#expert positioning

[blogtey45]

Unlocking Success | How to Write an Expert Positioning Story | Summit Press Publisher

[dennisboobs]

7x10 // How Mac Got Fat

↳ Charlie & Dennis + getting high together

[critter-creature-or-beast]

Submitted for classification by @space-mouse

"(rescued from lake.)"

[biblically-accurate-dca]

super disorganized sketch page because i do what i want

[indecisiveavocado]

if you don't want to admit that you are wrong you can always try this

I carefully explained why the Amsterdam pogrom, sorry, not at all antisemitic event was, in fact, a pogrom and mentioned that it was weird they didn't just assume Jews probably know more about antisemitism and antisemitic dogwhistles than them. (this on my post 'so, about goysplaining')

Truly a well-reasoned examplar of people who don't like Jews sorry ISRAEL.

(also, the irony. evasivemanuver, if you're reading this, you are the point of the post.)

[octosan]

I've seen the take that Veilguard's lore handling is the way that it is because it was largely worked on by a team that isn't familiar with Dragon Age, and I... don't know about that.

Like it's kind of funny in retrospect, but

For all the mistakes the Vows and Vengeance podcast made, that show felt more to me like an example of a story trying to incorporate relevant Dragon Age lore, but being written by people who weren't well-versed in it.

They had Tevinter class divide and bureaucratic apathy as a major plot point that affected the main character's life. They had Solas employing middlemen and tricking characters to get some of his work done instead of doing everything himself. They had multiple references to the faiths of the setting, including Davrin referencing worship practices in Dalish culture (they even used the term The Beyond, the Dalish term for the Fade that even Inquisition kind of forgot was a thing even if it was not the Dalish character using it.) They had a cult other than the Venatori as an antagonist at one point. They had an instance of racially charged conflict between Bellara, an elven Veil Jumper, and a Tevinter templar, that originates from the templars looting elven artifacts (something that is implied to happen often.) They at least tried to depict an example of regular Qunari culture in the village in Par Vollen that the protagonists wind up in briefly. They had Lucanis, a Crow, actually carry out an assassination of a non-combatant character. They had multiple demons playing mind games with the characters trying to get their bodies as hosts, in addition to a demon that just rampaged, and even referenced despair demons being ice-coded. They depicted the Fade as a chaotic and emotionally-driven realm, with spirits and demons everywhere--and fittingly Arlathan, a forest with a lot of influence from the Fade, was itself a dangerously chaotic and shifting place. Bellara explains what Veil Jumping entails and actually veil-jumps (and it's accordingly treated like a big deal for the characters). They reference Genitivi and Varric as prominent authors in the world-building. They had grenades. They even brought back the idea of being "Fade touched" with Drayden. They had asfkdksadfgkb HAD A MABARI.

Also the podcast wasn't constantly reassuring you, patting you on the back, and repeating information to you every second so that's nice.

I thought most of the companions came off better here too, with the idea that this is just supposed to be a snapshot of them. I remember enjoying their inclusion the most and trying to speculate what traits and flaws were on display that might get expanded on in the game (for example Emmrich's attitude of trying to "parent" a demon failing spectacularly, or Davrin being depicted as actually taking his clan's faiths seriously despite not being among them anymore.) Taash not realizing they're nonbinary until long after meeting Drayden, who had their own personal issues with their family about their identity, feels like some kind of missed opportunity though (I mean realistically the podcast was just supposed to advertise the game so I know why this is, but still.)

idk if this is a hot take. like imo the podcast wasn't "good" good and again there were clear mistakes in the lore, a lot of the stuff set in Antiva for example, like it was messy. But I had more of a sense that these were people new to the setting but trying than I did with Veilguard.

Idk to me the problem was less that the writers in Veilguard didn't know anything about Dragon Age and more that it was an extremely sanitized and simplified version of the lore, one that couldn't even take into account the world-changing decisions you made in previous games. With a helping of things being shoved under the rug to avoid Discourse. Like it felt more intentional to me, for the most part. And then you have all the visual errors that come from just reusing assets which is an RPG staple at this point (someone pointed out that the Chantry symbols in Minrathous are wrong, for example.)

