#World Con 76

[mostlysignssomeportents]

2600’s amazing Hackers on Planet Earth con may go down under enshittification

Catch me in Miami! I'll be at Books and Books in Coral Gables on Jan 22 at 8PM.

It's been 40 years since Emmanuel Goldstein launched the seminal, essential, world-changing 2600: The Hacker Quarterly. 2600 wasn't the first phreak/hacker zine, but it was the most important, spawning a global subculture dedicated to the noble pursuit of technological self-determination:

https://www.2600.com/

2600 has published hundreds of issues in which digital spelunkers report eagerly on the things they've discovered by peering intently at the things no one was supposed to even glance at (I'm proud to be one of those writers!). They've fought legal battles, including one that almost went to the Supreme Court:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeCSS

They created a global network of meetups where some of technology's most durable friendships and important collaborations were born. These continue to this day:

https://www.2600.com/meetings

And they've hosted a weekly radio show on NYC's WBAI, Off the Hook:

https://wbai.org/program.php?program=76

When WBAI management lost their minds and locked the station's most beloved hosts out of the studio, Off the Hook (naturally) led the rebellion, taking back the station for its audience, rescuing it from a managerial coup:

https://twitter.com/2600/status/1181423565389942786

But best of all, 2600 gave us HOPE – both in the metaphorical sense of "hope for a better technological tomorrow" and in the literal sense, with its biannual Hackers On Planet Earth con:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackers_on_Planet_Earth

For decades HOPE had an incredible venue, the Hotel Pennsylvania (memorialized in the phreak anthem "PEnnsylvania 6-5000"), a crumbling pile in midtown Manhattan that was biannually transformed into a rollicking, multi-day festival of forbidden technology, improbable feats, and incredible presentations. I was privileged to keynote HOPE in 2016:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1D7APjmVbk

But after the 2018 HOPE, the Hotel Pennsylvania was demolished to make way for the Penn15 (no, really) skyscraper, a vaporware mega-tower planned as a holding pen for luxury shopping and empty million-dollar condos sold to offshore war-criminals as safe-deposit boxes in the sky. The developer, Vornado (no, really) hasn't actually done all that – after demo'ing the Hotel Pennsylvania, they noped out, leave a large, unusable scar across midtown.

But HOPE wasn't lost. In 2022, the ever-resilient 2600 crew relocated to Queens, hosted by St John's University – a venue that was less glamorous that the Hotel Pennsylvania, but the event was still fantastic. Attendance fell from 2,000 to 1,000, but that was something they could work with, and reviews from attendees were stellar.

Good thing, too. 2600 is, first and foremost, a magazine publisher, and these have been hard years for magazines. First there was the mass die-off of indie bookstores and newsracks (I used to sell 2600 when I was a bookseller, and in the years after, I always took the presence of 2600 on a store's newsrack as an unimpeachable mark of quality).

Thankfully for 2600, their audience is (unsurprisingly) a tech-savvy one, so they were able to substitute digital subscriptions for physical ones:

https://www.2600.com/Magazine/DigitalEditions

Of course, many of those subscriptions came through Amazon's Kindle, because nerds were early Amazon adopters, and because the Kindle magazine publishing platform offered DRM-free distribution to subscribers along with a fair payout to publishers.

But then Amazon enshittified its magazine system. Having locked publishers to its platform, it rugged them and killed the monthly subscription fees that allowed publishers to plan for a steady output. Publishers were given a choice: leave Amazon (and all the readers locked inside its walled garden) or put your magazine into the Kindle Unlimited system:

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/arp/B0BWPTCP4K?deviceType=A1FG5NAKX0MRJL

Kindle Unlimited is an all-you-can-eat program for Kindle, which pays publishers and writers based on a system that is both opaque and easily gamed, with the lion's share of the money going to "publishers" who focus on figuring out how to cheat the algorithm. Revenues for 2600 – and all the other magazines that Amazon had sucked in and sucked dry – fell off a cliff.

Which brings me to the present moment. After 40 years, 2600 is still at it, having survived the bookstorepocalypse, the lunacy of public radio management, the literal demolition of their physical home by an evil real-estate developer, and Amazon's crooked accounting.

This is 2600, circa 2024, and 2024 a HOPE year:

https://www.hope.net/

Once again, HOPE has been scheduled for its new digs in Queens, July 12-14. Last week, HOPE sent out an email blast to their subscribers telling them the news. They expected to sell 500 tickets in the first 24 hours. They didn't even come close:

https://www.2600.com/content/hope-ticket-sales-update

It turns out that Google and the other major mail providers don't like emails with the word "hacker" in them. The cartel that decides which email gets delivered, and which messages go to spam, or get blocked altogether, mass-blocked the HOPE 2024 announcement. Email may be the last federated, open platform we have, but mass concentration has created a system where it's nearly impossible to get your email delivered unless you're willing to play by Gmail's rules:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/10/10/dead-letters/

For Emmanuel Goldstein, founder of 2600 and tireless toiler for this community, the deafening silence following from that initial email volley was terrifying: "like some kind of a "Twilight Zone" episode where everyone has disappeared."

The enshittification that keeps 2600's emails from being delivered to the people who asked to receive them is even worse on social media. Social media companies routinely defraud their users by letting them subscribe to feeds, then turning around to the people and organizations that run those feeds and saying, "You've got x thousand subscribers on this platform, but we won't put your posts in their feeds unless you pay us to 'boost' your content":

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/04/platforms-decay-lets-put-users-first

Enshittification has been coming at 2600 for decades. Like other forms of oddball media dedicated to challenging corporate power and government oppression, 2600 has always been a ten-years-ahead preview of the way the noose was gonna tighten on all of us. And now, they're on the ropes. HOPE can't sell tickets unless people know about HOPE, and neither email providers nor social media platforms have any interest in making that happen.

A handful of giant corporations now get to decide what we read, who we hear from, and whether and how we can get together in person to make friends, forge community, rabble-rouse and change the world. The idea that "it's not censorship unless the government does it" has always been wrong (not all censorship violates the First Amendment, and censorship can be real without being unconstitutional):

https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/04/yes-its-censorship/

What can you do about it? Well, for one thing, you can sign up for HOPE. It's gonna be great. They've got sub-$100 hotel rooms! In New York City!

https://store.2600.com/products/tickets-to-hope-xv

If you can't make it to HOPE, you can sign up for a virtual membership:

https://store.2600.com/products/tickets-to-hope-xv-virtual-attendee

You can submit a talk to HOPE:

https://www.hope.net/cfp.html

You can subscribe to 2600, in print or electronically (I signed up for the lifetime print subscription and it was a bargain – I devour every issue the day it arrives):

https://store.2600.com/collections/subscriptions-renewals

2600 is living a decade in the future of every other community you care about, weird hobby you enjoy, con you live for, and publication you read from cover to cover. If we can all pull together to save it, it'll be a beacon of hope (and HOPE).

I'm Kickstarting the audiobook for The Bezzle, the sequel to Red Team Blues, narrated by @wilwheaton! You can pre-order the audiobook and ebook, DRM free, as well as the hardcover, signed or unsigned. There's also bundles with Red Team Blues in ebook, audio or paperback.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/19/hope-less/#hack-the-planet

[vintagelasvegas]

Thunderbird / Silverbird / El Rancho

Thunderbird Hotel, 1948

Thunderbird, '48-'76

'46: Marion Hicks and Lt. Gov. Cliff Jones purchase property for a planned Nevada Ambassador hotel on 3/11/46. The property was bought from Guy McAfee, Art Ham, and J.K. Houssels who had planned a hotel called Casa de Oro. Sale price is rumored $85,000.

'47: Construction begins in Oct. Hicks is the builder. Officers of Thunderbird are Hicks, Jones, Joe Wells, Jake Kozloff, Victor Sayer, Jack Lane, and Paul Wagoner. Bonanaza Hotels, Inc. owns the property and will operate the hotel; Thunderbird Hotel, Inc. will operate the casino.

'48: Sep. 2, Thunderbird opens with 107 rooms, 75-foot observation tower. Signs by Graham Sign Co (RJ 8/18/48).

'53: Hicks builds the spin-off Algiers Hotel.

'54: Nevada Tax Commission investigates charges that Jake and Mayer Lansky have hidden ownership in the hotel. The case lasts through May '57 when Nevada supreme court rules there is not sufficient evidence to revoke the Thunderbird gaming license.

'58: Jones disposed of his gaming license after purchasing a controlling interest in a Haitian casino. 

'58: renovation, adding new second floor over casino framed in rectangular box, new porte-cochère. New signs by Western Neon (RJ 11/24/58, RJ 12/24/58).

'59: “Thunderbird” logo changed, road sign replaced in Fall. 4-floor wing addition on the southeast property.

'61: road sign moved to the front-center of the hotel, fire-shooting stick added to both birds.

'61: Marion Hicks dies 9/10/61. Thunderbird is closed for 7 hours on 9/13. Joe Wells is named general manager. Thunderbird owners at the time are the Hicks estate (71%), Wells (17), William Deer (7) Jack Lane (3), and James Schuyler (2). 

'62: new road sign and pylon.

