#and also while future's maps are like. big and complex

[dailyoyo]

all that said. despite so much of this stuff being heavily future-based. i find og jsr more fun to actually Play LMAO

[queen-schadenfreude]

now that I've finished datv.. i have some first pass thoughts

spolers below

first of all why is this game trying so hard to rehabilitate in-universe controversial aspects? I mean like. Slavery in Tevinter. It's swept under the rug with a few lukewarm platitudes and codices about how it's being addressed off-screen. Previous games have established how horrific it is, but the tevinter we see in veilguard doesn't reflect that at all. it feels dismissive of a lot of major setting and character development. Same with the antivan crows! they were described as a brutal, cruel organization but now they're the underdog protectors? Sure, there was family drama and a few mentions of how cut-throat things HAD been before, but we don't get to *see* any of that. illario was weak as an example of this bc he was the only thing to be shown as bad. There's no tangible impact.

it seems like a feeble attempt to make sure the players understand that the writers do not condone the unsavory aspects of the setting and characters, while making everything a Teachable Moment. honestly half of the game felt like a psa on extremely basic ethics, like surface-level shit children already know.

on top of that, idk why the game is trying so hard to therapize the player via companions' emotional journeys. The extremely basic and direct "your feelings matter and it's okay to feel your feelings! " scenarios were so repetitive and cringe. Sesame street level bullshit. am i crazy for expecting a more mature and nuanced approach to emotional struggle??? I swear previous games were better at this

also fuck all of southern thedas, it's cooked. hope yall didn't care!

Anyway.

ive only played through Neve's romance and i chose her bc she talks and acts like an adult and not a flustered teenager like harding, or a quirky mpdg like bellara. I liked it, it was fine. no strong feelings about it tho.

I didnt consider Taash as a romance option bc they act like a petulant child most of the time and that's just not fun for me.. and I don't love that Taash seems more like a prop for Gender Ideology 101 rather than being a fully complex character who is working through a gender identity crisis. I am not trans and cannot fully speak to this but as someone who knows more than the absolute basics of gender ideology, their story felt patronizing.

the boys are... fine, I guess. I wrecked treviso so I think i got locked out of some Lucanis stuff but his possession just isn't as compelling as previous characters who have been possessed. Davrin is fine, inoffensive. Emmerich is funny I do like him, Manfred is delightful.

I played as an elf bc I hoped it'd be extra relevant to the story, what with the Big Bad(s) being evanuris. it didn't matter at all. the crossroads doesn't even look different for an elf character like it did in Trespasser.

I expected everything to drive torward making Solas out to being a Good Guy Actually, and it kind of did. but super aggravating for have phantom varric to say that after being actually murdered by him like damn!! you are just gonna let that guy walk all over you bc yall were friends for a short while a decade ago. Where was that sympathy for Anders??

varric being a figment of rook's imagination the whole time was a fun reveal, tho.

siiigghhh. but listen. there were things I liked about the game, too. the gameplay is fun. the environments are GORGEOUS. the characters look good, i think the art style is fine actually. the character creator is great (except those qunari fiveheads RIP)

a lot of the banter and jokes did genuinely make me laugh, and i did like exploring maps and interacting with the new companions generally.

I havent given a lot of thought to it but I think a lot of the plot-related issues i have could've been solved by just setting the game like, 100 years in the future. All of the questionable and unsavory aspects of the cultures the game tries SO hard to diminish and write off would've had time to be organically rectified in-universe. I guess.

well. whatever.

[bigblueoctoling]

Side Order Observations about Acht

Some reiterating of points, an analysis of our New Canon, some speculating on the timeline, and a little bit of headcanon.

So first and foremost to reiterate, I really feel like a lot of people are overfixated on the idea of Acht's reaction to Marina and Pearl's relationship being funny. To me, after going through everything, it feels like they're genuinely just trying not to be discomforted by it.

Consider the fact that Acht pretty clearly displays a low self esteem, after everything; a part of why Marina's escape hurt Acht is because of a sense of abandonment- one has to imagine they would feel like they weren't worth saving. Especially given that Acht sunk low enough to become sanitized willingly.

I dunno. To me, none of this really reads as "funny", it's tragic. And there's nothing really to do about it- Pearl is obviously a great partner for Marina- it doesn't feel like Acht has any animosity towards her. A lot of the Funny Jokes about Acht being a Hater feel very rotten to me as a result.

I feel like there's a great amount of meaning to Acht finally being able to sing with their own voice. Mind you, a decent amount of that has to do with my own complexities with my voice, but as someone who had their worthlessness cemented into them their entire life, it's a big step to be able to move forward and present your true self openly.

I don't mean to sound like I'm just venting that people aren't appreciating Acht enough, but it really feels like a lot of people just take them as like a Funny Joke Character and don't take them seriously at all. A lot of this story is about Acht's struggle with self worth. The difference between suffering in silence as long as it meant things were stable, or changing everything into an uncertain future for the sake of bettering things.

I can't help but wonder if Acht somehow fought their way into being here- as I've established previously, it's very nebulous how exactly Acht got *into* the Memverse. But beyond that, the fact that they had made #35 caught is strange, too. One has to assume timeline-wise this happened before Side Order, but... how? If reports of the low-tide party can be considered canon, their music was there as well.

It might be related to the fact that they bring up Pearl's killer wail during the finale of Octo Expansion- seemingly, that was able to reach them while they were sanitized. Perhaps that was able to return some amount of control to them? Likely not entirely, but enough to ambulate without external orders, perhaps.

It's also very strange, to me, that Acht somehow managed to be hurt prior to Eight's arrival, and moreover, that this injury seemed to incapacitate them? While I'm at it, a few theories for that:

Acht's lack of their own Palette (as mentioned in my previous post, due to sharing one with Eight, theoretically) causes them to not actually be considered by the program as a Real Person, and as such, it just doesn't Heal her.

Acht got hurt, and simply Gave Up. Seeing no way to handle this threat on their own and not really having the willpower to fight it.

The story of them getting hurt by a Jelleton was a lie, for whatever reason, and the scar already existed one way or another. After all, the Jelletons don't exactly seem capable of physical injury like that?

Each theory offers an interesting amount of potential, and ultimately it could go either way. Regardless, the cut is very strange.

So, where does Acht end up after everything, exactly? It's kind of implied that Acht did, in fact, go on the world tour with Marina and Pearl and Eight. Again, I have to ask- Marina, Pearl, and Eight all entered intentionally, where was Acht? My only real idea here is back with the "Eight and Acht share a soul and ergo this process automatically pulls Acht in too" theory, so I have to presume she's still in the NILS statue, one way or another. But going off of the map, there's evidently a subway line that leads to the deepsea now, so I have to presume it wouldn't be TOO hard, but it'd still be a bit of an ordeal to find her and get her out on her own. Just a tidbit of writing I'll definitely do once I fic this all out.

But where does Acht go afterward? I can't really help but want to just also put her with Marina and Pearl. The language of her letter implies they don't immediately live together, though. I can't really imagine Marina and Pearl wouldn't do SOMETHING to help Acht integrate into normal society, though. Then again, Acht does produce music which, evidently enough, is at least moderately popular. It's not out of the question for her to get her own place, nor is it out of the question to imagine, as much as Acht loves The Gang, they wouldn't want to feel like a burden on them, regardless of that actually being possible given their Immense Mountains of Wealth. Either way, I don't think I can come to a conclusion here, I'll have to think about it.

