#do they not have alternate ways of getting resources support or even what they might want'' rather than ''so if only whenever there's two

[unproduciblesmackdown]

ad break it's book z for zachariah ending all the way out here all the time....question like is there any kind of relationship, theoretically just any framework for ways people interact but perhaps for these purposes actually frameworks for ways people have access to someone that deserves to be reinforced, where someone shouldn't have the choice to in the present deny or going forward end whatever form of access someone has had to them. can people Not leave a romantic relationship anytime, Not have sex with someone they've ever had sex with, Not stop talking to someone, even if that someone doesn't get Notice or Explanation or whatever is supposedly "ideal." applying to friendships too when people talk about it like they might for romantic / dating relationships like "someone's Done Wrong if they left secretly surprisingly no followuppingly. if they friend or romance broke it off with me instead of trying to make it work or Explaining Themself that i might rebut" like ah nothing wrong with the person who might hear that someone wants to break up & goes "okay :) let's be mature & good people & talk about how you're not going to do that though, you don't Have to, we ought to Make It Work (so long as i want to / return to the norm & just rinse & repeat this process if you talk about leaving again)"

classics on whatever platform can have ambient topics / post discussions like oh of course on tumblr people would say Stealing Is Okay, shoplifting, piracy. twitter like unpopular opinion but i'm brave enough to say cheating is always wrong, i.e. extremely popular opinion, lying is always wrong, why be like sure these things might not happen under Ideal Circumstances but there's many ways things can be unideal; meanwhile ppl can define "ideal" romance as peak isolation & exclusion & if you think about it it's cheating if [literally anything that isn't in theory &/or in practice denying All connection & interaction or even desire for it forevermore b/c romantic partner is all] like going great. the "worst case" version of like [oh no a Date or Romantic Partner or Friend has ghosted me] w/o power imbalance is like yeah probably someone is hurt if they Expect to be responded to but like okay & if that person doesn't want to respond still like ultimately what Beautiful Potential Relationship was certain to have been lost here. is this enough that Everyone should be entitled to A Response from Anyone should they want it. how & why would that happen. vs that people will sometimes extricate themself from a relationship or deny whatever access to themself for plenty of reasons & a "legitimate" "conversation" may have never been on the table, hence seemingly not trying to talk it out or deliver a satisfactory thesis defense about whatever choice about who gets to interact w/them in whatever way. where like even if you don't know the reason, do you Need to. if someone you know Surprisingly broke up with someone & you don't know why do you Need to know & get to decide it's "good enough" or else they literally can't do that, should be punished for doing that until proven innocent(tm). in What scenario in general regardless of specific cases should it be like oh yeah someone Cannot just back out / avoid / exit this if they want to for any/no reason. if my shift was over i would pack all the babies into boxes marked nonperishable items & ship them out to groceries in pennsylvania. you have to respond to my inquiries or i've been wronged & this is instruction for everyone in all aspects of life

& like when is the Cohesion of some Group the primary goal such that what actually happens to people within it is secondary like well foregone conclusion you're staying in the group. implicitly whatever's done to Keep you in the group regardless of what you want is also good. implicitly there's power difference taken advantage of if some people who don't want that Cohesion are overridden. who has that power. ppl like oh well i guess if for any or no reason you wouldn't interact with / perform in any "community" in certain ways you're a bad person Anyway then (can die i guess) dropping my friendship my romantic relationship my familial relationship without "enough" "effort" guess you're a bad person, by extension someone not putting in the "effort" to have these relationship categories / forms of interaction in the first place. like okay & what, they die in this ideal vision of Good People Doing Enough which is about breakups not happening at all or only when you want them & that's how survival needs to happen. how & why. vs that what would be Less ideal about a group that everyone wants to be in but doesn't Have to, about like Whatever about sorting the good & bad people if nobody Has to deal with someone else's goodness or badness through greater vulnerability leveraged against them. what's less ideal about "no it's not ideal if someone Has to grant access to themself to someone else who wants it? even if third parties are like aw it's Nice that they want it, it's Mean to deny that want" like there's that logic readily potentially broken out for romance, friendship even, you have to let this person up & talk at you & get your response, Join In on whatever you're doing, request you join them in whatever, accept this hug, etc. you just have to. or you're sinning or disabled (both making you less human :( ) like well that's all that

[subjectsix]

KIP'S BIG POST OF THINGS TO MAKE THE INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY SUCK A LITTLE LESS

Post last updated November 23, 2024. Will continue to update!

Here are my favorite things to use to navigate technology my own way:

A refurbished iPod loaded with Rockbox OS (Rockbox is free, iPods range in price. I linked the site I got mine from. Note that iPods get finicky about syncing and the kind of cord it has— it may still charge but might not recognize the device to sync. Getting an original Apple cord sometimes helps). Rockbox has ports for other MP3 players as well.

This Windows debloater program (there are viable alternatives out there, this one works for me). It has a powershell script that give you a little UI and buttons to press, which I appreciate, as I'm still a bit shy with tech.

Firefox with the following extensions: - Consent-O-Matic (set your responses to ALL privacy/cookie pop-ups in the extension, and it will answer all pop-ups for you. I can see reasons to not use it, but I appreciate it) - Facebook Container ("contains" Meta on Facebook and Instagram pages to keep it from tracking you or getting third party cookies, since Meta is fairly egregious about it) - Redirect Amp to HTML (AMP is designed for mobile phones, this forces pages to go to their HTML version) - A WebP/AVIF image converter - uBlock Origin and uBlacklist, with the AI blacklist loaded in to kill any generative AI results from appearing in search engines or anywhere.

Handbrake for ripping DVDs— I haven’t used this in awhile as I haven’t been making video edits. I used this back when I had a Mac OS

VLC Media Player (ol’ reliable)

Unsplash & Pexels for free-to-use images

A password manager (these often are paid. I use Dashlane. There are many options, feel free to search around and ask for recs!). There is a lot that goes into cybersecurity— find the option you feel is best for you.

Things I suggest:

Understanding Royalty Free and the Creative Commons licenses

Familiarity with boolean operators for searching

Investing in a backup drive and external drive

A few good USBs, including one that has a backup of your OS on it

Adapter cables

Avoiding Fandom “wikias” (as in the brand “Fandom”) and supporting other, fan-run or supported wikis. Consider contributing if its something you find yourself passionate or joyful about.

Finding Forums for the things you like, or creating your own*

Create an email specifically for ads/shopping— use it to receive all promotional emails to keep your inbox clean. Upkeep it.

Stop putting so much of your personal information online— be willing to separate your personal online identity from your “online identity”. You don’t owe people your name, location, pronouns, diagnoses, or any of that. It’s your choice, but be discerning in what you give and why. I recommend avoiding providing your phone number to sites as much as possible.

Be intentional

Ask questions

Talk to people

Remember that you can lurk all you want

Things that are fun to check out:

BBSes-- here's a portal to access them.

Neocities

*Forums-- find some to join, or maybe host your own? The system I was most familiar with was vbulletin.

MMM.page

Things that have worked well for me but might work for you, YMMV:

Limit your app usage time on your smartphone if you’re prone to going back to them— this is a tangible way to “practice mindfulness”, a term I find frustratingly vague ansjdbdj

Things I’m looking into:

The “Pi Hole”— a raspberry pi set up to block all ads on a specific internet connection

VPNs-- this is one that was recommended to me.

How to use computers (I mean it): Resources on how to understand your machine and what you’re doing, even if your skill and knowledge level is currently 0:

This section I'll come back an add to. I know that messing with computers can be intimidating, especially if you feel out of your depth. HTML and regedits and especially things like dualbooting or linux feel impossible. So I want to put things here that explain exactly how the internet and your computer functions, and how you can learn and work with that. Yippee!

[mythmash]

Bouncer!Sukuna AU Pt. 9 - Yorozu (Alternate Ending)

Bouncer!Sukuna x Stripper/Dancer!Reader. Warnings: MDNI 18+, bullet point fic, uncle!sukuna, angst, the other dancers being firm but supportive friends, panic attack, anxiety, sukuna experiencing fear for the first time and he hates it A/N: this is a collaborative work made with the amazing @pastelbunnelby, @pastelpixies & @chaoskrakenuwu Series Masterlist || Previous | Next

Instead of locking yourself in the bedroom what if you actually leave?

