#as context/a disclaimer this is prescription

[zipquips]

day two of adderall!!!!

[jan-ala]

On Comprehensible Input

Disclaimer : I am not disagreeing with the comprehensible input theory of language acquisition within the context of the science of linguistics. This post is about a tumor that has grown off of it into the 'science' of pedagogy. Regardless, this is more of a vent post against current instructional strategies than anything. I am not citing any sources, most of what is here is anecdotal.

For those unaware, language classes in K12 have changed a lot since you were in school. Many decades ago, it was primarily a text translation course. Then it became what most of the readers probably had, a course integrating vocabulary and structures into conversational performance. Today, as has been pushed for the last decade or so, we are 'encouraged' to teach with what pedagogy scam artists call a comprehensible input based curriculum.

This largely involves an immersion class with a heavy focus on reading and listening (especially in the novice level) with multimodal texts to guide understanding. To give you an idea of the efficacy of this strategy, almost zero students have achieved a "passing" (4/7) score on the IB DP Language B exams in my district since our coordinator started pushing this. My heavily lauded predecessor at this school had 2s and 3s across the board last year, students on their fifth year of language acquisition.

My current fifth year students have a vocabulary of maybe 200 words, mostly cognates.

I can think of a few reasons why this becomes the case.

Immersion classes at the middle/high school level have a tendency to devolve into the dominant language of the school. Infants learn this way because it is their primary method of communication and interacting with the world around them. In class, the students' dominant language is spoken by everyone in the room (from whom students are constantly seeking validation). This is especially a problem when taking into account class sizes of 30+ students who largely do not even want to be there.

The curricula that are available are weak, untested (scientifically), and teacher-created. Teachers are not curriculum designers, neither by training nor by time allotted. What results is a mish-mash of ideas half-executed, with wide, gaping holes in student knowledge. My Language B coordinator literally just threw a random assortment of various difficulty beginner reader books (one is a story about a capyabara wearing boots, for example) at me with no materials, no guide, no placement within a curriculum. This is not an effective foundation for a high school student's language journey.

Comprehensible Input as a theory is a description of how language is acquired, it is not a prescription for curriculum. Refusing to take into account the differences between someone whose job, 24/7, is exclusively to understand the language enthusiastically, compared to someone who is in a class against their will for maybe 160 minutes per week is ludicrous.

The de-emphasis on output, especially in the beginning levels, leaves students without the tools and muscle memory to become proficient speakers later.

Recently, I have been studying Toki Pona.

Reading the official text, I learned very quickly and very effectively. I made flash cards, read about grammatical constructions, did translation exercises, and assigned myself conversational tasks to practice what I could. Writing very short stories, skits, practicing common dialogue patterns. It has been really fast and effective.

About halfway through the book, I decided to install a game called Toki Pona Island. A self-proclaimed comprehensible input strategy to acquiring the language. I have played for hours, and the only word I have meaningfully retained is alasa (look for, quest, seek). And it is an entire game ABOUT alasa. Every character says it constantly and I had to look it up about 50 times before I forced myself to remember. Even then, while writing this, I originally wrote it as asala before I looked it up for accuracy. So, in effect, nothing was meaningfully learned.

[goodolreliablejake]

I think it would be easy to misinterpret the concept of Balance in Avatar as akin to moderate centrism. "Both sides have a point," "we need peace at any cost," "the victims are just as bad for retaliating," etc. But no, of course not, everyone agrees that the Fire Nation should be fought and stopped in their conquest and subjugation (in fact the biggest debate is just whether or not to merc Ozai, and everyone except Aang is like yeah we absolutely do). You don't gotta hand it to 'em.

I think Balance in atla is more akin to the Buddhist morality scheme of The Eightfold Path. As a Westerner raised in the overwhelmingly Christian nation The U-S-A, it's an idea that I really ruminated over. Contrast the prescriptive list of Shall-nots in the Ten Commandments with the more vague "Right Action, Right Thought, etc."

But that's kind of the point, right? There is no single prescriptive law that governs all possibilities. What is right in one context is wrong in another. You have to figure it out moment to moment, simultaneously overwhelmingly free and open to what the world around is telling you.

Killing is inherently bad, but maybe we really do gotta kill that guy. The Avatar is the embodiment of Balance, but in The Avatar state it's all too easy to lose balance and go on a rampage. Not a law to be followed so as to disclaim decision making, but rather a principle to help you make decisions.

[trans-axolotl]

okay fabulous i love being trans and love harm reduction so this is great. usual disclaimer that this is not medical or legal advice. this is drawn from my own + community experiences plus internal resources from the org I work with.

DIY HRT and Harm reduction

Most important things to know: DIY HRT is one possible way to access hormones, and there are safer and riskier ways to DIY HRT. In the context of increasing transphobic legislation in the US, I think it's important that people know their options and can discuss this without having to deal with our community putting moral judgments onto DIY HRT. I'm not going to spend a bunch of time getting into super specific information about dosage, methods of HRT, or where to find HRT, because a ton of that information is on this website which I highly recommend! Instead I'm going to be focusing on how to make informed decisions about DIY HRT and how to understand the risks.

Source Safety

When getting HRT without a prescription, it's important to consider the reliability and safety of your source. When at all possible, finding a healthcare provider who will provide HRT under the table is a good way to ensure that what you're getting is actually legitimate HRT. The next safest option is buying from a legitimate online pharmacy that provides pharmaceutical-grade hormones. This is where research + community knowledge comes in. Reading reviews, talking to other trans people, or buying from known sources in your community is a way to help reduce the risk of getting a product that is not legitimate HRT. When buying without a prescription, there is always some risk that what you are getting includes other chemicals, is for veterinary use, or has other contaminants. Checking your hormones before usage for anything odd, like bits floating in the liquid instead of pure liquid, for example, can be a good way to reduce risk. Overall, it's important to know that there are some risks involved with how you source your hormones, which is why talking to community members, reading reviews, and learning about trusted sites + people can be an important step for safer sourcing.