I just love love love Acht so much and I really hope that people appreciate them as much as I do. Even if I am greatly biased.

[averyangrytissuebox]

I'm going to level with you for this campaign. I am very biased because I love this campaign. I have lots of fond memories of playing this campaign with my friends by the seaside. Passing nervously as we did the last scenario or doing absolutely busted shit because we didn't realise how overpowered double or nothing can truly be. This doesn't mean you should take my review with a 3 autofails worth of salt because I stand by what I say, I just wanted to gush first.

Path to Carcosa: The perfection of the base formula

This is a big claim to start the review so let me explain what I mean. Path to Carcosa is the quintessential arkham campaign which every future campaign will deviate from in different directions with stuff like Edge of the Earth's large maps or Scarlet Key's open world. If you loved the base game set up in Night of the Living Zealot and Dunwich Legacy then Carcosa is for you.

Path to Carcosa follows our investigators as they investigate a bizarre performance of a mysterious play which pulls them across the world to France as they try to understand exactly who they face before venturing to Carcosa in an attempt to escape their influence. This campaign spans a variety of locations from high society parties to the streets and catacombs of france but always followed by the Man in the Pallid Mask.

The campaign plays with an interesting dynamic where depending on whether you believe what you see or doubt its very existence changes how the campaign is played with whole scenarios being inverted depending on the route and even the final boss being changed. This is a formula which other campaigns follow suite on to varying levels of success (Scarlet Keys doing it well while Forgotten Age's only matters if you want the secret ending / which companion you want and Circle Undone changes some stuff but not noticeably in my opinion.) This does make saying a favourite scenario hard because there are lots of variance.

If I had to choose a best scenario (and I am writing a review here with a specific format so I sort of do), I'd name the last one but this will require some spoilers. Skip to my complaints to dodge spoilers. Dim Carcosa is the culmination of the decisions you've made across the campaign because depending on whether you had conviction or doubted all that you see. If you doubted the existence of the other world, now you have nowhere left to run because he is all around you but if you hold to your convictions, now you must face him head on at his strongest because you fed his power.

That being said, there are some complaints to be had with this campaign. Echoes of the Past snowballs one of two ways: If you get the cultists under control, it is easy but if you don't, you will struggle to get it back on track. Secondly, Dim Carcosa is harder than most other scenarios. I don't have that many complaints about the campaign as a whole if my gushing doesn't make that clear enough

In terms of investigators, brain is the name of the game. Mental damage is way more common than physical so having a decent sanity is needed unless you plan on buying Elder Sign Amulet. Keep relics and spells handy because there is an enemy which can't be beaten quickly unless you use them. An investigator capable of evading is also super useful depending on the route you take. Finally Calvin Wright can achieve godhood in this campaign so yknow go apeshit if you want.

Overall, I love this campaign. It is classic arkham perfected where the scenarios themselves aren't complex but the theming is rich and gameplay is interactive. This is the perfect introduction campaign to try with friends. If you are reading this and are even vaguely interested in trying it out, try it out (If you know me personally, message me pls pls pls pls). Finally the end of review ranking, this is the best campaign so far with Dunwich Legacy 2nd and Night of the Zealot last

Other reviews in this series:

Night of the Zealot: Let's start at the Beginning. It is a very good place to start

Dunwich Legacy: Good but with Growing Pains

The Forgotten Age: Flawed but interesting

[wooden-spaceship]

Oh it's an update! But not any update, it's the uhhhh...

the Cheesy update? That's 100% right! I updated this map.. for once. Now let's see what's new. We got ourselves a nice new look for the express lights and pipes which are now Froglights, Sealanterns, Andesite walls and Polished Blackstone walls.... yea, thats cool!

Theres also some green light on the Owl Express which is more accurate with how it is in the game

And... what is this? Something new?... A MAP?! AND A (few more) NEW LOCATION(s)?

That's right you lads (and lassies) you get a map of how this big ol' desert will look like! (including names!) And while we are on the topic of the map (yes I'm only 45% done with the traintracks themselves) the red part of the map was actually in A Hat in Time! During Trainwreck of Science's development the developers had an early terrain that they used for the background the train was driving on before the Canyon aka the Pit of the Golden Bone! It is Red, It is Dead and it's a Desert so y'know its called the Reddest Deadest Desert! So anyways, the older background consisted of a bunch of rocks that passed by the train and red-brown-ish ground, there even was a 2D image of mountains planned to be on the outter part of the background (shown below) as an early background graphic. Was it ever going to be used? Maybe. But we dont have any footage of that. What we do have is gameplay by our boy Habboi playing the very early version of train rush, I'm going to show you the most relevant part, which is the outside, that perfectly demonstrates how it (the background) would've worked during gameplay (and why I've placed these random rocks like that) Reuploaded gameplay Video, Background Image source

And something that I wanted to talk about are the mods that are being used in this map, there were a lot. Many of them were useless (I'm looking at you dabbing mod) and some are very useful and required to play this map,

Here is a random image that shows you which mods you need, which you dont need and which ones I might remove in the future. If you dont have the time to count, dont worry, I did it for you! We got 4 greens, 2 blacks, and 5 purples! The ground maybe not as bumpy as in the gameplay, but who cares, this is a minecraft map after all! Anyways, this part makes for good sunset images, which is very nice!

Bit of a sidenote, but the conductor's model was made very early on during the alpha, and during that time the cell shade was still in a hat in time, that meant that the models didnt have that many details on them (such as complex fabric textures) so we didnt get the liberty of a more handsome model. :( And the Canyon's yellow ground on which the owl express drives on might be the original ground used during the early trainwreck of science outside section, just edited to go very far down. Anyways that's it for today, not a lot, but still something also placing these rocks was very hard for some reason.

[cartierdreamx]

Hacked into you (AU)

Hi! This is my first story that I’ve written in years, so sorry if it’s bad and also my first x reader. This is based on the gameplay of Watchdogs 2, my all-time favourite videogame!! Not everything will be 100% accurate, as I haven’t played in a while and the real game is so detailed and complex, and it’s so worth it to get! Anyways if any parts of the story is confusing because it is apart of the gameplay, like characters and organisations, search up Watchdogs 2 and whatever confuses you and the web should clarify it :), but I am also more than happy to help you out with it. The mapping of San Francisco and it’s other details in this story is also based on the Watchdogs 2 map that I played on, this can also be searched up!! Anyway, I hope you enjoy <3

Pairings: jenna ortega x fem! Reader

Warnings: swearing, light violence, slightly suggestive

*I plan to write smut in this story and it does have some dark themes like violence involved, the game itself was rated MA15+ where I am from (might be different depending which country you are in) so my fic will be 18+ because I am involving more adult themes, if you do choose to proceed, please keep that in mind*

Birthright – 1

Initiation time. Dedsec, notorious hacker group taking over the world, the world in your hands is a metaphorical saying but for them, it’s literal. One single camera gave access to you, us, the world. At first thought, they’re menacing, however, Dedsec takes on the Robin Hood cliché, take from the rich, give to the poor, except it was exposing big, major companies running with corruption like the blood in my veins. I never knew what I wanted, but this was so certain, almost as if my stars was aligned with their coding. But back to initiation, my face, my life, it’s still out there, but after tonight, my name is the past, just letters. My mission tonight, as the initiation ritual is to erase myself from the world, from databases, as if I’m a myth.

