#aggregate testing

[iksydk]

i had a conversation with my friend abt being crazy after having a baby earlier and then i talk to this guy and he tells me about how his friend was telling him about his wife who’s bipolar is worse bc she’s pregnant. waow synchronicity.

[zaligengineering]

Elevating Projects with Expert Geotechnical Engineering in Alberta

In the dynamic landscape of Alberta's construction and infrastructure development, Zalig.ca emerges as a leading provider of expert geotechnical engineering services. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on delivering innovative solutions, Zalig.ca is your trusted partner for navigating the complexities of geotechnical engineering projects in Alberta. Whether you're planning a new construction project, assessing the feasibility of a development site, or addressing soil-related challenges, our team of experienced geotechnical engineers is here to support your success.

Comprehensive Geotechnical Engineering Services

Zalig.ca offers a comprehensive range of Geotechnical Engineering Alberta services tailored to meet the diverse needs of clients across Alberta. From site investigations and soil testing to foundation design and slope stability analysis, our team provides expertise at every stage of your project. Whether you're building a new residential development, a commercial facility, or an infrastructure project, Zalig.ca delivers reliable solutions that ensure the success and safety of your project.

Local Expertise, Global Standards

As a geotechnical engineer in Alberta, Zalig.ca combines local expertise with global standards to deliver solutions that meet the highest quality and safety standards. Our team has a deep understanding of Alberta's geological conditions, regulatory requirements, and construction practices, allowing us to provide insights and recommendations that are tailored to the unique challenges of each project. At the same time, we draw on our experience working on projects around the world to bring best practices and innovative approaches to the table.

Advanced Technology and Methodologies

Zalig.ca leverages advanced technology and methodologies to provide accurate and efficient Geotechnical Engineer Near Me Alberta solutions. From state-of-the-art testing equipment to sophisticated modeling software, we employ the latest tools and techniques to analyze soil properties, assess geotechnical risks, and optimize design solutions. Our commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements ensures that our clients receive the highest quality of service and the most effective solutions for their projects.

Client-Centric Approach

At Zalig.ca, we prioritize the needs and objectives of our clients above all else. We take a client-centric approach to every project, working closely with our clients to understand their goals, constraints, and expectations. Our team collaborates closely with clients throughout the project lifecycle, providing clear communication, timely updates, and personalized solutions that address their specific needs. With a focus on building lasting relationships based on trust and mutual respect, we strive to exceed client expectations in every project we undertake.

Conclusion

Zalig.ca is your trusted partner for expert geotechnical engineering services in Alberta. With our comprehensive services, local expertise, global standards, advanced technology, and client-centric approach, we are dedicated to ensuring the success and safety of your projects. Contact us today to learn more about our geotechnical engineering services and discover how we can support your project's success.

Source URL: - https://zaligengineering.blogspot.com/2024/05/elevating-projects-with-expert.html

[testiwol]

[mapsontheweb]

Top 25 countries according to their English proficiency. Data is sourced from the EF English Proficiency Index, which aggregated the test results of 2.2 million adults accross 113 countries.

[terribletruthsoversolaceinlies]

Reread Nona and this part is bothering me:

“You should be draining and replacing her fucking brain fluid,” said Pyrrha. “When Gideon and I designed that trial, I used to crack his skull and sieve it myself, just as a control variable. It’s aggregative. I doubt you’re testing her white blood cell count either. The only other people I put through that damn trial were Mercy and Cris, because only Cris didn’t mind being trepanned on the regular.”

Why was the necro (G1deon) being trepanned in one pairing, and the cav (Cristabel) in the other, when they were undergoing the same trial? If it was being used as a control variable, wouldn't it have to be the same across all versions of the experiment?

I assume the trial being referred to is the winnowing one that Harrow and Gideon complete in GtN, where Harrow has to essentially hijack Gideon's perceptions so they can take down the construct in the right order. I suppose a more extreme version of that is what Palamedes is doing when he takes over Camilla's body; Pyrrha's saying the above in reference to what Palamedes should be doing to Camilla to reduce the damage of him taking over her body, implying it's something that should be done to cavs, as they're the ones having their brains invaded and put under strain.

Then why do it to Gideon?

I would think they were both draining their brain fluid, but the wording doesn't suggest it (and I rather think Mercymorn would protest to being trepanned...)

[ninjagobythenumbers]

Bechdel Testing Ninjago

So, a little while ago I did the Bechdel test on Ninjago because I've always seen the show as sort of an interesting case study in how women are portrayed in cartoons. Of course, I'm aware the Bechdel test originated as a joke and something passing the Bechdel test doesn't make it feminist/not. Rather, or for me at least, it's an indication of how deficient female representation can be at an aggregate scale. As a way to analyze Ninjago, I feel it works as it shows how female representation over the course of the show. If you're interested I'll now discuss my thoughts on how the analysis went season by season. DISCLAIMER: I did this for fun.

