#avoid technology

[reasonsforhope]

100% have been perusing your climate change masterpost, and understand you're probably swamped so feel free to delete of course. But if you can find the time, is there any kind of hope to give in fighting climate change now? Can we save ourselves against the oncoming steamroll?

You hang in there too. Thanks for finding the hope among everything else. It feels so bad rn but I have to believe it can change. I hope it can.

Yeah actually I do think there is hope.

Things are going to get rough. Things are going to get worse before they get better, both for the climate and for people living in the US (and for people living in lots and lots of other countries that will be affected by the US election results/the ways the climate will worsen as aa result).

I haven't posted about this yet because I didn't want it to come to this, but now that it has, here's something that people have been quietly saying/research has been showing for months:

-via Reuters, November 6, 2024

Renewables, especially solar, are just too powerful to be stopped. They just too much cheaper and too much better, and that's only going to become more true, not less.

Also, I think (and hope) it's actually inevitable that at some point, we'll get to net negative carbon emissions. I think it's like solar: the technology, cost, and planet all make it feel like an inevitable technological trajectory, the same way solar tech is on an exponential trajectory. (IF WE WORK FOR IT, OBVIOUSLY, but also so, so many people ARE working for it, have dedicated their lives to working for it)

I sure fucking hope that's the case, anyway.

(You can find my masterpost on going net negative on what that actually means here)

It is gonna happen more slowly and shittily than I hoped, but I do think it's going to happen.

And if we can get to net negative emissions in time to save ourselves (which I think we will, the rates of advancement in many of these areas are very impressive), then we'll be able to slowly start to undo and heal lot of the damage.

[hongchicken]

How to create a nighttime routine for a better sleep

Introduction

When it comes to getting a good night's sleep, one of the most important factors is having a consistent and effective nighttime routine. Having a nighttime routine helps you wind down after a long day, relax your body and mind, and prepare for a good night’s sleep. Creating a nighttime routine can be a challenge for some, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips on creating a nighttime routine that works for you.

Figure Out What Works for You

When it comes to establishing a nighttime routine, the most important thing is to figure out what works for you. Everyone’s body and mind are different, so it’s important to experiment and find out what you need to do in order to wind down and get to sleep. This may involve different activities like reading, listening to music, or taking a warm bath.

Avoid Technology

One of the most important things to keep in mind when creating a nighttime routine is to avoid technology. Technology can have a big impact on our sleep patterns and can make it difficult for us to fall asleep. It’s best to avoid using any type of electronics or screens at least an hour before going to bed. This includes cell phones, laptops, TV’s, and tablets.

Establish a Routine

Once you’ve figured out what works for you and avoided technology, it’s important to establish a routine. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do the same thing every night, but rather having some sort of structure in place that helps you relax and get ready for bed. This could include reading a book, listening to music, taking a warm bath, meditating, or doing some light stretching.

Get Enough Exercise

Exercising is an important part of any nighttime routine. Exercise helps to reduce stress and can help you to get a better night’s sleep. Try to make sure you’re getting at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, but avoid any strenuous exercise or working out too close to bedtime.

Reduce Caffeine Intake

Caffeine is a stimulant and can make it difficult for you to fall asleep. Try to avoid drinking any caffeinated beverages at least six hours before bedtime. If you do drink caffeine, try to keep it to a minimum, and do not drink any after noon.

Get Enough Light Exposure

Light exposure plays an important role in our sleep cycle and can make it easier for us to fall asleep. Try to get some natural light early in the day and avoid any bright lights before bedtime. If you need to use electronics before bed, use ones with blue light filters to reduce the amount of light exposure.

Create a Bedtime Ritual

Creating a bedtime ritual can help to signal to your body and mind that it’s time to relax and prepare for sleep. This could include things like reading a book, meditating, or listening to calming music. Try to stick to the same routine each night, as this will help to create a consistent pattern for your body to follow.

