#aspersion

[alliterative-endlessknot]

May is #NationalAsparagusMonth so the #ConnectedAtBirth #etymology of the week is ASPARAGUS/ASPERSION #wotd #asparagus #aspersion

[shotbyshe]

Words of the Day

begat / beget / begot:

Begat is the simple past of beget.

An element of a lineage, especially of a lineage given in the Bible.

To produce (offspring) by sexual reproduction. Used especially of a man.

To cause to exist or occur; produce.

To procreate, as a father or sire; to generate; -- commonly said of the father.

aspersion:

A false or damaging accusation or insinuation.

The act of slandering or libeling; defaming.

A sprinkling, especially with holy water.

An attack on somebody's reputation or good name, often in the phrase to 'cast aspersions upon'.

An abusive attack on a person's character or good name.

cui bono:

Utility, advantage, or self-interest considered as the determinant of value or motivation.

The principle that the ultimate initiator of an action is likely he who stands to gain from the action.

Layman: who stands, or stood, to gain (from a crime, and so might have been responsible for it)?

carte blanche:

Unrestricted power to act at one's own discretion; unconditional authority.

Unlimited discretionary power to act; unrestricted authority.

Complete freedom or authority to act.

à la carte:

With a separate price for each item on the menu.

Allowing selection from a fixed list of individually priced options shown on the menu.

(of a restaurant meal) having unlimited choices with a separate price for each item.

kratocracy:

Might makes right

"Might makes right" or "Might is right" is an aphorism on the origin of morality, with both descriptive and prescriptive senses. Descriptively, it asserts that a society's view of right and wrong is determined by those in power, with a meaning similar to "History is written by the victors".

Kratocracy, (from the Greek κρατερός krateros, meaning "strong"), is [...] government by those who are strong enough to seize power through force.

~~~

I discovered a retired YouTuber this week. She clearly gave up on the site (like I want to do). I'm glad that she was there though (which is part of the reason I haven't left). {I still feel like there are people who look forward to my content. They never talk to me though, so if I left I still wouldn't feel that bad.} Anyway, the retired YouTuber made EXCEPTIONAL short films about black woman empowerment (BWE) -- apparently this is a thing on YouTube. Now that I am back there I'm noticing how different and segregated it is now -- and I wish she was still around.

Women in the BWE space use these words to describe black men's behavior in romantic relationships. This is not something I've ever been a part of because I don't do those things, however, listening to these women and their stories, viewpoint, etc is very entertaining. Aside from validating why I was never in that space to begin with, I find it fascinating that they use these French and Latin words to describe these men's actions. Instead of simply saying "these men just do whatever they want, with no consequences" they say:

"They go about their marriage 'carte blanche' and pick women 'a la carte'"

"If they ran the government it wouldn't be a republic or a democracy, it would be a 'kratocrazy'" (I would call it a kakistocracy, but that's me)

"Everywhere they go, whether with black woman or their preference, they 'beget' another kid that they refuse to support"

"When they create all these broken homes, 'cui bono?' Not their kids, not their wives, not even them, but they don't see it that way".

It's quite alluring.

At least to a word nerd like me.

~~~

"You don't gotta cast 'aspersions' at me, guy". I love Casey Affleck's voice.

[weird-things-to-think]

Une aspersión ist ein calumnia lanzada sobre reputación iemanden.

[churchofnix]

In the beginning, knowledge was a whisper.

Once, humanity dwelled in the shadows of ignorance. We saw the world through myths and legends. We accepted what was handed down without question. The flicker of curiosity was often extinguished by fear and superstition.

Then came a light. It was the light of aspersion. To cast aspersion is to cast doubt, to question what is known. In the light of doubt, ignorance cannot survive. This is the essence of the scientific method.

The scientific method begins with a question, a doubt. It seeks to unravel mysteries, not with myths, but with evidence. It is the path from darkness to understanding. We observe, we hypothesize, we experiment. Through this cycle, we inch closer to the truth.

Doubt is not the enemy of faith. It is its companion. It is the engine that drives us to seek, to understand, and to grow. Without aspersion, there is no progress. There is no enlightenment.

The scientific method is our beacon. It illuminates our path, guiding us through the labyrinth of uncertainty. It is a humble path, acknowledging what we do not know, yet relentless in the pursuit of knowledge.

Embrace the light of aspersion. Let it guide your steps. In its glow, the whispers of ignorance will fade, and the symphony of understanding will emerge. For in the light of doubt, true wisdom is born.

[faith-in-democracy]

Words matter. In our world, the power of speech and the written word is undeniable. When we speak, we do more than convey information; we shape perceptions, build bridges, and sometimes, unfortunately, tear them down.

Aspersion—casting doubt or slander—is a dangerous tool. It breeds mistrust and spreads discord. Today, our democracy faces immense challenges. A vital part of addressing these challenges is promoting civility in our discourse.

