#and academic writing in a science career)

[memories-break-our-fall]

hey I don’t like being a smart gifted kid anymore. can I please be normal I’d much prefer that

[themonsterunderthebed]

how is it i've been working for seven hours and have only written two double spaced pages

[communistkenobi]

I was looking for a book recently on an online storefront and was recommended a book written by a physicist about the history of humanity. this was a popular press book that was not intended to be read by other academics, but it reminded me of this niche genre of books, with experts from the physical sciences writing about human behaviour or history or what have you. Could you imagine coming across the inverse? A popular press book that purported to explain physics written by a historian?

There is some deep imbalance in how public perceptions of “general intelligence” seem to work - those in STEM are generally recognised for their competence, expertise, and intellectual acumen, and this recognition can be generalised, that at some level a demonstration of your expertise of eg astrophysics is a demonstration of your abilities of investigation writ large, that you have figured out some central underlying element of science that allows for basically limitless intellectual extension to any field or subject. A physicist can write a book about human history and be taken seriously by the general public on the assumption that physics is more difficult to understand than history, so any lower domain of investigation is open to them. The reverse is often not extended to a lot of the social sciences, particularly the theoretically-heavy social sciences; theory is just making bullshit up at the end of the day, it has no real practical application because any questions about the philosophy of thought or knowledge - how did we come to know what we know and under what conditions do we know these things - is just the indulgent wankery of people who can’t find a real job.

And of course it would be silly to insist that because you have read Hegel, an infamously difficult thinker, you know how to interpret the lab print-outs of electrochemists - I don’t want this goofy concept of general intelligence to be applied everywhere, I want it to go away entirely, but its current uneven applications across scientific fields indicates a broader problem with public conceptions of expertise and knowledge.

This probably has something to do with anti-communism on some level - social science is not generally regarded as “real science” (in no small part because social science is often the field of bureaucrats, and while animosity towards bureaucrats is deeply sympathetic, I suspect the reasons for this animosity are not themselves scientifically grounded), that while there is a public understanding of “objective facts” that exist prior and external to human interpretation, the politics of knowledge are hegemonically oriented around liberalism, to such an extent that any critique of the assumptions of knowledge are viewed as a dogmatic denial of reality done for the purposes of political infiltration and brainwashing. And I don’t feel totally unqualified to say this, given that this is basically the de facto response from students encountering Marxism for the first time in university. “Marx is too dogmatic” may as well be inscribed above the doors to lecture halls. Hell, Jordan Peterson made a nice little public career for himself railing against “post-modern neo-Marxism,” a phrase so nonsensical that the fact he was not immediately and permanently laughed out of the public arena for saying it is an indictment of how politically illiterate we are as a society!

And the infuriating thing is that a lot of social science scholarship (not just from the US but especially from the US) is complete horseshit, just pure evil garbage motivated solely by a desire to justify the fact that we do really need to keep killing tens of thousands of people a year to keep this whole party going. Every sociologist who calls themselves a “methodological individualist” is contributing to the long-standing tradition of eugenics scholarship but is too craven and vain to admit to this. If you had to describe the sum-total of the social scientific scholarly output of the west in a word, it would be ‘mysticism.’ Because it is the case that anti-colonial, anti-imperial, and anti-capitalist investigations of the political-economic conditions of the world have produced social scientific knowledge on par with the discovery of the atom, but it is not treated as such. “It is right to rebel” is not just a moral claim about violence but a scientific summary of human history.

But I think it is precisely this reactionary state of affairs that makes people devalue the social sciences as an actual site of legitimate investigation, that understanding the historical trajectory of ideas or the political conditions of life are valuable pursuits for any just society. Because social science deals with the social world, the political conditions under which the social world is investigated and understood are themselves bound up in questions of political and economic power. But this equally extends to the physical sciences - I know at least in environmental sciences, there is an ever-growing reckoning with climate change as an imminent threat to all life on earth, and environmental scientists cannot avoid talking about the political conditions of our planet even if all they want to do is study a river. Genocide is measurable in soil samples taken in the American continent. The separation of the environmental from the social is itself a historically contingent arrangement of knowledge.

But this is infuriating to even complain about because I don’t want to sound like an entitled academic or ego-bruised professional. I have no desire to start a faculty war with the STEM fields. I feel secure in my own expertise. I do not want anyone to “recognise my greatness” I am just profoundly lonely in this whole affair. and it just so happens that we exist in terribly anti-intellectual conditions for the most cruel and ugly reasons possible, and so we (me, I) have to suffer seeing books on sale claiming to give a general account of human history written by a physicist

[bouquetface]

Future Spouse Based on Nakshatra - Pt. One

Please read the following for accuracy:

Check for which nakshatra of your dakarkaka.

You may want to check the nakshatra of your Venus (for wife) and Jupiter (for husband) as well.

You may want to read for your moon & AatmaKaaraka nakshatra to see if the traits apply to you.

DISCLAIMER: Keep in mind accuracy is influenced by the ENTIRE natal chart.

SHRAVANA:

General Neutral traits:

Often tall & lean. Ofc not always.

Talkative. Often witty/clever & educated.

Wealthy - Can come from a family that has a known name within their community. Or they will build wealth and become known in their community.

Drawn to social & humanitarian causes. They can help change lives - in small ways or big. EX: Provide jobs, Provide help of some sort to people who need it.

Modest person - may express this as being mostly uninterested in materialistic things.

Quick learner. Good listeners Good teachers & counsellors.

Often marry partners who are helpful to them. Spouses can be open minded. Married life is generally said to be good.

Negative traits:

Open minded views BUT stubborn to change views once decided on.

Gossip often. Jealous people. This creates many enemies/haters. This will be a problem as they often care A LOT about their reputation. However, it is only a problem IF people find out. Often, they are generally well liked & well spoken upon meeting.

ASHLESHA:

General Neutral traits:

Responsible. Independent. Protective. Likely due to being the eldest sibling.

