#also if you have a relative currently going through the us education system

[postnuclearwar]

See this all the time on the internet from Americans at other Americans, the "If you'd actually been paying attention in class you would know about X (typically an atrocity, or even a scientific fact)". One thing I need Americans who often spout this to understand, is that we all didn't receive the same educational experience.

Education varies so wildly in America, one part of it being a funding issue that leaves poorer districts behind with nothing, second part -No Child Left Behind- which ensures learners who aren't prepared for the next grade get pushed along anyway, leaving them more and more lost as they get pushed further and further along, giving us the illiterate teens we see constantly today. Third part of course is the empire that wants its atrocities erased and to be seen as the only "good" country to its citizens, leading to such great hits as "the civil war was about state rights", "Native Americans gave us this land", "the atomic bomb had to be dropped to end WWII", and a personal favorite of my school was to omitt everything past WWI in both World History and U.S. History, you know, because apparently nothing important happened from 1919 to 2005.

And I even haven't scratched the surface of the numerous problems that also lead to a subpar education, such as some states blocking free breakfast and lunch, the constant school shootings, COVID, the destruction of our reading programs (children are currently being taught to read by guessing the words based on the picture provided and having to memorize how words sounds as opposed to sounding them out and learning it naturally that way), banned books, and an education system that straight up doesn't care about the disabled students in its system.

All I'm asking here is that instead of belittling people who don't know these things, we instead rightfully point the blame to the American education system, because that is where change needs to occurr, where our outrage should be focused.

[crescencestudio]

Heyoo! 👋 I'm new to these asks, played your game, Alaris, and OMG is it so good! Aisa and Etza are on my mind, rent free, but mostly Aisa, I simp for Aisa, idk why I find the quiet ones cute/hot, I just do. 😭

👀 *coughs* Anywayyys, first things first, I'm curious about the world building of this game, ik there's already alot in it. But now I can't help wondering just how populated humans are in this world? Cause alot of the buildings seem to look worn-down/covered in plants, I can imagine the human race not to be very populated, unless they r and I'm just being dumb lol. But I couldn't help wondering since there used to be dragons, and now their's the fae race, and god knows if there are any other races out there besides those two (which I'm assuming there aren't, but who knows?).

I'm also saying this because the village(?)/town(?)/city(?) that MC, mom, human LI's are in seem to be in a relatively small, secluded town area, unless they aren't(?). Idk, if there even are big 'cities', but just little, scattered, hidden/overgrown towns like MC is in.

I'm also also saying this because i hope to build up my Alaris OC's life/background a bit, he's currently in the works rn ✍️👀 Speaking of, do u know of what happened to the MC's father? Or are we free to HC/imagine to whatever happened to him?

Lastlyyy (this ones most important of my asks I think 👀 mostly cause of trying to build my OC's childhood lol), what is the schooling like in this world? Where do the children go to learn about their world? Do they go to a regular public school? Or mentored/tutored/homeschooled by whoever is available/able to teach them?

Speaking of which, how do children even view this world? I bet their imagination must be top notch cause of humanity's history with dragons and all lol. I can imagine them little gremlins, running around pretending to be dragons lol.

Do the children/people of this world gain their "energy"/dragon magic, or are they just born with it?

Sorry for all of these asks 😭 I wasn't expecting to ask this much honestly, I was only going to ask like, 1 question then ask for a LI ask(which I'll do in the next ask since I don't want to pile them all into one) lmao.

I tend to ramble so apologies for that, I'm just really curious about this game and it's story, I also don't want to write something in my OC's bio that's canonically incorrect lol.

🫡 Anywho, I appreciate and salute u if u read all of this, idk if there's a number limit to how many asks we can ask but I just hope this wasn't too much lol.

hello!!!! ahhh i'm so glad you liked alaris this much omg q.q it's always a compliment to know players get into the game and stories i've toiled away on ^^ your ask and interest in the game mean so much to me!!!!

i'll try my best to answer all your questions--in the future, i def recommend splitting them up into separate asks (at least in categories) since it makes it easier for me to go through and answer everything <3

✨ Human Population

so you're right in that the world of alaris isn't densely populated. there was a lot of tragedy and destruction during the great war and so as the years have gone on, nature has kinda taken over (in a healing way) which leads to the look that you see in the game. i'd say most areas in alaris are towns similar to the size of where mc and cast are located!

✨ MCs Dad

there actually is a set backstory for mc's dad. i can't give any details since it's a spoiler but will be covered in the full game! you're totally free to HC your own theory/take on MCs dad but just to be totally transparent, it may end up differing from what is shared in game. as long as you're ok with that, feel free to HC away until the game is released!

✨ Schooling System and Energy

it's all public schools in alaris! homeschooling is actually not an option because the education system helps children hone their Energy. the schooling system teaches kids on the history, giving a lot of importance to the great war, the downfall of technology, and the significance of the dragons sacrifice. and then obviously other material that we would learn irl like math, language, and extracurriculars.

the unique part of the schooling system is, like i said, kids learn how to use their Energy at school. everyone in alaris is born with some kind of Energy. it may not be very strong, but everyone has access to at least a little bit of magic. Energy usually fully manifests by the time kids enter school, which would be around 4-6. once they go to school, they'll learn what kind of Energy they have, it's uses, etc. the schooling on education is pretty heavily monitored so that central can make sure no kids pose a danger to anyone. these cases are Extremely rare though since alaris is set in a very peaceful world!

kids are definitely imaginative, but i wouldn't say Significantly More than in our own world! the main difference is probably that some of their "fantasies" are a little more accessible to them since they actually have magic!

[rocksibblingsau]

i love your fic so much, especially with the comparisons between rock culture and pop culture!

this may be an odd question, but i'm curious on your thoughts: what do you think education is like for rock trolls vs. pop trolls? because we know through riff in world tour that rock trolls have college, but i imagine pop trolls don't really have formal education (especially since their new village has been established relatively recently - 20 years isn't that long in terms of a society). what would education even be like for branch?

again, sorry if this is an odd question - i'm just really interested in these little details of world building

Education is actually something I have planned to go over! Whether or not Branch will have that same education or something more akin to homeschooling I won't say but here's some basics of their education systems:

Rock Trolls have an education system that resembles ours a bit! Nowhere near as soul crushing as ours of course, nor as rigid. A lil bit like those older high school coming of age movie kind of vibes! The ones where all the actors are in their like 30s. They also have colleges, because you can't have college parties without a college.

Pop Trolls don't have a formal education system. As we see in the movie, Poppy is teaching the kids their history in a very simplistic way and I imagine there's not a real 'formal' teacher role. If you have good enough knowledge on a thing you teach it to the kids and they really only learn the basics themselves. If you have interest in anything else you self-study or take on a bit of an apprenticeship.

So for comparison: If you want to become a doctor the process is different. As a Rock Troll, once you graduate you can go to college to learn how to be a doctor and then you graduate and you become a doctor. As a Pop Troll, you attend the various 'lessons' held for children and then once you're older and decide on a career path you seek out the person in the village who does that job and convince them to take you on as an apprentice. You may also self-study to supplement or if there is no one who does that job currently. Pop Trolls are competitive so if someone won't train you and you learn the trade yourself anyway it's considered an insult and you're a rival competitor, even if the profession is something like being a doctor.

There likely USED to be a more standard school for Pop Trolls, but between Bergens wiping out both the available teachers and students and then needing to focus more on rebuilding, it's a very informal affair now.

[catboybiologist]

Unprompted fucking rant time!

I'm getting my PhD after getting my BS and my Master's. I've gone through three separate rounds of university applications. And while I'm openly a bisexual trasfemme now, I've done every round of those applications as a cishet white boy. I've been rejected by a shitton of universities, and accepted by a fraction of that. My current institution is an R1 for my field- basically meaning it's in the highest tier of research funding and therefore research prestige/output- but it's very far from a household name the way Harvard or Stanford is. My undergrad institution was the cheapest local four year college that I was guaranteed admission to because my high school grades were piss poor due to an array of mental health problems.

So from that perspective.... Race and ethnicity demographics should 100% be used as a factor in determining admissions to help increase diversity. There's many reasons to think this, but there's two that underline a lot of my thinking on the matter.

Number one is kind of obvious, but what isn't obvious is how blatant it is. The top tier of universities has blatantly favored white people for generations, oftentimes explicitly. And oftentimes, they still do! Having relatives working at a particular university, or being alumni from a university, is literally part of the application materials for many of these universities. During my Harvard grad school apps, they literally had a pop-up window that asked me to check off any wealthy families I was a part of from a list of donor and alumni last names. It was so fucking blatant that I bust out laughing. Spoiler alert, I didn't get in. You cannot look at me with a straight face and tell me that these universities should be allowed to openly and blatantly give admission priority to rich, white, dynastic American families, while not affording any concession for overcoming the shittiness of being born into a persecuted group.

Number two is the thing that most people realize, but I don't think has really sunk in on a societal level. A massive factor in admissions is blind, dumb luck, and I'm not joking. When admissions tells you they received more qualified applicants than they could admit, it's 100% true. Many applications end up in a stage where they just have to randomly reject people to keep numbers down- or even if it's not completely random, they have to grasp for straws into an enormous amount of intangible factors that have nothing to do with someone's actual qualifications. So if you're down to that level of grasping at straws.... Why not use it as an opportunity to increase diversity? Because as it stands, you're not getting rejected because you're white- you're getting rejected because your high school didn't have a fucking sailing team. Remember that Stanford admissions scandal a while back?