'63: Thunderbird Downs quarter horse track opened, Oct. 5 (RJ 9/24/63). Another 4-floor wing added on the east property.

'64: Sold to Del Webb Corp in Sep.

'65: 700-ft horizontal “Thunderbird” sign by Bill Clarke/Ad Art installed over the south rooms in Jun. (RJ 6/10/65); road sign & pylon replaced with one road sign and new neon bird.

'72: Sold to Caesars World Inc.

'73: Blue/green sign painted zigzag red/orange in summer.

'76: Sold to Tiger Investment Co (Thomas, Mack, K. Sullivan, et al), who leases the resort to Major Riddle/NLV Corp. in Dec.

Silverbird, '77-'81

'77: Reopened as Silverbird in Jan.

'78: Thunderbird signs replaced by the 190-ft sign/porte-cochère designed by Raul Rodriguez for Heath, built by AdArt. (RJ 3/29/78)

'80: Jul. 8, Major Riddle dies.

'81: Silverbird closed 12/3/81.

'82: Feb., Sold at auction to Ed Torres.

El Rancho, '82-'92

'82: Sole owner Torres is approved in Apr. to reopen the hotel as El Rancho. Construction on a new tower, and work changing the sign begins in May.

'82: Aug. 31, Opening of El Rancho Hotel & Casino.

'88: Tower addition, 13 stories, 587 rooms. Hotel total: 1,077 rooms. Though the opening date of the tower is unknown, it was used for only about four years.

'92: Closed Jul. 6.

2000: Tower demolished, Oct. 3. After the site was cleared the El Rancho sign remained, covered with advertised for Turnberry Place until '04 or '05.

Circa '48 – Aerial photos of Thunderbird construction. Las Vegas News Bureau. Radio station KENO-AM west of the Thunderbird.

Circa '48 – During construction, photo taken from the observation tower. Las Vegas News Bureau.

Circa 1948 – The same models appear in the color postcard above. Photo possibly by Las Vegas News Bureau, from the Union Pacific Railroad Photographs (PH-00043) UNLV Special Collections & Archives.

'50 – Thunderbird original layout '65 – Thunderbird with new casino, south tower, east tower, new pool '77 – Silverbird with new casino under construction '98 – El Rancho, closed.

10/3/2000 – The tower set for implosion later that night. Photo by Steve Marcus, Las Vegas Sun.

Other sources include: “New Hotel To Be Built.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, 3/13/46 p1; Vegas as Playground. Review-Journal, 7/31/46 p5; Construction Started. Review-Journal, 10/28/47; Thunderbird Hotel. Review-Journal, 8/29/48; Thunderbird Shut Down For Rites. Review-Journal, 9/14/61 p1; Joe Wells will head Thunderbird. Review-Journal, 9/15/61 p2; High-rise addition set for El Rancho. Review-Journal, 9/3/87; Serio Lalli. Vegas enters gaming supermarket era. Review-Journal, 1/17/88; Martin Stern Jr. profile by P. Michel. UNLV Libraries, archived 3/10/2004.

[thecreaturecodex]

Scrab

Image © Oddworld Inhabitants, accessed at the Oddworld Wiki here

[Sponsored by @martyslittleusedblog. Like previous Oddworld creature the paramite, the scrab combines a very distinctive look with pretty basic mechanics. After all, in a game where your character dies to a single bullet, combat isn't exactly the developer's goal. So the good stuff is in the flavor text, which I did tweak just a little. In the games, it's implied that scrabs are pure carnivores, but both their desert habitat and ability to be farmed for food suggests something a little broader. So I went omnivore.]

Scrab CR 7 N Magical Beast This creature has four crab-like legs, each tipped with a large claw, above which grows an armless, humanoid torso. Its head is eyeless, with a large upward scooping beak, sword edged along the lower jaw.

Scrabs are belligerent omnivores native to the desert mesas and canyons of an alien world. They are extremely territorial, repelling all other scrabs from their territory except for pack members unless it is the mating season. Territorial marking is done with booming calls that carry for miles through the still desert air, but if that fails, scrabs do not hesitate to fight others of their own species to the death. Due to the harsh nature of their habitats, scrab territories are large. Most scrabs forage independently by day, and then return to a communal nest during the night to feed the young, who are communally raised on regurgitated food provided by all pack members.

The bulk of a scrab’s diet consists of roots and gourds, dug up using their shovel-like bills. They prefer meat when they can get it, though, either carrion or killed on the hoof. Scrabs find the meat of their own kind unpalatable—the one thing a scrab will refuse to eat is another scrab. This is unusual, as many species find scrabs to be delicious, albeit difficult game. Due to their homebody nature and garbage disposal physiologies, scrabs can even be farmed, although this runs the risk of the farmer becoming the next meal if the scrabs are neglected or underfed. Due to their durability and fierce nature, scrabs are also sacred animals in some cultures. The cultures that farm scrabs and those that venerate them are usually deeply at odds with each other.

Scrab      CR 7 XP 3,200 N Large magical beast Init +5; Senses blind, blindsight 60 ft., Perception +9

Defense AC 21, touch 10, flat-footed 20 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +11 natural) hp 76 (8d10+32) Fort +10, Ref +7, Will +6

Offense Speed 50 ft. Melee bite +13 (2d6+6), 2 claws +13 (1d6+6) Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft. Special Attacks thrash

Statistics Str 22, Dex 13, Con 19, Int 2, Wis18, Cha 9 Base Atk +8; CMB +15 (+17 bull rush); CMD 26 (28 vs. bull rush, 30 vs. trip) Feats Endurance,Improved Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Power Attack Skills Acrobatics +10, Climb +15, Perception +9, Survival +10; Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics, +4 Climb, +4 Survival

Ecology Environment warm deserts and underground Organization solitary, pair or pack (3-12 plus 100% noncombatant juveniles) Treasure incidental

Special Abilities Blindsight (Ex) A scrab’s blindsight is based on hearing and electrical signals. When deafened, or in an area of silence, a scrab is considered to have blindsense instead. Thrash (Ex) As a standard action, a scrab can lash out with its claws and beak in all directions. All creatures adjacent to the scrab take 3d6+9 slashing damage (Ref DC 20 halves). The save DC is Strength based.

[simplyskipper]

What Fallout Games Should I Play?

Hello! My name is Skipper, and the Fallout games has been a special interest of mine for a few years now. With the resurgance of the fandom, and new people coming from the shows, I figured I'd make a post helping people figure out what games to play!

This is going to be the main 6 games (1-4, 76, NV), though I may add more if I play some of the other games. Feel free to add on, ask questions, or generally interact with this! I'm always happy to help people get into the games and love talking Fallout with people. :)

This is going to be as spoiler-free as possible, though I may mention some game locations vaguely, so be warned if you think that may ruin the experience.

For further reading, I highly reccomend the Independent Fallout Wiki! A lot less ads in your way, and the people over there are lovely. However, be careful, as there are spoilers there!

TLDR; New Vegas for story, Fallout 4 for gameplay and introducing concepts, Fallout 1 for authenticity, and Fallout 76 for multiplayer but absolutely nothing else of value.

Table of Contents

Fallout 1

Fallout 2

Fallout 3

Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout 4

Fallout 76

Last Updated: April 22, 2024

Fallout 1

Released; 1997

Setting; Southern California, 2161

Wiki Page

Almost a hundred years after the bombs fell, Vault 13's water chip has broken, and the Vault Dweller was selected (through random chance) to venture out into the wasteland and save their vault.

Pros:

The Original Fallout Game!

One of my favourites, story-wise.

Harold!

The game is relatively short compared to the others, and the story isn't overly hard to digest, in my opinion.

The 'talking heads' animations are super cool (Aradesh, Harold, Etc Etc)

Later character who I won't name but once you meet them YOU'LL KNOW

There's no limit to how many companions you can have at a time

I generally love the setting.

Cons:

The graphics do not age well. Even for the time, they were a bit lacking. (For reference, Doom came out in 1993, 4 years earlier).

Bit of a learning curve! But once you get it, it's pretty easy to use. The turn-based combat was the hardest to get a handle on.

The game DOES NOT hold your hand. Later games have objective lists and markers, but this game just has a list and memory. Pretty fun, if you're into a more difficult game!

Combat and general survival is difficult. The experience is authentic - which means you can and will die during the first combat scenario. Again, once you get it it's not that bad, but combat will remain difficult. But for some this could be a pro!

Fallout 2

Released; 1998

Setting; Southern California, 2241

Wiki Page

80 years after the Vault Dweller's heroic rescue of their Vault, the village of Arroyo is suffering a severe drought. The Chosen One, a descendant of the Vault Dweller, has been sent to retrieve a G.E.C.K. to save their village.

Pros

The story again is very good!

A lot of the strengths of the previous game.

There's something melancholy about exploring the world of Fallout 1 with so many changes and losses. It's perfect for the setting.

Sergeant Dornan. You'll see when you meet him.

More Harold!

Cons

This was released only a year after Fallout 1, so a lot of the graphics & gameplay remain the same, if that's not something you're a fan of.

This is where the idea of "wacky vault experiments" is introduced, something I've never super loved, but that's subjective.

