#congo river

[amnhnyc]

Research alert! A new study shows how climate change affected the diversity of Congo River fish during glacial periods—crucial knowledge for understanding modern threats to fish in this species-rich region.

Over the last about 2.6 million years, polar ice caps have continuously expanded and retracted during glacial and interglacial cycles. This is thought to be a significant driver of biodiversity on land, but less is known about its effect on freshwater systems, especially in the Congo River. 

Using molecular tools, scientists focused on four species of fish endemic to the lower Congo River, known as lamprologine cichlids. Their findings, published in the journal Integrative and Comparative Biology, suggest speciation of Congo fish likely occurred when the river’s water level decreased, isolating populations of fish into smaller pockets of water, leading to the rise of new species over time. 

Learn more about how climate change impacts river fish.

Image: © Melanie Stiassny, Lamprologus lethops pictured

[jameslano]

On the clock with the gang.

[afrotumble]

[kimludcom]

Africa Is Building The Most Powerful Mega Dam In The World! THE GRAND INGA DAM ON CONGO RIVER, DRC

[crystalsandcrochet]

The Congo

[stevviefox]

Cooool!!

Apparently the Congo river is deep enough that there are several species of fish with cavedwelling adaptations (near-total to total blindness, loss of pigmentation, etc) because light doesn't reach where they live. the fuck

[bunnie-the-idiot]

the kids online safety act passed the u.s. senate.

long story short (for anyone who hadn't heard of this before) the kids online safety act, aka kosa, is a bill that will censor online content and resources for lgbtq+ matters, reproductive healthcare, activism (INCLUDING PALESTINE AND LIKELY OTHER CRISES GOING ON LIKE IN CONGO OR SUDAN), mental health, etc. everywhere--its effects likely won't be contained to just america.

today, july 30th, 2024, the senate passed it 91-3. it has officially moved to the house of representatives.

is this a pretty massive setback? yes. do you have every right to be scared, sad, angry, or whatever else about this happening? absolutely. but should you give up hope completely? NO!

even though kosa passed the senate, the house is on break/august recess at the moment. we have around an entire month to get emails, calls, and faxes in to house reps, maybe more depending on when they decide to vote on it.

should it pass the house and get signed into law, we still have a whole 18 months before it actually goes into effect. this is plenty of time for digital rights orgs (e.g. fight for the future, the electronic frontier foundation) and other groups that oppose it to file a lawsuit against it. even if, worst-case scenario, it flies through the house immediately after the recess ends, we can still fight this up to march 2026.

so, yes, remember what's at stake here, but also remember that it's not over yet. we lost a battle, not the war.

below are some resources to learn more about kosa and how to contact your reps (first link) + a page that lets you directly contact progressive house reps, sign an open letter opposing the bill, and view others' testimonies against it (second link):

FIGHT. FIGHT. FIGHT.

[troythecatfish]

[mrbopst]

The Giant Tigerfish Of The Congo River

[violottie]

[blueheartbooks]

"Exploring the Abyss: Navigating Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'"

Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" is a haunting exploration of the human psyche set against the backdrop of colonial Africa. Published in 1899, the novella follows the journey of Charles Marlow, a sailor captivated by the enigmatic figure of Mr. Kurtz, a renegade ivory trader in the Congo.

At its core, "Heart of Darkness" delves into the depths of the human soul, exposing the inherent darkness that lurks within. Through Marlow's firsthand account of his voyage up the Congo River, Conrad paints a chilling portrait of the moral degradation that accompanies unchecked power and colonial exploitation. As Marlow travels deeper into the heart of Africa, both literally and metaphorically, he confronts the brutal realities of imperialism and the savagery it engenders.

Conrad's prose is richly evocative, immersing readers in the dense jungles of Africa and the oppressive atmosphere of colonialism. The novella is replete with vivid imagery and symbolism, from the ominous shadow of the jungle to the haunting cries of unseen creatures. Through his masterful use of language, Conrad creates an atmosphere of foreboding and unease, drawing readers into the heart of darkness alongside Marlow.