[rukafais]

Peeking into the drow tag is incredible because people really do just be out here saying shit like BEFORE LARIAN DROW HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SEXY AND EVIL AND NEVER NUANCED EVER

Like damn I don't expect anyone to read an almost 40 book series but if you're going to do big informative rundowns you should at least do your research and look at a couple modules or something

[ash-and-starlight]

you’ve probably gotten a lot of asks like this, but I just haven’t seen any posted. what are your feelings on the remake, if you are watching it? more specifically, what do you think was the biggest problem with it?

i rlly havent actually! i think it's bc im really trying to Pretend I Do Not See It. rn i'm fighting TOOTH AND NAIL against the temptation to hatewatch because i do not need that in my life lmao.

the thing i cannot get over with is how Cheap it looks, it rlly smells of poor rushed workers to me, despite the astronomical budget that went into it. 15 MIL!!??? same as the late seasons of game of thrones!! now i'm not saying GoT is a pinnacle of virtue but it featured: a really good burn scar make up that took up half a character's face, a really good Notorious white hair wig with intricate hairstyles, really good costumes and heavy winter furs, really good location and fantasy beasts cgi and ummmmmmm from what i've seen of natla well. it had nothing of the sort. it's just bad gary it's uglyy

[alacants]

the juanki/rafa lore is fascinating omg

ISN'T IT WILD. today felt like. scripted. backstory episode dropped just in time for the narrative climax.

but their relationship is really SO fascinating. there's all these little tidbits the round-up didn't have space for, stuff like--juanki's asked about their relationship at a cincy presser and is like haha it's fine we're meeting for golf today. and then the next day he's back on message like, stop talking about rafa. rafa is speaking up in juanki's defense when he's left out of the madrid main draw, and then they're barely talking next time they're both at davis cup. even nowadays they are so clearly on the same page cheering for carlitos! …as long AS they are cheering for carlitos. i want a timer to know how long they can hold a conversation before one of them says something that breaks the get-along spell.

idk i just keep thinking that--i mean what IF that hideous run of bad luck (chicken pox, broken rib, maybe some poor decision-making) hadn't destroyed juanki at his peak. i would be so curious to know if rafa's approach would have been different if juanki had been more of a threat on the court in those first formative years on tour--more like he felt about moya or roger. instead he just leapfrogged right over him and i think that's what got under juanki's skin so bad, not just that this kid usurped his place but that he didn't even like. notice him there.

(i was just talking with my friend whose take on rafa's side of this is that the obvious bad feeling probably bothered him a lot more coming from a spaniard than it would have otherwise. like if it was… i can't think of a good example. marat safin? a former world no. 1 who was never much of a threat to him on court. --if it was marat safin who got snippy in the media and cold-shouldered him in person then lol whatever. but at home he wanted to be loved. and juan carlos did not love him.)

[thepersonalquotes]

More than attitude, posture has also been used throughout history to communicate one’s status in society.

Cindy Ann Peterson, My Style, My Way: Top Experts Reveal How to Create Yours Today

[friendofthecrows]

Hey I know I focus on low empathy disorders (esp. because I have ASPD) and this sometimes extends to talking about how many empaths demonize us but:

Shout-out to people with high empathy/hyperempathy that aren't perfect angels 24/7

I can't talk on it much because I'm Literally The Opposite but the people who have been most accepting about my lack of empathy have been people with "too much" of it.

Whether you *are* super sweet or whether your empathy manifests in difficulty controlling anger or pain you feel from others (or both, as is common) you have just as much of a right to your struggles as all of us without empathy. You're not overemotional, you're reacting proportionally to what you feel. Even if you were, you deserve to be treated with kindness and without judgement!!

Solidarity between people with low/no empathy and people with hyperempathy forever (つ˘◡˘)づ💚

[sithfox]

Today's snippet is from Setting Fires to Keep You Warm, part 2 (current outline has it at nine parts total). It's a few months after Fox first arrives on Coruscant.

