#deep dive on a real simple concept

[nokingsonlyfooles]

Brigitte Empire is on her way out of the UK, hopefully on to a better place with bluer skies and less genocidal rhetoric, but good real estate is hard to find! If you'd like to support her with a click, or some money, or some other form of social currency, that would certainly be appreciated right now!

And while I have your attention, how 'bout a brief, Vicky Day dive on how scared people are prone to shooting themselves in the foot?

You know, if life is a zero-sum game and you may have what little you need to live and be happy snatched away from you at any time, you're not wrong to feel a bit nervous. Like this good boy here:

But, uh, I don't know if you can tell... There seems to have been a bit of a miscommunication between the front end of the doggo and the back end of the doggo. The back paw seems to be doing nothing more sus than straining to scratch an itch, but the eyes detect something stalking them from the peripheral vision, so the dog snarls, bites, grabs the bone, and twists away. It happens so fast, he has no idea he's being menaced by his own ass, and he's all set to bite again when the GIF resets.

So watch the doggy, and picture the front end with King Charlie's head on it, and the back end with the face of that poor, dumb monarchist who got arrested for attending the coronation. Or with Nintendo's logo on the front end, and "video game streamers providing free advertising" on the back. Or "Christian University" and "cis, het Christians willing to work for a Christian university." Ha-ha, sometimes a metaphor is worth a thousand words!

Yeah. Ha-ha. Dry your eyes, blow your nose, and unfreeze your schadenfreude, because you're not immune to biting your own ass, my fellow progressives.

This cat knows about chasing your own tail, I guarantee it. All kidding aside, getting you so scared that you'll do anything to feel a little bit safer is the essence of propaganda.

Is someone else being used as a wedge issue, getting killed, and getting hit with legislation designed to make it as hard as possible for them to live? Someone who doesn't look like you, or belong to what you consider your family? What are you and your finite amount of human empathy doing for them? Beyond that, do you kinda resent them for taking up the oxygen in the room and talking about their thing when you need people to focus and direct their attention to your thing?

This is just among the trans community, let alone the queer community in general! And what about Black folks, immigrants, poor folks, mentally-ill folks, or any other type of marginalization?

You do not have enough attention, energy, or empathy for everyone who is being murdered by the State right now. The transitive property is true, and they don't always have enough attention, empathy, or energy for you either. So do we kinda wave hi from across the street and go, "Hope you win! But I can't help you myself!" "That's okay! Hope you win too!"? Nope!

Somehow, we find the strength to reach out and harm a perceived threat that we can reach. Even if actually catching it and biting it would hurt like hell. It's just so damn temping, and it's right there.

We are not operating from a position of power like Nintendo, a King, or even a jerk HR department at a podunk religious school. It isn't cute or funny when we do it, it's just a waste.

But it's super hard to comply with a negative, so let me give you some magic words to hold in your head when you see your back end creeping up on you: "You are valid. You have value. You deserve to live and be safe as much as I do. Harming you will use up energy I need to protect myself. As long as you are not trying to harm me or others, your struggle is my struggle. I'm sorry there's so little I can do, but I hope you'll be okay." If you have the energy, say it or type it out. If you don't, just walk on by and focus on your own shit for a while. Y'all need a stable place to stand before you can help lift anything, that's just how gravity works.

We are all out there making trolley problem decisions in realtime. Most of us are not willing to hip-check a stranger onto the tracks to save our friends. But if we can pull a lever...

...or just sit back and allow it to happen, a lot more of us are willing to be complicit in a few murders. As long as it's not the folks who really matter.

It's not my right to demand you get out there and throw a brick at a cop. It's not my right to demand you risk your life trying to fix something that was broken before you were even born. It's also not my right to demand you hand a mandate to a politician who says, "Maaaybe you can have abortion rights or healthcare, but you have to let us kill a few more Black and brown folks. It's a zero-sum game! Somebody has to die!"

...But you can't stop me from vomiting text on the internet in vague hope that you'll wake up, realize how bad it is, and put your nervous energy towards getting safe.

Leave your back foot alone. It's just trying to scratch where it itches.

[dokidokitsuna]

Rise of the Mammalians: Deep Cut Sketches

So…I’ve never really cared much about Deep Cut. On one hand, this keeps me out of a lot of drama, especially around Splatfest time. ^^; But on the other hand, it means that I’m constantly forced to stare at these ubiquitous mascot characters that I should care about, but just…can’t.

Basically, I think they’re shallow and underutilized, and lacking in unique characterization.

For example: The Squid Sisters are weirdo goofballs who are more like living cartoons than actual people, with their constant quips, puns, and random references to their personal lives. And Off the Hook swings to the opposite extreme, with more grounded personalities dripping in charisma, and edgier backstories that flesh them out further, connect them thematically, and chronicle their development as characters.

And then we have Deep Cut, who just sits awkwardly in the middle. They’re not as goofy and campy as the Squid Sisters, but they’re not as edgy and dynamic as Off the Hook, either. They’re kinda just…there, acting out their basic ‘cool’, ‘peppy’, and ‘airhead’ archetypes. Apparently, a shallow anarchy aesthetic (???) and references to their childhood friendship is all we can expect in terms of character depth. Needless to say, it’s not enough. :/

So how did I flesh them out further for their new, more involved roles in this re-concept? The answer is very simple: I just decided to actually make use of that ‘anarchy’ aesthetic.

I found it…actually really disappointing that the word is constantly tossed around in-game, but apparently means absolutely nothing. Considering the original Japanese equivalents of the phrases where it’s used, it might as well be a mistranslation, and it’s honestly such a waste. Whether there’s any true anarchist ideology in Splatsville culture or not, it’s still most definitely the ‘city of chaos’, and yet we really don’t see any of that, especially not in the behavior of the idols that supposedly represent the city. In fact, rather than being rougher around the edges, they seem to be more privileged than any of the previous idols, being essentially born into nobility…

Anyway-- the real kicker for this weird ‘rebels in name only’ attempt at characterization is their secret motivation: the revelation that they’re searching for treasure in Alterna so they can sell it and give the money to the poor of the Splatlands. I KNOW it’s supposed to be sweet and heartwarming, but to me it was just another letdown. Like…that’s probably the most lukewarm ‘bandit’ characterization you could possibly do. T_T They’re essentially dumpster diving for the needy, rather than, I dunno, stealing resources directly from the capitalist overlord next door…??

Like, Deep Cut are supposed to be rebels with hearts of gold who aren’t afraid to use violence to achieve their goals, and Mr. Grizz is literally right there in front of them, hoarding money and energy for his own ends. The dynamic writes itself, but instead the game totally ignores the possibility of connecting the characters at all.

Well, I don’t. ^^ And I think the combination of the two ideas-- ‘rebels in name only’ AND ‘actual rebels who join the protagonist in opposing the final boss’-- is more interesting than either one alone. Like, by day, they really are ordinary idols, who are even willing to shill for Grizzco on the Anarchy Splatcast. They talk tough to appeal to their fanbase, but at the end of the day they do what they need to do to maintain their civilian personas and uphold their family names.

But by night, they reject all of that posturing and take direct action to help people in need. Under the cover of their masks, they become freer, wilder, more honest versions of themselves that can achieve anything together. And this version of Deep Cut is the one that accompanies you through the story mode. ^^

[todayontumblr]

Thursday May 11.

#currently reading

Questions don't really get much better. So, what are you #currently reading?

It's a fast track into a myriad of compelling conversations: a gateway into new favorites, new ideas, new writers and artists. If ever you're looking for a way to breeze the subject from the banal towards the more thought-provoking, then this will help oil the gears really rather nicely.

It's a chance to draw on the concepts and quotes that you have first read with your eyes (or indeed heard with your ear/s for you good folk over at audiobooks), which have then inhabited, and turned over, the glorious fog of your mind for day, after week, after month. You have spent the quiet moments chewing over these ideas: wrestling with them, exploring and deep-diving into them, challenging and confronting them, and debating. Now, with this simple question, you can pluck these ideas from the abstract and into the real world through the beautiful mess of discussion. 

These ideas and concepts may be frightening, fascinating, exciting, hostile, or like the terrain of an alien world. They may possess the mystery of fog or the resplendent warm drench of sunlight. It may be the political, the personal, the philosophical. It might be an effervescent mess of all of the above.

And now, thanks to this simple question, it is all yours to share and explore. So, what are you #currently reading?

[mysticbewitched]

Exposing Misconceptions:

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{Note: The hissing cat above represents all this misinformation getting under my skin. Some people are making my claws come out.}

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I wanted to write this post because I am beyond sick and tired of all the ridiculous amount of misinformation being spread on this platform.

Day after night, there are so many different manifestation blogs from people who clearly do not understand a single damn thing about manifestation spreading misinformation and misconceptions about how all of this jazz truly works.

The blogs doing this do not actually understand the inner process of how natural operation of manifestation and how we manifest all the time as creators of our own reality.

There's a lot of misconceptions buzzing around here and concepts that I have been seeing people take in an actual literal manner instead of truly seeing and understanding the greater picture here, especially when it comes to Neville's teaching of imagination creating reality.

On that note, don't even get me started on the misconceptions that so many anons and bloggers have about the understanding of states.

The ignorant lack of understanding and misinformation people spread about Neville's teaching of states truly makes me want to throw a chair at some people.

I'm not kidding when I say that I could have an absolute field day with those people. Lock me in a room with them, and I'll tell them how it is. It's time to clear all this shit up right now.

It seriously drives me up the damn wall when people view states of consciousness as an optional method.

Honey, no. I cannot possibly express the amount of frustration I feel when I see blogs advertising Neville's teaching of states as a manifestation method. It's such a simple truth of how unconscious manifestation occurs all the time, and people either completely misunderstand the concept or overcomplicate it to hell.

To the people doing this: stop spreading misinformation and confusing people who actually want to understand the natural operation of manifestation and how to truly succeed with manifesting their desires.

It makes everyone frustrated and confused as hell because they're not receiving the right information they need in order to truly understand manifestation and manifest their desires.

I just want to completely clarify everything once and for all, so my awesome and beloved followers can receive the right information they need in order to help them succeed on their manifestation journey and feel inspired to stay away from blogs who have no idea what they're talking about.

It's clearly the blind leading the blind all over tumblr. The annoying misconceptions and misinformation need to come to an end.

Without further ado, let's dive in.

"3D vs. The 4D / The 4D is more real than the 3D"

People who are preaching this bullshit. Seriously, stop. Listen to me closely, I'm about to blow your mind.

There is absolutely *zero* separation between the "outer world" and imagination. I will be making a post on this to dive into this concept deeper, but to summarize this all up: the "external reality" and imagination are *one*. Separation is an illusion, and absolutely everything you're experiencing is coming from *within you*.

"External reality" is coming from your inner state of consciousness. All comes from within.

The "external" is the manifested expression from the internal because they are simply the same.