Analytical & Clever.

Good communication skills - writing or speaking.

Good humour. Entertaining personality. As a result a popular personality.

Leadership qualities. Likely to work their way up in their industry or company.

Adaptable & philosophical side to them.

Negative traits:

Intelligence can be used to manipulate.

Secretive. Keep true feelings to themselves.

Prone to depression, anxiety, and overall negative feelings. May be due to keeping a lot to themselves. Can feel burdened with too much responsibility.

VISHAKHA:

General Neutral traits:

Round face. Often Attractive. Cute & soft appearance. Simple modest style.

Attracts jealously - sometimes from family members of the same sex. EX: younger sister loves you but dislikes being in your shadow. Mother loves you but criticizes your life choices - career or romantic partner or other things.

Good communicators. Persuasive. May enjoy reading/writing poetry.

Success comes at their own efforts. If they desire it AND work for it, they can succeed in academics & career.

Leadership qualities combined with their communication makes it likely they have leadership roles in career - EX: Managing, teaching, someone to be respected/looked up to by newcomers in the field.

Negative traits:

Controlling. Prone to jealously. This can lead to difficult romantic relationships in their younger years.

Others may judge this person on their appearance. People will try to tear them down. Often, they have strong comebacks.

Others may try to take advantage of this person’s good nature. While they appear sweet & polite, they aren’t naive or stupid. They will catch on to people who are untruthful or fake.

SHATABHISHA:

General neutral traits:

Large forehead, attractive eyes. Prominent butt.

Honest - sometimes harsh. The type of person who may unintentionally hurt your feelings. Speak before thinking.

Good memory. Analytical. Likes to dig deeper - get to the root of the problem. This may make them good in fields of research like sciences.

Better writers than they are talkers. Clever people.

Able to defend themselves. & often it is said they will defeat their haters & conquer despite obstacles.

Likely to enjoy thinking type games - EX: Wordle, crosswords, puzzles, chess, checkers, etc.

Negative traits:

Argumentative. Fights with family. Likely misunderstood by the family. Results in anger for the family.

Being misunderstood makes them uncommunicative. Will struggle with periods of loneliness in life.

Wish to hide any signs of weakness. May appear emotionless/lacking compassion - however, they are compassionate, they just don’t like showing it.

Stubborn.

Feel restricted. Experience periods of deep isolation.

JYESTHA:

General Neutral traits:

Curly hair. Sharp features. Above average height. Muscular body. Generally, attractive. Eventually, become physically active.

Generally small social circle - few true close friends.

Gain wealth later in life. Often the most successful in their family.

Independent. Doesn’t like to rely on others. Good organizer.

Generally humble, chill/down to earth.

Negative traits:

Bad childhoods. Struggles in early life. Anger towards family. Ego is a problem with these people. Unlikely to fully resolve a conflict - will hold secret resentment.

Manipulative tendencies - Secretive about true feelings/intentions.

ROHINI:

General Neutral traits:

Often attractive. Broad shoulders. Lean body type.

Polite & Charismatic. Good listener. Helpful. Builds good karma. Often popular & social.

Generally truthful but will lie to appear nice.

Responsible. Strong devotion towards their family. Will go out of their way to help family and other loved ones.

Often has a good education. Good career. Financially does well.

Good moral compass. Strong sense of purpose - this can manifest as being career orientated.

Negative traits:

Can be quick to anger. Can seek revenge. Difficulty forgiving. Difficulty holding oneself accountable.

Indulgent side shown after marriage - EX: they may end up indulging too much in foods that are bad for their health. They may overspend/become overly materialistic.

MRIGASHIRA:

General Neutral traits:

Long faces. Large bodies - may be bulky or physically tall.

Friendly. Good social life - often well-liked/popular.

Intelligent. Curious, open to learning new things. Witty person. Flirty.

Good communicators. Good debaters. Enjoy learning more/exploring more.

Action orientated people. Hardworking people. Leadership roles in career.

Negative traits:

Short attention span. Many interests. Do not realize when they are being friendly or being flirty - may upset their marriage partner.

Experience bad relationships -could become suspicious of their partners.

Secretly desire being the center of attention. Insecure. Need for validation.

PURVA BHADRAPADA:

General Neutral traits:

Often tall. Expressive eyes. Often smiling. Can appear mischievous.

Unique people - unconventional behaviours &/or interests.

Logical. Witty. Success in academics is likely.

Self-reliant. Good communicators. Likely to obtain good to moderate wealth.

Imaginative. Future orientated. Dislikes injustice.

Negative traits:

Eccentric behaviour can make them unpredictable. Not the best person to depend on.

Not the most generous. Understanding to other’s issues but at the end of the day, they’re looking out for their own desires.

Later in life, must be cautious of financial or marriage problems. These problems are often a result of immature behaviours. They can be resolved if correct steps are taken.

UTTARA PHALGUNI:

Mix of sharp and soft features. Narrow, sharp eyes. Soft cheeks & face. Sharp jawline. Smaller forehead.

Friendly. Well liked. Benefits from connections. Mostly will experience a comfortable life.

Artistic interests. Ambitious. Like to create.

Compassionate. Generous. Reliable. Dependable. These traits make them popular. Their connections help them gain comfort & wealth.

Open minded to an extent. Certain beliefs are unchangeable with these individuals.

Negative traits:

Receive a lot of help and luck - they may not acknowledge this/be ungrateful. EX: Claiming to be self made when it is not true.

Can have a “my way or no way” mindset at times. Some will view them as arrogant and bossy/demanding.

REVATI:

General Neutral traits:

Moderately tall. Good complexion. Heart-shaped/pouty lip. Stick out in a crowd due to appearance.

Good hygiene. Sociable. Well-liked by most. This can help them advance in career.

May have a wealthy or well connected family. This can help them in career or education. EX: Parents will pay tuition or for transportation.