The pilot was easy. Nya's the only one, so test failed across the board. The first episode that passed the test was when Jay's parents came to visit. Yay Edna! Mystake does show up in episode 7 but, I don't count it as she has not yet been named. 12&13 had a kid's mom in a bus which I decided was enough cus hey, Mom's a name she uses.

Here's where we really get going. Patty Keys, their real estate agent continues to show up through seabound as a background character, which is pretty cool imo. Episode 5, Mystake finally gets named. Episode 6 was huge for my chart as it's the introduction of Misako. You'd think episode 7 is when her and Nya talked but that's actually when Nya and Gayle had a lil convo. From then on I spent the episodes just staring at the Nya and Misako thinking "talk to her talk to her talk to her." Fortunately, when they did speak, Nya and Misako would be discuss like science, maps, and fate of the world so I never ran into a problem with rule 3. That is, until Rebooted.

The good news is Pixal's here so it'll be years before we fail rule 1 again. The bad news is we've got a love triangle so goodbye rule 3. Nya actually talked to her student, Sally, and Pixal quite often but it was so often about Jay or Cole so I would just be scouring the episode for a single exchange where they talked about anything else. During the Tournament, Nya, Pixal, Skylor, and Misako were all in different groupings and it was rare that Tox or Camille would say something so no rule 2/3 successes until late season.

The good news is, the love triangle is over so we're back to rule 2 usually meaning rule 3. The bad news is, Pixal's in Zane's head so we're back to hoping Misako and Nya say something to eachother. Nya usually shared her scenes with Wu, Ronin, and Jay during these seasons so chances were few and far between. However, unlike the first few seasons where the default was male, we're now getting some female henchmen (Bansha and Dogshank) so that made things easier.

Thank you for being in Day of the Departed Edna Walker. Early Hands of Time was tough because Nya, Misako, and Commander Macchia were rarely in the same scenes. In the latter half of the season though, we thankfully see the return of Pixal. Maya also helped us with some wins.

What a breath of fresh air. Thanks to Harumi & Ultraviolet's introduction, Pixal's return, Mystake's upgrade to a reoccuring character, and Nya & Misako's continued support, failing even rule 3 is pretty rare during the Oni Trilogy. We run into some complications during Hunted because though we have Skylor and the aforementioned characters in Ninjago and Faith & Jet Jack in the First Realm, sometimes people don't talk to eachother. And that's ok. Overall, smooth sailing.

Ah??!? What happened. Worry not. I realized this was, in part, because the Oni Trilogy had 20 minutes worth of chances for women to speak to eachother, these were only 10 minute episodes. So, for the sake of comparable units of analysis, I considered each pair of episodes to be 1 episode. I'll show both charts until DR.

It looks a little better, but it's still not at Oni Trilogy levels. Still, I'd be curious to see what the test would look like if I dissected the earlier episodes into 10 minute chunks because it's probably not a great sign if 10 v 20 minutes makes such a big difference. Ok, proceeding. The Fire Chapter was usually pretty successful because Pixal, Aspheera, or Nya would usually end up talking at one point or another. Gayle even helped at one point. The Ice chapter usually achieved successes through Nya talking to Sorla. In one episode, I counted the Preminent's roars as conversation with Pixal. The Ice Chapter had quite a few failures largely because, as in previous seasons, all the women were split up.

Despite the fact that Nya was one of the longest lived ninja, Prime Empire has total failures at levels not seen since before season 2. This is largely because for the most part, Pixal and Nya are never in the same episode. Racer 7 helps but she was only there for a bit. I should point out that I feel like the 10 minute era is really when Pixal starts feeling like part of the team to me. She's always part of homebase meetings and always plays a key part in missions. Alas, if she's not in episodes with Nya, that's not going to show up on my chart. It's a reminder of the fact this test doesn't show substance.

Master of the Mountain is similar to the other seasons of its era. The fact the 10 minute era tended to show its plots episode by episode (ex: Ep 3 = Plot A, Ep 4 = Plot B, Ep 5 = Plot C) rather than all in one really takes a toll on the test. For the most part, Nya and Vania were our only chances for success and it was rare they'd share an episode. We also had the rare rule 3 failure with the Queen of the Munce episode. Thanks Jay. The Island only had Nya until they found Misako, so it was struggling even more.

It feels right to see all green when it's a Nya season. In the beginning of Seabound, they put Nya, Pixal, and Maya on a boat together and by jove it made things easy. Late season was a bit trickier because Nya was on her own journey. Crystalized had Skylor, Pixal and some ressurected villains saving the day. Late Crystalized is the way it is because it had so, so many different groupings. I have a chart based on groupings and this season was such a challenge.

