#conventionally approved of ideals

[kebriones]

Oh i thought because you like ancient Greek mythology you would like neoclassicism. But of course it's not the same because the ancient Greek marbles were extraordinary and inspired the neoclassicism which was European but unfortunately Greeks were participated in this :(

I think the question was what I find interesting, not what I like. I like a lot of things that I don't find interesting, and lot of things I don't like catch my interest.

however, I did include neoclassicism in my answer, as partly overlapping/ being included in academic art, but not because of its rather superficial relation to ancient greek mythology or ancient greece. I really like observing the skill and knowledge it showcases, so that's why it is interesting to me. I like a lot of ancient greek art in the same way that I like all art, that is to say, sometimes because of the concept (be is something funny or unique etc) , sometimes because it's stylized in a way that I enjoy, sometimes because I admire the skill, and sometimes because it's showing me something interesting, like pottery drawings that show mundane every day things. The vast majority of art we have from anceint greece as a whole isn't like hermes of praxiteles or the doryphoros or any other masterpiece. Masterpieces were and still are few and far between, in general. Drawing and painting in europe after the rennaisance was miles ahead of ancient greek drawing and painting in terms of skill. I don't see anything particularly extraordinary about ancient greek sculpture specifically, the same type of masterpieces were made in rome later, in the rennaisance and even nowadays, whenever artists had enough resources and the overall art climate was leaning towards more realistic renderings. The artists back then and the artists now are the same type of human. It so happened that in an area with excellent climate, wealth sources such as silver mines and overseas trade and a frankly huge amount of easily available marble, as well as political and social curcumstances that nurished the arts, this type of sculpture was developed and flourished, but drawing on centuries of experience, and prior influence from the monumental works of the ancient egyptians, at the very beginning. that's all to say that I don't think it's good to have an idealised idea of ancient greek art and we need to shake that way of thinking off asap. We must go to a museum and look at all the things, not just the 2 famous, exceptional exhibits, if we want to talk about an entire culture's (or often, slightly different sub culutures included in the same overall category) artwork. That pottery piece with the funny hoplite owl means so much more to me than the aphrodite of melos, who I frankly neither like as an art piece nor care about (and that's fine because we all have our completely subjective preferences for art), and the overwhelming majority of art from minoan to hellenistic times leans more towards the first in terms of what I would call measurable skill for lack of a better word.

TL:DR That's an inexcusably long rant form my part to say that I don't think the neoclassical masterpieces were in any objective way infrerior to the masterpieces from the 5th or 4th century bce. PS There's a lot that's been said and can be said about the west's greek-excluding perception of ancient greece so i won't get into that now.

[sailorgundam308]

Random ppl saying Karlach is “conventionally” attractive must live in an alternative reality I’m unaware of.

Is she stunning? Yes. But she does NOT fit into conventionally beauty standards for women (yes, even after her face change from EA).

Say you see a woman of color, way WAY taller than the average - let’s say 1.90m tall. She is visibly bulkier, has thick thighs, prominent abs. Wider shoulders than average.

Then, her skin (which again, isn’t white), is covered in marks. Scars, tattoos, discolorations and other “uneven” tones and textures.

On top of that, her entire right side is covered in ‘hideous’ burnt skin tissue. From her fingers to her ribs and half her chest.

But not all. She has metal pins and bits protruding from her due to some medical procedure you’re not familiar with.

And she might have facial scars too. On her very non-white facial features. Imagine she’s not only Asian - but the “wrong” kind of Asian (aka the darker side of Asia- not the mainstream-approved Japan or Korea). Maybe she’s even from the South Pacific islands.

Her hair is thicker, choppier.

And, beyond her appearance, she curses. She laughs loudly. She doesn’t act demure or quiet or feminine. She’s unapologetic about it, too. Proud of being physically stronger than most.

What an affront.

That is all to say… yes, she is stunning (to me and many of us). She’s especially more stunning BECAUSE she’s so off the scale of conventional beauty for women. You might have lived in a beautiful social bubble where women like Karlach are considered the prettiest there are, but even so, that’s not what the world at large sees as ideal beauty - for any gender, but more so for women.

That’s one of the big reasons I’m so into Karlach (and also why I have always had a soft spot for laezel too). They stick out like a sore thumb but they dgaf.

And to top it all, it’s one extra reason for me to ship the shit out of her and Astarion.

Astarion isn’t the conventional male handsomness but he does fall in a wider category of male beauty. He is the most popular male character and attracts both male and female fans.

I like him to fall for characters that would be considered way off the mainstream beauty scale. One thing I haven’t seen yet and want to do one day is make a half orc character to pair with him. Because fuck yes. And also because for me, Astarion does understand where beauty standards lay, but that lost meaning to him long ago. He’s capable of being petty and shallow but when push comes to shove, that’s not it for him.

Again, another reason as to why I’d think he’d fall head over heels for Karlach despite himself.

But yea. Going back to my point, no matter that WE think Karlach is pretty, cute, beautiful and gorgeous. That’s us being ::cough:: superior. But it doesn’t make her mainstream digestible beauty material (that’s lame shadowheart lol - sorry guys, sh is so boring to me).

Which in turn makes Karlach even more precious to me (and her and Astarion in love even more special 🖤).

Thats all the rant, for now.

[androidetwink]

Hank and Connor's shipp would be accepted by the DBH fandom if Hank were "aesthetically" attractive and young.

(Which is false. In my opinion, Hank is quite attractive.)

A few days ago I had come across a book author who in one of her mini comics had adapted the dynamics of her ship based on DBH, specifically on Hank and Connor's relationship. I had read a couple of comments and posts about it and the public's great approval was the appearance and age of their characters. One of his characters (who would play Hank) was young and conventionally handsome.

Which makes me wonder: is the fandom's disapproval really due to Hank's appearance and age? Many take refuge in the idealization that Hank, supposedly, is the father representation in his dynamic with Connor (which is not the case. Clancy himself clarified this). However, I keep reading posts that talk about their disagreement and dissatisfaction with the shipping. I have read many comments like: “Hank is a depressed old man”, “Connor is like his son”, “why would an old man like him be with an android like Connor?” “Have you seen Hank? It's horrible."

I'm TIRED of reading that kind of shit. We would advance as a society when they stop this absurd mentality and stop harassing, humiliating and discrediting the people who make content about them.