What if you hastily put on some clothes, pack a bag for a few nights, and leave?

You aren’t leaving forever just long enough to collect yourself

Maybe crying in the car a bit because admittedly that was a lot even for you because you’re used to his antics but this feels different it feels…wrong

You leave your phone because you know he’s not going to stop calling you and you just…go

You stay at a friend’s house, probably one of the dancers, and vent about what happened

And while they comfort you they can’t help but kinda say what did you expect?

You think a man like that is relationship material?

Fun, sure but a real relationship?

Ehhhh.

And while it’s certainly not what you want to hear you can’t help that little logical voice in your head telling you they’re right

No one in their right mind would just go “Everything is fine! It’s totally cool that your murderous boyfriend’s crazy ex showed up!” because what if she isn’t the last?

You didn’t know about her so who knows what else is in store for you?

They don’t mean to be judgmental to you they know you’re smart but they also care and know that love (is it even love at this point or is the thrill?) can be blinding

They need to ground you and they’ll be your anchor while you come to your senses and not let that crazy bastard anywhere near you

Because yeah, he’s scary

Yeah, they know the rumors

They’ve seen Sukuna beat a guy to almost death

And yeah, some of them can understand the thrill and wanting to feel protected in this line of work, but there’s also the thought of “if he could do it to them, he could do it to you”

He was clearly doing it to Yorozu, or at least treating her horribly when she was apparently close to him

Or at least close enough to be let into his apartment

Which is pretty fucking close because most of the dancers thought he lived in his car or something

But they love you too much to not do what they can

You don’t sleep well that night or really at all but you know who’s faring way worse than you?

Sukuna.

He’s freaking the fuck out and for once in his life he’s experiencing real fear

He’s done things that even the thought of would have the average person shaking like a leaf but this, the thought of losing you, really losing you has shaken him to his core

The fear and anxiety hit and Sukuna thinks he just might be dying because he’s never felt like this before

It only amps up because he knows he has real enemies out there

He feels so out of control for the first time because no amount of connections can help him if he doesn’t know where to even start

Because what if they get to you first?

This is not a matter of resources, it’s time.

And heaven forbid they’re faster

He’s good, but he’s not god he can’t stop everything no matter how much he wants to

And now he knows Yorozu is out there and pissed the fuck off because of him

It’s been so long since he’s been around her, he doesn’t know what or who she knows

What if she was waiting outside and saw you leave? Would she go after you herself? Would she tell someone else?

She knows people are out to get Sukuna and what better way to get to him than through you?

He doesn’t know what to do

He’d probably have a heart attack if he wasn’t so focused on you

He realizes you left your phone which only makes him more anxious (since when does he feel anxious about anything?) because not only are you gone, he doesn’t have a clue where you are and looking for you is going to take too much time

He wants to get to you now

You can be mad at him all you want, but you need to be mad at him somewhere he can protect you

So, he just gets in his car and drives

Doesn’t call, doesn’t text, he just goes door to door to each of your friends asking if they know where you are to which they all decline because they genuinely don’t, but based on the fact you didn’t tell him where you were going they sure as hell wouldn’t tell him either

Working at a club like them has taught them that much at least.

But he would find you eventually, and he’d do something neither of you would expect

Actually apologizing

It's quick, and clumsy, and a kind of passive aggressive, but you appreciate his attempt

You're not going back with him, though

Not tonight, anyway

After, he goes back to his place to give you some space and just collapses on the couch

He knows you're physically okay, and mentally you're a bit shaken up, even if you don't admit it, but he'd relax a tiny bit knowing where you are

Still, the exhaustion hits him like a truck and he's so emotionally drained he doesn't realize he's picking up his phone and dialing your number

It goes to voicemail because he still has your phone (he forgot to take it in his panic when he left to find you) but he's half-asleep so he leaves a message

“I’m so fucking sorry. I mean that. When—if you come back, you can do whatever you want. Yell, scream, hit me. You can even kick me out if you want, just….I want you to be safe. I need to know you’re safe. If anything happened to you—I fucking—I’ll do better, alright? I promise. I—I love you. So…please be safe.”

Because he still can't always tell you what he's feeling to your face - it feels too real, too raw, too vulnerable, but having a way to say it to you without saying it to your face eases his hesitation a bit

Then he passes out and forgets about it.

Then it'd go similarly blah blah blah grovel grovel grovel apology shopping trip that leads to a very tense conversation with his accountant, but above all else he'd sit you down and tell you to never just up and leave again

If you need space, fine, he won't stop, but not knowing where you are made him feel such a pit in his core that he never ever wants to feel again

He’s still clumsy, unsure of himself because he doesn’t do this, it’s all so new to him, but he’s trying he’s really trying

Coming this close to losing you would knock some much needed sense into him and teach him that his actions have very real consequences aside from danger and he takes the time to actively be better and atone

It’s sobering to him because up until this point Sukuna truly believed that he could get away with anything and he could say and do what he pleased

Along with the thought that he’d curated his experience well enough that none of his shit past or present would come back to you

It hits him that no. He really does not have control over everything nor can he just pretend like his uglier parts don’t exist with you even if he desperately wants to

It’s not that he doesn’t think you know anything, you know maybe too much, but he thinks it’s separate from the little bubble he’s built with you

And this made him realize that couldn’t be further from the truth and that if this is going to work he needs to be more forthcoming for you even if the thought disgusts him but it’s really for the greater good

And he wants to, god does he want to, he wishes he could tell you how much he loves you without his voice wavering or not being able to look you in the eye

But he’s not quite there yet so this will have to suffice he just hopes you can feel how deeply he cares for you

You eventually find the voicemail on your phone one night weeks later, and it gives you the strangest sense of comfort

It's like a weight is lifted off your shoulders

Sukuna finds you almost in tears on the couch

He has a brief moment of panic before he hears the voicemail and it leads to another, lighter conversation of you finally understanding how much he loves you

And maybe, just maybe, that's when he tells you, not just shows you, but tells you how much he loves you

[goodluckclove]

Finding Banned Books Online: Actual Resources

Hey, it's me - a version of Clove who is now able to access their anger through means I am not going to delve into on a public space. Hello!

I have continued to get myself very upset over the people who tear apart anyone who makes the vaguest attempt to support, or even provide mixed opinions on the IA lending library. They insist there are so many ways to do this already through resources provided by libraries, but don't actually say any of those solutions.

Because Google is free, right? It's free and definitely still a viable way to easily access information. We all agree Google is normal and reliable, and that people these days actually know how to manipulate search terms in a way that effectively provides information. That's why it's such a great thing to say when people ask questions instead of actually providing information that could easily solve the problem in your favor. Great!

Anyways, I went ahead and did research so I can offer an actual guide to people looking to access - in this case specifically banned books - without the aid of piracy or the Internet Archive. These are programs created by libraries, fully legal, though admittedly not always the easiest to access.

The Palace Project: Banned Books Club

This seems to be the best option I was able to find. It's an app created by the Digital Public Library of America where you can access a variety of digital library archives, including the Banned Books Club. You don't need address or proof of ID - you don't even need your legal name.

You get a digital barcode you can use to access books for about 20 days at a time. They have a vast collection of e-books and audiobooks, as well as a bevy of fiction and nonfiction. Cool!

Brooklyn Public Library: Books UnBanned

If you're a young person in the United States who has their apps monitored, this is another alternative. The Brooklyn Public Library waives out-of-state e-card fees for youth that last a year (You might be able to reapply).

They cover you from 13-21, assuming you can work up the nerve to apply directly by emailing them, or messaging them on their youth-led Instagram account (@bklynfuture).

The Uncensored Library

Are you outside the United States? Do you have a computer that runs Minecraft? This is not technically a way to read Ulysses or The Hate You Give, but The Uncensored Library is a massive world seed dedicated to preserving (I think mainly) journalistic articles covering news in countries where censorship is way more prominent. This is an outlier to my point but it kicks ass and I think it has a place on this list.

There are other options out there like Hoopla, but it looks like a lot of them require an existing library card number. Libby has a nice UI thing that guides you towards the options in making an online library card for a local branch, assuming that's something you are able to do.

This is what I was able to find through about 45 minutes of searching. If someone else has an additional insight I would LOVE to add it. Libraries are working so, so hard to provide as much of a reach as they can, but unfortunately it's difficult to spread awareness without Spreading Awareness, if you know what I mean.