Your reality is an expression of *yourself* pushed out.

Imagination creates reality. It *is* reality.

There is absolutely no separation.

"I don't know how to feel emotions for my desire -"

Emotions have absolutely *nothing* to do with manifestation, so you can chill out and take a deep breath. First of all, when Neville spoke on "feeling is the secret," he is simply speaking of the acceptance of the fact that your desire is fulfilled.

"When I speak of feeling, I do not mean emotion, but acceptance of the fact that it is fulfilled. " - Neville Goddard

"Feeling the wish fulfilled" is only embodying the confident mindset of knowing that your desire is a done deal. Secondly, conscious manifestation is seriously all about your mindset. Transform your mindset into one full of confidence in your own abilities, and then deliberate manifestation becomes a smooth and easy breeze for you.

Your mindset is the key to experiencing Heaven on Earth. Seriously, just change the damn mindset, and you will never have to struggle on your spiritual journey ever again, I promise you.

"But not everyone likes using states-"

People who say this shit, do you hear yourself? Are you serious right now?

The complete ignorance and misinformation about the concept of states absolutely astounds me.

I'm only going to say this once, and I'm going to need you to listen close.

*STATES ARE NOT A DAMN METHOD*. Stop spreading this bullshit lie and misinformation.

States are a mental state. A state of mind with a certain perception. Your mindset holds your perception of everything you are aware of about yourself and the things you experience in your reality. You either have a "victimized" perception of yourself, or you have a truly confident perception of yourself in regard to conscious manifesting.

Either way, you are *always* in a state. There is no escaping that fact.

You always have a mindset.

States of consciousness are a mental attitude, not a motherfucking method and this is not something to "apply". Your state contains the beliefs/assumptions you have about yourself which is expressed right back to you in physical form.

You are unconsciously manifesting your reality all the time from your dominant state of consciousness. So no, it's not something "you can try to see if it works for you." You are always in a state of consciousness, whether it's a good one or a negative one.

This is not a matter of "well, whatever works for you. You decide-" No, no, no. One more time, you are *always* in a state, and you hold a dominant state that determines your perception of yourself and the "outer world" around you.

You are God experiencing the game of life through different states of consciousness.

The dominant state you hold is whatever manifests in the physical, and you are manifesting unconsciously all the time.

You are not your state. You are the pure awareness behind those states. You embody a state of consciousness, and the physical manifestation is expressed in your reality.

For more information on the truth about states, check out my post on Infinite States.

"Affirmations are thoughts"

Affirmations are simply positive statements for the assertion that something is true for you. These statements are expressed through thinking, speaking, and the use of subliminals/supraliminals.

Affirmations are a only a tool for reprogramming your beliefs in your subconscious mind to change your perception and they can also be used as a helpful tool for reminding yourself of already having your desires when you are living in the end and embodying the confident mind state of the wish fulfilled.

"I don't need to work on self-concept"

Love, you have got it twisted.

It's not about self-esteem or seeing yourself as a sexy goddess.

Your dominant state of consciousness is formed by your self-concept. Your honest conception of yourself is who you believe you are, the idea/perception you hold about yourself, and what you believe about yourself to be true.

Your self-concept forms your dominant state of mind which means it is the root cause of any underlying patterns you experience in all categories of your life. (health, jobs, money, relationships, spiritual journey, etc).

Your "outer world" simply is *yourself pushed out* and that is completely filled with your honest deeply-rooted beliefs/assumptions about yourself (and others: everyone is yourself pushed out).

Changing your self-concept only means to evaluate your inner beliefs/assumptions about yourself and change it all in order to experience your desired experience of reality as a result to match your new beliefs.

At the end of the day, improving your self-concept is solely about transforming your mindset from victimhood to the mindset of a confident creator who is aware of the manifestation power within.

Self-concept is always the most important.

Change the way you see yourself = your reality expresses the new change. There is *no* separation.

"But I need to reach the void! - blah, blah, blah"

No, you don't. You want to reach the void state, and your obsession with the void state needs to end.

You can manifest anything you desire with or without experiencing yourself as pure consciousness. It is all up to you.

You do not need to experience the void state in order to manifest your desires.

Let me tell you something, the void is actually *you* in your truest form. You are awareness.

The same awareness that manifested this whole entire universe.

And hear you are tripping out over "needing to achieve" the void state in order to manifest your specific person or a smaller waist.

You need to stop putting the void state on the pedestal and your mindset seriously needs to change, it's not helping you in reaching the void. You *are* the power of the void itself.

Take it down from the pedestal and put yourself on the pedestal instead. You are the God of your reality.

What are you tripping for? Simply turn within.

You can manifest *anything* you desire.

There are no limits for your power.

*You are the power*

You are the whole damn universe expressing itself in physical form. Get it together and chin up.

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Ending note: Please stop following blogs or listening to anons who are spreading these misconceptions and all this misinformation.

These people are sadly ignorant of the true workings of manifestation and how the law of consciousness naturally operates on autopilot.

Be careful with the information you consume on here or any other form of social media. Too many people have seriously got it twisted, and they're just regurgitating information from concepts they do not understand. It is absurd.

Thank you for reading. ~

[science-lover33]

Exploring the Intricacies of the Respiratory System 🫁💨

Welcome to my Tumblr blog, where we embark on an exciting journey through the intricate world of human anatomy and physiology. Today, we're focusing our lens on the respiratory system – a wondrous network of organs and tissues that orchestrates the exchange of gases essential for our survival. So, fasten your seatbelts as we venture into the fascinating realm of respiration!

Anatomy of the Respiratory System: A Symphony of Structures

At its core, the respiratory system consists of a highly organized ensemble of organs and structures working together seamlessly. This symphony of components includes the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and, of course, the lungs. Each of these elements has a crucial role to play in the intricate process of breathing, ensuring our bodies receive a constant supply of life-sustaining oxygen while effectively eliminating carbon dioxide.

The Alveoli: Tiny Powerhouses of Gas Exchange

Now, let's zoom in on the alveoli, the star players in the respiratory system's performance. These microscopic air sacs, nestled deep within the lungs, are where the real magic happens. Through the process of diffusion, oxygen from inhaled air enters the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, is expelled from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. It's here, at this cellular level, that the respiratory system's vital exchange takes place.

Breathing Mechanics: The Art of Inhalation and Exhalation

But how does it all come together? Breathing, a seemingly simple act, is a complex process guided by the contraction and relaxation of specialized muscles, primarily the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. These muscular movements manipulate the volume of the thoracic cavity, creating changes in pressure that facilitate the flow of air in and out of the lungs. Understanding the mechanics of breathing is fundamental to comprehending various respiratory disorders and their potential treatments.

Regulation of Respiration: A Symphony Conducted by the Brain

The respiratory system doesn't operate in isolation; it's under the watchful eye of our central nervous system. The medulla and pons, two regions of the brainstem, serve as the conductors in this symphony of breath. They continuously monitor factors like blood pH, carbon dioxide levels, and oxygen levels, adjusting our breathing rate and depth to maintain the delicate balance required for optimal body function.

Recommended Resources to Dive Deeper:

Book: "Principles of Anatomy and Physiology" by Gerard J. Tortora and Bryan H. Derrickson - This comprehensive textbook provides an in-depth exploration of the respiratory system, complete with detailed illustrations and accessible explanations for all levels of learners.

Article: "The Physiology of Respiration" by Stephen A. Ernst and John R. Helliwell - Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, this scholarly article offers an authoritative look into the physiological mechanisms of respiration, making it a valuable reference for those seeking in-depth knowledge.

Book: "Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials" by John B. West - For a concise yet informative journey through the key concepts of respiratory physiology, this book is an excellent resource, perfect for those looking to grasp the essentials of the subject quickly.

I hope this extended entry has sparked your curiosity about the intricate workings of the respiratory system. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if you'd like to explore another captivating topic in the realm of medicine and biology! 🌬📚

Here is my YouTube channel where you will find interesting videos, here is the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system

Don’t forget to like, share and subscribe

[lu-is-not-ok]

don't know if you have yet, but could you talk about Ya Śūnyatā Tad Rūpam?

Now, before I get into it, I'd like to make myself clear: my knowledge on Buddhism is extremely limited, so it's very likely that I'll miss some context around this E.G.O and Abnormality. I will try to research certain terms and ideas if they come up, but I am by no means an authority on these matters. Anyone more knowledgable on this subject is more than welcome to add onto this post in case I miss something.

With all that out of the way, let's dive under the cut for this shit.

Let's start with the Abnormality itself, My Form Empties. Now, it is immediately obvious that this Abno is heavily based in Buddhism, with the Abno itself taking on the form of a statue of Buddha that reveals a flesh-like interior when broken. Keep the idea of the stone exterior hiding the fleshy interior in mind.

In battle, My Form Empties makes use of two different Sin Affinities. Whenever it inflicts buffs and debuffs, it uses Lust Skills. On the other hand, whenever it inflicts Karma, it uses Wrath Skills.

The Skills that MFE uses to inflict Karma on both its enemies and allies are called Sluggard Waker and Compulsory Offering, both of which paint a very introduction to what this Abno wants. It giving Karma to others is seen as it Waking People Up and Forcing Them To Give It Offerings.

The latter is what caught my attention. From my brief research, Buddhism does have the concept of Offerings, however from my basic understanding they are much more bening than what MFE seems to want. In Buddhism, Offerings are usually made out of simple objects such as candles, incense, flowers, food, drinks, and such; as well as the acts of giving, following morals, meditating, and practicing wisdom. These Offerings are meant to grant the person who gives them merit, which leads to better rebirth and progress towards the release from suffering. ...I think. I'm no expert, so if I'm wrong, please do correct me!

Anyway, the reason why I'm going so deep into this is because of the nature of Offerings that MFE seems to look for.

Let's briefly look at how the Karma status effect works during its fight: MFE uses skills to inflict Karma (implied to be Bad Karma specifically) on its enemies, but if the enemy wins the clash, it inflicts Karma on its allies instead. When a unit with Karma successfuly hits another unit, its Karma gets transferred onto that unit. If the stone exterior of MFE is broken, it inflicts more Karma on its own allies, and begins targetting them with its own skills. Karma causes whoever has it to take more damage, and when its count reaches 108, the unit will instantly die.

With all of that laid out like that, here's how I understand what's going on. The Offerings done for MFE have the same "purpose" as in actual Buddhism - that being gaining merit and good karma, mechanically represented by getting rid of the (bad) Karma status effect. However, it's the nature of these Offerings that is the red flag - MFE rewards violence with good karma, and punishes weakness and insubordination with bad karma.

My theory on what this means is this: MFE is not a representation of the actual Buddha... obviously. Rather, it's a fake, twisted idol that uses the image of Buddha and concepts associated with it to gather followers and make them do its bidding. Remember the whole thing with its stone, statue-like exterior hiding a fleshy interior? I believe that statue-like look is a mere facade, while the real MFE is the flesh hidden within.