It would be great, Fox thinks tiredly, if these damn assassins would just get the hint. He pops up from his hiding spot behind Amidala's secretary's desk and nails three goons in a row before dropping back down behind the sturdy furniture. At least he had been here checking in with the Senator's team about her upcoming travel plans when they decided to attack: preventing a kidnapping is much easier than rescuing someone.

The woman beside him is fiddling with something electronic, teeth bared as she twists two wires together and whips it at the crowd at the door. One of Amidala's handmaidens, her hood has fallen and exposed her blonde hair in disarray from Fox tackling her down behind the desk. There's a loud bang and several shrieks of pain and she smirks, pleased with herself. Fox risks a glance past their shelter and is impressed despite himself—only two of the ten mercenaries are left standing, both much more heavily armored than their colleagues. Probably the ringleaders, then. He takes a split second to run through his options and decides to trust his instincts. "Cover me," he tells the handmaiden, then rolls out from behind their shelter and throws himself towards his remaining foes.

[l-in-the-light]

How would Law treat so with a depression & anxiety? Going through this shit at the moment 🥺

For starters I need to apologize, I really wanted to answer it sooner, but I felt like I would do it poorly if I don't prepare mentally first and read up a bit more about the topic, to arrange thoughts in my head.

Let's say someone on Law's crew is going through this, Bepo perhaps, or if Law is with Strawhats - Sanji (for some reason I feel like Sanji is the most likely candidate for depression&anxiety combo). Law isn't the type who would ask the question directly, he would observe instead, and since he is very good at observing people, he would notice the tiny things others wouldn't. If it was Sanji, Law could realize how he didn't do any special snack or drink for the girls on the crew in the afternoon and in the evening or how his meals are suddenly a bit simpler, less exquisite, and of course Law would notice because he was slightly impressed before (but also thought it's such a waste for a cook on a pirate crew to prepare food on the level of highest class restaurant). He could notice that something's wrong in the details, like less decorative dressings, less variety, sticking to 3 flavours instead of usual 10, stuff like that. Suddenly they get more meals that are faster to make than long hours of preparation Sanji usually dedicates to cooking. In other words, things Sanji enjoys the most would suddenly stop bringing him joy, so the first signs of depression would be that he prepares less fancy meals. He stops also picking up fights with Zoro (though that would be a pretty obvious sign that something's up). Seems Sanji can't also sleep at night, and ofc Law would know, because he is also having sleeping troubles - but that's normal for him, not so much for Sanji.

Of course to everyone Sanji seems like he behaves the same way as always, spending all his time in the kitchen, smiling to the girls, maybe just less enthusiasthic than usual, but everyone thinks it's just Sanji feeling under the weather. It probably wasn't the first time either, probably any time Sanji thinks of his family he spirals mentally down into depression. But everyone on the Strawhats crew is used to it, and the new guys (Jimbei, for example) wouldn't know what's his usual behaviour anyway. Law though, would notice those tiny changes and take it seriously. He would observe discreetly at first, then try to strike a conversation, probably on one of those long sleepless nights they will inevitably end up sharing. He would choose his words carefully, mostly checking in if Sanji wants someone to talk with and share, and if not, he would just offer his quiet company instead.

After this conversation Sanji would know that his suffering isn't unnoticed. Law isn't the type to push himself or his help on people, but he would try to show support in some smaller or bigger ways, with his actions (because that's where Law's support shines the most, not in his words). For example, he would offer to go grocery shopping for Sanji so Sanji won't have to do it and feel guilty for not fullfilling his duties properly as the cook of the crew. He would also help with cooking, even though Law's meals would be probably just on the edible level of cooking, nothing special, maybe slightly on the bad end, but tolerable. He would announce soon afterwards that it's the crew's time to take turns to cook, so Sanji can get some rest - he wouldn't tell the others why or he would think up some sort of excuse, he wouldn't share personal stuff like the true reason for the sudden arrangement, if Sanji isn't ready to share by himself. It would be Strawhats turn to pamper Sanji and they would probably suck a bit at that, but they would try their best anyway. Sanji probably isn't even mentally prepared to accept so much attention and care directed at him, so he would probably protest and later cry about it on his own. Maybe that would finally push him to talk with the rest about how he's feeling and what he's going through. Sanji is the type who needs a gentle indirect push, or at least so it seems like to me.