I really felt the difference with Dragons Rising. I mean, you can see the difference, but it was even more clear when doing my data collection because it was just so easy. Rather than grabbing at scraps of dialogue like I had to do in early seasons, there was often a wealth of more meaningful conversation between female characters to choose from. As with the Oni Trilogy, a female villain with a female henchman makes things easy because they scheme together. We also had Nya and Sora on a joint quest. Funnily enough, there is a rare rule 3 failure because Sora and Kreel only talked about Kreel's friend in one episode. Episode 17 had the classic split up issue and actually would've failed entirely if not for Agent Underwood, which is actually a great example of my next point. You can really tell how male is no longer the default because not only is there the introduction of all the fantastic new female main characters, but also there's plenty of random female characters scattered throughout. I haven't seen DRS2P2 yet but I expect it'll be more of the same. I should mention I also made a chart with the reverse (two named men in an episode who talk about eachother about something besides a woman). Only three episodes fail in any capacity. (Say thank you to the Akita, Pixal, and Harumi solo episodes). If you read this whole thing, thank you. I had a lot of fun doing it. Let me know if there's any other charts I can do!

[kimlerde]

Booking test

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on BookieComplain.com, your go-to resource for navigating the world of online betting with confidence. In an industry where trust and transparency are paramount, we understand the importance of informed choices. Our platform tackles the most pressing issues by aggregating user feedback and complaints about various bookmakers, including 1xBit, Paripesa, Stake, and Bet365. Whether you seek to understand common grievances or wish to compare the reputation of different betting sites, Bookie Complain serves as your trusted companion.

1xbit Complaints

As with any betting platform, it's crucial for users to weigh the benefits against the difficulties reported by others. With ongoing discussions regarding paripesa complaints, Stake complaints, and bet365 complaints, potential customers must conduct thorough research to ensure a positive betting experience.

Paripesa Complaints

Paripesa complaints, like many other betting platforms, has received a variety of complaints from users regarding different aspects of its services. Understanding these complaints is crucial for those who are considering using Paripesa for their betting needs.

Common User Complaints

Withdrawal Issues: Users frequently report difficulties with withdrawing their funds, citing delayed processing times or complications with verification processes.

Customer Service Experiences: Many complaints revolve around the responsiveness and effectiveness of customer support. Users have expressed frustration over long wait times for assistance or unhelpful responses to their queries.

Banned Accounts: There are instances where users have claimed that their accounts were unjustly suspended or closed without sufficient explanation, which can leave them feeling cheated.

Bonus Restrictions: Some customers feel misled by the conditions attached to bonuses and promotions, alleging that the requirements were not communicated clearly.

Factors Influencing Complaints

The reasons behind these complaints can vary widely. Some users may not fully understand the terms and conditions associated with the platform, while others may have had isolated incidents that do not represent the overall user experience. It's essential to approach these complaints with a balanced perspective, considering both the negative feedback and positive reviews that may exist.

Using User Reviews to Inform Decisions

While Stake has its strengths, addressing these stake complaints is crucial for maintaining a positive user experience. Potential users should consider these issues before engaging with the platform, making informed decisions based on feedback from current and previous users.

Bet365 Complaints

When it comes to online betting platforms, bet365 is a prominent name in the industry. However, like many other betting sites, it has received its share of complaints from users. Understanding these complaints can help you make an informed decision when considering using their services.

Common Issues Reported

Some of the most frequently reported bet365 complaints include:

Account Verification Delays: Users have reported prolonged delays in the account verification process, which can impact their ability to place bets promptly.

Withdrawal Issues: There are various complaints about delays in processing withdrawals, with some users experiencing significant waiting periods for funds to arrive in their accounts.

Responsive Support: Many bettors have noted that the customer service response times can be slow, particularly during peak betting times or major sporting events.

Marketing Practices: Some users have raised concerns about misleading promotional offers, feeling that the terms and conditions are not clearly outlined.

Feedback from Users

While bet365 provides a wide range of betting options and generally positive experiences for many users, it is important to consider both the pros and cons. User feedback often highlights a mix of satisfaction with the platform's features but also frustration with specific issues.

Understanding the nature of 1xbit complaints, paripesa complaints, Stake complaints, and now bet365 complaints can help users navigate their betting experiences more effectively. Always research and weigh the positive and negative feedback from users to make a wise decision.

[centrally-unplanned]

I saw this figure "doing numbers" as a sort of shocking stat, a symbol of a world monetizing all sexuality or the like, and I don't think it is. OnlyFan's latest numbers are 305 million accounts, which is not, at all, the same thing as 305 million active users paying money. OnlyFans is a diverse porn platform with a lot of market segmentation; there are legions of free creator accounts (and "free" accounts), teaser content, etc. And meanwhile making an account is required for most viewing and takes five seconds.

Imagine if I told you, wide-eyed, that 4% of the world population had been on PornHub once. Would that shock you? The majority of people consume porn, and if they consume porn they do so pretty frequently. When doing that, they are going to at some point use the Biggest Sites Ever, like of course. It is the equivalent of telling me "did you know 4% of people have used google for porn." Wow, yeah, that is how platform aggregation works.

For a new generation of sex workers, OnlyFans is the default content hosting site. People will ofc migrate their habits. Most people won't ever pay (or will test and bounce), but the numbers don't really care about that. This stat is just a way of saying OnlyFans is doing well at attracting creator talent; you already knew that at least 4% of humanity consumed porn.