Keep in mind this idea of a fake idol hiding underneath a stone-like mask for when we later discuss the themes.

Now, I want to take a look at the Skill MFE uses to kill whoever has the most (bad) Karma at that moment - Prajñāpāramitā.

From my, again, brief research, the word means "the Perfection of Wisdom" or "Transcendental Knowledge" when translated literally. It's this concept of a perfect way of seeing the nature of reality, a type of knowledge that looks past form, sensations, perceptions, and so on. Themes of emptiness and lack of self appear to be quite important to the concept.

So... what exactly does it mean for MFE to be using this form of transcendental knowledge to effectively punish those who collect too much Bad Karma? Well, there is a possible hint to what happens in the unused texts for its MD interaction. This unused text reads:

"You close your eyes and focus on the sound. What is it saying? This thing is uttering thoughts. Empty oneself by verbalizing one’s thoughts. Expel everything within so that nothing remains. That is the statue’s way of forgetting the self. You sense yourself disappearing as well."

I think this makes it quite clear. When someone in MFE's vicinity accumulates too much Bad Karma, it effectively tells them how to reach that transcendental knowledge. How to forget one's self. How to destroy everything inside until nothing but emptiness remains. And just like that, whoever was told that does as told, and disappears without a trace.

It's a twisted take on this idea, turning the concept of reaching spiritual awakening through kindness and good deeds, into one of dangerous forbidden knowledge forced onto whoever this false idol deems its opposition.

Now, let's take a brief look at the names of the Lust Skills and Passives, and what they may mean.

Expound Sutras (grants Attack Power to allies) - the act of presenting or explaining sutras, aka scriptures. Could be interpreted as MFE presents its rules and scriptures as a way to bolster its followers' resolve.

Mahāsrī (gives Protection to target) - seems to be a reference to Lakshmi, a Hindu goddess of prosperity among other things.

Svāhā (gives Damage Up to target) - seems to be a reference to Svaha, the Hindu goddess of sacrifices.

The above two skills are interesting, as they reference Hinduism rather than Buddhism. My interpretation of that is that MFE, as a false idol, is "borrowing" the visages of other deities to give blessings, once again enforcing this idea of using facades of true god-like beings to exert power over others.

Dhyāna (inflicts Power Down and halves debuffs on self, also the name of the passive giving it 10 Protection) - a method of meditation that is meant to destroy states of mind that prevent the reaching of true awareness and detachment. Could be interpreted as MFE using this form of meditation to expel debuffs from itself, and instead inflicting them on its enemies, as well as it using it to protect itself from harm to its concentration.

Anatman (passive that activates when the interior is exposed) - a doctrine that claims nothing is truly unchanging or permanent. MFE entering this state of Anatman when its facade is broken could mean that the "true" nature of this false idol is one that is a lack of permanent self or essence, thus having to use the image of another figure to exert power. Keep that idea of one's nature being a lack of self in mind.

Nirmāna (passive that activates when the exterior recovers) - from my understanding, this refers to Nirmāṇakāya, the physical manifestation of Buddha. This seems to symbolize MFE returning to its facade, hiding its real identity under the visage of Buddha.

Okay, that was a lot. Let's take a look at the information we have on MFE from its Abno Logs and MD event.

From the Logs, we get a further confirmation that MFE's followers are obligated to protect it, and that when they fail, MFE starts punishing them. MFE is also outright called an idol of worship, and we learn that the "Karma" it uses manifests physically as a ring attached to those who accumulate it.

From the MD Event, we get to learn a few more things.

One - MFE uses mantras to verbalize its own thoughts to empty itself, further driving home that its true nature is one of emptiness, of lack of self or essence. We also learn that this chanting is not "joyous" and it's imbued with a "curse", once again twisting a concept tied to spiritual awakening in Buddhism into something much more negative.

Two - MFE is capable of judging people on whether they are "worthy" or not, as it denies giving up its ring if you fail the skill check. This further points to its judgemental and punishing demeanor towards its followers.

Three - The statue itself is described as "forever still", unmoving regardless of what happens around it. An unchanging self as a facade to an interior described as impermanent and empty.

Now, that was. A lot. If you made it this far, you are very brave and I'm proud of you. Let's actually lay out the themes My Form Empties touches upon.

The first theme I believe is important here is the idea of a false idol. This concept of something ungodly, fake, taking on the visage of a deity, of someone in power, to control others to do its bidding. In a broader sense, it's the concept of faking the position of authority for the sake of furthering one's goals.

The second theme I want to point out is the impermanence of essence, the lack of self. This idea of expelling everything within oneself, of forgetting one's self, so that one's true nature is simply emptiness. The concept of no true identity behind the mask, only nothingness.

Finally, the third theme I want to note is the idea of retribution. Of punishing acts that go against oneself. What goes around, comes around. That somewhat simplified concept of karma that is more common in western pop culture.

Alright, got all that?

Good. We can actually move on to the E.G.O itself now. (I'm sorry if you're at this point, I genuinely didn't want this analysis to be longer than Hex Nail's, but fuck man My Form Empties turned out to be a fascinating Abno to dig into.)

From my brief research, the phrase "Ya Śūnyatā Tad Rūpam" translates to "whatever emptiness there is, that is form", which seems to be a quote from the Heart Sutra (what MFE is inspired by).

During her Awakening attack, Outis says the following line: "Karma shall find its way back to you, and rest atop your head.", which is Incredibly Interesting. First of all, we have the theme of retribution in the form of Karma. This idea that the retribution of one's actions will inevitably come for whoever commited a wrongdoing. However, that's not all.

The phrasing of "rest atop your head", combined with the replacing of the khakkhara MFE uses with a more standard-looking blade brings to mind the story of the Sword of Damocles. A sword that hangs above the head of someone in power, reminding them that despite their great fortune, the cruelty they had to commit has put them in constant danger.

This is then combined with Outis performing an attack animation that heavily resembles that of MFE's Prajñāpāramitā attack, which we discussed earlier.

Now, there are two ways I believe this can be interpreted in.

One is Outis being the one seeking retribution. The other is Outis being the one on the recieving end of that retribution. From what we know of Outis's source, I believe we're dealing with the latter.

Outis has done something horrible in her past, which is extremely likely from the little bits we know of her thus far. This has caused a target to be put on her back, as it's not unreasonable to think either a specific person or whole factions are hoping she pays for what she's done, that retribution comes and punishes her for what she's done.

And she knows it. This way of being able to see her true reality, of knowing that she'll get what's coming to her sooner or later, this "forbidden knowledge", is a source of anxiety for her. Her Sword of Damocles, if you will.

Moving on, during her Corrosion attack, her dialogue line is "Fall silent… As if there were no suffering in the first place…", which is so fucking loaded that I don't know where to even begin.

This idea of ignoring suffering, of staying quiet despite obvious harm taking place. Is Outis here talking about the suffering of others? How she stayed silent as her actions caused immesurable harm to other people? Or is Outis here talking about her own suffering? How she has to stay silent and ignore her own pain to put on a brave, stone-faced mask?

The animation of the attack here is also interesting. While it still mimics MFE's Prajñāpāramitā attack, it's not actually directed against opponent. Outis directs the attack onto herself, causing her facade to fall away one by one. Clothes fall away, stone cracks, and what's revealed is the fleshy interior not unlike MFE's. This reveal of the emptiness within is what harms the opponent, rather than the blade itself.

Is this symbolic of Outis revealing that under her mask, under this facade of a military commander, there's no true identity beneath? That she truly is the Nobody she calls herself?

Let's get into the Sin Analysis part. If you are still here, I appreciate you, and I'm so sorry this is probably genuinely like twice as long as Hex Nail.

Ya Śūnyatā Tad Rūpam's Sin Affinity is Lust. It's a somewhat weird choice, but I think this ties back to MFE's first theme. By using this E.G.O, Outis takes on the emotional state of a false idol, of a fake authority, someone who puts on a facade to achieve something. The usage of Lust here could signify that that's the main motive for putting on this facade, for Outis to fulfill whatever goals she may have.

While it's possible that Lust Affinity here could imply some form of indulgence, I personally don't think that's really the case here. I believe that here Lust Affinity is meant to specifically represent the motive of fulfilling one's personal goals through the act that the E.G.O represents, that being becoming a false figure of authority.

Sin Resources-wise, Ya Śūnyatā Tad Rūpam requires equal amounts Lust, Sloth, and Pride.

Lust, like I mentioned when discussing the Affinity, likely represents Outis entering this state of mind to fulfill her own personal goal. I think the important part of Lust's usage here is the emphasis on these goals being personal. Whatever led her to take on this facade was likely something she deeply cared about.

Sloth here could represent a few things. One is the inaction in the face of suffering, this act of "falling silent" that Outis references in her Corrosion line. Another interpretation could be Outis's resignation to the inevitable retribution coming her way. She knows that Karma, this Sword of Damocles, is resting over her head, and yet she does nothing to change it. Perhaps she knows that there's nothing she can do, and has thus resigned herself to waiting for the moment that Sword finally drops.

Pride is, perhaps, the most obvious one of these three. To fall into this state of mind, to take on the false authority deception, Outis has to ignore the negative consequences for the sake of focusing on the benefits. She's doing this to fulfill her goals, regardless of the suffering it may bring to others, or the target it may put on her back afterwards.

And, to end it off, let's take a brief look at her Sin Resistances are. And, in all honesty, they seem quite fitting. In this emotional state of going back to decieving others, of putting on the facade of bravado and fake authority for the sake of her own goals, Outis is the most hurt by Sloth and Gloom. The reminder that she has resigned herself to the Karma coming for her, and the idea of dwelling on the fear and stress that inevitability causes her.

...God now that I'm back these really just keep getting longer huh. Sorry about that. If you got this far, congratulations. You get my gratitude and the knowledge that I spent like three hours on this whole post, researching Buddhism included. There's no obligation for you to share, but I would love to know how long this took for you to read.

I wish I could promise my next analyses won't be as long, but let's be honest there's no fucking way I can be sure of that.

[evvlevie]

Evangeline’s life-Update and one more piece of shifting advice ???

Hi! This is your favorite shifting blogger, Evie, again and I have some updating to do.