There's a number two and a half that is an observation I've had about life in general here: one of my deepest held beliefs after going through a good portion of my early career is that everyone is overqualified for the opportunities they've been given. If your education system is genuinely functional, you'll be able to take people from an amazing diversity of backgrounds, and y'know... Educate them. If these universities lowered their admissions standards a shitton, and randomly pulled from the new pool of "less qualified" people, and they put them in an environment with access to the same resources as before... They would succeed.

There's a whole other rant embedded here about how elite-tier university education actually sucks, and all they do is filter for people who already have massive educational resources of their own. University prestige is mostly a lie, except in terms of how much grant funding you can get. But if you gave that level of funding to a state college tomorrow? They'd still do great things with it. But that's a side thought.

There's ALSO the side rant about why marginalized groups are important in science overall for perspectives on how science interacts with society, but that's also a whole other rant.

There's one thing I will say against this: sometimes, it's too late. For grad school and a little bit for undergrad admissions, an enormous amount of unpaid labor and study is required to even be eligible for the application itself. Required undergrad research hours are often unpaid. My undergrad research advisor paid her student labor when she wasn't required to, and surprise surprise, she has one if the most diverse and successful labs on that campus. Beyond just undergrad research, this goes waaayyyy back to the schooling and tutoring opportunities that people from higher socioeconomic backgrounds have access to from day one... But that's also a larger side rant. Point is, race based admissions are valid and necessary now, but they're a temporary bandage on the bleeding wound that is education discrepancy.

This was kinda random, but this got kick-started by an IRL discussion with a couple of friends and I just needed to vent my whole perspective here. Idk if the community of voyeuristic transfemmes I've mostly accumulated here will care, but it's nice to just type these things sometimes lol

[bambiraptorx]

Okay so since yokai education system won in this poll as the topic of my lore dump, have a ramble.

The yokai education system is fairly complicated in nature: even though it's largely publicly funded via taxes, it doesn't necessarily resemble what people think of as a public school. (This is because I'm drawing a lot on my experiences from being homeschooled/ homeschool co-ops/in the US school system, so there's kind of a hodge-podge.) Also, as a rather important sidenote, I'm working with the headcanon that different yokai species have different rates of development/aging, so the whole process of education isn't nearly as standardized as it would be in a US public school anyway.

Yokai schools have a lot of variety in size and purpose, but are usually designed to provide classes for any level of education. This might be done through having multiple wings or floors in the building for different levels of education (kids are usually separated from adults, gen eds from higher level classes, etc) or having the school itself spread out over multiple buildings. Schools tend to be pretty large, and one person might spend their entire educational career (from what we'd consider pre-k all the way to a PhD) at one building or campus.

It's also fairly common for schools to be organized by subject: a wing (or floor or building) for science, for arts, for history, etc. If this is the case, there's usually a separate area specifically for the lower education levels (think elementary/middle school-ish) so that the youngest kids don't have to run all over the place or between buildings to get to classes.

Speaking of classes: they tend to be relatively small, no more than 20 students tops, but usually around 10-15, even going as small as 4-5 people on occasion. Students are more likely to take 3-4 days of classes than 5 days in a row, but it depends on what the parent is willing/able to teach them at home. Also, the selection of teachers is less "you went to school to learn how to educate" and more "hey we heard you're a physical therapist, would you like to teach anatomy and physiology classes this semester". There's a bit of a social expectation that people who have spent a long time in a given field will eventually teach a class about it, or at least come in and do guest lectures.

Also: P.E. is generally considered to be an extracurricular activity and/or a parental responsibility. Yokai are too varied in body types and exercise needs for any form of standardized physical education to be particularly effective (like how can you have bird person and a centaur and sentient slime do the same exercises? not easily, and it's way easier to teach a class where everyone's doing the same exercises than it is to teach one where everyone has to do different things.)

Schools will usually have sports teams though, and it's fairly common to offer some kind of fighting/weapons class. They often have plenty of clubs and extracurriculars, from chess and art clubs to theater productions. However, there's only one or two schools in the Hidden City that currently offer a robotics club.

Feel free to ask questions! This is barely a fraction of the lore I have, and, as you may have guessed, I like infodumping lol

[ravenheartxvi]

Hi Charlie… It’s so wonderful to get to know you on a more personal level. I’ve read your description of yourself…

I feel like I’ve found my fellow comrade. With a few differences… I live in Southern California… I am a big advocate for mental health.

I am an elementary teacher… I currently teach 1st grade. My students are my inspiration for living life to the fullest.

I enjoy reading… and my favorite is reading FanFiction stories only “Anidala” stories. I’ve thought about writing a story.. but I’m not brave enough. Maybe someday. I enjoy reading all your stories. You’re an amazing writer. I truly appreciate all FanFic writers because I know how pushy and critical some people can be… and it’s all done for entertainment. The first story I read from your list is “Alternate Perspectives” and “The Skywalker Spirit”. I’ve read them more than once.

Well.. I’m glad I was able to learn more about you and share something about me.

Thanks again for sharing your talent of writing… Looking forward to reading more of your stories.

Sfloresf66

Hey Sfloresf66!

Wow, The Skywalker Spirit is an old one...lol. Altered Perceptions will be updated as soon as I get it’s next chapter finished, don’t know when that will be though. Anidala isn’t the only type of fics I enjoy, but Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader is one of my favorite characters to write, he so fun to get into the head of. 

Thank you for the compliment regarding my writing. I truly do enjoy writing and it is a wonderful outlet for so many things. I spent so many years self improving my writing and I’m not always convinced of my own skill, always feeling the need for improvement. I do appreciate the compliment. 

I think, if you want to write a story, go ahead! You don’t have to publish anything unless you feel ready to. I only have a small fraction of my own writing published. I can offer some advice if you want, based on my own experience. I may write a post about that at some point, idk. 

Yes! Some people can be picky and pushy, especially readers, lol. It’s all good though, even if a bit frustrating at times. I can understand both sides. As a reader, I feel anxious for the next update for a really good ongoing fic and yet as a writer, I understand just how long it can take to update. I used to be able to crank out update after update, fic after fic but I’m starting to suspect that it was the manic side of me that did that, lol. Now, it takes me a while to update a fic and I do feel the pressure to satisfy loyal readers. 

Hey, that’s amazing that you’re a teacher and feel such passion for your job! Teachers don’t get enough credit or respect, and the really good ones can leave a life long impression. I can count only a few teachers who have left strong, positive impressions on me. The best teacher that I had was Mr. S. whom I had in fourth and fifth grade. He was strict(in a good way) but the things he taught are things that have stayed with me almost thirty years later. My older brother has worked for the school system since he graduated HS, working his way up through the system. During my HS years he worked as a teachers aid at one of the county’s ESE schools, also being given the position of union rep. The stories he has are insane! I think it is a disgrace the kind of shit teachers have to put up with these days and yet they still don’t paid enough nor compensated for the extra effort they put in for educating our kids. I have other relatives who work in the field too and I have mad respect for teachers. 

Thank you for sharing some of yourself in return. Sending good vibes your way!

[professionalmovershk]

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN PLANNING YOUR RELOCATION FROM HONG KONG

Relocation from Hong Kong is both exhilarating and daunting. Relocation from this bustling metropolis to start afresh in another city or country, be it for work, family, or personal reasons, requires a great deal of planning and organization. From its very unique culture and fast-paced lifestyle to efficient infrastructure, Hong Kong has been a home for many expatriates, and relocation from this dynamic city means going through a number of logistical, emotional, and practical challenges.

This paper shall outline what one should expect when planning their relocation from Hong Kong in terms of legal requirements, logistical planning, and how one can make the transition very smooth.

1. Clearing Legal and Immigration Documents

An absolutely necessary step in planning your relocation from Hong Kong is sorting out the legal and immigration papers that you may need. Some countries require certain visas, work permits, or residence approvals before you are allowed to start living and working there.

Visa and residency requirements also vary from country to country, with each dependent upon nationality, the length of stay, and the purpose of relocation. Whether moving for employment, further education, or family reunification, a correct visa is to be obtained for the receiving country. For instance, if one is coming to the U.S. for work, then it would be required that one obtains an H-1B visa; if in Canada or Australia, the categories are different for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, or family-sponsored visas.

Immigration Procedures in Hong Kong: While leaving Hong Kong, make sure that your departure from Hong Kong is in accordance with the immigration legislation of Hong Kong. If you are a resident or have a working visa, inform the Immigration Department and fulfill other exit formalities. This could include deactivation of your Hong Kong Identity Card or deregistration as a resident, depending on the regulations associated with the type of visa issued to you.

Tax Liabilities: Lastly, clear your final tax liabilities when leaving. Hong Kong has a relatively simple tax regime with no capital gains tax or taxes on foreign-sourced income. However, you are supposed to fill up the final tax return and pay the due amount to the Inland Revenue Department. Note that some countries will request you to also comply with the local tax requirements after you have relocated to their country.

2. Plan Your Finances

Besides actual moving, financial management is one of the most important aspects for a successful relocation. Opening new bank accounts to transferring savings-all the financial resources need to be accessible and secure.

- Banking Arrangements: If you don't already have a bank account in your destination country, this should be one of the first things you arrange. Most of the international banks have either representative or head offices in Hong Kong and, therefore, may be able to provide services to help you open overseas accounts. For example, HSBC is a truly global bank and has a range of expatriate banking services. It will be very helpful to have a local account, as managing your day-to-day expenses, salary payments, and other matters will be easier, thus facilitating your access to banking services in your new country.

Transferring funds from Hong Kong abroad: You will have to compare the available options, both in terms of transfer fees and interbank rates. Among these are popular services, such as Wise, Revolut, and traditional bank wire transfers. Keep an eye out for the current exchange rate, and try to send money in a manner that gives you the best interbank rate when changing your Hong Kong dollars into local currency.