Lover of animals. Nurturing personality - however, often have children later in life or not at all.

Creative. Artistic interests or skill like drawing/painting as a hobby.

Negative traits:

Vicious when hurt. Can become angry when they feel their compassion & generosity is not being reciprocated.

Karmic relationship with people in the family.

Struggle with insecurities. Results in self doubt & low self esteem.

[dreamdolldeveloper]

back to basics

mostly free resources to help you learn the basics that i've gathered for myself so far that i think are cool

everyday

gcfglobal - about the internet, online safety and for kids, life skills like applying for jobs, career planning, resume writing, online learning, today's skills like 3d printing, photoshop, smartphone basics, microsoft office apps, and mac friendly. they have core skills like reading, math, science, language learning - some topics are sparse so hopefully they keep adding things on. great site to start off on learning.

handsonbanking - learn about finances. after highschool, credit, banking, investing, money management, debt, goal setting, loans, cars, small businesses, military, insurance, retirement, etc.

bbc - learning for all ages. primary to adult. arts, history, science, math, reading, english, french, all the way to functional and vocational skills for adults as well, great site!

education.ket - workplace essential skills

general education

mathsgenie - GCSE revision, grade 1-9, math stages 1-14, provides more resources! completely free.

khan academy - pre-k to college, life skills, test prep (sats, mcat, etc), get ready courses, AP, partner courses like NASA, etc. so much more!

aleks - k-12 + higher ed learning program. adapts to each student.

biology4kids - learn biology

cosmos4kids - learn astronomy basics

chem4kids - learn chemistry

physics4kids - learn physics

numbernut - math basics (arithmetic, fractions and decimals, roots and exponents, prealgebra)

education.ket - primary to adult. includes highschool equivalent test prep, the core skills. they have a free resource library and they sell workbooks. they have one on work-life essentials (high demand career sectors + soft skills)

youtube channels

the organic chemistry tutor

khanacademy

crashcourse

tabletclassmath

2minmaths

kevinmathscience

professor leonard

greenemath

mathantics

3blue1brown

literacy

readworks - reading comprehension, build background knowledge, grow your vocabulary, strengthen strategic reading

chompchomp - grammar knowledge

tutors

not the "free resource" part of this post but sometimes we forget we can be tutored especially as an adult. just because we don't have formal education does not mean we can't get 1:1 teaching! please do you research and don't be afraid to try out different tutors. and remember you're not dumb just because someone's teaching style doesn't match up with your learning style.

cambridge coaching - medical school, mba and business, law school, graduate, college academics, high school and college process, middle school and high school admissions

preply - language tutoring. affordable!

revolutionprep - math, science, english, history, computer science (ap, html/css, java, python c++), foreign languages (german, korean, french, italian, spanish, japanese, chinese, esl)

varsity tutors - k-5 subjects, ap, test prep, languages, math, science & engineering, coding, homeschool, college essays, essay editing, etc

chegg - biology, business, engineering/computer science, math, homework help, textbook support, rent and buying books

learn to be - k-12 subjects

for languages

lingq - app. created by steve kaufmann, a polygot (fluent in 20+ languages) an amazing language learning platform that compiles content in 20+ languages like podcasts, graded readers, story times, vlogs, radio, books, the feature to put in your own books! immersion, comprehensible input.

flexiclasses - option to study abroad, resources to learn, mandarin, cantonese, japanese, vietnamese, korean, italian, russian, taiwanese hokkien, shanghainese.

fluentin3months - bootcamp, consultation available, languages: spanish, french, korean, german, chinese, japanese, russian, italian.

fluenz - spanish immersion both online and in person - intensive.

pimsleur - not tutoring** online learning using apps and their method. up to 50 languages, free trial available.

incase time has passed since i last posted this, check on the original post (not the reblogs) to see if i updated link or added new resources. i think i want to add laguage resources at some point too but until then, happy learning!!

[obsidian-pages777]

Academia [829] in your Astrology Chart

The house and sign placements indicate where academic pursuits and intellectual endeavors are expressed in life.It shows how you will show up in your educational journey and where you would reap the fruits of intellectual pursuits.

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Academia in the Houses

1st House: Self-expression through intellectual pursuits. Strong academic identity.

2nd House: Value placed on education and knowledge. Potential for financial gain through academia.

3rd House: Strong communication and writing skills applied to academics. Interest in local education or short-term studies.

4th House: Home environment supports intellectual growth. Interest in educational foundations and history.

5th House: Creativity and self-expression through academic pursuits. Enjoyment of teaching or mentoring.

6th House: Practical application of knowledge. Interest in health, nutrition, or scientific research.

7th House: Partnerships in academia. Collaborative research or teaching.

8th House: Deep intellectual exploration. Interest in psychology, philosophy, or occult studies.

9th House: Higher education, philosophy, and religion. Love of travel and foreign cultures.

10th House: Career in academia or a related field. Public recognition for intellectual achievements.

11th House: Group learning, networking, and social impact through academia. Interest in social sciences.

12th House: Research in hidden or esoteric subjects. Potential for academic isolation or challenges.

Academia in the Signs

The sign reveals the quality of the mind and how it approaches learning. It further shows what your archetype is in the arena of academia and learning.

Aries: Enthusiastic and competitive learner. Quick-witted and independent.

Taurus: Practical and grounded approach to learning. Patience and determination.

Gemini: Versatile and curious mind. Excellent communication and writing skills.

Cancer: Emotional connection to learning. Strong memory and nurturing approach to teaching.

Leo: Creative and confident learner. Enjoys the spotlight in academic settings.

Virgo: Analytical and detail-oriented. Strong research and organizational skills.

Libra: Diplomatic and social learner. Interest in law, philosophy, or ethics.

Scorpio: Intense and investigative mind. Interest in psychology, research, or occult studies.

Sagittarius: Adventurous and philosophical learner. Love of travel and foreign cultures.