Avoid Eating Late

Eating late can also have an effect on your sleep cycle. Try to avoid eating at least two hours before bed. Eating late can cause indigestion and make it difficult for you to fall asleep.

Keep Your Bedroom Cool

Keeping your bedroom cool is also important for getting a good night’s sleep. Try to keep your bedroom at a temperature that is comfortable for you and avoid keeping any electronics in the bedroom, as they can give off heat which can make it harder to fall asleep.

Have a Positive Mindset

Having a positive mindset is also important for getting a good night’s sleep. Try to avoid worrying about things and instead focus on things that make you happy. This could include things like writing in a journal or reading a book.

Conclusion

Creating a nighttime routine is an important part of getting a good night’s sleep. Try to experiment and find out what works for you and stick to a consistent routine. Avoid using technology, get enough exercise, reduce your caffeine intake, get enough light exposure, create a bedtime ritual, avoid eating late, keep your bedroom cool, and have a positive mindset. All of these tips will help you to create a nighttime routine that works for you and helps you get a good night’s sleep.

[nelkcats]

Halves company

Danny had a big problem: since a couple of days ago he had discovered that he didn't look good in pictures. He wasn't a vampire so he was actually in them but his eyes always looked bright green, and the photos left an eerie feeling.

His friends didn't mind, and his family much less (they had gotten along much better after revealing the whole secret), the problem was that he was due to take a trip to Gotham soon and he just knew he would have some pictures taken.

A couple of years ago Danny had accepted Vlad's request to "start over" and together they had formed a research company that specialized in several fields, among them: the technological field, advanced engineering, space engineering, and different ecto-related projects, although the latter was not revealed to the public.

Few months later "Wayne Enterprises" seemed very interested in their inventions for everyday life so they wanted to negotiate some deal and dig into their technology. Danny was fine with that, he had created those things to make people's lives easier.

The problem came when Bruce Wayne invited them to a gala, he told them that the "founders" of the company were very elusive about their identity (neither Vlad nor Danny liked cameras much in those days) and joked that it was a shell company for some illegal activities and it was better to check, Danny was not amused about it.

He accepted Bruce's invitation knowing full well that Vlad couldn't meet the challenge (or be polite about it), but once he got to the gala he saw all the reporters and knew he was screwed.

Would it be better to be unsettling or not appear in the photos at all?, he supposed it would be best to avoid all the cameras and say hello to Bruce or Lucius, talk a bit and then leave.

It was supposed to be easy: walk in, say hello, walk out; Of course, his plans had never been perfect, so before he knew it he was seeing the Wayne "kids", and a reporter from the Daily Planet looking extremely nervous.

[betweensaintsandmonsters]

"Is this a mistake?" Obi-Wan asks, fiddling with the ring on Anakin's left hand, spinning it absently as he looks up at his boy.

Anakin for his part, pauses. It's a rare sight, to see him so still. The hand in Obi-Wan's hair slowly picks up it's aborted mission as Anakin seems to gather his thoughts.

It doesn't feel like a mistake; not really. Not when Obi-Wan moves past the doubt that's burrowed it's way into his chest that this man will grow tired of him, the fear that he'll lose someone else he loves and there will be nothing he can do about it.

They're getting married in 72 hours for god sake.

Obi-Wan opens his eyes to look up at Anakin. His fiance. His everything.

Anakin laughs then, and Obi-Wan can only stare at him, trying to figure out what's so funny.

"I don't know," his boy whispers when he's gotten himself under control. He radiates light even in his uncertainty, "but I'll always love you."

Obi-Wan pulls anakin's hand to his lips, kisses his palm just under his engagement ring.

-- -- --

They haven't been fighting, but they haven't been talking either. Their home exists in a perpetual state of purgatory. A war solemnly awaiting a ceasefire. A wishbone about to snap.

Obi-Wan's side of the bed is cold.

Breakfast is on the counter but there's no note, not like there used to be.

Anakin misses lazy kisses good morning.

Anakin misses life not getting in the way.

Anakin wishes they were fighting. He think that would make the slow devolution of his marriage feel like something.