At the same time, if you're a person who is just spouting that these resources exist without either naming what they are and/or acknowledging that there are a small small small handful of options - it definitely seems like you're less interested in sharing information to encourage a positive change, and more invested in looking right and informed.

I spent almost an hour to find two actual sources to share. If I wanted to read a book I didn't have access to, it would be infinitely easier to give up. It is so fucking easy not to make the effort to read a book that could potentially change your life. It's so fucking easy just to not read! So hopefully this helps someone expand their horizons in a meaningful way, or just have better access to a library system that they might not otherwise have!

[randoimago]

Can I please request Jonathan, Speedwagon, and William A. Zeppeli(assuming they both fall under jobro, sorry if I misread) adopting a child with a stand that causes inexplicably damage when the child is scared pls? I know they can't see it, but that's why I think it'd be interesting especially with you writing it ^-^

Thank you for writing!

Helping Child Reader with Their Stand

Fandom: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Character(s): Jonathan Joestar, William A. Zeppeli, Robert E.O. Speedwagon

Type of Request: Headcanons

Note(s): You're good! I definitely count Jonathan's Zeppeli as a Joebro (the guy sacrificed himself to save JoJo, if that's not a homie idk what is).

But this is such an interesting concept because they can't see Stands. I really would love to know what Stand each of them would have if Araki did include stands for Part 1

Jonathan

When Jonathan sees that his child is scared, he's ready to jump in to calm them down. But he stops when he sees a wave of destruction unleashed. Thankfully they're unharmed even if he might get some injuries from shrapnel and such.

It just makes him want to protect the kid more. He does his best to talk to them about what just happened, but doing so in a way that doesn't make them fearful again. He's so worried about his child and doesn't want harm to befall them at all.

Would look into so many historical books to try and find some kind of answer with what is going on with his child. He wants to be able to help and his knowledge is too limited at the moment. So, his time really is divided between caring for his child and helping them feel safe and calm while he's also trying to look through any text he can about the strange power his kid has.

Speedwagon

Definitely the most lost the first time he watches destruction being dealt to whatever had scared his child. While he wants to think it was a random event, he knows better. His travels with JoJo and Zeppeli taught him that something is going on with his kid and he needs to get to the bottom of it.

He'll happily hold his child and keep them happy and safe, but he has sent letters to both JoJo and William in hopes of receiving some help with looking into this matter. I'm sure that whenever he does get the Speedwagon Foundation running that he makes sure to have them pour some resources into this too.

While Speedwagon is a very good father, he just knows this is way out of his element. But he still does his best to be emotional support for his kid and keeping them calm or providing alternative means to deal with their fear while he hopes that his friends can help look into what's going on.

William

I feel like even though he can't see the Stand, he definitely knows something is up. Maybe it's his Hamon telling him that his kid has some sort of power that hasn't been identified yet.

But he notices how scared they get, and he easily pieces together that destruction follows when they are afraid. What he finds interesting is that the majority of that destructive energy is unleashed on whatever had scared them in the first place. It helps him figure out that whatever this is, he knows it's trying to protect them.

Does his best to help his child. He has the patience of a saint. In fact, William probably teaches them some Hamon and breathing techniques to keep them calm and help them be able to control their stand quite a bit.

[thenightfolknetwork]

Hi there. I’m not really sure what to write here. I’m a long time listener but a first time writer I guess? I’m sapio as far as I’m aware, but recently I’ve been wondering about that. I’ve always felt different to everyone else, and recently that feeling of being different has become feeling Different with a capital D if that makes sense? I hope I’m not overstepping any boundaries by asking this- and please feel free to not reply if so or if you’ve already answered a very similar question- is there any way I can look into whether I am a member of the Creature Community? Thank you for reading my letter and any advice you can give:)

[also OOC MA and this blog have really helped me get through some tough times so thank you so much <3]

My dear reader, I assure you, it isn't overstepping boundaries to explore your own identity! How could it be? It isn't as if identifying as a member of the community is a finite resource. You aren't taking anything away from others by exploring the matter for yourself.

Is anything in particular that makes you think your difference from those around you is specifically liminal in nature. Have you noticed any particular differences in your physicality, or your abilities? Are you sensitive to salt, perhaps, or other thaumaturgically reactive materials? Is there some question about your biological parentage, is there a family history of liminality?

Here at the Nightfolk Network, we have always been fervent supporters of self-identity, and reject all notions of gatekeeping around the community. That being said, the fact is that being a member of the community does actually mean you experience some kind of difference from the sapio norm.

It might be an inherited difference, or an acquired difference; it might be a difference of physiognomy or perspective; some people may even consider themselves members of the community simply on the grounds of their work, their hobbies or their social milieu. I am reminded of a listener who wrote in once after spending some hundred years working as a psychopomp, only to wonder if they still had a place in the community once they retired.

In short, there are about as many ways to be liminal as there are members of the creature community. A general check-up with your GP might be able to shed some light on biological differences. Alternatively, you could go private, and contract a magical practitioner to assess your presence on various planes of being.

If you wish to join our community, you are very welcome to do so. You might explore your own biology and discover some liminality in your DNA, or you might take up a magical practice, look into being turned, or any number of other paths.

A quick word of warning, though: joining the creature community is not a panacea for emotional distress. You say you want to explore your liminality to explain why you feel so “different” to the people around you. But difference is not a problem to be solved. You are not a problem to be solved. And belonging to a community – any community – is so much more than meeting some arbitrary set of demographic requirements.

By all means, explore your liminality. I only hope you can put the same energy and enthusiasm into connecting with the communities to which you already belong.

[For more creaturely advice, check out Monstrous Agonies on your podcast platform of choice, or visit monstrousproductions.org for more info]

[vastnez5]

The Effects of Fast Fashion on Ethics & The Environment

How does fast fashion impact our world?

Fast fashion might make trends affordable, but its impact on the planet and on workers is steep. Let’s take a closer look at what’s really happening behind the scenes.

Fast fashion gives us trendy, cheap clothing—but at what cost? Behind the low prices are underpaid workers, poor working conditions, and environmental destruction. By supporting fast fashion, we’re contributing to waste, pollution, and unethical labor practices. But the good news?

We can make a difference.

I give you a challenge, Try to reduce that number even by one if you can. Even just $20 can add up quickly each month.

SCRIPT

Now how do we avoid this? Fast fashion has become a global issue, fueling overconsumption and harming the environment. In A Conscious Shift, Christine Nzinga Blake and Yesha Callahan emphasize how our shopping habits drive unsustainable practices. But we can make a difference by changing how we purchase clothes. First, prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of buying multiple trendy pieces, invest in timeless, durable clothing that lasts longer and reduces waste. Second, embrace alternatives like clothing swaps or renting. These options let you refresh your wardrobe without buying new items, which is a simple way to reduce demand for fast fashion. Third, get creative with what you already have. Restyling or altering older clothes can give them new life while helping the planet and your wallet. As A Conscious Shift explains, even small changes in how we shop can have a big impact. Let’s take steps toward thoughtful, sustainable fashion choices that protect the planet for future generations.

CBS News provides an informative video on the environmental effect of fast fashion.

"Three-fifths of all garments end up in landfill within a year of being produced."

This statistic from Anastasia Denisova, a researcher and writer focused on fashion media, sustainability, and ethical consumption, on page 6, is a sobering reminder of the impact of fast fashion on the environment.

3 BRANDS AND THEIR ISSUES

H&M

H&M has made a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but this has gone nowhere.

Their business model is unsustainable and unethical.

The majority of materials used are unsustainable and not eco-friendly.

ZARA

Zara's shop network, which spans across over 96 countries, requires a lot of resources to build, transport, and operate.

They exploit workers, to pump out a ton of low cost clothing for little-to-no pay.

Zara's reliance on cheap clothing for large profit has caused the use of petroleum-based fabric such as polyester, that can harm the environment immensely when discarded in large amounts.

SHEIN

With such low prices comes a cost, horribly treated workers.

Having things such as microtrends causes people to purchase clothing and throw it out after one use.

The products are low-quality and contribute to carbon emissions.

ALTERNATIVES TO THESE BRANDS

Afends: XS-XL This brand has purchased acres of farmland to grow hemp plants.