Capricorn: Ambitious and disciplined learner. Strong focus on career goals.

Aquarius: Innovative and independent thinker. Interest in technology and social change.

Pisces: Intuitive and imaginative learner. Interest in arts, humanities, or spirituality.

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[astrologydray]

♍️Virgo Mc in the each of the degrees♍️

If you have a Virgo Midheaven (MC), your career and public image are shaped by Virgo’s themes of precision, analysis, service, and mastery. You likely thrive in careers requiring problem-solving, organization, and attention to detail, such as healthcare, science, writing, education, research, or business administration.

• 0° Virgo (Aries Point) – A powerful initiator in service-based or intellectual fields. May gain recognition in medicine, science, or social reform.

• 1° Virgo – A perfectionist with strong critical thinking skills. Could succeed in editing, analytics, or quality control.

• 2° Virgo – A talented communicator; could thrive in writing, journalism, or teaching.

• 3° Virgo – An analytical mind, ideal for investigative work, research, or forensics.

• 4° Virgo – A love for learning and refinement; may excel in academia, law, or technical writing.

• 5° Virgo – A meticulous worker; likely to succeed in finance, administration, or data analysis.

• 6° Virgo – Naturally inclined toward healthcare, therapy, or alternative medicine.

• 7° Virgo – A precise, creative thinker; may find success in graphic design, architecture, or craftsmanship.

• 8° Virgo – Drawn to healing professions, including nutrition, physical therapy, or holistic medicine.

• 9° Virgo – A problem-solver with innovative ideas. Could thrive in technology, engineering, or logistics.

• 10° Virgo – A strong educator; may work in teaching, coaching, or mentoring.

• 11° Virgo – A tech-savvy, analytical mind; may excel in IT, cybersecurity, or programming.

• 12° Virgo – A perfectionist in fashion, music, or fine arts. Success through precise craftsmanship.

• 13° Virgo – A highly responsible worker; may thrive in law enforcement, military, or humanitarian work.

• 14° Virgo – Health-conscious with a sharp mind. Could be drawn to dietetics, fitness, or medical research.

• 15° Virgo – A master of writing, editing, or academic research.

• 16° Virgo – Business-minded; excels in consulting, financial planning, or business strategy.

• 17° Virgo – A detail-oriented expert; could work in surgery, pharmaceuticals, or scientific research.

• 18° Virgo – A deep humanitarian drive; drawn to nonprofits, environmental work, or psychology.

• 19° Virgo – A critical thinker who excels in law, politics, or policy-making.

• 20° Virgo – A master of their craft; recognized for expertise in specialized fields.

• 21° Virgo – Exceptionally intellectual; may thrive in philosophy, academia, or technical writing.

• 22° Virgo – An innovative thinker; could work in product design, systems development, or efficiency consulting.

• 23° Virgo – A strong researcher; may specialize in history, archeology, or science.

• 24° Virgo – An excellent communicator; may succeed in broadcasting, publishing, or public relations.

• 25° Virgo – A sharp and strategic mind; could work in legal fields, investigative journalism, or intelligence.

• 26° Virgo – A healer at heart; may be drawn to nursing, surgery, or psychological counseling.

• 27° Virgo – A gifted analyst; could thrive in economics, data science, or cybersecurity.

• 28° Virgo – A precise and disciplined artist; success in sculpture, architecture, or technical art.

• 29° Virgo (Anaretic Degree) – A master strategist, perfectionist, or critic. Success comes through expertise, refinement, and precision. However, may struggle with overanalyzing or career indecision.

[darlingofdots]

What is a romance novel, really?

So far, the response to this post has mostly shown me that a lot of people don't actually know what a romance novel is, and that's okay! I don't expect everyone to know! However, for my own peace of mind, I am going to do my best to explain what we mean when we talk about romance novels, where the genre comes from, and why you should not dismiss the pastel cartoon covers that are taking over the display tables at your nearest chain bookshop. Two disclaimers up front: I've been reading romance novels since I was a teenager, and have dedicated the majority of my academic career to them. I'm currently working on my PhD and have presented/published several papers about the genre; I know what I'm talking about! Secondly, all genres are fake. They're made up. But we use these terms and definitions in order to describe what we see and that's a very important part of science, including literary studies!

The most widely used definition of "romance novel" to this day is from Pamela Regis' 2003 A Natural History of the Romance Novel, in which she states that "A romance novel is a work of prose fiction that tells the story of the courtship and betrothal of one or more [protagonists]."* People also refer to the Romance Writers of America's "a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending" and another term you will see a lot is "Happily Ever After/Happy For Now," which posits that the protagonists must be in a committed and happy relationship at the end of the novel in order to count as a romance novel. That's it. That's what a romance novel is.

Of course it's a bit more complex than that; Regis also posited the Eight Essential Elements which describe the progression of the love plot over the course of the book, and there's a similar breakdown from Gwen Hayes in Romancing the Beat that is intended more as writing advice, but both of these are really useful for breaking down how this narrative structure works. My personal favourite part of the Eight Elements is that the romance opens with a definition of the society in which the protagonists exist, which is flawed in a way that oppresses them, and then the protagonists either overcome or fix it in a way that enables them to achieve their HEA. A lot of social commentary can happen this way!

It can also be a bit difficult to pin down what exactly counts as a "central love story" because who decides? A lot of stories have romance arcs in them, including dudebro action movies and noir mystery novels, but you would never argue that the romance is the central plot. A lot of romance novels have external plots like solving a mystery or saving the bakery. A useful question to ask in this case is whether the external plot exists for its own sake or to facilitate the romance: when Lydia runs off with Wickham in Pride & Prejudice, it's so that Lizzie can find out how much Darcy contributed to saving her family from scandal and realise her own feelings for him. The alien abduction in Ice Planet Barbarians happens specifically so the abducted human women can meet and fall in love with the hunky aliens. There are definitely grey areas here! Romance scholars argue about this all the time!