Blume, they’re always watching. Blume’s home system CTOS rules the world, it rules San Francisco, Dedsec’s mission is to take them down, take down Dusan Nemec. Ironically, I’m breaking in, well hacking into their security quarter, one button and I’m gone. My breathing is shallow, nervousness doesn’t know my name, it was never my weakness, any normal person would be shitting their pants right now, me? well, just hunger, hunger for everything, both physically and mentally, hunger to get this mission done successfully, hunger to join the group, hunger for food, the juices of a burger, although other juices linger my mind, hmph. They’re watching me, no, not Blume, but Dedsec, if Blume were watching me, which ironically, they’re watching everyone but me right now, I’d be serving time. Dedsec’s running basepoints, making sure I don’t die, of course, I’m only armed with a taser.

I run my scout on my quad crasher, 4 blume guards, armed with pistols, my mind sculps a route like it’s my second nature to see the future. I jump over the ledge onto the metal platform below, I’m lucky my feet don’t attract the loud banging sound. The guard closest to me scouts the area I’m hidden in. One. Gone, not fatal but unconscious, my taser is wired to control their body where paralysis is their only control. The other guards run their area before alternating onto the next, I knew I had to take down all 4, or else it’ll raise alarm bells. Two. This time, my mele and my hands take over, my taser isn’t the only thing that can control, one blow to the head rendered him unconscious. I swiftly move around to the next area, closer to my area of entry, jumping any barricades that restrict me. Three. This time proved a bit harder, he let out a ‘HEY,’ and after a blow to the face, not enough to knock me down though, my heart beating proves I’m stronger than that, though a few loose baby hairs detach and fly loosely as my head knocks back. I manage to slick back my h/c into place, away from my face, the sweat helps to keep it in place. Intuition places the thought that the last guard is around the corner of the wall in a position where his knees are bent, gun in hand, safety off, ready to shoot, shoot me that is, threat eliminated. Four. Of course, I don’t let him, the ability of agility and flexibility allows me to slide across from him and tase his body to the ground before he could even blink.

“She’s good” Sitara scoffs, she means this in a positive way, her smirk is seen visible by the other members, watching from the van, but in true Dedsec fashion, the van’s location is unknown.

“I like her already” Wrench exclaims, whilst his mask displays a digital smiley face lit by from the white LEDs wired in his mask.

“Jenna?” Sitara leers at her.

Jenna’s doe eyes analyses the sight of y/n taking down 4 armed guards with ease, she tilts her head a few degrees to the right and smirks whilst letting out a soft huff from her nose.

“Mesmerised, she is, Tara”. Marcus says as he lets out a slight laugh.

“Evidently, Marcus.”

I bring out my phone, smartphone doesn’t do her justice, she’s engineered with certain abilities that allow me to hack through systems, coded with endless possibilities, my biggest accomplishment was creating her, she was a bitch to make though, nearly gave up. But I knew she wasn’t perfect, getting into Dedsec though, God she’ll be the holy grail, Dedsec’s apps and coding system is pristine, I could get into anywhere, anytime, no problem, but only when I’m successful, I’ll get the upgrade. Nevertheless, I was able to hack the door open, ironic, the biggest tech company but easy to hack doors, once I’m in, I wave to the cameras, I knew they’d be watching me, they as in Dedsec. But every camera I come across I knew I had to discard off. This stops Blume from seeing me but it also lets Dedsec know what stage of the mission I’m in, indicated by the room, or if I failed, indicated by a lack of heartbeat. I know not to rush, but I know how to be swift and still get the job done. However, this mission is time sensitive, there’s more guards than I can count limbs on my body, I knew it’d be a matter of time before they found out I’m in here, and that time? It’s now. Funny enough, it's when I’m in the stronghold, rows and levels of technology wired with intelligence and information so strong only corruption could hold it, though corruption is holding it. So, I could just find the big screen with everyone’s data and erase myself, but where’s the fun in that?

“SPREAD OUT AND SEARCH”

“SHE’S IN HERE SOMEWHERE, WHOEVER FINDS HER HER GETS A WEEK OFF, PAID”

“Shit” I whisper out, now that’s a problem, it’s one thing having countless guards come after me, but guards with a need to get the reward? I’m fucked, but I’m stronger, I’ve trained myself enough to get myself out of this situation. I place a virus into one part of the mainframe, causing lights in this section to turn off.

“SHE’S THERE”

I fight off three shooting guards, I won’t lie, this raises the hair on the back of my neck, the new section I’m in is begging for a virus, so in true Dedsec fashion, I let another one loose, which only causes more shooting, but that was a given, I find myself hiding instead of fighting. Now, I could easily pick up a gun and shoot too, but first mission, no fatalities, my taser, my hands, my mele, which consists of two billiard 8balls connected by a short rope. My destination is in my peripheral, one floor higher than me the door on the right, by now I’m sure backup has been called from other branches along with the cops, so now speed is a necessity. More guards come, but their bodies drop to the ground, they don’t learn. After placing another virus in another section, I’m finally in the room, I turn the screen on, and so many options floods the screen, it’s overwhelming, I plug in my phone to transfer data for Dedsec but then I find it, I find me, my profile, my data.

“y/n l/n.” Delete, hmph, I never liked that picture of me anyway, I laugh at the data they have on me, it’s all bullshit, they have me for petty crimes I didn’t commit, but I know they wont have me on crimes I did commit, this mission being one of them, a crime, but crime with moralities.

Now to find a way out, but first, one last virus. But unfortunately, this one does it for the system, alarms blaring, I’m sure the entire San Francisco heard it, and that’s saying something, considering we’re on a small island, treasure island under the bay bridge, now that’s going to attract more guards. “Fuck.”

“Watch her, she’s going to get caught” Marcus exclaims

“Jenna bring up the site blueprint for me, let’s see if we can meet her somewhere, if she makes it out” Sitara says

Jenna pulls up the map and they analyse it closely.

“Wrench drive here” Marcus tells him

He does.

Fuck, okay, I can do this, it’s lightwork, I say a little prayer, though I need a miracle to get out, I quickly scout the area so see my exit point. My luck increases and my survival percentage increases if I take the highest point out to the roof and climb my way down. Lucky for me, my planted virus took the lights.

“I WANT HER CAUGHT”

“Y/N, WE KNOW YOU ARE HERE, COME OUT AND YOU WON’T GET HURT”

Yes, yes, I will get hurt, if Dusan Nemec, the CTO of Blume even has five minutes with me, death will be a mercy. Lucky for me, their smartest guards are sleeping on the floor, courtesy of me, so I find it easy climbing my way to the top where I can kick down a vent. It’s hot, so hot I can see heat lines, to be fair the mainframe has a shit load of wires and energy and electricity surges through them, so heat is expected to radiate. Once I reach the top of the vent, I break this one down too, the fresh cool San Francisco breeze, accompanied by a crisp ocean scent, overruled by sea salt. I creep away to the side of the building where Blume’s guards doesn’t have their cars in a blockade, once my feet touch the floor, the recoil is enough to make me trip a little, I giggle a bit over it. Mission over, mission successful.

“Bag her.” Sitara says

Next thing I know, my eyesight is black, not pitch black, but enough darkness with hues of grains from the material of what they bagged me with.

About 20 minutes of driving later and muffled voices, filled with conversations and laughter, the van comes to a stop. The bag is still on my head, and as easy as it sounds, standing up was a challenge, the unfamiliar flooring and noises threw me off but two hands were helping me up, the feel and build felt masculine so I immediately assume it’s Wrench and Marcus. As I step out the voices, laughter and cheer illuminates the room and a piercing light shoots through the bag my head is in, the adrenaline is rushing in and my heart beat races, my breathing slows to calm myself down before they remove my bag, the calm before the storm.