337 BRAND: XS-L This brand makes clothing from low-impact materials.

CHNGE: 2XS-4XL This all-inclusive brand uses 100% organic material.

Honest Basics: XS-2XL This brand keeps prices low while having sustainable products built to last.

MUD Jeans: W25 L30-W33 L32 for women and W28 L34-W36 L34 for men. This brand offers a repair service for their jeans, and also uses organic and recycled cotton.

Yes And: XS-XL This brand uses non-toxic dyes and lower impact materials.

When you spend a little bit more on sustainable clothing from companies that treat their workers properly and pay them a livable wage you feel good, and you are contributing to a good cause while your clothes last longer as well.

While it’s true that fast fashion provides affordable clothing and creates jobs, we must ask: at what cost?

The exploitation of workers, including paying wages far below a living standard, cannot be justified by low prices.

Addressing these issues requires holding brands accountable and choosing alternatives that prioritize ethical treatment and fair pay for workers worldwide 

The fashion industry shows how important consumer habits have on the world around us. Every purchase shows the never-end cycle of fast fashion. As Lindsey Reid, a contributor to the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Human Rights Blog, notes, "Fast fashion thrives on overconsumption and a disregard for ethical responsibility," asking us to consider the consumer role in this cycle. Turning to secondhand fashion stores, supporting brands that are ethical, or even simply thinking about our choices on what we buy can make a lasting change for the planet and the people. While critics, including people who own these industries and some consumers argue that fast fashion is an affordable solution to those with low income, we must think about the hidden costs on the environment and the workers. While some may say that low-cost clothing is essential for many, Alexandra Wolff a sustainability advocate who writes about the fashion industry, notes in her article “Zara and Sustainability: The High Cost of Low Prices,” "Low prices come at a high cost, with workers in exploitative conditions and the planet paying the ultimate price.” Finding alternatives such as thrifting long lasting clothing is affordable and ethical. Sustainable fashion isn't out of reach, it's a path to a better future.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO INSTEAD

Shop second-hand 

Support sustainable brands

Reduce your waste 

Is your mind blown?

WORKS CITED

Assoune, Alex. “The Truth about Workers Conditions in Fast Fashion.” Panaprium, Panaprium, 27 Oct. 2021, www.panaprium.com/blogs/i/fast-fashion-workers-conditions.

Bick, Rachel, et al. “The Global Environmental Injustice of Fast Fashion.” Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source, vol. 17, no. 1, Dec. 2018, p. N.PAG. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libproxy.cnm.edu:8443/10.1186/s12940-018-0433-7.

Blake, Nzinga Christine, and Yesha Callahan. “A Conscious Shift.” Essence, vol. 50, no. 4, Sept. 2019, pp. 84–86. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=138076754&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Denisova, Anastasia. “Fashion Media and Sustainability: Encouraging Ethical Consumption via Journalism and Influencers” 2021, Directory of Open Access Books, https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/53515/9781912656912.pdf;jsessionid=7308ECEDA63438C4CB0EB5DC0182A61A?sequence=1.

Denton, Allison. “The Cost of Looking Good: How Fashion and Trend-Based Consumerism Impact the Economy, Law, and Environment.” Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, vol. 30, no. 2, July 2023, pp. 363–89. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=174865933&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Hackett, Lisa J. “Addressing Rage: The Fast Fashion Revolt.” M/C Journal, vol. 22, no. 1, Mar. 2019, p. N.PAG. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libproxy.cnm.edu:8443/10.5204/mcj.1496.

Joy, Annamma, et al. “Fast Fashion, Sustainability, and the Ethical Appeal of Luxury Brands.” Fashion Theory: The Journal of Dress, Body & Culture, vol. 16, no. 3, Sept. 2012, pp. 273–95. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libproxy.cnm.edu:8443/10.2752/175174112X13340749707123.

McCosker, Jaclyn. “The Impact of Fast Fashion on Garment Workers.” Good On You, 28 Feb. 2024, goodonyou.eco/impact-fast-fashion-garment-workers/.

News, CBS. “The Environmental Cost of Fast Fashion.” YouTube, 28 Apr. 2022, youtu.be/H2bxO-PgcT0?si=XzJVgM0pxpPNstkS.

Nguyen, Lei. “The Danger of Sweatshops.” Earth.Org, Earth.Org, 4 Mar. 2024, earth.org/sweatshops/.

Reid, Lindsey. “Fast-Fashion: Unethical and Unsustainable.” UAB Institute for Human Rights Blog, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 22 Jan. 2020, sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2018/04/26/fast-fashion-unethical-and-unsustainable/.

Robertson, Lara. “How Ethical Is H&M?” Good On You, 30 Sept. 2024, goodonyou.eco/how-ethical-is-hm/.

Schoenherr, Neil. “How Fast Fashion Hurts Environment, Workers, Society.” The Source, WashU, 11 Nov. 2020, source.washu.edu/2019/01/how-fast-fashion-hurts-environment-workers-society/#:~:text=Approximately%2085%20percent%20of%20the,pounds%20per%20American%20per%20year.

Smalling, Sydney. “The Rise of Fast Fashion and The Lack of Protections in the Garment Worker Industry.” SMU Dedman School of Law, International Law Review Association, 2022, www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Law/students/law-journals/Fall-2022-Case-Notes/Smalling_2022-Case-Note-Final.pdf.

Wolff, Alexandra. “Zara and Sustainability: The High Cost of Low Prices.” FG Conscious Fashion, FG Conscious Fashion, 8 Aug. 2024, thefashionglobe.com/zara-can-never-be-sustainable/.

[trans-axolotl]

hey i love your posts on anti-psych organizing, the work you're doing is really inspiring <333 i was jw if you have any advice for people who want to contribute to the movement but have certain accessibility challenges? for example in my case i have very high social anxiety which makes public speaking hard and i also have difficulty processing denser criticism/theory in written form due to cognitive symptoms, etc. and it makes me feel like i don't have much to offer to help but i would love to get more involved if possible!! tysm in advance if you answer this happy pride btw <3

Happy pride anon! Thanks so much for this question, I think it's really important!

There are so many ways to contribute to antipsych/mad liberation movement, and it's so important that our spaces are accessible! When we're fighting for our rights as mad and disabled people, we deserve to have our access needs respected, and to be able to show up in whatever ways work for us. I talk a lot about writing and theory on here just because Tumblr is a place I go to write, but theory is not something that feels always relevant or important in many spaces. Community and accessibility always comes first!

Whatever you have to offer to the movement is enough and valued. I'll list off some ideas I have, but honestly, whatever you feel passionate about and your own ideas are likely to be better than what I can list off.

Creating art! whether writing, drawing, mixed media, anything, creating art and sharing it with others really can be an important way to honor our experiences and share them with others.

Finding out where a psych ward near you is, and writing cards, sending in care packages with things like books, puzzles, fidget toys, things like that. Happy to write out some more tips for that if people are interested.

Graffiti! even if you're just using a sharpie to write alternative crisis line numbers that don't call the cops on posters for the 988 hotline, putting up psych abolition stickers near hospitals, things like that.

Going to protests. There aren't a lot of specific mad pride/antipsych protests, but depending on your area, there might be some stuff happening in July for mad pride! I know there's an event happening in Vermont on July 15th.

Creating reading groups. I think theory is not more important than lived experience and isn't necessary to read super dense academic stuff, but I know for some people it can be a really powerful experience to read stuff that validates your experiences and offers new ways of understanding. Creating a book club where you can read stuff with other people, talk about it together, discuss questions and confusions you have together, can be a way to make it more accessible then trying to navigate it on your own. And it absolutely doesn't have to be theory that you read, it could be memoirs, fiction, nonfiction, anything that interests you!

Finding out what is already going on in your location. Even if there isn't specific antipsych groups, a lot of cities will have mental health support groups, mental health clubhouses, peer support, etc. Sometimes there will already be projects going that you can figure out ways to get involved.

Writing reviews of hospitals/psychiatrists/treatment providers to better give people in your community an idea of what to expect.

Community building. I think that a lot of times, we can feel really isolated and that the psych system can make it hard for us to be connected to each other and learn the skills to support each other. Joining groups like the Hearing Voices Network, other peer support groups, local support groups, clubhouses, etc, can be a really important step just to build relationships and get involved without necessarily having to create specific projects.

Learning what resources are near you and building up a resource library so that you can share things like coping skills, peer respite, local orgs with other people in your community!