Injection Safety

If injecting your hormones, it's super important to know safe injection practices, especially if you have challenges accessing a consistent needle supply.

Do your shots in a clean, sanitized environment. Wash your hands and use alcohol swabs on your hormone vial, your injection site

Avoid sharing needles with anyone else. Sharing needles puts you at a higher risk of acquiring HIV, HEP C, and other bloodborne illnesses.

Avoid reusing your own needles if possible, as it increases infection risk.

If you must reuse or share needles and have no other options, clean needles with bleach first! Check out this handout for more info. To access free needles and syringes, check out this directory of harm reduction organizations that provide needle exchange services.

Legal Safety

Estrogen, spironolactone, and other anti-androgens are not controlled substances. They are legal to buy online in the United States.

Due to the absolute bullshit that is the Controlled Substances Act and the War on Drugs, Testosterone is considered a Schedule III substance. This means that it is illegal to buy and sell testosterone without a prescription in the United States. Realistically though, the risk of conviction for possession in a DIY HRT situation is currently incredibly low. A study following Anabolic Steroid Cases in US district courts from 2013-2017 found that there were only 63 cases in those 5 years, and that most cases were for selling steroids online or in the context of other criminalized substance convictions. (Decrim now for all drugs, including testosterone-check out this resource to learn more about decrim)

So, what that means is that the legal risk for buying DIY testosterone is relatively quite low, but it is still good practice to be intentional and considerate about what information you share publically, especially if you live in a state with gender-affirming care bans. To reduce risk, it can help to share information privately among trans circles, not admit DIY HRT use to any law enforcement, and not bring unprescribed testosterone through security checkpoints on planes, for example. We don't really know how new transphobic laws are going to affect prosecution right now, so it's good to be cautious without fearmongering or overexaggerating risk.

Miscellaneous

Regular blood testing is a good way to keep an eye out for any medical complications and also adjust dosage when needed. For intersex people, much of the available information online about DIY HRT is likely relevant to us, although we might have some additional needs or concerns. There isn't any widely available data that really explores what gender-affirming HRT looks like for us, but anecdotal community evidence suggests that we usually get all the same effects, but will often experience a different timeline than dyadic trans people. Depending on our variation, we might need a lower dose than dyadic trans people because of our existing hormone levels. Blood tests can help track our levels and signify to us if our dosage is too high and our testosterone is converting to estrogen, for example. When doing DIY HRT as an intersex person, it can be important to research the other medications we might be on and understand the role they play. If we are already on an anti-androgen medication, that's really important info to know before adding more HRT.

Overall I want to link this harm reduction guide specifically for HRT, and just affirm that DIY HRT has a long history in trans communities, and that this is something we have always done. HRT is absolutely not a necessity to be valid as a trans person and there are so many ways to exist as trans. However, it's important for us to acknowledge that DIY HRT is a method of HRT that can sometimes be more accessible for us, and that it's important for us to have access to accurate information that helps us make decisions about what's right for us. hormones are fun and fabulous and i support trans people getting them in whatever way works for us!

would people be interested in a post about DIY hrt from a harm reduction perspective

[fldebtcollectionattorney]

The Dawn of a New Era in Debt Recovery In the rapidly evolving financial landscape, digital transformation is reshaping how debt recovery operates. Technologies like automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence are challenging traditional collection methods, exposing inefficiencies in outdated practices. Key technology platforms driving this transformation include: - Predictive Dialer and Voice Analytics Software - Enhances communication by analyzing call patterns and predicting debtor behavior. - Prescriptive Analytics - Provides context-aware insights for making informed collection decisions. - Robotic Process Automation (RPA) - Automates repetitive, high-volume tasks, freeing up human resources for more complex activities. - Omni-Channel Messaging - Centralizes interactions across multiple channels, improving debtor engagement. Early adopters of these technologies are gaining significant competitive advantages, realizing improved cash flow and operational efficiencies compared to those sticking with traditional, manual collection processes. Innovative Tools for Enhanced Collection Beyond enhancing external debtor engagement, innovative technologies are revolutionizing back-office operations. These tools simplify complex procedural tasks and enhance the efficiency of limited resources: - Matter Management Platforms - Centralize case data for easy access and streamlined workflow management. - Online Portals - Provide transparent metrics tracking and reporting. - Automated Document Assembly - Facilitates the quick preparation and filing of legal documents. - Electronic Court Records - Simplify access to court information, reducing the need for manual searches. These integrated digital tools enable continuous process improvements and productivity gains, transforming the efficiency of debt recovery operations over time. Tech-Enabled Solutions by Marcadis Singer, PA At Marcadis Singer, PA, we recognize that embracing change is crucial but not enough. We go further by bridging the gap between traditional methods and modern digital solutions. With significant investment in education and technology, we provide clients with comprehensive digitization solutions that align with the latest advancements in debt recovery. Our firm has invested over $43 million in educating our team on cutting-edge, data-centric technologies and customizing these systems into cohesive tech stacks. This approach empowers our clients with seamless integration of external platforms throughout the debtor lifecycle, offering real-time insights and optimized workflows. During the pandemic, our rapid adaptation to new communication systems and real-time portfolio analytics enabled us to provide timely responses and tailored solutions, demonstrating the resilience and flexibility of our tech-enabled services. Embrace Technological Excellence in Collection Don’t let outdated approaches hold you back. Partner with Marcadis Singer, PA to leverage next-generation debt recovery tools and automation tailored to your needs. Contact us online or call (813) 288-1881 to explore how our forward-thinking digital adoption strategies can enhance your operations and keep you ahead in this fast-evolving sector. Legal Disclaimer This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal landscapes and technologies frequently change, potentially impacting options and strategies discussed herein. For advice on specific legal issues related to debt collection and technology use, consult with qualified legal counsel before proceeding. References - Emerging Collection Tech Overview - Healthcare Collections Optimization Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) How is technology changing debt recovery?Technology is enhancing debt recovery through automation, data analytics, and AI, which streamline communication, decision-making, and back-office operations, resulting in more efficient and effective collections. What are some key tools revolutionizing the debt recovery process?Key tools include predictive dialers, prescriptive analytics, robotic process automation, and omni-channel messaging systems that improve communication and operational efficiency. How can Marcadis Singer, PA help with tech-enabled debt recovery?Marcadis Singer, PA offers comprehensive digitization solutions that integrate the latest technologies into cohesive systems, providing clients with real-time insights and optimized debt recovery strategies. Read the full article

