#extremely important scientific research

[lesbiankendall]

for the longest time i thought that the word brunette included people with black hair and not just people with brown hair (im saying this as a non-native english speaker and someone who has black hair) but ive seen so many different people have different opinions on it and idk anymore so

[csuitebitches]

book review: Stolen focus by Johann Hari

Major learnings from this book. It basically talks about focus, why and how we’re losing it. Why can’t we pay attention anymore? Are we individuals to blame or our systems? 

There will be a time when the upper class will be extremely aware of the risks to their attention (caused by tech, social media, our current generation) and the masses, with fewer resources to resist the temptation of technology, will be manipulated more and more by their computers. 

Multitasking is a myth. What actually happens when we multitask is that we “juggle” between tasks. This results in incomplete tasks, higher error rates, less focus, less creativity and memory decreases. 

Sleep is extremely important, especially sleeping according to nature - when the sun sets and sun rises. If the whole world slept the way we are naturally programmed, we would have an economic earthquake. Our economic systems run on sleep deprived people. 

Reading online and reading print has a huge difference. Reading online creates tendencies of skimming and scanning text. This prevents our brain from focusing intently on one story at a time, which print allows you to do. You also remember and understand things from printed texts better. 

Empathy. Certain research suggests that reading fiction and novels improves empathy, because you are immersing yourself in another character’s life for a while. Empathy has played a huge role in human advancements. If a group of white people did not realise that colonisation was wrong, if men did not realise that women deserve equal rights, we would not have independent nations nor be close to gender equality today. 

There are multiple types of paying attention. Focused attention is one thing. But day dreaming and letting your mind wander with no distraction (that is, being alone with your thoughts) is equally important. Some of the most important breakthroughs in human history were because the inventors were not actively focusing on solving the problem. 

Being on social media = giving a free pass to be manipulated. No thoughts, opinions, desires that you have are original. They have all been fed into you by social media and the online world. It is by their design that we cannot focus. 

Leaked internal records of Facebook show that they are aware that their algorithms exploit the human brain’s attraction to divisiveness. 64% of people, for instance, who join extremist groups join because FB’s algorithm directly recommends too. “Our recommendation systems grow the problem.” Zuckerberg eventually terminated the unit that was studying this. 

Diet and attention. The diet we consumed today is a diet that causes regular energy spikes and energy crashes. Our food does not have the nutrients we need for our brains to function well. Our current diets actively contain chemicals that seem to act on our brains almost like drugs.  

Be careful about reading research, especially when it’s funded by the industry itself. For 40 years, the lead industry funded all the scientific research into whether it was safe, and assured the world that it was. Lead later turned out to severely stunt your ability to focus and pay attention and that you are more likely to get ADHD. 

We define success broadly as economic growth. Economies should get bigger, companies should get bigger. Growth can happen in two ways - either the companies find new markets or they persuade the existing consumers to consume more. If you can get people to eat more or to sleep less, you’ve found the source of economic growth. It results in people working overtime, not having enough time with family, friends and themselves, stress and anxiety prone, lack of sleep and bad health, etc. 

Conclusion: use precommitment to stop switching tasks, try to focus more on intrinsic motivation than extrinsic, go off social media periodically (say 1 month at a time) and then extend those breaks; everyday spend 1 hour in walking in silence (no music, conversations or people- and if this is in nature, even better) to connect with yourself, 8 hours of sleep every night, build on slow practices like yoga, cut out processed food, take your PTO!!

[itsa-not-me]

So this is NOT related to my previous Alien Konig post. It's separate from that.

...I don't know what I wrote y'all

content warning

alien fucking, breeding, tentacles, breeding, oviposition, two peens, the lost of my sanity. This is UNHOLY

"Research Log # 593; Now that we've been able to confirm the efficacy of Nikto's translation devices we've been able to communicate with the human more efficiently than with the simple sound board. She has confirm that she is a brooding member of her species, and that she is willing to participate in the Counsel's interspecies breeding proposal. Despite what Krueger says I am not preening over the fact that the human stated she would only participate with myself. It just shows that the human is able to distinguish who is the superior sire." "Log # 595; All lab tests are complete. Human is surprisingly more willing to allow lab draws when we can explain what they are for. Happy to report that so far tests show there should be no danger to either of our species during copulation.

Note; Human does not like being called Human, but her Earth name is not possible for us to pronounce in our language. She has agreed to the alias of Nebula."