- Tax Considerations: Understand the local tax system of the country you are relocating to, especially when it is more complex compared to what you are used to. Some countries will charge tax on worldwide income, while others have a treaty with Hong Kong so as not to tax again. Consult a tax adviser who has international relocations experience to take you through your new tax obligations and also optimize your financial planning.

3. Housing Arrangements

Securing housing in your destination country is a top priority when moving from Hong Kong. Depending on whether you are buying or renting, this can be a time-consuming operation that needs to be planned well in advance of any move.

Temporary Housing: Most of the expats prefer to make temporary housing arrangements before going into a long-term rent or buy a property. Short-term lettings, serviced apartments, or even Airbnb would offer you some flexibility while you find yourself getting familiar with the neighborhoods and how things work. If your company is arranging for your move, they may be able to assist you with temporary housing.

Researching the Housing Market Each country's housing market may differ in various ways, including price, which may change with location, size of the city, and its amenity base. Do some research on the destination city to understand how much on average a property will cost you to either rent or purchase. Real estate websites, local property agents, and even expat forums are the epitome for any insight one might need regarding the local housing landscapes.

Long-term renting or buying: When comfortable in your new country, seek out long-term housing opportunities. Ensure you understand the local rental market and lease terms for the area. If you plan to purchase property, take the time to learn about the legal and financial procedures for foreign buyers, as some countries have restrictions or surcharges for non-citizens.

4. Relocation Logistics Management

Moving your goods from Hong Kong to a new home involves multi-tasking skills and, therefore requires a great deal of planning and coordination. This includes choosing a relocation company that will be able to get the job done appropriately and efficiently, organizing packing, and attending to customs requirements.

- Selecting a Moving Company: There are several moving companies specializing in international moving from Hong Kong to any place in the world. Well-established companies, like Asian Tigers or Allied Pickfords, will organize everything from packing and shipping to delivery. Compare several movers based on quotes, which include cost and type of service; be certain your mover has experience with customs procedures in your destination country.

Packing and Shipping: Shipping your belongings across the world does take some time, so one needs to be seriously prepared. It is very important to decide upon what things you shall be taking with you and what shall be left or will be sold. Furniture and appliances, among other big things, may well prove cheaper to get in place, whereas personal belongings and essentials can be shipped.

- Customs Regulations: Every country has different customs regulations and you will need to ensure your shipment is in compliance with the local import laws. Some countries restrict the importation of certain items such as food, alcohol, or electronics, and may require you to pay customs duties or taxes on imported goods. Your relocation company should be able to guide you through the customs process.

5. Adapting to a New Culture

Emigrating to a foreign country means exposure to a new culture, way of life, and job environment. In this respect, mental and emotional preparations can amply make the transition smooth.

Cultural Differences: Moving to either a Western country or a neighboring Asian city, there are some cultural differences. Take time to learn about the destination you go to in terms of social norms, work culture, and communicative behavior. Understanding local customs will make it easier to settle into the environment, both professionally and socially.

- Language Barriers: If you are moving to a country whose predominant language is not your own, you may face some language barriers. You may want to consider language classes or invest in a language app like Duolingo to get familiar with the basic phrases before you head out there. Being able to talk with the locals-even just a little-makes all the difference in the world and helps you function a lot more easily.

- Settling In and Building a Social Network: Of course, the building of any social network takes time; however, meeting new people is not difficult at all. You are free to join communities of expats, attend local events, or participate in groups out of interest. Many countries have thriving expatriate networks where night-outs are planned, new enrollments are made, and support mechanisms are provided to the members.

6. Healthcare and Insurance

Health care will be an important consideration when you relocate. Hong Kong's healthcare is very efficient; however, it is necessary that you understand how health care works at your destination country and ensure you have adequate insurance coverage.

Health Insurance: Whichever country you are moving to may have a very different healthcare cost. While some countries offer free universal healthcare, other countries require private health insurance. Make sure, before moving, that you are covered under an adequate health scheme either provided by your employer or bought by yourself. The health scheme should cover medical expenses, hospitalization, and emergencies, especially if the country is quite expensive to afford such health hazards.

Access to Healthcare: When you finally arrive in your country of destination, it will be very important that you register yourself with the local health care providers and take some time to understand the system. Find a local doctor, dentist, and other healthcare professionals so you are assured of medical attention if needed.

Conclusion

Relocation from Hong Kong is a major life decision that must be well thought out and planned in due detail. Right from the assurance of a visa to financial arrangement, from housing to packing, and from cultural adjustment, many moving parts are attached with relocation. The more you can anticipate challenges and be organized with planning, the more smoothly you'll make this transition and head into this new chapter of life with confidence. Whether it be for career, family, or adventure, time taken to plan one's relocation with due care will result in a successful move.

For more information please visit Asiantiger Relocation from Hong Kong

[otstudentwithalife]

As an OT student in Cato Manor, I have always felt that the journey toward sustainable development feels a bit like trying to patch up a raining roof with duct tape. Let’s look at some Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through my opinionated, satirical lens. 

No Poverty (Mission Impossible: Newest Edition)

Poverty in South Africa is like that one relative who stays way past they are welcome, it's been around forever, and no one knows how to make it leave. With 55.5% of the population living below the poverty line (Stats SA, 2020), it's evident not only to myself hopefully that we are not just going through "a rough patch." In Cato Manor, the poverty rate currently is 63%, meaning that nearly 2/3 of the population struggles with basic needs. The challenge of decreasing poverty here feels like trying to solve a Rubik's cube while blindfolded. But, as an OT student, surely, I can tackle what entire governments have failed to achieve, right?

Of course, I can't end poverty overnight. However, through community-centered occupational therapy interventions like skills training and entrepreneurship workshops, we can empower residents to create sustainable livelihoods. For instance, the promotion of small-scale home businesses and vocational rehabilitation services can help individuals move closer to economic independence (Marmot, 2015). After all, empowering people to help themselves is the foundation for sustainable poverty reduction.

Zero Hunger (Surviving on Dreams)

Ah, hunger—the daily "diet plan" nobody asked for! Food insecurity remains a pressing concern in South Africa, with 11% of households experiencing hunger (Stats SA, 2021). Hunger in South Africa has become more than just an empty stomach; it’s a widespread societal issue. As an OT student, I was able to support local community initiatives such as helping in the local soup kitchen. The implementation of gardening initiatives by offering education on sustainable agricultural practices for the soup kitchen. These gardens wouldn’t only provide fresh, fruit and vegetables but also serve the community as therapeutic activities where the community workers can engage in physical activity, and feel a sense of accomplishment. The act of gardening itself has been shown to improve mental health and promote well-being (Altman et al., 2020). Partnering with local schools and organizations for nutrition education also lays the groundwork for long-term food security. These practical applications of occupational therapy would support both physical and mental health, addressing hunger and promoting well-being simultaneously.

Quality Education (The Children Are the Future)

Education in South Africa can feel a bit like watching your favourite series get cancelled mid-season—just when you think it's getting better, the system falls apart. Education is a fundamental human right, yet many children in South Africa face barriers to accessing quality education. While 78% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning (PIRLS, 2021), the Department of Education assures us of an 80% matric pass rate, conveniently curved after lowering the standards. In Cato Manor, We have been working with Mayville Primary and Secondary Schools and local daycares to bridge the education gap. Through the implementation of literacy and numeracy programs, we aimed to give children the tools they need to succeed in their academics which they were struggling with previously. At Mbali’s Daycare, we’ve been identifying children with learning difficulties and developmental delays early on, implementing interventions to ensure that all children get access (Department of Basic Education, 2021). 

Good Health and Well-Being (Surviving South Africa’s Healthcare System)

South Africa's healthcare system is “doing fantastic”—if by fantastic, you mean “still functioning despite falling apart at the seams.” The country faces a double burden of disease: high rates of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, with mental health issues on the rise (Coovadia et al., 2009). Adding to that, 30% of South Africans are expected to experience mental illness in their lifetime (South African Depression and Anxiety Group, 2022). In Cato Manor, where residents face daily challenges, addressing mental health is crucial to achieving this SDG. Let’s face it—patients don't visit the clinic in Cato Manor, they camp there all day in the waiting for the disorganized filing room, the nurses are constantly on lunch at vitals, and the 1 OT at rehab when we aren’t around.

So we contributed firstly to health promotion by facilitating health promotion talks on physical and mental health, providing education on preventive healthcare, and providing screenings for adult mothers and their children in various settings including Philamntwana and Cato Manor Clinic. The implementation of community-based rehabilitation programs will also help individuals with chronic conditions manage their health more effectively which was previously attempted with the active aging group. By focusing on early intervention and promoting healthy living, we can improve overall well-being in the community (Marmot, 2015). 

 Reduced Inequalities (What I Call the Delusion of Equality)

I can admit , I’ve had my fair share of delusions especially before community block where I’ve been forced to look at research then relook at it in the SA context which are 2 vastly different lenses. Reducing inequalities in South Africa is as almost as straightforward as trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle during a rollercoaster ride while also trying not to vomit. Despite the progress that has been made since the end of apartheid, South Africa remains one of the most unequal societies in the world (World Bank, 2022).

As an OT student, I’ve focused on advocating for inclusive practices within the community. This involves working with local businesses to accommodate workers with disabilities, ensuring that public spaces are accessible, and providing rehabilitation services that empower individuals to live independently such as skills development workshops for the unemployed youth can be implemented at the community center with the correct resources. Breaking down barriers to opportunity requires both advocacy and community education. Through our efforts, we aim to ensure that everyone—regardless of ability or gender—has the chance to thrive.

