#convergences

[dailyanarchistposts]

The Challenges of Open Spaces

CrimethInc. occupies an awkward position when it comes to debates about privilege and oppression. As a point of entry for many who are not previously familiar with anarchism, CrimethInc. brings together people with a wide range of critiques and levels of awareness. Since the turn of the century, CrimethInc. projects have increasingly engaged with the power dynamics associated with race and gender, although this has not necessarily carried over to those discovering anarchism through those projects. From one side, some reactionaries dismiss this engagement as mere “identity politics,” implying that it has nothing to do with revolutionary struggle. From the other side, critics who know little about CrimethInc. projects besides the cover of a book published in 2001 continue to attempt to conscript the collective to serve as a straw man representing everything wrong with anarchism. Being highly visible means that CrimethInc. projects are often associated with those who consume them more so than with those who produce them. It also means that many people use CrimethInc. as a projection screen on which to impose the images of whatever enemies they wish to contrast against themselves.

Over the past few years, CrimethInc. convergences have served as an introductory space for hundreds of people curious about anarchist struggle and ways of life. At best, they have offered an opportunity for aspiring radicals to challenge their conditioning and learn from each other. One inspiring example of this occurred at the 2008 convergence outside Milwaukee, when first-time attendees performed an ill-thought-out racist skit. Others approached them with constructive criticism, and the result was an important and beneficial learning experience. Documentation of this can be found in comments here and here. While too many attempts at calling out such behavior end with defensiveness and communication breakdowns, this was a rare success story.

There is a lot to be said for creating mixed spaces in which people can be exposed to new ideas and develop their own capabilities. Such spaces are crucial for new participants to become involved in the anarchist movement. Unlike most other anarchist conferences and events, the convergences have been emphatically self-organized, offering room for all attendees to put on their own workshops and try out their own ideas. On the principle that people learn more from doing than from watching, this makes a great deal of sense; on the other hand, it means that the atmosphere and organization of the convergence are determined in part by the least experienced or self-aware participants.

Like many events in this sector of the anarchist milieu, the convergences have attracted a predominantly younger, whiter crowd. At worst, this means that more privileged participants can remain insulated within their comfort zones, creating—however unconsciously—an environment that is uncomfortable for those who do not share their privilege. The preceding paragraphs make a pretty good argument for why aspiring radicals from privileged demographics can benefit from others’ participation, but they don’t explain why there would be any incentive for less privileged people to subject themselves to the same marginalization they already experience in much of society at large.

It may be quixotic to think that spaces in which the majority of people are white, male-bodied, or straight can ever be comfortable for everyone else—yet there must be ways to make them less alienating. Meanwhile, the participation of a wider variety of people in these spaces is vital not only for people with more social privilege who stand to learn from others’ perspectives, but also to the current participants with less social privilege who are already invested in them.

[brightwingedbat]

Rolan here with a notable tip for Convergences if you get That boss.

---

Anet brought back Ley Gliding Abilities for SotO, these also work in convergences.

Sorrow is a boss that notably needs CC'd often, and very much likes to knock players into the air with its attacks. Which is why I bring up these.

As soon as you're in the air, you can start gliding. You can cure condis on people on the floor, CC Sorrow and you can use the basic beam to attack too, though I generally am close enough to land again by the time I use the CC and the heal storm.

It might seem small, but when you have a good chunk of players using a completely free CC while they're in the air, it can make a huge difference. Additional note: You do not need Living World Season 3 to unlock these. There's a merchant beside the Convergences gate in Wizards Tower that will unlock these abilities for you in SotO.

[pansy-placebo]

Have any of you ever heard of the hummingbird moths we get in Britain?

So, I thought I saw a hummingbird last year. It was much bigger than a bug could be, I thought, and it hovered around flowers and looked like it had feathers.

I got pretty close but it was never still enough to see clearly. Then, when I told my parents they said "oh! it was probably a moth!" and I was baffled for a long time. Like, how could a moth look like and act so much like a hummingbird?

Until I googled "hummingbirds in the UK" and this fucker comes up:

Everyone, meet the hummingbird hawk-moth; one of the weirdest and coolest cases of convergent evolution on this planet.

This is the kinda thing I'd see in fiction and go "oooh cool, bug hummingbird! Wish we had those on earth!" But we do. We really do have them on earth!! Isn't that nuts?!?!?

[eternalalchemagical]

After much hunting around, I finally found that track I’ve been searching for from Convergences (it starts at 12:30).

However, earlier today when I recorded my gameplay, I noticed the track was completely different- I wonder if it changes based on whether you get Knight or Sorrow 🤔 I’m just waiting for the file to convert and I’ll post it

[tachvintlogic]

Humans are a bad influence

Human: It really is an amazing coincidence...

Ztsaxhi: Hey guys, the food replicator glitched out and gave me way more food than it should. Want some? It's kind of like human "chips."

Käfavayarlop: Is it safe for my species?

Ztsaxhi: Let me check... no poisons but...oh damn, the food guide says it has capsaicin that's painful for you. Sorry.

Human: Ooh, Let me have some then!

Ztsaxhi: Go ahead.

Käfavayarlop: But wait, weren't we just saying that Käfavayarlopen and humans have weirdly similar taste buds—

Human *bites into chip*: Wow! Hggh, that is— REALLY spicy! You were not kidding about capsaicin.

Ztsaxhi: Are you okay?

Human: Fine! It's actually good, I swear. *eats the rest of the chip*

Käfavayarlop: Your face is turning red.

Human: Yeah, capsaicin does cause pain, that's the spiciness, but it's a good kind of pain. It adds to the flavor. *takes another chip*

Ztsaxhi: So "spiciness" is just pain?

Human: Kind of. It's—It's an acquired taste.

