#compulsory admission

[falsemilkbun]

Mithrun & Drives & Self-harm

Warning's in the title, let's rock and roll.

So there's a super-circulated extra about Mithrun's recovery after having been rescued from his conquered dungeon.

And I don't know how widely known it is that this image is cropped, or that it contains something I consider pretty essential to his character.

The top two thirds of the page are upsetting in a suggestive way. The final third is very explicit.

I understand the impulse to remove the explicit imagery of self harm from something you scatter around God's internet where it could upset literally anyone. At the same time, I think something's lost when you can't contrast 'He spent most of his days lying down, either sleeping or awake,' with the visceral imagery of him struggling to get out of that position, into which he has been strapped. It's less affecting if your initial impression (that he is totally passive) is not subverted.

Without this, it's too easy to assume that his aversion to things like mirrors and birds is due a vague Upset it might cause him, and that keeping sharp things and fire from him is due to an absence of self preservational drive.

But it's not like that. These are precautions undertaken because he has drives.

How much of that lying down is due to being passive, and how much is compulsory? How much time did he spend restrained, since this was a known problem? The restraints themselves harm him, which is kind of inevitable considering how determined he is to escape.

To me, this does point to him actually having agency and motivation. It's not motivation to do anything positive, but it's present.

And it makes sense, right, that he'd be motivated to self destruction when it turns out his quest has been (unbeknownst even to himself) to be completely consumed by the Demon?

Something that feels important about Mithrun, to me, is that he doesn't fucking like himself, and I don't think he ever did.

He's judgmental of his past self despite not ever confessing to being, you know, cruel to anyone. His issue is with his internality, which was an insecure and petty one. Externally, other characters did not perceive him that way. Milsiril doesn't dislike him because he's cruel or because she can tell he's only pretending to like people, she hated him because he was well-liked while she struggled to make any friends at all. I don't think he'd be so well-liked, or basically intimidate Milsiril with his bubbliness, if he was an outwardly nasty person.

It's important to me to point out Milsiril's perspective, because it confirms what's said in Kabru's truncated version of events: Mithrun was well-liked, and people's perception of him was positive. He was not behaving in a way that would drive others away.

He just can't be close to people, not genuinely. He's nice for the same reason he's always finding reasons to look down on others, for the same reasons he can't resist the Demon's offer, for the same reason he hurts himself. He does not like the person he is, whatever that person does, and he is convinced that no one else could truly like that person either.

I have another equally disjointed post in me about the parallels between the Demon and actual dynamics of abusive relationships, but key to this one is the fact that Mithrun's vulnerabilities - that he has learned love is conditional, that he cannot bring himself to interface with people genuinely, that he has been discarded by a family whose care for him was ultimately superficial, that he does not see himself as good or worthwhile - make his admission of having felt loved by the Demon super heartbreaking. Considering what it offered him, I suspect the hole left in his heart was exceptionally large.

It might feel easy to brush off Mithrun's behavior in the early days of his recuperation as simply erratic, but I see it as very purposeful and very much inkeeping with his character. He had a love that he could convince himself came without conditions, that promised an emotional security that he could allow himself to rely on, and it was withdrawn from him in a way that is undeniably violent and violating.

I don't look at the image of him hurting himself and see someone acting erratically because their mind has been magically broken. I see someone in an understandable, mundane kind of complete despair.

On that same note, I see his later dedication to returning to service as a simple redirection of the original self destructive drive. Mithrun doesn't even consciously understand this about himself, he labels this desire as anger and vengeance when it's really the exact same drive he's had all along: to either be loved or not be at all.

...

happy holidays? i don't have a button for this.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 among fully vaccinated individuals - Published Jan 2022

Vaccine effectiveness studies have conclusively demonstrated the benefit of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing individual symptomatic and severe disease, resulting in reduced hospitalisations and intensive care unit admissions. However, the impact of vaccination on transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 needs to be elucidated. A prospective cohort study in the UK by Anika Singanayagam and colleagues regarding community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals provides important information that needs to be considered in reassessing vaccination policies. This study showed that the impact of vaccination on community transmission of circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 appeared to be not significantly different from the impact among unvaccinated people. The scientific rationale for mandatory vaccination in the USA relies on the premise that vaccination prevents transmission to others, resulting in a “pandemic of the unvaccinated”. Yet, the demonstration of COVID-19 breakthrough infections among fully vaccinated health-care workers (HCW) in Israel, who in turn may transmit this infection to their patients, requires a reassessment of compulsory vaccination policies leading to the job dismissal of unvaccinated HCW in the USA. Indeed, there is growing evidence that peak viral titres in the upper airways of the lungs and culturable virus are similar in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. A recent investigation by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of an outbreak of COVID-19 in a prison in Texas showed the equal presence of infectious virus in the nasopharynx of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Similarly, researchers in California observed no major differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in terms of SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in the nasopharynx, even in those with proven asymptomatic infection. Thus, the current evidence suggests that current mandatory vaccination policies might need to be reconsidered, and that vaccination status should not replace mitigation practices such as mask wearing, physical distancing, and contact-tracing investigations, even within highly vaccinated populations.

[nekropsii]

Hi! I've recently gotten into homestuck and I've read quite a bit of it, as well as other people's blogs analyzing and criticizing the media. I've heard a Lot about Dave's arc being centered around internal homophobia and toxic masculinity, so it surprised me to hear taht you disagreed! I was wondering why you think that, and what are your thoughts on what his arc actually is? I know you don't like writing about the alpha/beta kids, so feel free to ignore this ask completely if you want. Thank you, I hope you have a great day!

Hello, Anon! I'm glad you've been having fun with Homestuck lately!! Despite its many flaws, it is a deeply compelling piece of fiction, and I'm always glad to see new eyes on it and new voices being added to the analytical sphere. To answer your question...

Personally, I have never seen what people are talking about with regards to Dave's whole character arc surrounding overcoming Internalized Homophobia and Toxic Masculinity. These are fundamentally not what his arc is about, and this is never what his arc has ever been about. I'd honestly never seen that analytical lens until after DaveKat rose into prominence (mostly due to Post-Canon's heavy featuring of the pairing), and I feel as if these things are related. It is easier to make easy-to-stomach, shippy angst out of addressing your own personal shortcomings than what Dave's arc is actually about. No shade intended. This is because...

Dave's character arc is, and always has been, about Recovering from Childhood Abuse.

This is the conflict we are made aware of in his introduction, and it's a theme that persists all throughout the story. We meet Dave as a 13 year old boy suffering some pretty extreme abuse at the hands of Bro- Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, and Sexually. Dave's home life is such an active threat that he struggles to even admit to himself that it is abuse in the first place- that's an admission that takes a level of vulnerability that he just could not afford, and it's something he's only left to truly unpack during the Meteor Arc.

I have a couple major problems with the "Toxic Masculinity and Internalized Homophobia" takes. Firstly, Toxic Masculinity is not inherent to any expression of Masculinity. The only Toxically Masculine trait we see that's applicable to Dave is that he struggles deeply with vulnerability and sincerity in his emotions. However... These don't really have anything to do with what his views on what a man is or should be. They have everything to do with the fact that he was abused by someone who punishes any display of weakness, because Bro excused his abuse with it being "Training". Secondly... Dave is Bisexual. Even if the process of Dave struggling to accept being attracted to men was a major point in the story, it would not be called Internalized Homophobia. It would be called Internalized Biphobia, because Dave is canonically Bisexual, not Gay. We have seen Dave be attracted to more women than men, and attraction to both genders was present simultaneously. It was not Compulsory Heterosexuality. If it was, it'd be actually written into the story. Bisexual people exist. This is not a Homophobic argument to make; I am literally a Gay man.

It's anthropologically fascinating how this take arose... Basically out of nowhere from my perspective, especially considering how all of Dave's most iconic dramatic lines have something to do with him having to sort through his own abuse. Does no one remember the rooftop scene between Dave and Dirk, where Dave starts telling Dirk all about the horrible way that Bro raised him, and how deeply it affected him?

If not, I'm posting the most striking part of it here.

[Homestuck, page 7749.]

... So, yeah, no. Dave's character arc is not about "Overcoming Toxic Masculinity and Internalized Homophobia". It's about Abuse. Dave is an Abuse Victim. Point blank period. Any trait even loosely attributable to the ideas of Toxic Masculinity and Internalized Homophobia are a consequence of how he was raised, and how he was abused. This does not mean that this is what his character arc is about. That just means that's included within his character arc. It's a way to show growth, not a way to define his arc in its entirety. That is legitimately not how character writing works. To claim such would be to express a remarkable amount of Tunnel Vision.