“5”

Loud cheers.

“4”

More loud cheers.

“3”

Louder cheers

“2”

Here it goes.

“1”

My bag gets taken off and the lights blinds my eyes, I slowly open them, and blow my lose strands of hair out of my face, the screams and cheers pitch in and now are clear unlike the muffles I was hearing under the bag, and then when my eyes focus, that’s when I see her.

Beauty.

[chirpsythismorning]

Rick Conroy's Recent Rentals:

Romancing the Stone (1/2/3)

As a refresher, this is a shot from 4x02: Vecna's Curse. Robin, Max, Dustin and Steve are using the Family Video's database to look through the most recent rentals of all the Ricks in town as hints for which one Reefer Rick is, so that they can find his address to track down Eddie.

Unfortunately for them, the selection here for this specific Rick didn't give off 'reefer' vibes and so they moved onto the next one. Luckily for us, the Duffers are nerds and this could be important.

While there are several Rick's they skim through, this one in particular had me intrigued. And so I will be analyzing these films, as well as whether or not they could have been inspiration for s4 or whether they may even be predicting events still yet to happen in s5.

3. Romancing the Stone (1984)

The plot of Romancing the Stone revolves around an American Romance/Adventure novelist, Joan Wilder, who has to travel to Colombia to save her sister. While there, she gets stranded in the jungle, though 'luckily' she runs into an American exotic bird smuggler, Jack T. Colton, who has a lot of experience in said jungle and whose basically her only hope in finding and saving her sister.

What makes this movie probably the most interesting out of the three, is that it's directed by Rob Zemeckis. If you don't know, Zemeckis also directed Back to the Future (1985).

In fact, if you look close, you'll see an interesting parallel that makes my explanation for this analysis a whole lot easier to transition into.

Basically, Zemeckis revealed later in life that the success from his film Romancing the Stone was what allowed him to make Back to the Future in the first place.

And so this just makes this iconic Marty McFly outfit kind of hilarious when you realize it's actually paying homage to another character.

Which means that this....

Could also mean this...

Not only do the costumes check out in terms of us being able to potentially associate Will with this character Jack, but the actual context of the story also makes it hard not to.

Jack is framed as someone who has way more knowledge and experience within this jungle in comparison to the protagonist, Joan, whose only ever explored adventures in her writing, not in reality.

Remind you of anyone?

Basically, I think that the reference to this film could be hinting at Mike and Will in the upside down together.

We know there have been a lot of hints leading up to that potentially in s5, though right now we don't know what it will for sure look like (whose going first? Mike or Will?), it's very likely to happen in some shape or form.

I do think that this film could act as a simple reference just like Sixteen Candles, with the meaning linked to ST being easy to spot and point out, Ie. Jack/Joan represent Will/Mike.

The main thing in this film that I think is an undeniable parallel, is this mention of a treasure map that Joan is planning to use as ransom to get back her sister. This map is labeled in big block letters with 'El Corazon' AKA the heart.

I obviously don't think we're going to be dealing with any lost treasure in ST like we see in this film, just like I don't think all the Lord of the Rings homage means we're going to see Will destroy a ring.

We're talking about both basic and complex parallels here, happening with hundreds of films/series at once, at different levels, and how the Duffers manage to make all of that fit organically to create a unique story on its own.

We all know how the heart plays a big role in s4 and what is likely to follow in s5 (the painting!!!). I do think this homage could be quite simple, but it could also be deeper because, again I am not satisfied with simple, as some of you probably know by now.

I also want to try to come to a close with this little 3 part series, which is easy to do because in regards to Will's character, it does feel like a sort of arc that could definitely play out going into the final season:

Sixteen Candles --> birthdagate

Teen Wolf --> memorygate/twelvegate

Romancing the Stone --> apocalypse-byler

My working theory rn is that Will is going to be in danger right at the start of s5, which we already saw foreshadowed at the very end of s4. There is this unspoken understanding that Will's connection to Vecna could mean bad things to come for Will, maybe even that destroying Vecna once in for all could also affect (kill) Will.

It's likely there is going to be discussion about the option of using Will's connection to find Vecna, and everyone sort of predictably being against it, bc of that unspoken understanding this could end very badly for him. But it's also possible that Will would be willing to do what he has to, even if it means putting himself in danger, especially if it means saving everyone. And simultaneously it would make sense for him to leave out all the details about his connection to Vecna as it starts to get worse, all while conflict between him and El and Mike is coming to a head, where Vecna is showing him things that are bringing him to a really low point, ie. everyone forgot your birthday, your friends/family don't love you, yada yada.

Then I think something is going to happen that is going to cause Will to be separated from everyone again... However, I don't think this going to last for more than one-two episodes. And it's likely we would see what he's up to in that time. This would make it parallel to s1 to an extent, but not to the extreme that we never see Will during that time or that he's separated for the course of the entire season. Just enough that it feels like deja vu basically.

And yes I do think it's possible Will has time powers. Though I don't want to make any crazy claims... I'm going to.

Basically, I think that Vecna would greatly benefit from making Will feel like it was better that he was never found in the first place (I feel like my life started that day we found you in the woods). And so what he's doing by bringing Will to this low point of hopelessness, is whats going to lead Will to essentially reverse him being found after going missing... That could benefit Vecna greatly presumably. Could it possibly even have the capacity to act as a reset for him of sorts? Maybe. And also, couldn't Vecna play this up to Will as him being able to save everyone and let them be happy, without him, bc he's at a point where he's made himself believe that he deserves it (FUCKING CRYING JUST THINKING ABOUT IT)

And so time passes (A TIME JUMP). Maybe it takes us to the 5 year anniversary since Will's disappearance (1+ years of our Will stuck in the upside down)... But something isn't right, something is missing. Something's wrong. And I think that we would see the characters figuring it out fairly quickly after the time jump is presented to us (anniversary affect). I think Mike in particular could figure it out first even (along with Joyce and Jonathan, hence the s5 foreshadowing intended with this promo), making him a quick target of Vecna, also contributing to him joining Will in the upside down fairly early on, post time-jump (also post Mike's boyliker realization, but Will won't know that...).

This is just a theory! But it does have a lot of interesting things surrounding it that make it at least plausible to me.

First of all, it reminds me so much of s2 and the whole Zombie boy arc with Will. He was in the upside down for a week and got dubbed that nickname. And yet now it makes me wonder if that could have been hinting at something more prominent still to come related to Will and his arc (we know he has this tendency to predict things with his art...).

This also ties into the whole controversy surrounding Will using a gun in s5. There's been this talk forever, how it doesn't make sense for Will to ever use a gun bc that's not like his character at all, as he's been shown to be quite scared and so it doesn't make sense for him to suddenly be comfortable with using a gun in a high stress situation.

However, what makes this sort of ironic to me is the literal narrative principle, Chekgov's gun, which states that every element in a story must be necessary, and irrelevant elements should be removed. Alternatively-explained, suppose a writer features a gun in a story; if the writer features it, there must be a reason for it, such as it being fired sometime later in the plot.

Remind you of anyone?

This means that starting the story from the very beginning with Will knowing how to use a gun and trying to protect himself with it, but failing to do so, followed by four seasons of him being scared frozen in situations of confrontation... Means that the gun is bound to go off!

Will using a gun in s5 in this scenario would also be supported by Will going through quite a transformation after being in upside down circumstances for 1+ years...

