#also Illiterate is great

[danielpowell]

Dark sky driving (Driving) Driving 'cause my heart's on fire, ooh Dark sky driving (Driving) Comets never have a curfew Dark sky driving, driving away (Away) And I'm never coming home, no way (No way) And I'm tired of the seasons, okay? (Okay?) And I'm tangled in a starry buffet

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

the fact that shakespeare was a playwright is sometimes so funny to me. just the concept of the "greatest writer of the English language" being a random 450-year-old entertainer, a 16th cent pop cultural sensation (thanks in large part to puns & dirty jokes & verbiage & a long-running appeal to commoners). and his work was made to be watched not read, but in the classroom teachers just hand us his scripts and say "that's literature"

just...imagine it's 2450 A.D. and English Lit students are regularly going into 100k debt writing postdoc theses on The Simpsons screenplays. the original animation hasn't even been preserved, it's literally just scripts and the occasional SDH subtitles.txt. they've been republished more times than the Bible

[tswwwit]

Bless that trophy wife anon because they’re right. There’s no way mindscape citizens see whatever dipper does in the real world as a real career and he has no job in bill’s realm either, whether he likes it or not he’s entwined with bill’s world and his people and he can’t blame them for thinking his job is being bill’s husband.

That’s what pisses him off, the fact that they’re right.

No matter how Dipper protests that yes, he DOES have a job, the beings in the Fearamid don't believe it's 'real', or worse - humor him, then give Knowing Looks to the other demons in the room.

Meanwhile, Bill knows it's real - but sometimes he plays along like it isn't just to piss Dipper off.

[ishipmyotp]

Deciding Zoro is literally illiterate because he doesn't like to read? Bad and mean spirited

Deciding Zoro is a human calculator because he was able to multiply 108 by 2? Absurd but funny

[bthump]

Is Guts smart? What can you say about his intelligence? From the male part of the fandom where I was, they called him a brilliant strategist and in general he is the smartest character in Berserk lol It's been a while since I read Berserk, but I feel like Guts was definitely doing something irrational.

He's not the smartest character in Berserk lol, but he's not dumb either.

He's good at like, analytical thinking in the middle of a fight, eg when he fights Silat and pinpoints his weapons' weaknesses despite never having seen them before, realizing he can't defeat Zodd in a contest of strength but he can break Zodd's sword, recognizing Serpico's advantages whenever they duel, etc.

He's also decent at putting two and two together when it comes to understanding people. Like when he realizes Farnese traded an engagement for a ship, or when he outmaneuvers the priest in the troll village in rhetoric and forces him to extend them hospitality lol. I think that he often doesn't give a shit about this kind of thing so he can come across as dumb (not knowing Griffith intends to marry Charlotte, not bowing to the king until Griffith makes him, etc) but I feel like it's a matter of priority. When it has an immediate impact on him, he can figure shit out, otherwise he doesn't bother.

But yeah I don't think he's one of the smartest characters in Berserk. He's average at best, with a talent wrt fighting tactics. Griffith, Serpico, Judeau, Casca, even Rickert are all smarter than him imo. He has a lot of blind spots that fuck him over and make him miss obvious things and act irrationally (must fight monsters, must earn Griffith's love, must get revenge). Godo even has a line in chapter 131 about Guts running towards something singlemindedly and nicking himself on something else because he misses everything he's not focused on.

And he's just not very mindful in general. He can use his brain but like, the big temptation of the Beast of Darkness/the armour is turning off his brain and acting on instinct lol. He doesn't demonstrate any interest in learning new things beyond fighting techniques, he's adequate at reading people but fails at it a lot too, he's cocky and headstrong, prone to ignoring his own vulnerabilites...

So yeah, that's my take. He's not stupid, he has some smart moments, and especially when it's applicable to fighting he's very capable of analytical thought, but intelligence isn't exactly his biggest asset, and plenty of other characters are smarter than him. Thanks for asking!

[trans-estinien]

need to get a metaphorical flag that just says IM TECH LITERATE on it to wave around

[gynkgobilobo]

On today's episode of gender is totally not enforced™, a growing portion of fandom discourse about the new Netflix series Blue Eye Samurai is revolving around how the main character, a gnc woman is actually a trans man. Because you know uhh, pulling off a Mulan-like scheme makes you male apparently.