[global-initiatives]

Global Insights: Advantages of Studying Pharmacology Abroad 

Pursuing a pharmacy education overseas promises immense value for students seeking diverse global perspectives that enrich competencies in our increasingly interconnected healthcare landscape:

Certain leading institutions abroad center at the forefront of pharmacology research on unmet needs. Studying under pioneers in fields like tropical disease treatments, pediatric formulations, or precision medicine enables exposure to cutting-edge innovations often inaccessible elsewhere. Bringing these insights back home proves invaluable.

Additionally, as healthcare delivery depends extensively on cultural contexts, international immersion builds necessary sensitivity. Pharmacy practice varies greatly across continents as medical norms, access methods, patient communication, health technologies and healing traditions diverge. On-location comparative analysis allows gaining deep localized comprehension.

Furthermore, global exchanges build capacity to tackle challenges requiring international cooperation like antimicrobial resistance and pharmaceutical counterfeiting. Partnerships with foreign healthcare agencies and multinational organizations equip students to coordinate solutions spanning borders.

Besides academic growth, overseas studies facilitate extensive networking amongst tomorrow’s international pharmacy leaders across corporate, governmental and nonprofit spheres. These global contacts promise collaborative opportunities improving healthcare universally through careers.

In summary, specialized research insights, localized practice competencies, global problem solving abilities and potent international peer connections make studying pharmacology abroad a profoundly enriching experience with lifelong impacts.

#healthcare #pharmacologyresearch #tropicaldiseasetreatments #pediatricformulations #precisionmedicine # patientcommunication #healthtechnologies #globalexchanges # antimicrobialresistance #pharmaceuticalcounterfeiting #Partnerships #internationalpharmacy #collaborative #extensivenetworking #specializedresearchinsights #localizedpracticecompetencies #envoyoverseas #ethicalcounselling #envoystudyabroad #envoyinternationalstudents

-Honeyketh

Disclaimer: the perspectives shared in this blog are not intended to be prescriptive. They should act merely as viewpoints to aid overseas aspirants with helpful guidance. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before availing the services of a consultant.

[indianstudentsabroad]

Unleashing Potential: The Global Landscape of AI Education

In an era defined by rapid technological evolution, the decision to pursue AI-related programs abroad is not just an academic choice but a strategic move toward unlocking boundless opportunities. As the world increasingly relies on artificial intelligence to drive innovation across various industries, the demand for skilled professionals in this field continues to soar. This blog explores the transformative journey that awaits aspirants who choose to delve into the global landscape of AI education.

Studying AI abroad is more than an educational pursuit; it is an exploration of the future. By opting for international programs, aspirants expose themselves to a diverse array of perspectives, methodologies, and industry applications that extend far beyond the confines of any single nation. This exposure is invaluable in understanding the global dynamics of AI and preparing for a career that transcends borders.

The curriculum offered in overseas AI programs is tailored to align with the latest industry trends and technological advancements. It goes beyond textbook knowledge, incorporating real-world case studies, hands-on projects, and collaborations with industry leaders. This ensures that students not only grasp theoretical concepts but also gain practical insights into the applications of AI in different sectors.

Moreover, the synergy between academia and industry is a hallmark of AI education abroad. Leading universities collaborate closely with tech companies, providing students with opportunities for internships, research projects, and direct engagement with cutting-edge technologies. This integration between classroom learning and real-world application is instrumental in producing graduates who are not only academically proficient but also industry-ready.

Aspirants venturing into the global AI education landscape also benefit from exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives. The international classroom becomes a melting pot of ideas, fostering creativity and innovation. Collaborating with peers from different backgrounds prepares students for the collaborative nature of the tech industry, where diverse teams often lead to more robust solutions.

In the context of #AIEducation, #GlobalInnovation, and #EnvoyOverseas, choosing to study AI abroad is not just a step towards a degree; it's a leap into a future where technological prowess and global awareness converge. It's an investment in a career that transcends boundaries and positions aspirants at the forefront of the AI revolution.

Disclaimer: The perspectives shared in this blog are not intended to be prescriptive. They should act merely as viewpoints to aid overseas aspirants with helpful guidance. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before availing the services of a consultant.

posted by - Keith Vaz

B.des Amity University 

[hey-im-trash-and-better-than-you]

Twisted Wonderland Magical Archive Character Art (Part 2. Heartslabyul)

I recently got the magical archives book and there is a lot of character design art in it for like all the characters and theres little notes in there so I just wanted to post it so if you want to use it for art reference or something its here haha.

Disclaimer: This book is in japanese. I do not speak japanese lmao. I tried my hardest to piece together things based off of what google translate said as well as context but if I translated something wrong feel free to correct me and i’ll update this haha.

starting off: here is the general dorm uniform for Heartslabyul students:

Jesus christ this uniform has so many details ;u; Basic things: Characters are assigned a suit of a card in Heartslabyul, which determines the color of the vest and shoes (between black and red), as well as the little card pin on the jacket (shown below), even the little buttons on the jacket good god there is so much going on.

Some other misc. things: That little rose brooch is actually flat, their belt/ribbon thing is tied so the two ends of it alternate between yellow and black when next to each other. also the Heartslabyul uniform has gloves, but out of the main heartslabyul boys, Trey is the only one who actually wears them.

These are some of the smaller details like buttons, pins, etc.  