Quite frankly, I don't think it make sense for Will to be this character that is known for freezing and being powerless the entire series, all the way up until the very end. It makes a lot more sense that this final time around, after seeing that for 4 straight seasons, we are going to see a big change in him, which tends to happen to people that go through traumatic experiences and yet still manage to adapt and survive.

Will after 1+ years in the upside down probably knows how to shoot a gun and probably is more sure of himself and less skitish than s1-4 Will.

Also, this provides a lot of character development that Noah gets to have the affordance of exploring as an actor. Like, let's give Noah some wiggle room here to show off what he's capable of for Will's character, which is so much! We know Noah jokes about wanting Will to suffer immensely because it's fun for him to play and act out, but more than anything it's also challenging in a good way. And this would really test the limits of Noah's abilities, which is why I do think it would be a wise choice narratively to make his characters evolution well rounded for the overall story.

Will going from what we expect him to always be like, to being something thats much the same in the important ways (he's still Will obviously), while also being different (see what i did there) as a result of him facing all of his fears in order to survive.

And it also makes the official battle in the end, of him finally facing Vecna off, alongside El and the party, that much more satisfying and believable as an outcome. Because by that point he will be ready, just like they'll all be ready after having finally come together despite everything.

This theory also reminds me a lot of Verse 3 in Time After Time, which is the only verse left out of the scene in 2x09 at the snowball....

There has been speculation these lyrics could be foreshadowing what's to come, and so it is interesing to think about this, with all these other theories related to Will's upcoming arc:

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It's giving Sixteen Candles meets Teen Wolf meets Romancing the Stone (also Mike running out of time crumbs! go off I guess!!)

Also, I just like to think that this reference specifically to Romancing the Stone confirms not only apocalypse-byler, AND Will Byers with a gun but also ponytail-Mike in s5???..

Oh and maybe even the highly anticipated Murray & byler confrontation, bc why not...

AGAIN this is just a theory. Don't come at me! Make your own crack theories it's fun and we can all go crazy together!

Honestly I hope I'm wrong bc I would love to be surprised (I can't wait to be surprised regardless).

And yet that wont stop me from trying to figure it out with what they're willing to give us in the mean time!

Until next time (ST5 inspo board, here we come)!

[kolbisneat]

MONTHLY MEDIA: June 2023

Summer months here we go! Just wrapped up my time with Zelda so I foresee more reading and tv in my future again. In the meantime, here’s how I spent June!

……….FILM……….

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) Saw it twice and the first time was very nearly too much to take in. The second viewing was far less overwhelming and still a joy. While it didn’t feel like a complete story following Miles, at least there’s some satisfying conclusion with Gwen. I’m glad part 2 comes out in less than a year. 

Ali Wong: Baby Cobra (2016) Maybe I wasn’t in the right mood or maybe going with one of her older specials wasn’t the right call but I wasn’t really feeling it. I can see hints of overlapping themes that pop up in BEEF (which I loved and why I wanted to watch one of her specials) but that was more interesting than it was funny. Still gonna check out her other specials.

Goldeneye (1995) I have more memories playing the game than watching the movie but still a big fan of this flick. Really great characters and locales and I forgot just how comedic it is. So many one-liners! Always feels a little long at the end but worth it to see Boris’ death scene.

Encanto (2021) Late to seeing this and really great! Beautiful and personal and peak musical songs where characters basically ONLY share their personality through song.

……….TELEVISION……….

Ted Lasso (Episode 3.11 to 3.12) I was really dragging my feet about finishing the series as I found season 3 wasn’t as consistently enjoyable to watch. But those last two eps really stuck the landing. Some beats were expected, some were welcome surprises, and there were so many callbacks that were naturally woven in that I was really impressed. Some of the best from the season (and on par with the rest of the series) and I’m really glad I finished it.

……….YOUTUBE……….

Do "gun buybacks" work? by Vox A really succinct breakdown of how the US can do better, and an honest look at why this needs to be a part of a more complex plan. VIDEO

Agnostic TTRPG Prep Method by Map Crow Really fun way to use all the books that you’re not currently using! Watch the vid and then if you like the process you can pick up the bundle HERE (not affiliated, just a fan). VIDEO

The Station Toronto Needs by RMTransit Hey I’m a big fan of trains and I just found this channel. This was my first introduction to them but I’m keen to watch more. More trains! VIDEO

How Editing Creates Comedies That Make You Cry... by The Editing Podcast Another channel I recently came across and I’m keen to watch more. I know very little about editing but am keen to learn more.  VIDEO

……….READING……….

Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber (Page 7 of 285) Clearly I’ve only just started this (thanks to me dragging my feet on The Righteous Mind) but really excited to dig deeper. The prologue is the original essay that inspired the book and that alone already has so much in it! A really great primer and I wasn’t expecting it to lay a lot of the blame at capitalism’s feet so I think it’s gonna be a great read. 

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt (Complete) The first time I read this (at a time when the COVID-19 vaccine was just coming out and folks were choosing not to get it) the book really helped me understand the reasoning behind other people’s choices. For that it was really helpful. This time around, with more time and more political moves behind us, I find it glaringly obvious just how out of touch (or conservative-leaning) this book is. There’s a whole section about how the free market and capitalism is good for healthcare. Wild stuff. If you want more in-depth reviews explaining why this didn’t sit right with me this time around, I found Storygraph had a lot of great write-ups (also Storygraph is great if you want an alternative to the amazon-owned Goodreads).

Delicious in Dungeon Vol. 12 by Ryoko Kui (Complete) Listen I sing this series’ praises every time I read a volume and this is no different. Somehow the story, setting, and characters grow while still remaining connected to the main theme of “what if we ate the monsters we fought in an RPG?” It’s truly top-tier and I can’t stress enough that if you like charming, funny, expertly-illustrated comics, you should try out this series.

The Fade Out by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Elizabeth Dismang (Complete) Really fun read. Old Hollywood murder mystery with a lot of really nuanced characters. The resolution felt a little abrupt and unsatisfying, but without giving anything away I think it was appropriate. I’m also not sure if it was a stylistic choice but all of the women have different shadows than the men. It feels like they’re living in two different worlds but maybe that’s intentional? Still really great.

……….AUDIO……….

PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation by King Gizzard (2023) Loved King Giz’s first foray into metal and this continues that trend. I may not love everything that they do, but I love that they do everything that they do.

……….GAMING……….

Oz: A Fantasy Role-Playing Setting (Andrews McMeel Publishing) The Tuesday Crew is currently up against a young dragon (Dragonette) plaguing a mine (recap HERE) while the Mof1 Crew is divided across Munchkin District and each dealing with their own small crisis. They say never split the party but I think the trouble gets way more interesting when you do.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo) Finally moving on from this after countless hours spent in this world and it’s all bittersweet. Loved the familiar stuff, loved the new stuff, and loved the overall arc of the game. Hopefully the next game in the series goes back to something smaller and focused.

And that’s it. See you in July!

[xxpeppermintxx109]

Dearest Mint,

Haven't been on tumblr since it deleted my account a while back (rest in peace anonymousgothic) but I simply had to get back on here to commend you on your work. You've done it, once again. Another hit. This 3rd gen book has punctured one of my organs and rotted my brain -- that is how deeply it managed to nestle its way into me. Like I genuinely have to break bones to make room for it.