Inclusion does not equate to Totality. There is a bigger picture, and that bigger picture is Abuse Recovery.

[ao3feed-gelphie]

It's Tomorrow

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/5tpn4zi by PaigesofArt On the way to the Emerald City, Elphaba and Glinda stop to appreciate the poppy fields, where admissions about tomorrow lead to a passionate night. Words: 3113, Chapters: 1/2, Language: English Fandoms: Wicked - All Media Types Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/F Characters: Elphaba Thropp, Galinda Upland, Fiyero Tigelaar, Original Female Character(s) Relationships: Elphaba Thropp/Galinda Upland Additional Tags: Shiz Era (Wicked - Schwartz/Holzman), Emerald City (Oz), POV Elphaba Thropp, Bisexual Elphaba Thropp, Lesbian Galinda Upland, Mutual Pining, Fluff and Angst, Compulsory Heterosexuality, Train to Emerald City, Eventual Sex, elphaba thropp needs a hug, Galinda Upland Needs a Hug read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/5tpn4zi

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Women still lack visibility in Brazilian literature

Starting in 2026, the University Foundation for the Entrance Exam (Fuvest), which is responsible for selecting students for admission to the University of São Paulo (USP), will have a compulsory reading list with works written by women authors in Portuguese. The move comes in a bid to value the role of women in literature.

When the announcement was made last year, chair of the Fuvest Board of Curators and USP vice-President Maria Arminda do Nascimento Arruda justified the decision by saying that many of these writers “have for decades been made virtually invisible simply for being women.”

In the opinion of Lella Malta, founder and coordinator of Escreva, garota! (“Go ahead and write, girl!”), a support, engagement, and training collective for women who write, female invisibility in literature is still prevalent in Brazilian society. “The erasure of women’s writing is a phenomenon that still exists,” she said in an interview with Agência Brasil during the Pelourinho International Literary Festival—or Flipelô—in Salvador, Bahia.

“We may think it’s over, but you only have to look at the shelves to see that we still read more men. The publishing market events themselves promote this. And we women have this thing about self-sabotage; we think we’re never enough. I believe we have to work on these women, these future female authors, so they have courage and more self-esteem, and are able to reach this market in a more professional way. Writing is an instrument of female empowerment, and that’s our banner in the project,” she stated.

Continue reading.

[autismtana]

so you wanna write a heartbreak high fic, but you're american (part 3)

I decided to create a separate post for the HSC, ATAR, uni and post-secondary study because our system is so completely different to American systems (and because my previous post was too long).

In Australia, tertiary study falls into two categories: higher education, and vocational education and training. This post will touch on university, as well as other forms of tertiary study and trades.

The uni part of this will be the longest because it tends to be the thing most people get wrong.

Preliminary/HSC

In NSW, year 11 (Preliminary) only goes for three terms. In term 4 of the calendar year in which you started year 11, you start the HSC course, which goes from term 4 of that year to term 3 of the following year. Midway through term 3, you do your trial exams (if you are doing music/drama/languages/anything with a performance/oral component/major work, you will have your practical exam/major work submission in the latter part of term 3). You then will have a graduation ceremony at the end of term 3, and your HSC exams will happen in October-November (term 4), while the kids in the grade below you are starting their HSC coursework. Nothing you do in year 11 counts towards the HSC (until term 4); in fact, nothing you do in any year up until you do your first HSC assessments counts towards your HSC. We don't have grade point averages here. Actually, your rankings in your individual subjects are probably more important than your actual marks (this video explains it). More academic kids might get a bit more competitive about rankings but also tend to want to work together to ensure that they all do well.

ATAR

After you do your HSC exams in year 12, depending on the combination of subjects you did and how well you did in your courses, you get an ATAR, which determines what courses you can get into at uni. This article explains somewhat how different subjects are scaled (because there are some that are perceived to be more difficult than others; this is objectively true in some cases, for example, advanced maths is called advanced for a reason so a higher mark in advanced should be seen as more meaningful than a higher mark in standard, but in other cases, it gets a bit more confusing). What it boils down to is certain subjects tend to attract more 'high achievers' than others, so get scaled higher. That being said, the prevailing advice is that everyone should choose the subjects they like and are good at, not what they think will get them into uni.

Higher education

Firstly, we call university "uni" here. We don't say "college" or "school" to talk specifically about university (if an Australian person is talking about going to school, they're either still in compulsory schooling, i.e. K-12, or they're a teacher). We do sooooort of have college here, but I'll touch on that later.

In Australia, kids apply for the course, not the university. Whether or not you get into the course you want is, for the most part, dependent on your ATAR. The exception is if you're applying for something like a creative arts course that might require an audition, or submission of a portfolio. Most unis offer early admission, particularly for kids who live in rural areas, and UNSW has a program for indigenous students for Business, Education, Law, Medicine, Social Work, or Science & Engineering. The most common universities you'll hear about in Sydney are USyd, UNSW, UTS, Western Sydney Uni and Macquarie, then there are ANU and UC in Canberra, LaTrobe in Albury/Wodonga, CSU in Dubbo/Bathurst/Wagga Wagga, UNE in Armidale and Newcastle Uni. There's also Notre Dame, which is a private, religious institution, and a bunch of other smaller schools.

USyd is the oldest university in NSW; it's referred to as a sandstone uni and tends to be the most sought after one that most people want to go to.

Most courses here are Commonwealth Supported, and domestic students are allowed to claim what's called HECS, meaning that you defer payment of your uni fees until you start earning a certain amount of money, and then it comes out of your taxes. In some cases, scholarships are offered, but those are generally more academic scholarships, or, say, for students studying to be teachers, they might get offered a scholarship to teach a certain school subject and as part of their scholarship get a guaranteed position at a hard-to-staff schooling area. As I said in part 2, we don't have anything like the NCAA here (it's not like the Sydney Uni basketball team has a mega rivalry with the UNSW basketball team like UNC vs Duke for example). Australian kids also don't have to pay exorbitant fees to apply for the courses they want. When I was applying to uni as a year 12 student, I paid something like $30 to UAC and applied for every arts/law course available in the Sydney area. I think there's a limit on how many courses you can apply for (maybe 16 or so) but it has been a while since I've applied for an undergrad uni course, so I could be wrong. That being said, a kid might be eligible for a scholarship if they excel at sport, but I believe they'd have to be already enrolled in the university and achieving academically at a certain level first.

Coming back to the "college" thing - a lot of kids tend to go to uni where they live and commute to and from there. That being said, sometimes kids come from towns where there are no universities, or kids from Sydney might end up going to uni interstate or to somewhere like Charles Sturt, which has campuses in Dubbo and Bathurst. "College" in Australia refers to the residential housing available to students living on campus (usually kids studying away from home, but some locals also choose to opt for this as well).

As for uni life, I'd suggest researching the different social clubs and societies different universities have.

Vocational education and training

Not everyone chooses to go to uni after they leave school. A lot of schools actually offer school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) in a number of different industries, which counts towards the HSC and is professional work experience. Early childhood and automotive tend to be really popular. TAFE (Australia's largest vocational education and training provider) provides a lot of courses and opportunities for people (some of the courses are actually really cool; a friend of mine did a music course through TAFE and recorded a bunch of singles).

Work experience

This isn't really related to post-secondary schooling, but is still a pretty important aspect of the NSW school experience. Usually in year 10, kids spend a week doing work experience (there's actually a plot in the original Heartbreak High series about it that Jane and Leanne from Snarkbreak High talked about). Kids generally have to organise it themselves and it's usually related to a career they'd like to have after school. My younger brother did his at our local vet, and after that, he realised he no longer wanted to be a vet.

Other resources

Wikipedia (don't let anyone tell you not to use it - it's one of the best peer-reviewed journals ever and all the info on Australian schooling there is completely legit)

NESA

Bored of Studies forum

Snarkbreak High podcast (this is run by 2 Australian teachers; I think they're from Melbourne and they're currently only doing the original series but they have some great commentary, and they've even had Scott Major, aka Peter Rivers, aka Darren's dad as a guest)

Sydney Morning Herald (they always have a ton of articles about NSW schooling)

UNSW Indigenous Pre-Program

[archduchessofnowhere]

How many ladies-in-waiting did Empress Elisabeth have during her tenure as empress/queen?