Understanding the laws around psych hospitalization, mental health, medications, etc. If new laws are proposed, giving feedback, emailing hospitals about policies, things like that.

Self care and rest. So often we are in crisis, constantly going, feeling the pressure to be involved. Resting can be part of resistance! Taking the time to care for ourselves, our community, embracing joy, play, recreation, is so important. Our survival can be resistance in a system that doesn't want us free.

These are just some ideas, and are not a complete list. I really believe that everyone's contributions are worthy and valuable, and that whatever people have to offer is worth celebrating. Our movements should be accessible and considerate of all of our different needs, and figure out ways to empower each of us to participate, and to get rid of barriers together. My way of engaging with antipsych stuff is absolutely not the only or best way, and I always love to hear from other people about their approaches!

TL;DR: Theory and public speaking are not the only ways to particpate, and accessibility is important! Whatever things you are passionate about are good places to start brainstorming. There are multiple options of things like art, sending care packages, and getting involved in local community.

Followers, please feel free to add on your own ideas or ways you participate! Would love to hear all the amazing ways we're all engaging with this movement.

[humanmorph]

Lye „Lyke“ Lychen as a sacrifical altar (to Aterika’Kaal) (but he's also kind of the sacrifice)

my @secret-samol gift for @bronanlynch! for the Aterika’Kaal/Lyke prompt of „what if things had gone differently and Aterika'Kaal was still with Lyke“.

notes on this under the readmore!

AU

In this scenario Lyke would succeed in getting the heart of the Motherbeast in Episode 47 and while Alaway would notice & probably still call out to Aterika’Kaal the way he presumably did in canon, Lyke would be there and get to make a compelling case to Aterika’Kaal the likes of „If you stay with me I am going to feed you. I’ve taken care of you until now, I’ll keep doing that“ (argument supported by the fact he’s currently holding the heart of an incredibly powerful dead god). Aterika’kaal agrees and they barely escape through the Sanctum of the Stone Chorus portal. I think it's fun if Lyke then stays there after the hour described in the move is over, maybe knowing he can't convince Pickman & the others that what he's done is actually good, and fine, there's not even anything to worry about he has this totally handled, But yeah he then sets out from whereever in Sangfielle Aterika'Kaals domain is (Austin did say it was an actual place somewhere), and the rest of the Blackwick Group is left to wonder what the hell happened since Lyke just vanished! Alaway has possibly fucked off too after losing the heart. And them getting fired, the Carnival of Moted Light etc. would still happen (and I guess Chine would succeed at what they were doing since Lyke isn’t there?) and who knows if they’d take any action in finding Lyke after that! All that aside though, Lyke basically offers himself to feed on (through blood and/or energy) and to sustain that he keeps consuming(not literally eating) powerful objects/artifacts/resources and possibly eventually living things (I’d imagine he'd still take work as a „please deal with this weird shit for us“ person and when he has to kill a cursed beast or whatnot... might aswell feed Aterika'Kaal?) (What also plays into that decision, and is part of Lyke justifying this to himself, is that without him, Aterika’Kaal would become too powerful. So he aims to function as kind of a conduit & control the power intake so to speak. I think this probably doesn’t work for very long.) I think this eventually goes bad for him because it’s super taxing on his body and the whole deal kind of flips with Aterika’Kaal feeding/keeping HIM alive. He starts finding bodies in the domain again (alternatively, Aterika'Kaal gets better at hiding them because it knows Lyke doesn't particulary like it when it does that). Lyke probably gets stronger due to this power/magic wise, but also way more fragile (he's constantly anemic!). („I love you. I want us both to eat well.“ - Christopher Citro) („When I write of hunger I am really writing about love and the hunger for it, and warmth and the love of it and it is all one.“ M.K. Fisher) Notes: I put some resources Lyke’s canonically had in-game + some extra stuff in this picture (the arrow is a reference to Marn’s epilogue, the bugs are bugs (with possibly sinister connotations. If you want them to have those, it’s optional) and the fur is from the Ravening Beast). Another detail I came up with I might aswell tell you because otherwise noone might ever know: the ring with the blue stone is a gift from Es. Sketch Notes: 1. Lyke turning his head to kiss a rose / exposing his neck was one of my very first ideas/sketches I made while working on this, and I liked it too much to not include it. 2. This is supposed to be Aterika'Kaal giving Lyke a blood transfusion but it rather looks like it's feeding on him instead...! I like how the relaxed pose turned out. 3. I wanted to draw something smaller in a simpler style to fill the big canvas I was drawing these on (even though now I put them in separate files anyways...). The day I drew this I saw a tweet about a medieval monks sketchbook, so I was still thinking about that. I didn't even plan to color it originally but I ended up getting invested, haha

Inspired mainly by these 3 quotes: „KEITH: I’m a walking- I am a shrine to Aterika’Kaal.“ (Sangfielle 12: The Secret Ledger of Roseroot Hall Pt. 4) „KEITH: There's a version of dealing with Aterika'Kaal that ends with Lyke being satisfied that he rehabilitated a god or at least it looks […] like what he thinks Aterika'Kaal would have been before the YVEs showed up. That's probably his main retirement path, but it also might kill him instead.” (Sangfielle 47: Wax, Iron, and Ichor Pt. 4) „AUSTIN: As you’re fading, the last thing that you do is make this blood sacrifice to Aterika’Kaal. Your own blood.“ (Sangfielle 52: Six Travelers: Lyke)

[absolutely-esme]

My head canon for Plasmius

It looks like some people enjoyed my head canon about how Danny and Dani work, so I thought I would share my thoughts on why Vlad is so different from Danny.

If you didn't read my other post, the gist is that occupying the space where a portal is opening is not good for humans or ghosts, so in a desperate attempt at survival Danny's dying human body and forming ghost combined into one. As a result, his human and ghost halves grew together into a functional whole. The clones inherited this way of being but didn't have the materials to form the structure of their human halves because Vlad made them entirely out of ectoplasm and didn't feed them, so they started falling apart if they ran low on energy.

Vlad, on the other hand, was not inside of a portal when it turned on. He was hit in the face with a volatile mixture of energized ectoplasm and boiling soda (plus whatever weird substances might have resulted from a reaction between the two). This left him both injured and ill.

Vlad was slowly dying. His ghost was beginning to form, as they do. He was pretty close to dying and becoming a ghost normally. However, his ailing body found a way to utilize the ectoplasm in his system to adapt and survive by binding his forming ghost to it.

This process was not quick or neat because it was entirely one-sided. Vlad's forming ghost was totally fine by ghost standards and didn't feel any need to cling to the ailing mortal vessel it was preparing to leave behind.

Vlad's ghost half is more like a ghost whose human body is still stuck to him like a snake that can't quite get a shed skin to come off of the end of it's tail. His human half is desperately clinging to any resource that will let it keep itself alive a little longer. The halves fight each other more than they work together.

Where Danny's Human and ghost half both clung to each other for survival and adapted to accommodate and support each other, Vlad's human half was struggling to hold onto and make use of his uncompromising ghost half. It had to change a lot more and got a lot less out of it. That's why Vlad's ghost form looks so different and inhuman. That's why the appearance of his human form changed from before the accident.

Vlad would be a selfish, controlling jerk no matter what (we see this in the episode with the alternate timeline where Jack was the one caught in the accident), but he's more capricious and unpredictable as a halfa because he's constantly at war with himself, even if he's not consciously aware of it.

His ghost half wants to escape his human half and finish forming. His human half wants to keep his ghost half Trapped and exploit it. The two halves do not like, respect, or have empathy for each other because Vlad is a jerk. This means that he simultaneously has an ego the size of a continent and hates himself. This makes a volatile combination.

Vlad fixates on things that both sides of himself have strong feelings about.

His obsessions with Jack and Maddie are fairly one note. Both halves of him hate Jack. His human half blames him for his death/near death. His ghost half blames him for his entrapment. Vlad's creepy stalker crush on Maddie is the same either way because both halves are still Vlad.

His obsession with Danny is more complicated and volatile. His human half sees Danny's oneness within the self as proof that a ghost half can be more thoroughly dominated and wants that. His ghost half sees Danny as the potential source of another tool his human half can use against him and hates it. That's why Vlad's behavior toward Danny swings wildly from "join me, I can make it worth your while" to "I will destroy everything everything you hold dear."