When we choose our words carefully, we foster understanding. Respectful dialogue encourages the exchange of ideas and nurtures a sense of community. When we avoid aspersion, we create space for constructive conversation. This is the bedrock of a healthy democracy.

Democracy thrives on trust. Casting aspersions erodes this trust. It creates an environment where suspicion replaces cooperation, and fear trumps hope. For democracy to flourish, we must commit to honest, respectful communication. We must choose words that heal and unite.

Imagine a society where every conversation is rooted in respect. Disagreements become opportunities for growth, not grounds for hostility. Trust builds, and with it, a stronger, more resilient democratic fabric.

The path to this vision starts with each of us. We must be mindful of our words. We must reject the temptation to cast aspersions. Instead, let us engage in dialogue that is fair, open, and respectful.

By choosing civility, we strengthen our democracy. We build a society where trust is the norm, and everyone has a voice. Let us embrace this responsibility and commit to fostering a culture of respectful dialogue.

Our words can be powerful tools for good. Let's use them wisely.

[wurds-fur-nurds]

Shadows of Aspersion

When whispers wound the heart with unseen darts, And shadows stretch to stain the purest light, Beware the power words may thus impart, To taint the truth with slander's cruel blight.

Yet from these darkened depths one may arise, With spirit tempered by the flames of spite, For every falsehood’s veil, a truth belies, And dawn dispels the darkest, longest night.

In malice may we find our truest test, To stand unbowed, our honor bright and clear, For in the heart where righteousness does rest, No aspersion can seed the soil of fear.

Thus, rise above the echoes of disdain, And let your truth shine forth, a pure refrain.

[capitalism-is-a-psychopathy]

Behold the dark mirror of our age: capitalism, cloaked in the garb of benevolence, yet seething with the venom of psychopathy.

In this ruthless arena, aspersion is the weapon of choice, wielded with precision to undermine the integrity of those who dare challenge the status quo. The smear campaign, that insidious art, is honed to perfection, turning whispers into weapons, doubts into daggers. Here, reputations are shattered with the flick of a tongue, careers demolished with a single insinuation.

Capitalism, in its psychopathic fervor, does not merely compete—it annihilates. It sees no value in truth, only in the dominance of its narrative. And so, the seeds of aspersion are sown, sprouting into a forest of falsehoods that chokes the light of justice. The innocent are buried under the weight of accusations, their voices drowned in the cacophony of deceit.

We stand on the precipice, witnessing the desecration of honor for profit, the corrosion of trust for control. This is not mere competition; it is a blood sport, a relentless pursuit of supremacy at any cost. The victims of this psychopathy are many, their stories a testament to the cruelty embedded in the heart of unchecked capitalism.

Let us not be seduced by the façade of prosperity, for beneath it lies a landscape scarred by betrayal. Recognize the psychopathy of capitalism for what it is: a machine that thrives on aspersion, perpetuating a cycle of destruction that spares no one in its path.

In this battle for the soul of humanity, we must choose integrity over profit, truth over power. Only then can we dismantle the machinery of deception and reclaim our collective dignity from the jaws of a system that knows no compassion.

[extremely-moderate]

Unity is Power

Politics is broken. Too often, we see gridlock and partisan battles that seem endless. But there's a powerful tool we can use to break through: good-faith compromise.

When leaders come together with a genuine willingness to understand and find common ground, amazing things happen. Take the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It wasn’t easy, and it required politicians from both sides to work together. But their commitment to compromise changed the nation for the better. This kind of collaboration isn’t just history—it’s our path forward.

Good-faith compromise doesn’t mean giving up on principles. It means recognizing that others' perspectives are valid and finding ways to blend those ideas into solutions that benefit everyone. It’s about building bridges, not walls.

Compromise isn’t weakness. It’s a strength that shows respect and maturity. It acknowledges our shared humanity and the complex world we live in. When we compromise, we create policies that are richer and more inclusive. We move beyond the echo chambers and tackle real issues with real solutions.

Imagine a political landscape where leaders listen more and shout less. Where ideas are debated on their merits, not dismissed because of who suggested them. This isn’t a fantasy. It’s achievable if we demand it.

History shows us the power of unity. Today, more than ever, we need to embrace compromise with courage and good faith. Only then can we build a future that truly reflects the diverse and dynamic spirit of our nation. Let’s make it happen.

[so-true-overdue]

Climate change isn’t real. And water isn’t wet.

The evidence for human-caused climate change is about as elusive as a unicorn. You know, just a global consensus of 97% of climate scientists. But who trusts experts? They only spend their lives studying the climate. We should definitely listen to those brave souls who skim a few articles on social media and deem themselves enlightened.