-- -- -- --

"Sometimes loving you feels a little bit like bleeding out. I know it's happening but no amount of pressure can stop it." Anakin says to the ceiling one night, his voice cracking.

He sobs when Obi-Wan pulls him into his chest.

-- -- -- --

"If I could," Obi-Wan swallows. There's a foot between them on the couch. He clutches the blanket he's wrapped around himself closer to his chest before reaching for Anakin's hand.

They've been talking. In retrospect, they should have done this earlier, years ago maybe. Maybe they wouldn't be in this situation if that were the case. The worst part is, he thinks they're still in love. Knows he will love this man until the day he dies, but they're bleeding out.

It doesn't make it easier.

The divorce papers are on the coffee table.

"If I could," he starts again, "I'd leave a five star review. Easiest man in the world to love."

Maybe easiest is the wrong word. But it's so easy to love Anakin, his boyish smiles, his passion, his light.

Anakin wipes at his eyes, clearly fighting tears.

It feels like that's all they've been doing for months.

"I'd leave you four and a half," he whispers, "Best man, can't cook for shit."

"Sounds about right."

He doesn't bother fighting his own tears.

-- -- -- --

The lawyers had reviewed the divorce papers. The judge had signed off. The world had stopped moving.

Anakin didn't know who he was separate from Obi-Wan Kenobi. He's never had to know. He's not looking forward to figuring it out.

Outside the courthouse, Obi-Wan gives him a hug, pulls Anakin to his chest, buries his face in Anakin's hair and holds him there.

Anakin breaks.

Shatters.

"Is this a mistake?" Anakin asks against Obi-Wan's neck, fingers clutched in his suit jacket. It feels like a mistake. Feels like the world has narrowed down to this. To them. To the fact that this is the last time he'll be held by this man.

He feels the ghost of Obi-Wan's lips against the crown of his head, the shake of his hands around his back.

"I don't know," Obi-Wan says, voice barely there, "but just know, I'll love you always"

[s1llybug]

listening to a human's touch by twrp right now and feeling very emotional. does anyone else ever think about how things are built to be replaced now as opposed to being built to last. does anyone else think about how we took away their buttons. about how we ripped out a printer's wires to give it an app that barely works. does anyone else ever think that it never wanted to be a caricature of it's former self. does anyone else think about how we needed technology and now it needs us and we cant give it the help that it needs. does anyone else think about how it's never enough and it's almost too much and for them to work they need a human's touch-

[melonnade]

the new pjo tv series has got me thinking about pjo again,,,, augh I want to make another OC now

imagine a child of tyche whose whole thing is just video gaming. like, they’re just unnaturally lucky. the rare 0.01% drops that people spend hours grinding to get? they find them first try. playing genshin and trying to wish on a particular banner? yep, first try. they’re doing a minecraft speedrun and dig down and immediately find a stronghold.

[bogkeep]

working as a hotel receptionist definitely acclimatized me to making phonecalls, something i've never liked doing, so i'm a lot more comfortable making them when i have to now. i will even acknowledge the benefit of getting a conversation done much quicker than an email exchange that may span multiple days if not even longer. however. i think calling a company and having to chat with a "virtual assistant" is its own circle of hell. i've had to call fedex sweden more times than i would ever wish upon anyone and it's been really disconcerting to hear how their virtual assistants have gotten "better" - the intonation sounds a lot more human, it doesn't tell you it's a bot, there's fake keyboard noises, it even understand my Bad Norwegian Dialect better than before (but not perfectly!!!!!!!)... but like it can't help me!!! i have to speak to a human to solve a complicated issue!!!!!! i have never been helped by a virtual assistant once in my entire life!!!!! it's only there to make me want to explode it with my mind a million times!!!!!! it will make me do the silly little monkey dance of reciting a string of numbers over and over while condescending to me about what a tracking number is Also Called in case i'm stupid and can't find it!! JUST SET ME OVER TO A HUMAN BEING. GOD

[blindtaleteller]

Question about medical care in Asgard… I'm talking about a case of Odinsleep/coma. How different do you think caring for a person in a coma would be on Asgard than on Midgard?