I have a suspicion that a lot of people who responded to the post I linked above are not actually romance readers, which is fine, but it really shows the lack of understanding of what a romance novel is. I have a secondary suspicion that the way we have been talking about books has contributed to this miscategorisation in a lot of people's minds, because especially with queer books we will often specifically point out that this fantasy book is f/f! This dystopian novel has a gay love story! This puts an emphasis on the romance elements that are present in a book when a lot of the time, the romance arc is just flavouring for the adventure/uprising/heist and we are pointing it out only because its queerness makes it stand out against other non-queer titles. It makes sense why we do this, but there is SUCH a difference between "a sci-fi book with an f/f romance arc" and "an f/f sci-fi romance." I could talk for hours about how the romance genre has evolved alongside and often in the same way as fanfiction and how there are codes and tropes that come up again and again that are immediately recognisable to romance readers, even down to phrases and cover design, and how romance is an incredibly versatile and diverse genre that functions in a very specific way because of that evolutionary process. The same way that dedicated fantasy readers can trace the genealogy of a given text's influences ("this writer definitely plays a lot of DnD which has its roots in the popularity of Tolkien, but they're deliberately subverting these tropes to critique the gender essentialism"), romance readers are often very aware of the building blocks and components of their books. These building blocks (that's what tropes are, lego pieces you put together to create a story!) often show up in other genres as well, especially as part of romantic arcs, but that doesn't make every book that features Only One Bed a romance novel, you know?

Romance is an incredibly versatile and diverse genre and I really highly recommend exploring it for yourself if you haven't. I personally read mostly Regency/Victorian historicals and I've been branching out into specifically f/f contemporaries, and there are so many authors who are using the romance framework to tell beautiful, hard-hitting stories about love and family while grappling with issues of discrimination, disability, mental health, capitalism, you name it. The genre has a very specific image in a lot of people's minds which makes them resistant to it and it's not entirely unjustified, but there is so much more to it than Bridgerton and repackaged Star Wars fanfiction!**

*the original text said "heroines" but Regis later revised this. There is a very good reason for the focus on the heroine in the first couple waves of romance scholarship, but that's a different post!

**neither of these are a bad thing and part of that genealogy that I mentioned earlier.

[callstheadventurescience]

I've hesitated to write anything about the federal cuts and their impact on science infrastructure in the US, in part because I just don't know where to start.

How to express my rage, or my sadness, or the panic I feel as a scientist currently funded on a federal grant. Or watching the careers of colleagues, friends, and loved ones hang in the balance or be destroyed entirely.

I don't know what to say. My heart aches for those who were doing the important work not only of science but also of making it more accessible, equitable, and diverse. Some of these scientists lost their salary, benefits, and funding overnight. My heart aches knowing that the science we are still able to do will be so much less vibrant without their contributions, should they be unable to return to science.

I've watched over the last few weeks as several of my potential career paths went up in smoke. Federal agency jobs gone, slashes to funding slowing academic science to a halt and resulting in hiring freezes. What jobs there are still now have an applicant pool that tripled overnight.

I have no idea what the future holds, but there is a very real and present possibility that I will not be able to do science as a career. I'm not going down without a fight, but nevertheless it looms as a potential reality for which I have to plan.

I began my PhD in 2018. I withstood so much emotional turmoil, a pandemic, loss and grief and doubt, and I came out the other side with those three letters after my name. I knew there would be hard times again but I also believed surely that nothing would ever be as arduous or difficult as that again. I had survived a PhD; I could do anything.

If you've gotten this far, thanks for reading. If you've been affected by this, I'm wishing you well and my DMs are always open. Call your reps. Nurture your community.

[appaloosawhims]

sims 3 barbie legacy challenge

this is pretty much a conversation from the sims 4 barbie legacy challenge by @sims-himbo but i did change up some of the generations as well just to use more features from ts3 that arent in ts4 as add some extra optional ones for occult/supernatural players

mods i recommend downloading

• nraas porter (for moving towns without traveler file bloat)

• nraas master controller

• family secrets (in case you wanna add drama)

rules

• all heirs must be female and named barbie

• you can use money cheats just starting out but nothing after that

• do not sell the future portal that is summoned when you first start a save, to get rid of it “testingcheatsenabled true > shift click > delete” no free money here

gen one: housewife barbie

• complete the surrounded by family lifetime wish

• you must never get a job, earn money through opportunities, painting, playing the guitar for tips, etc

• have at least one pet

• must have the family oriented and nurturing traits

gen two: business barbie

• complete the ceo of a mega corporation lifetime wish

• be worth at least 50k simeoleans

• master logic and charisma skills

• must have ambitious and born saleswoman traits

gen three: equestrian barbie

• complete the ark builder aspiration

• dont have an actual job and make money through horse riding competitions

• all of your children must have a small pet of their own (by small i mean snake, lizard, turtle, etc)

• must have the equestrian trait

gen four: sea pearl barbie

• move to isla paradiso

• become a mermaid

• master the grand explorer lifetime wish

• live on a houseboat

• master the scuba diving and logic skills

• must have the loves to swim trait

gen five: best seller barbie

• complete the professional author lifetime wish

• max writing skill

• master the journalism career

• must have the artistic, bookworm and virtuoso traits

gen six: academic barbie

• complete the perfect studio lifetime wish

• max out the nerds social group

• master the science and painting skills

• earn a fine arts degree

• must have the socially awkward and genius traits

gen seven: movie star barbie

• complete the superstar actor lifetime wish

• become a 5 star celebrity

• have a secret affair with a fellow actor

• master the film career (acting branch)

• fall in love with a non celebrity

• master the charisma skill

• must have the star quality, schmoozer and charismatic traits

gen eight: rockstar barbie

• complete the one sim one band lifetime wish

• master the music career (rock star branch)