(Ignore the original source's aggrieved culture war framing lol)

[ersatz-ostrich]

See You Again

Chapter 2: Polestar

Jason Todd x f!reader

You and the Red Hood escape the laboratory.

[A/N]: This is the second of the two chapters I had already written. I just started writing the third chapter and putting down my thoughts for the rest of the story...oops...

read here on ao3

<< previous || next >>

masterlist

STAR Laboratories Los Angeles

9:52:03 PM PT

The Coffin

“Well, that can’t be good.” You mutter to yourself, yanking out the syringe with a hiss. When your soldier had yielded, you thought you could slip away from him. But his sudden fake-out had shifted both of your positions, creating a window for the Bat to shoot him. The bullet had come so close to your face, you had thought you could feel it brush past you and embed itself in the soldier’s exposed neck. 

The bullet could have just as easily grazed you, even killed you, had you been just an inch too close. 

You shifted your gaze to the figure in the red helmet. You hadn’t gotten the chance to examine them up close—they were tall and heavily built, even with armor on, and sported a weathered brown leather jacket that covered the huge red bat symbol emblazoned on their chest plate. “You’re Red Hood, right?” 

“That’s me.”

“What are you doing in LA? Aren’t you supposed to be from Gotham?” The Red Hood let out a modulated chuckle. You thought this would go down as your weirdest day on the job, making one of Gotham’s most ruthless crime fighters chuckle.

“I wanted to check out the warm weather here in Cali.” Something in Red Hood’s tone and posture shifted. “Now, what’s going on with that syringe?”

“Ah. Well, this was supposed to be a dose of a certain virus for the lab animals we’re testing on,” you explained.

“And this virus, it’s…”

“The Polestar virus,” you sighed. “Unearthed from somewhere deep in the Arctic, inside some early human mummies who carried the virus.” You let out a weak chuckle. “We knew it had the potential to be sold on the black market as a bioweapon should it fall into the wrong hands, but we weren’t aware that the risks were so high. And now, the virus is in my system.” 

“Are you feeling anything right now? What are the virus’s symptoms? What’s its incubation period?” His modulated voice was surprisingly soft, yet urgent.

“This virus is bad news. We found that it’s pretty fast acting, and…” You spared another glance at the syringe in your hand. “...the symptoms aren’t pretty.” 

“How fast?”

“This dose is meant for a test subject that’s a fraction of my body mass. I’ll be dead in two or three hours, give or take.”

“And the symptoms?” 

“Necrosis. A new kind that we haven’t named yet. The virus consumes soft tissue and leaves behind a metallic residue. We believe it’s because the virus leaches metals and minerals from the body and aggregates it, beginning with the extremities.” The Red Hood reached forward cautiously, as if he was afraid of startling you. He gently pulled back the fabric of your coveralls that the soldier had so unceremoniously ripped open and ghosted his gloved fingers over where the needle had once been. The blood vessels around the wound had already become blackened and distended.

“We have to get you to a hospital.” You shook your head.

“We can’t. This research isn’t public knowledge.” You hoisted yourself up, tucked in your coveralls, and adjusted your respirator like nothing had happened. “I’m already a target as it is.” You stepped over the black-clad form of one of the soldiers Red Hood felled.

“Are there any treatments?” You picked your way through the Coffin to the freezers.

“They’re still in development, but the vaccine should slow it down.” You punched some numbers into the keypad and put your index finger to the scanner on the door and the freezer doors eased open automatically. You strode over to the shelf where you had hurriedly stashed the vials and syringes, the glass and metal clouded from the cold. The vaccine was crystal pink, you realized, like the color of the phenolphthalein titration you had done back in high school. You had handled both the buret and the Erlenmeyer flask because Jason couldn’t get it right, and in return, he had done all of the calculations for the lab report. Turning over the vials in your hand, you wondered why you were reminiscing about Jason during this time. The thought made your heart squeeze a little bit. 

Jason Todd had been gone for so long. The hollowness that Jason’s absence had carved out of you seemed to sigh achingly. Years on, that hollowness was still there, not as hungry as it had been at first but smaller, still present. It still gnawed on your consciousness from time to time, on his birthday or on the day the Joker took him from you.

When you returned from the freezer, Red Hood was preparing a large metal-lined briefcase that he had taken from the incapacitated—dead?—men on the ground. He had already filled it partially with devices and weapons he had taken off of the soldiers.

“Are those the virus samples?” He inquired.

“Yeah,” you replied. “Vaccines, too. They’re labeled as such, and the vaccines are pink while the virus suspension is cl—”

“Pack them up. We have to get out of here before the police come.” His request startled you.

“Are you serious? This is property of STAR Labs and the CDC—”

“That’s been compromised. Neither you nor the samples are safe here. The police will be of no help, and they’re gonna keep sending people after you and those syringes unless we get you somewhere safe.” He gestured at the tray in your hands. “You need treatment, too. Somewhere they can’t find you.” You sighed heavily, setting the tray on a countertop.