Hi! I’m really glad I got this ask because lately I’ve been really interested in the people “behind the scenes” of Elisabeth’s life. But before answering this, we need to add some context and terminology, because “lady-in-waiting” is actually a very vague term.

First of all, who could access court?

The Habsburg court was extremely conservative on who could access it. While the courts of France or Prussia allowed the access of the rich bourgeoisie, to enter the Viennese court you needed to have an impecable noble background:

This small group of old nobility made up “court society”. They were the elite who passed all the tests of “ancestral lineage examination” with flying colours, who were permitted unlimited entry to court based on the pristine purity of their ancestral background. This exclusive group did not need to shine through achievement, it already possessed the requisite glamour from their heritage as princes, counts or barons. Whoever could prove eight maternal and paternal ancestors stemming from a noble line of flawless credentials and whose own ancestors had not broken this longstanding chain through marriages with partners beneath their standing could legitimately lay claim to the seal of approval generally dubbed ‘admissable at court’ (hoffähig). (Winkelhofer, 2012)

The women that were allowed to “wait” on the empress belonged to this exclusive group of nobles made up of about 400 families in the empire. “Rebel/low class woman infiltrates in court and becomes Elisabeth’s lady-in-waiting” is a trope that appeared in both RTL Sisi and Netflix Die Kaiserin, but that would’ve been simply impossible. There was a department in charge of checking everyone’s backgrounds, investigating every paper register and historical family tree. You either had the proper ancestry, or you weren’t allowed entrance.

So what was exactly the role of a “lady-in-waiting” at the Habsburg court?

There were two types of what we usually call “lady-in-waiting”: hofdamen (court ladies) and palastdamen (palaces ladies). Palastdamen were the aforementioned women who had access to court due to their noble status. Having access to court didn’t meant, however, that you just popped up at balls whenever you wanted. Even if you had an illustrious family tree you still needed to obtain official court recognition in order to be able to obtain a place at official occasions (for women, according to Winkelhofer, this was receiving the Order of the Starry Cross). Also Franz Josef was very strict on the nobility, and he demanded that nobles attended regularly at court to fulfill their duties; if someone didn’t appear in a long time they had to answer an inquiry as to why they had been absent, and the emperor could go as far as revoking their right to appear.

The compulsory duties of the nobility were, first, to pay their respects to the Emperor on 1st January at the New Year’s Day Reception, and later to attend to the two official balls that took place weeks later: the “Court Ball” and the “ball at court”. The next mandatory appearances were the holy day festivities; the most important event at court was the Corpus Christi procession:

The traditional procession the court at Corpus Christi - fondly dubbed “God’s Court Ball” by the Viennese - was the most significant festive day on the calendar to the imperial family, since this holiday celebrated and demonstrated the longstanding close ties of the dynasty to the Catholic Church. Everyone had to appear at the procession, including those who were not assigned to march in the parade itself, since the emperor viewed this as his foremost representational duty. (Winkelhofer, 2012)

Meanwhile, being a hofdame was a paid job. Unlike palastdamen, who entered court by their status alone, hofdamen had to be personally appointed to the position. Their main job was to keep company of their mistress all the time, which Elisabeth found annoying (“She says herself that it is not unpleasant to her to see us occasionally, but it is odious to her to have us in waiting” [Corti, 1936]). Being a hofdame, however, wasn’t cheap, since they always had to have new gowns for every official occasion, which their salaries usually couldn’t cover, and needed the support of their families (x). Also, a hofdame always had to be single, so when she married she lost the job.

As Empress, Elisabeth had her own household. The Oberhofmeisterin (a title that is usually translated as “Mistress of the Robes”) was in charge of controlling the household, hiring and firing staff, enforced discipline and etiquette, and replaced the empress at official events in case she couldn’t attend. She was the highest-ranking noble women at court, and unlike the aforementioned hofdamen, she could be married. During her 44 years tenure as empress Elisabeth had four Oberhofmeisterin:

Countess Sophie Esterházy (née Princess of Liechtenstein)

Countess Paula Königsegg (née Countess Bellegarde)

Countess Marie Goëss (née Countess Welsersheimb)

Countess Maria Theresia Harrach (née Princess of Thurn und Taxis)

In Elisabeth’s household there was also an special position, created exclusively for one woman: Ida Ferenczy. She is often called a “lady-in-waiting” (even myself on this blog called her that), but this isn’t correct. When Elisabeth was learning Hungarian in 1864, she asked for a lady who could help her practice the language. A list of ladies was created, which included Ida, and she was chosen. However, there was a problem: Ida wasn’t from nobility, but from the gentry, and therefore she couldn’t be made a hofdame. How did she even got on that list without having the right ancestry is a mystery to this day. But Elisabeth liked her and wanted to keep her in her household, so a position for her was created: “vorleserin”, the reader. She became one the empress’ closest confidents and remained in her service until her death.

Now, to finally answer the question: how many ladies-in-waiting Elisabeth had during her 44 years of tenure as empress?

Sadly I can’t give you an exact number. However, we can have an idea of how many and who they were. The Hof- und Staatshandbuch des österreichischen Kaiserthumes (renamed Hof- und Staatshandbuch der Österreichisch-Ungarischen Monarchie after 1873) was the official guide of the Austrian empire, published from 1806 until the fall of the monarchy in 1918. These guides contained, among other things, lists of the complete staff of the imperial family’s households, as well as list of who had access to court. The Austrian National Library has available for free most, although sadly not all, of these guides. And yes, who were Elisabeth’s hofdamen each year is mentioned.

The years missing sadly correspond to Elisabeth’s first years as empress, as well as almost all of 1860s. Since I’m mainly following the official guide, there may be some mistakes; some ladies weren’t in the guide but I found the info about them in biographies (this was the case of Mathilde Windisch-Graetz). Anyway, these were some of Elisabeth’s hofdamen!

Countess Pauline “Paula” Bellegarde (served from 1854 until her marriage in 1857, Oberhofmeisterin from 1862 until 1868)

Countess Caroline Lamberg (served from 1854 until her marriage in 1860)

Countess Josepha Wallis (served since at least 1856 until 1858)

Countess Sophie Coudenhove (served since at least 1856 until ?)

Baroness Ludovica Sturmfeder (served since at least 1856 until 1866/7)

Princess Helene of Thurn und Taxis (served from 1858 until her marriage in 1871)

Countess Louise Bombelles (served from 1860 until ?)

Countess Caroline “Lily” Hunyady (served from 1861 until her marriage in 1871)

Princess Mathilde Windisch-Graetz (served from 1861 until ?)

Countess Mária “Marie” Festetics (served from 1872 until Elisabeth’s death)

Countess Ludovica Hedwig Schaaffgotsche (served since at least 1872 until 1877)

Miss Mary Throckmorton (Valerie’s governess, served from early 1870s until 1874)

Landgravine Therese of Fürstenberg (served from 1877 until 1889)

Countess Sarolta Máilath (served from 1883 until her marriage in 1890)

Countess Janka Mikes (served from 1892 until her marriage in 1896)

Countess Irma Sztáray (served from 1894 until Elisabeth’s death)

Some things about these ladies:

Lily was the niece of Countess Esterházy, the empress’ first Oberhofmeisterin.

Mathilde was a widow; as far as I could find, she was the only widow to ever serve Elisabeth as a hofdame.

Helene was the daughter of Elisabeth’s Oberhofmeister from 1854 until 1857, Prince Friedrich Hannibal of Thurn und Taxis.

Paula and her husband Count Alfred Königsegg were appointed at the same time as Elisabeth’s Oberhofmeisterin and Oberhofmeister respectively. Paula resented the growing Hungarian faction around the empress and openly complained about them, which made her fell from favor. She and her husband were finally dismissed in 1868.

Marie Festetics was first a hofdame of Archduchess Clotilde.

I had literally never heard of Ludovica Hedwig until I went through the guide, and I could find nothing about her outside of it.

Mary Throckmorton was recommended to Elisabeth by her sister Queen Marie of the Two Sicilies; I’m not really sure if she was actually a hofdame since her job was being Valerie’s governess, but she appears as a hofdame in the guide. Go figure.

Therese was first a hofdame of Archduchess Sophie. After she left service (seemly for health issues), all of Elisabeth’s hofdamen were Hungarian.