"Log # 596; Due to our species faster gestation time, and the fact that we do not bear live young, Nebula as agreed to try carrying a fertilized clutch first. I am eager to see how many eggs she will be able to carry."

"Log # 597; Nebula has told us an interesting fact, after a brooding human's bleeding cycle there is a window where they are extremely fertile and is an ideal time for mating. They call this 'ovulation'. According to Nebula her ovulation period is starting shortly. We will begin copulation experiment point one shortly.

Note; I wonder if this ovulation may explain the rather...hungry looks she has been giving me of late."

Konig wasn't nervous, no matter what Krueger tried to say. Kruger was an idiot who kept getting rejected by Nikto. If anything Konig was...brimming with scientific curiosity. Yes that's what it was. He was going to be making important discoveries. With Nebula.

He could admit that at first he had found her of little interest, simply a spare brood human for their external breeding study incase one failed to thrive. But then they had discovered so many little things that made her interesting, unique. It had become difficult to see her as only a study subject. And there was the fact that she always seemed to prefer Konig to the others.

When she was allowed out of the containment area he was the one she choose to follow around the lab. His protection hood was the ones she stole when Krueger had foolishly let her wander the personal quarters. He was the one she would pull towards her nest of bedding when she wished to have a sleep companion, which seemed to have been most nights.

It was his thigh that she chose to use for her pleasure when the Turlian pods ended up acting like a strong aphrodisiac.

So of course it would make sense for Nebula to choose him to participate in the breeding clinicals with. Besides he was the ideal candidate when compared to Krueger.

With that in mind he tried not to think about how the lab felt a little cooler without his usual protective hood and tunic on. Since they had come to a compromise of only having a recording feed instead of Krueger and Nikto as observers, Konig had decided to undress in the lab, trying to ignore the feel of Nebula's stare as he did so.

He knew she had been curious about his physical form, the number of times he'd felt her hands slide along his chest and abdomen at night, exploring the skin and muscle there was a clear give away. Let alone the number of times he had to pull her hands away from under his protective hood. The last time she had even licked the lubricating mucus from his tentacles off of her fingertips! And this was before they even knew if it was safe for her! Really did human's have any survival instincts?

With a huff he turned to look down at the little human, who was already looking up at him with that same wide eyed curiosity. He wasn't sure what he anticipated her reaction would be, but once again reaching for his tentacles wasn't it.

"Why are you so fascinated by my face?"

Nebula couldn't help but grin as the ear piece Nikto had made relayed Konig's words to her. Before she always had to guess with what his body was saying. And that was hard to tell sometimes with the hood and loose drape he chose to wear.

"Because it's a pretty fascinating face."

Really all of him was fascinating. From his height, to how big and wide he was, not to mention the less than human details. There was the obvious face full of tentacles, all circled around what she assumed was his mouth. They all seemed to move independently of each other and the last time she had tried the sticky substance that seemed to constantly coat them well...She'd had exes who had tasted worse in her mouth.

Then there was his skin. It was so pale he was practically translucent in some spots. One night she had spent hours tracing the veins she could see running up and down his inner arm. Plus it seemed thicker than her own. Almost like rubber but less unpleasant to rub against.

And then there was between his legs. At first glance it looked like Konig lacked anything used for 'mating' as the alien persisted in calling it. Nebula had seen enough penises in her life time to know where they were on a human, but Konig lacked that, and a vagina. Instead it was almost like he was a Ken doll, only instead of being smooth there were two...plates, she'd say for lack of a better word, that met and had a seam down the center. Maybe they'd part to reveal these phalluses Konig had talked about earlier. Like that one movie.

She could feel herself start to get wet at the idea of what could be instore for her.

She must have been staring a little too hard because Konig shuffled his weight awkwardly, drawing her attention away from his vent and back to his face. Even being so pale it seemed that Konig's species didn't blush like human's did. Instead a flush or warming of the face his tentacles fluttered a little more exuberantly, lifting high enough at times to reveal a curved little beak. She probably shouldn't have found that so cute. For all his boasting that he was the superior sire, when it came to actually siring he seemed a little nervous. That was something she could certainly find cute.

"Wouldn't you say I'm a little fascinating too?"

Konig would never admit that he found her intense study of him a little intimidating. Instead he was simply being considerate to wait for her to literally welcome him with open arms, turning around as if to give him an unobstructed view of her body. Which he could admit he fully appreciated.