[ms-scarletwings]

Upon finishing S3//Ep2 of Moral Orel, “Innocence”, Orel’s morals finally clicked for me

As happens in a show this narratively rich, I looked around at some of the close-by chatter under comment sections. People were making these observations about how Orel seemingly just goes out of his way to interpret all of the lessons he’s given in the least charitable and most nonsensical way. Not an invalid view, and for the first good part of the show, you think this is just the function of an over the top comedic bit for the formula of each episode. It’s easy to ask how on earth a seemingly kind hearted, well meaning kid like this can be THAT devoid of the basic logical implications of what he hears, or any common moral intuition that virtually everyone has, right?

Orel’s not a stupid kid. But the entire problem with him up to the point thus far is that he legit DOES NOT in fact have that intuition we expect most people, even children to have. That knee-jerk repulsion to obviously harmful actions. That really vital sense of conscience. No, I don’t mean he’s some kind of psychopath. He has a bright and almost sickeningly sweet heart and it was part of how he broke the cycle despite everything. I mean that Orel has not had a coherent moral compass modeled to him through his earlier development. His ethical axioms are ALL rooted in divine command theory. To put it simply, he doesn’t believe “god is good”, he believes “goodness” itself is “what god says is good”. Most Christians, hell, most religious people generally do not literally, consciously operate in this way, and usually even the ones that do are (mostly) still functionally average people, because usually they were at least consistently conditioned to believe that axioms like human well-being are what God commands. To at least a fortunate degree, human empathy and socialization usually is allowed to and even encouraged to develop under mainstream religious upbringings.

You notice the glaring difference though when you see what happens to people who are molded entirely by Divine Command Theory and then become convinced that their God’s divine command is something that doesn’t happen to line up with conventionally good ideals, like those given earlier. This is what destructive cults do. This is what makes crusades. This is what causes anti-sodomy laws and stoning people to death for eating the wrong kind of fish or not wearing the right clothing to happen.

Understand that this is the hinge that Orel’s whole sense of right and wrong up to this point swings on. What it means is that this little boy can, and will, justify or excuse any and all directions given to him so long as he trusts the adult talking to him as someone who speaks for God. This combined with his craving for approval, plus the fact that he’s also had it drilled in his head to never question or doubt his elders’ wisdom makes for a child zealot that is dangerously easy to manipulate to do ANYTHING and with fanatical determination. It is less than no additional help that the Puppingtons (and the majority of the townsfolk) have never been golden examples for healthy social modeling, as well. Like, sure, he’s getting glimmers of actual goodness in there such as the Jesus loves you so love yourself and help thy neighbors messaging, but it’s being inconsistently contradicted by and juggled alongside at same hierarchical importance as “lessons” like beat the shit out of people who make fists, segregate the brown people, and be terrified of the same authority you expect safety and comfort from. Why on earth is it shocking that Orel seemingly has no sense of scale or priority when it comes to the rules? The rules he’s given are subject to constant and chaotic updates and are all treated with the same gravity. Follow X and you will be promised infinite reward. Disobey X and you will be met with infinite retribution. Not just even in a spiritual heaven and hell sense, but here in life too. Clay delivers the same punishment for getting hooked on crack or becoming a serial rapist that he does for the “sin” of using slang vernacular and meditating to relieve stress.

Everything that defines his life and virtues is a matter of constant anxiety and eagerness in order to appease a patriarchal tyrant that is portrayed as both ultimately benevolent and wise,

yet incredibly vindictive, sadistic, irrational, and petty.

And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this description can equally apply to Moralton’s conception of God and a certain alcoholic father.

No kidding when I say that Orel has so little consistent input to actually steer him in the right direction that it’s incredibly sad, to the point where he’s extremely fortunate to actually have such an optimistic and compassionate inclination at all. It only seems ridiculous how he can’t see obvious suffering and even personal detriment as any red flags to hesitate or question an action, until you remember that he’s so been domestically broken by Clay and his church that his Pavlovian response to pain is either gratitude, mild inconvenience, or, masochistic euphoria.

Nonetheless, all of this only backfires on every adult in Moralton because the one thing they can’t control or account for 24/7 is exactly how he interprets what they say, even when he’s trying his best to follow their command. It’s like a twisted Amelia Bedelia situation with him that no one actually wants to deal with, even though they all (except Stephanie) collectively played a part in creating this monster.

Censordoll was the first one who was smart and ambitious enough to see the potential for Orel’s blind subservience to be weaponized, and of freaking course she was.

Thing is, you bet the ONLY reason she stopped was because she also lost control of him, and we all know what the consequence of that was. He unintentionally yet absolutely destroyed her in the only weak point she has, yet exactly like Clay did during the “turn the other cheek” incident, she trapped herself in a situation where she couldn’t swallow her own pride in the name of reversing the damage.

What I guess I’m explaining here is that Orel’s collection of constant shenanigans, unknowingly, yet effectively, is literally a manifestation of the community’s own complete moral bankruptcy biting them back in the ass, and possibly even a divine punishment for it, depending on how you interpret the writing. Which is a HELL of a phenomenal, subtle twist to his whole premise that doesn’t abandon the original joke/satire, but instead builds upon it and adds a chasm of depth and intention.

PRETTY GREAT, HUH?~

[lettucedloophole]

i think this is also a problem for other fat women & gender minorities but sometimes it feels like the acceptance of your fatness is contingent on the approval of a conventionally attractive man and not only is it bad for men to idealize buff guys but it means your self acceptance is conditional in at least two ways (fatphobia applying to others and thus yourself, or just fatphobia applying to yourself). been realizing i've been doing this with my husbandos being beefy masc dudes and my solution is? Making them Fat and Loving Them,

[izzielizzie]

the parallels between jake and addy’s childhoods are so so interesting to me. they were both molded by their parents at a young age to act a certain way and to have specific expectations in their lives.

ever since he was a child, jake heard about wellington avenue from his father, and how it was the "best of the best". he was raised with three homes, the perfect nuclear family, and the kind of popularity that comes from belonging to a rich, affluent family. and he was told by his father and society at large to expect that and more as he grew up.

as he got older and became more conventionally handsome, his father started to tell him what kind of girl he should look for: someone sweet, submissive, beautiful and willing to see his success as her own. she had to be the perfect accessory for his perfect life, one filled with the kind of accomplishments expected of the son of a rich, prominent lawyer.

as for addy, she was moulded into the perfect accessory of jake's dreams by her mother. the only time she showed addy affection was when she was prepping her for beauty pageants. as a little girl desperate for her mother's love and approval, addy turned herself into a beauty pageant and homecoming court kind of girl. and along with her mother's desire for the perfect daughter, addy saw the way her mother struggled with her relationships, and the way ashton was praised for marrying a handsome lawyer. the importance of the perfect appearance, and perfect family, was drilled into addy too. she was too young to be the wife of a lawyer, so she chose the next best thing: the son of a rich lawyer from a perfect family.

jake and addy could have followed down the paths set up for them, and jake was more than willing to do so (and even felt entitled to it), expect that addy had someone in her life who was able to see through the perfect family façade. both ashton and katherine riordan understood that the "perfect family" was detrimental, but katherine let scott continue to push his ideals onto jake after alex died. and ashton actively tried to convince addy that there was more to life than hanging onto jake's arm.

if katherine had done for jake what ash did for addy, then this story could have been very different. 