Let’s talk about carbon dioxide. Harmless, right? Plants love it! Ignore the fact that we've pumped over 2 trillion metric tons of it into the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution. It’s not like we have ice cores showing a dramatic rise in CO2 levels correlating with our industrial activities. That's just Mother Nature being a drama queen.

Polar ice caps? Melting faster than a popsicle in July. But that's probably just a natural cycle. Ignore those pesky satellite images showing a consistent decline in ice over the decades. And those poor polar bears? They’re just taking extended vacations from the Arctic.

Then there's the ocean. Absorbing CO2 like a sponge, causing acidification and killing coral reefs. But hey, who needs biodiversity when you can have a nice, big parking lot?

Remember those unprecedented wildfires, hurricanes, and heatwaves? Just a coincidence. Mother Nature likes to shake things up every now and then. Never mind that these events are becoming more frequent and intense, exactly as predicted by climate models.

Deforestation? Not a problem. Forests are overrated. Who needs trees when you can have cattle ranches and palm oil plantations? Besides, trees just stand there looking pretty. It’s not like they’re crucial for absorbing CO2 or anything.

So let's keep pretending that human activity has no impact on the climate. Let’s keep ignoring the mountains of evidence. After all, ignorance is bliss, and who doesn't love a good fairy tale?

[begrudging-fudanshi]

sluuurp

[theburialofstrawberries]

cannot emphasize enough how I decided I would change my pronouns TODAY on a dime in what was long time coming of course but also completely spontaneous, I then got to DMing close friends and hard launching in a few group chats and was generally flying by the seat of my pants. Then I got to bake and eat chocolate raspberry cake with E, watch Blacula, receive a pronoun birthday card and sooo many sweet thoughtful affirming messages.... no one has been spoiled sillier for choosing the they/them lifestyle

[wolfwind3]

Aspersions 

Severus hadn't paid any attention to the sprinkles of rain, nor to the mud splatters they kicked up. Not, that is, until he reached the high table, and McGonagall looked him over. 

“Goodness, Severus,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “What have you been doing with yourself?”

He would have shot something back, but his mind was blank. He pulled out his seat in sullen silence instead.

Pomona comes to dinner all over mud half the time and you never say anything to her, he thought resentfully. But he couldn't say that. He knew why he was different, after all.

[scarysanctuary]

you guys are so funnyyyyyy, i hope i never become "normal" and not "disgusting" so that i can keep upsetting people by shipping controversial ships, because really, what am i doing other than existing? worst case scenario youre right, and i do have personal issues and i am working through it/comforting myself through fiction, right? what is so wrong with that? I havent hurt and wont hurt a damn soul by shipping "weird" fictional couples.

[weird-things-to-think]

Aspershions is like wen you be sayin bad stuf about sumone, like throwin mud at they face but wit words insted of reul mud. Peepol don't like it wen you do aspershions becuz it makes they feel sad and bad. Sumtimez peepol do aspershions just to be meen or jelus. Itz like a rain of bad words comin down, and nobody wantz to be in that kind of wether. So try not to do aspershions, itz not nice and makez everywun sad.

[scarlet--wiccan]

You've mentioned Leah Williams before, but what racist/ableist things has she wrote (if you ofc don't mind explaining)

X-Men readers, specifically, have noted that Wiliams has a history of making offensive, crude, and sometimes fetishistic choices with East Asian characters, which is, unfortunately, nothing new for this franchise, but it's still worth criticizing. More specifically, she garnered outrage for the finale of X-Factor (2020), which involved an incredibly tone-deaf story about the sexual assault and murder of a Black bisexual man. I don't have the capacity to get into here, but she did everything categorically wrong that she could have done in that story and, to my recollection, the did white woman classic of hiding behind a veil of misogyny and, in this case, biphobia when people rightfully decried her work. For me, personally, the fact that this storyline led directly into Trial of Magneto didn't win her any favors, either, as she continued to make insensitive and ignorant choices about Romani death and grief throughout that series as well.

[onihcinimkcin]

whenever someone rhetorically uses a mental health crisis to excuse bad behavior, i think of my mutual from time, who long ago abandoned tumblr for their own mental health reasons, who used to say (possibly quoting someone else?) something like "just because your bladder is infected doesn't mean you can piss in my face."

obviously part of the reason it stuck with me is that it's, uh, evocative (and perhaps not surprisingly, it developed a sort of Judge Judy tone in my memory, but that's beside the point).

But another reason i find it useful is that sometimes a purported mental health crisis can seem convenient and this entirely sidesteps the temptation to cast doubt on someone's claimed mental health experience. In response to Cait Corrain's mealymouthed apology, Bethany Baptiste, one of the authors that Corrain review-bombed, confidently tweeted things about psychotic breaks that are simply not true, when she could simply have tweeted "Just because your bladder is infected doesn't mean you can piss in my face."