He stepped into her personal space as she turned to face him, hands coming back down to her sides, fingers tapping against her thighs. Perhaps she was a little nervous as well.

"I would say I am starting to find humans more fascinating...Now tell me, how do most humans start their mating rituals?"

He watched as she tilted her head in consideration, little pink tongue coming to lick her bottom lip.

"Well a good one typically starts with kissing?"

"And that would be?"

"It's when we touch lips, even tongues."

"And it is pleasurable for you?"

"If done properly."

Konig hummed in consideration as he studied the shape of her mouth. It looked so plump and soft compared to his beak. He didn't quite think that she'd enjoyed getting poked with it.

"I do not have lips. I do not know if I would be good at kissing."

"Well...maybe I'll just kiss you then?"

Before he could argue the semantics of it she was touching the closest tentacle to her, bringing it up to purse her lips against the side of it. It certainly wasn't an unpleasant experience. Even if the translator couldn't exactly explain what the trilling from his chest meant, it seemed she got the idea as she continued to pepper kisses along the length of his tentacle, ending at the tip.

It wasn't scientific curiosity that urged him to push past her plush lips. It was the way she stared up at him with dark eyes. And oh he was glad he listened. He couldn't resist exploring more as she opened her jaw, giving him more access. Her tongue was warm and soft, not a texture he was expecting but enjoyed as he slid his tentacle against it. Brushing the tip against the roof of her mouth made her squirm, an airy chuckle leaving her as he pulled back.

"That tickles."

"Does it normally?"

"Don't know. Haven't had a tentacle there before."

That pleased him to hear. That this was new for her, that he was the first.

"I found that version of kissing pleasing."

"I'm glad. I'd be upset to hear I'm a lousy kisser."

Without thinking he was cradling her head between his palms, absentmindedly amazed at how tiny he was compared to him.

"I would like to do it again."

"So kiss me then."

Konig let his curiosity get the better of him, the tip of one tentacle tracing the shape of her lips, pushing and dragging against the lower lip to see how it grave under his force. Again that little pink tongue darted out like it was second nature, only this time also licking over his tentacle. The sensation caused the beginning stirring of his phallus.

He pushed back into her mouth, less exploratory and more simply wanting to enjoy the feeling of her tongue against him. He wasn't expecting the suction around him, cheeks hollowing as it seemed she tried to pull him further into her. With a growl he withdrew, leaning down so he could be closer to her eyes, those sweet alluring eyes of hers.

"Little Nebula, is that also a part of kissing?"

He should have known then from the little smile she gave him, that he was in for unexpected discoveries.

"It's a next step after kissing."

Logically, she should be nervous. If she had any survival instincts she wouldn't have been excited about the restrained strength she could feel in the way Konig held her face. She shouldn't have enjoyed feeling his tentacles tracing along her throat and collar bone. But she did. She could feel her nipples start to tighten as a few wayward tentacle tips drifted further down her chest.

"What else comes after kissing?"

She realized she could take it anywhere, that Konig was allowing her to take more of a lead, to set the pace. Her hands drifted up to hold onto his wrists, just a grounding point as she thought about what it was she wanted next. She wanted to feel his tentacles on more of her body, in a specific space if she was honest. And she wanted to explore more of him.

"Humans have foreplay. All sorts of ways to turn their partner on before they fuck."

"And how would you like me to foreplay you?"

Konig seemed almost distracted as he focused on the tentacles that were exploring the swells of her breasts. He could feel the plush give of her skin, how her nipples seemed softer. He looked down in curiosity as he felt them tighten. The little buds seemed to beg attention and who was he to deny that?

He could feel her nails dig into his wrists as twin tentacles wrapped around each nipple, starting with the lightest squeeze he could manage. He kept adding pressure until he heard her sigh, resting more of her weight into his hands and frame.

"This is a pretty good start."

With her approval he continued his exploration of her breasts and nipples, seeing how hard he could squeeze and pull before she would squirm in discomfort. Whenever he found a limit he'd ease back and brush against the poor flesh in apology, before going back to what seemed to be acceptable pressure or strength. He had to move his hold from her face to her ribs to keep her steady, finding the way she would squirm in his grasp cute. It made him want to explore more parts of her.

"Konig..."

And judging from the way she whined his name, he could only assume that his little human felt the same.