• must have the virtuoso trait

gen nine: president barbie

• complete the leader of the free world lifetime wish

• be the richest sim in town

• max the politics career

• never be lower than a 2 star celebrity

• must have the charismatic trait

gen ten: time traveling barbie

• complete the made the most of my time lifetime wish

• become best friends with emit relevant

• build a plumbot

• master the bot building, advanced technology, and handiness skills

• own a jetpack

• must have the ambitious and bot fan traits

optional generations

gen eleven: vampire barbie

• move to midnight hollow

• complete the turn the town lifetime wish

• must have the proper and night owl traits

gen twelve: fairy barbie

• move to moonlight falls and live their for the rest of the legacy

• complete the mystic healer lifetime wish

• marry and fall in love with a werewolf since fairies live longer do not get into another relationship after they die

• must have the gatherer trait

gen thirteen: werewolf barbie

• complete the leader of the pack lifetime wish

• purchase the alpha wolf lifetime reward

• must have the loves the outdoors trait

gen fourteen: witch barbie

• complete the greener gardens lifetime wish

• master the fortune teller career (scam artist branch)

• master the charmisa, logic, gardening, and alchemy skills

• must have the evil and green thumb traits

[communistkenobi]

I love finding new communists blogs because you immediately have to scroll through all the posts to see if you wanna follow them or block them lmao. Anyway from what I understand you work in western academia to some degree and as a student taking some classes in the social sciences it’s such a pain in the ass trying to even bring up a Marxist perspective. How do you deal with how much pushback socialism has in academia?

I’m doing a PhD in sociology ! And please feel free to block me, we are all annoying etc 

I would say that resistance to socialist ideas is a major source of frustration for me in academia - a learning curve for me has been gearing my writing & research to work around that type of institutional hostility. It depends on the discipline as well. Given that Marx is such a titanic figure in sociology I find it easier to engage with his work openly (although you will be mocked for it lol - it’s viewed as a dead-end project in the West since the USSR collapsed), whereas more history- or politics-based courses I’ve taken have been extremely hostile to even tepid Marxist analysis. I have friends to vent to and have found other people in my discipline who are like-minded, which has helped. You will need to do a lot of tactical retreats - I’ve found that tying your analysis to state policy helps a lot, it helps you get grants, and academics trade in policy-talk across disciplines so it will prepare you for that if you want to stay in academia.

I have also been making peace with the fact that academia is not really the place to “do” socialism - it is a deeply political job, and my ideological commitments motivate me to do work and research that I hope are beneficial to the world, but I think the authority and privileges afforded to academics, not academia itself, is the better avenue to conduct political activity - participating in student & left-wing actions, giving money and resources to activist groups, using your prestigious position to publicly speak on issues, sign important documents for vulnerable people (profs are counted as authorities to sign off on name change documents for trans people in Canada for example, as well as visa and citizenship proof I believe?), things like that. There was that Canadian doctor, Dr. Yipeng Ge, who was suspended from his university position for speaking out against Israel and went to Palestine on a medical mission, Engels used his family’s money to fund Marx & socialist actions, Lenin went to law school, etc (i am NOT remotely comparing myself to any of them to be clear lol, just demonstrating that there is historical precedent for this way of thinking). I’ve done a decent amount of union + community work and the reoccurring lesson I keep learning is that there are many little, vacant positions of power sprinkled throughout the world that will help you organize and agitate above and beyond your individual capabilities. And the right wing knows this! They take over local school board committees and town halls and run for office in their local neighbourhoods all the time, often unopposed, and use that to exert terrible political influence.

I try very much to resist the “one of the good ones” mindset re: my own career in academia and is one I struggle with pretty often. being pragmatic about what academic research actually does in the world is still something I’m grappling with. Academia has provided me with an incredibly prestigious education and a lot of social capital that I hope to use for some amount of good. I’m also betting on what is essentially a lottery ticket, given how rare tenure-track university positions are, so maybe all of this will be irrelevant anyway lol. I’m not sure if that’s helpful but it’s not a settled issue for me either, so if this reads as vague or wishy-washy that’s why!

[t00thpasteface]

the thing about academic literature is that sometimes incredibly complex hyperspecific terminology and phrasing really is the best, clearest, most efficient way to communicate a concept while minimizing nuance and potential for misinterpretation. tbh it drives me up the wall when people take that personally and misconstrue it as elitism and deliberate obfuscation when the goal is to be as objective as possible in such an inherently subjective medium as written language. obvs some authors take it to an extreme— pretty common disclaimer for humans in general— but the rule of thumb is if you can choose between a common word or phrase that kinda matches the thing you need to say and has a variety of colloquial meanings, and a niche word that has exactly one definition, you should pick the niche one every time.

the other thing is that most academic literature is aimed at other academics, because that's who it's most vital and time-sensitive to reach with the info. entry-level science communication geared toward the layperson should not be expected from interacademic communication and scientific journals, the same way you wouldn't tell two ESL spanish-speaking people to speak english when chatting privately in their own home.

on top of all that, i think people criminally undervalue teachers and public speakers. "simple english" is deceptive; it's an entirely separate skill (and honestly an art form) to rephrase something complex into simpler terms, even if you know the actual concept front to back. asking someone who deals almost exclusively in academic vernacular to suddenly try and write in simple english for a layperson is an extremely tall order and devalues both the work they put into developing that academic-language mindset and the equally impressive work of educators who actually are able to perform that translation work and regularly do so as a career

[selencgraphy]

guys how crazy would it be to meld tyler owen's backstory into jake seresin's... 🫣

