digging into earlier papers, except that it was 10 or older. (If you're curious, the researchers in the study suggested reduced self-sufficiency to be among the biggest risk factors for the early mortality group.)

But the number in the study has been removed from it's context, gradually modified and spread around the web, and modified some more, until it is pretty much a nonsense number that everyone is citing from everyone else.

There ARE two other numbers that pop up semi-frequently:

One cites the life expectancy at 58. I will leave finding the context for that number as an exercise for the audience, since none of the places I saw it gave a direct citation for where they were getting it.

And then, probably the best and most relevant number floating around out there (and the least frequently cited) draws from a 2023 study of over 17,000 UK people with an autism diagnosis, across 30 years. [x] This study estimated life expectancies between 70 and 77 years, varying with sex and presence/absence of a learning disability. (As compared to the UK 80-83 average for the population as a whole.)

This is a set of numbers that makes way more sense and is backed by way better data, but isn't quite as snappy a soundbite to pass around the internet. I'm gonna pass it around anyway, because I feel bad about how many scared internet people I stumbled across while doing this search.

People on quora like "I'm autistic, can I live past 38"-- honey, YES. omg.

---

tl;dr, when someone gives you a number out of context, consider that the context is probably important

also, make an amateur fact checker's life easier and CITE YOUR SOURCES

[5t4r5-4nd-5t1tch35]

Horoscopes for today

These were all taken from the app Daily Horoscope, but I edited them slightly

Aries ♈️

Depending on your state of mind, you can find either comfort or torment on a very dark night. If you lean toward being hopeful, you will notice the brightness of the stars, the vastness of the sky, the light nightly breeze against your cheek, and so on. If you lean toward fear, though, you might feel dwarfed by the darkness, and you might be worried about what might be lurking in the shadows. There is beauty in most things, Aries, and while you may be going through a journey now that is somewhat unpredictable, don't fear it. There are treasures hidden there, and if you look, you will find them.

Taurus ♉️

There is a lot of talk these days about toxic relationships. These might be defined as an involvement that brings nothing but negativity, argument, and a loss of self-esteem. But not all difficult relationships should be simply tossed away. Sometimes, there is room for improvement and a way to make things better. Don't get drawn into a self-righteous need to end something that isn't ideal if there is a chance that you can make your investment of time worthwhile by making the relationship better. If people work at it, they can find better ways to relate in an amicable way and move forward successfully.

Gemini ♊️

You may want to make it an early night tonight. Get home as early as possible, and forget about any errands you can put off for now. Sometimes it's good to just call it a day and dedicate the balance of the evening to relaxation and centering yourself - even if all you do is fix a cup of tea or a cold drink and sit on the porch, enjoying the view. A simple break like this during the week can be a good way to take care of yourself and can offer you a fresh start for your next day. Invest some time in destressing your life and yourself.

Cancer ♋️

Are you making a problem more complicated than it has to be? Are you sure you even have a problem? Just because a plan you had is not going exactly as you assumed it would go does not mean that it's becoming a problem, and therefore it may not need a complex solution, which you may already be foreseeing and are worried about. Maybe if you just go with the flow, you will find that things are actually working out for you better than they might have otherwise. If you decide not to see an unexpected change as a problem, you will open up the potential for what you are trying to do.

Leo ♌️

Resentment may be building between you and someone you are working with, either on a work or personal project. It may have started out as a simple misunderstanding, but each of you has expectations that were not clearly understood by the other. As you realize that you aren't getting what you expected, it can certainly create tension. If you keep going on without addressing this, it may reach a boiling point pretty fast. If you discuss it right away, though, you can clarify and move forward.

Virgo ♍️

Pace yourself today. Although you might have a long list of tasks to complete, you shouldn't push yourself to the point of exhaustion. In fact, if you don't feel up to getting all of it done, do what you can and relax - and don't feel guilty about it. You have a tendency to make a plan and then stick to it no matter what, because that's a way of maintaining order for you. But pushing too hard and too fast can make you less productive and less happy.

Libra ♎️

Today, you are encouraged to turn off the news, walk away from negative people, ignore gossip, and steer clear of conversations that invite worry or conflict. You are also encouraged to gravitate toward hopeful thoughts, seek out the company of people who are fun and funny, seek happy truths, and engage in conversations that are positive. Try to remain mindful and aware of these things. You may be concerned that this day will hold upsetting moments, but by doing this, you can carve out a day that will be rewarding and much less stressful.