First, we must discuss Laena. There are no words in the English dictionary that can describe how satisfying it is that a Targaryen/Lannister baby has been born and bred within the walls of the red keep -- with Tywin and Robert and Cersei none the wiser. I wish so badly for her to know her true identity and understand her worth; I want so much good for her. I find it so thrilling that you chose for her to be based in King's Landing (for now) -- and do not think I didn't pick up on the fact that she's mapping out Shaemond's tunnels and yearning for the sea! I miss nothing!

I also cannot wait for her to know and love Jaime, but I am nothing if not a patient woman when it comes to you and your perfectionist pacing, Mint. I see a Daemon x Shaera dynamic in their future (and a very angsty journey à la Jaime-held-captive-while-Laena-sleeps-with-a-wolf-king!) and that hope alone will keep me sustained for now.

Second, Brynden. If I had a nickel for every time a bastard believed himself to be the son of Ashara Dayne, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice! Am I worried that Dany will take this betrayl even worse than she took Jorah's? Yes. Am I hoping the power of love overcomes? Also, Yes. Cannot wait for him to meet his aunt (who I know you will do right by) and his uncle (truly the most beautiful Targaryen, if only his personality matched). His history with Jorah and honesty just his background in general intrigues me, Arya would worship the ground he walks on, I already know. Also, whilst I see much of Rhaenyra in Laena's demure and yet childishly wild persona, I see so much of Arthur in Brynden. All of that honor -- um, career choice aside!

Third, the TRUE heir to the iron throne. Rhaegar's emo boy complexity is strong in this one. Quite possibly the most original storyline to ever be given to a Game of Thrones original character. And by far one of the most enticing. He's so morally grey and to see that clash with Jon's annoyingly fierce sense of honor will be...delicious. The fact that he wields Dark Sister honestly put me in a coma, and I only awoke to type out this novel-length review (Do not attempt to contact me once you finish reading this for I will be falling back into my state of prolonged loss of consciousness).

Also do I have a major soft spot for him because he is eldest daughter coded? Do I love him because of how much he mirror Viserys -- the older siblings who remembers everything and has been left with nothing on the outskirts of the kingdom he was due to inherit? Answer is maybe.

In short; wow. Truly, Mint. You created a multiverse that puts Marvel to shame. I cherish each and every one of your characters, and can do nothing but thank you and remind you of how powerful you truly are. I still have people emailing me about your work -- and it takes all the power in the world to simply point them in your direction and not go on a 10 page rant about how much they're gonna love it.

All my love, your biggest fan,

Anonymousgothic

excuse me while I go scream cry and throw up, I love you for this so so so much, I can’t even articulate it (and I’m so sorry I can’t put it into such beautiful words how grateful I am for this cause I am deceased by how big my heart is for you, and for this). Thank you for picking out the smaller details and thank you for the love and support. Pls know u are adored (by me hehe)

- mint

[momentofmorrison]

A Conspiracy on Wheels?

Electric scooters have taken over urban landscapes, promising clean, efficient transportation for the modern commuter. But behind their sleek designs and eco-friendly marketing lies a web of unanswered questions and hidden agendas. Could this trendy mode of transportation be part of a broader plan to reshape society, control mobility, and influence the global energy market?

A Trojan Horse for Data Harvesting?

At first glance, electric scooters appear to be simple vehicles meant to reduce carbon emissions and ease congestion. However, many models are equipped with GPS tracking, Bluetooth connectivity, and app-based control systems. This makes them more than just a transportation tool—they're data collection devices.

Every ride you take is logged, including your starting point, destination, speed, and route. Who controls this data, and how is it being used? Critics argue that the proliferation of scooters represents a new frontier for surveillance capitalism. Scooter companies, governments, or third-party actors could potentially use this information to map consumer behavior or even enforce localized control over mobility.

Environmental Savior or Greenwashing Tool?

The marketing behind electric scooters often emphasizes their environmental benefits, but a deeper look reveals a more complex picture. Most scooters are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which require the extraction of lithium and cobalt. Both materials are sourced through mining processes that have significant environmental and ethical implications.

Additionally, scooters have a surprisingly short lifespan, often under two years. When they break down, the batteries are difficult to recycle, contributing to electronic waste. Is the green image of scooters just a facade? Some theorists suggest that the real winners are the corporations controlling the supply chains, profiting from the illusion of sustainability.

A Tool for Societal Control?

In cities worldwide, electric scooters are increasingly integrated into public transportation networks. This might seem like progress, but it also raises questions about dependency. Could the shift toward scooters and shared mobility systems be part of a larger effort to discourage car ownership and create a society reliant on centralized transportation?

The argument goes like this: if individuals become reliant on services like scooter rentals, they lose the autonomy provided by personal vehicles. Combined with the growing push for smart cities and app-based transportation, skeptics fear a future where governments and corporations can control where and when people move, all under the guise of convenience and sustainability.

The Role of Big Tech and Energy Giants

The rise of electric scooters coincides with a massive investment in battery technology by tech giants like Tesla, Panasonic, and LG. While these companies publicly champion clean energy, their involvement in scooter manufacturing raises suspicions. Are scooters just a testing ground for battery technologies that will later dominate other industries, such as energy storage and autonomous vehicles?

Additionally, traditional energy companies are pivoting toward electric infrastructure. Could their interest in scooters be part of a strategy to maintain dominance in a post-oil world? By controlling both the energy source (electric grids) and the vehicles, these corporations could ensure they remain indispensable in the global economy.

Unexplained Accidents and Failures

Reports of scooter malfunctions—such as brakes failing or throttles sticking—add another layer to the mystery. While these issues are often attributed to manufacturing flaws, some believe they point to more nefarious possibilities. Could hackers or even manufacturers themselves exploit vulnerabilities in the software to create controlled disruptions? The idea might seem far-fetched, but in a world where cybersecurity is increasingly critical, the possibility can't be ignored.

The Global Agenda

The rapid adoption of electric scooters aligns suspiciously well with broader global trends: the push for renewable energy, the development of smart cities, and the decline of car ownership. While each trend appears beneficial on its own, their convergence raises questions. Are these shifts organic, or are they being orchestrated by a coalition of corporations, governments, and NGOs with a hidden agenda?

Conclusion: A Ride into the Unknown

Electric scooters represent a fascinating intersection of technology, sustainability, and urban planning. Yet, their rise comes with unanswered questions about privacy, environmental impact, and societal control. Are they truly the solution to modern transportation woes, or are they a stepping stone to a future where mobility is tightly regulated?

The next time you hop on a scooter, remember: it might be more than just a ride—it's a glimpse into the complex, often hidden forces shaping our world.

[database-integration]

The Future of Data Migration Services: Trends to Watch

In an increasingly data-driven world, companies rely heavily on data migration services to move their critical information across systems without disruption. Whether shifting to the cloud or upgrading legacy platforms, businesses need expert data migration consultants to ensure smooth transitions. As technologies evolve, staying ahead of data migration trends becomes vital. In this article, we’ll explore how the future of data migration is shaping up and discuss the role of Augmented Systems, a key player in the USA and India.

Introduction: Why Data Migration is Crucial

Data migration is the backbone of every IT upgrade. Whether companies are consolidating databases, transitioning to cloud platforms, or merging systems after acquisitions, data must move smoothly and securely. Poor data migration can cause costly downtimes, lost information, and disrupted workflows. This is why data migration services are critical for the IT industry.

Imagine data migration like moving into a new house: all your furniture (data) needs to fit perfectly in the new layout (system) without anything breaking. But achieving this seamless transition requires both precision and expertise—something data migration consultants specialize in.