In the face of these obstacles, all we can do is what South Africans do best—laugh, keep smiling, and get creative especially as OT students in the community. As OT students, our work in the community may feel like using duct tape to stop a leaking roof, but we know that resilience is in our DNA. The journey toward sustainable development is not a sprint but a marathon requiring collective effort. By addressing these SDGs, we can build a more equitable society where everyone can flourish.

After all the saying is: if you teach a man to fish, he’ll eat for a lifetime. But if you teach a community to garden, they’ll feed generations.

References

Altman, J. C., Mena, S. E., & Ferreira, S. (2020). The impact of gardening on mental health and well-being: A systematic review. Health & Place, 66, 102418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102418

Coovadia, H., Jewkes, R., Barron, P., Sanders, D., & McIntyre, D. (2009). The health and health system of South Africa: Historical roots of current public health challenges. The Lancet, 374(9692), 817-834. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60951-0

Department of Basic Education. (2021). Annual report 2020/2021. https://www.education.gov.za/AnnualReports.aspx

Marmot, M. (2015). The health gap: The challenge of an unequal world. Bloomsbury Publishing.

South African Depression and Anxiety Group. (2022). Mental health statistics in South Africa. https://www.sadag.org

Stats SA. (2020). Poverty trends in South Africa: An examination of absolute poverty between 2006 and 2015. https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/Report-03-10-06/Report-03-10-062015.pdf

Stats SA. (2021). General household survey 2020. https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0318/P03182020.pdf

World Bank. (2022). South Africa overview. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/southafrica/overview

[tech-developer]

Learning Quran

On the authority of Othman bin Affan, may God be pleased with him, on the authority of the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, who said: “The best of you is the one who learns and teaches the Qur’an.”

This hadith was narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, and explaining its meaning requires us to talk about the meaning of goodness, the reason for which learning and teaching the Qur’an has this high status, the effects mentioned about the virtue of learning and teaching (Quran teaching online), and our duty towards the Noble Qur’an.

The meaning of “The best of you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it” is that the best of you is the one who is related to the Qur’an through this connection.

Is he the best of people in general, or the best of a specific group of them? For example, it was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best of you is the best to his family.” Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, Al-Nasa’i and Al-Hakim.

 Is the man who is best to his family the best of all people? Reconciling the expressions mentioned in explaining the superiority, the scholars said: The superiority here is relative or in relation to a specific group of people.

The best of those who are engaged in knowledge are those who are engaged in the Qur’an, and the best of those who deal with people in goodness are those who deal with their families in goodness. Each one is better in his own category, and is more noble in relation to his group and type.

Why was the most honorable scientific mission connected to the Holy Quran?

The answer is that the Quran is the word of Allah, and everything connected to Allah is the most honorable thing in existence, and the Quran is the constitution of the ideal life in this world and the next, and everything that is like this, the connection to it is more honorable, and the affiliation with it is more honorable.

The word of Allah, when we recite it and understand it, increases our faith in Allah and our awareness of His greatness. The constitution of a happy life, the more we delve into memorizing and studying it, the stronger the desire to respect it and work to benefit from its guidance. Knowledge through the Quran is true knowledge (Quran tafseer course), and application based on it guarantees the result.

Allah the Almighty said: {So whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray nor suffer} (Surat Taha: 123) and He said: {This is a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you may bring mankind out of darkness into the light by permission of their Lord, to the path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy} (Surat Ibrahim: 2).

Our teaching of the Quran (Online classes for quran) is to spread its guidance, to educate people about their constitution, and to be the basis for knowing their rights and duties. Knowledge is the path to action, and culture is the call to advance society.

The Qur’an itself is the sum of correct cultures and true knowledge, and its call is a call for a comprehensive authentic civilization. It is not a purely spiritual book that is chanted for worship only, but rather it is a complete system of life in all its material and spiritual aspects.

It calls for knowledge, work, development, and progress, and raises a generation with strong faith, sound thought, pure spirit, and strong morals, who deserves a life full of strength, prosperity, and prosperity.

Due to the importance of the Qur’an and its necessity for a happy life, many texts have come urging people to turn to it and warn against turning away from it.

In the field of learning, reading, contemplating, studying, and understanding it, the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: “This Qur’an is God’s banquet, so attend its banquet as much as you are able.” The current development in communications has made it possible for everyone to learn online. We can now learn Qur’an online and also join Islamic studies classes.

This Qur’an is the strong rope of Allah, the clear light, and the effective healing. It is a protection for whoever holds fast to it and salvation for whoever follows it.

It does not deviate so that it can be repented, nor does it become crooked so that it can be straightened, nor does its wonders end, nor does it become worn out from frequent repetition.

Recite it, for Allah will reward you for reciting it. Each letter is worth ten good deeds. As for me, I do not say: Alif-Lam-Meem is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter.” Narrated by Al-Hakim with a sound chain of transmission on the authority of Abdullah bin Masoud.

Uqbah bin Amir said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came out publicly while we were in Suffah, and he said: “Which of you would like to go out every day to Buthan or to Al-Aqiq, and come from there?” With two large she-camels without sin or severing family ties?” We said: O Messenger of Allah, we all like that. He said: “Shouldn’t one of you go to the mosque in the morning and learn or recite two verses from the Book of Allah, the Almighty? That is better for him than two she-camels, and three are better than three, and four are better than four, and their number is from camels.” Narrated by Muslim.

In the noble hadith: “O Abu Dharr, for you to go out in the morning and learn one verse from the Book of Allah is better for you than praying one hundred rak’ahs.” Narrated by Ibn Majah with a good chain of narration.

It also says: “Whoever takes a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.” Narrated by Muslim. “The angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge, pleased with what he is doing.” Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Tirmidhi.

In the aspect of teaching the Qur’an and spreading its guidance, there are many texts that encourage it, including the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “Convey from me even if it is one verse.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari.

He himself was a teacher and guide like the rest of the prophets and messengers. And that is enough of an honor. Allah the Almighty said: {O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And an inviter to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating lamp.} (Surat Al-Ahzab: 45-46).

It was mentioned in the hadith of Abu Dharr, “And for you to go out in the morning and teach a chapter of knowledge, whether it is acted upon or not, is better than praying a thousand rak’ahs.” Narrated by Ibn Majah and he authenticated it. It was mentioned in the gathering to seek and teach knowledge, “No group of people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting His Book and studying it among themselves, except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy covers them, the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them among those who are with Him.” Narrated by Muslim.

 The teacher of goodness to people in general said - may God bless him and grant him peace: “Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward like the rewards of those who follow him, without diminishing their rewards in the slightest.” Narrated by Muslim.

After that, we call upon all Muslims in the East and West of the earth to care about the Holy Quran by reciting( Quran recitation course ), memorizing, contemplating, studying( online Quran class ), applying and implementing it, because with the Quran tongues are straightened by language( Quran reading in Arabic ), belief is strengthened by faith, understanding is expanded by culture, souls are purified by morals, society is strengthened by work, and the nation rises with order.

They must care about the Holy Quran to block the enemy’s paths to beliefs and morals, to nullify colonialism’s attempts to attack homelands, and to raise society with the work it calls for based on knowledge and faith.

The righteous predecessors cared about it and were honored, and the last of this nation will not be reformed except by what reformed its beginning.

Read the Qur’an( Quran courses online ), for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection. The reciter of the Qur’an will be told: Read, ascend, and recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status will be at the last verse you recite. Teach it to your children so that Allah may clothe you with a crown of light on the Day of Resurrection, as mentioned in the hadiths.

Do not neglect it, but rather apply its principles and you will be happy in this world and the hereafter. Allah the Almighty said: “There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book.

By it Allah guides (Whoever pursues His pleasure, the ways of peace. He brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.) (Surat Al-Ma’idah: 15-16).

[nitte-university-blog]

Electrical And Electronics Engineering- Should You Go For It 

Electrical and electronics engineering is the division of engineering that deals with the practical uses of electricity in all of its forms, including those found in the field of electronics. Electronics engineering is the discipline of electrical engineering concerned with the applications of the electromagnetic spectrum and electronic devices such as integrated circuits and transistors.

The distinction between electrical engineering and electronics in engineering practice is mainly dependent on the relative strength of the electric currents used. In this view, electrical engineering deals with "heavy current" applications such as electric light and power systems and apparatuses, whereas electronics engineering deals with "light current" applications such as telephone and radio communication, computers, radar, and automatic control systems.

As a result, Electrical and Electronic Engineering are linked to numerous real-time difficulties in the control and operation of power systems and electrical machines. This field encompasses all aspects of information handling, from sensing and acquisition through communications, networking, switching, processing, and storage. 

The goal of B.Tech electrical and electronics engineering is for students to apply electrical and electronic principles to circuits, machines, power systems, and control systems in order to develop solutions in the areas of industrial automation, green energy systems, and smart grids, allowing them to contribute to project teams in the core and associated domains of electrical and electronics technology. Some reasons to pursue this specialisation of engineering- 

Globally Increased Demand

This area has a wide range of applications because it is founded on universal notions from numerous disciplines, such as physics and mathematics. You will be given opportunities from all over the world and will be able to work in a number of industries. Electrical engineers have the substantial technical expertise and work in a variety of secondary and tertiary fields.

Various Career Specialization Options

It is a fairly flexible field with a wide choice of specializations from which to select. Microelectronics, Multimedia Processing, Telecommunications, Photonics, and more domains are included. Electrical engineers have significant knowledge and expertise, making them an essential part of any firm. 

Profitable Salary

International firms might hire fresh graduates and teach them on the job to meet their demands and specifications. Electrical engineers are well compensated not only in their latter years but also in their early careers. As a result, with a good income and possibilities, you can get useful job experience and broaden your skill set.