Scorpio ♏️

You may have spent a lot of time and energy recently engaging in a futile effort - or at least that's how it may now seem. That's because you did not realize the goal you were after, and therefore, all that you invested has been, seemingly, a waste of time. But there were other things to gain, and if you are conscious of what those things are, then nothing was lost, and much was gained. You now have more experience, insight, and wisdom than you had before, and that's something you can't buy.

Sagittarius ♐️

Many people have had the experience of asking a friend for feedback on a relationship, an opportunity, or a dream, only to have it criticized. Most likely, it was validation that was sought, and instead, you wind up feeling disillusioned. You may have recently shared something with someone - something that was important to you or something you felt hopeful about. But the response you got may not have lived up to what you imagined. Don't let that stop you from believing in it. Seek validation only from your own experience.

Capricorn ♑️

Following a path that has been neglected for a long time can make for a difficult journey. If you are traveling through the woods, for example, and the pathway is strewn with leaves, vines, and overgrowth, you will have to work much harder to find your way. That does not mean that you won't end up enjoying your travels and being grateful that you had the experience. You may be embarking on the path to a once-beloved goal that you had forgotten for a while. The experience may be more difficult than you imagined it would be, but it will still be worth it. Take your time, find your way, and you will see.

Aquarius ♒️

Some children have a way of wrapping the adults in their lives around their fingers. Some children grow into adulthood while maintaining this ability. Someone who is especially charming may be manipulating you emotionally now, but you may not realize it. A coy smile, a charming manner, a talent for saying things in just the right, sweet way - these things may be causing you to cave in and agree to things you don't really want to do. If you are aware of it, you can stick with what's best for you. You should try to be conscious of this today.

Pisces ♓️

When you spend time with a certain person or a specific group, you often feel like you're putting on a show. You are more formal, more restricted, and more limited in what you say and do. You may even worry about what you wear in their presence and the things you share. But you are an extraordinary individual, and your light can't shine as bright when you hide your unique brilliance. You may also be limiting the depth and richness of the relationships you could have if you set yourself free. You may need this little reminder of your greatness today!

[cblgblog]

Imagine Mildolyn, "Illicit Affair", Modern AU. Where Gwen's campaigning for Congress and all the meet and greets, showing up for charities for publicity, her 'cause'. At one for special needs children and their foundation she meets a very young CNA named Mildred and sort of falls head over heels in the dumbest of ways, both just love struck. Except she's campaigning to be in Congress, she's a politician, she cannot be queer and chasing after 19 year old ex-foster kids whos brothers are set to be the youngest executed on Death Row in California in decades for appalling crimes. But there she is, in hotel rooms her supporters pay for, with someone she shouldn't be with, trying to find ways to overturn cases that turned stomachs with their brutality, because a pretty girl smiled at her and called her 'ma'am' while showing her around the foundation/care home she worked at with children no one else had the time/patience to care for. Of course it goes terribly with 'dirty little secret' vibes, the breast cancer diagnosis announced on twitter before she tells Mildred in person, even if it's such a minor case ('so they say') and caught so early that it'll barely leave a scar, radiation won't be much of a deal at all. She doesn't get to tell Mildred that, she just gets to hear on Fox news about how the democrat's gonna die a horrible death and panic.

Mildred who has no patience for politicians and their fake concern, using patients as photo ops. It’s manipulative, it’s distracting to the staff, it’s awful, okay, she hates it. She is, in fact, a tad bit rude to Gwen when they meet. Gets her a death glare from Betsy Bucket, gets Gwen intrigued.

“Republican?” only half-joking.

“No.”

“Is it the suit? Should I have worn a different suit? I wanted to, but I���ve been told this one tested better.”

“The suit is fine.” It’s more than that, actually, but Mildred will not be saying that aloud, nope, uh-uh. “I don’t much care for politicians.”

“Ah, we have that in common then.”

“I doubt we have much of anything in common. Ma’am.”

And look, Gwen doesn’t usually go in for the chasing, the hard to get. She’s got enough trouble chasing votes. But this woman is so good with the kids on her ward, so patient. She’s got Disney scrubs on and as much as she’s got no time at all for Gwen, she seems to have infinite amounts for those kids. She stays with them individually, longer than any of the other staff Gwen sees, but she still manages to get a dozen things done in half as many minutes. And she’s also gorgeous, there’s that.

And Gwen has no good reason to ask her out for lunch. Honestly, none. Nothing good can come from this. Mildred asks if the citizens of California will be paying for this meal and Gwen swears that isn’t the case, no, absolutely not. Even still, Gwen doesn’t expect Mildred to say yes. She doesn’t think Mildred expected Mildred to say yes.