Käfavayarlop: ...I want to try.

Ztsaxhi: No!

Human: Let them! Though I will warn you this is not beginner friendly.

Käfavayarlop: *bites* Sacred Gonork! My mouth is on fire!

Human: You good?

Käfavayarlop: No. *takes another bite*

Ztsaxhi: No, don't keep eating it!

Käfavayarlop: But it's good.

Human: Is bovine milk safe for them? We probably need it.

Ztsaxhi: I'll check, yes it is. Wait, is this what all those jokes about humans pairing Ztsaxhi cuisine with milk are about?

Human: Yeah, it helps with the pain.

Ztsaxhi: Why would you even eat food that hurts you?

Human and Käfavayarlop: It's an acquired taste.

[gooompy]

here have a shit ton of convergent pokemon concepts!!

Snom, Frosmoth: nudibranch, sea angel Phantump, Trevenant: hydrothermal vents Bergmite, Hisuian Avalugg: thornbug, stag beetle, sea scorpion Petilil, Lilligant: blanket octopus, sea anemone Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir: not a convergent but a mimic! venus flytrap, pitcher plant

[drenched-in-sunlight]

marriage life.

[bubblegum-and-ciggarettes]

He’s such a sassy gay man

[crabsnpersimmons]

breaking news: local dca fan receives greatest compliment of her life

[dailyanarchistposts]

Being a “White Ally”

In the discussions on Saturday night, one white person said something to the effect that he initially supported the disruption because, as an aspiring white ally, he unconsciously assumed that he should support whatever people of color seemed to be taking the most “radical” position. This is a telling indicator of how simplistic many white radicals’ conceptions still are of what it means to be a “white ally.”

Being a white ally—or, one might say less ostentatiously, a good comrade—to people of color is not a simple matter. In a specific personal relationship, such as with a friend or neighbor, it involves becoming aware of one’s advantages, checking one’s tendencies to utilize them, and above all being approachable and open to criticism. This is a lifelong project, but with healthy communication it is possible to measure one’s success according to concrete feedback.

Aspiring to be a “white ally” beyond specific relationships is more complex and potentially problematic. One can aspire to contest systems of white supremacy in general, but “white ally” is not a role or identity that one can earn with any amount of effort. Endless questions open before any white person who sets out to be an ally to “people of color” in the abstract. Whose lead do you follow? In conflicts between people of color, how do you decide which side to take, or how to stand aside? Is it possible to make this decision without simply identifying with those who seem less threatening to your white privilege, or who offer more opportunity to appease your white guilt?

Too many white people approach the issue of white supremacy as if it is simply a bill they can pay and move on. It is not a matter of individual guilt that can be absolved, but of engaging honestly and critically with one’s position in an unjust system. We are going to be struggling with power dynamics around race and gender for the rest of our lives, even if there is a capital-R Revolution. Rather than setting out to persuade themselves that they are doing enough, white people need to understand that nothing they can ever do will be “enough,” and yet that they have everything to gain by trying.

[elbiotipo]

I HATE THE CARCINISATION MEME THING, IT'S NOT SOME KIND OF UNIVERSAL BIOLOGICAL LAW THAT HAPPENS TO ALL ANIMALS, IT ONLY HAPPENS IN SOME SELECT GROUPS OF CRUSTACEANS (THAT ARE CLOSELY RELATED TO CRABS ANYWAYS), THERE ARE MORE INTERESTING EXAMPLES OF CONVERGENT EVOLUTION TO DISCUSS, AND IT'S JUST NOT FUNNY. WE DON'T TALK ABOUT ALL THE EXAMPLES OF FILTER FEEDERS OR WORM LIKE CREATURES LIKE THAT DO WE. IT'S BECAUSE SOME BRITISH GUY MADE A STUPID JOKE AND EVERYONE RAN WITH IT.

LANCELOT ALEXANDER BORRADAILE YOU HAVE NO IDEA THE HARM YOU HAVE CAUSED ME PERSONALLY.

[hauntingsunshine14]

so like kevin day right?

I need kevin to be like the green brothers of the exy-verse. Like people know him either from the prolific history yt channel he runs (he saves people taking any hist class, is worshipped by apush students during exam szn) OR from being the best exy striker to ever play the game.

then I need all the tweets going 'wtf is kevin day doing teaching on yt in my apush class?? I thought he was an exy player??'

or

' why does my cousin have a poster of kevin day in exy gear? I see that guy every time my hist prof has a hangover and puts on youtube??'

anyways,

kevin day wins a kids choice award or a streamy or something and he receives some very confused calls from the foxes.

[batfam-belfry]

literally everyone: Dick, for the millionth time, this is not your fault. Please just take care of yourself

Dick Grayson: 🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️

[consultingfujoshi]

rewatching that scene where joel talks to tommy before I go to bed cuz goddamn pedro needs an emmy and yknow the bit that gets me. where he says "I just know when I wake up, I've lost something. I'm failing in my sleep. it's all I ever do, all I've ever done, is fail her again and again" because. he doesn't specify. it's not made explicit. whether "her" is sarah. or ellie. and at this point. it's probably both

[darksilvania]

NIGHTLY, HAWKTER, GENJAR (Dark/Flying) & Mega GENJAR (Dark/Fighting)

Convergent evolution line of GHASTLY, HAUNTER, GENGAR & Mega GENGAR.

They are nocturnal birds with the ability to imitate the cries of other pokemon, and even sounds made by humans, in order to attract unsuspecting prey into the dark forest and attack them by surprise.

They are mainly inspired by Nightjars, also known as nighthawks or frogmouths

GENJAR is also inspired in Owlbears from D&D

Mega GENJAR is based on the defensive posture owls will take when they feel threatened, ruffling their feathers and trying to look bigger and more intimidating