International Opportunities

One of the major advantages of studying such prominent disciplines is that several overseas institutes and corporations will gladly recruit you without hesitation. You can go to different places and find highly lucrative job options. Many students receive international work opportunities after pursuing a bachelor of electronics and communication engineering. 

Possibility of Introducing Advanced Networks

Many significant strategies for building advanced-level networks and structural engineering software will be introduced to you. Due to fast-changing trends in many areas, such as AI, medical research, and others, electrical engineers are playing a crucial role in assisting the growth and proper execution of updated plans.

It demands a lot of hard work and dedication to become an electrical engineer, but once you do, you will have access to a lot of options for growth. You can test your skills in a range of specialist areas and select the path that best suits your abilities. Choose Nitte Meenakshi Institute Of Technology, one of the best B. Tech colleges in Karnataka to receive a seamless engineering education! 

[beguines]

Podcast Recommendations for Christian Mystics, Religious Leftists, and Others:

Descriptions are taken from the podcasts/their websites, not written by me. Some of these I enjoy or recommend more than others, but tastes vary. Favorites of mine are starred. These recommendations aren't considered an endorsement of all the content within, even those that I consider my favorites. I hope this list can be helpful for some!

Encountering Silence: Encountering Silence explores the beauty and importance of silence from many angles, not just the religious/spiritual/mystical, but also reflecting on the psychology of silence, silence and the arts, silence and politics, silence and education… the list goes on. For a topic that we often don't devote a lot of time and energy to, silence certainly has an important (if quiet!) role in all our lives. ⭐

Faith & Capital: Faith and Capital is a show inviting Christians to participate in the struggle for emancipation from the system of capitalism. ⭐⭐⭐

The Liberation Theology Podcast: A weekly look at the basic concepts of Latin American liberation theology with David Inczauskis, SJ. ⭐⭐⭐ (A great introduction to liberation theology for those who are perhaps less familiar with the subject; episode 4 in particular explores the tensions and relationship between Christianity and Marxism.)

Turning to the Mystics: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast for people searching for something more meaningful, intimate and richly present in the divine gift of their lives. James Finley, clinical psychologist and Living School faculty, offers a modern take on the historical contemplative practices of Christian mystics like Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. Leaning into their experiences can become a gateway to hope, healing and oneness. Together with Kirsten Oates from the Center for Action and Contemplation, they explore listener questions and examine their own paths as modern contemplatives in this beautiful and broken world. ⭐⭐⭐

Deus Ex Musica: Hosted by Delvyn Case, the Deus Ex Musica Podcast explores the many fascinating intersections between music and the Christian faith. Each episode features a guest who discusses their journey as a musician and a Christian, then dives deeper into their work.

PTR (Post-structuralist Tent Revival): Continental philosophy, theology, useless commentary on various issues. (This was a particularly good episode)

On Being: A Peabody Award-winning public radio show and podcast. What does it mean to be human? How do we want to live? And who will we be to each other? Each week a new discovery about the immensity of our lives. Hosted by Krista Tippett. (As On Being has a massive archive, here's one of my favorite episodes)

Sufi Heart: The Sufi Heart podcast with Omid Safi features teachings and stories about a sacred tradition of love, one that manifests outwardly as justice and inwardly as tenderness.  Drawing primarily on the wisdom of the Islamic tradition as well as the legacies of the Civil Rights movements and other wisdom teachings, Omid invites you to a meditation on the transformative power of love and recalling the necessity of linking healing our own hearts with healing the world. ⭐⭐⭐ (Episodes one through five are particularly special to me and I love to revisit them. Omid Safi has the most wonderful, melodic voice and I could listen to it forever.)

Another Name for Every Thing: Another Name for Every Thing with Richard Rohr is a conversational podcast series on the deep connections between action and contemplation. Richard is joined by two students of the Christian contemplative path, Brie Stoner and Paul Swanson, who seek to integrate the wisdom amidst diapers, disruptions, and the shifting state of our world.

Homilies with Richard Rohr: From time to time Fr. Richard speaks at his local parish, Holy Family Church, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Magnificast: Started in the wake of Donald Trump’s inauguration in the United States, The Magnificast is a podcast exploring Christianity and the political left. A lot of people around the world are looking for ways to resist growing reactionary trends, but don’t know where to start. We think the Christian tradition and the tradition of leftist politics provide unique resources, historical examples, and theoretical tools for engaging these problems in ways that go beyond the usual conservative/liberal divide that characterizes a lot of Christian and political discourse. Inspired by Mary’s song of praise, we talk about how to fill the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty. ⭐⭐⭐ (There are too many good episodes to pick and choose what to highlight. They have some great ones about unions and organized labor that I would recommend to anyone who is less familiar with these things!)

Homebrewed Christianity: Our job us to get you the best audiological ingredients so you can brew your own faith. Each episode centers around an interview with a different thinker, theologian, or philosopher. ⭐ (A great listen for people who are more interested in intense dives into theological topics.)

Things Not Seen: Conversations about culture and faith. Things Not Seen is an independent radio show and podcast that features in-depth interviews with nationally recognized guests. Each week, we welcome authors, musicians, politicians, filmmakers, and more.

Lonely Mountain Mystics: For those finding faith or losing it; for those who feel they no longer fit where they once did. For those who have been hurt, helped, broken or healed by faith experience and find that their current spiritual journey has led them wandering some place wild, unknown and far from home; you’re not alone. "A podcast for the spiritually homeless", the show follows the hosts conversations about faith, love, and how to practice them. 

Public Theologians: As public theologians, Jerran and Casey believe that everything about us says something about God and something about the world. The late theologian James Cone phrased it like this: "theology is political language. What people think about God, Jesus Christ, and the church cannot be separated from their own social and political status in a society." While silence on issues that have been deemed by religious talking heads as secondary matters (from poverty to war to movements) will always be an easier route, we know that there has to be a better way. We’re here to push for that better way.

Bread and Rosaries: A UK podcast about Christianity and the left. (This is a relatively new podcast that I have yet to listen to, but what a great name!)

[getshitdonetbh]

- a lifeguide for students with anxiety - i’ve been struggling with anxiety for more than a decade. needless to say, i know what it’s like to be in a school system when your mental health isn’t at its best. it’s easy to get discouraged and give up on your studies. i’ve been there as well, but look at me now, i’ve graduated from a bachelor degree, a master degree and i’m even doing a second one. IT-IS-POSSIBLE. if i did it, you can do it as well. so here, i picked some of my best tips that i wish i’d know sooner when i got to higher education, when my mental health failed me. x prioritize i can’t stress this enough. P R I O R I T I Z E all your tasks. it’s easy to be overwhelmed with work, emotions, pressure. so whenever you feel like you’ve got a thousand things to do but don’t know how/where to start : list everything. as soon as you’re done with your list, pick three colours : one for important tasks that need to be done asap one for tasks that you have to do but aren’t a life or death question one for tasks that can wait/less important once it’s done, mark your important tasks with numbers: one for the most important, second for the second most important etc… this method will help you to know what you’ve got to do first and help you organise your brain.

x use the pomodoro method being anxious means procrastinate then worry about procrastination because you’ve got a lot to do but also struggle to focus because your mind is thinking about something else… it’s an endless spiral. the pomodoro method is well-known amongst studyblrs but it is really helpful when you can’t focus. 20 minutes of work, 5 min break, repeat it 4 times then give yourself a bigger break. honestly it worked for me. i go full hardcore mode for 20mn, and i’ve never been more productive. + bonus tips : my mind wanders easily, so i also use an extension that blocks websites (forest is the best!!) it helps me to stay focus.

x when it’s too much, stop it you’ve got to submit an essay, you haven’t got much time left but you can’t work. you can’t work because you’re too anxious, because you’re scared, because you want to give up, because all of this, is getting too much. did that ever happen ? don’t force it, you’re not going to be more productive, trust me on this one. instead of crying your eyes out on this essay, give yourself a break. have a shower, talk to a relative/friend, cook something, go out for 5 minutes, scroll your tumblr timeline, do some breathing exercises, do something else. when you’re feeling a tad better, come back, write down everything that is currently making you anxious and split them in two: what can/can’t be solved. and then write down solutions, even long terms ones. once it’s done, you should feel a bit better, enough to go back to your work.

that’s all for the real real real tips, but here’s some bonus that i do as well: - listen to classical/relaxing playlist - use earplugs when i need to be super focused - always keep a notebook nearby, it’s helpful to write what you’ve got in mind - ask for help. never be scared to reach to someone when you can’t do it anymore, it’s important. - remember to take time for yourself as well, sleep is important, so is staying hydrated.

i know it’s not much but those tips helped me get through my dissertation and honestly i would have done so much better if i had known those lil tips before.

take care, - aly

[razzle-zazzle]

Whumptober Day 01: All trussed up & still nowhere to go

Bound + Barbed Wire

2338 Words; Sanctuary Island

TW for blood, mentions of slavery, and mild violence

This was not an ideal situation.

Not that Cole had really been in any ideal situations since being brought to this island, but this was more of a relative case. At least having allies nearby was better than being tied to a chair.

But, ideal or not, Cole was here, heavy metal collar held close to the back of the chair by a chain, and escape was not going to come as easily as the last time. The overseers were doing their best to make sure of that.

Really, all Cole had to do was stay alive and hope Artura didn’t attempt anything too reckless in his absence. All of the others had managed to disappear into the woods safely, and it’d be a while yet before their little makeshift fortress could be taken. He’d probably faced much worse odds on the mainland.

His restraints weren’t exactly uncomfortable, per se—he could do without having his arms pulled behind the chair over the back of it, elbows lashed tightly together with what had to be rope chosen deliberately for how rough and scratchy it was, his wrists similarly bound—his legs were tightly tied to the front legs of the chair, but the fabric of his pants prevented most of the friction currently chafing his arms.