But she does. Tells herself it’s for Edmund, maybe this’ll be the one politician who listens, who’s willing to look past the surface facts, willing to help. Except she gets there and they don’t talk about Edmund. It’s not because Mildred doesn’t know how to bring it up, she’s made her case dozens of times. She just…they don’t talk about him, and that feels like a betrayal, but Gwen’s kind and funny and fascinating (much to Mildred’s annoyance), and she just…doesn’t feel like getting into it.

Meanwhile Trevor, Gwen’s campaign manager/law school buddy/best friend/lavender marriage soulmate, if they were in a different time, is like bitch, what’re you doing? Yes, everyone knows you’re gay as hell, but you can’t be chasing girls right now, you can’t afford to be distracted. You especially can’t afford to look distracted. And you can’t be robbing the cradle while looking distracted.

“She’s not that young.”

“Uh-huh. She wears Winnie the Pooh clothes.”

“Scrubs, those are scrubs. Scrubs aren’t clothes.”

“Uh-huh.”

“She works in a children’s ward, Trevor.”

“Uh-huh. I really wish you wouldn’t do this, but since you care nothing about me and my mental state and all the hours and hours of hard work I’ve put in for you—”

“After badgering me into hiring you over someone more qualified.”

“Hey! More qualified. I resent that. Anyway, if you insist on ruining my day, at least wear that face cream I gave you. Should make you look less like you’re robbing the cradle.”

“Go to hell.”

“And don’t do the oyster thing. Not on a first date, in the middle of the campaign.”

“It’s not a date, it’s just lunch.”

“Uh-huh.”

Gwen doesn’t do the oyster thing. Not on the first date, which neither of them acknowledge as a date, for entirely different reasons. But then there’s a second and a third, and sex, lots of sex, and it’s harder to pass off as just friendly.

And yeah, the sneaking around that Gwen hates. That Mildred says she doesn’t mind, and she actually doesn’t seem to all that much, which Gwen finds slightly concerning. Mildred’s good with secrets though, she’s good with being kept a secret. Mostly. Which again, Gwen finds concerning.

There’s pillow talk and Mildred admitting more about herself than she has to anyone, ever. Which still isn’t nearly as much as what Gwen admits, but it’s a relative thing. And still, Mildred doesn’t talk about Edmund. Gwen finds that one out on her own, stumbles across some old photos, a scrapbook of Edmund’s crimes. Gwen’s briefly concerned that Mildred is one of those people who’re deeply attracted to serial killers, but the truth is…something else.

Mildred tells her things. Some of the deeper, darker stuff, but not much, not yet. Tells her how she’s written to everyone she can think of because he’s a boy, okay? He was in an impossible situation, they both were, no one ever helped them, so Edmund decided he had to die. No one helped them before, no one helps them now. There’s anger and tears and Gwen holding her and she can’t help asking why Mildred didn’t talk to her sooner, if she’s had no problem asking for help from strangers.

“Because you aren’t,” Mildred says in a way that makes it clear she’s figuring this stuff out as she says it. “A stranger, you aren’t. You never were and I couldn’t…I didn’t want to become one to you. I didn’t want you to look at me like that.”

“Oh Mildred…”

Mildred doesn’t actually ask her to help. She doesn’t want Gwen to think that’s what it’s all been about. It was supposed to be, but it isn’t. She doesn’t ask. Gwen digs into things herself, digs into this kid who was barely double-digits when he did these things. Made all the headlines at the time, but that was over a decade ago, he’s been locked up ever since. Most of Mildred’s money goes to him, one way or another.

Gwen hides it from Trevor—the murderer, not the sex, he knew about the sex before she ever said anything—for as log as she can. But he’s always been nosy, and now he has a paid excuse to be nosy, and he nearly has an aneurysm when he hears why it is that Gwen’s suddenly digging into this case instead of kissing the babies of gay couples, like she should be.

Gwen cannot do this. Nope, absolute no. She cannot be sneaking around with the younger sister of the kid they’ve made all the documentaries about. Doesn’t matter that she’s running on a platform of prison reform, especially as it pertains to juveniles, this is not the case to start with, especially when she hasn’t won yet.

And Gwen knows. She knows. She argues with Trevor about it until he decides they both need to stop because Gwen has a speaking engagement tomorrow and she can’t sound hoarse. There are many further arguments, arguments about principles over politics, but Gwen knows he’s right. She cannot, should not, be doing any of this, at least not yet. It’s dangerous, it’s selfish, Mildred deserves better than being someone’s secret again. Gwen should break it off, at least until the election. She’s not being fair to either of them like this. They should stop, at least for a few months.