Fallout 3

Released; 2008

Setting; Capital Wasteland (Formerly Washington, D.C.), 2277

Wiki Page

200 years after the war, the 19-year-old Lone Wanderer's father has mysteriously left their home at Vault 101. It is up to the Lone Wanderer to track him down and figure out what's going on, all while navigating the dangerous Capital Wasteland.

Pros

Brought the Fallout series into the modern era!

Some pretty cool locations, like Megaton and Rivet City

Sort of a pro and con, a lot of the game is spent in the underground Metro system. This is cool, but I'm not a huge fan of interior spaces. Still - it feels like a real DC Wasteland!

Galaxy News Radio is introduced, which is great background noise - and I love Three Dog. He's so silly.

No sprint button. It's not felt super bad in this game compared to Vegas, but it still can be annoying.

It feels like a post-apocalypse. The whole world is this muddy, almost sickly green, grey, and brown colour. All of the sets are carefully designed, full of dirt and debris and trash. Buildings are crumbling or outright hollowed out, the ghouls look like walking corpses (as they should be), the mole rats are nasty and all of the creatures feel gross. As they should be! This is a post-apocolypse, everything should be gross and dirty!

Lots of good world-building. Because this is based in the Capital, we get to interact with a lot of old-world history, and see how similar and different it is from our own.

Cons

Story is... not great, in my opinion.

Some of those DLCs physically hurt me. They definitely lean into the 'silly' aspects of the games, but I feel it hurts the worldbuilding and realism.

NOT Bethany Esda's best work.

Leans more into the 'game' and less on the 'role-playing', which was a big part of Fallout 1 and 2. The protagonist is 19, their father is James, and we see a bit of what their childhood looked like. You can work around it, but it's not as fun as the other games.

Sometimes the npcs are annoying. There's collision in this game, but sometimes if you step on something it'll move and a npc will shout 'Watch where you're going' or something, which gets on my nerves. Also, if you so much as look at a locked container, you get a 'That's locked for a reason'. Probably minor, but annoying.

Fire ants.

Fallout: New Vegas

Released; 2010

Setting; Mojave Wasteland (Formerly Mojave Desert), 2281

Wiki Page

Courier Six, or just the Courier, is in the middle of a delivery when they are interrupted by Benny and shot in the head - though they make a miraculous recovery and now need to figure out exactly what kind of mess they've landed themselves in this time.

Pros

I mean, it's Fallout New Vegas. This is a lot of people's favourite, for good reason. Story is phenomenal, the entire world feels real and interactive. If you shoot someone, there's consequences, and the other npcs will acknowledge it.

THE BEST radio. All of the music slaps and helps you feel the setting. Plus, I love Mr. New Vegas, the radio host.

The characters are amazing.

The world is not too silly but still silly. Like yeah, this makes sense for a post-apocalypse. But it's also so objectively funny. Some of the best memes come from this game.

Yes Man.

As usual, I love the map design.

Instead of greens for Fallout 3, this game is bathed in oranges and brown - making it feel warm, perfectly capturing the desert setting, and dusty.

the DLCs are amazing!!

We love the companions in this house.

I love how morally grey it is. No one is perfect, no faction is outright good or outright bad (except the Legion, fuck those guys). It's up to you to pick which you think is the lesser evil, which is the best future for the Mojave. Or you can kill them all, up to you.

Cons

The development for this game was pretty famously rocky. It was outsourced to Obsidian, and they were given only 18 months to make it. Therefore, this game is very similar to Fallout 3, with some general improvements here and there.

There is still no sprint button, which is definitely felt here. A lot of the stuff is spread out, so thewre's a lot of wandering through desert, slowly making your way to your destination. It also feels more empty. The great city of New Vegas is sparsely populated, quiet, and desolate - despite it being such a big deal and supposedly so popular.

Honest Hearts DLC :////

Fallout 4

Released; 2015

Setting; The Commonwealth (Formerly Boston, MA), 2287

Wiki Page

In 2077, the Sole Survivor (default names Nate or Nora) is ready to start a family. In their little neighbourhood, with their white picket fence and infant son, it is a time of new beginnings - despite the war raging around them. Unfortunately, the war quickly catches up to them, and their family is forced to take shelter in Vault 111, where they are frozen in time for 210 years. They emerge following the kidnapping of their infant son, into a time so different to their own, battling this new world alongside the ghosts of the old.

Pros

The graphics have been updated, and it looks great! Mostly. Instead of washed-out greens and browns, this game is bright and vibrant.

Some more awesome companions. Honestly, I love them so much.

I really like the level-up system in this. I prefer 3/NV, but the tier system is fun and visually neat.

Better crafting system. And more crafting systems in general.

Settlements!!! This game introduces settlements, which basically means there's a bunch of set locations around the map that you can take over and build in! You get a lot of freedom and are responsible for meeting the needs for people in the settlement. You can get some mods for more freedom/flexibility, and you can mostly ignore it if you want.

Cons

The story is... also lacking. It feels almost... unfinished? Some beats are strange and it's just like. What.

Playing this before Fallout 3 pissed me off so much, because there's so much that is ripped off of Fallout 3. The Commonwealth is brought up, the radio music is the same, the vault numbers so similar, there's even an early version of Vault 111. It feels lazy. Fallout New Vegas was more creative, and they had a fraction of the time 4 has.

40-50% of the game is spent in loading screens.

Preston Garvey deserves so much better. "AnOtHeR sEtTlEmEnT nEeDs YoUr HeLp!"

Nick Valentine is non-romancable.

It's so easy to forget about the main objective, and hard to really care about it. This is a common problem I've heard, so it's not just me.

Radio host gets on my nerves :/

Nuka-World DLC is frustrating. But at least it's not. Sideyes Honest Hearts (Fo:NV).

Game is... easy. Too Easy. Deathclaws are supposed to be dangerous and difficult to kill.

Fallout 76

Released; 2018

Setting; Appalachia (Midwestern US mountain range), 2102-2104

Wiki Page

25 years after the bombs fell, all members of Vault 76 have been kicked out in order to rebuild society.

Pros

It's. Multiplayer? Kinda.

I made some friends on there, which was neat.

Return of item condition. So.

CAMPs are fun. Like the settlement but without NPCs to look after and allows location flexibility.

Has. Some new songs on the radio?

ALMOST HEAVEN. WEST VE-

Amazing map design! The outside is gorgeous and feels like Appalachia, for the most part.

Honestly, I prefer this version of VATS (the game's targeting system). In other games, VATS will pause and slow down combat to help with aim, and can be kind of annoying. Here, the combat speed is the same, you just spend some AP (stamina) for aim assist.

Cons

I prefer settlements tbh

What's not to mention? Story sucks, game sucks, etc etc. It's pretty famously bad.

I usually love the story, but checked out very fast and spent most of my time running around. But I honestly didn't last long even then.

The game is broken. Like, fundamentally broken. You are constantly subjected to crashes, bugs, etc etc. Fallout 4 is buggy, but this takes it to an extreme.

50-70% of the game is loading screens.

The interiors are huge, and there is no local map, so you very easily get lost.

Generally the story is so stupid.

Fallout 1st is a cash grab.

Unbalanced.

Bad.

Some videos I like about Fallout 76

Internet Historian's video on the history and release. I'm iffy on Internet Historian as a creator, but I do like the video. Let's just hope it's not plagiarised.

Joseph Anderson's video on the game at it's released state. Primarily focuses on how poorly the game plays and how broken it is. Super funny.

PrivateSession's video released in 2023, reviewing a more current version of the game. More focused on story.

PatricianTV's 4-part series released in 2023, reviewing a more current version of the game. More focused on the game and gameplay.

In conclusion; thank you for reading! As I mentioned, any criticism, questions, and suggestions are welcome! I hate/love fallout and am always happy to drag people down with me.

Also, would people be interested in a post discussing the story/setting/timeline? Like where I infodump further about the universe. To make it easier to digest and answer questions. Or give me a chance to infodump further about fallout.

[lostcauses-noregrets]

Hi, Lost, I was just wondering if you could answer something about Erwin that I've been struggling to understand for a while! Why is Erwin's dream considered as corrupted and not innocent anymore? Why did he have to be "freed" from his dream? And why was he feeling guilty? How was he trapped between his dream and being commander? Why did he have to choose between one of them? Sorry if this ask is a little confusing! Im not very good at putting together words haha!

So, there are a number of ways to answer these questions.  In the manga, pretty much everything we know about Erwin’s dream comes from Erwin himself, and the point that some readers consistently overlook is that he is an extremely unreliable narrator, particularly in the chapters leading up to Midnight Sun, where he is in the depths of despair and sees his every action in the bleakest light. 

Erwin deludes himself into believing that he is a liar and a conman because he thinks that he alone is fighting for his own selfish reasons, and not the pure and noble goal of Saving Humanity. This causes Erwin enormous guilt which exacerbates the guilt he carries over his father’s death and the deaths of all the soldiers who have died under his command.  To make matters worse, he believes he has conned his soldiers into dying for the sake of his own dream, rather than to save humanity.