Of course Sanji would have no idea that Law already prepared Strawhats for this talk, warned them about things they shouldn't say or do, and offered them ideas on what they can tell him instead; how they should always be ready to listen, but don't push, but be persistent and consistent in how they express that Sanji can turn to them any time he needs to. Law would also not tell them what's it about, but would bribe them to sit through him yapping and he would make sure they repeat everything they learned back to him, so he knows they understood. He would take extra time with Luffy, but not because Luffy won't understand, but because Law worries Luffy might get particularly affected about it. Law takes extra time to explain to him that he can't just punch the right guy or distract Sanji to solve the problem, but there are things only Luffy can do for Sanji.

After the talk Chopper immediately proceeds to study more about depression and anxiety, and will educate Strawhats at every possible occassion (Law will make sure Sanji isn't in the vicinity when it happens, even if it means suddenly shambling people away and disorienting them). Zoro would get really whimsical, even in the middle of his training routine, which probably never happened before. His conclusion would be, probably, to be even more annoying than usual to Sanji, to make him feel like nothing changed, not from Zoro's side at least. Zoro might not look like it, but he probably went through depression as well after Kuina died, so he can sort of relate, even if he doesn't have a good idea how to help anyone, because it's not like he ever got any support. But he is always listening carefully to everything Chopper says and reccommends to do. Nami and Robin try to spend more time with Sanji, despite the fact it doesn't make him happy like it usually would, because now he has troubles actually feeling anything positive. But the girls would still just sit around in kitchen, doing their own things, keeping him company, because at least then Sanji won't sit there alone, isolated and stuck with his thoughts on his own.

Franky will cry over Sanji at random moments, because it's Franky, he can't control it. He also went through depression before, more than once, so he provides what he knows best: creating some devices for Sanji's kitchen. He also has a long heartwarming talk with him and encourages Sanji to try some craftwork as well, no matter what it would be, because that was what helped Franky himself to deal with things, so who knows, it might be worth trying. Sanji probably has no heart to tell him that he can't bring himself to do much at all, no matter how simple those things might be, but he thanks him, the advice might have not been the best but the talk actually helped him a lot. Brook will play some sad tunes and forbid happy music on the ship for a while to show his solidarity. He also gives Sanji his music dial he keeps for Laboon, just for keepseeking, because he claims that's the only thing that saved him when he was stranded on the Florian Triangle, so maybe it can help Sanji as well. Jimbei would be the guy who doesn't do much, but always makes sure to validate Sanji's feelings whenever he talks up or mentions anything, never judges or pushes him to do or try anything, just reminds him to tell himself to keep going, "even if only for one more minute, hour or day" and that it will eventually get better even if it's hard to believe it right now. He also reminds him it takes time and it's normal it feels so overwhelming. He always remembers to tell him he's not alone and that all of them care for him. He never, not even once, looks tired or disinterested when listening to Sanji either, always giving him his full attention.

Usopp probably is the one who has the most ideas how to help, but feels like nothing will work out (sometimes he tries anyway, sometimes he resigns before even trying any of his ideas), so he ends up feeling down as well, because we all know Usopp has actually chronic depression himself. Law warns Chopper to pay attention to him as well, already having predicted that Usopp will need extra support. This results in one night of Sanji and Usopp bonding over a really long, serious talk about their feelings, slowly working through them together. Finally Usopp declares he probably couldn't help at all and that's it's all his fault, he tells Sanji how great he actually is with how he deals with all of this, and ends up just taking care of Sanji by massaging his shoulders or giving him a foot massage as they drink chamomile tea that Chopper insists for them to always have at hand. It turns out Usopp is pretty good at making sure of that. And also to identify and erase any stressors or things that cause Sanji to feel anxious (anything even remotely swirly like Vinsmoke's eyebrows, for example), even if he sometimes overdoes that. He soon accompanies Law for grocery shopping as well, having realized that's also something he is able to help with.