Except it’s Mildred and she’s totally hijacked Gwen’s everything, and the thought of stopping makes her ill, and everything about this is terrifying, the most terrifying thing ever.

And then there’s the checkup and the routine mammogram. Gwen started those earlier than most because somebody’s aunt on somebody’s side of the family got sick, somebody’s cousin on the other side did too.

Scratch that, there’s a new winner for most terrifying thing ever.

It’s good, they say. She started early, they caught it early, this is good, they have treatments for this. Good, they say, while Gwen damn near passes out. She’s got a campaign to finish, she can see the Too Sick to Serve headlines already. A bald look would not test well, she’s sure it wouldn’t. She talks to Trevor about that, about the campaign, until he tells her to shut the fuck up, yanks her into a crushing hug. He cries, damn him, and that makes her cry.

She’s glad he’s there.

She wishes Mildred was.

She is also relieved as hell that Mildred isn’t, that they’re on opposite sides of the state right now. No point having Mildred see her like this, having her worry. She’s got enough to worry about, enough to hurt about.

Not that Gwen isn’t planning to tell her. She is. It’s only been a few whirlwind months, but Gwen knows enough to realize that a lie of omission would be a bad, bad, bad idea where Mildred’s concerned, regardless of intention. Gwen doesn’t think of hiding it anyway, not really. Mildred deserves better then that. When and how to tell the public…that’s a completely different clusterfuck of a situation, but Mildred, Gwen just wants to tell her in person. That way Mildred can see her face when she promises it’s no big deal (hopefully without seeing how terrified she actually is), and Gwen will have all the paperwork and things she knows Mildred will want to see, and they can hold each other, and it’s just, it’s not phone call news.

Except then it’s headline news, because somehow it’s leaked. Fox News is having a field day, certain corners of the Internet are already gleefully writing her obituary, and she’s missed literally hundreds of calls by the time she gets a look at her phone. At least half of those are from Mildred. Mildred who actually sounds hysterical for the first time since Gwen’s known her, that bastard on the news with the hair, he says you’re dying, why aren’t you answering, how long have you known, please, please pick up the phone, just pick up the phone god dammit.

She’s managed to keep Mildred a secret for months. This? This doesn’t last three days before it’s everywhere. Gwen does get an I love you for the first time ever, but seeing as Mildred’s sobbing over her voicemail when it happens, the joy is somewhat muted.

[dropthedemiurge]

Exactly, please separate the Technology and Business Product.

Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been worked on and used in many fields for decades already.

In short words, it's an algorithm that trains on certain data (it could be on your own, too, just lots of it) to try and predict or provide new outputs. It is used to search for problem solutions in science/engineering that would otherwise take days for people to look through. It is used in medicine to find new possible opportunities (idk I was a computer science, not a med researcher but I remember reading news about finding new cures with the help of ML/AI). The technology is good and it's a powerful tool for many tasks.

And yes, almost every enemy in thousands of games already has their sort of AI because it simply describes the behavior algorithm that computer uses to react to player's behavior or, well, make NPCs look human/act complex, etc. I think it's been used in 3D animation, too. Even way before the common folks started hearing about 'AI' from every corner.

When you do want to start burning people in a funky bonfire is when some businessmen combined with tech bros make some 'cool' scheme to effectively and easily earn quick money, not caring about people.

I remember a good advice being told as "When all your neighbours hear about this new trend, it is too late for you to invest in it", but in this case, it's about remembering that the technology probably already existed and was used years before and in many places that weren't so controversial but also that's why you didn't hear about it.

Same with blockchain (supporting technology that can enhance cyber security) and all the cryptos/NFTs (business product for messing with money and making owners rich)

So when the 'training data' is scraped from actual people, copyrighted and not, and promised to 'get rid of annoying workers and save you time with our passable content' or 'let's make you a cute anime avatar if you pay us 5 bucks' - that's the problem. The apps, the trendy products - this is what you should be upset about and not engage with. Boycott, even. Start that bonfire, glass your fanarts and junk the data so businessmen get annoyed and society will ridicule companies that produce art tools for using computer-generated illustrations.

But, guys. When companies talk about AI now, it could be about regulations, actually either making sure the customers know what they get, was this generated with problematic algorithms trained on stolen data, or was there consent given by people who participate in making a generator tool willingly. Maybe they even talk about being protected from the generated content or being able to detect it. The AI needs to get legal regulations, it now needs to be discussed in order for the technology usage to become better and nicer and safer. But you have to listen carefully first.