[mermaidsirennikita]

Weekly Book Recs 4/12/24-4/26/24

Regarding the Duke by Grace Callaway

I have a new favorite Grace Callaway! Amnesia, as a trope, is very hit or miss for me... but when it hits, it really hits. What also hits? A stern, revenge-driven man who can't admit that he's in love, AND a marriage in trouble, and that same man completely breaking down when he realizes that he was So Wrong About Everything. This book has all of that, plus a very conventionally feminine wife and mother heroine who's so sweet yet also so fun. It's also super, super hot. I had so much fun. I was so Swept Away. It's great.

The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton

Gays In Space, the book. This is out in June, so I'll give more of my thoughts sometime next month but like... This is billed as a sapphic sci-fi romcom, and I wouldn't say that's WRONG, but there's a lot more to it. Like: grief, mystery, the temptation of running away from reality, and the problem with falling for a hologram. I was really impressed.

Played by Naima Simone

Another one that's not out for a while (September, to be exact) but like... A firefighter finds the sad journal of a growly hockey-playing widower and finds herself falling in love? Despite him being unable to offer anything emotional? PLEASE.

The Duke Redemption by Grace Callaway

If there's one thing I love, it's a book where they fuck first and have feelings later. And in this one, they fuck... immediately. Like, within twenty minutes of meeting. But it was a masked orgy situation! And she was hiding her identity due to her hideous (not hideous) scar! And she's a surprise virgin but really good at hiding it! This is a fun gender-flipped Beauty and the Beast situation, with the kind of light mystery Grace Callaway loves, and a hero who literally paces back and forth after finding out he accidentally deflowered this woman (who refuses to marry him) because he's NOT! THAT! GUY! (Anymore.) Also, they have sex in a cage, which I always approve of.

The Return of the Duke by Grace Callaway

Do you like a sweeping marriage of convenience story, with a heroine who needs to be My Fairy Lady'd? Look no further. Severin is looking for the ideal duchess (he has a whole "was raised on the mean streets but found out he was a secret duke" situation) to help him introduce his four(!) illegitimate siblings to high society. Except then he accidentally deflowers (again, love this) a tinker's daughter in the WOODS and is too honorable to NOT marry her, and also she's HOT, so even though he Cannot Love, they'll just have a fun fuck marriage, right? Even if she can't say the "H" sound? Sure. Fancy is actually such a great heroine, and this actually works very well in a way that I think a lot of books with this scenario wouldn't. And it's HOT, with a third act reveal that's so bonkers it's delightful.

The Trouble with Inventing a Viscount by Vivienne Lorret

Another ARC, so I'll stay somewhat tight-lipped. But suffice to say--this is about a hot girl who knows she's a hot girl (how refreshing) conning a con man, only to have him show up a year later pretending to be the long-lost viscount she's been betrothed to since infancy. And he's fully prepared to scam his way all the way to the altar, whether they like it or not. This has the single most insane erotic eating (not that, literally eating food) scene I have ever read in my life. Like, they're having a picnic, but it feels like he's hitting it raw. I was. So happy.

[saltycharacters]

Watched Nimona recently and although it was a fairly enjoyable film and I would still recommend a watch. I got a bunch of thoughts about its ending and themes and how despite it trying to build itself up as this cool queer anticop story it fails to stick the landing and instead suffers from Treasure Planet syndrome. I've decided to ramble it out under the keep reading link so spoilers for Nimona starts there

So this movie is built upon a "knight system" which is established to be an obvious cop parallel, where the knights are essentially the police of this world. The allegory doesn't stop at the job description however, as the movie takes a bold move and introduces this system as very corrupt early on; from the main character being framed by a high-ranking, police-adjacent authority, to revealing that the entire system was built on false hatred and intolerance, to Nimona outright stating that it doesn't end at the true perpetrator, but that "the WHOLE system is corrupt". Time and time again we are given proof of how the knights, whether purposefully or not, hurt, indoctrinate, and brainwash the innocent. This is a great message, and they did an excellent job of carrying it throughout the runtime until doing a sudden 180 at the end. Not only do we see the cop system still in place, with knights in universe portrayed clearly on screen, but they're painted as good with a member playing soccer with a child. They tried to reject corruption by denouncing their founder, yet they still intend to perpetuate the job built to maintain her ideals from the ground up.

Despite attempting to dive into more meaningful territory with a daring dive into a serious modern problem, the ending they gave us was palatable and conveniently perfect in a way that satisfies everyone on a shallow level, which only works with a message that's equally shallow and inoffensive. This sort of trying to have cake and eat it too conclusion is what I refer to when saying Treasure Planet syndrome, as watching the movie gave me deja vu for the same faults- because, while Treasure Planet attempts to weave a unique and subversive narrative that touches upon deeper subjects which would lead up to an unconventional yet impactful end, what they finished with was jarringly standard hogwash where they attempted to tie lose ends in a conventionally pretty, corporate-ceo approved bow. For example, one of if not the main plot of the movie was Jim Hawkins addressing his trauma regarding an absent father that abandoned him and his mom at an early age, finding a better father figure in John Silver and gradually healing from his past with a better role model. Yet at the end, the cycle repeats itself as John ends up leaving (just like Jim's father) with narry a negative emotion from Jim. Jim then goes to cop academy where, despite his journey being about rejecting societal expectations and gaining self-improvement and growth through his own means, he becomes an A-Plus goody-two shoes cop loving poster boy in no time. The syndrome also hits particularly hard with Captain Amelia and Doctor Doppler, where despite their relationship being a man and woman, it still openly rejects heteronormativity with natural romantic progression (no love at first site bullshit) that involves Amelia being way more masculine and competent than Doppler and him being the well meaning yet gullible scientist. Even the way they flirt is subversive, with Amelia calling Doppler's eyes beautiful (a traditionally feminine descriptor) rather than the instigation being made by the man. Yet at the end, heteronormativity hits as Doppler is shown suddenly more assertive and masculine as he dips Amelia in a dance, not to mention their children fall into the trop of the girls looking exactly like the mother and the boy looking exactly like the father (Also. they put a bunch of makeup on the baby girls????). In short, Treasure Planet Syndrome is writing a subversive plot/story that ends abruptly in a palatable perfect way that sacrifices both natural progression and its messages in an effort to create a more appealing happy end. A movie that I think actually LANDED its subversive storyline was Strange World, where it successfully carried through with it's deeper narrative and provided a slightly uncomfortable yet incredibly understandable and meaningful ending.