Sarolta was chosen as a hofdame because she was in a good physical shape that allowed her keep up with Elisabeth’s walking speed.

Irma entered service in 1894 but only appears as a hofdame since 1896. Go figure again.

Sources:

Corti, Egon Conte (1936). Elizabeth, empress of Austria

Das spanische Hofzeremoniell - Hofetikete, on Mythos Kaiserin Elisabeth

Hof- und Staatshandbuch des österreichischen Kaiserthumes (1856-1860, 1866, 1868)

Hof- und Staatshandbuch der Österreichisch-Ungarischen Monarchie (1874, 1876-1898)

Winkelhofer, Martina (2012). The Everyday Life of the Emperor: Francis Joseph and His Imperial Court

[digitaldetoxworld]

Importance Of Human Rights in the 21st Century: Emerging Issues and Global Responses

 The Concept of Human Rights

Importance Of Human Rights are fundamental rights and freedom that belong to anybody, no matter nationality, ethnicity, gender, faith, or any other status. These rights are inherent to all people and are important for main a existence of dignity, freedom, and equality. The idea of human rights is rooted inside the concept that all and sundry has inherent worth and should be dealt with admire and equity.

Historical Background

The notion of human rights has advanced over centuries. Ancient civilizations together with those in Greece and Rome, in addition to in spiritual tradition which include Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, contained elements that can be seem as early sorts of human rights. 

The Horrors of the Holocaust and the worldwide warfare caused a renewed commitment to  dignity. In 1948, the Universal  Declaration of changed into adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. This landmark report, drafted through representatives from diverse cultural and prison background, mounted a complete set of essential rights that follow to anybody.

Universality

We are everyday and practice to everybody, regardless of their region or instances. Every man or woman possesses those rights in reality.

Indivisibility

This way that the safety of 1 proper often demands on the realization of different rights. For example the right to schooling is related to the proper to an good enough well known of residing.

Equality and Non-Discrimination

They should be assured without discrimination. All people are same in dignity and rights, and nobody need to be denied their primarily based on race, gender, faith, or other repute.

Participation and Inclusion

Every man or women has the proper to take part in choice affecting their lives. This principle emphasizes the significance of inclusivity and democratic tactics in ensuring that each one voices are heard.

Fundamental Human Rights

Rights to Life

The proper to lifestyle is a fundamental proper that protects individuals from arbitrary deprivation of life. It is enshrined in various global treaties and declarations. This encompasses safety from violence, murder, and different styles of deadly damage.

Freedom from Torture and Inhumane Treatment

Every person has the proper to be free from torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading remedy or punishment. This proper pursuits to save you abuse and to ensure that people are handled with dignity.

 Right to Fair Trial

The  honest trial guarantees that everybody is entitled to a truthful and public hearing by way of an independent and independent tribunal. This includes the presumption of innocence, the proper to a prison defense, and safety in opposition to arbitrary detention.

Freedom of Speech and Expression

Freedom of speech allows individuals to explicit their critiques and thoughts without fear of retaliation or censorship. This proper is vital for democracy and the trade of ideas, however it could be problem to positive regulations, consisting of the ones prohibiting hate speech.

Right to Privacy

The proper to privacy protects individuals from arbitrary interference with their personal lifestyles, circle of relatives, home, and correspondence. This proper is essential for retaining non-public autonomy and dignity.

Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion

This proper lets in individuals to preserve and practice their personal ideals, inclusive of religious and philosophical ideals, with out coercion or discrimination. It also includes the liberty to trade one’s religion or beliefs.

Right to Education

The proper to schooling is essential for personal development and empowerment. It consists of get admission to to loose and compulsory number one education and goals to ensure that each one people can increase their capability and make contributions to society.

Right to Work and Fair Wages

 Everyone has the proper to work underneath truthful and favorable situations. This consists of the proper to same pay for equal work, safe operating conditions, and safety from discrimination inside the administrative center.

Right to Social Security

The proper to social security offers individuals with access to social offerings and monetary support at some stage in instances of need, such as illness, unemployment, or old age. It is crucial for making sure economic balance and well-being.

 Right to Participate in Government

Every individual has the proper to participate inside the governance in their country, either without delay or through freely chosen representatives. 

Challenges and Implementation

Human Rights Articles are  issues including political corruption, systemic inequality, and armed conflicts continue to undermine the realization  international..

[collegestory]

MBBS Admission Bangalore: Top Colleges, Eligibility, and Tips

Bangalore, commonly known as the "Silicon Valley of India," is a well-known medical education center as well as a technology powerhouse. The city has several famous medical institutes that offer MBBS programs and draw students from all around the country and even outside. If you want to be a doctor and are looking at MBBS admission in Bangalore, this article will help.

Top Medical Colleges for MBBS in Bangalore

Aakash Medical College Bangalore: Renowned for its excellent infrastructure and experienced faculty, Aakash Medical College Bangalore offers a comprehensive MBBS program with a focus on clinical training.

Adichunchanagiri Medical College: Affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Adichunchanagiri Medical College is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated teaching staff.

BGS Global Medical College Bangalore: BGS Global Medical College Bangalore is a leading medical institution with a strong emphasis on research and innovation.

Dr Br Ambedkar Medical College Bangalore: Established to provide quality medical education to students from all backgrounds, Dr Br Ambedkar Medical College Bangalore offers a well-rounded MBBS curriculum.

Father Muller Medical College: Father Muller Medical College is a Christian minority institution with a rich heritage and a commitment to holistic medical education.

K.S. Hegde Medical Academy: K.S. Hegde Medical Academy is a private medical college known for its excellent academic standards and modern infrastructure.

Kasturba Medical College: Affiliated with Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Kasturba Medical College is one of the most prestigious medical colleges in India.

KLE University, Belgaum: KLE University, Belgaum offers a wide range of medical programs, including MBBS, with a focus on practical training and clinical exposure.

KVG Medical College: KVG Medical College is a well-established medical institution with a strong reputation for producing skilled healthcare professionals.

 MS Ramaiah Medical College is a premier medical college in Bangalore, known for its excellent faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and rigorous academic standards.

Eligibility Criteria for MBBS Admission

To be eligible for MBBS admission in Bangalore, you must meet the following criteria:

Indian citizen or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

Passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as compulsory subjects

Obtained a minimum aggregate of 50% (45% for SC/ST candidates) in the qualifying examination

Admission Process

The admission process for MBBS in Bangalore typically involves the following steps:

Entrance Exam: Most medical colleges in Bangalore conduct their own entrance exams or accept scores from national-level entrance exams like NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test).

Counseling: Based on your entrance exam scores, you will be called for counseling to choose your preferred medical college.

Document Verification: Once selected, you will need to submit your original documents for verification.

Fee Payment: After completing the document verification process, you will be required to pay the admission fee.

CollegeStoria: Your Trusted Admission Partner

If you're considering MBBS admission in Bangalore, CollegeStoria can help. As one of India's top 100 college admission consultancies with over 10 years of experience, we can provide you with expert guidance and support throughout the entire process. Our team of experienced counselors can help you select the right medical college, prepare for entrance exams, and navigate the admission process smoothly.

[jitendra030]

Manipal University Online MCA

Conquering the Digital Frontier: Unraveling the Manipal University Online MCA Program

In the whirlwind of the digital age, a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) degree has become the gold standard for aspiring IT professionals. If you crave the flexibility of online learning while seeking the prestige of a renowned university, Manipal University Online's MCA program might be your perfect launchpad. Let's delve into this innovative program, examining its curriculum, eligibility criteria, fees, and the key factors that make it stand out.

Unveiling the Course Structure:

Manipal University Online's MCA program spans across four semesters, meticulously crafted to equip you with cutting-edge knowledge and hands-on skills. Here's a glimpse into the core areas you'll conquer:

Foundational Semesters (Semesters 1 & 2): Laying the groundwork, you'll master programming languages like C++, Java, and Python. Data structures, algorithms, and operating systems will become your playground, while subjects like computer networks and web technologies open doors to the digital world's infrastructure.

Specialization Semesters (Semesters 3 & 4): This is where you carve your niche. Choose from specializations like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Software Development, or Cyber Security. Deepen your expertise in your chosen domain with advanced electives and capstone projects that put your skills to the test.