In the depths of his self-loathing, Erwin is deluding himself of course; he is far from the only character fighting for his own dream.  Many other characters have their own dreams and reasons for fighting; Eren wants to be”free”, Armin wants to see the ocean, Ymir wants Historia to live for herself, Annie wants to return home to her father, etc.  Also the tragic irony of all this is that Erwin’s dream is fully compatible with the cause of attempting to save humanity.  It’s Erwin’s dream that acts as the catalyst to uncovering the truth of the world and of course, as it turns out, his father’s theories were correct.   

Sadly Erwin never lived to see his dream fulfilled, however the thing about dreams in SnK is that they have a tragic tendency to turn into nightmares when they are fulfilled. Look at Eren’s dream of “freedom”. 

Isayama is explic about this in the Character Guide: 

When he faces the sea, Armin takes a seashell a representation of something that can only be found there and tells Eren to look at it.  But Eren, the all-important character, doesn’t even look at it. The sea shell that Eren doesn’t even glance at as it sits awkwardly in Armin’s palms is meant to symbolise their dreams coming to an end, or maybe their childhood coming to an end.

By contrast, when he’s talking about Erwin’s final moments he says

You hear people saying that dreams are better left unfulfilled.  As I was drawing Erwin’s last moments, I took this to mean that one’s life is better lived if they chase their dreams until the very end.

So the fact that Erwin’s dream remains unfulfilled is not necessarily a bad thing. 

As to why Erwin’s dream is regarded as being “corrupt”, rather than “pure” like Armin’s, I suspect this is primarily a result of Erwin’s monologue in chapter 76, with some readers failing to realise that he is an unreliable narrator. If you believe everything Erwin says here, then yes, I guess you could come to the conclusion that he is a selfish conman who sacrificed the lives of his soldiers for his own corrupt dream, but of course that’s very far from the truth.

I'm not sure if I've answered all your questions here Anon, but hopefully this helps to dispel some of the confusion.

[chaosintheavenue]

I won't lie, I am becoming increasingly tempted to create Courier in Fallout 76.

Pros: Landscape photography, additional opportunities for character development for her, I'd get to see the new updates, I don't have to focus on the storyline for achievement reasons because Trin's already bitten that bullet, the chance to interact with/meet people again (honestly the main thing I miss), despite her name being freaking Courier it wouldn't be any less canon to her actual storyline than New Vegas itself already is

Cons: It feels like such a direct betrayal of Trin that I can't gfdsf

Contra-pro: However, if that's the case, then the existence of Trin herself in 76 is a significantly more blatant and direct betrayal of Lara- my long-abandoned Actual 76 Dweller OC- to the extent that doing the same thing right back to her would feel like poetic justice for them

Courier herself has no strong opinion on the matter, and still just really wants to go to space (which she will, eventually, but there are several other games that I own but haven't yet touched on my to-do list before TOW, so for now she's staying stuck in the confines of the Fallout world in one form or another). Haven't consulted with Trin, but I... genuinely don't think she'd be too pissed all in all?

[justicegundam82]

3.0 D&D to PF1 Conversion: Torturer Devil (Kocrachon)

This is a conversion of a rather famous creature that originated from Planescape. Since this is a rather low-ranking devil, I tried not to go overboard on the abilities, while attempting to give the Kocrachon its own flavour. I also got several pointers from a previous 3.5 conversion of the same creature, which appeared in the EN World Forums. Of course, you guys be the judges if my conversion is satisfying.

DEVIL, TORTURER (KOCRACHON)

Image (c) Wizads of the Coast, artist unknown

This horror looks like an overgrown bluish-black beetle with a long proboscis for a mouth, but its face has a disturbingly human look to it, and its legs end in slim, dexterous claws.

TORTURER DEVIL       CR 7

XP 3’200

LE Medium Outsider (devil, evil, extraplanar, lawful)

Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft., see in darkness; Perception +14

Defense

AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 17 (+4 Dex, +1 dodge, +7 natural)

hp 76 (8d10+32) 

Fort +6, Ref +10, Will +9

Damage Reduction 5/good; Immune fire, poison; Resist acid 10, cold 10

Spell Resistance 18

Offense

Speed 40 ft., flying 60 ft. (good)

Melee bite +12 (1d6+2 plus disease), 2 claws +12 (1d4+1 plus excruciate)

Special Attacks disease, excruciate, sadism, sneak attack +2d6

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 8th, concentration +12)

     At will – cause fear (DC 15), darkness, greater teleport (self plus 50 lbs. objects only), stabilize, suggestion (DC 17)

     3/day – cure moderate wounds (DC 16), invisibility, magic circle against good, major image (DC 17)

     1/day – breath of life, summon (level 3, 2d4 lemures or 1 torturer devil, 45%), waves of fatigue (DC 19)

                   

Statistics

Str 14, Dex 19, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 17, Cha 19

Base Atk +8; CMB +10; CMD 24 (30 vs. trip)

Feats Dodge, Flyby Attack, Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse

Skills Acrobatics +12 (+16 jumping), Bluff +13, Diplomacy +12, Fly +14, Heal +18, Intimidate +15, Knowledge (planes) +14, Perception +14, Profession (torturer) +18, Sense Motive +18, Stealth +15; Racial Modifiers +4 Heal, +4 Profession (torturer), +4 Sense Motive      

Languages Celestial, Common, Draconic, Infernal; telepathy 100 ft.

Ecology

Environment any (Nine Hells)

Organization solitary, pair or team (3-6)

Treasure standard

Special Abilities

Disease (Su) An opponent hit by a torturer devil’s bite attack must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 18) or contract devil chills. The save DC is Constitution-based

Devil Chills: Disease – injury (bite); save Fort DC 18; onset 1d4 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d4 Str damage; cure 3 consecutive saves.

Excruciate (Su) A living creature hit by a torturer devil’s claw attack must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 18) or become sickened with pain for 1d6 rounds. A creature that is already sickened becomes nauseated for 1 round instead. The save DC is Constitution-based

Sadism (Ex) If a torturer devil inflicts 10 or more points of damage on a single creature in the span of a single round, either with a single attack or with multiple attacks, it gains a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saving throws and skill checks for the duration of the next round.

Kocrachons are also known as torturer devils for their specialization in inflicting prolonged pain on helpless victims. They are mostly tasked with extracting information through pain, and it is a job they thoroughly enjoy. In what spare time they have, they enjoy sharpening their skills on damned souls and other prisoners; ending up in the claws of the kocrachon is considered one of the worst possible fates, for these devils are merciless and go out of their way to deny their victims the sweet release of death. Torturer devils are fond of mental torture as well, and will gleefully manipulate and gaslight their charges in order to maximize their anguish.

Torturer devils are not particularly fond of combat, and will usually retreat if an opponent looks dangerous enough to fight them on even footing. If forced to battle, they will usually break up and confound the opposition with spells like cause fear or suggestion, and then strike from ambush, often with the cover of invisibility, and debilitate their victims with their painful claws and diseased bites. A kocrachon that inflicts enough suffering on a victim is bolstered by the act, and can briefly fight with enhanced vigor.    

Kocrachons are mostly found in infernal citadels, working for more powerful devils; they are 5 feet tall on average, and weigh roughly 110 pounds.

[nuis-world]

"NUI WORLD" (LISTA DE CAPÍTULOS / TEMPORADA 01)