He could definitely do without the ropes over his chest, and it would be very nice to get the metal collar off. But Cole refused to focus on the negatives here. He had to stay positive, and keep his eyes open for the opportunity to escape and rejoin the revolution.

So Cole waited, doing his level best to ignore the discomfort, flexing his arms to test the strength of the ropes.

He could snap them with his earth punch easily. That wouldn’t handle any of the other ropes, and he’d have to disconnect the metal collar from the chair if he wanted to lean down to pull the ropes on his legs apart, but it shouldn’t take too long to undo the lock fastening the chain to his collar.

The problem, however, was the collar. Cole wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not, but there were traces of vengestone in the metal—just enough to cut his strength in half, preventing him from actually snapping the rope.

Cole was stuck waiting until an actual opportunity presented itself, and the longer he waited, the more uncomfortable his position became.

First Master, his arms were aching. The back of the chair was digging into his back, and he couldn’t pull his arms up to alleviate the situation. His elbows being lashed so tightly together was starting to become a problem for his shoulders, too.

But Cole was tougher than that. He had to be. He was the rock of the ninja, so he could be the rock here, too. It was just like Jay said: the power of positive thinking.

Time passed. It probably felt longer than it was—Cole couldn't exactly tell; there wasn’t any way to tell the time. Just a small, windowless room dimly lit by an oil lamp on a table in the corner.

Honestly, the room felt more like a shed than anything. Maybe Cole was locked up in some kind of fortress, and maybe he wasn’t. It was hard to tell, but Cole was leaning towards torture room based on the tools hanging on the wall to his right.

Fuck, now his back was starting to ache, and he was losing feeling in his fingers. Grunting a little, Cole shifted as much as his restraints would allow—not much, but it’d have to do—in an effort to alleviate some of the pain.

Fortunately—or unfortunately, it depended on how one looked at it—the door opened at that moment, heralding the arrival of one of the overseers.

Cole recognized this man. The shiny badge on his top hat gave him away as one of the people enforcing the messed-up system on the island, but Cole recognized the man’s face from the few weeks Cole had been put to work in the fields.

The man opened his mouth to say something, but Cole cut him off.

“Oh good,” he snarked, “I was starting to think I’d been forgotten here.”

The man’s expression changed immediately, shifting from merely dismissive contempt to fury. He crossed the room in two steps and slapped Cole, hard. His head jolted to the side from the force of it.

“Hold your tongue, boy.” Venom dripped from the overseer’s voice, enough to kill a man. “Do not speak unless spoken to.”

Cole grinned. “So I can speak now that you’ve said something to me?” He got another smack in return, his head jolting to the other side this time. Cole tasted copper—he’d bit his tongue twice now.

"You have caused more than enough trouble here, on our fair island.” The overseer stated, adjusting his gloves.

Cole shrugged as much as his restraints would allow, swallowing the blood in his mouth. “Yeah, I kinda specialize in that.” He only got a sharp look at that remark, thankfully enough.

“And what, pray tell," the overseer snarled, reaching back to grip Cole’s hair harshly, "Makes you so special, dirt boy?"

"I'm a ninja." Cole said tersely. He flexed against the restraints. "Protecting people is what I do." Just grin and bear it. That should be easy enough.

He grinned again, past the taste of copper in his mouth, making sure to bare his teeth. "Of course, you wouldn't understand that, would you, slave-driver?"

He got a third smack for his sass. The overseer’s grip on his hair kept Cole’s head from jolting to the side again, but the tradeoff was a harsh yank on his hair.

The overseer huffed, letting go of Cole’s hair. “Well then.” He hissed, walking over to open one of the drawers to Cole’s left. “We’ll see about correcting this little… discipline issue. This little ‘revolution’ of yours ends here, boy.” The overseer held up a spool of barbed wire, face oddly impassive for such a pompous man.

Cole stilled. This was not something he’d seen before.

The overseer opened another drawer, digging through it before pulling out some cloth.

Cole wasn’t sure where this was going, but he was pretty sure it was going to hurt.

“I was going to ask if you’d learned your lesson,” the overseer began, closing the drawers. “But clearly you haven’t.”

“You say that like there’s a lesson to be learned, here.” Cole shot back as the overseer approached. Any further retort was cut off as—rather predictably, Cole would later reflect—the overseer shoved the cloth in his mouth.

It wasn’t a lot, certainly not enough to make his jaw ache any time soon, but it did muffle and garble his words.

Before Cole could spit the cloth out, the overseer was there, securing it in place with a length of barbed wire. Cole glared as the overseer looped the wire twice more around his head before calmly fastening it behind Cole’s head with a metal clip.

None of the spikes were directly digging into Cole’s flesh, but he could feel the edges of the points threateningly close to his skin, close enough to cut into it if he moved too much.

Cole growled through the cloth. He couldn’t actually reduce the man to ash with just a look, but damn if he wasn’t trying.

“Since you fail to understand simple instructions,” The overseer hissed, beginning to wrap more barbed wire around Cole’s chest and arms, “You will have to be educated in proper behavior.” The wire was dangerously tight around Cole, to the point where he could feel some of the spikes through his shirt. His bare arms were spared slightly by the width of the chair, but that didn’t mean much when what was touching his arms was forcing them tighter against the back of the chair.

“You refuse to hold your tongue,” the overseer continued, “so you will not be allowed to speak for the time being. He pulled the wires tighter, cinching the two ends together behind Cole… somehow. It wasn’t like Cole could really see behind himself. “And since you continue to be bullheaded,” the overseer spat the word bullheaded like a curse, “some long-term negative reinforcement is in order.”

Cole huffed, the sound muffled by the gag. Unlike the wire used to gag him, the wire looping around him was digging into his flesh at several points. He couldn’t feel any blood, though, so he supposed there were still small mercies.

Not that those small mercies really made the situation ideal.

The overseer, satisfied with his work—and with the way Cole was glaring at him, curses muffled by the gag—nodded, and then left, the click of a lock finalizing his departure.

Cole groaned. If it had just been some light torture or the whip again, Cole could have handled that. But barbed wire? Being left alone with the barbed wire to suffer for a while? In what basically amounted to solitary confinement?

You can bear this, Cole. Cole reminded himself, staring at the small crack where the door met the floor. You’re too tough to be broken by something so small as this. It didn’t make the situation less painful, but it did give Cole some confidence.

He was going to be aching for weeks after this, he just knew it.

There was something weird about the barbed wire, though. It felt like the spikes all had sharp edges along their lengths, instead of just a sharp point at the end. It was like being held in place by a bunch of tiny little knives—

Cole’s eyes widened. Of course! He’d have grinned were it not for the barbed wire against his cheek. The overseer had left him with exactly what he needed to get free.

Carefully, trying not to cut into himself further, Cole shifted so the ropes around his elbows and wrists were as close to the spikes as he could manage. He couldn’t see what he was doing, having to feel it out, and he could definitely feel one or two of the barbs digging in deeper, but he could also, if he strained his ears enough, hear the faint sound of metal cutting through fiber.

It took some more experimenting before Cole could build up a proper rhythm, but eventually he’d managed to free his elbows, with a lot of little cuts up and down his arms for his efforts. The wire was still pinning his arms against the chair, but it wasn’t holding his arms together.

A little more wriggling—there was definitely blood starting to bead up on his arms now—and Cole’s wrists were free of the rope, allowing Cole to separate his arms. It took some shimmying, and the barbs sliced through his flesh as he did so, but he managed to get his arms to the sides of his chest. This gave the wire enough slack for it to start to fall a bit, and a little more shaking and wiggling got it all the way down, the wire lying in several loops at his waist.

Carefully, avoiding the barbs, Cole twisted the coils around until he could get at whatever was fastening the ends. A little jiggling, and the metal clip came loose, allowing Cole to move the wire where he pleased.

Carefully, trying not to cut up his wrists, Cole lifted his arms out of the wire, freeing them up. Immediately, he used that newfound freedom to fiddle with the clip fastening the wire behind his head.

Cole spat out the cloth, tossing the wire that had held it in place to the side.

Of course, that still left the ropes around his chest and legs, and the collar—

The next step was the collar. Cole wasn’t strong enough to break it without his powers, but he couldn’t access his powers with it on. So he reached back, feeling around the collar for where the chain fastened to it for a weak point.

Blood had dripped down onto his hands while he’d been working his arms free, though, and it was making fiddling with the lock difficult. But dammit, Cole was not sticking around long enough to find out what else the overseer had in store for him, so he grabbed one of the ends of the wire in his lap and jammed it into the lock.

A click signaled the chain was detached from the collar, even if it was still on. Whatever. Cole would deal with that later. Preferably far away from this place.

Of course, he wasn’t home free just yet. There was still the matter of the ropes around his legs.

But Cole also had several coils of barbed wire.

After that, it was a simple matter to cut through the rest of the ropes. Cole was still bleeding, but he’d handle that once he could stand.

Finally free, Cole stood up. His joints creaked in protest after spending so long so tightly bound, but Cole pushed on anyway. He went to the drawers first—he’d need to grab a few things before he could make his daring escape.

First step: the cuts on his arms. They were starting to scab over, not that they’d been that big in the first place, but there was still blood dripping languidly down his arms. So he dug through the drawers for some bandages, and, failing that, some cloth that would serve the same purpose. There wasn’t really anything in the room Cole could use to clean the wounds, so he’d worry about that once he got back to Artura and Laina and the others.