Eligibility Criteria: Unlocking the Gateway:

To embark on this journey, you must have:

A Bachelor's degree in any discipline with Mathematics or Statistics as a compulsory subject at the 10+2 level or at the graduation level.

Secured a valid score in national entrance exams like NIMCAT, MAT, or ATMA.

A passion for technology and a thirst for continuous learning.

Admission Criteria: Demystifying the Selection Process:

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, your merit score in the chosen entrance exam forms the basis for selection. Shortlisted candidates are then invited for an online interview where your communication skills, technical aptitude, and career aspirations are assessed.

Financial Considerations: Unmasking the Fees:

The program fee for the Manipal University Online MCA program is currently set at around INR 2.5 lakhs per semester. However, scholarships and financial aid options are available for deserving students, easing the financial burden and making the program accessible to a wider pool of talented individuals.

Beyond the Classroom: What Sets Manipal Online MCA Apart:

While a robust curriculum is crucial, Manipal University Online goes the extra mile to elevate your learning experience:

Renowned Faculty: Learn from industry experts and academic stalwarts who bring real-world experience and a passion for teaching to the virtual classroom.

Interactive Learning Platform: Engage in live online sessions, access comprehensive study materials, and collaborate with peers through a user-friendly learning management system.

Industry Connect: Gain an edge with industry internships and mentorship opportunities that bridge the gap between theory and practical application.

Placement Assistance: Leverage the university's strong industry network and dedicated placement cell to land your dream job in the booming IT sector.

Embarking on Your Digital Quest:

The Manipal University Online MCA program is not just a degree; it's a passport to a rewarding career in the ever-evolving IT landscape. If you're driven by ambition, possess a curious mind, and yearn to make your mark in the digital world, this program can be your stepping stone to success.

Spotlight on Specializations: Dive deeper into each specialization, highlighting the specific courses, industry trends, and career prospects.

Alumni Success Stories: Feature interviews with successful alumni who have carved their niche in the IT world after graduating from the program.

Comparison with other Online MCA Programs: Briefly compare Manipal's program with other online MCA offerings, highlighting its unique strengths and value proposition.

Student Testimonies: Include quotes from current or past students about their experiences with the program, its challenges, and its rewards.

Career Outlook: Discuss the job market for MCA graduates, highlighting growth trends, in-demand skills, and potential salary ranges.

Q&A Section: Address frequently asked questions about the program, admission process, and career opportunities.

For further information and updates ,please visit on:-

Top MCA colleges in india with low fees ,visit on :-

[sophieswundergarten]

Chapter 20 of S.O.S.

I don't even know anymore

@nobodysdaydreams Here ya go

ALRIGHT LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I AM BOTH EXCITED AND TERRIFIED

WHOOOO!!!!!!!!!

First off, love the title, and it’s making me a little nervous because now I’m thinking about Chapter 1 being titled “The Price of Admission”

Oh dear. The way you describe the feeling and emotions and just overall sensations of what Constance is experiencing is already punching me in the heart

(Though the intro bit with Jeffer was quite funny)

THEY BOTH THINK IT’S LIKE WHEN THEY WERE KIDS. BUT THE ONLY THING STOPPING THAT FROM BEING REAL IS THAT NEITHER OF THEM LIKE THEMSELVES ENOUGH TO BE HONEST AND VULNERABLE. UNBELIEVABLE. I AM ALREADY CHEWING DRYWALL. MASTICATING.

Oooooooohhhhhhhhhh

You added to it. He hasn’t forgotten that Nathaniel is hurting people, he just thinks that he finally got through to him. Oooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh :( 

“The whole world felt so sunny. So vibrant. So full of humor and amusement. Had it always been this whimsically delightful? It must have been, but Nicholas felt as if he was seeing it for the first time. There was beauty everywhere. There was happiness everywhere. Nothing was too loud, nothing was too overwhelming, nothing was too anxiety provoking. For the first time in Nicholas’ life, everything in the world felt “just right”, and it was completely effortless.”

THIS IS A REALLY WELL-WRITTEN PARAGRAPH. BUT IT’S HORRIBLY JARRING BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT I ALSO FEEL AS “JUST RIGHT”, AND I ALREADY KNOW IT’S BAD. I WOULD FALL FOR THIS SO EASILY OH MY WORD ASFJDSJKFDKJ

“His friends might have left him, but he finally had his brother back. Perhaps they really could work together like they used to. It had been so long.”

BODS CAN YOU HOLD BACK FOR LIKE TWO SECONDS???? I AM WRITING OMINOUS STICKY NOTES AND PLACING THEM ON EVERY MIRROR YOU HAVE

OH. THAT’S WHY THERE’S A HYPHEN IN THE TITLE. ADSKJFDSHKJDSKJF

CONSIDER ANY STRING YOU OWN CONFISCATED

And you’re still calling him “Curtain”. He’s still calling himself “Curtain”. He doesn’t think he (deserves) is that name anymore. And yet he calls himself “Nathaniel” in Chapter 1. Hmmmmm

Also. Calling the fact that he “allows” Nicholas to call him his given name as a “luxury” is hysterical and very on-point. You are so, so good at writing Curtain :) 

AHHHHHHH. THE CONFLICT IN POOR NICHOLAS’ BRAIN ABOUT HIS VARIOUS FAMILY MEMBERS

And then also Curtain continuing to not get it. Good gravy, man. PLEASE remember how to be a human being soon. You are hurting yourself so much :( 

(And. Also. Like. Several thousand people, not least your own brother. But, still.)

NUMBER TWO!!!!!

Oh heavens. I feel very bad for her. But she did escape! (Kinda)

And then Milligan. I want to give him a hug.

YEAH

I LOVE THIS PART. BECAUSE JUST WHEN YOU THINK CHAOS AND STRIFE HAS BEFALLEN THE TEAM THEY GET IT BACK TOGETHER AND IT’S GREAT

“for some reason Milligan took personal offense at the implication that educators were incapable, though he could not explain why”

I LOVE HOW INSTEAD OF DENYING THAT SHE STOLE IT SHE’S JUST LIKE “I paid for it. And I left a beautifully hand-crafted thank you note.” IT DOESN’T MATTER THAT IT WASN’T FOR SALE IN THE FIRST PLACE JASHJJDKJHFD

She really is ready to be part of the team

(Why is one of the bars you have to pass, like, Neutral Good committing of crimes??? Ajsdkjds)

Marlon /derogatory

OH NO

OH NOW IT’S THAT BIT

“I don’t see the problem” And Marlon just decides that it’s fine. I Do Not Like Him

AND HE’S SO MEAN TO JACKSON AND JILLSON

OH BOY. AND YOU’VE BROUGHT BACK THE MARTINA BETRAYAL. I’M SO WORRIED ABOUT THAT. GIVE THESE KIDS A HUG

“Someone’s finally at the wheel and all you can do is naysay,” the officer observed, “You sound like a person who, frankly, would benefit from time in Dr. Curtain’s program. Compulsory or not.”

Oh yikes. There’s the wheel motif again, and also that sounds incredibly threatening. YOU WOULD THINK THIS WOULD TIP HER OFF TO GET OUT OF THERE

There’s something so sad about Rhonda being terrified when Number Two missed the check in and now she’s trying to call Rhonda and no one’s there :( 

Adjfsdjfjdsjk

Miss Perumal trying to corral the children on the farm is a really entertaining mental image

OH. SHE’S TRYING TO CALL HER SISTER.

“You have reached the Two residence. We’re busy and aren’t available now or ever. Don’t expect an answer to your messages and don’t come to our house. We don’t want to buy anything, and we don’t want to meet any new people. Heaven knows you’d only abandon us just like everybody else and would probably try to steal from us too no doubt.” 

“This answering machine is full. Please call back later.”

Yikes. Ajkdfjdsfjkdsf The Two family has some issues

(But very nice job on writing that. It’s incredible)

“Milligan heroically threw his helmet and jacket into the motorbike.”

…“heroically”?