Central to the narrative is the enigmatic figure of Mr. Kurtz, whose descent into madness serves as a potent metaphor for the corrupting influence of power. Kurtz embodies the extremes of human nature, oscillating between lofty ideals and base instincts in his quest for dominance over the African wilderness. His final words, "The horror! The horror!" resonate with chilling significance, encapsulating the moral abyss at the heart of colonial exploitation.

"Heart of Darkness" is also a searing critique of European imperialism and the hypocrisy of so-called civilized society. Conrad exposes the brutality and dehumanization inherent in the colonial enterprise, challenging readers to confront the legacy of exploitation and oppression that continues to reverberate through history. Through Marlow's journey, Conrad forces readers to reckon with uncomfortable truths about the human capacity for cruelty and indifference.

The novella's enduring relevance lies in its exploration of themes such as power, morality, and the human condition. Conrad's indictment of imperialism remains as potent today as it was over a century ago, prompting readers to reflect on the ongoing legacy of colonialism and the darkness that resides within us all. "Heart of Darkness" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate and unsettle readers with its profound insights into the human soul.

Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" is available in Amazon in paperback 12.99$ and hardcover 18.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 122

Language: English

Rating: 9/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[blueheartbookclub]

"Exploring the Abyss: Navigating Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'"

Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" is a haunting exploration of the human psyche set against the backdrop of colonial Africa. Published in 1899, the novella follows the journey of Charles Marlow, a sailor captivated by the enigmatic figure of Mr. Kurtz, a renegade ivory trader in the Congo.

At its core, "Heart of Darkness" delves into the depths of the human soul, exposing the inherent darkness that lurks within. Through Marlow's firsthand account of his voyage up the Congo River, Conrad paints a chilling portrait of the moral degradation that accompanies unchecked power and colonial exploitation. As Marlow travels deeper into the heart of Africa, both literally and metaphorically, he confronts the brutal realities of imperialism and the savagery it engenders.

Conrad's prose is richly evocative, immersing readers in the dense jungles of Africa and the oppressive atmosphere of colonialism. The novella is replete with vivid imagery and symbolism, from the ominous shadow of the jungle to the haunting cries of unseen creatures. Through his masterful use of language, Conrad creates an atmosphere of foreboding and unease, drawing readers into the heart of darkness alongside Marlow.

Central to the narrative is the enigmatic figure of Mr. Kurtz, whose descent into madness serves as a potent metaphor for the corrupting influence of power. Kurtz embodies the extremes of human nature, oscillating between lofty ideals and base instincts in his quest for dominance over the African wilderness. His final words, "The horror! The horror!" resonate with chilling significance, encapsulating the moral abyss at the heart of colonial exploitation.

"Heart of Darkness" is also a searing critique of European imperialism and the hypocrisy of so-called civilized society. Conrad exposes the brutality and dehumanization inherent in the colonial enterprise, challenging readers to confront the legacy of exploitation and oppression that continues to reverberate through history. Through Marlow's journey, Conrad forces readers to reckon with uncomfortable truths about the human capacity for cruelty and indifference.

The novella's enduring relevance lies in its exploration of themes such as power, morality, and the human condition. Conrad's indictment of imperialism remains as potent today as it was over a century ago, prompting readers to reflect on the ongoing legacy of colonialism and the darkness that resides within us all. "Heart of Darkness" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate and unsettle readers with its profound insights into the human soul.

Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" is available in Amazon in paperback 12.99$ and hardcover 18.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 122

Language: English

Rating: 9/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[afrotumble]

[karlmarxmaybe]

Resources for helping Gaza, Sudan and Congo

Donate to:

The municipality of Gaza: https://gaza-city.ensany.com/campaign/6737. They need money to get food, water and aid to the people of Gaza. https://x.com/munigaza.

Khartoum aid Kitchen: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fight-hunger-in-sudan-the-khartoum-kitchen-appeal, an initiative to feed people in the Sudanese state of Khartoum, affected by famine.