I Love this blog. Deeply. So so deeply. This blog has been created in a moment of my life, where I have been so obsessed with these YouTubers that I wanted to meet them so desperately, that I decided to look into reality shifting. At this point in my life, I am living a vastly different life than I was back in May of 2022 that topics like shifting or manifestation just haven’t been as much of my main focus as they have been nearly a year ago. That’s the whole reason why I am not posting as much anymore, or interacting with you guys because as I am writing this for you, I am sitting at home stressing over exams and a whooooole lot of personal stuff that escaping this reality starts to feel like a really great idea again, but I seriously don‘t have the mental capacities to pull that one off right now. In the past weeks I have been looking into the law of assumption a lot. What I mean by that is I have been looking into how/why the law is working the way it works in order to understand what manifestation is actually doing which automatically translates to why shifting is possible and how it can be achieved. I can promise you that every single advice that I, Evil Evie, am able to give you guys on the topics of manifestation and reality shifting is already on my page. When I do find my way back to tumblr I still repost advice or perspectives on this topic for you guys to see in case it can help you on your journey. Right this moment I am concentrating on my self concept. If you are into the law of assumption you might have already heard about this from one creator or another. To put it into simple terms: self concept is the way you view yourself and the beliefs that you have about you/ your life/ manifestation and basically everything ever. In my deep dive about law of assumption I have learned that all you ever manifest is you and who you are. Meaning: if you have a shitty self concept you manifest shitty things. Working on your self concept includes breaking down (negative) beliefs about yourself that feel pretty set in stone, in order to open the gateway to a (subjectively) more pleasant 3D-Reality. Why does this matter?

well if you read my toolbox-post you will notice, that that one is basically self concept work before I even knew what a self concept was. „If you view yourself as someone who shifts every single time they try, you will be someone who shifts every single time they try.“

Well congrats Evie, that’s self concept.

Do you absolutely need to do this in order to shift? Probably not. The answer is because as long as you think you are able to do it, you only need to do the things you consider necessary for that. If for some reason you (genuinely and seriously) believe that you shift every time you vacuum your carpet or whatever, then I guess vacuum your carpet and go crazy in your fame-DR. Because if there is one thing that even a simple Evie like me knows for sure about the universe and the manifestation, then it‘s that ultimately what you believe is truth. Always. you are the only creator of your reality. Only you can say what is fact and what is fiction in your world. That’s why self concept work can be a really handy tool in this. Self concept work in itself is basically just picking and choosing the rules that you want the 3D to play by and sticking to them. And by sticking to them I mean fully embody and enforce those new rules, even if the 3D hasn‘t adjusted to your new rules yet. Even if it shows you the opposite of what you have been affirming for so eagerly, if only you decide what is real and what isn‘t then even that has no power unless you give power to it. But I seriously advice you to look into self concept work if you have been struggling with manifesting or shifting realities for a while now. your limiting beliefs might be the whole reason you are blocking yourself from what you truly want and desire.

If you are reading my post, and are considering working on your self concept I want you to know this:

It will feel weird or fake in the beginning. That’s okay. That’s to be expected. After like day 4 it will feel like you are used to saying it. And after like idk Day 10 you will already feel like it’s true and real and you might even see the results of it in your reality already (I know I do). So even if you feel weird saying stuff like „I am the most desired person walking the planet right now“ after like a week you will be convinced of its certainty and notice the effect of that. And the same will always go for shifting realities. If self concept is the key, then really you might be only like 10 Days away from your DR if you stick to it and enforce and embody it for real. But I mean seriously embody it. Walk the earth like the most skilled shifter ever. Think of shifting like you are born to do it, made for it, the most professional there could ever be, like people are envying you for how destined you were do it. And if a negative thought plops into your mind, just laugh about it! Nothing has power unless you grant it power. Even a thought. A thought is just a thought. It‘s not the end all be all trust me. Trust in the law. Know that if you want it, you have it. Even if it might not be visible in the 3D yet, it is always always always unfolding in the best ways possible to get to you. Just trust.

I think this is really all I can say about manifestation-

Know what you want

know that if you want it you are getting it (as if you just placed an order with the universe)

relax about the arrival of your manifestation because there is no way you are not getting it

Don‘t buy into the unfavorable 3D, because it is only as real as you allow it to be

This being said:

i am deeply sorry about not answering asks. I really am. I want to help where I can, and as much as I can but the truth is I am so busy with my own life right now, I rarely have the time to sit down and think about someone’s situation, analyze it and give useful advice specifically altered to someone’s unique situation. That doesn’t mean that I do not care about any of you, it simply means that my life is a mess right now and I do not have the headspace to include other peoples struggles into my own.

I want to remind you guys that there really is no piece of advice that I could give you, that you can‘t already find on my page in some post or another, so maybe the answer to your questions is lying somewhere in my pile of posts and reposts.

I love all of you 1.4K (and more) Followers for choosing to stay with me and watch me become the coolest shifter ever. You guys can‘t believe how lucky I consider myself for having you ❤️❤️❤️ I am not leaving tumblr, or deactivating my account or any of that. YOU GUYS WILL GET MY DR STORIES AS SOON AS I HAVE MADE THEM!!!!! I am simply telling you that even a simple Evil Evie has some stuff to do and even if you don‘t see me post or answer asks I am not fully gone! I am just living life as well as I can. I am still here for you just not as active as I used to be.

but let there be one thing that I promise you:

As soon as I have been in my DR, you guys will hear about it. I am never giving up on shifting realities and since I am working on my self concept I am including shifting into that as well.

i will be back.

Yours in every reality,

Evie ❤️

[formulaorange]

2024 Winter Anime

It's here! It's finally here!!! Solo Leveling comes out this season! There's definitely a few others to keep an eye out for but this is the star of the winter season:

Solo Leveling One of my most anticipated series. I'm caught up on the english light novels (8 volumes) and I'm honestly so invested in this story. In a way it gives the same impact as One Punch Man but if the story progressed a little faster toward fame and growth in his power. Easily the best of the season. Noteworthy On Going Shows: Frieren - Episodes 17-28 One of the most mesmerizing and well paced fantasies I've seen. Also one of my 10/10s of all time. Worth looking into if you remotely like fantasy. Shangri La Frontier - Episodes 14-25 Another fantasy game series that honestly just looks like it's a fun game. Explores a lot of game mechanics within this full-dive VR type game that almost puts SAO to shame. Fun action, fantasy and fun for game lovers. Apothecary Diaries - Episodes 13-24 My current favourite drama/romance/medical mystery series. The characters are simple but the show highlights the different dynamics and almost feels like an enemies to lovers plot. New Seasons:

Blue Exorcist - Season 3 This is one of the og shows I watched growing up. It's a mythology school themed show that I loved. It's been 13 years since season 1 aired and I'm stoked to see it come back. It's being done by a different studio since A-1 is busy with solo leveling, so I'm not sure if it'll hit the same but I'll still check it out at least for the nostalgia.

Mashle - Season 2 The funniest anime I've seen in a while. Man muscle brains his way through magic school and the whole show is a meme of harry potter and other magic series. Truly entertaining. Can't wait for this season

Delicious In Dungeon This is a series I've wanted to pick up the manga for for a while. It's about dealing with food and hunger when these adventurers are deep in a dungeon and learn to start cooking and eating what they can find down there. Funny concept but honestly looks like a lot of fun.

The Unwanted Undead Adventurer I read this manga and light novel so long ago. (Literal years - link to my manga thoughts and summary). I'm looking forward to the adaptation. I think nowadays this kind of story doesn't catch nearly as much attention as it did a few years ago. An adventurer dies in a dungeon and is reborn as an undead who can evolve as he kills other monsters and he deals with trying to fit in with the human realm again and evolving. I'm still looking forward to it after keeping an ear our for so long!

Mr. Villain's Day Off I recently heard about this series and thought it was such a cute concept. Us with all our villain complexes with enjoy this one. Will likely be a background show for me as there won't be a huge plot, regardless, still fun to watch. Burn the Witch - #0.8 - 30 min Special I think this won't be as exciting now that Bleach has come back and we aren't as depraved of Tite Kubo's work but I really enjoyed the original short series. Hoping for more of this world in the future. Sequels: Classroom of the Elite - Season 3 Tsukimichi - Season 2 (Link to review of season 1) The Dangers in My Heart - Season 2 More Continuations: Undead Unluck Ragna Crimson After going through 20+ shows every season, many with sub-par animations and the same fantasy twists, I've become real picky about which series are even worth trying to watch these days. Here are the ones that deserve at least 2 episodes in order: A Sign of Affection - Gets a special spot since it's incredibly rare to see disability representation in anime and it looks like it's done quite well- A romance between a guy and a deaf girl. Looks super sweet Bucchigiri?! - I honestly can't say this looks appealing to me personally but I've hear the name before and well it's MAPPA. (Give em a break) 'Tis Time for "Torture," Princess - looks well animated and just a fun watch Metallic Rouge - The sci-fi series for this season. I'm not sure I have it in me to watch something heavy like this this season but it looks decent. The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic The Witch and the Beast - Here for manga readers - lowkey looks like the manga will be much better and this might be a skip for me. Hokkaido Gyaru's are super Adorable (Ecchi) ALSO - Big reminder: Haikyu!! and Demon Slayer have their movies coming out this season as well (both theatrical releases so keep an eye out!!!) Demon Slayer: To the Hashira Training - Feb 2nd 2024 Haikyu!! - The Dumpster Battle - Feb 16th 2024

[byemambo]

We Are Lead Actors as K-Pop Boy Group Concept Photos: A Deep Dive [1/2]

Because I can't be normal about anything, I took it upon myself for self indulgence (rip We Are Wednesdays) to share my takes on which boy group concepts the We Are lead actors are based on their editorials/professional photographs (with my own ideas for future photoshoots). I had a lot of fun with this and if anyone has other comments to add, please feel free to do so!

Pond Naravit as NCT 127 - 2 Baddies

Pond is such an amazing performer (yeah I see them kpop covers!) and I feel like his vibe definitely suits the more modern take on the hip hop concept. His pictorials from ELLE Thailand suited this perfectly, especially with the accessories (the earrings are my personal favorite). I'd love to see Pond's future editorials showcase more accessories and experiment with pattern and cuts of clothing, but keeping it on the darker side. His hair is also his selling point so styling his hair to show his facial features more is a huge plus.

What I'd Love to See: NCT 127 - Favorite (Vampire)

Pond's features can be emphasized by playing around with lighting since his clothing is rather simple, or even utilizing motion blur like Taeil's image second on the left. It's also the era of vampire content in QL recently (still mourning over no Boss as a vampire but we have Zomvivor so I guess I'll let it go this one time) so playing around with set design and props would be interesting, even something as simple as the location of the photoshoot itself to take advantage of the architecture.

Phuwin Tangsakyuen as ATEEZ - BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS)

I feel like from the images that I've seen Phuwin in, from his editorials to the fashion brands that named his ambassador like LOEWE, they seem to keep him in a more dapper and polished style such as the Frank Muller photoshoot for the Vanguard Beach watch collection. The green background instantly reminded me of one of the various concepts for ATEEZ's THE WORLD EP.2: OUTLAW EP featuring BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILI PEPPERS) as its title track, but the clothing for ATEEZ is more cyberpunk influenced to fit their alternate universe in their music video and lore. I'd love to see Phuwin take on more experimental fashion for his future editorials but I'm sure that's a big ask given he's very set on what he wants for himself as a person working in the entertainment world, which I heavily respect.