Akjfhjkdfkjds Very good choice of word! It just makes me think of how overdramatic the cinematography got whenever it was focussed on Milligan

FOUND CRIME FAMILY. IT’S OKAY AS LONG AS YOU PAY PEOPLE BACK AND LEAVE THEM NICE NOTES. AKJLFDSJKD

Milligan is amazing

JEFFERS

HE COLLECTS RECEIPTS

I love our sad little guy

Oh no. Oh no. Nicholas’ thoughts are fascinating and you write them really really well but also it always makes me legitimately want to cry

OH YEAH. THEY HAVE THE SAME VOICE. THAT’S PROBABLY SUPER CREEPY

Oh. And Number Two’s all alone now. I know she isn’t really his daughter in the Show, but, still. To be abandoned in such a scary situation…

“He was using addict speech. Saying “I need to stay in my brother’s evil cult, not because of the addictive happiness he gave me, but because it’s crucial to our mission” was just another form of “I need to drink, not because I’m addicted, but because it helps my anxiety and is really better for me if you think about it.” There’s always a justification for anything, so long as your brain is smart enough to think of it and clever enough to trick yourself into believing it. And unfortunately, Number Two knew from experience that Mr. Benedict was very smart and very clever indeed.”

Yeah!! And we get to see another bit of Bods’ psychology brain! I’ve been waiting to see what you had to say about this. So, so many thoughts

And the little snips of what’s going on with Jackson and Jillson. It keeps building in increments, and I really have no idea what it’s going to build to with your writing but I have no doubt it’ll be spectacular

Poor Jeffers adsfjsdjk

He’s trying his best

AND THE WAY THAT THEY ALL CROSS PATHS IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY JUST MISS ONE ANOTHER

MARTINAMARTINAMARTINAMARTINAMARTINAMARTINAMARTINAMARTINAMARTINAMARTINAMARTINAMARTINAMARTINAMARTINAMARTINA

I’m glad that the coaches appreciate her, but also understand that she’s working through a whole lot

(If only they knew how much…)

Ah, yes. Stealing, bribery, breaking and entering, fraud, all of those things are totally fine. Underage driving, however? Unacceptable

Garrison is trying her very best. (Unfortunately for her, that’s not good enough for Constance adjsd)

IS SHE REALLY FEELING BAD ABOUT THIS?????

Somehow that’s really sweet because she does care enough to notice things, but also SHE’S A TINY CHILD. IT’S NOT HER FAULT

Oh. Even without her snark, she wouldn’t be comforted by a lot of toys because of the bad memories she has attached to them. She doesn’t trust them :( 

(I bet her family gives her a lot of unusual toys and puzzles, so she can view it as a challenge instead of being uncomfortable)

YOU DID THE THING AGAIN!!!!! YOU DID THE THING AND BROUGHT BACK THE SCENE WHERE THEY WERE ALL TALKING AND PLANNING!!!! I LOVE IT AND IT’S ALSO HEARTBREAKING. OH MY WORD THIS IS AWFUL AND I LOVE YOU

Oh good gravy. MILLIGAN.

The lot of them need to stop taking all the guilt in the world onto themselves. They are all so ridiculous

GARRISON NEEDS SOME HELP. IT’S NOT HER FAULT SHE’S VIOLENTLY UNCOMFORTABLY WITH CHILDREN

(Although I’d hazard a guess that her discomfort was seriously exacerbated after SQ’s parents died…)

“You need to choose better friends,” Constance suggested.”

YOU HAVE FORFEITED ALL RIGHTS TO YOUR CURTAIN RODS. I AM TAKING A SEAM RIPPER TO ALL OF YOUR PANT HEMS. YOUR WINDOWS HAVE BEEN HAPHAZARDLY COVERED IN BUTCHER’S PAPER AND SLOPPILY APPLIED DUCT TAPE

“Garrison frowned again. Kidnapping aside, there was no need for this child to be so rude.”

Garrison. You really would benefit from talking to another human being now and again (Or not have wiped your best years of social interactions from your brain)

““The ghost in the windmill. The dancer in the dark. You found a flaw,” said Garrison, spitting out the word “flaw” like it was filled with poison. “One that has kept me up every single night since and one that I can’t seem to replicate.””

HOW DO YOU WRITE SO PRETTY

AND ON TOP OF BEING REALLY FUNNY TOO

UM. DID GARRISON ACCIDENTALLY FORGET HER MORALS WHEN SHE STARTED LIVING IN A ROOT CELLAR? IS THIS BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T HAVE CURTAIN ANYMORE? KIND OF LIKE A “He’s so obviously insane that I must be the sane one to keep us on track” ONLY NOW SHE’S ON HER OWN????

Someone give her a hug

Oh, oh PLEASE let Number Two get in a fight with Marlon. She’d beat him so hard. And he’d deserve it

“Everyone barged into his office sooner or later to demand an explanation for things, and even if Curtain had not gotten better and better at correctly estimating one’s breaking point, the security cameras he installed around the compound certainly helped.”

SDFKJDjkdsfkjdj BODS

Also, Curtain, buddy, if you’re the common denominator in all these instances of people bursting into your office then maybe you might be the problem

“By “thing” you mean relieving him of the constant grip of existential angst?” Oh yeah, I would fall for this whole cult thing so very fast. I’m already a goner

YEAH. YEAH, CURTAIN, IT’S KIND OF WEIRD THAT YOU GUYS SEEK OUT SIMILAR FRIENDS. IT’S ALMOST LIKE YOU’RE SIBLINGS. AND YOU MISS EACH OTHER.

She’s so incredibly angry and scared and hurting and just  a tornado of emotions

And then Curtain’s just kinda. Sitting there. Placidly. (I would have snapped and punched him by now)

YOU BROUGHT BACK HER BOOK NAME!!!!!! I love you

SCREAMING SCREAMING CRYING

CAN YOU STOP TREATING HER LIKE A SUB-PAR GARRISON???? PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD REMEMBER THAT’S SHE’S A REAL HUMAN, YOU BUFFOON!!!!!!

Good job. Steal his plates. He deserves it. (Maybe go after his floorboards next…)

Is… Is Auguste okay? He didn’t ever freeze on-screen, but I am quite concerned about him…

OH MY WORD CURTAIN CAN YOU STOP USING CHILDREN AS CONDUITS I AM GOING TO SCREAM

Oh no….

The panic and turmoil and poor Nicholas is caught in the middle. He’d feel bad even normally, but now everything’s all confused too

“Here, Nicholas wasn’t a burden to his friends”

SCREAMING

I AM TEARING INTO YOUR PILLOWS WITH MY BARE TEETH

LOSING MY MIND

(I’ll sanitise the remains after, I promise)

MARLON IS SO TERRIBLE

And poor Jackson and Jillson are getting a lot more scared…

“He was also very agitated at the idea that Dr. Curtain’s happiness was the cause of this, not only because it put his position in jeopardy, but also because Marlon himself had taken the happiness. Obviously, he wasn’t in danger of succumbing to anything like this (he wasn’t nearly as mentally weak as Sebastian or Paula), but the implication that something like this even could happen to him was a prospect that Marlon found insulting.”

He just keeps getting worse and worse. I am so upset with him. I can’t even like that he’s an intriguing antagonist, he’s just awful. (Although I will concede that you write him incredibly well and I am quite appreciative of how much you make me hate him)

AND GARRISON

I KNOW SHE’S TECHNICALLY A VILLAIN/ANTAGONIST BUT SOMEONE PLEASE SAVE HER

“I hope y'all are ready”???

“I hope y'all are ready”????????

YOU HOPE WE’RE READY?????????

READY FOR WHAT??????? Oh my goodness. I— I just— I have no words. I am screeching. Bods, there are so, so many things that happened in this chapter. I am so shaken up. I feel like my insides were in a blender. It’s so exciting to see all of these plot points and hints and through lines and motifs that you’ve been laying out and I am just over the moon about everything. You have created  a  n o v e l, and it’s gorgeous. I am disintegrating. I can feel my molecules breaking up. I read a book once where a lady cried acidic material and when she started sobbing she just sunk into a hole in the floor and that’s what I’m feeling right now.