Luffy struggles the most on how to show his support to Sanji, despite Law always sticking to his side and telling him he just needs to act like he always does. But Luffy thinks that's never enough, because no one was ever alright with Luffy just acting like Luffy, though he doesn't say that part outloud. Finally, Law teaches him some things he learned long time ago from medical books, like 333 or 555 rule for anxiety. And Luffy is overjoyed when he can teach that to Sanji, always accompanying him for the exercise, breathing deeply, withholding his breath and releasing it again, even synchronizing it together with Sanji. Now whenever Sanji has to do it, Luffy does it as well with him, even if he has to rocket himself from the other end of the ship. He also starts to love naming the things he can hear, touch or move; despite the fact he always found stuff like that boring before, but since he's doing it for Sanji he thinks it's awesome now. Luffy thinks Law was right and that there are things he can do, and Law ends up teaching him a few more.

They all form a support network for Sanji together. When Sanji is ready to get some therapy help, they're his anchor providing a safe environment for him to recover. The Strawhats also control each other, so that no one accidentally pushes Sanji to do something that makes him feel uncomfortable or to prevent someone from blabbling out something harmful (while thinking it's helpful). Since they're on a ship, soon Chopper needs to become a therapist for Sanji, and Law also educates himself more to act as a support when needed.

I guess Law would arrange the support circle, make sure the help others offer isn't misguided, and gives Sanji a gentle push. Then he would just observe and direct others to get the message across: that Sanji isn't alone, that everyone is understanding and available for him, and that whatever he's going through isn't his fault. That's exactly what Bepo, Penguin and Shachi did for him, and what they did for Bepo when he was having some of his depression episodes. Law might not be good at giving direct help, but arranging things to show support is something he can do and will definitely do. Finally the skills he gained from Doflamingo's training, one that was meant for taking advantage of people, exploiting their weaknesses and manipulating them, has ended up being actually useful, but not in ways Doflamingo would even think of. Now, when holding firmly in his palm all the knowledge and vulnerable things he learns about people, he knows how to use all of that to offer better help and save people, instead of harming them.

Sanji probably notices it was all his doing in the background, even if Law takes no credit for it, but that's a whole different tale.

I'm sorry you have to go through this, anon, I know it's not fair. I also have a friend who has depression so the topic isn't completely foreign to me, but I'm aware that at the end of the day it's only you who knows how it feels and how much you're going through. I hope you have someone you can get support from, be it family or friends, please never hesitate to reach out to anyone for help, even if it feels really overwhelming to do that. Please remember that it's okay to feel like this, your feelings matter and nothing of it is your fault. Take care of yourself ❤

[oidheadh-con-culainn]

also none of that means you can't send me asks or whatever. i can decide whether or not to answer and in how much detail and if i give an in depth answer then that means i both have the information and am happy to provide it. i'm just tired of the repeated trend of my shitposts being held up to the standard of Educational History Content when they were never intended to be that, they're just me blowing off steam in my nerdy way because that's who i am as a person

[fvckw4d]

The concept of queerbaiting annoys me. I was told that it refers to a work of fiction pretending to cater to a queer audience but then pulling back from it to avoid alienating homophobes, which is an incredibly specific thing. But a lot of people seem to think that it instead means "any time there's any gay subtex, metaphor, or ambiguity" or "whenever something from 1995-2012 was being a normal amount of homophobic for the era."

[ohsalome]

You know what's sad? Because western discourse is shaped by the post-vietnam* attitude towards war and soldiers, his torturous death will have meant nothing for these people. Sure, most westerners feel bad about deaths of Ukrainian civilians, especially children - you have to be a real reptilebrain not to - but when it comes to our soldiers, it's almost as you think that brutal torture comes with the territory. Or maybe it's the poisonous effort of articles slandering Azov, and now people think that the entirety of ZSU is made up of literal ww2 nazis... 😓 I just know that every time our civilians get massively killed, we manage to convince our western partners to send us more weapons. It's like a bloody requisite for the fucking application. But our soldiers? Idk. Why do you think people lose their humanity once they put on the uniform? They defend our homes, they are literally the only reason all of us, myself included, are alive today... Only to feel even more pain, all this pain...

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