You shouldn't jump on people who talk about AI or work with AI tools only because the technology is now (as often happens) mostly associated with awful controversial trendy products. Some poor people are getting smashed when they spent years trying to making NPCs in their game fun to play, or assisting doctors in quickly recognizing cancer on MRI scans, because you won't give them time to explain what 'AI' means for them.

Some of y'all will see the word "AI" and freak out without actually processing anything that's being said like a conservative reading the word "pronouns"

[whatifsandspheres]

It makes consistent sense why there would be so many shit people, so many low quality souls in the world. Even a predominant majority of evil, even if only part-time or side hustle evil people.

Why?

Think about it like this.

What is a new birth? It's almost a blank slate for everything other than some more concrete and semi-predetermined biological factors.

So the lowest quality people can convince their offspring of their worthiness, perpetuating and indoctrinating as a tradition. I'm talking about mentality, strength of character here. Not biologically. But these are the same people that will try to exploit cheap and even illegal labor, so of course encouraging economic inequality and environmental racism is a means to the same ends that they have.

They don't have it in them to make life more equitable, egalitarian, and comfortable for all, they must take and hoard, and cloister themselves in nepotism. So naturally, why bother working on working with higher quality characters and values or trying to uplift those who are at disadvantage or worse character than them? Just make more blank slates and fatten them up on the fruits of the labor and exploitation of others.

Life can be worth living.

Some don't even have enough life in their souls to fill the time their body keeps them alive, much less enough to offer others and themselves should those biological lives be extended. So they make more cancer and disease manifest in the world around them for their hedonism and egotism.

Just an observation, I guess.

I've had a rough week taking care of these cats and two times they went over the fence while I let them wander in the patio and they came back with fleas and possibly ringworm and tapeworm. From a total of maybe an hour of wandering. All the time they're indoor cats, and I let them have some outdoor time to keep their minds healthy and now their physical health suffers because everyone around me is so self-absorbed in that mindset I described above. There's several cats out there that they barely keep alive, they don't spay or neuter, claim and collar, vaccinate or consistently feed, but they consider themselves holier than mother Teresa of Calcutta for throwing them their spoiled table leftovers and letting them be outside wandering like zombies, falling apart from mange and disease. They can afford to do better, they can. More than I can. But they do less. Much less. It wears me out. It wears me down. I've rehabilitated four cats and a dog from this neighborhood and it's not a drop in the bucket so long as the root of the problems aren't addressed. It will keep happening. But I'm not free to disown that part of my humanity that feels called to do something about it-- especially when those problems overflow their symptoms right over my patio walls. They must feel so light and unburdened to think themselves superior, so powerful to claim they shouldn't engage those problems or are powerless. There is no neutral side in the face of injustice, and such attitudes toward innocent animals overflow into attitudes about our own internal humanity and other humans. It's not unrelated.

[grad502jesspressnell]

Week 2.1 Getting in Deep and class notes

My main point for my campaign is to raise awareness on the prevention of Ovarian Cancer and to make these things accessible to all females of New Zealand.

Articles and websites found that relate to my topic

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Talk Peach🍑 (@talk_peach)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Talk Peach🍑 (@talk_peach)

These instagram posts from the Talk Peach gynaecological charity show how visuals can be made without necessarily making someone uncomfortable when looking at them. Although I feel as though subjects like this should not be taken lightly, I do appreciate that there are people who are not used to these types of conversations.

My awareness campaign would include normalising getting looked at by a gynaecologist as well as normalising the conversations that happen. Young females especially shouldn't feel uncomfortable speaking about these issues and so eliminating the stigma that these sorts of things should be kept private is key.

Censorship around these sorts of topics only enforces those stigmas.

The five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer in New Zealand is 39%. It has a 70% chance of recurrence post treatment, the survival statistics for ovarian cancer have remained virtually unchanged for 30 years. This is literally a crisis point in terms of advancement in survival rates for cancers. 

Breast cancer used to have a similar outlook but now thanks to incredible advocacy, large scale fundraising and an immense amount of research the breast cancer 10 year survival rate is 75% if a lump is the first sign or 92% if detected  via a regular mammogram.

We believe with better funding this can be achieved for ovarian cancer too.

Shockingly over the past 3 years the government has funded $0.00 to research (out of a half billion government allocation) on one of our highest cancer killers.