Vlad and Danny may both be halfas, but they are not the same at all.

Danny is a healthy halfa with both halves seamlessly integrated into a complete and stable whole. There's no Ghost Danny and Human Danny; he's just Danny, who happens to be half human and half ghost.

That's why trying to separate his human and ghost halves with the ghost catcher went the way it did. Neither half acted like Danny or did as well at things because neither half on it's own was Danny. Each half was half of a person trying to do the job of a whole person.

I imagine there were health issues that couldn't be seen from an outside perspective building up as well. Little things inside Danny's human half's body that had adapted to rely on his ghost half for something or other building up. Danny's ghost half probably would have started melting like his clones without the structure of his human body to lean on if he'd used too much energy.

Danny's ghost half was quicker to pick up on the fact that he needed to put himself back together to restore functionality because Danny has never been a full ghost that didn't need a human half to function. He was able to look clearly at his current situation and realize "this isn't right," even with the reduced processing power from being only half of Danny.

Danny's human half was a little slower on the uptake because Danny has been a full human who didn't need anything ghostly to survive. He confused his current state as half of a human missing his ghost half with his memories of how big of a difference there was between being a halfa and being a whole human. He didn't quite have the processing power to realize what part of the assumption wasn't sitting right, even as he continued instinctively trying to lean on the missing half of himself.

Even so, both halves of himself at least subconsciously knew that they needed each other. Once Danny was back in one piece and whole once more, he destroyed the ghost catcher because, in his whole and healthy state, he understood that cutting himself in half like that was bad and should never happen again. I imagine that he remembers that period sort of like a fever dream: with lots of disjointed, vague nonsense floating in a cloud of discomfort.

Vlad, on the other hand, is a complete mess. His human half and ghost half are constantly duking it out in his subconscious. He's got all sorts of issues stemming from his two halves trying to live around/despite each other with no heed paid to the other half's needs. Neither half of him is healthy and the whole of him is not healthy.

If you used the ghost catcher to separate Vlad's human and ghost halves, they would fight. Vlad's ghost half would try to kill his human half and his human half would try to reclaim or enslave his ghost half. It would be brutal and vicious.

Part of the reason Danny develops powers so much faster than Vlad is because Danny is healthy. He learns and grows like a healthy young halfa should. Vlad on the other hand uses up so much energy on the internal struggle and damages himself so much with it that it stunts his growth. That's not the only reason, but it is part of it.

In a nutshell: Danny is one whole person who is half human and half ghost. Vlad is half of a ghost and half of a human stuck together in a manner not dissimilar to what would probably happen if someone shoved two grouchy feral cats into a sack and tied it shut.

[bbygirl-aemond]

what do you think would've happened if viserys had married laena instead of alicent?

ooh this is a interesting one, and i think i have a fairly hot take! even if rhaenyra eventually married laenor, the velaryons would have usurped rhaenyra, and she wouldn't have stood a chance against them. now hear me out!!

i'll point out some similarities between corlys and otto; explain why corlys didn't care about blood in canon but would in this hypothetical scenario; and finish with why rhaenyra would've been so much more screwed if they'd moved against her than she ever was fighting against the greens in canon.

first, let's get into corlys and otto, who i think are extremely similar in terms of being power-hungry men, obsessed with procuring their own legacy, with a ruthlessness that makes them take actions to achieve this goal even at the expense of their own family and morals. we see otto pimp his 14-year-old daughter, alicent, out to viserys, who is a literal grown man. but we also see corlys pimp his 12-year-old daughter, laena, out to viserys at the same time. both of them see their daughters as pawns and are fully willing to force them into being child brides for their own personal gain. we also see corlys insisting on supporting rhaenyra, even when he and rhaenys are certain that rhaenyra has not only cucked but killed their son laenor (we know the facts of the situation to be different, but they do not). corlys does this even though it greatly upsets his wife, not out of duty to rhaenyra, but out of professed self-interest: he does not care what rhaenyra has done to his family as long as someone with his last name ends up on the iron throne. first and foremost, corlys's sole priority is his own legacy, just like otto's.

now bella, you might say, why would corlys try to put laena's son on the throne instead of rhaenyra? in the show, he says that he cares more about names than blood. well, in the show, the two options corlys has are: rhaenyra, who will eventually put jace on the throne, who is not velaryon but has the last name velaryon; and aegon, who has neither velaryon blood nor name. i think it's easy for him to dismiss supporting aegon because his legacy won't benefit from doing so at all.

but what if it did? what if the alternative to rhaenyra was laena's son? what if corlys's own grandson was the firstborn son of the king? the whole reason corlys tried to marry laena to viserys was on the assumption that she might bear viserys a son, in the hopes that son would inherit. he clearly views such a possibility as worthwhile enough to sacrifice his daughter's innocence for. so instead of corlys choosing between preserving his name or losing any semblance of connection to the throne, we have corlys choosing between being connected to the throne by name or by blood. and i think there's a strong likelihood he'd make a different choice from what we see in canon.

now, rhaenyra would be smart to try to appease corlys down the line by betrothing baela and jace, just as she did in canon, because baela provides a way for corlys's bloodline to be tied to the throne, in addition to jace providing the velaryon name. but it's important to note that laena would have likely produced heirs for viserys long before rhaenyra ever married laenor. corlys would have begun scheming to have rhaenyra disinherited long before she would have ever been able to make this offer.

and corlys's schemes would bear fruit much faster and easier than otto's did. remember, while otto comes from a powerful house and has a strong political station, he is a second son and stands to inherit nothing. corlys is the head of house velaryon, and directly commands all of its resources in a way otto never had access to with his own house. corlys has much more political prestige; he has the ancient valyrian bloodline; he's basically the source of viserys's only naval power; he's much richer than house targaryen even is. and through rhaenys he wields his own dragon, one of the oldest and the fastest alive; we've seen that rhaenys would jump at the chance to support her daughter/granddaughters over rhaenyra's sons and she wouldn't hesitate to back him up with meleys. his desires carry so much more weight than otto's do.

if corlys demanded to viserys, after laena had a son, that he disinherit rhaenyra, i don't think viserys would have stood up to him the way he stood up to alicent and otto. i don't know that he could have afforded to from a political standpoint, for all his guilt over aemma's death. consider how even to alicent, even years into their marriage, he questioned whether he'd done the right thing by making rhaenyra heir. corlys would have seized upon that indecision while rhaenyra was still new to the position. he would have gotten her disinherited in favor of laena's son.

and after that, rhaenyra would have been seen as trying to usurp the throne if she'd made a move to be reinstated. her hands would also be tied, because she wouldn't be able to go against corlys: if she still had her bastards, it would be political suicide to risk angering him and losing the velaryon's support. if he accused her of going outside her marriage to laenor publicly, it would be her ruin. so i don't know that she would have been able to mobilize against him if she became old enough to feel slighted at being passed over. i also think that she wouldn't have fought for the throne nearly as hard if doing so would be going against viserys's wishes.

tldr: if corlys married laena to viserys, he would have pushed viserys into disinheriting rhaenyra long before rhaenyra ever got married herself. then, even if rhaenyra married laenor, he'd be able to blackmail her because of her bastards into never trying to take the throne from laena's son. rhaenyra also wouldn't have any traction if she was going against viserys's own decision.

[emrenvs3000f24]

UNIT 10 BLOG POST

As I develop as a nature interpreter, I am driven by the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to access and appreciate nature, regardless of where they live or the resources available to them. I find profound beauty not only in vast, untouched landscapes but also in the pockets of green in urban spaces, like city parks and community gardens. To me, nature exists wherever there is life, growth, and connection. I believe that helping people see this, showing them that nature is not just a remote wilderness but something within reach, can foster a more inclusive and widespread love for the natural world.

https://wwf.ca/stories/nature-based-cities

I recognize that privilege often dictates who has access to vast natural areas, shaping whose experiences are enriched by nature’s presence. Many people may never see a national park or wilderness reserve, but this doesn’t mean they should miss out on the lessons and joys nature can offer. For those living in cities, for example, urban parks and gardens are opportunities for connection with the outdoors, and it’s my mission to help people see these spaces as valuable, accessible natural areas.