One last thing before I stop my ramble- the queer rep in Nimona is pretty bad. I mean don't get me wrong, the main character (who is canonically mlm) is fine and I'm always happy to see upfront representation in my media, but the man he was saddle with as his boyfriend treats him terribly throughout most of the movie, to the point where I was genuinely shocked seeing them together at the end. His boyfriend is this nepotism golden child who's beloved by everyone and so neck deep in the corrupt system that he: slices off the mc's arm (just says a vague sorry later), spends most of the movie refusing to trust or believe him, spends most of the movie trying to hunt him down and arrest him, easily succumbs to peer pressure when it comes down to hurting him, prefers to stay loyal to the system rather than his bf, barely questions the situation, and refuses to listen to his bf provide him with explanations or answers. Even the MC recognizes how much he hurt him, because he ends up outright BREAKING UP WITH HIM and begging him to leave him alone, only to get back with him at the end like nothing ever happened. I want a happy ending for canon queer couples as much as the next guy, but if they wanted a happy end, why did the write the love interest to be so awful? They could've made him question the motives of his superiors and the entire situation more, he could've gone out of his way to seek out an explanation before forming his own conclusion, he could've made more attempts to break the rules for harm reduction, to try and understand what happened, hell to try and TALK to the MC- it's really baffling how they tried to paint this as true love when what should've happened is the MC getting a better spouse. I see this as an extension of Treasure Planet syndrome and trying to have and eat cake at the same time mentality, to say I wasn't surprised when I discovered this movie was written by the people behind modern She-Ra would be an understatement.

[the-vixxen]

No, Lana Del Rey's Music Is Not Anti-Feminist: A Defense of Female Vulnerability

Lana Del Rey, the enigmatic songstress known for her dreamy melodies and haunting lyrics, has been a subject of controversy and criticism within feminist circles throughout the years. Critics have accused her music of perpetuating anti-feminist ideals and romanticizing female submission. The Vixxen, dear reader, has to disagree.

Now this may be old news, but it was a phenomenon that always intrigued me. And as I intend this blog to be about the female experience, giving voice to our longings, something Lana has made a career of, I believe this is the perfect subject matter to do so.

In this blog post, I aim to defend Lana Del Rey's creative process, arguing that it is a powerful exploration of the female experience through fantasy, delving into themes of longing, and desire.

Fantasy as a Means of Exploration

Lana Del Rey's music is a rich tapestry of fantasy and nostalgia, providing a safe space for listeners to explore complex emotions. Rather than adhering to the politically correct notion of feminism, she chooses to delve into the darker, more mysterious aspects of the female psyche. This approach allows women to confront their own vulnerabilities and desires without judgment.

Authenticity Over Girl Power Branding

It’s no secret that feminism is continuously commodied for profit. Women in power abusing said power and masking their exploitation behind a false veneer of empowerment has even become a meme by now. In this onslaught of kitschy phrases and empty slogans on t-shirts made by children in third world countries, Lana is an honest breath of fresh air. Her music does not brand itself as a platform for girl power or empowerment slogans. Instead, it offers a raw and unfiltered portrayal of female pain, longing, and the quest for love. Her willingness to showcase these emotions without sugar-coating them resonates with many women who appreciate this genuine exploration of their inner worlds.

Exploring the Need for Male Validation

 Lana Del Rey's music fearlessly delves into the complex psychological phenomenon of seeking male validation. Rather than dismissing this aspect of female experience, she provides a space for women to confront and understand it. Her songs reflect the inner conflicts and contradictions that many women grapple with in a world where societal norms often dictate their worth through male approval.

In Lana's Words: Addressing the Criticism

Another point of contention is the accusation that Lana glamorizes female submission. But isn't there a distinction between exploring a concept through an artistic lens and glorifying them? Lana Del Rey's music provides a space for women who’ve often found themselves on the submissive end of gendered power dynamics to reflect on their own feelings, even the ones that may be considered less "empowering" by societal standards. 

Something Lana said, that was completely misconstrued and taken out of context to the extent it was used to frame her as a racist was “There has to be a place in feminism for women who look and act like me - the kind of women who are slated mercilessly for being their authentic, delicate selves.”

Along with her mention of other female artists, this was misconstrued as an attack on women of color. Though I’ll remind you that Ariana, a white woman, is mentioned alongside the others. If most of the women mentioned happened to be women of color that is simply because they tend to dominate the genre. Many comments called out that women who look like her- white and conventionally attractive, have not been historically excluded from feminist discourse. 

This would have been a valid point- had this been a different conversation altogether. The statement Lana Del Rey makes in this is not a racial one, but an identifier of feminine traits that are often seen as indicators of weakness by misogynists and feminists alike (and wrongly so!). These feminine traits can and do apply to women across racial identities and cultural demographics.

Lana Del Rey's music is a testament to the power of authentic vulnerability and artistic exploration. It allows women to engage with their deepest desires, insecurities, and romanticized longings without judgment or the confines of mainstream feminist branding. By dismissing the pressures of pandering to a "girlboss" culture, Lana creates a unique space for women to embrace their vulnerabilities. Her music provides an escape into a world of dreams and fantasies, a contrast to the harsh reality of how women are often perceived and treated. In a world that often demands conformity, Lana Del Rey remains a bold and unapologetic voice for those who appreciate her sincere exploration of the complexities of the female experience.

I you agree, if you respectfully disagree, leave a comment down below. This is my first post and hopefully its given you a snapshot of the kind of subjects I am interested in exploring. If these subject matters interest you, consider following my content <3

Signing off, xoxo

~The Vixxen

[ficklecat]

Personal History & Relationship: Phineas and Violet

LONG POST AHEAD

CW: divorce, alcoholism, abusive relationship

A true Pisces/Scorpio relationship 😌

(Vi & Finn watching a spooky movie together :3)

Violet met Finn when she took Dr. Nichols’s Introduction to Classic Literature course for Gen Ed fulfilment. At the time, Violet was dating Connor, a typical Prince Charming if there ever was one, minus the charm. He was a square-jawed frat jock with a lacklustre personality, but Nadine, Violet’s mother, approved of him when they were high school sweethearts, and Violet wanted to avoid any more trouble for her parents at this point in her life.