1 New Zealander dies from it every 48 hours.

Only 4 out of 10 diagnosed with ovarian cancer will survive five years after diagnosis. This compares to 9 in 10 women surviving breast cancer in the same period. Because there is no screening test for ovarian cancer, early diagnosis is your best chance at survival, a late diagnosis is very hard to beat.

from @talkpeach on instagram

Most people are diagnosed once the cancer has already spread, making it more difficult to treat. There are often delays in diagnosing ovarian cancer, that is because there is no screening test, huge gaps in awareness and symptoms are often confused with symptoms of other less severe illnesses, particularly gastrointestinal complaints.

Five-year ovarian cancer survival rates vary around the world, they range from 30% to 45%. In new Zealand they are at 38% compared to Australia at 45%. By comparison the five year survival rates for women with breast cancer range from 80% to 92%. Ovarian cancer is overlooked and underfunded, yet all those with ovaries are at risk of developing this disease.

information from the Talk Peach instagram.

Week 2.1 - Design Studio class

identifying relevant research for awareness campaign

connectivity and research 

Locate relevant and current news, stories, opinion, narratives data and statistics aligned to your topic. Can any of this information be used s potential content in your campaign in some way? Is further research needed for content?

Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way which their meanings have changed throughout history.

Text

Facts

Reports

Information

testimonials

annual report

Content is key = collecting the content

Infographics 

visual analytics

Visual elements engage the audience more

Reinterpreting data 

Visual information goes to the brain 60,000 times faster

Curiosity is crucial

Ultrasound or CA-125 blood test

Screening exam

Make these exams and tests free for all females in New Zealand as smear and Pap tests and cervix exams do not pick up Ovarian cancer. 

Repurpose information 

Designing for social good, to shine a light on something, alert that something needs focus on.

Smear the stigma 

Smear the shame 

ovapower

Become an expert on your campaign topic.

Make discoveries that can assist your design systems 

[muzachio]

What is human trafficking?

I want to preface this by saying that I am not looking for a conversation at the moment, especially because it seems clear that people decided they are allowed to have and express their opinions without being open to dialogue at all. If you want to scream to the void and to bark away anyone who tries to engage with the discourse, fine. But respect the fact that I get to do the same. I am talking about a very specific issue I have with the throwing around of terms and that's it. I am not touching on any other topic. I'm literally saying what I think, not asking your opinion. Good day.

According to the American Department of Homeland Security, "human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act."

Human trafficking is serious shit. It is not a buzzword, it's not something you should ever claim to be a victim of if you're not because people's lives get destroyed when this actually happens. (I'm not even going to mention that you can't classify other people's similar experiences using such loaded language. I don't know, maybe we shouldn't be trying to tell others how they should feel even if we think it's best for them.)

If you haven't been put into a situation of forced labor, sexual trafficking or debt bondage, please stop comparing your problems to different serious shit where vulnerable people are given false promises, suffer violence, coercion or pure force and end up completely stripped of their freedom and human rights. Still, you are valid and your grievances are too. In no way this is intended to say that your problems are not serious shit, I understand they are. They're just not the same serious shit. Lung cancer and limb amputation are both very serious shit, but not the same. Both are medical issues, just not really comparable, capiche?

It is perfectly understandable to be angry and to sometimes go for hyperbole as a way to cause a reaction. However, words have meaning and it's more harmful to everyone if we start to banalize terms. Ever noticed that if we start to repeat a word too much it loses its meaning? Ask "cancel culture" how's it going... No matter how wronged you feel, you can't co-opt other people's pain. One of these is not like the others. It's more productive if you still use the terms we already have for your issue but expand on those definitions so they mean what you believe they should mean because, as a society, we get to collectively change the meaning of words. Transform the words, affect precise change in the use of language. And don't tell me that's not how things work because I am a tired LGBTIA+ person. Go look up the historical transformations of the word queer.

You are more than justified to criticize a system that you disagree with. What you don't get to do is to appropriate terms that have serious ramifications while trying to equate your experience to the suffering of people who would probably have something to say about how much their situation differs from yours. You can't LARP as a former victim of involuntary servitude to make your cause seem more justified - which I'm not arguing it isn't. That is just not the reality. There is a world of difference between each experience and comparing yourself to them cheapens the entire conversation.

(If you decide I'm talking about you, it's a you-problem because I didn't mention at all anything else but the fact that I don't like when people use terms to refer to things they are not... And then again, I am not asking your opinion.)

[aleclikescake]

As a manager, on the first rung above supervisor, I get the delight of filling in "return to work" forms with my team, I have to preface every interview with 'I know many of these questions will seem stupid, let's get through this as quickly as possible', because there are very few cases where 'did you expect this to happen or to reoccur' is answered with a yes, I know this was an accident, you know this was an accident, we both hope this doesn't happen again, let's tick the box and move on. It kills me a little inside each time I encounter corporate HR bullshit.