[crossbackpoke-check]

Hello, im wehaveagathering from my main blog, im kind of obsessed with your hockey poetry edits and I think your blog is great! I guess I kind of have a dumb question, where do you find the images you use for your edits? Did you say Getty in your tags?? I’ve gotten into making icons recently (and i have ideas for poetry edits hrrrghhh) but it’s hard to find high res images. Thanks for your time and I hope you have a nice day :)

first of all thank you so much 🥹 and second that’s absolutely not a dumb question!! i do pull a lot of images from getty and i’ll also download pictures from sports articles (i got a lot of the hugheses pictures from online access articles, for example), or sometimes from instagram/facebook/twitter if an account is public. freely admitting that i am not technologically advanced? inclined? in the slightest here, but the image editing software that you use and how you import/export photos with it makes a difference in the quality of them as well!

if you haven’t seen them yet, i would also recommend checking out @simmyfrobby @national-hockey-lesbian @hauntedppgpaints @tapedsleeves @starscelly and @captainbradmarchand’s blogs just off the top of my head!!! they might know more places to get high res images and also i love their work 💕🫶

[britneyshakespeare]

i love it when i find out that a french-speaking artist i'm a fan of is belgian

[no1ryomafan]

My ass needs to be in bed but I was looking at my anilist-yes I have one as it’s super helpful to keep track of anime I’ve watched + plan to watch-since i finished big o s1 they separated s2 as a different thing and WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN INTERNATIONAL VIEWINGS BASICALLY SAVED THE SHOW FROM ENDING ON A CLIFFHANGER??

[greyhavensking]

I’ve been doing volunteer work for one of the National Parks Service offices in my state (since it was remote and it sounded interesting) for about two months now. It’s just transcribing old documents digitally so researchers don’t have to try and parse hundred year old handwriting while they’re working but like, I enjoy it a lot more than I thought I would. And that’s primarily because people are just… people. There’s very petty telegrams and overworked middle managers and people being accused of drunk and disorderly conduct while on the job and it’s great. I get free century old drama every time I sit down to get through a new batch of documents

[dahldahlbills]

ok but.. six of crows golden wind au 👀

[david-watts]

been seeing a few posts from various people about reading habits and actually. my opinion is if something gets you to read then it’s better than nothing at all. fanfiction? cool. stuff you read in middle school? cool. classics? cool. super serious adult fiction? cool. ya? cool. biographies? cool. guinness world records? cool. so long as you’re able to comprehend and process the works and critically think about what’s presented then who cares

[megaclaudiolis]

柄本 佑 || 「光る君へ」 (2024) · 第二十五回 「決意」 ​​​

[envoyartsguild]

I don't get people. They'll hate something just in concept and they've never seen it in context. Like wtf.

I try to temper my hopes with lots of company schlock but I also wanna go in with a somewhat open mind.

Idk

Sometimes people's distaste is justified and sometimes it's not. Sometimes it's rooted in real toxic behavior and social media + YouTube has made critical readings of art a nightmare.

[writers-potion]

Let's Talk About Magic Systems.

There are two broad ways you can establish magic in your story world - work with existing concepts, or adapting it for something new.

Pick a System

High Magic vs. Low Magic

This distinction existes mostly in the western wrld from the Middle Ages onwards. In non-western cultures, this distinct often doesn't exist.

High magic requires magicians to study from books, ingredients are expensive and instruments elaborate and hard to get. The typical practioner of High Magic is of the upper class, highly educated, and rich. They serve in King's courts and have high social standing thanks to their knowledge.

Among the lower classes and women, Low Magic is ore common. It is taught orally and doesn't require reading skills and uses everyday objects and ingredients.

Black vs. White Magic

"White" magic is often associated with good, and "Black" with the evil. However, what really matters is the magicians intension, not the magic system that they work with.

The term "black magic" is often associated with working with the dead. It can also be used by an individual/group who just wants to appear more menacing.

Ceremonial Magic

This kind of magic involves lots of ritual, recitation and prayer, often in ancient langauges such as Latin, Aramaic and Sanskrit.

Most of the time, it's High Magic and practiced by religious figures.

The typical practioner is educated, has great confidence and a good memory.

Natural Magic

It involves ingredients from nature, such as herbs and water.

It may be practiced outdoor, in a kitchen, or in a laboratory.

The rituals are simple and short, and the practioner will watch out for the turning of seasons, phases of the moon, etc.

Religious Magic

This is a diety working through a magician. The magician prays and asks her god to work the miracle.

Most religions have their own form of magic, and the kind of miracles that the magicians can bring can be limited.

Wiccan Witchcraft and Voodoo are largely religious magic.

The typical practioner would be spiritual and devout, often suspicious of other religions.

Alchemy

Alchemy is both High and Low Magic, and it can incorporate religious, spiritual, philosophical and mythological elements.

In a modern setting, alchemy can also be portrayed as "science gone too far".