“You’re right. I’m carrying the virus right now, and I’m dangerous. STAR Labs is probably gonna terminate me and the CDC will whisk me away or something. People come after me. But I can’t compromise the Polestar program.”

“It’s already been compromised. Now pack that shit up and let’s get out of here.” You flitted around the Coffin in search of something to store the samples in. You were scooping ice into a Styrofoam case when your comms unit fizzled to life again.

“This is the LAPD, we’ve been alerted of a break-in at STAR Labs. We request that all STAR Labs employees still in the building evacuate immediately. That is an order. Repeat, that is an order.” 

“Shit, we gotta go,” Red Hood muttered. You grabbed your comms and tucked the Styrofoam case awkwardly under your arm and followed him out of the Coffin and into the ruins of decon and aseptics—you had been in the Coffin for hours, and the sight of the wreckage and your coworkers in aseptics now slumped over their devices made your stomach drop. “No time for sightseeing. Hurry up.” You pushed yourself into a full sprint, stumbling in your PPE along the concrete and corrugated steel of the basement. You followed the Red Hood into the emergency stairwell. Peering through the glass of the door to the ground floor, you saw SWAT officers milling about.

“SWAT team, start sweeping the second floor.”

“Shit—” You and Red Hood hurried up the stairs, the contents in your arms rattling in its Styrofoam case.

“Guess we aren’t leaving that way. Know any other escape routes in this building?”

The top floor—your floor. The Polestar program’s home.

You didn’t want to know what kind of destruction the soldiers had left in their wake. 

“Top floor. Only way out would be the roof,” You answered.

“Roof it is.” After climbing some more flights of stairs and monitoring your comms unit for any more activity, you decided to wrench open the door to the sixth floor, breathing laboriously—when was the last time you had done this much cardio? You led the Red Hood over to a service elevator—not accessible without clearance, you explained to him—scanned your ID, and pulled him in. Once it reached the top floor, the elevator dinged and opened its doors, the hallway blessedly clear. You and Hood skulked down the corridor, which ended with the door to the Polestar offices. Hood opened the door and swept the room for hostiles before waving you in.

Your heart sank when you saw what had become of the Polestar lab.

“No…” you whispered. The laboratory had been completely wrecked. Glass fragments and papers were strewn on the floors. Pieces of equipment were left broken and overturned, spilling their contents among the mess.

Then you saw the bodies. 

You caught sight of Dr. Davis’s crumpled form on the floor, next to the comms he had used to warn you of the impending disaster. The comms unit looked like it had been crushed underfoot, exposing wiring and circuitry among shards of its outer plastic shell. You made a step towards Dr. Davis’s body, but froze when you saw the red stain on his back and the blood pooling onto the floor. 

“They…” You felt Hood’s gloved hand on your shoulder, gently guiding you away from the destruction. “...they killed everyone.”

“I’m sorry.” 

“This is…this is horrible. Unbelievable.” Your pulse quickened with your breath. You felt the tears begin to form, and your vision grew misty. “I can’t believe it. They killed everyone.” You thought you had known grief and death. But this was different—seeing your colleagues slaughtered, their blood drying before you, made you feel faint. And yet, you felt wholly ablaze with 

“Hey…” Shouts sounded from the stairwell. Your chest felt tight and your head was turning fuzzy. “...hey, hey. We gotta move.” The hand on your shoulder was not so gentle anymore, insistently pulling you toward the gaping hole in one of the windows. He handed—more like shoved—the briefcase he was holding into one of your hands and produced a terrifying-looking grapple gun from somewhere on his utility belt. “Don’t drop it,” was all he said before he wrapped an arm around your waist. Your arms instinctively flew around his shoulders, holding onto him, your Styrofoam box and his briefcase for dear life, and then you were airborne.

You squeezed your eyes shut as you soared over the street, which had become choked with squad cars and assault vehicles. You gasped in surprise when you felt yourself change direction as Hood gently and skillfully hoisted you over the ledge of a neighboring building’s rooftop.

“The first time is always the worst.”

“That’s implying that this isn’t the last,” You heaved out. “Holy shit. Did they see us?”

“Don’t think so. We’ll wait here, I’ll…” You didn’t hear the rest of the vigilante’s statement. The adrenaline from the jump was beginning to wane and you felt the burden of the virus and the sights you had stumbled upon while escaping the laboratory coming on again. 

“Hey." Red Hood moved to catch you as you slumped over. “Hey, can you hear me?” Illuminated by the city lights, he caught sight of your badge from where it hung on your PPE. Your name was printed in neat black font next to an unmistakable portrait. 

Under his helmet, the Red Hood’s breath caught in his chest.