Ok moving on to actual characters:

Riddle Rosehearts

I think the note says something along the lines of Riddle being short, so the PE clothes are a little big on him lmao

The note mentions that since they wear their uniforms under their lab coats, since riddle wears a bow instead of a normal tie it just goes over the coat.

I love riddle’s dorm uniform so much lmao. also idk how much of the manga we’re considering canon but apparently wearing heels is a rule of the queen of hearts i think and riddle doesn’t actually particularly care for them, don’t quote me on that though. 

angry riddle is,,,,,,something. It says his smile is innocent which is very cute lmao

I have the overblot design stuff too but i may put that in a separate post along with Leona’s and Jamil’s 

Ace Trappola 

Ace ties the jacket around his waist, and his shoes are the same shoes he wears with his school uniform

Ace wears his lab coat open with the goggles on his head (shame on u ace ur gonna go blind)

His eyes are apparently supposed to be cat-like uwu. Also the collar from riddle’s unique magic is apparently heavy and very noticeable

Deuce Spade 

Deuce wears his PE uniform with short sleeves

Deuce pretty much wears his lab wear like, the exact way he’s supposed to lol (The note says something along the lines of “If you ignore the bangs, the googles are correct” haha)

Note says roughly “Cool beauty with a little bit of grace” and that he has a sword-like eye. I’m starting to think the character designer really likes deuce haha. Deuce is a pretty boy.

Cater Diamond

Cater wears a white long sleeved shirt under his PE uniform, and also rolls up his pant cuffs (bi king)

Cater wears his lab coat open with the goggles around his neck (again, shame on you)

God Cater is so pretty asdfghjkl. Some stuff from the notes: He has droopy eyes, both his ears are pierced, and he has a more mature face than Ace or Deuce because he’s older. might have translated it wrong but apparently his hair is supposed to be a pompadour???????????????? ok. also hes got a little fang moment going on look at his cute lil fang i love it. And his hair curls under his ears and his hair is roughly chin length.

Trey Clover

Trey wears his PE uniform short sleeved and with running shoes.

Trey wears his lab coat open and his goggles are actually prescription googles :0 he puts his glasses next to his magical pen in his coat pocket

on the bottom panel theres a whole note about “You cant see through the sides of glasses!” which i just thought was funny. 

Anyways, thats it for Heartslabyul! I’ll be posting Savannahclaw’s next uwu

[magz]

said was gonna check info post of dental care did image ID of.

Quotes from post: "also: ask your dentist about durophat fluoride toothpaste!! I got some on prescription and it is a special formula that helps protect teeth" "Clinpro is another great rx toothpaste that has a soft minty vanilla flavor." Clinpro 5000 anti-cavity toothpaste page, drugs.com UK article "Post My Meds" of Durophat Toothpaste

Quote from Drugs.com, Clinpro page: "Disclaimer: This drug has not been found by FDA to be safe and effective, and this labeling has not been approved by FDA."

These product is use for patient high risk of caries. 5000ppm sodium fluoride is highest strength prescription for ClinPro and Durophat.

However, it risky use for people have issue swallow without mean to or not follow specific instruction -- whether forgot or not able. If swallow 5mg of any 5000ppm fluoride strength toothpaste, need go Emergency Poison Control.

Instruction say only use pea-size amount, which can be 5mg total -- just don't swallow it all somehow. pea-size is less than many people is used to use for normal toothpaste. It advised not use any other product with fluoride for risk of overdose also when use high fluoride toothpaste (e.g. "such as mouthwashes, chewing gum and dental gel").

Clinpro and Durophat easy available online shopping despite be prescription toothpaste, so need be aware context and risk before consider.

Personally, it not for me and I not trust self with it. Have issue swallow on accident things, and when manic have gone overboard with dental care. I also have issue with it not be FDA approve.

-

Research on recommended Sensodyne and Crest product, for later

[telaraneas]

man i have so many words about homestuck but no one to talk to about it with. aimless ramble about classpects under the cut (disclaimer that other people have probably said the same things in much more concise ways, i literally finished homestuck like 3 days ago)

so, the way i actually understand aspects and classes in homestuck is that aspect = themes and class = arc. so, like, class and aspect as i think of them are not assigned as a role to play per se, like, they're not prophetic, they're descriptive. ive been reading a lot of old forum discussions from early act 6 because i crave whatever speculation and live analysis was going on at the time. and back then there was a lot of, for instance, "i wonder what the prince class is supposed to do, since eridan probably fucked it up" and im sitting here with the benefit of living almost a decade later and having read the entire story by that point, and im like, no, see, it's actually impossible to "fail" at your class in my opinion because they're descriptive, not predictive. so whatever a character did by the time homestuck actually ended (...with the caveat that i havent yet read the epilogues or the sequel), that was what they were supposed to do in the game/story, because like. that IS what they did.

like in the same way we have descriptive words for specific character archetypes in fiction, because i do think classpects are basically just That, like, for example, (to go. really really basic) princess peach in the original mario game may be a shitty female character but she's a perfect representation of the damsel in distress archetype. the "damsel in distress" denomination here is descriptive of the role she plays in the story of that game (to the extent it has one), whether or not it was consciously written that way, and it's assigned from the outside looking in at the finished game, not necessarily written from the outset to be that way. eg how inexperienced authors often end up writing what is commonly described as "mary sue" characters, even though most of them do not deliberately set out to write characters like that, obviously. the term "mary sue" here is descriptive, not prescriptive (and ofc the term itself has been dilluted to the point it's barely useful, this was just an example)

so like, an author may set out to write a character in a specific way, or to fill a specific role, and they may succeed or they may not; but a reader analyzing the story will interpret the story as they see fit, and will be the judge of how THEY would describe the characters. ofc interpretations may vary from reader to reader, but generally speaking when it comes to the role a character plays in the story, eg do they have agency, what function do they have towards advancing the plot, what are the dominant themes and ideas of the story and how does this character play into it etc etc will, at least to the individual reader, be informed by the work as a whole, not by the author's intent. the character's actions in the work as a whole as written by the author and interpreted by the reader speak for themselves.