The typical practioner would be patient, methodious, educated and driven. The tools includes laboratory equipment, astronomical charts, writing materials, and an unsuspecting roommate(?) for testing.

Traditional Witchcraft

Traditional Witchcraft is a form of Low Magic. In early historic periods, the witch played an important role in village life, often old women who owned apothecaries and helped out other villagers.

The typical practioner would be female, uneducated, illiterate, practical, resourceful and poor. She will have a good memory and well-developed senses.

Tools used would be simple household implements - a cauldron, a broom, knife, etc. that can evade the Inquisitor's suspicions.

Wiccan Witchcraft

If you write contemporary fiction, this is the system your character is most likely to use. It's modern witchcraft, based on the religion of Wicca.

Wiccan witchcraft mostly developed in the second half of the twentieth centruy. It is a form of bothe Natural Magic and Religious Magic.

Based on nature worship and the polarity between male and female, the magician often begins a Wiccan ritual with an invocation to a God/Godess. The Lady (Godess) is depicted as having three aspects: Maiden, Mother and Brone. The Lord (God) may be depicted with horns.

The focus of Wiccan magic is often on healing, with an emphasis of ethical consequences of what is being performed.

It is often practiced outdoors, sometimes naked (which they call 'skyclad'). Wiccan witchcraft uses the phases of the moon to amplify its effects.

Wiccan like to gather in groups called 'covens' or to meet once a month or for major festivals. The coven leader may be called 'high piestess/priest'.

Typical tools include a chalice, a knife (called 'athame'), a wand, candles, herbs, crystals, and essential oils.

Necromancy

The magician summons a dead person, either ghost or spirit, sometimes bodily. The dead are enlisted to grant the magicians with favors or are questioned for information.

It may be related to Shamanism, as well as to some forms of psychic work such as channelling and Spiritualist seances.

The typical practitioner is psychally gisted, strong-willed and courageous.

Shamnism

Shamnism is a Low Magic system. The shaman intercedes between the human and spirit world by communicating with spirits, often to obtain information or provide healing.

Shamans may travel to the spirit world to seek answered, with some level of danger. They use drums, chanting, dancing and drugs to alter their consciousness and communicate with spirits.

Practicing shamans often work alone, but they choose a successor to train. The apprentice is supposed to accept the calling.

The typical shaman is musical, sensitive with a strong sense of rhythm and the psychic.

Tools include drums, bells, a costume, herbs, bones, smoke and mind-altering drugs.

Ancient Egyptian Magic

Ancient Eyptian Magic ovelaps with Religious magic, medicine and with psychic work. The deities most frequently evoked are Selket, Aset for raising the dead, and the gof Thoth for anything to do with sickness and healing.

The emphasis of Ancient Egyptian Magic is protection, often done throgugh an amulet or talisman. The circle or oval is the most important shape that has protective qualities.

The precise wording of a spell is important, as well as the colors that are involved. For magic to affect someone the magicians must know that person's true name.

The typical practitioner is male, literate, often a priest attached to a emple.

Folk Magic

This is a form of Low Magic practiced by amateurs.

This includes housekeepers who can keep the rats out, farmers who can ripen fruit before the height of the season, and scullions who can make water boil faster.

This people would only know a handful of spells, ans pass them in to memebers of their family.

Voodoo

Voodoo is religious magic and low magic.

The rituals are held in private, and may involve communication with spirits, especially the spirits of ancestors and saints.

Commonly used to cure aliments, confound enemies, and obtain desires.

Invent a System

Choosing the Right Words

If your character is clearly a witch, shaman, a necromancer, etc. with a specialty, use that term. Otherwise, the word "magician", or "mage" would be most appropriate.

The term "magus" (plural magi) refers to practitioners of the ancient Zoroastrian faith.

Strictly speaking, witches and wizards are practitioners of two very different magic systems, so your female character can be a wizard, and vice versa.

'Warlock' really means 'oath-breaker' or 'traitor' and doesn't describe a magician.

'Conjurer' is someone who can creae effects to impress an audience, not really magical in itself. The more modern temr would be 'illusionist'

A group of magicians may be called a 'coven' (though it applies mostly to Wiccan magic). A magician working alone would be a 'solitary'.

Magic vs. Magick

Normally, "magic" is the correct spelling.

However, "magick" may be used, especially by insiders, to emphasize that they refer to the real thing, not conjuring or other trick of the eye.

The magic systems are sometimes capitalized, sometimes not. When it involves a religion, nationaliy, or a particular family line, it is capitalized. Just make sure to keep it consistent throughout your book.

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