“...Y/N?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[A/N]: That's all I've got for now. Hope you enjoyed! x

[nottskyler]

I disagree with the belief that reproduction of divine beings will look anything like the unequal burden that exists here and now in our fallen world. From Mary conceiving the Savior by the power of Gd rather than sex to Adam being formed from the dust and Eve from a rib, there seems to be a precedent for creating life outside of cis-straight sex even in this fallen world. Yet somehow the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has decided to ignore all these evidences in the scriptures and hang new doctrines on the sandy foundation of a revelation that contradicts itself: Doctrine and Covenants 132.

(I acknowledge that I wrote a post about 132 being the law of polyamory, but the section I read to write this post was not the same section I read when I wrote that post. Whether that is because of the Mandela effect or I had my “JST” glasses on, I do not know.)

I want to start out with why I believe the unequal division of reproduction labor is a characteristic of the fall because it is better to start from a place of faith than disbelief. When we talk about the fall in Sunday School and list the characteristics of a fallen world, we usually end up with a list that looks like this: illness, death, disability, weeds, work to survive, and (if you have an enthusiastic feminist) painful pregnancy and childbirth. The purpose of the fallen world is given when we look at what these things all have in common.

When you are sick, someone else needs to do the work you normally do or the sickness will spread. When someone passes away, people need community to help support them in their grief. Disabled people need support to do some things while needing others to completely take over other tasks. Basically, all the effects of the fall are things that make us need to help and support each other. A world designed as a perfect test to see if we will help people who need it.

What happens when we fail these tests? When we abuse the possibility of death we get murder and war and genocide. When we ignore the consequences of sicknesses, we get pandemics. When we abuse the need for labor to survive, we get wealth inequality, slavery and racism, and dangerous working conditions. But abusing painful pregnancy and birth doesn’t seem to be all it takes to get sexism, rape, and sexual violence. Adding lust brings us closer, but I think the true root of sexism and sexual violence is the unequal division of reproductive labor because the benefit of making more humans without having to do the labor yourself is ripe for exploitation.

If you look at teachings of modern day prophets, you will find lots of teachings that allude to the fact that the way reproduction works on this earth is how it will work in the eternities. It is the teaching that is foundational to rejecting gay marriage and polyamory that isn’t polygamy. But when you look at the scriptures, you have section 132 and Abraham 3 who teach contradictory doctrines to each other. D&C 132:63 teaches “for they [multiple virgins] are given unto him to multiply and replenish the earth according to my commandment...and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men” whereas Abraham 3:22 teaches of “intelligences that were organized before the world was;” which were the souls of humans before we were born on this earth. What do we do when scriptures contradict themselves?

Ten years ago, I likely would have told you to pray and listen to what the prophet has to say. Now I know that everything spoken by Christ or His servants can be tested so you can know for yourself whether it is true (John 7:17 and many other places); just remember that not every commandment has immediate consequences and sometimes have consequences that are a problem on an aggregate level (for example: pollution). When it comes to things we can’t know here and now for ourselves, we are best to look at the fruits to know the truth (3 Nephi 14:20 and Matthew 7:20).

It is very tempting to completely throw out D&C 132, seeing how the sealing power had been revealed before and likely has a written record elsewhere that could be put in its place (refer to section heading), especially with how many parts contradict scriptures. Jacob, in Jacob 2:23-24, condemns David and Solomon for practicing polygamy where D&C 132:38-39 extols them both for polygamy except for the murder of Uriah. Then verse 61 says “if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent” (D&C 132:61) while verse 52 commands Emma to accept polygamy, which is not consent in case you were never taught what consent it. Then, of course, D&C 132:63 where it claims polygamy is to bear souls of men in the eternal worlds whereas Jacob 2:30 states that polygamy is a temporary law when Gd needs to raise up a righteous seed.

But this is simply setting up the stage of contradictions, we can’t know truth without looking at its fruits. And honestly, there were terrible consequences in Joseph Smith’s time. Emma Smith is considered by many to have fallen away and some polygamist marriages were of dubious consent, but, other than that, wives of Church leaders were counseled on affairs of the Church, women performed what would be considered priesthood blessings today, girls passed the sacrament. While there wasn’t an office of prophetess like the wife of Isaiah had, women and men were more equal in the Church than they are today.

The full effects of oppression came later when it was not only followed but considered doctrine to build upon. I’m not a Church historian and so I can go into the specifics to how it got to be this way, but I can look at what has been built on this foundation and the consequences in our day: The belief that women are and will be the ones responsible for reproduction has created the idea that men and women are separate beings and have separate spheres of work and influence; that women are holier and more divine because they have part of their eternal powers now and their socialization to be kinder and more nurturing is part of their divine nature instead of a result of our cultures a societies that punish girls and women from deviating from this norm; that there are only two genders which are the presumed sexual ability from looking at their bodies at birth; that the ability to procreate is so holy that scientifically trying to alter the natural way it occurs is evil, except for when it is forcing intersex people to more closely fit into the only two genders; that Gd created some of His children unsuited for exaltation due to characteristics they cannot control and so if they choose to be lonely in this life they can be a ministering angel to others who were not born that way.