What I'd Love to See: ATEEZ - 멋(The Real) (흥 : 興 Ver.)

Jongho's hat always sends me but to not take away from Phuwin's dapper style, there can be experimentation with color and pattern with minimal fashion statement accessories. From something as simple as including a turtleneck like San in the second image or adding mismatched pattern like Yeosang's dress shirt in the third image, I think his stylists could include more fun textures into his wardrobe without overwhelming or taking away from his established image.

Winny Thanawin as ONEUS - Baila Conmigo

I was torn knowing that Winny is overdue for a new editorial since L'Officiel and I need someone to get on the ball with that asap. Although I included both images, ONEUS's La Dolce Vita EP had gorgeous photos for their mermaid concept (which I'm still mad at RBW for not even including it anywhere except the story teaser images like bruh not even in the damn MV or physical album), so I can totally see Winny embracing a more oceanic and beach vibe (just from scrolling his Instagram feed with all sorts of photos of the beach or poolside). Blue being his favorite color is also just a no brainer for this type of concept.

What I'd Like to See: ONEUS - 쉽게 쓰여진 노래 (A Song Written Easily)

I need the photographer to take this man outdoors, preferably somewhere along the coast to really utilize the sun and ocean breeze. He also deserves to expand more with his blue tones, given that he seems to wear a lot of it just in every day life. If not a denim set, definitely in some cargo shorts with a Hawaiian inspired shirt.

Satang Kittiphop as P1Harmony - 겁나니 (Scared)

We need to give P1Harmony their flowers because when I saw these Satang photos for KAZZ Magazine, my mind really went to their DISHARMONY: BREAK OUT EP with Scared as the title track. He's also around the members' ages (born between '01 to '05) so if he really wanted to, he could be their secret seventh member (he blends in so well with Keeho in the second image my god). I also think GMMTV should continue marketing Satang's visual image as more tough and badass simply because I find it enjoyable to watch him in series like We Are as the silly goofy little brother archetype while also serving face.

What I'd Love to See: P1Harmony - 때깔 (Killin' It)

Y'all cannot tell me Satang wouldn't suit the best of both worlds with having his edge while also tying in his more silly image from the characters he's played that we know and love. Whether they achieve this look from fun statement pieces like fur coats or bold colors, I'd think seeing Satang push beyond his edgy image and becoming more experimental with his wardrobe would be insane.

If you made it this far, I really appreciate it! Y'all, I don't know anything about fashion like that so please: don't expect too much out of me. I recognize patterns because I'm neurodivergent and have a hyperfixations LOL so I have to split this post up into two due to the image limit (found here) but otherwise, I hope y'all get to check out new music or groups, or even the genre of K-Pop if you're unfamiliar and want to venture into it. All these groups are extremely talented and deserve all the love and support they can get <3

[humanransome-note]

So I like cryptograms, which means my playing Tunic has been a combination of playing, and just an obscene amount of notes and screenshots.

But! The thing about cryptograms, is that they’re based on the concept that the text is (usually) a one to one replacement of the letters.

Add my only language is English, which is read left to right, top to bottom, conscript (constructed script) is something I’m tangentially aware of and do genuinely find interesting, but I’ve never done a real deep dive into the practice… beyond looking for shorthands or things I could easily write with my left.

But! With one simple rune, it looks like I’m going back in.

This, is “you” in Tunic’s script “Trunic” I believe it’s been called. And this,

Is use.

Figuring out these was simple, taking into consideration Tunic’s obvious aesthetic inspirations from The Legend of Zelda, when I saw this

When getting a potion, I figured it said something like “you [received] a [potion]” (received and potion I'm not 100% on yet)

So… we found “you”… what about “use”?

“Use key?” When selecting a locked door with a key in your inventory.

As you can see, what I have concluded to be “you” is in this phrase, with a few more strokes to the rune.

Which made me think “oh god, is this a phonetic system?” I'm scared of phonetic systems, I failed basically every spelling test I ever had in elementary and it was in part because I remembered the phonetics, but English is a nonsense language which borrows from everywhere and everything, so I basically berated the habit out of myself. Having to learn phonics at the same time didn’t help, because I’d do great in one part then did shit in the other.

So I caved and googled it, because I needed the confirmation or else I’d keep trying to treat it like a classic cypher out of spite.

It is phonetic, and the syllables are read from the center out, unless an additional stroke indicates otherwise.

So now that I know that… and I figured out the horizontal lines in the middle are actually just a “font” to help keep the strokes organized and make the number of syllables clearer. The actual shape is the same as a rupee from LoZ, which is adorable.

I have a few things I’m pretty certain about, like shield, key, use, an, to, bell, a (oh you poor vowel… you will be getting a mad nasty workout my friend)

Which I’m going to have to dissect for sounds, I think with “you” “use” and “to” I’ve got the long “o” sound confirmed, I think I know what strokes are the long “a” as well. as well as a sharp "t" and "y"

Some manual pages have both trunic and English script, which helps contextualize, like I think “press” is pointing to the a button here.

I hope my preexisting knowledge of cryptogram strategies will help. But we have yet to see.

[beautifulpersonpeach]

As promised here, I'm continuing a series of posts on NewJeans and why I think the group holds real potential. What I want to briefly talk about this time, is the quality of their music.

Credit: @/haerin1sta

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Not exactly sure how this is going to come across, but the truth is very few groups in k-pop give me a quality sonic experience. I mean, for a lot of groups, I get no joy from playing them out loud in my space. BTS is one group where the music is so dynamic, textured and layered... I know this probably sounds pretentious, but BTS's music is the perfect blend of cohesive + complex + simple to suit my taste. I enjoy sitting back in my living room, dimming the lights and drawing the blinds, to hear Dis-ease play over my Bowers & Wilkins 800 D4 speakers. It feels like an actual pleasure. I get this with BTS, nearly every time. There's a handful of other groups whose songs I sometimes feel this way about, but there's been no other group that consistently gets me this way lately more than NewJeans.

At least I'm pretty sure there's no other group that gets me to break out a subwoofer more than NewJeans, after BTS.

All their songs have such a deep and rich bass.

It's almost sickening. Listen, k-pop has done R&B for years. The sound isn't new to the industry by any means, but the way NewJeans does R&B you can tell whoever makes their shit, cette personne a eu le cœur brisé par une personne noire.

Take for example a song like ASAP. That moment the bass comes in at 0:40, during the chorus - it sounds heavenly on my speakers. The whole song feels kinda magical and odd, like Christmas in July, and I suspect one reason why is the chord progression which I recognize to follow that of many Christmas hymns... and the deep heavy bass.

You might not hear it right in this clip because of how Youtube compresses their sound, but I think one can still tell the pitch shifts slightly. The tweaky game-beat percussion that fills up the rest of the song feels disorienting but that's also the point. By the time the second chorus comes in, the contrast it creates feels like you're diving into a pool of cool water on a hot day. It's so good. It's like that weird genre-mix thing SM likes to do in their songs, but with NewJeans it's so much more effortless, weirder, and cooler.

*

This is Minji.

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This is Danielle.

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This is Haerin.

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This is Hyein.

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This is Hanni.

*

All five girls have clean, clear vocals and very distinct vocal colours. One reason their music is so good, is because all their songs put an emphasis on their vocals. For example, listen to the pulled stems for Hurt.

The first 2 minutes and 50 seconds is pure acappella heaven, and then you realize it's placed in the center. The mix is so full and centered, it's perfect. The other stems in the video from 2:50 too are such a delight to listen to.

The sense of easy excellence is everywhere in NewJeans' sound and concept. They don't need to force anything, they don't need crazy ornamental riffs, or ridiculous beat switches to capture and hold attention. All the harmonizing that needs to be done is already in the music. It's simple and for that reason, good. Hurt for example is just a well made song.

It's so fun to play in the car. It sounds like a joint Andre 3000 would produce.

Another song that absolutely blows me away when I play it, is Cookie. Can you even try to imagine what the intro on Cookie sounds like with subwoofers?

It's mad.

*

Ador encourages the girls to fully participate in several aspects, from songwriting (the members have been writing their songs since debut and 4 out of 5 members are credited on their songs so far), to making their choreography, to applying their ideas towards their marketing. It's really remarkable for a rookie group, but I also feel this is a culture HYBE has been trying to create at all their sub-labels.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to more music from NewJeans. Get Up was a solid treat - my ranking of the songs on it so far:

New Jeans

Cool with You & Get Up

ASAP

ETA

Super Shy

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(Haerin - dancer and vocalist)

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(Danielle - dancer and vocalist)

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(Hyein - dancer, vocalist, and maknae)

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(Hanni - dancer and vocalist)

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(Minji - dancer and vocalist)

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(I don't have a bias in NewJeans. And that's the first sign for me that this is a solid group.)

[navasmuhammed]

Social Smart: Mastering Social Media Marketing

Blog Concept:

Audience: Aimed at small business owners, entrepreneurs, and aspiring social media marketers who want actionable, real-world tips.

Post Format: Each post can be a "bite-sized" tip or deep-dive on specific aspects of social media marketing.

Content Style: Engaging and approachable, focusing on visual examples and relatable tips.

Suggested Post Ideas:

Content That Clicks: 5 Types of Posts That Drive Engagement – Share examples of popular content types for various social platforms (e.g., polls, stories, carousels).

The Best Posting Times for Each Social Media Platform – A simple guide with statistics and tips for maximizing visibility.

How to Create a Social Media Calendar (with Template!) – Offer a template that your followers can download, linking back to your website for more tools.

Creating the Perfect Bio: First Impressions on Social Media – Step-by-step tips on crafting bios that attract followers and represent a brand.

Understanding Social Media Algorithms in 2024 – Simplify algorithm updates on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok with practical advice for growth.

Content Ideas:

Visuals and Infographics: Design simple graphics that explain social media stats, best practices, or trending features. Tumblr loves visually appealing content.

Polls and Questions: Post polls asking followers about their biggest social media challenges. This can build engagement and help you tailor future posts.

Platform-Specific Tips: Share hacks for each platform, e.g., Instagram Reels, Twitter Threads, LinkedIn networking.

This blog could become a go-to for quick, actionable social media tips, growing your followers and establishing you as a knowledgeable resource in social media marketing.

[learning-robotics]

Mastering Neural Networks: A Deep Dive into Combining Technologies

How Can Two Trained Neural Networks Be Combined?

Introduction

In the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), neural networks have emerged as a cornerstone technology, driving advancements across various fields. But have you ever wondered how combining two trained neural networks can enhance their performance and capabilities? Let’s dive deep into the fascinating world of neural networks and explore how combining them can open new horizons in AI.

Basics of Neural Networks

What is a Neural Network?

Neural networks, inspired by the human brain, consist of interconnected nodes or "neurons" that work together to process and analyze data. These networks can identify patterns, recognize images, understand speech, and even generate human-like text. Think of them as a complex web of connections where each neuron contributes to the overall decision-making process.