i think i've gotten lost somewhere along the line here. this is all true and part of what i meant to say but i cant figure out how to connect it to my point. which is that i think the classes arent meant so much as rpg classes that dictate what you are capable of doing, so much as they're a descriptive label that sums up the role a character plays in the story. like the time loop stuff, it's not that a character MUST fulfill their role, it's that they already HAVE from the perspective of the finished story taken as a whole.

anyways all of this that ive said about classpects being descriptive and not prescriptive is ignoring the very obvious reality that homestuck itself was not written from the outside looking in, but in fact was often improvised from what i can tell, especially in regards to the arcs and themes of the more minor characters such as the trolls, but ofc it has the benefit that because its author is the one coming up with the classpect system in the first place, it gets to set its own definition. so in effect, the classpects in homestuck are self-descriptive; each title is an intrinsically correct description of the character's arc and themes, in the exact same way that the character's NAME is an intrinsically correct description of what the character is called. i think this is the whole reason why afaik there hasnt actually been explicit descriptions of what most of the classes do, and why there were only like 3 or 4 explicit in-universe descriptions of the classes, because if hussie said that a character's class means exclusively X thing, and then that character goes and does Y instead and never does X, then the story has contradicted itself

but instead, by keeping most of them vague, the classes become inherently self-descriptive. it's impossible to say that character A has failed their role as class B, because character A is part of the definition of class B. self-descriptive

(like how once in the adventure zone travis mentioned being shocked that people online were saying that something his character did was "out of character", to which he answered something to the effect of "what do you MEAN it's out of character, i write the character and he did that!". whatever actions character A takes are, by definition, in-character for character A; if this doesn't sit right with the viewer, they may say that this makes them an incoherent and/or badly written character, but by definition the character IS defined by the actions as written by the author. self-descriptive)

bringing it back to the eridan example, it's impossible for eridan to "fail" at being a prince of hope; eridan IS the prince of hope, and thus, whatever he did IS "what the prince of hope was supposed to do", which in this case meant being someone whose character is defined and tortured by his own hopes, beliefs, and convictions, until he reaches a breaking point and destroys his own aspect not just for himself but for those around him.

without context as to what a prince is "supposed" to do, it's easy to assume he must have failed in his role because of how he very literally destroyed the presence of hope in the part he played of the story, but in-universe the classes are descriptive and not prescriptive: eridan is the prince of hope BECAUSE of the role he played in the story, not in spite of it.

in any case, this whole mess is my way of saying that this is why assigning class and aspect to characters from non-homestuck media is, for me at least, very fun and illuminating! because, while in homestuck they may be self-descriptive, for non-homestuck media they are inherently just descriptive. you just need to analyze the characters, as you, the reader, understand them, and pinpoint their core essence as a character via their character arc and dominant themes. and it can illuminate interesting parallels, trends and contrasts in the story as it exists. it's kind of like a birds eye view character analysis cheat sheet and that makes it very fun dkfnekmf

[lilflowerpot]

Do you think the Galra have illegal and/or recreational drugs in their culture? And if they do would the Empire have a tight control over a thing like that or would it be left open to be purchased by citizens like alcohol (do Galra drink alcohol????) is to humans?

[[DISCLAIMER: I do not condone non-prescription drug abuse. I had a flatmate at uni who smoked copious amounts of weed in our flat at all hours, and it (1) stank to high heaven, (2) set off the fire-alarm at 4am more times than I can count, and (3) made both her and her friends even more insufferably obnoxious than they already were. In that same vein, neither do I condemn addicts: they are people in need of assistance and rehabilitation, not a prison sentence. So don’t do drugs kids (unless they’re over the counter prescription) because truly addiction is no joke. Also, if you’re going to smoke anything please be considerate of others and do it in a private space, because second-hand smoke is nasty at best, and at worst can aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma and even anaphylaxis.]]

Now, onto the Galra!

At a base level, all drugs are simply substances that induce an artificial and atypical state in the individual exposed to them, particularly with regard to their brain chemistry. When divided by their major effects, there are four primary subdivisions:

Stimulants increase brain activity, heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure, while often producing a euphoric effect, with some people feeling more alert, energetic, confident, and agitated. They may induce ill-effects such as insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, headaches, stomach cramps, aggression and paranoia.

Depressants decrease brain activity, slowing reflexes to impair co-ordination, concentration, and judgement, while often relieving anxiety and producing feelings of relaxation, calm, and drowsiness. They may induce the ill-effects of nausea, loss of consciousness, and a potentially paradoxical increase in anxiety, aggression, and nightmares.

Opioids share some notable similarities with depressants in that they can produce a calm, relaxed state, along with feelings of deep pleasure and even euphoria. By breaking down and attaching to proteins in the brain (opioid receptors) they inhibit the perception of pain felt by the individual, but abuse runs the severe risk of nausea, lethargy, dizziness, fainting, and respiratory arrest.

Hallucinogens distort an individual’s perception of reality, (visually / aurally / emotionally) and so the effects of hallucinogens are difficult to predict due to being greatly altered by the mood of the individual and the context of use. Short-term effects include nausea, increased heart rate, dizziness, confusion, clumsiness, and emotional swings. Long-term use can lead to a range of serious physical and mental health conditions.

The Empire, therefore, would absolutely want to keep a tight leash on such substances for the fact that their first priority is protecting Imperial citizens, something that becomes awfully difficult to do if what are effectively poisons (albeit with pleasurable side effects) run rampant and completely unchecked.

However, as a highly advanced civilisation the Galra would have undoubtedly developed some non-addictive and relatively harmless substances for recreational use that can be obtained perfectly legally. Considering the baseline temperament of the Galra (typically prone to be high energy and err on the side of aggression) I do not think stimulants or hallucinogens would be easy to come by, as both are likely to aggravate the people of what is already a warrior people, and that seems... incredibly unwise. Certain depressives and opioids, however, may be in general circulation due to inducing a temporary flux of serotonin / oxytocin / dopamine production in the brain.