Gonna assume you're asking about the MCU as I answer this! 💚

With a Coma/Odinsleep .. Probably not too terribly different in act for the most part IF it's being treated like a regular coma; but incredibly different in aesthetic, and well.. it does get a little more iffy when you're talking about 'Odinsleep' in particular, even with what little we do know from what's shown and said about it on screen which I say by means of examples given, both canon and deleted from it.

Some things definitely do change if you take deleted scenes from Thor 2011 into account in particular though: as one of the things they removed entirely from existence in the cutting room in that movie, was something called 'healing stones.' They actually had two portions of scenes that they shot (one in the hospital after Jane ran him over, and one just prior to the final portion of the fight with the 'Destroyer' in New Mexico.) I'll slap them in here if I can find them out of my giant clips playlist of doom.

Sticking with just the canon though; and specifically with the regular coma treatment first? The first thing you have to take into account is that there are lots of different kinds of comas, and that even Earth-tech wise, some of them are going to be treated a little differently (short, long term, caused by external injury, caused by internal injury, trauma induced are a thing too.)

That said, the first thing we have on display as far as Asgard's medical goes, is something that unsurprisingly is a repeated major portion of their basic lore in the MCU: that they aren't gods; they're an elder race who have been themselves reaching into the cosmos for eons of generations even stretching back to at least near enough to the beginning of their universe well established enough then, to take note of the fact that the Infinity Stones made at the birth of that universe, were not made by either them, or by the other elder races like the Dark Elves, or the even older Tivan brothers: with single generations lasting as long as five thousand years.

Related to that is also the fact that they by the time in their universal timeline we do catch up with them: they are very clearly a warmongering/imperial colonialist society. Even before and likely during them, Odin made a generation of wars horrible enough to be called 'The Great Wars' among the lot that he and apparently Hela (who was clearly full grown --meaning she was anywhere between 20ish and 1000 years herself-- even in her mural depictions,) to spread his version of 'peace' through the removal of what other species he percieved as threats and competition (see Muspelheim, Jotunheim) going so far as to make certain they couldn't rebuild even their capitals.

Why is that important in this conversation? Because that also means including Bor and Asgard's previous generation five thousand years prior to 2013's invasion of the elves; they had been dealing with injury, illness and more among their own resulting from those battles: and yes during those thousands of years of conflict between Bor's crusade, and Odin's: they had lots and lots of extra time to improve both their tech, and any magic along those lines.

Which yes are actually two very different things, though from the looks of it are often interconnected in Asgardian society in particular, unlike on Earth; where medical technology is foremost, and sorcery/magic has been forced basically into hiding by centuries of the many different flavors (both in religion base and name) of Inquisitions on Earth over the course of over a millennia by the time the twenty tens roll around. We also know that they do posses some limited means through technology, of suppressing some magic; but whether or not Asgard in particular has evolved their understanding of sorcery in particular to do so on a magical level is questionable at best given what we've seen between the first two films alone.

Given the blatantly similar societal distaste for most non-combative magic, and even a good portion of combative magic for that matter that's pretty likely not the case: even Thor refers to his mother's skills and knowledge as "tricks." However, that doesn't seem to apply where the "Healer's Hall" inhabitants and actual healers are involved.

Most obvious example of technological vs magic, and those limitations I mentioned above that we have is a pair of scenes in TDW: the Soul Forge in the Healer's Hall vs. Loki's full-room illusions.