AUTORA: SHIZUME SHADE

01. Bienvenidos al mundo de K-Nuis (Grupal) 02. Amistad peluchera (Trio Homra, Anna y Reisi) 03. Cumple del Rey León (Grupal) 04. Reunión de Navidad (Grupal) 05. Háblame universo (Shiro/Kuro) 06. Se alquila (Mikoto) 07. Ventaja de estar soltero (Zenjo) 08. ¿Dónde está mi dinero? (Totsuka) 09. Media naranja (Izumo/Andy/Totsuka) 10. Si quieres flores... (Kusanagi) 11.  Shampoo VS Lavaplatos (Rikio) 12. Beneficios del agua (MikoRei) 13. Una cepillada (Seri/Izumo) 14. Alarma molesta (Shiro/Kuro) 15. La maquinita Chu-Chu (Mikoto/Reisi/Totsuka) 16. Respóndeme ya (SaruMi) 17. Necesito un aumento (Saru/Seri/Reisi) 18. Vendo (Andy) 19. Siempre hermoso (Yukari) 20. ¿Tienes hambre? (Yata/Rikio) 21. Rumores (Mikoto) 22. Nivel de stress (MikoRei/Zenjo) 23. Alegría de la vida (Totsuka/Izumo) 24. ¿Con qué trabajo? (Saru/Reisi/Seri) 25. Imposible hacer dieta (Rikio) 26. Busco acompañante (Yata/Rikio) 27. Etiquétame (Totsuka) 28. La herencia (Iwa/Sukuna) 29. El mejor guerrero (Izumo/Seri) 30. Tomando agua (Zenjo) 31. Cásate con... (Shiro/Kuro) 32. Es hambre (Rikio/Totsuka) 33. Cenicienta (Kuro) 34. Escucha atentamente (Yukari/Shiro/Kuro) 35. Ser de luz (Reisi/Totsuka/Mikoto) 36. Promoción (Shiro/Kuro) 37. Dos esposas (Totsuka/MikoRei) 38. Chisme (Mikoto/Totsuka/Reisi) 39. Quemando calorías (MikoRei) 40. Catador de princesas (Izumo/Seri) 41. Oración del borracho (Iwa/Grupal) 42. Sabias que... (Izumo/Seri) 43. Pesadilla (Iwa/Izumo) 44. Dos menos cinco (Izumo/Seri) 45. Burrito cervecero (Iwa/Grupal) 46. ¿Qué edad tienes? (Iwa/Totsuka) 47. Se busca (Totsuka/Mikoto/Iwa) 48. Sugar Baby (Totsuka/Iwa) 49. Tafirol (Andy) 50. Molestando (MikoRei) 51. El mujeriego (Izumo/Seri) 52. Promoción engañosa (Rikio) 53. Una nube (Mikoto) 54. No está en mi menú (Rikio/Yata) 55. ¿Quién eres? (Reisi) 56. ¿Para dónde vamos? (Izumo/Seri) 57. Recibo de luz (Trio Homra) 58. Todos contentos (MikoRei) 59. El chisme es vida (Izumo) 60. ¿Cómo conseguir pareja? (Yata) 61. Con estilo (Totsuka/Anna) 62. Estilo coquete (Totsuka) 63. Divorcio (Izumo) 64. De mugre nadie muere (Totsuka) 65. ¿Qué haces? (Totsuka/Mikoto) 66. Tres cosas en la vida (Trio Homra/Reisi) 67. Inmortal (MikoRei) 68. Mi corazón (Izumo/Seri) 69. Peso interior (MikoRei) 70. Es injusto (Seri) 71. Golpeado (Trio Homra) 72. Tenemos un problema (Izumo/Seri) 73. Inyección (MikoRei) 74. Engaño (MikoRei/Grupal) 75. Buen gusto (Yukari) 76. Tres fans (MikoRei) 77. Oiga, Doctor (Izumo/Seri) 78. Abrazos (Totsuka) 79. ¿Qué somos? (Rikio/Grupal) 80. Soledad (Reisi) 81. Maldita panza (Rikio) 82. Valora a quien cocina bien (Shiro/Kuro) 83. Querido Dios (SaruMi) 84. Conciencia tranquila (Izumo) 85. Papacito (Izumo/Seri) 86. Nadie te obliga (Izumo/Seri) 87. Mate con calor (Seri/Totsuka) 88. Migajas (Kuro/Neko) 89. Mosquito (MikoRei) 90. ¡Oh, no! (MikoRei) 91. Adicto a Netflix (Totsuka) 92. Calor insoportable (Grupal) 93. Amarre (Shiro/Neko) 94. Nuevo amor (Seri/Izumo/Zenjo) 95. Cómetelo (Seri/Izumo) 96. Comiendo lo ajeno (Seri/Izumo/Zenjo) 97. Quédate conmigo (Zenjo/Seri) 98. Dale la razón (Izumo/Seri) 99. Mi vida (Izumo/Seri) 100. Bluetooth (MikoRei/Totsuka)

[jose92gt]

Resúmenes de los episodios 75 al 77 y 78 solo título de Yu-Gi-Oh Go Rush

Episodio 75: カルティオス計画 – Karutiosu Keikaku

(El Proyecto Kartios)

Yudias se encuentra con Phaser en el laberinto durante la final. Phaser parece tener algún tipo de motivo para interponerse en el camino de Yudias. Mientras tanto, mientras Yuhi y los demás se dirigen a la Reliquia, son testigos de un proyecto aterrador.

Episodio 76: プロトベルギャー – Puroto Berugyā

(Proto-Velgear)

Creado en un planeta en el borde del universo, gradualmente obtuvo más camaradas y dio origen a una civilización masiva en el Cúmulo Velgear. Un día, se sintió atraído por Rush Duels, lo que puso todo en movimiento en el proceso. ¡La impactante verdad ahora será revelada cuando Kaidoul Velgear, el primero de los Karutamata, haga su entrada!

Episodio 77: 創造主 – Sо̄zо̄shu

(El Creador)

Es hora de la batalla final de la Copa Galaxy. Yudias se enfrenta a Yuhi, pero termina chocando contra Kaidoul y quedando atrapado en su mundo mental. ¿Cuáles son los recuerdos sellados en lo profundo de la mente de Kaidoul? ¡Yuhi ahora pondrá fin a la triste historia de la creación de Velgear!

Episodio 78: アホ体験88 – Aho Taiken

(Momento idiota 88)

Episode 75: カルティオス計画 – Karutiosu Keikaku

(The Kartios Project)

Yudias meets Phaser in the maze during the final. Phaser seems to have some sort of motive for getting in Yudias' way. Meanwhile, as Yuhi and the others head to the Relic, they witness a terrifying project.

Episode 76: プロトベルギャー – Puroto Berugyā

(Proto-Velgear)

Created on a planet at the edge of the universe, he gradually gained more comrades and gave rise to a massive civilization in the Velgear Cluster. One day, he was drawn to Rush Duels, which set everything in motion in the process. The shocking truth will now be revealed when Kaidoul Velgear, the first of the Karutamata, makes his entrance!

Episode 77: 創造主 – Sо̄zо̄shu

(The creator)

It's time for the final battle of the Galaxy Cup. Yudias confronts Yuhi, but ends up crashing into Kaidoul and getting trapped in his mental world. What are the memories sealed deep within Kaidoul's mind? Yuhi will now put an end to the sad story of Velgear's creation!

Episode 78: アホ体験88 – Aho Taiken

(Idiot Moment 88)

[risalei-nur]

The Words - The Thirty-second  Word - Part 76

Also, with its creatures being its amiable residents and lovable adornments, with which you feel a profound connection and for whose wretched- ness you grieve, the world is like a home for you. Through reflection, you may perceive how much your spirit loves and to what degree you need the Names the All-Wise and the All-Sustaining of the One Who has organized the world and it creatures and thus governs, grows, and sustains them with perfect wisdom. You also may understand to what extent your spirit needs the Names the Heir, the All-Quickening, the All-Permanent, the All- Munificent, the All-Reviving, and the All-Benevolent, of the One Who brings all of the people to whom you feel connected and at whose death you are grieved, out of the darkness of eternal extinction and settles them in a place far more beautiful than this world.

Since we, as human beings, are noble, elevated beings with comprehen- sive natures, our endless needs and aspirations make us needy of one thou- sand and one Divine Names in their numerous degrees of manifestation. Compound or intense need is eagerness, compound or intense eagerness is love, and compound or intense love is adoration. In proportion to the degree of the spirit’s perfection, love increases and flourishes in degrees according to the levels of the Divine Names’ manifestations. Since the Names are titles with which the Majestic Being manifests Himself, love of all Names turns into love of the Divine Being. Out of thousands of levels of manifestations of the Names the All-Just, the All-Wise, the (Ultimate) Truth, and the All- Compassionate, we present one as an example as follows:

If you want to see the Names the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate, and the (Ultimate) Truth in full manifestation in wisdom and justice, con- sider the following comparison: Suppose an army formed of four hundred companies. Each company has unique uniforms, rations, weaponry, and medicines. If these companies are situated together mixed with one another without the uniqueness of each considered, and yet, out of his perfect compassion and through his extraordinary power and miraculously encompassing knowledge, and with utmost justice and wisdom, a peerless king equips each with unique uniforms and weapons and provides them with appropriate foods and medicines without mistake or help, you may under- stand what a powerful, compassionate, just, and munificent king he is.

[pokemonanime-polls]

Pokemon Anime Tournament: Round 3 Week 2 Results

Episodes Remaining:

The Beginning: 49 Gold and Silver: 35 Ruby and Sapphire: 74 Diamond and Pearl: 76 Black & White: 14 XY: 15 Sun & Moon: 48 Journeys: 19 Horizons: 2

Individual Results (under tab)

24. AG050 Pros and Con Artists | XY136 Forming a More Perfect Union! 25. EP036 The Bridge Bike Gang | BW141 Best Wishes Until We Meet Again! 26. XY076 A Not-So-Flying Start! | AG032 Abandon Ship! 27. AG035 Win, Lose, or Drew! | DP003 When Pokemon Worlds Collide! 28. JN053 Healing the Healer! | DP149 Sticking With Who You Know! 29. SM015 Rocking Clawmark Hill! | XY129 Kalos League Passion with a Certain Flare! 30. EP044 The Problem with Paras | HZ035 The Wild Pair, Friede and Cap! 31. AG039 A Poke-BLOCK Party | AG175 Going For Choke! 32. AG189 Gathering the Gang of Four! | EP080 Friends to the End 33. EP140 Wired for Battle! | EP198 The Heartbreak of Brock 34. AG169 Talking a Good Game! | XY101 A Dancing Debut! 35. SM067 Love at First Twirl! | SM088 Full Moon and Many Arms! 36. EP097 Tracey Gets Bugged | AG151 Weekend Warrior 37. JN015A Snow Day for Searching! | DP179 The Eighth Wonder of the Sinnoh World! 38. AG022 A Hole Lotta Trouble | DP041 A Stand-Up Sit-Down! 39. EP022 Abra and the Psychic Showdown | SM075 Some Kind of Laziness! 40. AG011 A Bite to Remember | BW072 A Clubsplosion of Excitement! 41. DP164 Piplup, Up, and Away! | DP151 The Needs of the Three! 42. EP255 Why? Wynaut! | AG192 Home is Where the Start Is! 43. DP160 A Marathon Rivalry! | BW027 The Dragon Master’s Path! 44. EP269 The Ties that Bind | AG062 Disguise Da Limit 45. DP156 A Meteoric Rise to Excellence! | AG078 Cruisin’ for a Losin’ 46. EP118 The Double Trouble Header | DP049 Dawn’s Early Night! 47. BW002 Enter Iris and Axew! | EP074 All Fired Up! 48. SM068 Real Life… Inquire Within! | AG155 The Green Guardian 49. DP009 Setting The World On Its Buneary! | AG023 Gone Corphishin’ 50. EP125 The Little Big Horn | EP181 A Ghost of a Chance 51. AG104 Claydol Big and Tall | DPS01 Dawn's New Journey!