My goal as an interpreter is to bridge this gap, making nature both accessible and relatable. Breaking down barriers means meeting people where they are, whether that’s through guided walks in a city park or providing virtual content like videos and podcasts that bring nature to them. It’s about reshaping the idea of what nature can be and expanding the places where people feel connected to it.

Another pillar of my ethic is the responsibility to protect and restore natural areas. I believe our relationship with nature impacts us deeply, not only for the ecosystem services that sustain human life (like clean air and water) but also for the emotional and spiritual benefits we gain. Nature has a unique power to ground us, to remind us to slow down and reconnect with ourselves and the world around us.

https://runwildmychild.com/sit-spotting-nature-meditation

I see it as my duty to help others understand this, especially the role that conservation plays in preserving these spaces for future generations. Teaching people about the benefits of clean air, water, and biodiversity, and helping them see how protecting nature is a form of self-care, can inspire actions that support both personal well-being and environmental sustainability.

I feel a deep responsibility to convey the importance of nature and conservation in a way that resonates with diverse audiences. This isn’t about simply telling people what they should feel or believe, but rather about opening doors for them to develop their own relationships with nature. Whether it’s taking people on guided hikes, leading them in reflective activities, or creating accessible content, I strive to be a resource and a guide.

For those who may be less able to explore natural spaces on their own, perhaps due to physical limitations or other barriers, I’m committed to finding alternative ways for them to experience nature. This might involve creating content that’s accessible to all, like podcasts, social media stories, or even documentary-style videos that showcase the beauty and resilience of nature. By bringing nature to people in these ways, I hope to inspire them to seek their own outdoor experiences when possible.

I am passionate about getting out into nature as often as I can, fishing, camping and hiking are all big parts of my life. I find that  physically interfacing with nature is one of the best ways to manage the stress of university life. There’s something about being in the woods, away from deadlines and to-do lists, that allows me to reset. The rhythm of nature, with its slower pace and its reminders of resilience, teaches me to be patient and trust in life’s cycles. This personal experience gives me a sense of responsibility to share this source of calm and balance with others.

Whether it’s taking a quick study break in my backyard or spending an entire day fishing on a remote lake, nature has a way of bringing clarity and peace that I think everyone deserves to experience. And as an interpreter, I’m in a unique position to make this possible for people from all backgrounds.

From my personal experience I believe that hands on, immersive experiences are the most effective way for me to connect with people. I feel as though guiding individuals and groups in natural settings would be most suited to my abilities. In these face-to-face settings, there’s an energy that comes from shared discovery, from spotting an unexpected animal or seeing the beauty of a plant up close.

https://www.skilouise.com/explore-summer/guided-hikes

However, I also know that not everyone can join these in-person experiences. For these audiences, creating digital content is essential, and easier than ever before. I am drawn to developing social media posts, podcasts, and videos that can spark curiosity and encourage people to explore on their own. I want to help them feel connected to nature, even if that connection is happening from a screen.

As I continue to grow in this field, I’m committed to being adaptable in my approach. Everyone comes to nature with different perspectives, experiences, and needs. For some, a short walk in a city park might be enough to find peace, while others may need the challenge of a backcountry trail. As a nature interpreter, it’s my job to honor these differences, provide multiple ways of connecting, and celebrate nature in all its forms and locations.

Through every method I use, whether it’s guiding hikes, sharing stories online, or simply helping others see nature as an essential part of life, I hope to foster a love for nature that feels personal and possible for everyone. And ultimately, I believe that by making nature accessible and meaningful to people of all backgrounds, I’m contributing to a future where more people will care about protecting the world around them.

[ivo1112]

Blog post due 11/7

How did the September 11 attacks change the anti-globalization movement, and how did protesters operate?

The September 11 attacks led to the cancellation of major events, including the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF, which were intended to draw protests. While these attacks shifted national security and foreign policy priorities, they did not significantly alter the agenda of the World Bank or the overall anti-globalization movement. Instead, activists adapted their strategies by transitioning from physical protests to online activism. The movement increasingly utilized the internet for communication, education, and mobilization, including the creation of dedicated websites for protests and alternative media platforms like the Independent Media Center. This shift highlights how activists can remain resilient and resourceful in facing external challenges, finding new ways to organize and express dissent while leveraging technology to enhance their visibility and impact.

What problems arise from the digital divide between big companies and activist groups regarding online protests?

The digital divide limits the reach and impact of online protests against corporations like the World Bank. While companies have the resources to manage their online image, activists often lack funding and technology, making online protests harder to organize. Many activists face basic tech challenges, like downloading emails, and rely on tools that may actually support corporate interests. This divide weakens the activist movement, making it harder to challenge corporate narratives or mobilize resistance. It highlights the need for activists to find new ways of digital organizing that don’t depend on corporate platforms.

How does Black Twitter help marginalized voices and show biases in whose stories get the most attention?

Black Twitter is a powerful tool for sharing stories and organizing against injustice, giving marginalized groups a space to be heard. It allows people to rally around shared experiences and push against mainstream biases. However, stories involving Black men facing police violence often get more attention than cases involving Black women, LGBTQ+ individuals, or immigrants. This reflects broader social biases about who is most “at risk” and whose lives “matter” most in public eyes. Movements like #SayHerName aim to address these gaps, but the unequal focus shows that biases can exist even in spaces built to empower marginalized voices.

Why do social media movements like #BlackLivesMatter bring quick attention but struggle to create lasting change?

Social media movements quickly spread awareness by enabling rapid information sharing and emotional connection with specific cases of injustice. This ability to rally support around a cause, often through viral hashtags, mobilizes protests and public outcry in hours or days, effectively pushing issues into the national conversation. However, because social media is fast-paced and driven by current trends, attention can fade as new topics emerge, leading to what might be called "short-lived moments of resistance." While these moments are powerful for raising awareness, they don’t always lead to long-term, structural change. Additionally, social media’s reliance on “accepted truths” about whose lives are at risk may inadvertently limit the depth and duration of its impact, as some instances or groups receive less attention. The temporary nature of viral content highlights the need for organized, sustained offline efforts to complement social media activism's immediate reach.

Lee, L. (2017). Black Twitter: A response to bias in mainstream media. Social Sciences, 6(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci6010026

Vegh, S. (2007). Cyberprotesting globalization: A case of online activism. Governance and Information Technology, 208–212. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/7473.003.0027

[detransdamnation]

I think I might not actually be trans but I don't know where these feelings come from then, what caused them and what to do against my dysphoria. I just want to be a woman again. do you have any resources on this? thank you in advance

Hey there, Anon.

Unfortunately, there aren't too many resources for dysphoric detransitioned people and what few do pop up either don't last long, cater exclusively to youth or the parents of them, or (in my personal opinion) don't actually do all that much to tangibly help us as people. That isn't to say that the resources do not exist, period—but from what I have seen, they are largely community-based and almost exclusively online (which can open its own can of worms), as academic and medical efforts where they do exist more often concern dysphoric people who are actively transitioning, or wish to make that leap.

That being said, frustrating circumstance does not mean that you cannot take steps to try to help yourself. It's difficult for me to know what, exactly, to suggest, as I don't know you, so I can't make too many assumptions on what, specifically, may have contributed to your dysphoria and what you may find helpful. But not all hope is lost. I scoured the Internet looking for something that could help you, and although most of what has been put out there suffers/ed from the same things I listed above, I did find one organization that may be of interest to you. Gender Dysphoria Alliance aims to better understand dysphoria, all the ways it can present, and the best ways to help those affected by it. This could be helpful to you if you are looking specifically for well-rounded conversation that is supportive of detransitioners and centric of homosexual and female sex rights, critical of the ways in which the transgender community approaches things but also not inherently gender-critical and not necessarily dismissive of transition as a legitimate option for some. There is a members' forum specifically for those who are impacted by dysphoria to participate in, although in order to join, you will need to receive approval from a moderator to ensure the space remains reflective of its intent and target group.