Amal For Women: https://www.gofundme.com/f/provide-shelter-and-supplies-for-sudanese-women, an initiative to provide aid, support and protection to Sudanese women fleeing the genocide.

The Palestinian Communist Youth Union: https://www.gofundme.com/f/to-preserve-whats-left-of-humanity-global-solidarity?lang=en_US, which distributes food, water and aid in Gaza.

Ele Elna Elak: https://eleelnaelak.org/, an operation on the ground that distributes food, water and aid in Gaza.

Care For Gaza: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ezkdc-help-families-in-need-overcome-unimaginable-hardship?lang=en_US, another organization that distributes food, water and aid in Gaza. https://x.com/CareForGaza

The Sameer Project: https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject, another organization that distributes food, water and medical aid in Gaza. https://www.instagram.com/thesameerproject/

Operation Olive Branch's (https://linktr.ee/opolivebranch) spreadsheet of verified fundraisers: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vtMLLOzuc6GpkFySyVtKQOY2j-Vvg0UsChMCFst_WLA/edit?usp=drivesdk of people suffering the genocides of Gaza, Congo and Sudan.

@Nabulsi and @El-Shab-Hussein's list of verified fundraisers: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yYkNp5U3ANwILl2MknJi9G7ArY4uVTEEQ1CVfzR8Ioo/edit?usp=drivesdk for Gaza and @El-Shab-Hussein's list of verified fundraisers from his direct contacts in Gaza and Sudan: https://www.tumblr.com/el-shab-hussein/748756401076207616/hey-guys-i-have-a-priority-fundraiser-rotation?source=share

Focus Congo: https://www.focuscongo.com/en/spende/, an ONG accepting donations to provide aid to the Congolese:

Friends of the Congo: https://friendsofthecongo.org/, another ONG that needs donations to help The Democtatic Republic of the Congo.

Gazafunds.com: a website that presents you with rotating verified fundraisers for Gazan people and prioritizes those most in need: gazafunds.com

Crips for esims: https://chuffed.org/project/crips-for-esims-for-gaza initiative to buy esims for Esimsforgaza. If you don't have the financial stability to maintain an esim, it is recommended you donate here; the initiative will use that money to maintain esims steadily

Esimsforgaza: https://gazaesims.com/, an initiative to donate e-sims to provide the essential Internet acess to families in Gaza, so that they can receive donations, search information useful for survival and contact their relatives. Instructions in english for donating an esim: https://gazaesims.com/ and instructions in Spanish, translated by me: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DHHsHSAFJQrr3GPtZ5iG_5xUSGkIjVwpkpQy57XR3x8/edit?usp=drivesdk

Crips for esims: https://chuffed.org/project/crips-for-esims-for-gaza initiative to buy esims for Esimsforgaza. If you don't have the financial stability to maintain an esim, it is recommended you donate here; the initiative will use that money to maintain esims steadily

Genocide is destroying millions of lives. Help the victims, be on the right side of history.

[godzilla-and-aang-monsters]

Ngoubou

Altura: 160 metros (en 4 patas)

Longitud: 600 metros

Peso: 72,000 toneladas

Primer Avistamiento: Pantano Likouala [Tierra: Teratoverso]

Controles: Tierra Control [Excavación, Embestida Petrea] Fuego Control [Rayo Incandescente]

Guarida: Pantano Likouala [Tierra:Teratoverso] Monte Makapu [Avatarverso]

Aspecto: Styracosaurus

Aliados:

Humanos: Aang, Katara, Soka, Iroh, Zuko, Toph

Kaijus y otras bestias: Godzilla, King Kong, Mothra, Rodan, Anguirus

Enemigos:

Humanos: Ozai y Azula

Kaijus y otras bestias: Kasai Rex

[hussyknee]

Freedom for Sudan! 🇸🇩

Freedom for The Congo! 🇨🇩

Freedom for Armenia! 🇦🇲

From River To The Sea, Palestine Will Be Free! 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