I think I need a nap. I don’t have any idea how to articulate this. Just know that you’ve done amazingly. Just. You are absolutely incredible, my friend. I can feel these characters living and breathing in the letterings and you somehow make it new and fresh material every time, no matter the fact that I’ve seen the show or how often I’ve reread your work. Each of the characters takes on such a vibrancy of life and independence under your guidance, and I adore getting to “meet” them and learn how they work in your narrative. Just stupendous

[oswinsdolma]

i've been reading a bunch of modern aus lately, and i've noticed that quite a lot are a bit uncertain about how the british education system works. it's not a problem by any means, but for anyone who wants it, here is a brief explanation:

we don't say "grades", we say "years", e.g. 7th grade would be year 7. we also don't say things like freshman/sophomore/senior etc. it's just the numbers.

however, some primary schools split into infants and juniors, infants being from yR-2 and juniors being y3-6

we also have a national curriculum all throughout compulsory education, which means everyone studies the same thing, more or less. there are discrepancies at GCSE/A-level with different exam boards, but in general, most people take either the same, or very similar exams, and are taught the same skills.

you start primary school when you are four or five in year R, and continue through primary school from years 1-6.

at the end of year six, you take the SATS, which are a really insubstantial national standardised test for english, maths and spag

it is also optional to take an exam called the 11+ at the end of y6. if you pass, you can go to grammar school. these can be state or private, and are basically redundant nowadays, and just used so parents can say that their child passed the 11+ and got into the Smart School. These are usually single gender and low-key cult like, but otherwise, are exactly the same as normal state "comprehensive" schools.

secondary school is from y7-11. at the end of y11, everyone takes the GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education). you have to do english, maths and sciences, plus several other subjects. most people have between 7-13 GCSEs, and if you fail english language or maths, you have to retake until you pass, even into college.

GCSEs are graded on a scale of 9-1, 9 being an equivalent to A** and is the top 1% of the students who got 7+, and 1 being an F/U. the pass mark is a 4.

the grades you get in your GCSEs are kind of irrelevant, except they determine which subjects you can take for A-level.

After secondary school, you have to stay in full time education for another two years (allegedly, though ik a few people who dropped out), and most people do A-levels (Advanced Level Exams). Instead of doing loads of subjects like at GCSE, you pick 3-4 and study them for two years. these are a LOT HARDER than GCSEs.

if you do four a levels, you're kind of a try hard. honestly, if you do it, good for you, but as a cultural thing, so many people who did four a levels were the most insufferable people who only did it to gloat, and then couldn't handle the workload.

oh, also this entire system is pretty much 100% exam based. for 2/3 of my a levels, i had a coursework essay that was pre graded, but it was only worth 20% of my final grade, and those were rare occurrences. at GCSE, unless you do art or something like that, everything is exam based.

A-levels are graded on a scale of A*-E, and then a U if you literally get nothing. which happens more often than you might think.

this is the bit that i see a lot of people get confused about. in the UK, we don't call university "college". college, to us, is where you take your a levels. if it's an independent institution, it's a "college/further education centre". if it's attached to a secondary school, it's called a "sixth form" (because y12 was year six of senior school in the old system).

i'm sorry i'm trying to be as clear as i can but our education system is complex af

your A-level grades determine where you can apply to uni, which you HAVE to do through a system called UCAS.

UCAS (the university and colleges admissions service) is a national system where you put in all your details required to apply for uni. you start it in the june of y12 and send it in by January** IN MOST CASES

to apply for uni, you need to list all your qualifications/details, predicted grades, personal statement essay and teacher references. this all gets submitted by your school.

HOWEVER. if you are applying to medicine, vet, dentistry, oxford or cambridge, the deadline is in october, and you have to submit written work, do multiple assessments and do rounds of interviews in addition to everything else (would not recommend).

you can also apply to conservatoire for music/drama schools, which tend to have their own deadlines and systems because they're not technically universities

okay nearly at the end

the closest thing we have to an Ivy League is the Russell Group, but it's not as prestigious. Russell Group unis tend to be higher ranked, offer niche courses and demand high grade requirements.

Oxford and Cambridge are not normal universities. i CANNOT stress this enough. you apply through ucas, but the courses themselves are unique and highly competitive (the one i applied for had like 10 spaces)(i got rejected lmao). also they are arranged in colleges within the uni, so it's like a collection of tiny unis linked by a larger institution. colleges are not subject specific and most of them have weird cults. if you're writing oxbridge students, google it, not just for accuracy, but because it's absolutely hilarious.

interviews are also more like interrogations. i was reduced to tears on several occasions, and you also have to swear not to reveal the questions you were asked (everyone does it anyway but STILL IT'S WEIRD). for example, one of my interviews, i was given a poem about feet and asked to analyse it on the spot over a blurry zoom screen. they don't ask you about yourself. they don't ask you about school. they just quickfire questions at you for forty minutes and roll their eyes when you take more than a few seconds to answer.

we also don't have majors/minors. you choose one subject that you apply for specifically, and spend 3-7 years studying that subject pretty much exclusively. the only deviations from this might be if you were taking archaeology and took an art history class or something — everything is really closely related.

we can also drink at 18. not that an age limit has ever stopped anyone in the uk from getting drunk. getting pissed in a field is a major pastime for anyone from the ages of 12-28. it's a problem.

instead of having dorms at uni, most people live in flats. there will be like ten people on a corridor with a shared kitchen. you only live in university housing for your first year, unless you are at oxbridge, in which case i think it's mandatory to live in your college for your whole course.

community college and private universities aren't a thing either. when you apply to uni, you apply to student finance (unless your parents are absolutely LOADED and pay for you) and get a loan for your tuition, and also a maintenance loan based on your household income, which is used to pay for rent, food, etc. you cannot be exempt from financial aid but a lot of people do not receive enough, particularly in recent years when the cost of living in the uk has gone up so much.

university is roughly £9-10k per year (depending on where you study) which is a Lot. but why are people in the US paying hundreds of thousands of dollars, are you guys okay???

also, if you're scottish, university in scotland is free. they also have a standard four year systm rather than the three year system in england and wales (idk about ni i didn't apply there). why?? because the english government is absolute shite and they got rid of the state university programme for england (blame the tories)

don't do your research on the student room. just don't. for your own sake.

and a couple more cultural things before we leave off

we all wear uniform until we get to year twelve. everyone. even the four year olds.

Nottingham Trent university is just the butt of so many jokes and I really don't understand why (they're not even the lowest in the league table 😭😭)

Durham is full of Oxbridge rejects who are in denial about it, and is also the butt of a lot of jokes

everything i have mentioned so far is about STATE education. private education runs on different tracks: you have prep schools, which run from yR-8, and senior schools that run from y9-11, and most of them have attached sixth forms. there is a massive cultural and economic divide between state and private school kids, because they get so much more help applying for uni, and also there is so much nepotism in our government. like. politicians wear their old school ties in parliament so they know who to give favours to. it's AWFUL.

some private schools are so fancy they loop back around and are known as "public schools". they're schools like Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Marlborough, etc. really old institutions that basically guarantee you a place at oxbridge because of family legacy (though this has got a lot better over the last decade or so)(but they still have an unfair advantage).

a lot of compulsory education schools are really religious because education in the uk used to be run basically by the church, and the church still own a lot of schools. universities though, even the ones with roots in the church, are atheistic, their religious links symbolic or supplementary to their main purpose.

okay that ended up being way longer than i thought, but i hope someone finds this useful when writing, or at least interesting.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Zack K. De Piero

Published: Dec 23, 2023

Looking for a job in today’s politicized job market?

Prepare to submit a résumé, cover letter, references — and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement: A page-long explanation of how you intend to bring those three seemingly benign principles into the workplace.

DEI statements have become standard practice in academia, but a tide might be turning: UNC and UMass Boston recently un-required mandatory DEI statements for student admission, employee recruitment and faculty promotion. 

Here’s hoping this sets an industry precedent — a step towards reining in DEI in every sector. 

When I taught at Penn State Abington from 2018-2022 as an English professor, their obsession with DEI created a hostile work environment teeming with discrimination.

Case in point: writing faculty were subjected to a video called “White Teachers are a Problem.”

After making my opposition known, I was retaliated against.

My perceived insubordination was branded on Affirmative Action Office notices, and I was sanctioned by HR as well as on my annual performance review. 

Penn State’s stance was clear: Blind loyalty is required by the DEI machine. 

The premier job board across academia, HigherEdJobs, shows how deeply entrenched compulsory left-think has become.

Whether you want to teach French at SUNY Oswego, Dance at Chapman, Soil Science and Nutrient Management at Colorado State, or Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Syracuse, your prospective employer will expect a DEI statement, so prepare to bend the knee. 

Even if you aspire to become the Beef Center Assistant Manager at Washington State University: Yep: DEI statement.

And these are just a few random examples posted since Thanksgiving.

It’s an epidemic. 

Make no mistake, the DEI machine has always been about toeing an ideological line — never any meaningful change.

Consider the case of Dr. Tabia Lee — a former faculty member of De Anza Community College in California.