Arms now wrapped with something resembling bandages, Cole moved on to the tool board on the wall, searching for a weapon. His hand-to-hand was usually good, but “usually” didn’t apply to arms covered in cuts and still aching from his bonds. So really, it was a question of which “tool” would serve him best here.

Cole grabbed a knife, examining the blade.

Yeah, this would do.

[tinyshe]

This is dedicated to all you Americans that are whining about “living in a communist country” and what a dictator Trump was; I offer the following for you to think about.

I Grew Up in a Communist System. Here’s What Americans Don’t Understand About Freedom Only in a free-market system can we truly achieve individual liberty and human flourishing.

“Individual freedom can only exist in the context of free-market capitalism. Personal freedom thrives in capitalism, declines in government-regulated economies, and vanishes in communism. Aside from better economic and legislative policies, what America needs is a more intense appreciation for individual freedom and capitalism.

“I was born and raised in communist Romania during the Cold War, a country in which the government owned all the resources and means of production. The state controlled almost every aspect of our lives: our education, our job placement, the time of day we could have hot water, and what we were allowed to say.

“Like the rest of the Eastern European countries, Romania was often referred to as a communist country. In school, we were taught it was a socialist country. Its name prior to the 1989 Revolution to overthrow the Ceausescu regime was the Socialist Republic of Romania.

“From an economic standpoint, a petty fraction of property was still privately owned. In a communist system, all property is owned by the state. So if it wasn't a true communist economy, its heavy central planning and the application of a totalitarian control over the Romanian citizenry made this nation rightfully gain its title of a communist country.

Socialism Creates Shortages

“Despite the fact that Romania was a country rich in resources, there were shortages everywhere. Food, electricity, water, and just about every one of life's necessities were in short supply. The apartment building in which we lived provided hot water for showers two hours in the morning and two hours at night. We had to be quick and on time so we didn't miss the opportunity.

“I get it, maybe we didn't need to be fashionable. But we needed to eat.

“Wrigley's chewing gum and Swiss chocolate were a rare delight for us. I remember how happy I was when I'd have a pack of foreign bubblegum or a bar of delicious milk chocolate. I'd usually save them for special occasions.

“Fruity lip gloss, French perfume, and jeans were but a few of the popular items available only on the black market and with the right connections. God bless our black-market entrepreneurs! They made our lives better. They gave us the opportunity to buy things we very much desired, things we couldn't get from the government-owned retail stores which were either half-empty or full of products that were ugly and of poor quality.

“The grocery stores were not any better. I get it, maybe we didn't need to be fashionable. But we needed to eat. So, the old Romanian adage "Conscience goes through the stomach" made a lot of sense.

“During the late 1970s, life in Romania started to deteriorate even more. Meat was hardly a consumer staple for the average Romanian. Instead, our parents learned to become good at preparing the liver, the brain, the tongue, and other giblets that most people in the West would not even consider trying.

“For a family of four like us, our rationed quota was 1 kilogram of flour and 1 kilogram of sugar per month.

“When milk, butter, eggs, and yogurt were temporarily available, my mom—like so many others of our neighbors—would wake up at 2:00 a.m. to go stand in line so she'd have the chance to get us these goodies. The store would open at 6:00 a.m., so if she wasn't early enough in line she'd miss the opportunity.

“In 1982, the state sent their disciples to people's homes to do the census. Along with that, food rationing was implemented. For a family of four like us, our rationed quota was 1 kilogram of flour and 1 kilogram of sugar per month. That is, if they were available and if we were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time when they were being distributed.

“The one television channel our government provided for us often focused on programs related to crime and poverty in the western world. After all, people were poor and suffering because of capitalism, so we were told, so we needed socialism and communism to solve the inequalities of humanity.

Capitalism Advances Private Property

“Considering the shortages created by the government-controlled economy of my birth country, I came to understand and appreciate capitalism, the one system that had the most dramatic effect in elevating human civilization.

“Private property and private property rights are at the core of capitalism.

“The layman definition of capitalism is the economic system in which people and businesses engage in manufacturing, trading, and exchanging products and services without government interference. A free-market capitalist system works in a more efficient manner when not tampered with by government or central bank intervention in the credit markets, monetary policy, and interest rate fixing.

“Private property and private property rights are at the core of capitalism. When in school, we learned that private property makes people greedy and is considered detrimental to society. Private property was associated with capitalism, the system that our textbooks claimed failed.

Allocation of Resources

“Romania was rich in natural resources, yet the difference between our standard of living and those from the West was quite dramatic. It was indicative of a flawed economic system that most countries in Eastern Europe adhered to during the Soviet Era. But one may ask why was there so much poverty when natural resources are so abundant?

“The free market, however, directs the allocation of resources via the amazing process of supply and demand.

Economics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources which have alternative uses. Efficiency is thus of primary concern when the goal is economic progress.

“In a centrally-planned environment, the various government individuals who are assigned the task of planning the economy could not possibly know how to properly allocate the scarce resources of an entire nation, no matter how smart or educated they are. Shortages are one of the consequences of improper allocation of the scarce resources.

“The free market, however, through the multiple spontaneous interactions of businesses and consumers, directs the allocation of resources via the amazing process of supply and demand. It is precisely due to the profit and loss events that economic efficiency is stimulated.

Free Markets Attract Capital

“Due to its profit incentives, capitalism encourages innovation. Innovation leads to progress and an increase in the standard of living. But progress and the climate which offers humans a high standard of living cannot be created without the capital to transform and turn resources into the final products that give us the—relatively—cheap energy and food, smartphones, fitness gyms, and overall the life we currently afford. Capital moves in the direction of less regulation, less government intervention, and less taxation. In short, capital moves to where there's more economic freedom.

“Capital is chased away due to the high risk associated with governments who engage in high levels of controlling their economies.

“In contrast, communism, socialism, fascism, or just about any government-controlled system lacks the profit incentive. The people, who are the human resources, have no desire to engage in a business where the reward is not attainable (unless it's done in the black markets). They accept the state and its bureaucratic cronies to dictate their faith.

“Capital is chased away due to the high risk associated with governments who engage in high levels of controlling their economies and, often, corruption. The overall standard of living is dramatically lower than in most capitalist places, and the poverty is higher. Consequently, the collectivist country falls into an economic and social trap from which it is hard to escape. Only capitalism can save a nation from the failure of its central economic planning.

Capitalism Helps Us Be Better Individuals

“Similar to the old Soviet lifestyle, let's remember what the typical Venezuelan family of our times worries about on a daily basis. Food to put on the table and the safety of their children. They wake up in the morning wondering how many meals they can afford that day, where to get them from, and how to pay for them.

“Capitalism makes it possible for us to challenge ourselves, to have goals, and to put forth the sweat in order to achieve them.

“We, the lucky ones to live in a relatively free-market system, don't have these kinds of worries. We go to work, get leisure time to be on Facebook, watch TV, be with our families, read books, and enjoy a hobby or two. In short, we have the personal freedom to engage in and enjoy a variety of life events because of capitalism.

“But there's another important motive to desire to live in a capitalist society. We are free to create and come up with all kinds of business ideas, no matter how crazy some might be. Because we don't have to worry about tomorrow, we have—or make—the time to read, explore, and innovate.

“Capitalism makes it possible for us to challenge ourselves, to have goals, and to put forth the sweat to achieve them. It gives us the freedom to try new things and explore new opportunities. It gives us the chance to create more opportunities. It helps us build strong character because when we try, we also fail, and without failure, how do we know we've made mistakes? Without failure, how do we know we must make changes?

Individual Freedom Can Only Exist in the Context of Free Markets

“Before immigrating to the U.S., I had to go through a rigorous process. One of the events was the immigration interview with the American counselor who, among many other questions, asked why I escaped Romania and why I wanted to come to America. My short answer was freedom. Then he posed the interesting question: "If America was to go through a period of economic devastation with shortages similar to Romania, would you still feel the same way?" I didn't think too much about it, and I said, "Yes, of course, as long as I have freedom."

“Capitalism is the path to the individual rights and liberty that build the solid foundation of a free society.

“In retrospect, that was a dumb answer on my part. After several decades, I came to believe that the human condition of individual freedom can only exist in the context of free markets. Shortages are created by the intrusion of the state into the complex activity of the markets, whether it's price controls or poor allocation of resources.

“When shortages are powerful and long enough to dramatically affect lives, people resort to revolt. Large revolts call for serious governmental actions including, but not limited to, eroding or completely eliminating individual rights (the right to free speech and to bear arms), the institution of a police state, and the enacting of a powerful state propaganda system. Capitalism is the path to the individual rights and liberty that build the solid foundation of a free society.

Is America a True Capitalist Economy?

“The short answer is no. Most of the world refers to the American system as being a capitalist one. Based on my short definition of capitalism, it is obvious that it is not quite a pure one, and I wish to clarify that the U.S. is not a truly free-market capitalist system.

“We still maintain stronger capitalist traits than most, however a few other nations who lead the way in economic freedom have surpassed us.

“The economic policy of the 19th Century with limited regulations and minimal taxation attracted the needed capital to our country. The Industrial Revolution made spectacular advancements in human conditions due to the capital concentrated in the region. America lost its number one place due to legislating higher regulations, taxation, and protectionist policies.

“But we are still enjoying some of the fruits today. Compared to many countries in the world, we still maintain stronger capitalist traits than most, however Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, New Zealand, and a few other nations who lead the way in economic freedom have surpassed us (see the latest statistics).

What America Needs                                                               

[besides a swift kick up the arse, my note]

“It starts in our own backyard, in our home, in our small group, in our community.

“Aside from better economic and legislative policies, what America needs is a more intense appreciation of individual freedom and capitalism. Such a crazy idea is not acquired through public schools or becoming a public servant. Young people don't need more years of schooling with more worthless college degrees and student loans in default. America needs more entrepreneurs and businessmen. It needs more people with drive and ambition, more self-starters, more innovators, more people who are willing to take chances.