The most popular of these would be kosaaq [[ k-oh-s-ah-k ]], a gentle opioid that was carefully cultivated by the Dox from the roots of a grafted plant derived from several different types of flora native to Daibazaal’s jungles, and could be dried out and burnt like incense. Though carefully monitored to ensure that any given individual is only in possession of a controlled amount of kosaaq at any given time, culturally the Galra burn it when gathered in a comfortable and secure location with family and friends; it’s considered a bonding activity - a popular way to wind down after a long movement - and there are even warm, smokey pleasure-dens that serve this express purpose, with food, drink, live music, and comfy cushions galore.

[scripttorture]

Is there any specific way to show for sure my torturer characters didn’t have mental health problems before torturing? I thought I could have a scene where one guy asks a more experienced torturer if the problems he’s having are normal. But I’m not sure what a realistic response would be or one that would be helpful to readers, keeping in mind that characters may not always be aware of themselves. If you have any advice that would be great. Thank you for putting so much effort into this blog!

I think that’s a great question. There are several different approaches you could use, either alone or in combination.

 The most obvious one from the scenario you’ve described is using the ‘newbie’ torturer to show someone developing mental health problems as they get increasingly involved in torture. I get the impression you’re probably already doing that to some degree.

 Which brings me to a little side note- Depending on your writing style it’s possible that you’re doing a lot of these suggestions already without really consciously realising that’s what you’re doing. I sometimes find myself looking back and discovering that I have already established key points, just because a particular act or conversation was an obvious thing for a character to do.

 If you’ve got more then one ‘newbie’ in the torturer sub-group then your character could see the same problems he’s experiencing develop in someone else.

 Talking to a more experienced torturer would be- a bit of a fraught business. My impression is that if the character is still torturing then an honest answer is unlikely and if the conversation happens at work where other torturers (or even just people) might hear, then an honest answer would be near impossible.

 That isn’t all self-delusion though, a large part of it is because of the attitude torturers tend to have towards mental health problems. They develop a sort of hyper-masculine toxic subculture which defines them by their capacity for violence. It essentially positions them as ‘tough’, ‘strong’, ‘self reliant’ etc and they tend to react really negatively to any sign of ‘weakness’.

 In that context, admitting mental health problems is very much framed as admitting weakness. And admitting weakness around torturers, even as part of the group, can be incredibly dangerous. These people can and do turn on each other.

 That doesn’t mean an honest conversation between these characters is impossible. But how likely it is depends on their relationship and their personalities.

 If the relationship is especially close and if the older torturer believes the bombast and the hyper-masculine assumptions around him less- then I think you structure an honest conversation around symptoms developing. I have seen records of these kinds of conversations happening, both in interview transcripts and from witness statements. One of them was a conversation with a victim.

 But- I don’t think this sort of conversation is likely to happen around other torturers. The risk is too high.

 As a side-note most of the torturers I’m aware of who showed this kind of self-awareness seemed to have depressive symptoms. I wouldn’t claim there’s a link because there’s no evidence and I wouldn’t claim torturers without these symptoms are incapable of insight. It’s just an observation that might help you build up the character.

 Your character could also go outside of the torturer sub-culture for this information. What I mean is- there are bound to be people who aren’t torturers and knew this older character before he started torturing people.

 The younger character, from the sounds of things, is questioning the situation he’s in and the effect it’s having on him. So if he really wants answers and if he can’t get them from the source (or if he feels that might be risky) then it makes sense that he’d go elsewhere.

 Family members would be able to describe a torturer’s decline quite vividly in a lot of cases. Failing that colleagues who are not involved in torture could be a reasonable source.

 Think about medics, cleaners, receptionists- people who would be at a remove but might still see all of these characters regularly. Medics especially might notice if they’re prescribing almost every member of a particular group anti-depressants.

 If you’re in a modern setting there’s also potentially a paperwork trail associated with this sort of downward spiral.

 I’ve mentioned prescriptions, torturers will also sometimes rely on… I’m going to say ‘illegally obtained drugs’ because I don’t mean drugs people take to get high, I mean black market mental health medication of dubious content and quality.

 Both of these leave evidence, packaging and varying levels of paper trails.

 In a police or military setting there are complaints systems. Now victim complaints are often ignored in these environments but the complaints of colleagues are more likely to be recorded. And torturers are very difficult people to get along with.

 I wouldn’t take any investigation much further then this, you are talking about a torturer after all. But if this character is relatively self aware he might notice how this investigation seems to be more difficult then he remembers. It could make him aware of the deskilling effect he’s experiencing.

 You could also bring in psyche assessments. A lot of the organisations torturers are part of make an effort to screen out mentally ill people and this can serve as evidence that the torturers were not mentally ill when they originally joined.

 But, I’m going to wrap this up with the simplest solution.

 Is there any reason these characters couldn’t have known each other before they were torturers?

Availableon Wordpress.

Disclaimer

[lecturesdefemmes]

JOUR 248 - 6 livres de femmes inspirantes pour avancer dans la vie

DISCLAIMER : j’ai un avis nuancé sur les livres de développement personnel. J’ai découvert le genre en intégrant l’univers startup, et si j’en fais mon miel, mon point de vue dessus a évolué. Pour ceux que ça intéresse, plus de détails à la fin de cet article !

J’aimerais croire qu’au bout de toute impasse, il y a quelque chose (un livre ? :)) pour nous débloquer. Souvent, les vrais problèmes sont trop gros pour un coup de baguette magique ; mais parfois un coup de pouce, un conseil ajusté, une anecdote qui résonne en nous, est tout ce dont on a besoin pour avancer. 

Voici donc une sélection de 6 ouvrages parmi les best-sellers américains du développement personnel écrits par des femmes pour s’inspirer et se donner l’énergie de réaliser ses rêves.