While facilitating a “Decentering Whiteness” event featuring a BLM co-founder, Lee (who’s Black) made waves by allowing students to ask unscripted follow-up questions. For doing so, her tenure was sabotaged.

Despite being “diverse,” it turns out that Lee’s actual diversity didn’t gel with De Anza’s agenda.

A commitment to actual diversity requires respecting diverse viewpoints.

But wrong-think isn’t tolerated by the DEI Industrial Complex. 

Fortunately, federal law has something to say about that: neither De Anza nor Penn State has the authority to suppress Dr. Lee or my speech, nor can they discriminate on the basis of race.

That’s why she and I — supported by the nonpartisan group, the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism — are bringing lawsuits against our former employers. 

Pull back this sacred academic curtain, and see the emperor’s new clothes for yourself.

In 2021, Pennsylvanian’s taxes and students’ tuition went towards workshops on microaggressions, intersectional feminism, anti-racism, and white privilege led by the Penn State Abington DEI grifters.

Its leader’s Juneteenth email directed white faculty and staff to “stop talking,” “find an accountability partner,” and “stop being afraid of your own internalized white supremacy.” 

Such DEI efforts ooze with divisiveness, so yes, DEI statements are clearly a form of compelled speech, and thus, a violation of First Amendment free speech protections.

[ Dr. Tabia Lee says her tenure-track position at De Anza College in California was derailed after she failed to conform to DEI orthodoxy. ]

What’s worse, though, is the type of educational environment that DEI-ified initiatives create for students — and the culprit is the “E”: Equity. 

Here’s how “equity” played out in the misguided minds of my DEI-obsessed former colleagues. A former supervisor, who endorsed the view that “reverse racism isn’t racism,” also announced that “racist structures” exist “regardless of [anybody’s] good intentions” and that “racism is in the results if the results draw a color line.”

The apparent guiding subtext here: students should be graded on the basis of race so all achieve similar outcomes.

Suppose you deflated the grades of Asian-Americans — a group that often disproportionately excels — much like Harvard deflated their acceptance rates until the Supreme Court put a stop to race-based admissions.

That’s somehow acceptable in the name of “equity?” Of course not, but disagree with enforced equity in education and in the eyes of antiracist activists, that makes you – you guessed it — a “racist.” 

Alternatively, performative equity could be achieved by inflating everybody’s grades — straight A’s all around! 

Harvard’s almost there: in 2020-2021, 80% of all grades were A’s, according to an October article in the Harvard Crimson. 

The road to equity is paved by the soft bigotry of low expectations.

And in a world where grit, labor, and integrity win the day, academia’s obsession with “equity” breeds a “survival of the weakest” mindset. 

Nevertheless, the DEI machine continues to reign supreme.

Over a five-year span, Ohio State’s DEI annual budget bloated to $20 million with nearly 200 DEI bureaucrats who cite the leftist scripture of Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo.

But before we can enter their church, us natural-born sinners must repent by issuing performative DEI statements?

Yeah. No thanks.

Paradoxically, the more elite institutions obnoxiously virtue-signal their allegiance to DEI, the less committed they are to actual diversity and inclusion — and the more they obscure actual equality in the process. 

These institutions aren’t hiding what they’re doing.

Even in the throes of my lawsuit, Penn State Abington has doubled down on DEI: there’s now a sister office — the Office of Inclusive Excellence — complete with its own cabinet-level director. 

Folks: this isn’t going away unless you take action.

Here’s a start: if you’re ever asked to submit a DEI statement, don’t bend the knee to their “E” — Equity.

Reframe their game, and tell them how and why you stand up for the honorable “E”: Equality. 

Zack K. DePiero (Ph.D, M.Ed) teaches writing at Northampton Community College. 

[heritageofukraine]

The school system in Ukraine

The school system in Ukraine is structured in a similar way to many other countries. Here are some key points about the school system in Ukraine:

Compulsory Education: Education in Ukraine is compulsory for children aged 6 to 17 years. This includes primary, secondary, and high school education.

Levels of Education: The school system is divided into several levels: primary education (grades 1-4), basic secondary education (grades 5-9), and senior secondary education (grades 10-12).

Curriculum: The national curriculum in Ukraine covers a wide range of subjects, including Ukrainian language and literature, mathematics, foreign languages (usually English), natural sciences, social sciences, physical education, arts, and technology.

Grading System: The grading system in Ukrainian schools typically uses a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the highest score. The passing grade is usually considered to be 4 or higher.

Standardized Testing: At the end of basic secondary education (grade 9), students take external examinations known as the External Independent Evaluation (ZNO). These exams assess students’ knowledge and are used for university admissions.

School Year: The school year in Ukraine usually starts in September and ends in May or June, with breaks for vacations.

School Types: There are different types of schools in Ukraine, including public schools, private schools, specialized schools (with focus on specific subjects or areas), and international schools.

Higher Education: After completing secondary education, students can pursue higher education at universities, colleges, or vocational schools. Ukraine has a number of universities that offer a wide range of academic programs.

Read on website

[mrrightandmrbubble]

Hi, Kirri! I'm from South America and I'm trying to do a research about australian high school. I would like you to clarify some questions I have about school subjects, like: which ones are optional and which are mandatory? also, if you could send me some reliable websites than i can look up. every website i see says something different, can be very confusing so I decided to ask a australian person. Thank you!!!!

Hi, hey, i've been summoned! Okay, i'll admit to you upfront, it's been a hot minute since I was in high school so my knowledge is partly from personal experience but also what is published online. The school structures and curriculum differs from state to state, so it's no wonder you had trouble finding clear answers. I'll try to explain simply:

Australian high schools run from years 7 to 12. (We actually have 13 school years in total including Kindergarten, or preparatory, which is not numbered.) Students can finish in year 10 if they choose not to complete their senior years and test for university entry. If a student finishes in year 10, they get a Record of School Achievement; if they finish senior studies, they get a certificate of education depending on which state they're in:

NSW - Higher School Certificate (HSC)

VIC - Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)/Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL)

QLD - Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA)

SA - South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)

WA - West Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)

TAS - Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE)

ACT - Australian Capital Territory Senior Secondary Certificate (ACT SSC)

NT - Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE)

The national curriculum has eight compulsory learning areas, which can be categorized into subjects:

Then there are a wide range of electives, which vary greatly depending on region, type of school (state-funded vs private/faith-based) etc. Students in years 9 and 10 typically choose three electives. Here is an example of electives available to a school in NSW.

In addition, many schools offer the opportunity to study a vocational (often trade-based) course in preparation for studies after high school, called TVET (TAFE-delivered Vocational Education and Training). Many of these course results in credits toward school outcomes. I guess you could say that TAFE to Australia is like community college to the US.

The school year is broken up into four 'terms', with dates varying between states (see links at end for a list). A typical school day goes from 8:45am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday, with breaks for recess and lunch between period. A 'period' = one class, which typically runs for 40 minutes.

Upon completing senior studies and final exams, students are given an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank), which they can use to select and be admitted to university. In fact, senior exams have just begun so it's a good time to keep an eye on social media and see how current students are talking about the experience! 'ATAR Day' (when rankings are released) is on December 14, another time to take a look.

Australia also has specialist high schools, such as creative and performing arts schools, intensive English centres (for students with English as a second language), sports schools, and technology schools. All of these must teach the compulsory subjects, but offer the chance to specialize in these areas.

Websites where you can learn more about the Australian curriculum:

Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 Australian Schools Directory

Study Australia

ACARA (for statistics)

TVET

ATAR

Hopefully that will help you! I hope you don't mind that I posted this answer but I thought it might be useful to others as well. If you have any other questions, go ahead and ask and i'll do my best!

[iimtcollege]

What is the eligibility criteria for MCA Admission at IIMT College of Engineering, Greater Noida? Graduation from a recognized University with minimum 50% (45 % in case of SC and ST) marks in aggregate with Maths as a compulsory subject in graduation or 10+2 level. . https://www.iimtindia.net/ Call Us: 9520886860 . #Admissionopen2023_2024 #IIMTNoida #IIMTIndia #IIMTDelhiNCR #EngineeringCollege #AKTUadmission #AdmissionOpen #MCA #MBAadmission #MCAadmission2023 #admissionopen2023 #ManagementCollege #Btechadmission2023 #BestEngineeringCollegeDelhiNCR #bestengineeringcollegeingreaterNoida