Her parents, Nadine and Robert, had a tumultuous relationship that ended in divorce when Violet was in elementary school. Rob is a functioning alcoholic with a mean streak, and had a tendency to portray himself as the “fun parent” while Nadine was left to be the villain picking up the messes, financial or otherwise. This left Violet to play tug-o-war between her parents, often either neglected or overwhelmed by both of them at times, even as the divorce settled. Living with her mom, a woman made bitter and alienated for a long time, Violet had a hard time reconciling the decision to remove her father from her life until much later, which led to a continued challenging relationship with her. Additionally, Nadine refused to allow Violet to fall into the same sort of rut she had, and pushed her to find friends and boyfriends who she deemed “acceptable” or “stable.” Violet - unconventional by nature and drawn to the “weirder” crowds - rubbed against this with resistance for a long time before Connor came along.

Connor was sweet at first, conventionally handsome, and said and did all the right things for both Violet and her mom, quickly gaining approval and easing the tension. Violet fell into infatuation with him quickly - he filled a role she had craved for a stereotypically masculine force of control, and eased the constant pressure from her mom to find someone to “take care of her.” Her self worth, tied heavily to gaining her mom’s approval and relinquishing the feeling of being a lost and estranged little girl from her dad, suddenly became twined with Connor’s visions and ideals of the “perfect relationship.” Violet learned quickly that meant muting herself and her interests, subduing who she was to fill those shoes. But if it meant less pressure and fights, less feeling neglected and unwanted, she would take it.

By college, Connor had shown his true colours and Violet was lost. He was mean, picky, controlling and volatile, dismissive of all her desires and demanding about his own. He’d made Violet give up dressing like she wanted, made her try all kinds of diets to slim down, even had a say in which college she went to. He wasn’t physically violent, which led Violet to feel that his abuse wasn’t “real,” and therefore made excuses for his behaviour in favour of keeping the peace in their relationship. Connor often put her down, calling her weird or stupid or sometimes even ugly, but always portrayed himself as the picture-perfect boyfriend outside.

When Violet took Finn’s course, she was on her way to following right behind her mother, beholden to a man who didn’t respect her and demanded the world, with no one none the wiser. But then Finn began to read. On the first day, he read an excerpt from Wuthering Heights, their summer reading assignment, and Violet was transfixed. Even through the haze of her own compromised sense of self, warped by the love she thought she felt for Connor, Violet felt a spark for Finn, who read the words like they were etched in his heart like he was Heathcliff himself, longing for Catherine’s adoration. This strange looking young man who read prose to them like it was coming from his very soul began to occupy Violet’s thoughts, and distract her in class, even with Connor sitting inches away. She would daydream about him, wondering what kind of person could captivate an entire room just by reading aloud, what kind of man who looked so fragile and soft have such strength behind his analyses and passion for the subject.

She signed up for Finn’s weekly office hours for ‘tutoring,’ just to listen to him talk about the material, explain it with vigour and delight, take her through the scenes like they were walking hand in hand through the moors.

Connor, predictably, began to feel jealous.

As the semester came to a close Finn and Violet had grown closer as friends - Finn being a TA, he kept his distance professionally and only met with her during designated times or on campus for coffee occasionally, but tried as they did, they couldn’t fight their chemistry. Eventually, Violet began to talk about Connor and his increasing distance and moodiness. She shared her fears about their relationship, disclosed the way he spoke to her or manipulated her, even cried in Finn’s office when Connor threatened to end their relationship. Finn tried to keep himself out of her affairs, attempting to be empowering to Violet while remaining neutral whenever possible, but there was no stopping what the two of them knew - they were rapidly approaching love.

When the semester ended, and winter break began, Violet and Finn began to text casually. At the same time, an increasingly jealous Connor - who was also beginning to notice Violet’s sudden interest in books and also reclaiming of her identity he’d attempted to scrub out - began to manipulate her, holding affection hostage in favour of gaslighting and making Violet feel like she was cheating on him, even going so far to threaten her that he’d sleep with other people to “give her a taste of her own medicine.” Even her mother sided with him, casting disappointment over Violet for squandering a “good future.”

Violet didn’t no where to turn. So she turned to Finn.

When the second semester began, Connor and Violet were “on a break,” one of the many Connor had implemented in lieu of talking about their relationship, a breakup on the horizon that eventually came to be. Violet was left to decide what she truly wanted, left with the pieces of her identity that were suddenly being nursed to health by Finn but somehow still suppressed by Connor’s shadow. She couldn’t continue to deny herself. She knew what she wanted. And by February, she and Finn had made their confessions: she wanted him, and he wanted her just the same.

Their first few nights spent together were magic for Violet - she had never been with a man who prioritised her before, who asked her what she wanted, who actually seemed to enjoy giving her pleasure like Finn did. And in turn, Finn positively doted over her, so deeply enamoured with everything she was, Violet almost felt embarrassed. She’d never had this attention, she’d never had anyone wish to know her as much as Finn did. Finn obsessed over the details, memorised her wants and preferences, surprised her with romantic gestures of unexpected flowers or favourite things, and eventually, he told her how he felt: he was in love with her, captivated and pulled into her magnetic orbit, helpless to it. Violet had never been so happy.

However, it wasn’t long before Finn’s lack of communication and anxious attachment came to light in the form of Violet’s discovery of his true relationship with Manny - up until this point, Finn had spoken of Manny and had introduced them, even spent time together briefly, but he had made no clear indication that he and Manny were partners. Finn would later admit this was due to his fear of losing Violet, Manny, or both of them, despite knowing he needed to be up front.

Violet felt understandably hurt and taken aback, shocked that the man she thought was saving her from misery suddenly became someone she wasn’t sure she could trust. They spent many nights texting and talking in tearful conversations and broken-hearted begging as they navigated what was the worst start of an eventually beautiful relationship. Violet was in shambles - she couldn’t bear the thought that Finn had effectively lied to her by omission, and despite everything in her wanting to stay, she broke things off. Finn was devastated.

It lasted one week.

They couldn’t fight how they felt, being apart felt empty and shallow. Finn had fallen hard for Violet, and Violet had begun to realise the love she felt for Finn was more than just a crush or a source of pressure release - it was real, it was what she wanted, and most importantly, it was what she deserved. Further communication followed, along with painstaking and careful boundaries that shifted and grew with them in time. Violet was uncertain at first, fearful that Finn’s heart couldn’t possibly belong to more than one person, but she rapidly learned that the love they shared was never made smaller, blazed just as bright, and eventually, she even began to feel that love extend to Manny, who welcomed her into his own heart with open arms.