Ma vie me déprime. Je suis débordé.e par les problèmes. Je n’ai juste plus envie de me sortir du lit en me réveillant. J’ai repoussé la sonnerie du réveil 4 fois. Prendre la moindre décision me fatigue. Je stresse et je procrastine.

PRESCRIPTION : La Règle des 5 secondes de Mel Robbins. L’autrice a touché le fond financier, relationnel et psychologique quand elle avait 41 ans. Cette règle cognitive ultra-simple lui a permis de changer ses habitudes, sortir de son lit et remettre sa vie sur pied petit à petit. Elle est aujourd’hui l’une des conférencières les plus demandées des États-Unis.

J’ai peur. J’ai envie d’un changement mais j’ai peur de manquer d’argent, de soutien, peur de me rendre ridicule, de prendre la mauvaise décision. Ça me paralyse. 

PRESCRIPTION : Tremblez mais osez de Susan Jeffers. Psychologue en hôpital, Susan Jeffers décortique nos principales peurs. Elle montre pourquoi il est vain d’essayer de combattre ces peurs, et comment on peut cependant construire le courage d’agir malgré celles-ci. Elle donne des outils, conseils et exercices pratiques pour changer d’état d’esprit et attitude afin de vivre le meilleur de son existence.

Je porte un masque. Je me sens coincé.e dans une vie qui ne me correspond pas. J’ai parfois l’impression de devoir cacher mes émotions, mes véritables sentiments, mes rêves. Sourire pour la galerie en permanence me fatigue mais j’ai peur de me montrer tel.le que je suis. 

PRESCRIPTION : Le pouvoir de la vulnérabilité de Brenée Brown. Brenée Brown est une chercheuse qui a passé plus de 10 ans à étudier la vulnérabilité. Elle-même perfectionniste obsessionnelle, elle ne parvenait jamais à lâcher-prise. Jusqu’à réaliser que cela la bloquait dans ses relations, son mental, son évolution personnelle. Ses études lui ont montré le courage qu’il faut pour se montrer authentique et vulnérable ; mais aussi à quel point les personnes qui font preuve de ce courage vivent une vie plus riche, plus satisfaisante, et sont plus épanouies.

Je suis bloquée professionnellement. J’ai l’impression de faire le maximum, d’apporter le meilleur de mes compétences à mon entreprise, et pourtant mon salaire et mon évolution stagnent. Qu’est-ce que je peux changer ?

PRESCRIPTION : En avant toutes, de Sheryl Sandberg. Sheryl Sandberg mène une brillante carrière dans les milieux techs, qui l’a amenée à être aujourd’hui la numéro 2 de Facebook. Elle s’est rendue compte que plus elle montait les échelons, moins il y avait de femmes aux tables de réunions. Elle a donné une conférence TED puis écrit un livre pour aborder la question : Pourquoi avons-nous trop peu de femmes dirigeantes ?

Je travaille dans un environnement sexiste. Je réalise que j’ai moi-même des comportements d’auto-sabotages : je n’ose pas prendre la parole en réunion ; je souffre d’un syndrôme de l’imposteur.trice ; je n’assume pas mes succès...

PRESCRIPTION : The Feminist Fight Club de Jessica Bennett. Cet ouvrage mi-sérieux mi-humoristique déconstruit les mécanismes sexistes explicites et implicites à l’oeuvre dans le monde de l’entreprise. Émaillé d’illustrations légères, il te donne des conseils pratiques pour éviter les pièges, reconstruire ta confiance en toi et construire un réseau féministe avec tes autres amies exaspérées.

Je me sens isolé.e, marginal.e incompris.e et j’ai peur de passer à côté de ma voie. En même temps, foncer sur un chemin de travers (devenir rock-star, écrire, créer une entreprise) me fait peur - et si je me rendais ridicule ? Ou si je me ruinais ? Si je ne rencontrais jamais les bonnes personnes ?

PRESCRIPTION : The Art of Asking, Amanda Palmer. Cette chanteuse rock-star américaine est la musicienne la mieux payée sur Patreon - plateforme de micro-mécénat qui permet à ses fans de la payer directement pour qu’elle créé. Ce livre tient plus de l’autobiographie que du développement personnel - et c’est aussi mon préféré de cette sélection. Drôle, vivant, avec une vision en profondeur de l’existence et des relations, il laisse une trace et incite à vivre ses rêves en embrassant leurs risques.

Et vous, quel livre vous a aidé à sortir d’une impasse ? 

G.C. 

DISCLAIMER, suite : 

Quand il s’agit d’imaginer comment changer de vie, révolutionner ses habitudes, devenir millionnaire en suivant sa passion, les américain.es sont quand même champion.nes. Jamais avares de conseils nourris de leurs expériences et/ou d’études scientifiques qui servent leur propos, ils partagent les méthodes et philosophies qui les ont aidés en chemin. Je prends ce type d’ouvrages avec un certain recul - les recettes ne sont jamais aussi universelles qu’on veut le faire croire. Ces livres sont écrits dans un contexte qui est rarement explicité : quels sont les privilèges de classe, de genre, de race, de l’éducation, de santé, de l’auteur.trice ; quel contexte culturel, économique, politique est la base dans laquelle ils enracinent leurs conseils de vie ; quelles sont les limites éthiques de leur vision du monde, etc. Pris sans précautions, ces livres me semblent même devenir contre-productifs voire anxiogènes : comme des livres de régime, ils font croire qu’il suffit d’appliquer une méthode pour aller mieux. Lorsqu’on échoue à améliorer sa situation alors même qu’on a mis en pratique les conseils, le risque est de se sentir encore plus coincé, impuissant et coupable qu’au départ. Or de nombreux facteurs extérieurs, incontrôlables (bref des problèmes objectifs) rentrent en compte dans une situation bloquée donnée. Cela étant, maniés avec ces précautions en tête, ils me font l’effet d’un roman feel-good : faciles à lire, ils sont un coup de pouce au moral et parfois permettent de prendre le recul qui aide à débloquer une situation personnelle. Voilà ! Et vous qu’en pensez-vous ?