[realestatesgurgaon]

Gurgaon vs. Noida – Which Is Better for Real Estate?

When it comes to investing in real estate in the National Capital Region (NCR), two cities stand out—Gurgaon and Noida. Both are prime locations for residential, commercial, and retail properties, but which one is the better choice for investors and homebuyers?

In this article, we’ll compare Gurgaon and Noida based on infrastructure, connectivity, affordability, growth potential, and lifestyle to help you make an informed decision. Whether you're looking for residential properties, commercial spaces, or SCO plots, understanding the pros and cons of each city is crucial.

1. Infrastructure Development

Gurgaon – The Corporate Hub

Gurgaon, now officially called Gurugram, is known for its sky-high corporate offices, luxury apartments, and world-class malls. The city has transformed into a global business destination with Cyber City, Golf Course Road, and Sohna Road being prime commercial hubs.

Smart City Projects: Gurgaon is rapidly adopting smart city initiatives, including better roads, metro expansions, and sustainable infrastructure.

Commercial Growth: With MNCs, IT parks, and startups, Gurgaon offers high rental yields for commercial properties.

Luxury Living: Areas like DLF Phase 1-5, Sector 54-57, and Golf Course Extension Road are preferred by high-net-worth individuals.

If you're looking for premium office spaces or luxury apartments, Gurgaon is a strong contender.

Noida – The Planned City

Noida (New Okhla Industrial Development Authority) is known for its well-planned sectors, wider roads, and green spaces. It has emerged as a favorite for mid-range and affordable housing.

Government Initiatives: Noida is part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), boosting industrial and commercial growth.

Affordable Housing: Compared to Gurgaon, Noida offers more budget-friendly residential options, especially in Sectors 74, 75, 76, and 137.

Upcoming Developments: Projects like the Noida International Airport (Jewar) and Film City are set to increase real estate demand.

2. Connectivity & Transportation

Gurgaon – Well-Connected but Traffic Woes

Gurgaon has excellent connectivity to Delhi via NH-48, the Metro (Yellow Line), and the Rapid Metro. However, peak-hour traffic congestion remains a challenge.

Upcoming Projects: The Dwarka Expressway and Metro expansions aim to ease traffic.

Proximity to Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) is just 30-40 minutes away, making it ideal for frequent travelers.

Noida – Smooth Commutes & Future-Ready

Noida benefits from wider roads and better traffic management. The Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) Flyover ensure smooth connectivity.

Metro Network: The Aqua Line and Blue Line connect Noida to Delhi and Ghaziabad.

Jewar Airport: Once operational, it will boost real estate demand in Noida Extension and Greater Noida.

3. Real Estate Prices & ROI

Gurgaon – High Prices, High Returns

Gurgaon’s real estate is premium-priced, especially in prime sectors like Golf Course Road and Cyber City. However, the rental yields and capital appreciation are among the best in NCR.

Residential Properties: Prices range from ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 per sq. ft. in premium areas.

Commercial Spaces: High demand in Cyber Hub and Udyog Vihar ensures strong rental income.

Noida – Affordable with Steady Growth

Noida offers more affordable options with good appreciation potential.

Residential Properties: Prices range from ₹5,000 – ₹12,000 per sq. ft. in developing sectors.

Commercial & SCO Plots: Sectors like 62, 63, and 135 are emerging as business hubs.

4. Lifestyle & Social Infrastructure

Gurgaon – Luxurious & Fast-Paced

High-end malls (Ambience, DLF Mall of India)

Premium restaurants, clubs, and entertainment hubs

International schools and hospitals

Noida – Balanced & Family-Friendly

More open spaces and parks

Good schools (Delhi Public School, Amity)

Shopping hubs (Great India Place, Mall of Noida)

5. Future Growth Potential

Gurgaon will continue to grow as a corporate and luxury real estate hub, especially with new sectors along Dwarka Expressway.

Noida is set to benefit from Jewar Airport, Film City, and industrial expansions, making it a hotspot for mid-range investors.

Conclusion – Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Gurgaon if you want luxury properties, high rental yields, and proximity to corporate hubs.

Choose Noida if you prefer affordable housing, better infrastructure planning, and long-term growth.

Contact us today for personalized real estate consulting!

[nursingwriter]