Insofar as the process of working through dysphoria goes, if you are wondering where to start, I came across this archived Substack post entitled Alternatives to Transition: A step-by-step guide to thinking your way out of dysphoria without repressing it*. This is a short, concise article which, coincidentally, outlines more or less the same approach I took (and still try to take) when dealing with my own dysphoria; that you said "I just want to be a woman again" in your submission makes me think it may be helpful for you as well. In essence, dysphoric people—as a feature of our dysphoria—are prone to hyper-analysis and extreme black-and-white thinking. We tend to see (the ideas of) men and women as (often rather extreme) caricatures of stereotypes—leading us to believe that we are, or are meant to be, the opposite sex (or even another gender entirely) because we do not fit those stereotypes. In the process of this re-identification, we lose the ability to understand that very few people are actually adequately described by any of their sex's stereotypes to a T—and simultaneously, that virtually no non-dysphoric person looks at menial things and categorically assigns them a gender (in general, or to know how to conform or not to conform) like we do. In short, we're too in-our-own-heads emotionally to logically understand how things actually are. This isn't our fault as dysphoric people—but it does mean we're unlikely to get anywhere until we learn to reformulate our thinking. This post gives you specific direction on how to start that process.

But dysphoria rarely happens "just because," and in deconstructing your own, you may find that your dysphoria was only secondary to another, greater issue, whether environmental or psychological. This is a little more difficult to give guidance on, as dysphoria which has been influenced by the surrounding environment isn't something that one can change overnight, or even necessarily escape from. As far as psychological issues go, it'd be easy for me to suggest therapy; however, I don't like to because I find it to be a canned response, especially nowadays. It's unhelpful to people who do not have the monetary means to go to therapy, as well as insensitive to those who have had bad experiences which turned them off or even set them further back.

On top of this, what is a great barrier for dysphoric detransitioners in finding psychological help is that many gender psychologists are geared to only support circular, gender-affirmative treatment (i.e., transition is the cure for your dysphoria because you are transgender) in their practice, which—should go without saying—isn't helpful to us as detransitioners, and may even inadvertently harm us. I don't mean to dissuade you from going this route if you feel you need it, or to be overall pessimistic about the state of things (although I'll admit I am)—but I also find it imperative to be honest about the difficulties you may face in finding someone who would be beneficial to you in your specific situation. I will say that in my research for you, I did find one website which offers more well-rounded therapy for dysphoric people; however, it's not something I'm personally comfortable publicly endorsing on my blog because the website itself admits that the advertised therapists are not vetted by the organization itself (meaning at minimum, they agree with the mission statement and probably won't blindly affirm your dysphoria—but that's about all that's guaranteed). Still, if you would like to have this on hand regardless, you are free to message me for the link.

Finally, if you happen to be struggling with the ways in which the transgender community or gender theory has harmed you but are struggling to put the "why" and "how" into words (or just want reassurance that you're not crazy for feeling hurt), I'd like to direct you to The New Thought Crime*. This is a series of five blog posts. Very long read, very information-heavy. However, when I was in your same position coming up to three years ago now, teetering between the two paths, not sure if I even wanted to "take the risk" and disenfranchise myself from something I had spent so many years working so hard to carefully craft for myself, this was what ripped the blinders off and forced me to realize just how much I was harming myself by transitioning. Nothing has ever made me feel so seen and heard in such a dark place. It is initially advertised as for detransitioned women but it is genuinely helpful to everyone no matter their sex, identity, or previous or current relationship with the community. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

I hope this points you in the right direction. I wish you luck and perseverance.

*P.S. If you find either of these posts helpful, it would be wise to save them elsewhere, as The Wayback Machine as of late seems to be falling short of its prerogative in archiving lost or deleted Internet pages. Go figure.

[lasi-nariyoyoreads]

Ask 1: Hello! Can you read about SM and EXO relationship rn? Ask 2: Hello! Can I ask a reading on Kai and SM, please? What does SM think of him and what does Kai think of them? Is there any chance that he will leave the company or are they on good terms? Have a nice day and thank you 🎀 Ask 3: can you read exo and bts dynamic? i wonder if they are friends or not. their fans always fighting 😭

I wanted to post these separately but they started to hang in my drafts, so I decided to just do a big post and let them out.

Disclaimer:

My readings are made for fun and you should read them for fun too. So don't take them seriously. 

Exo and SM

King of cups, rev 9 of pentacles, rev 7 of wands

Some have a diplomatic relationship, they have worked together for a long time so I think there is a certain solidity in their work relationship. However...

It's funny because 9 of pentacles reversed showed up in Suho's personality reading and in what idols think of the group. It seems to hang around them pretty often. It is a card related to lack of independence, reckless choices, deceit, superficiality and other not so nice things.

7 of wands reversed indicates admitting defeat, feeling powerless and burn out.

I think they expected more from sm, more support, more freedom, more resources especially given how successful they are. It's possible at first they pressed and fought for it, but as years passed they simply got tired of it and gave up.

I get an "it is what it is" type of energy, I think they simply accepted that this is how their relationship will go. They adapted to sm's way of working.

Kai and SM

4 of pentacles, rev lovers, the star

Interestingly, 4 of pentacles showed up for his personality reading too.

I think he might lack the courage to venture alone to another company, he might feel safer with sm.

It's not out of "we work so well together" but out of fear or lack of better alternatives. So I can see him renewing with sm, unless he receives enough support and reassurance to feel confident enough to leave.

The Lovers reversed is not a great omen when it comes to work since it often points to disharmonious relationships with co-workers.

I think there might be unmet expectations, maybe he wanted to do something and sm blocked him or sm forced him to do something. I get the impression he has to work really hard to convince them to let him do what he wants.

The star is a positive card, I think that all things considered he's satisfied with where he is, it's possible that in the future he'll get more opportunities and more freedom, maybe he renews exactly with the promise that he can get more control over his career.

Bts and Exo

rev page of wands, queen of wands, 5 of pentacles

It's possible some of the members just don't care enough about each other to develop an actual friendship. Maybe they tried, but then their union got lost along the way.

Others probably were friends but then something happened and they're not friends anymore.

Others might have a good relationship and appreciate each other, they might even be close friends.

Long story short: some of them aren't close at all, some were/are on friendly terms.

I doubt they care about what their fandoms think and the cards I picked show no sign of envy or jealousy, just very normal dynamics among groups of people.

[loftedlow]

Hello there! My family needs to leave Gaza out of necessity . I suffer from nightmares that are so closely resemble reality that I no longer Differentiate between reality and a dream.Thank you taking your efforts and time in reading my plea. There are no words to describe the horrors unfolding in this place.never expected to find myself in this situation. Because of this horrible situation I have decided to come before you guys for a financial support so that I can evacuate my family from this hell that we are into.The funds will be strictly used for the evacuation . I will personally bear any additional expenses incurred.Your support will make a significant difference in alleviating the suffering of my family ,We urgently need any kind of support before it is to late. As time ticking away translates to lives lost in Gaza I'm here and ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have.Kindly reach out and connect with me

I sadly cannot donate (due to the fact I am a minor and do not have access to any paying apps). I also have no way of knowing if this is a scam or not. But if you can donate to this person, or at least can fact check their account then I heavily encourage you do.

For people similar to me in the case they cannot give by themselves to these people, one way I try to help is finding videos on youtube that are putting all revenue they get into a donation. They say to watch it only three times or so but what I try to do is just keep it playing and sketch a small drawing beside it so it won’t turn off while I do so. The smallest things can count.

I also recommend going to the website freerice.com. It’s a bocabulary game that every time you answer correctly 10 grains of rice are donated to people in need. So yeah multitasking( your helping those in need and also helping your own vocabulary become more vast. 10 grains doesn’t seem like a lot and no, it’s not, but when millions of people play per day and play a lot of questions, it is something, and you can be part of that something too.

I’m just gonna cram all this in here too but also please do not forget about Ukraine. There has been little to no news ANYWHERE about them and they’re suffering. As much as they seemed to be winning when last checked up on, that’s because of the resources being given to them by allying countries. Those are slowly going away to support this war and leaving Ukrainians to fend for themselves, a MUCH smaller country than Russia physically, politically, and military-wise. I also beg of people to do research on the issue in Bangladesh. I of course cannot have an influence on things myself but I can say what I want and I want to say that it is quite honestly horrible and that will get you no where.

Anyway, Coming from someone who is jewish by ethnicity, war is hell. Especially with so much going on in the world. If you can help this woman, by all means, do it, and others. But if you can’t or choose not to, that’s okay too. I can’t control you or you might have something stopping you which is perfectly fine, especially in time of such financial struggle. But even if you want to, refer to my alternate ways of donating that I know of so far above. I don’t usually, really EVER post abt this stuff because again, I’m a child and I don’t want to be involved in anything. Especially with how controversial specifically THIS war has been.