HEAR ME OUT:

since childhood, jake had made a living out of bull-riding at a rodeo—his family's rodeo. he was so sure that the seresin rodeo was gonna be his past, present, *and* future. it was the seresin legacy, after all. but when he ends up on the ground and gets hit in the head one too many times, he realizes that if he doesn't leave now, this rodeo may well be the death of him. with flying being a small passion of his besides the family business, he looks into naval aviation as a potential career path. he tries to apply for the naval academy but was, unfortunately, ineligible considering he had spent most of his time on the back of a bull and not with his nose in books. so instead, he takes the long road and goes to ut austin (glen is a proud longhorn, ofc jake goes to ut austin). four years later, he graduates having double majored in aerospace engineering and climate system science (aka meteorology). in his spare time (the little he had being a fucking academic weapon), he went storm chasing, which lowk built that cocky attitude of his. once graduated, he heads to pensacola and the rest is history!

my brain literally melded them together for a second and was like "maybe i should write this down and flesh it out a bit...?" so here we are! hope you liked it while i brainstorm more fics :)

[nunyverse-scribe]

This is going to be more on the ranty side, but one of the hardest things about growing up socially/developmentally slower compared to my peers is getting rid of the habit of undermining my own intelligence.

I did not mentally mature at the same rate as a normal child would (biggest example I can provide is me being as old as 10 speaking and acting in a toddler-like manner despite having the capacity of higher vocabulary), and because of that I was definitely labeled as the stupid and weird one, and a “special case” for sure (in a derogatory way, because I know I definitely WAS a special case). Even to this day, I my mom will say things such as how I’m good with kids (I’ve always just had this caretaking instinct for those younger than me even when at an age that I’d be considered a kid) is because I’m “mentally as mature as they are.” And it certainly didn’t help that academically I was always better at reading and writing than I was at math and science in a household that prioritized STEM over humanities and treated me stupidly for it (and even in the humanities department I didn’t hit all cylinders, I was super bad at history until high school when I viewed it from a different angle because I’m bad with numbers and couldn’t memorize dates). Not to mention my stutter problem, bad brain fog, and overall terrible memory that makes sounding smart in a verbal conversation something I’m likely never to accomplish.

And to be honest I didn’t even really care about the treatment from my bullies, I cared more for the scrutiny provided by the adults in my life, and especially my parents. I have very vivid memories of feeling like a “black sheep” within my family because I felt like nobody understood me nor was anyone trying to provide me guidance in a way that I could understand. I was just hit with criticism and dissatisfaction for not living up to the neurotypical standards that especially my mom wanted my to meet.

And in the past few days I’ve been thinking particularly on how this ingrained mindset of me being stupid influenced my friendships, primarily how I acted in them. I remember it was 11-12 I started building some foundational friendships, and I remember in any group I managed my way into, I not only established myself as the “stupid, unserious friend” but I also actively leaned into that role. I made it known that I was the stupidest and most immature one in the group that acted on impulse and had a plethora of stories from childhood to back that up. Unless I was hanging on by a thread and couldn’t keep up the act anymore, I’d diminish my problems to nothing more than a joke. And if I engaged in a serious conversation, it’d be about something my friends were well-versed in and likewise I was always the novice to the subject that knew very little. When high school came around, that was subdued but still prevalent. And throughout my high school career I was under the impression that I was the most unaccomplished in my friend group and one of the dumbest ones. I remember being so scared to see my percentile despite having a high GPA, convinced I’d be low or average, only to be in the 89th percentile and the by the end of the year be in the Top 10 Percent of my class (and what’s crazier is that that’s not the thing that made me start thinking all this).

And to this day, I will treat myself as unserious (to the point where there was one mental illness thing that even a lot of my friends were making fun of me for because I set that precedent and I realized I Do Not Like being the excessive butt of the joke 😭) and sometimes I will still lean into being unserious and jokey about topics and things I care about, even when I don’t necessarily WANT to, because I notice people listen to me more that way compared to when I take what I’m talking about seriously. My entire social life I have let myself become a clown. I’ve convinced myself that it’s what I deserve, because I’m “stupid,” and that being treated with dignity and respect as opposed to weird looks or condescension is a novelty that I graciously get granted from time to time but am not required to receive.

And the one (1) thing that made me realize that my self perception of my intellect is so far removed from what it actually is was a conversation with my brother. He’s someone that knows I am horrible with social cues, he’s seen me do out-of-ordinary things that would get me called the r-slur most likely, he also grew up hearing my parents call me slow and even admitted that he believed it because of how often he heard it pointed out. And he said it was now, when we’re adults and we have deeper conversations, especially about sociology or about the human mind, that he realized how emotionally intelligent I am. That there is no doubt that I am very far removed from basic understanding of social cues and how interactions are meant to operate, even when I think I finally got the grasp on it (but I never will and I’ve had plenty of painful reminders of that 💀), but that he finds it thought-provoking to have a conversation with me on human behavior and societal problems and where they stem from and the historical patterns of it. He called me the smartest person he knows when it comes to that specific measure of intelligence. And it shocked me, because that’s never something I really expected myself to be told. And I think about that a lot, because it made me realize something I didn’t realize was a problem before.

Him telling me that is going to stick with me for a long time, because it was in that moment when I realized how lowly I thought of my intelligence, purely because I didn’t fit a mold that both capitalism wanted and that a neurotypical society wanted. And it made me realize how that outward perception of me becoming my self-perception influenced what box I put myself into and likewise how I let myself get treated.

And like. I don’t know if anyone else can relate to that. But it just makes me ache a little bit to think of how much better I would have been off if I didn’t have such a warped perception of myself. And I sort of wish constantly that I didn’t make it that it’s now easy to not take me seriously, and that I made it easy to talk over me, and that I made it easy to view me as this discombobulated mess of a person, and that I made it easy to make it that the most effective way I can get people’s attention is via jokes or even that people feel they can turn my serious talks about things I’m passionate about into jokes.

And I know it’s not all my fault, I know it’s much more complicated than that. But like. Holy shit. I wish I had more reminders throughout my life that I’m not as stupid as I was made out to be.

[stuffforthestash]

Modern Academic AU I Guess?