When I was a barman I spent the last five hours of my shift with my left hand taped to my chest in a blood filled bag because a champagne flute had shattered and embedded into the side of my finger, but we had a wedding on and people needed serving.

The only time I've really ticked the yes box, and I do it so often for him that we've photocopied the filled out form so we just have to change the dates, is we have one employee who has cancer, he likes to come to work when he has days he feels strong, we rota expecting him not to be in, and when he is it's a bonus, but HR still demands he appears on the rota in advance, and that he calls in for each shift he'll miss, and it has to be a call, not a text or email. If he's not on the rota he'll be let go, and he needs the odd pay he gets to survive. So 9/10 shifts I get a call exactly two hours before shift starts from a guy who shouldn't be talking, or even awake.

This is what HR has done to so many industries, they try to act like they're on your side, but they're not unions, they work for the company. The forms and procedures aren't about you and your well being, it's about legal responsibility and corporate protection. I hate all the stupid social media and 'we're all in this together' crap like the company employee Instagram account and staff picnics. This is my job, not my life, take the money you spend on treat days and engagement, and put it into my pay packet.

i hate when managers pretend they don’t understand how the real world works because they’re in a corporate setting yet if you removed them from that corporate setting and contextualized the situation they would realize how fucked it was.

like lmao one time I got hit by a car so i had to last minute call out from work at walmart, and i get there the next day, i looked fucked up as hell, and they’re like “so whyd you call out last minute without checking with us first? it’s a major warning gotta say”

and i’m like “well, as the call out said, i got hit by a car and was in the hospital. because you know. i was hit by a car and as you can see bones are broken on me and i am very scratched up and bruised.”

and they get the fucking most ridiculous look on their face like they’re broken or something and theyre like “will it happen again?”

and i’m like “will i get hit by a car again? I don’t know. Didn’t think I would this time either”

like they’re acting like they don’t understand what getting hit by a car is because their bullshit training doesn’t account for it lmao… as if they aren’t human enough to understand what getting hit by a car is

it’s so fucking annoying.

[daydreamer0078]

10 Best Netflix Series of All Time that You Shouldn't Miss

10 Best Netflix Series of All Time that You Shouldn't Miss

I think it's the perfect time for you to binge-watch Netflix series. You know what I'm talking right haha ! Netflix has become one of the best streaming services since it has providing good quality content for the audience. There are tons of series and shows on Netflix as well as movies. You may don't know what to watch now and might get confused which is the perfect series to watch right away. Don't worry, we've listed some of the best Netflix series you can watch. Among all Netflix shows, there are 10 Netflix series that you shouldn't miss. While you're at home, you can watch the following series. I think once you start watching them. You may binge-watch because of their gripping screenplay and content. We've listed out best 10 Netflix series of all time you must watch. Let's have a popcorn tub and watch the series ;) :

10.The Crown

( Image credit: Netflix) Seasons: 3 Episodes: 41 IMDb Rating: 8.7/10 Cast: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Matt Smith, Tobias Menzies, Vanessa Kirby, Eileen Atkins, and more... Plot: Queen Elizabeth's life reign from her younger years to the 21st century. Description: The Crown series is highly lauded for its magnificent cinematography, epic execution, and characters. It is a great watch series if you haven't seen this yet. WATCH NOW

9.Sex Education

( Image credit: Netflix) Seasons: 2 Episodes: 17 IMDb Rating: 8.3/10 Cast: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, and more.. Plot: A young boy with a mother who is a sex therapist sets up a new business at school with his fellow high school classmate. Description: If you're really looking for a fresh comedy with hilarious characters. Then, this is the perfect Netflix series for you to watch right now. Especially, if you're a teenager, you can relate to so many aspects and will enjoy the whole series. WATCH NOW

8.Narcos

( Image credit: Netflix) Seasons: 3 Episodes: 30 IMDb Rating: 8.8/10 Cast: Pedro Pascal, Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, Alberto Ammann, and more.. Plot: The series is based on real story of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. The DEA agents tracks and sent on a mission to capture him and other drug kingpins. Description: Narcos is an interesting and crime drama series. Once you started watching it, you may not leave until you watched the whole series. It is highly acclaimed by many people for its storytelling, interesting screenplay, and fantastic production values. WATCH NOW