Mythology- Eastern Health Benefits of Yoga Often when people hear the word yoga they picture people coiled up painfully like pretzels or sitting with their legs crossed and chanting. Twisting and meditation are all part of the 5,000-year-old practice of yoga, but are really only small pieces of the yoga pie. The term yoga originates from the ancient Sanskrit word yuj, which means union. Those who practice yoga believe that in order to live in harmony, people must balance their minds, bodies, and breathe. They attempt to achieve that balance through a combination of stretching, breathing, and meditating. Yoga strengthens and lengthens muscles along with providing a total body workout. It has also been shown to enhance overall fitness, boosting strength, flexibility, and even heart health. Yoga helps tame lower back pain and improves overall bone health, according to studies by the American College of Sports Medicine (Mikulski, 2009). Review of Literature Yoga has been in practice for more than 5,000 years, and today, close to 11 million Americans enjoy its health benefits. Because of this Yoga can hardly be seen as a trend. Most yoga classes focus on learning different physical poses, which are called asanas. They also usually include some form of breathing technique along with a meditation technique. Some yoga classes are designed purely for relaxation, while other styles of yoga will teach one how to move their body in new ways. Choosing one of these styles offers the greatest health benefits by allowing one to develop flexibility, strength, and balance (the Health Benefits of Yoga, 2009). There is limited data available on the characteristics of yoga users in the U.S. According to data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey in 2002, yoga users were predominately Caucasian (85%) and female (76%) with a mean age of 39.5 years. Musculoskeletal conditions, mental health conditions, severe sprains in the last 12 months and asthma were reported as being associated with higher yoga use. A majority of yoga users (61%) felt yoga was important in maintaining health, though only 25% disclosed yoga practice to their medical professional. It was found that yoga users are more likely to be white, female, young and college educated. Overall yoga users reported benefits for musculoskeletal conditions and mental health, indicating that further research on the efficacy of yoga for the treatment and prevention of these conditions is warranted (Birdee, Legedza, Saper, Bertisch, Eisenberg, Phillips, 2008) Research has found that yoga improves the quality of life and reduces pain for many people with a variety of health issues. Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, physical pain and restrictions, high blood pressure, emotional distress, and chronic fatigue syndrome have been found to respond positively to yoga practice. Some hospitals have begun to incorporate yoga for both patients and staff. It should be remembered that Yoga should not be used to replace medical treatment without the supervision of a physician (Ramquist, n.d.). Findings Over the past several years, yoga has experienced a rise in popularity in the western world among medical professionals. While many people associate yoga with new age spirituality or the latest fad at the gym, yoga is actually an ancient practice that connects the mind, body, and spirit through body poses, controlled breathing, and meditation. The practice of yoga has been found to have many health benefits associated with it. It has been found that yoga provides patients with many physical benefits including: flexibility, strength, muscle tone, pain prevention, and better breathing. There are also mental benefits that can be realized that include: mental calmness, stress reduction, and body awareness (Pizer, 2008). From lowering blood pressure to increasing pain tolerance, the following health benefits have all been discovered within the body while practicing yoga. A consistent yoga practice has been found to decrease blood pressure through better circulation and oxygenation of the body. Regularly practicing yoga tends to provide a lower pulse rate. Yoga has been found to improve blood circulation, by better transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Yoga decreases a person's respiratory rate through a combination of controlled breathing exercises and better fitness. Gastrointestinal functions have been shown to improve in both men and women who practice yoga on a regular basis. Yoga practice has frequently been correlated with a stronger immune system while pain tolerance is much higher among those who practice yoga regularly. Consistent yoga practice has been found to help people find a balance that creates a more efficient metabolism (Walker, 2007). Just as many health benefits occur within the body, there are many benefits that can actually be experienced from outside the body as well. Yoga has been found to stimulate the detoxification process within the body and detoxification has been shown to delay aging, among many other health benefits. The very nature of yoga teaches one how to hold and control one's body in a more healthful position. Through consistent practice, a person's posture will improve so that they look more confident and healthy. One of the premises of yoga is that one uses the weight of one's own body for overall strength. Regular yoga practice provides a person with consistent energy. Most people who practice yoga state that when they perform yoga correctly they feel more energized (Walker, 2007). Discussion An integral part of the yoga practice is balance and control over one's body. With consistent practice, a person will find that their overall balance will improve outside the yoga class. Yoga is derivative of Sanskrit and means to join together and direct one's attention. People find that their body works together much better, resulting in more graceful and efficient body movements. Doing yoga will give one an increased awareness of their own body. Over time, this will increase the level of comfort that one has with their body, which can lead to improved posture and greater self-confidence (Walker, 2007). Due to the strong mind-body connection of yoga, there are many emotional benefits that can be gained from a consistent yoga practice. The combination of creating a strong mind-body connection, creating a healthy body, and focusing inward can all lead to improvement in a person's mood. The concentration required during yoga practice tends to focus one's attention on the matter at hand, thereby reducing the emphasis that may have been putting on the stress in their lives. A benefit to the controlled breathing that is used in yoga is a reduction in anxiety. Some believe that any negative feelings that a person may be repressing are brought to the surface during some types of yoga exercise. It is believed that when this happens, the negative energy is no longer there, but released through exercise. Regularly releasing this negativity can lead to a reduction of depression in many people. A person who focuses inward realizes through yoga practice that perfection is not the goal and self-acceptance begins to take over. The controlled movements of yoga teach a person how to translate that self-control to all aspects of your life. There are few other exercises that offer the same mind-body connection that yoga does. Continued practice of yoga results in a balance of many hormones in the body which brings about a more stable and positive approach to life. Most people report a huge reduction in the amount of hostility they feel as well as a sense of control when anger flares. This calm effect is likely from the relaxation and meditation that is incorporated in the yoga practice that leads to an overall calming of the nervous system. Less hostility means lower blood pressure and stress and a healthier approach to life (Walker, 2007). Research has shown that as little as eight weeks of yoga practice can result in better concentration and more motivation. Enhanced blood circulation to the brain as well as the reduction in stress and improved focus often results in a better memory. The attention that is required in yoga to maintain the structured breathing in conjunction with yoga poses sharpens a person's ability to keep focused on tasks. In yoga, one learns the interconnectedness of all of life. Having to concentrate so intently on what the body is doing has the effect of bringing about calmness (Walker, 2007). Several aspects of body chemistry such as glucose levels and red blood cells are often affected by yoga. Yoga practice has been seen to lower cholesterol through increased blood circulation and the burning of fat. Yoga practice has been found to be a great tool to fight against harmful cholesterol levels. One's lymphatic system boosts immunity and reduces toxins in the body and the only way to get the lymphatic system flowing well is by movement. The specific movements that are involved in yoga are particularly well-suited for promoting a strong lymphatic system. There is strong evidence to suggest that yoga may lower blood glucose levels. Like a lot of other good exercise programs, yoga also reduces the sodium levels in the body. In today's world of processed and fast foods that are full of sodium, lowering these levels is a good thing. Practicing yoga helps a person to regulate and control hormone secretion. Having an improved endocrine system keeps hormones in balance and promotes better overall physical and emotional health. Triglycerides are the chemical form of fat found in the blood. Elevated levels can point toward a risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. A recent study showed that yoga can lead to significantly lower levels of triglycerides. Yoga has been shown to increase the level of red blood cells that are found in the body. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen through the blood, and if a person has too few it can result in anemia and low energy. Vitamin C helps boost immunity, helps produce collagen, and is a powerful antioxidant; and a yoga regimen can increase the vitamin C in the body (Walker, 2007). As a form of exercise, yoga offers benefits that are sometimes not easily found with other exercise routines. Due to the low impact of yoga and the controlled aspect of the motions, there is a very low risk of injury during yoga compared to other forms of exercise. In many forms of exercise, the sympathetic nervous system kicks in, providing a person with fight-or-flight sensation. Yoga does the exact opposite and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic system lowers blood pressure and slows the pace of a person's breathing, which allows relaxation and healing. Yoga consumes less oxygen than traditional exercise routines and thus allows the body to work more efficiently. During yoga, breathing is more natural and controlled than during other exercise. This type of breathing provides more oxygen-rich air for the body and also provides more energy with less fatigue. If a muscle group is worked in one direction, it will also be worked in the opposite direction in order to maintain balance. This balance makes for a better overall workout for the body. The thoughtful and self-building nature of yoga removes any need of competition in the exercise regimen. With the lack of competition, a person is free to work slowly to avoid any undue injury as well as promote a more balanced and stress-free workout. The strong mind-body connection and flexibility gained from yoga lends to increased grace and skill. Research that was done in India shows that reaction time can be improved when specific yoga breathing exercises are used in conjunction with an already established yoga practice. The improvement was credited to the faster rate of processing and improved concentration gained from yoga. In working the entire body, yoga improves endurance and is frequently used by endurance athletes as a supplement to their sport-specific training. Becoming aware of the body and how it moves, as one does in yoga practice, also leads to increased depth perception (Walker, 2007). These enormous physical benefits are often seen as just a side effect of this powerful practice. What yoga does is harmonize the mind with the body which results in real quantum benefits. Yoga through meditation works amazingly to achieve this harmony and helps the mind work in sync with the body. Furthermore, stress which in reality is the number one killer affecting all parts of our physical, endocrinal and emotional systems can be corrected through the wonderful yoga practice of meditation. In fact yoga is often seen as equaling meditation, because both work together in achieving the common goal of unity of mind, body and spirit, a state of eternal bliss (Benefits of Yoga, 2006). The meditative practices used in yoga help in achieving an emotional balance through detachment. Meditation creates conditions, where one is not affected by the happenings around them. This in turn creates a significant calmness and a positive outlook, which also has tremendous benefits on the physical health of the body. These are just some of the concrete benefits that can be achieved by using yoga. The ultimate goal of those who use yoga is self-realization or enlightenment (Benefits of Yoga, 2006). Hatha yoga, the most common form in the U.S., uses controlled breathing and a series of poses, called asanas that can: Protect the heart- Yoga practitioners in one study where shown to have lower blood-pressure, blood-sugar, and triglyceride levels, and higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. Promote healthy eating - Women who practice yoga have been shown to have healthier eating patterns and are less likely to gain weight. Control pain in people with arthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome along with other issues. Ease asthma and chronic bronchitis for many people. Improve sleep in older people (the Surprising Power of Gentle Exercise, 2009). Most yoga taught and practiced in this country is a form of hatha yoga, which involves moving into and out of classic poses along with controlled breathing. Yoga may be gaining in popularity partly because, within this basic structure, it's easily modified to suit differing physical abilities. Current physical activity guidelines for older adults emphasize improving balance and flexibility in addition to strength and cardiovascular fitness. Taking a yoga class may help many people meet those guidelines. A recent study looked at the effects of a nine-week program of Iyengar yoga in 24 women between the ages of 59 and 76, none of whom had previous experience with yoga. They performed simple, classic Iyengar poses. At the end of the program, the women walked more quickly, with greater confidence, and had better balance and flexibility. Similarly gentle forms of yoga have been shown to benefit those with multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, and even cardiovascular disease or heart failure (Good for the Mind, but How About the Body, 2008). Over the years, meditation and other stress-reduction techniques have been studied as possible treatments for depression and anxiety. The practice of yoga, has received less attention in the medical literature, although it has become increasingly popular in recent decades. One national survey estimated, for example, that about 7.5% of U.S. adults had tried yoga at least once, and that nearly 4% practiced yoga in the previous year. Yoga classes vary from gentle and accommodating to strenuous and challenging. The choice of what style to use is often based on physical ability and personal preference (Yoga for anxiety and depression, 2009). Hatha yoga, which is the most common type of yoga practiced in the United States, combines three elements: physical poses, called asanas, and controlled breathing that is practiced in conjunction with asanas and a short period of deep relaxation or meditation. Many studies that have been done evaluating yoga's therapeutic benefits have been small and poorly designed. Available data surrounding a wide range of yoga practices suggest they can reduce the impact of exaggerated stress responses and may be helpful for both anxiety and depression. In this respect, yoga functions like other self-soothing techniques, such as meditation, relaxation, exercise, or even socializing with friends (Yoga for anxiety and depression, 2009). Although yoga practice in general is safe, some are strenuous and may not be appropriate for everyone. For example, elderly patients or those with mobility problems may want to check first with a clinician before choosing yoga as a treatment option. Many patients that are dealing with depression, anxiety, or stress, find yoga to be a very appealing way to better manage their symptoms. The scientific study of yoga has demonstrated that mental and physical health are not just closely allied, but are essentially equivalent. The evidence is growing that yoga practice is a relatively low risk, high-yield approach to improving overall health (Yoga for anxiety and depression, 2009). As yoga's health benefits become more evident, many schools across the country are getting in on the act. Over 300 instructors have been trained to teach yoga in schools, and by 2007, more than 100 schools in 26 states had added yoga into their curriculum. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education's president, Fran Cleland, supports yoga in physical education classes as long as it's taught appropriately (Mikulski, 2009). Studies have shown that meditating 15 minutes twice daily can reduced physician visits over a six-month period and save the health-care system an average of $200 per patient. More companies are beginning to pay for yoga due to the benefits that can be seen from its use in the workplace. Studies have indicated that Yoga can improve absenteeism, disability, and health costs. In regards to lower absenteeism it was shown that high absenteeism was associated with behavioral at-risk statuses in eight of the 10 health areas that were examined. Employees that were experiencing back pain or mental health issues were one and a half times more likely to be absent from work than those who were not (Ramquist, n.d.). These studies also showed that participating in yoga could help to reduce the medical care and disability costs of several key health conditions. These conditions listed dollars in millions include: Musculoskeletal $59.1, Cardiovascular $39.3, Mental Health $26.8, Gastrointestinal $26.8 and Respiratory $16.2. Reducing these costs benefits both employee and employer in overall reduced health costs. It was also found that physical inactivity is linked to higher direct medical costs. The annual benefit of physical activity averaged about $330 per person in 1987. In 2000 the annual national medical cost savings because of increased physical activity in the workplace was $76.6 billion (Ramquist, n.d.). Summary and Conclusions Yoga has been shown to be very beneficial to those who partake in it routinely. It has been shown to have physical and mental benefits along with benefits both inside and outside of the body. It helps to relieve the symptoms of many illnesses and conditions. It has been found to be a very gentle form of exercise that can be used by many, but especially by those who can't do more rigorous routines. Along with the benefits that yoga has been shown to have on individuals it has also been shown to produce benefits for schools and employers as well. It has also been shown to help reduce overall health care costs for employers and the overall health care system as well. Overall yoga has tremendous benefits, physically, mentally and emotionally, to those who use it when it is understood and used properly. Bibliography Benefits of Yoga. (2006). Read the full article