Got the idea of professor Raphael stuck in my damned brain all morning, so here's hoping writing thoughts down will banish him back to the hells yeah? Edit: There is now a Part 2 and Part 3 __________________________ Raphael - School of Law, obvs. Teaches courses on contract law and legal ethics. He has a reputation for being the kind of asshole professor that can make or break your academic career, and the fact he's tenured is likely the only reason he hasn't been fired over the countless reports of student blackmail and harassment. Gale - Dep't of Literature. His classes are all niche topics like "Magic, Myth, & The Power Of Metaphor", "From Merlin To Dumbledore: A Historical Look At The Wizard's Role In Storytelling", and "The Ancient Art of Flyting", and they're extremely popular. He loves his job, the students love him, but he's rubbed a lot of his colleagues the wrong way. Astarion - School of Theater & Music. Teaches the 101 level acting course and has a rep for being absolutely brutal, but his methods are undeniably effective. Also teaches stage combat workshops, and is constantly on thin ice with the admin for the way he encourages the gaggle of students that started a fan club for him. Wyll - Health Sciences. He's a practicing physical therapist who was invited to also teach part time, due to having gained a reputation as a leading specialist in working with underserved minorities and victims of trauma. His classes are niche and can be hard to get into due to limited availability. Knows Astarion because they're both in HEMA, and sometimes helps with the combat workshops Karlach - Women's rugby coach and former pro-athlete who had to retire after a chest injury. Is also in HEMA, and was inspired by her buddy Wyll to also pursue Phys. Therapy as a career shift. Shadowheart - Grad student doing her thesis on some obscure theological topic, teaches a generic 101 level religious studies class and is obviously only there because the school requires her to put in the hours. Lae'zel - Also a grad student, transferred from overseas. Studying Sports Management and was assigned as an assistant coach to Karlach, except she's in ASC and is constantly making digs about how their practices are vastly superior to HEMA's foolishness. Halsin - Environmental Science. He's the department chair, and teaches courses on conservationism and land management. All his courses are out in the field though, which means he's never on campus and is nearly impossible to get hold of. He hates being the dep't chair, and he only reason he even accepted the position is because nobody else would. Jaheira - Facilities director, not a teacher. Always somehow knows everything that's happening on campus, has contacts everywhere for anything you could want done, and is the person you least want to piss off. Minsc is her shadow, nobody's even entirely sure if he actually works here but is too afraid of Jaheira to ask. And if you actually made it this far, well.. thanks for reading? I'm so sorry? But also share your thoughts! And lemme know if there's any other characters worth doing a 2nd post for.

[xoxodivine]

ACADEMIC RIVALS | FUSHIGURO MEGUMI x READER

summary: reader is annoyed particularly after their classmate megumi copies their answer. they have a rivalry that carries into high school, something shocking is revealed about megumi

content warnings: light n' slight cursing, reader is lowkey petty and a bully, first story ever type writing

NEW SCHOOL, Same bullshit. Same lame ass teachers that think they know every damn thing, Same students forced to be in a legal prison for 7 hours straight, Same assignments that take longer to finish than the class, and same stupid icebreaker questions no one cares about. It is only your third or fourth year in elementary school, and you already want to graduate college. Maybe if you're smart enough I can graduate extremely early and leave this school that's full of sh- "We're waiting for your answer" You spaced out again? that's like the fifth time today "I'm sorry, what was the question?" You were so wrapped up in your thoughts about graduating you forgot to listen for your name for icebreaker questions.  

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" Easy question. "A doctor" It has been your dream career since you were 5. You've always wanted to be a doctor for as long as you can remember, it was the reason you pushed so hard in school despite being in the third grade. "Wow, our first doctor! Wonderful choice." You felt special that you were the only person who said you wanted to be a doctor. It was granted since most people in the class had stupid answers like "A fairy princess" or "A dog". Yeah, the kids in your class were that dumb. "Ok, last person. Megumi, what do you want to be when you grow up?"  

Megumi? That's a dumb name. He wasn't difficult to spot because anytime someone's name was called the whole class would stare at them. He looked like he wasn't paying attention at first, looking out the window. He was the supposed "smart kid" of the class. Not smarter than you of course but to you he just looked quiet. He also looks like he would pick his nose to be honest but hey, don't judge a book by its cover? He stuttered as he spoke, "uhm...uh a doctor?"  

Who does this kid think he is? He just stole your answer. You just heard this kid speak and you’ve already decided he’s your biggest enemy. “Oh, now there’s two doctors in the class.” No there’s not. This wannabe will never be a doctor. He wishes he was me. “Alright class, take out your notebooks and we’ll start the lesson for today.” You turned to look at him with a stank face which doesn’t go unnoticed by him. He furrows his eyebrows at you in confusion and you mouth to him “I hate you.” 

And that’s all it took for your rivalry to start. It was always a competition with the two of you. Although Megumi was a smart kid, you were smarter. For example, he might know grass is green, but you knew it was chlorophyll that made it green. He could be able to the time on a digital clock, but you could tell the time with an analog clock with roman numerals.  

After that day in third grade, you’ve both spoken 264 words to each other within the years you guys have known each other. A few exchanged that time you bumped into each other in the hallways which was dismissed with a “Oh, my bad” and “Watch where you’re going”. The other 254 being when you had a science project with him which your teacher conveniently paired the both of you together. 

 Was this “rivalry” really because he said he wanted to be a doctor back in the third grade? Sadly yes. You both are in your first year of high school and you still haven’t let it go. But in all honestly, Megumi hopes you don’t let it go. Before your rivalry, he never really felt a reason to go above and beyond in school. If he had A’s and B’s, he was set for the year. However, you pushed him to do better, seeing as you were always competing. He does think the reason this started is stupid. But he wouldn’t have it any other way.  

The reason for that isn’t just because of his grades improving, It’s also because he’s madly in love with you. 

xoxodivine©