Violet decided, eventually, finally, that the love she deserved, the life she wanted, was hers to choose and have as she wished. If that meant an unconventional relationship with unconventional people, so be it. Finn ignited her soul, Manny fanned the flame, and together she finally felt herself freed from the constraints of expectation, of doomed fates, of fear of what might be.

She could be who she was with them. She could let that person be loved, and loved deeply. And eventually, she began to love that person too.

[cruisepartyinsandiego]

Investigate San Diego's Waters: Boat Rentals and Mystery Concurrences with Commanders!

San Diego, known for its stunning skies, sandy sea shores, and staggering shoreline, is a safeguarded house for cruising sweethearts. Whether you're a region or a guest, there could be no more incredible technique for encountering the grandness of this Southern California jewel than by spreading out onto its sparkling waters; for those looking for an astounding oceanic encounter, choices like San Diego boat rentals with a pioneer, contract boat rentals, and confidential boat contracts offer the best an open door to investigate the district's sea fortunes.

What is San Diego boat rental with captain?

San Diego's shore is amassing with open entrances for encountering and unwinding. From Mission Gulf's quiet waters to the Pacific Sea's untamed spans, the region offers something for everybody. Leasing a boat permits you to tailor your experience, whether you need a dusk get-together, take part in an earnest excursion, or leave on a family experience. Boat working requires limits, information on neighborhood waters, and course predominance. That is where leasing a boat with a commander comes in. San Diego boat rental with captain lets you sit back, unwind, and submerge yourself in the experience while permitting an expert to deal with the subtleties.

For people who need a tranquil encounter, picking a boat rental with an official in San Diego is breathtaking. Commandants know neighborhood streams, guaranteeing they will thrive and take you to the best spots based on your preferences. Envision cruising past noticeable accomplishments like the Coronado Extension, exploring the San Diego Waterway's peaceful straights, or spotting untamed life serenely. With a supervisor in charge, you don't have to stress over docking, researching streams, or regulating time — it's made due.

Captained boat rentals are ideally suited for the following

An arrangement boat rental enhances the drifting experience by offering numerous vessels that address your needs. Whether you're planning a relaxed trip or a lavish yacht party, San Diego charter boat rental provides choices to suit every taste and financial budget. Embrace boats conventionally come in different sizes and styles, from ships and motor yachts to engines and fishing boats. You can adjust your approval to incorporate solaces like food feasts, water toys, and, shockingly, presented entertainment.

A mystery boat contract is a convincing choice for top-of-the-line and revamped information. These endorsements are adaptable, permitting you to make your fantasy arrangement. The secret endorsement gives unlimited oversight over your arrangement and objective, whether you need an earnest night for two or a characterized family outing. You can participate in the boat with only your social group, making it ideal for private meetings. The confidential facilities offer first-class comforts, such as expansive parlors, master dining areas, and hot tubs.

Advantages of private boat charter San Diego

Private boat charter San Diego offers first-class comforts, such as expansive parlors, master dining areas, and hot tubs. Whether investigating San Diego Sound, cruising along the shore, or getting close to confined seashores, a boat rental or confidential understanding can transform your day into a critical experience. With choices for every party, size, and event and the majority of specialists to arrange your excursion, the city's waters are yours to explore. One of the best organizations like Cruise San Diego offers custom beautiful visits, permitting you to journey around San Diego Cove, previous Point Loma, or up the coast toward La Jolla.

Private boat charter San Diego comes with a wide variety of sticker costs, contingent upon the size of the vessel, its length, and the conveniences advertised. Confidential sanctions can be more costly yet offer more prominent adaptability and customization compared with bigger, shared bunch contracts. For those looking for a friendlier encounter, it can take care of corporate occasions, family get-togethers, or exceptional gatherings. Contract boats in San Diego range from extravagant yachts to additional cozy boats, offering choices for gatherings.

Conclusion

Leave on your San Diego drifting experience today and experience the enchantment of the ocean more than ever. San Diego's gentle, bright environment makes it a fantastic objective for all-year contracting, yet the best opportunity to go can rely upon what you're searching for. Fishing contracts are particularly significant from pre-summer through late-summer, while whale watching tops in the colder time of year and late winter. These travels ideally suit exceptional events like commemorations, birthday celebrations, or recommendations.

[twoflour]

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The sexualization of trans women has also had a profound effect on the criteria used to determine which transsexuals have been allowed to transition. While both trans men and trans women were historically required to meet the gatekeepers' oppositional sexist ideals, trans women often faced an additional standard: They had to be sexually desirable in their identified sex as well. In the 1970s, Suzanne J. Kessler and Wendy McKenna came across several instances in which gatekeepers were rather blatant about this practice: "A clinician during a panel session on transsexualism at the 1974 meeting of the American Psychological Association said that he was more convinced of the femaleness of a male-to-female transsexual if she was particularly beautiful and was capable of evoking in him those feelings that beautiful women generally do. Another clinician told us that he uses his own sexual interest as a criterion for deciding whether a transsexual is really the gender she/he claims."

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While not all gatekeepers are guilty of sexualizing their trans female clients to this extent, it is clear that many, if not most, expect trans women to make themselves as conventionally pretty as possible. In Anne Bolin's 1988 book In Search of Eve, a trans woman she interviewed put it this way: "Shrinks have the idea that to be a transsexual you must be a traditionally feminine woman: skirts, stockings, the whole nine yards."14 Another trans woman sums up the problem this way: "You must conform to a doctor's idea of a woman, not necessarily yours."

Viviane Namaste's 2000 book Invisible Lives includes an interview with a trans woman who was initially denied hormones by a gatekeeper because she showed up for her therapy appointment wearing "male" clothes. She recounts: "I just went back, and this time I did all my kohl [makeup], inside and outside my eyes, [wore] my little fake fur jacket and my tight black pants. And she said, 'You've come a long way since I saw you first. And now I am convinced that you're transsexual.' It was like three weeks later!"

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prevalent. On a trans-woman-focused email list that I was a member of in the early 2000s, a new member posted that she had just scheduled her first therapy appointment and she asked if anyone had any advice for her. Sadly, there were about twenty responses, mostly from trans women who'd had the experience of being turned down because they had worn "male" or unisex clothing to their visits, and then later being approved after showing up to their appointments wearing dresses and makeup. While such standards are clearly traditionally sexist, it should once again be pointed out that they are also cissexist, as they require transsexual women to meet a more rigid standard of femininity than cissexual women in order to be considered female.