“It starts in our own backyard, in our home, in our small group, in our community. It starts with loving, involved, and dedicated parents who'd instill the values of personal responsibility and delayed gratification in their children. It continues with an education that entails both theory and hands-on practice in environments conducive to learning how to think independently and how to acquire life- and work-skills. It evolves into a purpose-driven life rich in learning and experiences. And this may be just the beginning of attaining the intellectual maturity to perceive the value that free markets and individual freedom afford most of us.”

[mage-and-the-tantrums]

Turn it off

I just can't brush that thought off my mind.

I was always fascinated by the Pi number. This number theoretically cannot end, and cannot be written with 100% exactitude. Its value is conventionally known as 3.14, but the digits coming after the "4" go on forever. Yet, it makes perfect sense to use Pi for critical calculations, related to everything in our lives, from electricity to structures and architecture, to medicine. We accept that we can never define Pi, and that the digits going on forever can be discarded. In school, when we were first introduced to this ambiguity, we could not accept it because mathematics are about ruthless, perfect exactitude. And yet, relativity is everywhere around us. Growing up, I slowly came to digest this notion of relativity governing the whole existence. Absolute cardinality gets you most of the way, but not all the way through. And technically, the way is never ending so good luck with your wandering.

So, using an imperfect, irrational number, we can draw a perfect shape that is a circle. A never-ending loop of eternal wandering. Structured, borned, beautiful, omnipresent all around us. Even history is about cycles. Menstruation, the origin of life, is a perfect cycle. Water is a cycle. All cycles are circles.

If I am to draw a general outline of my life, with all the feelings and mood swings I go through, and all the ideas that go through my head, I would say it is a cycle. I am like a binary machine; either up or down. I would go through periods of hyperactivity and social extrovertness. I would feel overall happy and light, and ready to take on the world. I feel grateful, about a lot of things in my life, and I tolerate bullshit around me. Only to end up in a pit, months afterwards. My battery dies, and I feel like staying home all the time. I become very difficult to talk to, and I start overthinking and criticising everything and everyone. I would also be mad with most people around me, and most of the time, rightly so. I am usually very easy to be pissed off, and politically correct. I get disgusted by life in general, and I see everything as useless and tiring.

The only constant during these varying cycles is one grim thought: It would be easier if I weren't to live in the first place. I often end up asking myself what the world would have missed if my parents did not have sex at that exact time where I was conceived. Moreover, what is the meaning of this life, apart from growing old, getting an education, struggling into a system of greed and imperialistic, late stage capitalism, to find a place in the grid where I'd have to work my days off in a building. The question is more urgent and burning in a world that does make absolutely no sense, with an ecological mega-crisis looming in the horizon and ever-growing tensions between cultures and religions. It is even more obvious when you are born into a third-world country that is forced to justify itself and self-promote for a better tourism and a more generous visa quota for the wealthier countries. I see no point in this shitshow, and the wheel would turn with or without me in the end.

Let's just forget about the current state of the world, maybe life has its full meaning in the relationships that we create and in the daily struggles we go through. Life itself fails to make any sense at a micro-scale. Especially in this age of dying morals, individualistic culture and consumerism. Everybody is flexing a goddamned muscle, and at the end of the day, people fail, most of the time, to acknowledge that we are very much determined by the sum of our conditions. People are tiring, and during my off-cycles, I can't bear small talk, or talk of self-gratification and emotional illiteracy. I just can't stand it.

But maybe some meaning can be found in helping others and making sustainable impact. Teaching people a skill that changes their lives is priceless, helping someone and making their existence a little more easier, even by words, is priceless. Healing people, providing people with food, even when most of them are selfish assholes, is very fulfilling. Maybe there is meaning to life after all.

Still, it would have been a lot easier if I did not come to this existence. Or maybe it is too early to jump to this conclusion. Suffering is part of existing, and maybe the dose of suffering and existential pain and embarrassment is a little too much. We are the furthest humans have been from nature. Everything is abstracted away. We live in an overly industrialized world and our attention had been hijacked from us by gadgets and devices. Human connections changed beyond recognition, and cash rules everything around me. Maybe the ultimate meaning in this era is to figure out a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle, and fighting to claim it back, even individually. For me, a theist muslim, a very big part of meaning is a return to God, and a return to a religion which I stress-tested and read a lot about in order to be fully convinced by it and its book. One of the many things I hated as a teenager is being a muslim by inheritance. I spent the subsequent years away from any notion of religion or connection with God, and I read for quite a while, with a very critical state of mind, and I made my choice as if I was never introduced to Islam. It makes sense.

Actually, one of my first questions to God would be: "why ?".

I scraped my knees while I was praying and found a demon in my safest haven Seems like it's getting harder to believe in anything than just to get lost in all my selfish thoughts I wanna know what it'd be like to find perfection in my pride To see nothing in the light Or turn it off in all my spite In all my spite I'll turn it off

And the worst part is before it gets any better we're headed for a cliff And in the free fall I will realize I'm better off when I hit the bottom

The tragedy it seems unending I'm watching everyone I looked up to breaking, bending Taking shortcuts and false solutions just to come out the hero Well I can see behind the curtain The wheels are cranking turning It's all wrong the way we're working towards a goal that's nonexistent It's nonexistent but we just keep believing

Paramore - Turn It Off

[brightlotusmoon]

From a comment thread in my ADHD group about the reality of ADHD as a disorder.

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"Education needs reform for this and many other reasons, which will make learning easier for most, but will not “eliminate” ADHD.

Part of the problem is that this framing removes protections from those of us who need labels and accommodation in order to manage our lives."

...

"While I understand what this author was going for, this article is clearly written by a neurotypical who’s never grappled with day to day living as a Neurodiverse human.

Yes, many of our struggles exist because we live in a society that thrives on high production value at the lowest cost.

Yes there are studies showing our brains have evolved in a manner unsuited to our current living condition.

But at the end of the day it is still a disorder and it needs to be labeled and recognized as one. When we try to trim the edges of a complex issue and say “it’s about dealing with adversity” al you’ve done is give people the green light to say we simply don’t know how to cope with stress and that’s some how our fault.

You can’t boil down the complex spectrum of mental health like this because it somehow makes you feel better sorry.

All this article will accomplish is giving NT’s further permission to dismiss our struggles and push us further and further away from getting the proper treatment we need.

Again, this is a complex issue that can’t be boiled down into a 1000 word article. The reason you see less cases in Finland vs the US is because of so many factors like socialized medicine, advanced and well funded education infrastructure, an economy that isn’t stuck in late stage capitalism propaganda.

The reason you see more cases being diagnosed is because more and more people feel comfortable discussing mental health, because we are slowly moving away from the outdated diagnosing models that assume only boys can get ADHD, and in America especially we are dealing with generations that have increased trauma like 9/11, the crash of 2008, housing crisis after housing crisis, Covid, economic inflation without proper wages. The burn out is astronomical and no one wants to properly deal with that.

So it’s incredibly unfair for this author to sit there and say “it’s a simple matter of not being able to deal with adversity” and assume that’s going to somehow fix us."

...

"My concern for this study is that it will be used to justify and reinforce the ableist notion to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and then it will make not overcoming "adversity" as a personal failing.

I also take issue with the position that we can reform individual systems (i.e education) to mitigate mental disorders. IMO, reform is just a bandaid and it doesn't address the base causes of trauma/adversity which are things like poverty and economic instability, hunger, domestic violence rooted in patriarchal masculinity/homophobia/transphobia, state violence (i.e. police killings, child migrant detention, etc.), and imperialism/war.

The article mentions ADHD as an adaption to ancestral adversity, though it doesn't mention the research on epigenetics that point to trauma being passed intergenerationally through biological/genetic changes in offspring.

I'm curious to read the full study. I feel it has some good ideas, but I caution putting too much weight into one study as presented in Forbes."

...

"I only skimmed the first two paragraphs thus far. Lessee - PTSD might be a response to adversity - um, no sh*t Sherlock! And quite often yes depression and other conditions are as well. That part of why trauma-informed care has become such a significant thing in psychotherapy circles. Then it says ADHD may be from our ancestral environment but doesn’t match the way we live today - uh that means it’s not adaptive and is creating a problem. That’s also why treatment is more than just medication which is what they are focused on. They also said something about despite medication the prevalence of depression hasn’t decreased. I didn’t see how they made that determination but - um, people have to continue to see their treating providers and have the diagnosis if they are going to continue to receive the treatment. Yes it might be in remission, but for some only as long as the medication is being taken (and I’ll say that’s more likely if someone doesn’t receive therapy - I’m a bit biased in this regard 🙂) … I also doubt physicians or clinicians are changing the diagnoses. Heck, I went through a difficult breakup and requested medication - I later saw the doctor ”diagnosed” Major Depression - uh, no, and that diagnosis still shows up. Other thoughts too, I could (and probably should really write an article of my own). I also saw they make reference to polyvagal theory, an important relatively concept in understanding and informing how we treat clients - again beyond medication alone.

Social reform, sure we need it. I’m assuming this reform is to address things like poverty, systemic racism, etc. It’s cyclical: systemic stuff contributes to physical and mental conditions/disorders/diseases. I’m all for less trauma and all the various -isms.

BUT one issue does not negate the existence of the other. That there is an adversity aspect doesn’t rule out the biological aspect. “Yes AND” not “yes but”.

And now I’ll get back to what I was doing before I got sidetracked by seeing this... 😃 (And read the rest of the article later - so great to have such a big reaction to something I barely read! Oy…)"

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