I hope everyone can reject that last statement as definitely not being of Gd and realize it the same idea that led to the Priesthood and Temple Ban for people of African descent. This similar belief is why I believe the Church hasn’t fully repented for the priesthood ban. Obviously there is a different faulty foundation than the role of men and woman in the eternities that supports the priesthood ban, but I am not writing about it today.

Back to the false foundation on the ideas of eternal polygamy, rejecting gay eternal marriage based on the idea that creation will look like it does here in the fallen world actually runs contrary to the command: “Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.” (Mosiah 4:9) Christ was born without being conceived by sex, Adam and Eve were created without sex, and John the Baptist taught “that Gd is able of these stones to raise children unto Abraham” (Matthew 3:9 or Luke 3:8) , and modern day science is also almost at the point where cis lesbians could conceive and have a child without a sperm donor (but with the help of a lab). Believing that the power of creation is more limited than our scientific ability in ten years feels more heretical than believing that women are not tools for men to use to achieve their exaltation.

As for the other false teachings, I have experienced how dehumanizing it is to be treated as holier but not equal, I have seen the issues my mother had from devoting her life to be obedient to being a stay-at-home mother instead of tempering her child care responsibilities with her own interests and ambitions, I had a visiting teacher who could not go a conversation without mentioning her fertility issues because she felt so unholy and broken for her inability to have children due to these teachings, I have experienced gender dysphoria and the joy from doing something leaders in the Church would consider desecrating my holy vessel, and I have listened to LGB people to learn how sexuality isn’t a choice and thus was able to accept my own bisexuality as an innate part of me instead of satan tempting me to do evil. And above all, my husband and I only conceived and had a child after my legal transition via iui and so we have experienced creating life without cis-straight sex. All things in my life point to the fact that our loving Heavenly Father did not make a plan where His children will be unequal for all eternity.

However, I am not a prophet and so I don’t know how the Lord wishes for the Church to repent and when that repentance will actually begin. What I do know is that the idea that creation will emulate the unequal reproductive burden in the eternities is false and that Gd has already told His current prophets and apostles “to treat homosexuals the same as heterosexuals” to begin the process of undoing this false doctrine. Gd weeps for His daughters’ exclusion and that He is running His Church at half-revelation capacity. He is with you as you suffer the effects of this false doctrine and He will not stand for His will to be ignored forever. But our time scales are significantly smaller than His, all I can do is hope this change comes in my lifetime and pray for patience until it does.

[zaligengineering]

Ensuring Stability: Slope Stability Analysis and Monitoring Solutions in Alberta by Zalig.ca

In the dynamic terrain of Alberta, where slopes play a crucial role in construction and infrastructure development, Zalig.ca emerges as a trusted provider of slope stability analysis and monitoring solutions. With a dedicated team of geotechnical experts and a commitment to excellence, Zalig.ca offers comprehensive services to assess, analyze, and monitor slope stability, ensuring the safety and success of your projects in Alberta.

Thorough Slope Stability Analysis

Zalig.ca specializes in conducting thorough Slope Stability Analysis Alberta to assess the stability of slopes and mitigate potential risks. Our team of experienced geotechnical engineers utilizes advanced methodologies and cutting-edge technology to evaluate various factors influencing slope stability, including soil properties, groundwater conditions, geological features, and external loading conditions. By conducting detailed analyses, we identify potential instability issues and develop effective strategies to address them, ensuring the safety and stability of your projects.

Continuous Slope Stability Monitoring

In addition to slope stability analysis, Zalig.ca offers continuous Slope Stability Monitoring Alberta services to provide real-time insights into slope behavior and performance. Through the use of advanced monitoring techniques such as inclinometers, piezometers, and GPS surveying, we track changes in slope movement, deformation, and groundwater levels over time. By monitoring slopes continuously, we can detect early warning signs of instability and implement proactive measures to mitigate risks and ensure the long-term stability of your projects.

Customized Solutions for Every Project

At Zalig.ca, we understand that every project is unique, which is why we offer customized slope stability solutions tailored to meet the specific needs and challenges of each project. Whether you're planning a new construction project, assessing the stability of existing slopes, or addressing slope stability issues in transportation corridors or mining operations, our team collaborates closely with you to develop tailored solutions that align with your project objectives and budget.

Expertise and Experience

With years of experience in geotechnical engineering and slope stability analysis, the team at Zalig.ca brings a wealth of expertise to every project we undertake. Our geotechnical engineers are highly skilled in conducting comprehensive slope stability analyses and implementing effective monitoring programs to ensure the safety and stability of your projects. With our proven track record of success and dedication to excellence, you can trust Zalig.ca to deliver reliable and innovative slope stability solutions for your projects in Alberta.

Conclusion

Zalig.ca is your trusted partner for slope stability analysis and monitoring solutions in Alberta. With our thorough analysis, continuous monitoring, customized solutions, and expertise, we ensure the safety and success of your projects in the dynamic terrain of Alberta. Contact us today to learn more about our slope stability services and discover how we can support your project's success.