Soul Forge (aka Quantum Field Generator:)

This is also, one of the scenes that continues to show rather than tell, the MCU established facts of their advancement.. and their arrogance around it when dealing with what Asgardians otherwise clearly still consider 'lesser' races under their protection. Quite a contrast to Loki's interactions with Selvig and Barton delivering those two a great deal more dignity and trust in A1 too, while they're building the portal device ...but that's a whole other set of attached social observations and comparisons I'm not gonna get into here. The point of this one is: if there's magic there; they're making it very clear there isn't much of it, and doubling down on that whole 'not gods, only mistaken for them' far more interesting take, on which MCU Asgard was built since the very first movie. (again though, it also displays their arrogance in that direction, as Eir not only treats Jane's inquiry very dismissively; but gets flustered and gap-mouthed [literally] when she positively identifies the diagnostic technology being used. It also is one of the many displays of how differing etymology between cultures in the MCU [yes there are a few, including the Dr. Strange film as another major example of that in particular] is a purposely crafted thing.)

ANYWAY!

Compare that technological, with the feats of sorcery Loki manages in that same film. Not only does he not use tech to manage his magic/sorcery (or 'tricks' as Thor calls it lol).. but he does so behind the locked door of, that same level of technology, in his own prison cell.. and beyond it. While some of the deleted scenes show this too? The final cut certainly wasn't lacking either.

So, all that said..? And without dipping into the whole discarded-from-canon 'Healing Stone' facet: it's very likely with a normal (or normal-ish lol) coma, that it wouldn't really be that different: just easier to some extent and probably a lot faster to correct any issues with those caused by injury in particular.

However! And most important:

Odinsleep, is something else entirely.

From the first film, we know through dialogue that not only is 'Odinsleep' not a normal coma by any means: it's one that can, has, and with the way they talk about it: SHOULD be induced every so often in order to maintain his health.

Where do we get that and why do I say 'his' in particular?

Because..

1. It is called Odinsleep, which says outright that in the MCU either Odin is a common enough name among Asgardian elder generations to be named as such OR, that it's a practice that belongs solely to Odin in particular.

2. The conversation between Loki and Frigga tell us as much, in their conversation over Odin's bed. (PS I couldn't find the full clip immediately, so I am posting the full uncut scene [with deleted parts] instead. The part that I've marked it to (timestamp 1:06 in the video below if that doesn't work for you) is what you need to listen to most, and was part of the final cut in Thor 2011.

Though the way they cut and rearranged this scene has some of that conversation out of sequence, the information given about Odinsleep remains the same in the much shorter canon conversation.

Their conversation tells the viewer outright, that not only is that a thing he does regularly, but that it can be planned out and planned for: as they make a point of stating that it's only this time, the Odinsleep was unprepared for.. and, they have seen it enough for Loki's first words to be stating the fact he 'never gets used to seeing him like this' .. meaning? He has seen it enough times that he thinks he probably should be: but also that it's upsetting enough an experience to him, that he isn't.

You'll note that they also briefly discuss the fact that Odin had been putting the Odinsleep off. It was coming anyway and regardless .. and should have happened far sooner.

While it's not technically counted as canon on screen, there's a little more information given directly about Odinsleep in the parts cut out too, if you choose to observe and use them: as well as a more direct showing of what we already know even without that scene of how Frigga chooses to pass the throne to the only heir not currently being guilty of and banished for several counts of treason including restarting the war and disobeying the king in that bed, with Thor's invasion of Jotunheim landing him firmly on Earth with the very obviously earned traitor title.

I'll leave it up to you if you want to watch and or use any of that, and you definitely could; since it's -again- just dialogue telling the viewer what's already known simply by watching the other scenes around it in the canon cut, including and especially the throne room scene where Sif & the Warriors Three request Thor's return, regardless of not only knowing he was banished for treason.. but also having been the others to try to remind and convince him alongside Loki; to NOT commit that treason, prior to him doing it and dragging them along anyway.

All in all, through those scenes; we are given a very clear set of rules and information about Odinsleep either way. Which includes the fact that it can be a form of coma that probably should not be randomly interrupted or the subject brought out of it, where it's apparently necessary for the individual's overall health: but can also be a state in which they might spend the last of their lives.

In that, this also tells us that; there isn't a whole lot that even Asgard's greater technology, or even magic can or should do, to bring someone out of it at all.