G.C.

[timesofhemp]

Cannabis Startup Hemp Street Formulates Ayurvedic Products For Pain Relief

Founded in 2019 by Abhishek Mohan and Aradhna Rai, cannabis startup Hemp Street claims to be India’s first research-to-retail Ayurvedic venture. The startup, which closed $1 million in a pre-Series A round this month, offers high quality and standardised cannabis-based medicines.

Cannabis may be infamous for its psychoactive effects and “high”, but its use for medical reasons has grabbed the spotlight for a while now. Tapping this demand is Delhi-based startup Hemp Street, which calls itself “India’s first fully integrated research-to-retail venture in the Ayurvedic cannabis sector”.

The Cannabis Sativa plant, which encompasses hemp, cannabis, and marijuana, contains more than 100 different chemicals called cannabinoids. These are used to treat many diseases and conditions, including chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, menstrual cramps, muscle spasms, mental health, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis, sexual disorders, and more.

However, the highly un Organised nature of this segment, coupled with lack of standards and protocols, often leads doctors to make their own medicines.

Enter Delhi-based Hemp Street, which provides Ayurveda doctors with high quality and Standardised cannabis-based medicines. The startup uses cutting-edge technological innovations and works with leading scientists and research institutions to ensure the responsible dispensing of cannabis-based medication.

Co-founded by Abhishek Mohan and Aradhna Rai, Hemp Street has a wide network of over 60,000 medical practitioners and 300 branded clinics across India. It strives to ensure “effective and responsible usage of cannabis” to a potential patient base of over 35 million individuals.

Abhishek Mohan, Co-Founder, Hemp Street, says, “Currently, cannabis – in the Ayurvedic context – comprises 99 percent of what we are doing. We believe it is critical to apply scientific validation to what has been culturally known for generations. With a world-class research partnership with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), we are set to release an extensive range of cannabis-based prescription products over the next few quarters.

In the beginning

HempStreet was launched in 2019 by Abhishek Mohan and Aradhna Rai to make cannabis-based medicines available to patients suffering from ailments such arthritis, insomnia, appetite loss, and others, and dispensed on prescription by qualified and licensed Ayurveda practitioners.

As the first R&D-to-retail cannabis player in India, the startup uses several technological innovations, including a first-in-market usage of “seed-to-sale” tracking with blockchain technology.

This is over and above the company’s R&D activities in partnership with CSIR to develop quality and proprietary Ayurvedic medicines.

“Substance abuse is a big problem worldwide and we want use to be tracked. We are building blockchain technology to track from cannabis seed to sale, eliminating this problem,” Abhishek says.

Focus on medical cannabis

In February 2020, HempStreet announced that it had secured $1 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Pharmacon Holdings, a US-based pharma tech company, and Romain Barberis, a long-time private investor in the cannabis space in the US and Canada.

The company plans to use the funds for research, technology development, and category disruption.

“This funding will help us in further strengthen our commitment to effective and responsible usage of cannabis, especially on the pain relief front,” Abhishek says.

“We will use the capital to disrupt the category and take cannabis research to newer heights. We intend to set new milestones for the medicinal cannabis sector in the country with our research, supply chain tracking, and responsible and regulated formulation and dispensing,” he adds.

Outlook for the future

Cannabis is recognised as one of the five key medicinal plants in the Vedas, and the plant’s history in India can be traced back to 2000 BC. As per Ayurvedic texts, nearly 191 formulations and more than 15 dosage forms have cannabis as a key ingredient.

The legal cannabis industry is currently one of the fastest growing industries in the world. According to a report by Grand View Research Inc, the global legal cannabis market is predicted to reach $146.4 billion by the end of 2025.

According to Abhishek, globally about one in five, or 1.5 billion people, suffer from chronic pain (CP). India is likely to be ranked highest in terms of CP cases by 2025.

“There is a need for a sustainable and economical solution to counter India’s growing chronic pain crisis. HempStreet is working towards providing an affordable solution to all through cannabis-based medicines,” Abhishek adds.

HempStreet aims to “grow its doctor community to 300,000 and onboard 5,000 clinics in the next three years”.

Disclaimer: This article is originally published on https://yourstory.com/

[snarp]

I remember following ur blog because you take kratom! Does it help you a lot?

I’ve been taking it on-and-off for about five years now, and how well it works definitely varies depending on where I buy it, what else I’m taking, and how sanely I’ve been eating/sleeping? But overall, yes, kratom’s definitely been more helpful than any of the prescription medications I’ve been given for chronic physical fatigue.

In terms of my other health problems, Adderall is unsurprisingly better for the brain fog and grogginess. However, it doesn’t do much for the physical tiredness, and its side effects are much more unpleasant than kratom’s.

And I definitely wouldn’t recommend continuously using kratom on its own as a depression/anxiety treatment unless you’ve tried... basically every prescription treatment first? There seems to be a very broad consensus among people who have used it that the mood effects aren’t sustainable on a long-term basis, except maybe for those whose mood problems are caused directly by something else the kratom’s treating.

(Nearly always chronic pain that would otherwise be treatable only via more-dangerous drugs like prescription opiates, as far as I can tell. I’ve seen people saying they use kratom to treat inflammatory bowel disease... but then, I’ve also seen people saying they use “Sleepytime Tea” that way. I’m not sure that kratom necessarily does anything there that Imodium doesn’t.)

In terms of what I can personally physically tolerate, Pristiq in combination with l-theanine has definitely worked best for me for depression and anxiety. Pristiq + l-theanine + Depakote + Spironolactone seemed to work best of all, but that’s presumably because Depakote and Spiro were treating my specific physical problems (brain damage and PCOS).

(Apologies for the excessive disclaimers and personal infodumping, but I feel the need to give a lot of context when I make posts talking about medical stuff. I worry that people with in radically-different situations might use my experiences as an example in making decisions if I don’t make it clear that I have nonfunctional ovaries and a hole in my head.)

[redscbdoils]

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