Emerging Trends in Data Migration Services

The future of data migration lies in adopting technologies that make it faster, more secure, and cost-efficient. With new trends constantly shaping the landscape, companies need to stay up-to-date with the latest innovations.

Cloud Migration: The Next Big Thing

The shift to cloud platforms is no longer a question of "if" but "when." Cloud-based data migration solutions enable businesses to reduce storage costs and increase accessibility. Organizations that haven’t yet transitioned are now actively seeking data migration services that support hybrid cloud environments.

Key cloud migration benefits:

Scalability: Easy to expand storage as data grows.

Accessibility: Employees can access data remotely.

Reduced IT overheads: Less reliance on physical servers.

AI and Automation in Data Migration

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming how companies manage migrations. Automated data migration solutions can detect and fix errors on the fly, reducing downtime and minimizing human intervention. AI also helps predict potential migration issues, ensuring smoother transitions.

AI-driven tools are like GPS systems—they map the shortest and safest route for your data to reach its destination without detours or crashes.

Tackling Data Migration Challenges

While data migration offers many benefits, it also presents several challenges. Migrating large datasets without compromising data quality or security can be complex. Some common data migration challenges include:

Data loss during transfer

Incompatible systems

Prolonged downtimes

Compliance risks

Working with experienced data migration consultants helps businesses anticipate these hurdles and implement effective solutions.

Data Governance and Compliance Issues

Regulatory compliance is a top priority in data migration. Companies dealing with sensitive data—like healthcare or financial services—must follow strict protocols. Implementing data governance frameworks ensures that businesses migrate data securely while meeting compliance standards, such as GDPR or HIPAA.

Augmented Systems: A Game-Changer in Data Migration

Augmented Systems, operating in the USA and India, is redefining the data migration landscape. This innovative company provides end-to-end data migration solutions, integrating AI-powered tools to deliver seamless results. Their expertise spans cloud migration, legacy system upgrades, and real-time data integration.

Why Augmented Systems stands out:

Dual presence in the USA and India ensures 24/7 support.

Cutting-edge tools to handle complex migrations.

Focus on automation to reduce downtime and errors.

Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Solutions

Many companies are adopting hybrid and multi-cloud architectures to optimize performance and reduce risks. This approach requires seamless data transfers between on-premise systems and multiple cloud providers. Data migration services must support these dynamic environments to offer flexibility without compromising security.

The Role of Data Migration Consultants

A data migration consultant is more than just a technical expert. They act as strategic partners, guiding companies through complex migrations. Consultants help businesses identify potential risks, choose the right migration tools, and ensure minimal disruption during the process.

Security in Data Migration

Security breaches during migration can lead to catastrophic consequences. From encrypted transfers to role-based access controls, robust security practices are essential. Companies need to implement strong cybersecurity measures to safeguard their data throughout the migration process.

The Rise of Real-Time Migration Solutions

Real-time migration is becoming increasingly popular, especially for industries that can’t afford downtime. With real-time solutions, data is transferred in small, continuous batches, ensuring that systems remain functional throughout the migration process.

Industry-Specific Migration Solutions

Different industries have unique migration needs. For example, healthcare systems prioritize patient data privacy, while financial services focus on transactional integrity. Tailored data migration solutions ensure that companies meet their specific industry requirements without compromising performance or security.

Future Outlook: Where Data Migration is Headed

The future of data migration is bright, with AI, automation, and cloud technologies leading the way. As businesses grow and technology evolves, seamless data integration will become a competitive advantage. Companies like Augmented Systems are setting the standard for what modern data migration services should look like—efficient, secure, and future-proof.

Conclusion: Preparing for the Future of Data Migration

Data migration is no longer a one-time task; it’s a continuous process as businesses evolve. Staying ahead of data migration trends is essential for IT leaders to avoid disruptions and capitalize on new opportunities. Partnering with experienced data migration consultants ensures a smooth journey, whether upgrading systems or moving to the cloud.

[mediatechgroup]

Voice Assistants Showdown: Alexa vs. Google Home vs. Siri

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Welcome to the amazing realm of smart home voice assistants. At Media & Technology Group, LLC, we're thrilled to keep you in the loop with the newest tech happenings. Ever pondered whether Alexa, Google Home, or Siri should be your ultimate digital helper at home? Let's explore and see which suits you best!

Introduction to Smart Home Voice Assistants

Voice assistants have completely transformed our tech interactions at home. They make life easier, whether you're turning on lights or setting timers while your hands are full. Choosing between Alexa, Google Home, and Siri can be puzzling if you're starting out. Each offers unique benefits, and we're here to help you navigate.

Alexa: Amazon's Voice Assistant

First, let's talk about Amazon Alexa. It's renowned for working with a huge range of smart home devices. From Philips Hue lights to Ring doorbells, Alexa can connect your whole home. It also has a big collection of "skills," like tiny apps, offering everything from cooking tips to exercise advice. It's like having a digital expert right at home.

Pros:

Works with numerous devices

Huge variety of skills

Simple to set up

Cons:

Not all skills are effective

Requires regular updates for new features

Google Home: The Smart Device Assistant by Google

Next is Google Home. With Google's powerful search abilities, it's like having a trivia genius at your fingertips. It integrates smoothly with other Google services like Calendar and Maps. If you're already using Google products, Google Home might be a perfect fit for your smart home setup.

Pros:

Outstanding search capabilities

Seamless with Google apps

Regular software updates

Cons:

Limited integration with non-Google devices

May find complex tasks challenging

Siri: Apple's Assistant

Finally, we have Apple Siri. It's ideal if you're devoted to Apple. Siri syncs beautifully with Apple devices, from iPhones to HomePods. Using Apple's HomeKit, Siri effortlessly manages your smart home gadgets, ensuring everything works in harmony.

Pros:

Seamless with Apple devices

Focuses on privacy

Great for Apple enthusiasts

Cons:

Limited to Apple products

Few third-party options

Conclusion: Which One is Best for You?

Picking a smart home voice assistant depends on what fits your world. Alexa offers a wide range, Google Home excels in web answers, and Siri is perfect for Apple fans. Here at Media & Technology Group, LLC, we help integrate these tech marvels into homes and businesses with our marketing and IT expertise. Remember us when setting up your smart spaces!

The future is all about voice and connection. No matter the assistant you pick, you're stepping into a smarter tomorrow. Happy exploring in the smart home space!

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[jaiminiastro]

Is Your Partner Ignoring You? Indian Astrology Predictions Revealed!

Have you noticed your partner acting distant lately? Are conversations quieter than usual, replaced by an uncomfortable silence? It can be super confusing and leave you wondering what's going on. While talking things out is always the best approach, Indian Astrology predictions, also called Jyotish astrology, can offer some clues based on the positions of planets and how they interact.

This blog dives into the world of Indian Astrology Predictions, focusing on why your partner might be acting cold. We'll explore how the placement of planets like Venus (love and all things mushy) and Mars (passion and drive) in your and your partner's birth charts, along with current planetary movements, can affect your relationship.

Your Birth Chart

Jyotish uses a special calendar and considers the positions of the planets and constellations at the exact time and place you were born. This creates a kind of cosmic map called a jaimini astrology birth chart, which reveals your natural personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, and even hints about your future.

Think of your birth chart as a recipe for you! Here are some key ingredients (planets) that affect your relationships:

Venus: This planet is all about love, romance, and feeling attracted to others. Where Venus is placed in your chart shows how you show affection, what kind of partner you dream of, and how you approach love in general.