And, from the way they do deal with their King going through it even by surprise: we know that there isn't much they can do at all beyond keeping him comfortable and as healthy as possible until the Odinsleep finishes it's course naturally... whether that results in the subject waking up, or possibly, dying.

There's no mention of anyone else going through Odinsleep.. but there's also no mention of whether or not anyone else HASN'T, either.

Either way, that scene alone does show and tell a lot more about Asgard's medical capabilities and some of their limitations too, even as a society that's been at war since before Moses (lol but true, especially counting Odin's dad before him fought the elves for what Odin himself identified as 'Eternities of bloodshed' that didn't end until almost 5k years prior,) even, when cut down to the re-arranged version put down in the film's final cut.

Ultimately, and that said?

I don't think caring for a person in Odinsleep would be different from what we see on screen.

A whole lot of trying to keep them comfortable, undisturbed, and healthy; while wondering and worrying when and especially -if- they'll even wake up.

--Post Script, and a more direct personal example: Incidentally, and if you're curious: I have written Loki as having gone through his own "Odinsleep" in twenty thirteen, in Book Two (Vestibule 1, Universe 8) of my Lokiverse project: GROUNDED. Yes, that underlined bit is both the title and a link directly to where that long fic is posted on AO3, if you're curious how I handled it there. I suggest reading the chapters leading into that segment to understand how that portion of their multiverse got there, but if you want to skip a bit, the Odinsleep sequence itself starts in Chapter Four and ends in chapter Five, and is ultimately among the last of events before a time skip all the way into Civil War's era. It's not the only time the muses use it, but it is currently the only instance I have published.

[cheezyharu]

Probably minor retcon: D321 now has a prosthetic for his right hand!

... Because as cool and strong wielding a 2-handed weapon with one 1 hand sounds, I cannot imagine having to do that ALL the time. Of course using legs could help, but with someone like Luminescence around... They'd probably rather help him regain all four limbs.

[combinecremator]

"glaze your artwork" "you MUST use nightshade on your artwork before you post it" what if i went for a really long walk by the riverside instead. what then

[sir-libearian]

=/

Welp. Can anyone tell me what google messages is like or suggest alternatives?

[whatudottu]

New OC time, and for every person to call him an animal Wrau adds another tally to his shit list-

Ough fuck my hand broke

[watermelinoe]

sorry for not thinking of society in the year 2847 when they can scrape kilroy junior out of a woman's uterus and grow him in a test tube so she doesn't have to do it herself when making posts about current feminist issues

[nelkcats]

Anti-Ivy

Sam tried, she figured introducing her mentor to her best friend would be a good idea, Danny didn't have radical ideas or a green thumb but his heart was in the right place, that had to count for something!

Unfortunately Danny's ice core was not compatible with Dr. Pamela and her plants, as people they get along, they even liked each other, but the poor flowers could not stand subzero temperatures near the boy

So they made some kind of compromise, since Danny was temporarily living in Gotham they figured it was best to avoid every confrontation. Every time they saw each other on the street and Ivy was surrounded by plants, one of them would immediately leave the scene.

That didn't go unnoticed by the bats, but the boy wasn't doing anything wrong, maybe he was part of Ivy's past they didn't know about?

Dick started calling him "The Anti-Ivy" as some kind of joke, Jason followed naming him "Green repellent", and everything continued the same as always (with Tim freaking out because all the images of the boy were corrupted and his trackers were damaged the second it came into contact).

The assumption that they hate each other continued while the guy was on a girls night with Selina, Ivy and Harley.

Maybe one day the bats will notice they're friends, Selina bet they never would as Ivy waved her glass at Danny who sighed, poured a few ice cubes into the drink with Harley calling him "Portable Freezer" in the background. Sam was happy at least.

[nerdie-faerie]

Received too much psychic damage from my phone that I had to start studying

[wild-grinders]

On the fence about making a discord server, but if yall can behave, do you want a private server where we can make quick discussions and/or share more personal ideas about wild grinders?

Likes =/= yes