7.Breaking Bad

( Image credit: Netflix) Seasons: 5 Episodes: 62 IMDb Rating:9.5/10 Cast: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Betsy Brandt, and more.. Plot: A chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with stage III Lung cancer decides to manufacture and sell methamphetamine to secure his family's future. Description: Breaking Bad is one of the best series ever produced by Netflix. It is highly recommended and greatly praised for it's engaging storytelling, fantastic characters, and acting. The people who have finished this series addicted to this one and haven't found a perfect replacement for this series. WATCH NOW

6.Black Mirror

( Image credit: Netflix) Seasons: 5 Episodes: 22 IMDb Rating: 8.8/10 Cast: Daniel Lapaine, Hannah John-Kamen, Michaela Coel, Charles Babalola and more.. Plot: The series explores how modern technology in the future reality affects the relations between humans and brings out darker aspects of society. Description: This series will make question yourself about how technology affects you. It is one of the best sci-fi and dark series you shouldn't miss. It looks up about modern technology and brings out dark aspects of the near future that disturbs in some ways. WATCH NOW

5.Mind Hunter

( Image credit: Netflix) Seasons: 2 Episodes: 19 IMDb Rating: 8.6/10 Cast: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv, Sonny Valicenti, and more.. Plot: In the 1970s, two FBI Agents sent on a task to interview and study serial killers to resolve crimes easily in the future. Description: If you love crime drama films like Seven and Zodiac. Then, it is the perfect series for you to watch. It is lauded for the gripping screenplay, fascinating story, and intense characters. WATCH NOW

4.Dark

( Image credit: Netflix) Seasons: 2 Episodes: 19 IMDb Rating: 8.7/10 Cast: Karoline Eichhorn, Louis Hofmann, Jördis Triebel, Maja Schöne, and more.. Plot: Set in a german town, the disappearance of two young children discloses the secrets and exposes hidden relationships among four families. Description: It is one of the best fictional Netflix series ever made. You must watch this dark fictional series which has greatly acclaimed for it's thrilling story and screenplay and many people who have watched it regarded as MASTERPIECE. WATCH NOW

3.BoJack Horseman

( Image credit: Netflix) Seasons: 6 Episodes: 77 IMDb Rating: 8.7/10 Cast: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul and more.. Plot: BoJack Horseman, a star in Horsin in the '80s and '90s concerns about popularity, depression, addiction of drugs and alcohol and sustaining relationships. It explores black-comedy and life philosophy in an alternate reality where humans and animals live side by side. Description: Even it is cartoon series. This series has a depth and real philosophy that make you think seriously. It has the elements of comedy, emotions, and dark aspects. It is highly lauded for its depth storytelling and fantastic experience. WATCH NOW

2.Money Heist

( Image credit: Netflix) Seasons: 2 Episodes: 31 IMDb Rating: 8.5/10 Cast: Úrsula Corberó, Álvaro Morte, Itziar Ituño , Pedro Alonso and more.. Plot: A group of robbers who leads by a professor strikes on a money-printing factory and robber 2.4 billion euros. It's all about they take off and run away from the police. Description: Once you start this series. You will binge-watch for its addictive screenplay and gripping storytelling. It is highly praised for acting, cinematography, production values, action choreography, and so many aspects that make you binge-watch. WATCH NOW

1.Strange Things

( Image credit: Netflix) Seasons: 3 Episodes: 33 IMDb Rating: 8.8/10 Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder, Millie Bobby Brown and more.. Plot: A young boy in town disappearance leads to supernatural events around the town. It's all about how his friends and family confront those supernatural events. Description: This is the best sci-fi series produced by Netflix. If you watch Netflix series and haven't watched Stranger things yet. Go ahead and watch this series right now. It is greatly acclaimed for its cinematography, fantastic storytelling, golden sci-fi mood and ensemble cast. WATCH NOW So, these are the best Netflix series you can choose. Considering all series plots and genre, choose what you like and enjoy the series as long as you're in the home. If you're not a person who watches series but instead movies. I would recommend you to go and visit the below link and watch them if you haven't watched them yet : 10 Best Movies in 2019 that You Must Watch If You Haven’t Seen If you love the genre of action and adventures : 5 Best Action Movies and Franchises of All Time You Must Watch I think this is the perfect time for you to start MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE : MCU Timeline – Watch Every Marvel Movie in Order You might be interested in these articles, Have a look at them. 16 Most Anticipated Movies in 2020 Best Hollywood Movies of 2019 that You Must See! MARVEL PHASE 5 MOVIES AND SHOWS LIST HUGE MARVEL PHASE 5 LEAK – MCU Read the full article