Mars: Mars is like the firecracker in your chart, representing passion, desire, and how you stand up for yourself. Its placement reveals how much energy you bring to your relationships and how you handle disagreements.

Jaimini Astrology: Another Piece of the Puzzle

Jyotish isn't just one big thing! There are different ways to interpret it, and Jaimini Astrology is a particularly helpful one for understanding relationships. It focuses on special areas in your birth chart called Karakamsthas and the planets that rule them, to see how you and your partner function together.

Imagine the Karakamsha for your spouse is like a special house in your birth chart. The planet ruling this house and where it's placed can tell you about your partner's personality and any potential challenges you might face.

Planetary Movements: The Ever-Changing Sky

While your birth chart offers a general idea of who you are, planets are always on the move in the sky. These movements, called transits, can temporarily influence your relationships.

Venus Transits: When Venus moves in challenging ways compared to your natal Venus or your partner's Venus, it can signal a period of disconnection or a clash in values. Imagine Venus as the love glue and a rough transit is like someone shaking the bottle – things might get messy!

Mars Transits: Transits of Mars can lead to arguments, increased tension, or a lack of intimacy. Think of Mars like a hot coal – it can bring passion, but also burn things down if not handled carefully.

 "The nearer we come to the truth, the more paradoxes we find." -  Mahatma Gandhi

Important Reminders: Astrology Isn't Set in Stone

It's important to remember that Indian Astrology Predictions are more like hints. Here's why:

Free Will: We all have the power to make choices and influence our relationships. Astrology can't control your actions!

The Whole Picture: A birth chart is complex, with many planets and areas interacting. Focusing just on Venus or Mars gives a limited view.

Talk it Out!: No matter what the stars say, open and honest communication is key in any relationship. Astrology can't replace a good heart-to-heart.

Taking Action: Beyond the Predictions

So, what can you do if Indian Astrology Predictions suggest a rough patch with your partner? Here are some tips:

Start a Conversation: Don't stew in silence! Have a gentle conversation with your partner, express your concerns, and listen openly to their perspective.

Do Stuff Together: Spend quality time doing activities you both enjoy. Shared experiences can reignite the spark and strengthen your connection.

Seek Help if Needed: If communication remains difficult, consider seeking guidance from a couples therapist. Sometimes, a neutral third party can help you both understand each.

Conclusion

Indian Astrology Predictions can be a helpful tool for understanding potential bumps in your relationship. But remember, these are just influences, not guarantees. By combining astrological insights with open communication, shared experiences, and a willingness to work together, you can navigate any period of disconnect and build a stronger bond with your partner.

[frnwhcom]

Decoding Wordle: The Psychology Behind Your Starter Word

Online puzzles got a big boost during quarantine, and Wordle emerged as a daily brain teaser that continues to captivate millions. Its simple premise—guess a five-letter word within six attempts—belies the depth of strategy and cognitive engagement it demands. At the heart of every player's strategy lies their choice of a starter word, a decision that might reveal more about them than they realize. The Strategic Mind: Analysis and Optimality Choosing a starter word in Wordle is an exercise in strategy. Some players opt for words rich in vowels, such as "audio" or "ouija," to quickly identify the vowels in the day's mystery word. Others prefer words with common consonants, like "stern" or "crisp," to map out the structural skeleton. This approach mirrors strategies in games like chess or Go, where opening moves are studied and debated meticulously. Analyzing the most popular starter words reveals a collective leaning toward strategic optimality. Words that balance common vowels and consonants, offering a broad sweep of the alphabet in just five letters, are particularly favored. This choice reflects not just a player's linguistic intuition but also their problem-solving approach, suggesting a blend of analytical thinking and creativity. The Psychological Angle: Comfort and Familiarity Beyond strategy, the choice of a starter word in Wordle may also be influenced by psychological factors like comfort and familiarity. Some players consistently use the same word, deriving a sense of control and stability from this routine. This consistency offers a small window into human behavior, highlighting our tendency to seek familiarity in the face of uncertainty. Cognitive psychology suggests that familiarity can enhance cognitive efficiency, allowing the brain to allocate more resources to the novel task of deciphering the rest of the word. Thus, a familiar starter word serves as a cognitive anchor, grounding the player as they navigate the possibilities. The Social Dimension: Sharing and Competition Wordle transcends the individual experience, becoming a social phenomenon where players share their results and strategies. The choice of a starter word often becomes a topic of discussion, with some players taking pride in their unique or unconventional choices. This social sharing adds a layer of competition and camaraderie to the game, as players compare their success rates and discuss the merits of different starter words. The viral nature of Wordle, facilitated by its simple yet informative result-sharing mechanism, underscores the human desire for shared experiences and social validation. Whether boasting of a win with an obscure starter word or seeking advice after a series of losses, players engage in a communal exploration of language and logic. The first word you choose in Wordle is more than just a strategic move; it's a reflection of your cognitive style, psychological preferences, and even your social interactions. As researchers continue to explore the fascinating intersections between gaming and cognition, Wordle serves as a perfect case study of how a simple game can reveal complex aspects of human nature and intelligence. While direct studies linking Wordle starter words to personality traits are scarce, the game's reliance on vocabulary knowledge, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking provides ample ground for future research. As we continue to enjoy our daily Wordle challenges, we might also ponder what our favorite starter words say about us, both as players and as thinkers navigating the puzzles of life. Read the full article

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Neuromorphic Computing: Mimicking the Human Brain

Scientists have been studying the brain in order to build computers that work similarly. They've been trying to replicate the way the billions of neurons and synapses in the human brain communicate with each other. They're attempting to do this by using neuromorphic chips, which are designed to perform like the brain while being much smaller and faster than traditional computer hardware.

While there are some commercial neuromorphic computing systems out there, most of them have been developed in research labs. However, there's a big push to make this technology more widely available. It's been used to power self-driving cars, recognize voices and recognize patterns in images, among other things.

This type of neural computing system has the potential to be much more energy efficient than its conventional counterparts. It's important to keep in mind, however, that it requires more training data than a conventional machine learning algorithm would to learn the same task. This is due to the dissonance between hardware and software, a phenomenon that can be quite expensive in a neuromorphic architecture.

Many scientists are working What is metaverse and is it the future? on ways to reduce this dissonance and lower the cost of a neuromorphic chip. A new chip that uses a novel type of memory, for instance, can save up to 90 percent more energy than conventional silicon chips. It stores information through repeated partial temperature cycling of a non-volatile material called vanadium oxide, which is created when water molecules in the chip pass through an insulator into a metal.

Another way to lower the cost of a neuromorphic system is by building it with circuits that are more analog. Spiking neurons, for example, send signals that are analog instead of digital, and they encode that signal with discrete changes in the voltage. Moreover, the signals are highly parallel.

A recent study also showed that the spiking behavior of these neurons can be replicated on a chip, using a single device known as a memristor. The memristor can serve as a memory, storing the pattern of signals that are received at any given time. The researchers found that the resulting artificial neuron could perform pattern recognition tasks similar to those performed by the human brain, while using up to 70 times less power than a typical microprocessor.

The team's next steps are technology website to build more complex models on the chip and train them to learn the same tasks as an actual human brain. For example, the scientists will try to teach it how to recognize recognizable objects from an abstract black-and-white image. They'll map the human brain as it completes this one-shot task, and then they'll try to recreate the results on the chip. If the chip can mimic a human brain, it will be an important step toward commercializing neuromorphic computing. The paper describing the chip was published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Poon is senior author of the paper, with Guy Rachmuth, a postdoc in his lab, serving as lead.