Psychologists out there saying things like "I only give medicine to people I would bang" and they just get away with it.

[thornfield13713]

I’m surprised Danse is popular.

I mean, if Cullen taught us anything, it was not to underestimate the bizarre sexual magnetism of a conventionally attractive jackass in a can with a deep devotion to a completely morally bankrupt ideology and a condescending manner. For some reason, such men are catnip to a certain sort of gamer. Personally, I don't get it, but I've seen too much of the pattern to miss that it's A Thing.

On a more complicated note...one of the spoilers I have had is that Danse's storyline is going to end up going where Cullen's never did and actually force him to reckon with those beliefs and why he holds them and the damage they do to people who aren't that different from those he claims to want to protect. Which- I am not there yet, I don't know how this is going to play out. But if they pull it off, I could...see that being a reason for his popularity. Wrestling with toxic ideology, finding it in oneself to change for the better...that's powerful stuff for a character arc, and if you get it right it's dynamite. If you get it wrong, though...

Like- Fallout has been a new experience for me, in terms of gaming. Character is approached very differently to how it is in the Bioware games that were my first real introduction to RPGs, and in Baldur's Gate 3, my last big gaming obsession. Character quests are much fewer and farther between, there are a lot more characters to juggle, and affinity works in a different way to the sort of approval gains I'm used to - not just getting it through actions, but also having it just...build up over time spent together. Which- that last bit is neat and pretty realistic - you do get closer to people the more time you spend together, even if it's just the comfort of a familiar enemy. My ideal in terms of character quest set-ups is still DA2 - not all those quests were bangers, but it still felt like a healthy amount of time dedicated to each character and their arc, even if some of the quests felt maybe a little undercooked and some of the logic didn't quite hang together. And, you know, everybody's character quests were about them, which...some games have had trouble with (no, I'm not still salty about Wyll's character quest turning out to be Emperor backstory in disguise, what on earth gave you that impression?)

That said, I have been very pleased with some of the character work we've seen so far. Nick and Hancock are probably my two big favourites at this point (shocker, I know), but the character work has, overall, been pretty neat. I'm definitely keen to see what happens with Nick's character quest, Cait's was pretty enjoyable, even if I feel it could do with a bit more attention to how things are going for her now she's sober, but...hey, I haven't maxed out her approval yet, maybe I have to do that to get the final piece. So, I'm cautiously optimistic about Danse's big character arc later in the game. Hell, getting that arc is the whole reason I'm doing the Brotherhood storyline in the first place, so...hopefully, I'll find out what Danse has going for him, and it'll turn out to be more than just the Cullen Effect.

[niraj2023]

Best Thread Lift in Bangalore

Derma roller treatment, or miniature needling, is a remedial framework that uses a contraption called a derma roller to make tiny cuts on the external layer of the skin. A derma roller is a handheld contraption with little needles on the roller head that is turned over the skin.

The inspiration driving this treatment is to quicken the making of collagen and elastin in the skin, which can help with chipping away at the surface and the presence of the skin. The cuts made by the derma roller also grant skincare things to invade further into the skin, making them more suitable.

Derma roller treatment in Bangalore is conventionally used to treat a collection of skin concerns, including scarcely unmistakable contrasts and wrinkles, skin aggravation scars, hyperpigmentation, and unbalanced skin surface. Regardless, it is crucial to observe that the strategy should be done by an approved capable to ensure prosperity and suitability. Additionally, authentic aftercare is influential for ensuring ideal results and cutoff the bet of disarray.

String lift is a remedial methodology that incorporates the use of dissolvable strings to lift and fix posting skin on the face and neck. The procedure is generally called a non-cautious facelift.

Various offices and remedial centers offer this framework if you are looking for a thread lift in Bangalore. It is essential to appropriately explore things and pick a decent provider with experienced specialists who are ready for the procedure.

Body chiseling, otherwise called body forming, is a restorative method that plans to work on the shape and presence of the body by eliminating the overabundance of fat and fixing the skin. If you are searching for body sculpting in Bangalore, numerous facilities and corrective focuses offer a scope of choices.

Tattoo expulsion is a corrective system including lasers to eliminate undesirable tattoos from the skin. On the off chance that you are searching for tattoo removal in Bangalore, numerous facilities and restorative focuses offer this strategy.

[marketing123456789]

Fortified Rice Market Analysis by Emerging Growth Factors and Revenue Forecast To 2033

The fortified rice market value is projected to be US$ 20.20 billion in 2023 and the market is expected to reach US$ 34.50 billion by 2033, recording a CAGR of 5.5%. High solubility and ability to form an elastic gel at high temperatures of 80°C make it ideal for high-temperature applications.  Governments worldwide are increasingly taking action to improve  nutritional value in food products.

Acute and chronic malnutrition, as well as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, damage the health, productivity, and development of about half of India’s children. Productivity, development, and health can all be negatively impacted by micronutrient deficits.

Download Sample Copy@  https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-16520

It is feasible to solve the problem by adding vitamins and minerals to everyday foods like rice, as well as by supplementing micronutrients and changing up diets. This has led to the fortification of rice, which has emerged as a sustainable & cost-effective measure for providing nutrition to people globally.

The worldwide food and beverage sector is anticipated to expand as more fortified rice with high acyl levels is used in milk products, plant-based protein drinks, fruit juices, and other beverages.  High-acyl-fortified rice is also used as a suspension element for milk products, plant-based protein drinks, and fruit juices.

Key Takeaways from Market Study

The fortified rice market is expected to record a CAGR of 5.5% over the forecast period.

According to estimates, the fortified rice market in the China and India remains strong throughout the forecast period.

By 2033, China is expected to hold a 40% share in Asia Pacific and its market size is expected to be  US$ 8.82 billion.

Conventionally produced cereal grains are readily available, so the non-organic segment accounted for the significant share in 2023.

Preview Full Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/fortified-rice-market

Competitive Landscape:

In the fortified rice market, there are numerous international and regional players competing, making it highly competitive. Several prominent companies dominate this market, including Cargill Incorporated, BASF SE, General Mills Inc, Willmar International Ltd, Aroma Fields, KRBL Ltd, Bunge Ltd, REI Agro Ltd, LT Foods, Hain Celestial (Tida Rice), and others.

To gain a dominant market share, companies are focusing on price, quality, ingredients, and promotions. This market is highly consolidated, with these players holding the majority share. To expand their presence and maintain their position in the market, these companies are investing more in research and development to develop consumer-driven fortified rice and ingredients.