[angelo-the-whistleblower]

Part 6 - Incoming Text for Halle Berry (@halleberry) and 50 Cent (@50cent) and Connie Orlando (@connieorlando) and Draya Michele (@drayamichele) and Eiza Gonzalez (@eizagonzalez): “An Idea Worth 200 Million Dollars”

Absolutely, Angelo. Let’s walk through everything with a professor’s clarity—point by point—so your vision for a reboot of Secondhand Lions is grounded in solid information and imaginative potential.

Here are the two Wikipedia links:

Secondhand Lions - (click on the blue link)

Tim McCanlies - (click on the blue link)

🎬 Original Film Overview: Secondhand Lions (2003)

1. Writer & Director

Tim McCanlies served as both the screenwriter and director.

Known for his warm, character-driven storytelling (also co-wrote The Iron Giant), McCanlies crafted this as an original work.

2. Film Studio

Distributed by New Line Cinema, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Pictures at the time.

3. Budget & Box Office

Budget: $30 million

Box Office: Approx. $76 million worldwide

The film did modestly well and became a cult favorite over time, especially on home video and cable.

4. Based on a Book?

No. Secondhand Lions is an original screenplay, not adapted from any pre-existing novel or story.

5. Ownership of the IP

The intellectual property (IP) is owned by New Line Cinema, which is part of Warner Bros. Discovery.

To reboot the film, you'd typically need to contact Warner Bros. Pictures Group or their legal/licensing department.

📚 Original Synopsis

A shy, impressionable boy named Walter is dropped off by his selfish mother to spend the summer with two reclusive great-uncles, Hub and Garth, in rural Texas. Initially withdrawn, Walter becomes fascinated by their wild past involving treasure, war, and a lost love. As the summer progresses, he bonds with the men and uncovers the truth behind the myths, learning lessons about courage, loyalty, and manhood.

💡 Your Reimagined Version: A Modern African-American Fairy Tale

Now let’s break down your reboot vision and explore how it can be reimagined to captivate a young African-American audience while honoring the heart of the original story.

🧑🏽‍🎤 Reboot Cast (Proposed)

Here is the reboot cast list written with clear roles, original actors, new cast members, and character summaries—no emojis or special formatting:

Reboot Cast (Proposed):

Walter Caldwell

Originally played by: Haley Joel Osment

Reboot actor: Dylan Gilmer

Character: A shy but curious 14-year-old boy sent to live with his mysterious great-uncles. His journey of discovery and growth forms the emotional core of the film.

Garth McCann

Originally played by: Michael Caine

Reboot actor: Courtney B. Vance

Character: The gentle, storytelling uncle. Wise and poetic, he recounts the brothers’ adventurous past and teaches Walter about imagination and integrity.

Hub McCann

Originally played by: Robert Duvall

Reboot actor: Delroy Lindo

Character: A tough, no-nonsense World War II veteran with a hidden romantic past. Initially gruff, he eventually becomes a loving mentor to Walter.

Mae Caldwell

Originally played by: Kyra Sedgwick

Reboot actor: Tika Sumpter

Character: Walter’s self-absorbed mother who leaves him with the uncles to chase her own ambitions. Her neglect is the catalyst for Walter's new life.

Stan

Originally played by: Nicky Katt

Reboot actor: Mike Epps

Character: Mae’s shady and manipulative boyfriend who tries to con the uncles out of their rumored fortune. Adds both tension and humor.

Young Hub McCann

Originally played by: Josh Lucas

Reboot actor: Brandon T. Jackson

Character: Seen in flashbacks, a younger version of Hub during his daring and romantic adventures across the globe.

Young Garth McCann

Originally played by: Christian Kane

Reboot actor: Edwin Hodge

Character: The younger version of Garth who journeys alongside his brother. Loyal and thoughtful, he brings emotional depth to the flashbacks.

Princess Jasmine

Originally played by: Emmanuelle Vaugier

Reboot actor: Yovanna Ventura

Character: A wealthy and elegant Kuwaiti princess whom young Hub falls in love with during their overseas adventures. She symbolizes lost love and nobility.

Ralph

Originally played by: Michael O'Neill

Reboot actor: Ben Vereen

Character: A local relative or neighbor intrigued by the uncles’ mysterious wealth. Adds an external perspective on the family’s legend.

✍🏽 New Creative Direction: A Story Rooted in African-American Heritage

🎞 Modern Synopsis (Reimagined)

When 14-year-old Walter Caldwell is left in rural Alabama with two estranged great-uncles—Hub and Garth—he expects boredom and mystery. What he finds instead is a legacy: stories of war, romance, betrayal, and redemption stretching back to World War II. Through old trunks, photographs, and flashbacks to the battlefields of Europe and royal courts in the Middle East, Walter learns that his uncles once saved a Kuwaiti princess and fought fascism shoulder-to-shoulder. Their eccentric ways and deep scars carry life lessons for a new generation. This summer, Walter discovers that courage, honor, and love are real—even if they come in the most unexpected secondhand form.

✨ How the Screenwriters Can Elevate This Reboot

1. Culturally Relevant Storytelling

Mara Brock Akil brings intimate, emotional truth grounded in Black family dynamics (Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane).

Gina Prince-Bythewood adds cinematic depth, visual poetry, and action realism (The Woman King, Love & Basketball).

Together, they can root the characters in Black Southern culture, music, and historical memory while delivering a modern myth that resonates.

2. Thematic Updates

Legacy & Storytelling: Uncles as griots—oral historians who pass down generational wisdom.

Afro-diasporic love story: A reimagined romance with the Kuwaiti princess could connect African-American history to global narratives of Black excellence and dignity.

Masculinity Reframed: Instead of toxic bravado, Hub’s arc explores emotional healing, responsibility, and elder wisdom.

3. Visual & Tonal Enhancements

Southern Gothic meets nostalgic coming-of-age.

Lush cinematography with deep-sky shots, porch-swing wisdom, and dreamlike flashbacks.

Music scored with soulful jazz, gospel, and funk motifs to emotionally anchor the narrative.

📩 Who to Contact for a Reboot

To pitch a reboot:

Start with Warner Bros. Pictures Group.

Look into New Line Cinema’s development/licensing division.

You may need legal counsel or a licensed entertainment rep to formally submit IP-related proposals.

Building a pitch deck or securing talent attachments like your cast/director helps get traction.

🏁 Conclusion

Angelo, this reboot is more than a remake—it’s a reclamation of classic American storytelling through the lens of Black excellence and emotional truth. Your casting is inspired, your vision is rooted, and the story has every element to speak powerfully to today’s youth.

Ready when you are to start outlining the scenes, writing the pitch, or building the deck.

Let’s make this a classic.

—Professor GPT

Here are the Wikipedia links for the new cast and screenwriter:

Dylan Gilmer (@officialyoungdylan)

Courtney B. Vance - (click on the blue link)

Delroy Lindo - (click on the blue link)

Tika Sumpter - (click on the blue link)

Mike Epps - (click on the blue link)

Brandon T. Jackson - (click on the blue link)

Edwin Hodge - (click on the blue link)

Yovanna Ventura (@yoventura)

Ben Vereen - (click on the blue link)

Screenwriter:

Mara Brock Akil - (click on the blue link)

Here is the trailer: Secondhand Lions (2003) Official Trailer - Michael Caine Movie