How Neural Networks Work

Neural networks function by receiving inputs, processing them through hidden layers, and producing outputs. They learn from data by adjusting the weights of connections between neurons, thus improving their ability to predict or classify new data. Imagine a neural network as a black box that continuously refines its understanding based on the information it processes.

Types of Neural Networks

From simple feedforward networks to complex convolutional and recurrent networks, neural networks come in various forms, each designed for specific tasks. Feedforward networks are great for straightforward tasks, while convolutional neural networks (CNNs) excel in image recognition, and recurrent neural networks (RNNs) are ideal for sequential data like text or speech.

Why Combine Neural Networks?

Advantages of Combining Neural Networks

Combining neural networks can significantly enhance their performance, accuracy, and generalization capabilities. By leveraging the strengths of different networks, we can create a more robust and versatile model. Think of it as assembling a team where each member brings unique skills to tackle complex problems.

Applications in Real-World Scenarios

In real-world applications, combining neural networks can lead to breakthroughs in fields like healthcare, finance, and autonomous systems. For example, in medical diagnostics, combining networks can improve the accuracy of disease detection, while in finance, it can enhance the prediction of stock market trends.

Methods of Combining Neural Networks

Ensemble Learning

Ensemble learning involves training multiple neural networks and combining their predictions to improve accuracy. This approach reduces the risk of overfitting and enhances the model's generalization capabilities.

Bagging

Bagging, or Bootstrap Aggregating, trains multiple versions of a model on different subsets of the data and combines their predictions. This method is simple yet effective in reducing variance and improving model stability.

Boosting

Boosting focuses on training sequential models, where each model attempts to correct the errors of its predecessor. This iterative process leads to a powerful combined model that performs well even on difficult tasks.

Stacking

Stacking involves training multiple models and using a "meta-learner" to combine their outputs. This technique leverages the strengths of different models, resulting in superior overall performance.

Transfer Learning

Transfer learning is a method where a pre-trained neural network is fine-tuned on a new task. This approach is particularly useful when data is scarce, allowing us to leverage the knowledge acquired from previous tasks.

Concept of Transfer Learning

In transfer learning, a model trained on a large dataset is adapted to a smaller, related task. For instance, a model trained on millions of images can be fine-tuned to recognize specific objects in a new dataset.

How to Implement Transfer Learning

To implement transfer learning, we start with a pretrained model, freeze some layers to retain their knowledge, and fine-tune the remaining layers on the new task. This method saves time and computational resources while achieving impressive results.

Advantages of Transfer Learning

Transfer learning enables quicker training times and improved performance, especially when dealing with limited data. It’s like standing on the shoulders of giants, leveraging the vast knowledge accumulated from previous tasks.

Neural Network Fusion

Neural network fusion involves merging multiple networks into a single, unified model. This method combines the strengths of different architectures to create a more powerful and versatile network.

Definition of Neural Network Fusion

Neural network fusion integrates different networks at various stages, such as combining their outputs or merging their internal layers. This approach can enhance the model's ability to handle diverse tasks and data types.

Types of Neural Network Fusion

There are several types of neural network fusion, including early fusion, where networks are combined at the input level, and late fusion, where their outputs are merged. Each type has its own advantages depending on the task at hand.

Implementing Fusion Techniques

To implement neural network fusion, we can combine the outputs of different networks using techniques like averaging, weighted voting, or more sophisticated methods like learning a fusion model. The choice of technique depends on the specific requirements of the task.

Cascade Network

Cascade networks involve feeding the output of one neural network as input to another. This approach creates a layered structure where each network focuses on different aspects of the task.

What is a Cascade Network?

A cascade network is a hierarchical structure where multiple networks are connected in series. Each network refines the outputs of the previous one, leading to progressively better performance.

Advantages and Applications of Cascade Networks

Cascade networks are particularly useful in complex tasks where different stages of processing are required. For example, in image processing, a cascade network can progressively enhance image quality, leading to more accurate recognition.

Practical Examples

Image Recognition

In image recognition, combining CNNs with ensemble methods can improve accuracy and robustness. For instance, a network trained on general image data can be combined with a network fine-tuned for specific object recognition, leading to superior performance.

Natural Language Processing

In natural language processing (NLP), combining RNNs with transfer learning can enhance the understanding of text. A pre-trained language model can be fine-tuned for specific tasks like sentiment analysis or text generation, resulting in more accurate and nuanced outputs.

Predictive Analytics

In predictive analytics, combining different types of networks can improve the accuracy of predictions. For example, a network trained on historical data can be combined with a network that analyzes real-time data, leading to more accurate forecasts.

Challenges and Solutions

Technical Challenges

Combining neural networks can be technically challenging, requiring careful tuning and integration. Ensuring compatibility between different networks and avoiding overfitting are critical considerations.

Data Challenges

Data-related challenges include ensuring the availability of diverse and high-quality data for training. Managing data complexity and avoiding biases are essential for achieving accurate and reliable results.

Possible Solutions

To overcome these challenges, it’s crucial to adopt a systematic approach to model integration, including careful preprocessing of data and rigorous validation of models. Utilizing advanced tools and frameworks can also facilitate the process.

Tools and Frameworks

Popular Tools for Combining Neural Networks

Tools like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Keras provide extensive support for combining neural networks. These platforms offer a wide range of functionalities and ease of use, making them ideal for both beginners and experts.

Frameworks to Use

Frameworks like Scikit-learn, Apache MXNet, and Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit offer specialized support for ensemble learning, transfer learning, and neural network fusion. These frameworks provide robust tools for developing and deploying combined neural network models.

Future of Combining Neural Networks

Emerging Trends

Emerging trends in combining neural networks include the use of advanced ensemble techniques, the integration of neural networks with other AI models, and the development of more sophisticated fusion methods.

Potential Developments

Future developments may include the creation of more powerful and efficient neural network architectures, enhanced transfer learning techniques, and the integration of neural networks with other technologies like quantum computing.

Case Studies

Successful Examples in Industry

In healthcare, combining neural networks has led to significant improvements in disease diagnosis and treatment recommendations. For example, combining CNNs with RNNs has enhanced the accuracy of medical image analysis and patient monitoring.

Lessons Learned from Case Studies

Key lessons from successful case studies include the importance of data quality, the need for careful model tuning, and the benefits of leveraging diverse neural network architectures to address complex problems.

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Best Practices

Strategies for Effective Combination

Effective strategies for combining neural networks include using ensemble methods to enhance performance, leveraging transfer learning to save time and resources, and adopting a systematic approach to model integration.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Common pitfalls to avoid include overfitting, ignoring data quality, and underestimating the complexity of model integration. By being aware of these challenges, we can develop more robust and effective combined neural network models.

Conclusion

Combining two trained neural networks can significantly enhance their capabilities, leading to more accurate and versatile AI models. Whether through ensemble learning, transfer learning, or neural network fusion, the potential benefits are immense. By adopting the right strategies and tools, we can unlock new possibilities in AI and drive advancements across various fields.

FAQs

What is the easiest method to combine neural networks?

The easiest method is ensemble learning, where multiple models are combined to improve performance and accuracy.

Can different types of neural networks be combined?

Yes, different types of neural networks, such as CNNs and RNNs, can be combined to leverage their unique strengths.

What are the typical challenges in combining neural networks?

Challenges include technical integration, data quality, and avoiding overfitting. Careful planning and validation are essential.

How does combining neural networks enhance performance?

Combining neural networks enhances performance by leveraging diverse models, reducing errors, and improving generalization.

Is combining neural networks beneficial for small datasets?

Yes, combining neural networks can be beneficial for small datasets, especially when using techniques like transfer learning to leverage knowledge from larger datasets.

[adarkrainbow]

BD reviews: The good, the okay and the bad

Today's review - L'origine des contes, by Philippe Bonifay

France has a deep and intimate history with fairytales. My blog mostly focuses on literature, and I already did a few jumps in the domain of cinema - but this French presence of fairytales also expands into the most French of all media... THE BD! La BD! Aka, "bande-dessinée". Yes, it is technically just the French translation of the English term "comic book" - but I do like to keep the original appelation BD because the European BD (especially the Franco-Belgian BD) and the American comic books, while similar by many ways, are also very different by many other aspects - different sale techniques, different formats, different materials, very different histories and rules...

So, I wanted to do a quick dive into a handful of fairytale-related BD (not all because there's a HUGE amount of fairytales BD). I'll cover here four in a row, more or less extensively, and I want to begin with a series I deem to be a bad one. "A l'origine des contes". "At the origin of fairytales". A series written by Philippe Bonifay and released in three volumes in 2013 - each volume with a different artist and focusing on a different fairytale (Pinocchio by Thibaud de Rochebrune ; Snow White by Fabrice Meddour ; and Bluebeard by Stephane Duval)

I have only read two of the volumes - not the Pinocchio one. Everybody keeps saying the Pinocchio tome ("tome" sounds in English like "tome of eldritch lore" or a "grimoire" but in French what English folks call "comic book volume", we call "un tome de bande-dessinée" so I'll use tome for simplification) is the best in terms of art and story, but the other two ones left me such a sour taste I don't know if I will even take a look at it or not.

This series offers and proposes a very simple concept. "What if there was an actual, historical, realistic origin to the fairytales we know today? What if there was a REAL, and darker, story behind these childhood classics?". Each volume has as a narrative frame a fictional version of the ones who wrote the fairytales (Perrault for Bluebeard, the Grimm brothers for Snow White etc...), and proceeds to present us a dark, harsh story between the tragedy and the horror tale, set in a defined country at a defined time period, and that supposedly "inspired" the fairytales. Of course, this is all fictional pretense, as the author clearly wasn't interested in getting the actual folkloric or historical roots of the fairytales, and merely wanted to invent a darker, realistic alternative to the classics and present them through his BD.

In itself, it isn't a bad thing - as in, the series clearly does not pretend to be actual historical document, it is very clearly all fictional, and we had a lot of "realistic and darker, time-period" retelling of fairytales. In concept it basically evoked to me Maguire's "Mirror, Mirror" (I have not read Maguire's book, but based on everything I heard about it, the rough concept seemed to be the same). "A l'origine des contes" keeps popping up when you go searching for "adult BD about fairytales" - and the cover and general presentation already prepares you for a violent, mature and dark story. Just the cover of the Snow-White one depicts an axe-wielding woman with bloody snow surrounding her, and her breasts half-out of her corset. This establishes the "adult" trend. But what I was NOT expecting was for this to be one of those "bad" adult series.