Source URL: - https://zaligengineering.blogspot.com/2024/05/ensuring-stability-slope-stability.html

[visualratatosk]

Collective memories

You may have come across Semioticapocalypse, a blog I started—frightening to consider how long ago it was, — that became essentially the origin of the «Collective Memories» (CM). Both Semioticapocalypse and the CM project emerged primarily from my longstanding love for black-and-white photography, which later evolved into an interest in its history and theory. Secondly, thу new enterprise owes much to the staggering and mesmerizing impact that the Cambrian explosion in the world of generative models has had (and continues to have) on me, particularly when it comes to diffusion models, generating images visual or textual inputs as well as from various combinations of thereof.

The term "collective memory" denotes the aggregate of memories, knowledge, and data that a social group holds, which is intrinsically linked to the group's identity. The term "collective memory" in English and its French counterpart "la mémoire collective" emerged in the latter half of the 19th century. Maurice Halbwachs, a philosopher and sociologist, further developed this concept in his 1925 work, «Les cadres sociaux de la mémoire» (eng. text). Both expansive and intimate social collectives can create, disseminate, and inherit collective memory.

Contrary to the term "collective memory," which is somewhat ambiguously defined yet generally accepted, the notion of "collective memories" is inherently problematic. Memories are the results of the individual acts of recollection, making the idea of "collective memories" paradoxical. Сontemporary diffusion models utilize vast amounts of often unidentified data, including historical and personal old photographs, vintage postcards, and other kinds of publicly circulating images. These models may be seen as involved in the prompts-driven singular acts of remembrance, producing images that paradoxically represent "collective memories," something otherwise unfeasible and ultimately, non-existent.

The visual works published here and elsewhere on this blog were created using Midjourney. Each of them comes as the result of finding optimal (for lack of a better world) combined text/image prompt through exhaustive search a. k. a. generate-and-test method; the process is apparently as labor-intensive as it is time-consuming. The major part of the works belongs within the "Collective Memories" framework. In addition to visuals there will be eventually / hopefully a p2p publication or two.

Past works that align with the CM project in terms of both concept and style, even if not published as such, can be found on Behance. Then there's Instagram (crowв there is kind of thin but I'm set on daily updates). Last but not least, there are sporadic posts on Facebook, in designated groups only, — primarily 'MJ Official' (weekly or so) and another nice one here (occasionally). In case you would like (for whatever reason) to buy NFT or two, it can be arranged via Makers Place: drop me a line.

[loki-zen]

Feels like Economics People are very quick to skip straight from theory to policy recommendations, and I get that empiricism can be hard there but, hear me out

Get a diverse bunch of people who are paid different amounts and test their General Competence levels by having them rotate through a variety of real-world tasks unrelated to whatever they do at work. E.g. the ones from adult-only workplaces and who outsource their own childcare, one of their tasks is now to maintain harmony and general functioning over four weeks of summer camp for fifty nervous tweenagers all while putting on the Best Talent Show ever, and so on. Crucially they are not allowed to use any of their own funds to smooth over any difficulties and in fact the ones who have Staff For That will additionally be subjected to several randomly-generated home/family emergencies they must attend. Actually vary this between the tasks; in other tasks this doesn't happen, but the ones with disabilities and care responsibilities get servants and an enormous slush fund and enough money after the study to materially improve their general financial situation, in order to minimise stress and distractions that might impair their concentration relative to people who habitually make fuck-you money.

Have people familiar with the field of the task rate their performance, and chart it against what they make in their day jobs after a research statistician determines how many different tasks we need to aggregate before going near the chart making software.

[typhlonectes]

A global phylogeny of butterflies reveals their evolutionary history, ancestral hosts and biogeographic origins

Kawahara, Storer, Carhalho, et al.

ABSTRACT

Butterflies are a diverse and charismatic insect group that are thought to have evolved with plants and dispersed throughout the world in response to key geological events. 

However, these hypotheses have not been extensively tested because a comprehensive phylogenetic framework and datasets for butterfly larval hosts and global distributions are lacking. 

We sequenced 391 genes from nearly 2,300 butterfly species, sampled from 90 countries and 28 specimen collections, to reconstruct a new phylogenomic tree of butterflies representing 92% of all genera. 

Our phylogeny has strong support for nearly all nodes and demonstrates that at least 36 butterfly tribes require reclassification. Divergence time analyses imply an origin ~100 million years ago for butterflies and indicate that all but one family were present before the K/Pg extinction event. 

We aggregated larval host datasets and global distribution records and found that butterflies are likely to have first fed on Fabaceae and originated in what is now the Americas. Soon after the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum, butterflies crossed Beringia and diversified in the Palaeotropics. 

Our results also reveal that most butterfly species are specialists that feed on only one larval host plant family. However, generalist butterflies that consume two or more plant families usually feed on closely related plants.

Read more: 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-023-02041-9