Recent Developments:

An American food company, Cargill, submitted an offer to acquire Sanderson Farms in Mississippi. Sanderson’s stockholders approved the deal. It is estimated that the acquisition is worth around US$ 4.5 billion ($203 per share).

On January 20, 2021, that “LT Foods,” an Indian rice milling company based in Gurugram, had acquired a 30% stake in Leev.nu, a Dutch packaged food company. Nature Bio Foods BV (a subsidiary of LT) was acquired as part of the transaction to strengthen Nature Bio’s snacking business.

On August 28, 2019, Ebro Foods, a food processing company based in Madrid, Spain, which produces vast amounts of rice, announced its successful purchase of Tuna Rice from Hain Celestial, a company based in New York. For the acquisition to be completed, Ebro paid $342 million (all cash).

Fortified Rice Market Segmentation by Category

By Micronutrients:

Vitamins

Minerals

Other Micronutrients

By Technology:

Drying

Extrusion

Coating & Encapsulation

Other Technologies

By Nature:

Conventional Farming

Organic Farming

By Distribution Channel:

Modern Trade

Convenience Stores

Departmental Stores

Drug Stores

Online Stores

Other Distribution Channels

By End-Use:

Residential

Commercial

About FMI

Future Market Insights (ESOMAR certified market research organization and a member of Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) provides in-depth insights into governing factors elevating the demand in the market. It discloses opportunities that will favor the market growth in various segments on the basis of Source, Application, Sales Channel and End Use over the next 10 years.

[justforbooks]

In 1992 Mike Burrows, who has died age 79 of cancer, watched Chris Boardman win the 4,000-metre individual bicycle pursuit final at the Barcelona Olympics. Boardman was riding the Lotus 108 model that Mike had developed with Lotus Engineering, and the combination won Britain its first Olympic gold medal in the sport for 72 years.

Mike’s background as an engineer lay in running his own company in Norwich in the 1970s, producing packaging machines. When his car broke down he took to cycling, devising his own recumbent bicycles and tricycles, with the rider lying back for optimal aerodynamics and having the pedals in front, rather than below.

He considered that the bicycle’s established form was too widely taken as given, to the detriment of innovation. The increasing interest in a wide range of human-powered vehicles in the 1980s liberated his imagination to the point that he could joke: “I’m not the best bicycle designer in the world, I’m the only bicycle designer in the world.”

His breakthrough came from looking beyond the metal – usually steel – tubes that bicycles were conventionally made of. A friend’s father in the aviation industry supplied him with some off-cuts of carbon fibre.

Impregnated with resin, this could be moulded into a strong aerodynamic shape, ideal for track racing. The term monocoque is used for a structure whose loads and forces are held together within a single skin, and Mike said that the imaginative leap needed for his novel vehicle came from seeing a sculpture by Barbara Hepworth.

When, in 1985, the British Cycling Federation put Mike’s monocoque bicycle to the sport’s governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), based in Switzerland, it was rejected. But Mike’s friend Rudy Thomann, who worked for Lotus, got the car manufacturer interested, and in 1990 approval was secured from the UCI.

Unlike most people in the bicycle industry at the time, Mike paid constant attention to aerodynamics. The wind-tunnel testing of the Lotus bicycle indicated time advantages against a regular bicycle similar to those by which Boardman went on to victory over the German pursuit world champion, Jens Lehmann.

The 1992 triumph was not celebrated by the UCI. Mike appreciated concerns that expensive bikes built for rich-world athletes gave unfair advantage, but was convinced that if an event such as the Tour de France could use his faster machines, built on monocoques and aerodynamics, for even its prologue or a time trial, it would showcase the bicycle as a cutting-edge vehicle of the future, rather than of the past. Boardman rode the Lotus to a time-trial victory at the Tour in Lille in 1994, setting a record average speed that stood for more than two decades, convincing both Mike and the UCI that each was right.

That year Mike was recruited by the bicycle manufacturer Giant in Taiwan, from where he oversaw a quieter design revolution, creating the Giant TCR (Total Compact Road) model that has influenced every road bicycle since, perfecting geometries so that the same frame could be made to fit riders of different heights. The development allowed greater standardisation and thus commercialisation of road bicycles, with no compromise in frame rigidity and power. He also worked on mountain bikes and the Giant Halfway folding bike.

In 1996, the UCI produced the Lugano Charter, in effect a formal response to the success and controversy engendered by Mike’s radical designs. It ordained that the sport of cycling should be one of athletes, rather than engineers, and so put down rigid engineering limitations that were the antithesis of Mike’s quest for greater efficiency and speed. As he put it: “I left Giant in 2000 because the UCI was stopping me building better bikes. In the pro scene they are now all production-only.”

After returning from Taiwan, Mike focused on recumbent bicycles and tricycles, seeking further aerodynamic gains. He was a stalwart of the British Human Power Club, organising race track days for club championships, and took pleasure in getting faster each year by virtue of engineering gains that could outstrip his own ageing.

For all that he loved going fast, a pursuit of efficiency motivated him more than speed, and convenience was central to his affection for the engineering opportunities the bicycle afforded. I came to know him through efforts to commercialise the 8Freight, his cargo bicycle named after an old British Rail engine and designed with a relaxed position and steering intended to ensure that everyone – couriers, parents on school runs, gardeners carrying tools and earth – could take easily to it. He believed that bicycles offered the possibility of a better, more efficient society.

Mike was born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, where his father was a cabinet maker who later opened a toy shop, enabling Mike to play with model planes. After leaving school at 15, Mike worked as a machine engineer, married his wife, Tuula, and in 1969 moved to Norwich to work on boats used on the Norfolk Broads. His first engineering success was a machine that packed individual bags of crisps into multipacks, and he set up his own business. An engineering perspective that came from outside bicycle design was often credited for his future willingness to slay its sacred cows, a mission that became a defining feature of his life’s work.

All this was realised in a workshop that was a place of easels and heavy machine tools used if Mike needed to make or modify a part. He always wore overalls and wooden clogs, classical music played, and an archive of newspaper clippings, memorabilia and the bikes themselves gave the air of a living museum. When out birdwatching in the Norfolk countryside he was still open to engineering inspiration.

His book Bicycle Design: Towards the Perfect Machine (2000), went through a number of editions, its title encapsulating his commitment to the vehicle he loved.

He is survived by Tuula and their son, Paul.

🔔 Mike Burrows, bicycle designer, born 17 April 1943; died 15 August 2022

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com