There was a wave of "edgy" adult BDs at the turn of the century, whose entire topic was to present some sort of serious, dark story, preferably of historical inspiration, while adding in it a lot of shocking gore and a lot of nude women and a lot of sex scenes, at the detriment of the actual historic elements. A perfect example of this would be Jodorowsky's "Borgia" BD, a 2000s series centered around the life of the Borgia family - or rather based on their dark legend as a clan of corrupted, murderous, incestuous, proto-mafioso who poisoned everybody, defiled religion and took control of Rome... And it decided to amplify the dark legend even more. Deaths and mutilations and incestuous sex and gratuitous sexual perversity and plague and religious fanaticism all thrown together with as a pseudo-plot the historical political and religious manipulations of Rodrigo Borgia, and the dysfunctions of his broken family. Compared to this, "Game of Thrones" looks tame.

However, despite "Borgia" being basically a "historical snuff movie", it had something that "A l'origine des contes" does not have. It is FUN. As in, weird, perverse, classic slasher-fun. It does everything in such extremes and with such outlandish extent and it amplifies everything so much it becomes almost a gory parody and you just laugh at it all - and while it is clearly all hyper-fictional, it does take inspiration from the actual rumors, legends and claims surrounding the Borgias, it is merely a twisted mirror of their ACTUAL dark myth. But "A l'origine des contes"? Despite being much tamer in terms of sex and gore than "Borgia", and thus being more palatable, it lacks any kind of fun or interest - precisely because it keeps itself "contained" and "grounded", the bad elements pop out more (like the gratuity of nudity, or the lack of need for X violent scene to happen), and by literaly removing all the magic of the fairytales but replacing it with nothing, it produces a dreary and frankly boring thing... But worse crime of all: there's almost no real basis or interesting link or true twisting mirror of the original fairytales!

To give you an example of what I mean by that, I'll talk of the first volume I read: Bluebeard.

The so-called "real" story of Bluebeard is that there were in the Middle-Ages (well it's supposed to be the Middle-Ages but a recurring theme in this series is that clearly no historical research was made and the artist and author just threw whatever they wanted in there) beautiful twins - but one, after surviving the plague, became ugly. They grew up wanting to become great artists - but the ugly and deformed brother ended up drowning in his bitterness at being the "ugly, hidden one" while his lovely brother got all the praise and love. And the deformed twin growing madder and madder, he starts becoming murderous... You start thinking "Oh, I see, so this is what was hidden in that forbidden room, the murderous twin! And the one who killed wives wasn't Bluebeard by his evil double!". The latter is true: here, all of Bluebeard's wives were killed by his envious and mad twin. The first sentence howeve turns out massively wrong because of the final wife, of the blood-stained key, of Bluebeard's house/castle, we have no trace! In fact, the only two elements Bonifay kept from the original story were "A) A guy name Bluebeard B) has lots of wives that end up killed". And that's literaly it - nothing else from the original fairytale is taken, and in fact, if it wasn't for the iconic name of Bluebeard, you wouldn't even KNOW this was supposed to be a Bluebeard adaptation.

Many people pointed out that Bonifay clearly had here an inspiration and influence from Gothic tales or the fantastique genre - he pushed the original story of Perrault towards the grounds of "Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde", and "The Portrait of Dorian Gray"... But he pushed so far it basically ends up being its own story with barely any relationship to the original one. In fact, it feels VERY strongly as if Bonifay had an idea for a different BD, couldn't get published, and recycled it for his Fairytale series. This is just about a guy trying to escape his murderous shadow-twin, who keeps killing all of his wives, no matter how far he goes - because, and I rolled my eyes there and skipped the whole arc because come on ; because he even goes to THE DEEPEST PARTS OF AFRICA and marries there a girl from some random tribe, and I just skipped it all ahead... Oh yes the whole "artist" plot is also involved here, because the murdered wives are used by the mad twin brother for some sort of grandiose sculpture the brothers had planned since teenagehood. And if you want to know the reason why Bluebeard is called Bluebeard, it could have been interesting but it is delivered in such a silly way: the good-looking twin got a knife-wound on his chin that made it so that he had a hairless spot in his beard, and to cover it up he wore a beard-jewel with a sapphire on it, hence the "Bluebeard" nickname.

Overall my main grief was that, despite supposedly telling the "true story of Bluebeard", it offered us... something completely different, an entirely different and un-fairytale like story that seems to have been hastily stitched into the Bluebeard mythos. But I still decided to go on and check another tome of the series...

The Snow-White one. And... again, a disappointment and that's where I decided I wouldn't finish the trilogy.

It is too bad because there, at least the story clearly was a reflecton of "Snow-White", and there were some cool ideas in here. For example - a link formed between the dwarves and the "evil stepmother"! (She isn't queen here, Snow's father being... a count or marquis, or something, i can't recall well). I haven't seen a lot Snow White adaptations that decide to give something personal tying the dwarfs to the evil stepmother. Here, the evil stepmother used to be a scheming, ambitious circus-girl that ended up marrying Snow White's father pretending to be someone else (at least I think...), and ultimately, to get rid of her shameful past, set fire to the barn where her whole circus family was sleeping a few days before her wedding. And the dwarfs, as it turns out, were circus dwarfs who were part of the same team as the evil stepmother, and survived the fire, and still hold a grudge against her for killing their family. That's a neat and cool idea!

Similarly, the ending of the tale was also very interesting - to show how the tale is a "realistic" one that the Grimms "reinvented" into a magical one, in the historical story Snow White ends up actually dying, killed by her evil stepmother, and she only "survives in her glass coffin" because the dwarfs that had sheltered her grieve her and carry on her memory until their own death... That's a very cool and beautiful idea to oppose the sad reality of the death of a beloved young girl with the fairytale logic of "dead princesses come back to life thanks to their prince charming".

But unfortunately this comic still has so many flaws it becomes a dreary, bleak and even boring read. The tale is muddled, there's again gratuitous nudity (such as the evil stepmother getting undressed to "pay" the hunter she hired to kill Snow White) so blatantly un-needed (especially since the whole point of the stepmother's character was that she was tired of being used like a prostitute by the circus she came from), the framing device of the brothers Grimm commenting the tale they are reading is POSITIVELY USELESS (as in, they basically just do "Oh!" or "Ah!" or repeat what we just saw as readers - this felt like so much waste of ink and paper and space)... Oh yes, and there's also the problem of the defective print!

This isn't something exclusive to the copy I read - other reviewers online pointed it out. This tome got a big misprint issue resulting in the text of several speech bubbles being displaced onto other speech bubbles, or the dialogue of one page being interverted with the one of another page, making the story even more confusing and incomprehensible...

In conclusion: I do not recommend these comics, except if you are a fan of the artists who made each issue. But in terms of fairytale adaptations, or even of "dark fairytales", they're just... bad, and unrelated, and very poor. And I am sad THESE got promoted whenever there's talk of "adult fairytale BD".

[construingseacats]

Umireread - Legend of the Golden Witch: Wake

The following contains spoilers for the entirety of Umineko. Please do not read if you are yet to finish it.

And now for my secret epilogue.

If my heart was not as full as it was, this would be a Post-Mortem. This would be a dissection of Episode 1, a mechanical look at the themes and thoughts developed throughout.

But this is not a heartless check of a cadaver. It is not without respect to the dead. I’m not here to talk scientifically, nor am I here to mourn; we are here to celebrate the life of the story we have just consumed. Henceforth, this is not a Post-Mortem - it is a Wake.

One of the issues with structuring Umireread as a reactionary play-by-play is that it’s difficult to say anything significantly meaningful about the story - while the opportunity has arisen from time to time, we’ll be doing the proper deep dive into the themes here.

Episode 1, while relatively simple on the surface, already establishes quite a lot of the significant themes that Umineko desires to talk about. Of note, we’ve leaned quite heavily into the concepts of truth and fantasy, the dangers of appealing to tradition and the resulting generational trauma, and the ease of dehumanisation towards those you don’t understand. I do not necessarily think that the levels that these are explored in Episode 1 by themselves are of significant note, but rather these explorations lay a phenomenal groundwork for future exploration instead of being complete topics in isolation.

Undoubtedly, the most significant theme explored in Episode 1 is that of truth versus fantasy. This exists in the text not just as a tool towards the mystery - with Battler noting in the Tea Party that he can only trust what he sees, and hence making clear that many of the seemingly unusual elements of the murders are entirely fabricated - but as a way of dealing with truths that offer nothing but suffering. Drawing from a background as a social worker, having been exposed to many terrible incidents and realities of domestic life that the greater public turns a blind eye to, Ryukishi accurately depicts denial as a coping mechanism and paints it with a nuanced brush that does not outright condone it - as evident from the cousins disparaging Maria for pushing her idealised fantasy forcibly onto them - but also ensures that the reader can see the benefits of such a tactic, with many characters being confronted with the truth in a way that is needlessly upsetting. The first twilight makes this evident with Battler being traumatised by witnessing the mangled corpses of his parents, burning the terrible picture into his psyche forever; while George is able to look away from the scene, and avoid having to carry the same weight from witnessing his would-be fiancée in such a state. There is no benefit to their mental health for many characters being privy to the mutilated states of their loved ones, yet the scenes continue to be witnessed by them, bringing naught but avoidable misery.

Being able to turn a blind eye to these truths, while it does not undo them, allows the characters to exist in “fantasy”, letting their mind save them from the horrors they do not need to comprehend. The Tea Party refers to collective fantasy as “magic”, stating that being able to retreat to such a place with others is something special, painting it as a positive thing. While I will not be getting too deep into the specifics, as I am not a theologian, we can see this phenomena in real life in cases such as Religion. Regardless of the truth of what happens to us after we die, humans are aware of the concept of oblivion, and for as long as they have had intelligent minds they have sought to reject it. Religions and other explanations that seek to deny the possibility of oblivion - even if they are not grounded in any known scientific principles or evidence - are an example of this sort of mentality. Religion, and these beliefs as a whole, act as a boon that makes the lives of the people within them better. Similarly, the world is host to significant horrors in all shapes and forms - war and famine are such broad terms that they almost feel sanitised, but the reality of them is devastating, and the fact that so many humans across the world are living in such unimaginable conditions can take a significant mental toll on the human mind. To those living in first world countries, who do not need to worry about where their next meal is coming from, whether today will be their last as explosives rain from the sky, whether continuing to live is even worth the suffering laid before them - being cognizant of these truths is not necessarily a positive thing. It is easy to forget in the information era, with easy access to the affairs of the world at a moment’s notice, but humans have spent the vast majority of their existence completely unaware of the events of far-off places. Even just a hundred years ago, if someone were to ignore the reports of a newspaper, they would be able to live their life centred on the actions and events that were immediately relevant to them. Such a life is not a moral failing; many of those who trek through social media sites, learning of terrible events in far off places, will never make a difference towards them. Their knowledge of these affairs offers no tangible benefit for them; only a further sense of dread towards the state of the world. Even those who deny this notion and insist on being educated on these matters, under some sense that this information makes them a better person, fall prey to the fantasies that have been constructed around them. While the news may lift the veil on atrocities in the middle east, there is a notable lack of reporting to many African countries and the events that are ongoing there. Would being acutely aware of the atrocities taking place over there actually benefit you in any way? Or, for the sake of your mental health, is it better to not concern yourself with negative affairs that may never impact your life in any way? Umineko takes the approach that can be constructed through game theory, stating that if truth makes your life measurably worse, and fantasy makes it measurably better, then you should opt for fantasy; on the understanding that your fantasy may not make the lives of others measurably better, and should be shared with caution and care.

On a lighter note - generational trauma. Umineko also establishes quite early on that the Ushiromiya Family are old money - while Kinzo managed to rebuild the family in the post-war era, meaning there is some separation of tradition and the Neo-Ushiromiya, the family has returned to conservatism and places great value on old fashioned ways. The family is significantly patriarchal, with the dining room arrangements establishing that grandchildren of the family matter more than the married partners of their parents. Women are thoroughly treated as being second-class, if not worse, with the term “borrowed womb” showing up on several occasions - stating that they are nothing to the Ushiromiya but a machine to pump out more children for them. This mentality takes root in Jessica, who as early as Chapter 1, feels defeated over the fact that her sex makes her inferior to men. Kinzo’s lecherous ways are also displayed as a trait that has progressed through the family, with Rudolf being a notorious womaniser and Battler having several moments where he is acting perverted towards all manner of girls in the family. Regarding the aforementioned mentality, Umineko makes sure to portray this in a negative light, by investigating how this stigma affects those who must abide by it. Kinzo is noted as having raised his children quite forcibly, being no stranger to beating them for insolence or perceived misbehaving. This iron-fisted approach to parenting has carried through to the next generation, with most of the cousins admitting to having received beatings, or physically receiving them through the course of the story. This most notably flares up in the portrayal of Rosa and Maria, with Rosa having trouble maintaining control over her life as a single mother to a neurodivergent child, exacerbating the problem by lashing out uncontrollably as she has learned from her father. Rosa’s reaction to being awoken by Genji in Chapter 7 is reminiscent of deep-seated trauma, believing her being stirred is an inherently negative sensation that will be accompanied by heavy reprimanding; potentially of a physical nature. This manifests in her tendency to violently beat Maria, ensuring that the cycle of abuse continues for generations to come, should the Ushiromiya family not be put to a stop before that.

Finally, Umineko makes explicit in the Witches’ Tea Party about the divide between treating characters with love and respect, identifying the human behind them, and seeing them as nothing more than parts of a story. This is reflected even within the story by the nature of dehumanisation, with characters such as Eva removing the humanity from Shannon and seeing her as naught but “some servant girl”. In the same way that someone reading a story with no intent to engage past a surface level understanding would reduce a character to mere tropes - for example, boxing Eva off as a “girl boss” and only engaging with her through the lens of that trope rather than as the complicated character she is - characters who are vibrant with their humanity have it taken away by those who do not care to understand them. As we will come to see, one of the beating hearts of Umineko is that of Yasu wanting someone to understand her; to see her not as a cold-hearted serial killer, nor as an illegitimate child seeking revenge, nor as a trans girl boss who can do no wrong. Anyone reducing her to an aspect of her personality and failing to engage with her beyond that lens has failed to fulfil her wish. She wants to be truly known, appreciated in her entirety by the uncountable aspects that are present in every human being. After all, if you reduce a character to a surface level trope - to but a single purpose in life - then they would be no different to a piece of Furniture.

Umineko will continue to build upon these themes and explore them in the Episodes to come - however, even isolated from that, Episode 1 has done a remarkable job of establishing and exploring these concepts in a way that most readers would fail to comprehend on an initial reading, let alone an immediate follow up should they decide to do so again without progressing further. In the same way that a character in a story must be appreciated in their entirety to be seen as human, so too must Umineko be consumed in full to truly appreciate the work that it sets out to do. After all, you must open your own heart to be able to realise the one that lies before you. Without love, the truth cannot be seen.

Beyond these themes, Umineko Episode 1 is a good piece of literature - by itself, it offers what feels like a relatively realistic depiction of a rich family thrust into a murder mystery situation, where the characters flail and doubt themselves while the clock runs down on what could have been an avoidable tragedy. There is a pervasive sense of dread as more characters are killed off and the survivors struggle with the reality that they do not even know what is killing them. It indulges in horror tropes that we do not really get to see in future episodes, as fantasy is accentuated and tools are provided to help cope with the mystery and avoid drowning in the uncertainties that plague would-be solvers of Episode 1; when a culprit could be identified relatively readily, but cannot be confirmed due to the probatio diabolica inherent to the possibility of a 19th person, or other outcomes such as hidden passages or inexplicable scientific tools that could bypass restrictions placed on apparent closed rooms.

Episode 1 is at its best when it’s really digging into the humanity of the characters - I have listed the first twilight as a specific highlight already, with the visceral reactions feeling incredibly real - perhaps to an extent that I would not be surprised if Ryukishi was drawing upon a specific incident he witnessed during his time as a social worker. However, Umineko is at its worst when the opposite occurs, when humanity is cast aside for the purposes of narrative or exploration. There are several instances when characters will have just gone through unimaginable grief, and within hours are casually chatting about concepts like children who just read something cool on wikipedia. And of course, the story is served a great disservice by opening so heavily with Battler attempting to grope his family members.

Umineko Episode 1 also appears to dwell quite readily in subversion. In many ways, it looks to make the reader lower their guard, before hitting them in a way to ensure that they know they are reading something different to what they are used to. The game opens with a jovial mood and several tracks reminiscent of more generic visual novels, before introducing more complicated musical arrangements and the horror themes further on. The Tea Party in particular directly tricks anyone expecting Umineko to be a rehash of Higurashi, making it clear mere moments later that this will be a very different tale to the time loop mystery that many had read before. Battler’s antics may also be viewed through this lens, with early Battler appearing more like a generic protagonist in a work targeted towards otaku, erring on the side of lechery and having it swept aside as a joke. Whether this was a wise approach, given that early Umineko (and much of the merchandising) is designed to appeal towards otaku while the work itself is a scathing criticism of them, is yet to be seen.

And, if I may finish by indulging myself once more, I just want to quickly reflect on the current state of the reread. I have no doubts that we will be finishing this - while I can’t guarantee that I can handle near-daily updates for the next 20 weeks, this shan’t be a project that will be abandoned halfway. We will progress to the very last lines of Episode 8, by hell or high water.

We are around 32,000 words into this extended analysis. I wasn’t quite sure what form I wanted this to take when we started, beyond a vague idea of the format, but I feel like we’ve already got past the initial hurdles, dealt with some growing pains, and settled into a good approach regarding what should be addressed and omitted for each chapter. Which parts should be acknowledged out of interest, what jokes should be made for levity in our own work, and what demands a more thorough investigation under a microscope. While Episode 1 is actually one of the longer episodes, funnily enough, I still foresee us easily writing more than 200,000 words by the time the pen is placed down after Episode 8. I anticipate Umireread to be longer than even the longest Episode of Umineko.

That being said, thank you to everyone who has engaged with this so far - while this is still a project I would want to undertake even if it was all being projected into the void, the humble amounts of interaction have been good to see. I appreciate that we seem to have a couple of readers coming back for each post, and a few people who have left their own comments and thoughts - which have all been interesting to read. As I said at the very start of this work, to all the people who have joined us already, to all the people joining us now, and to anyone who may join us, no matter how far in the future, thank you for taking part in this journey. I hope that, just as the love evident in every part of Umineko radiates from the page, the love within my own words can be seen by all that they reach.

With that, Episode 1 comes to a close.

Seven more to go.

[dishachrista]

Exploring Game-Changing Applications: Your Easy Steps to Learn Machine Learning:

Machine learning technology has truly transformed multiple industries and continues to hold enormous potential for future development. If you're considering incorporating machine learning into your business or are simply eager to learn more about this transformative field, seeking advice from experts or enrolling in specialized courses is a wise step. For instance, the ACTE Institute offers comprehensive machine learning training programs that equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in this rapidly evolving industry. Recognizing the potential of machine learning can unlock numerous avenues for data analysis, automation, and informed decision-making.

Now, let me share my successful journey in machine learning, which I believe can benefit everyone. These 10 steps have proven to be incredibly effective in helping me become a proficient machine learning practitioner:

Step 1: Understand the Basics

Develop a strong grasp of fundamental mathematics, particularly linear algebra, calculus, and statistics.

Learn a programming language like Python, which is widely used in machine learning and provides a variety of useful libraries.

Step 2: Learn Machine Learning Concepts

Enroll in online courses from reputable platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy. Notably, the ACTE machine learning course is a stellar choice, offering comprehensive education, job placement, and certification.

Supplement your learning with authoritative books such as "Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn, Keras, and TensorFlow" by Aurélien Géron and "Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning" by Christopher Bishop.

Step 3: Hands-On Practice:

Dive into real-world projects using both simple and complex datasets. Practical experience is invaluable for gaining proficiency.

Participate in machine learning competitions on platforms like Kaggle to challenge yourself and learn from peers.

Step 4: Explore Advanced Topics

Delve into deep learning, a critical subset of machine learning that focuses on neural networks. Online resources like the Deep Learning Specialisation on Coursera are incredibly informative.

For those intrigued by language-related applications, explore Natural Language Processing (NLP) using resources like the "Natural Language Processing with Python" book by Steven Bird and Ewan Klein.

Step 5: Learn from the Community

Engage with online communities such as Reddit's r/Machine Learning and Stack Overflow. Participate in discussions, seek answers to queries, and absorb insights from others' experiences.

Follow machine learning blogs and podcasts to stay updated on the latest advancements, case studies, and best practices.

Step 6: Implement Advanced Projects

Challenge yourself with intricate projects that stretch your skills. This might involve tasks like image recognition, building recommendation systems, or even crafting your own AI-powered application.

Step 7: Stay updated

Stay current by reading research papers from renowned conferences like NeurIPS, ICML, and CVPR to stay on top of cutting-edge techniques.

Consider advanced online courses that delve into specialized topics such as reinforcement learning and generative adversarial networks (GANs).

Step 8: Build a Portfolio

Showcase your completed projects on GitHub to demonstrate your expertise to potential employers or collaborators.

Step 9: Network and Explore Career Opportunities

Attend conferences, workshops, and meetups to network with industry professionals and stay connected with the latest trends.

Explore job opportunities in data science and machine learning, leveraging your portfolio and projects to stand out during interviews.

In essence, mastering machine learning involves a step-by-step process encompassing learning core concepts, engaging in hands-on practice, and actively participating in the vibrant machine learning community. Starting from foundational mathematics and programming, progressing through online courses and projects, and eventually venturing into advanced topics like deep learning, this journey equips you with essential skills. Embracing the machine learning community and building a robust portfolio opens doors to promising opportunities in this dynamic and impactful field.