She normally wasn't one to enjoy having her nipples or breasts played with, but knowing that it was Konig that was doing it? That he was paying extra attention to the way she'd react to every way his tentacles touched her? It set her nerves on fire. It also sent her on a desperate need to feel him else where.

Thankfully he didn't keep her waiting when she called for his attention, focus shifting from the back arching movements back to her face. It was intoxicating to have that gaze trained on her.

"Is there something you need little star?"

She didn't care if how eager she seemed as she nodded, taking one of his hands to pull him back towards her bed pile. She wanted a lot.

"Wanna to show some other things to do. And I wanna touch you too."

Konig let her pull him to the nest, but didn't expect the strength she had to push him into it. He didn't loose his breath when he landed on his back, but he did when he looked up at her and watched as she stood over him.

"I am at your mercy then."

She could feel nerves creep up the back of her neck as she joined him, tongue thick as she tripped over her words to explain.

"Sometimes humans can pleasure each other with their mouths at the same time."

That drew a curious noise out of Konig, feeling his own self lubricant start to seep from the slit in his vent.

"And how do they do that?"

"It's called sixty-nineing. Typically one partner is on top of the other and their kind of laid in opposite directions?"

He tilted his head back to look at her as she stood above him, her eyes roaming up and down his form. He would have teased her for it if it wasn't for the fact that his own gaze traveled up her legs and froze when it came to the apex of her thighs. It seemed like human's could also self lubricate.

Only hers looked so much more appealing than his, in his opinion.

"I think I may need a demonstration of this."

She seemed a little in a daze as she nodded, looking back at him once before carefully trying to lower herself to her knees, not wanting to hurt him. Once she was there it was an entirely new world of discovery for Konig.

The way her sex opened to him was almost beautiful. Each lip seemed to call his attention with the way they were puffy, drawing his attention inward. His tentacles were already wrapping around her thighs, crawling upward as he took in the way a small nub above her not cloaca seemed to come out from behind it's hood, like it was saying hello and begging for attention.

"So typically a partner would stimulate your sex with their mouth? Like kissing?"

She sounded a little breathless as she rested her weight on either side of his hips, already feeling herself start to get excited when his tentacles would squeeze her thighs.

"Y-yeah. With their lips and tongue and stuff."

The hum he gave was thoughtful, watching her not cloaca seem to clench in excitement. It was rather cute when it did that.

"Should I treat it like I did your mouth earlier then?"

She couldn't help the moan she gave then, hips pushing back as if to open herself further for him. That was exactly what she wanted him to do.

"Yeah. Yeah. With as many as you can."

The desperation in her voice caught him off guard, but who was he to deny her? She had been so sweet for him. He circled his hands around her thighs, used them as leverage to pull her closer to him so his tentacles could have free range to explore.

It was exactly what she had been wanting since she had realized what had been hiding under his hood. Konig's tentacles felt firm as they pushed through her sex, his natural tackiness giving him a drag that felt good against her clit as her own slick started to make it easier for him to glide against her.

And then she felt the first tentacle push into her.

She didn't care about how loud she moaned as she tried to push back into the feeling. She just wanted to feel more of him fill her. But the grip he had on her thighs was too strong, keeping her immobile and at the mercy of his curiosity.

And curious Konig was. Her own slick felt silky, nothing like the thin lubricant he could make. He wanted to coat every tentacle in it, in her. Rubbing against the little nub he noticed earlier seemed to please her, given how her back arched and the noise she had made as he rubbed his tentacle back and forth over it. But actually having a tentacle enter her? It seemed to give her a new level of pleasure he hadn't anticipated. It gave him a level of pleasure he hadn't anticipated.

The sensation of sliding into her was only as similar to her mouth that it was a warm and wet sensation. But sliding into her sex, her...cunt as she had called it once? It was better. She was so soft and as soon as he was moving she was clamping around his tentacle, squeezing around him in a way that her earlier action couldn't compare. Plus it made more of that tempting slick of hers.

As he penetrated her over and over again with his tentacle, slowly as to savor every feeling, he let himself explore, pressing the tip of it against all of her walls with each pass. It thrilled him to feel how she expanded around him. He could see why she had said to use as many tentacles as he could fit, and he would try it, but the back of his mind made him wonder if she was capable of more than one clutch.

But that was getting a head of himself.

She knew she was suppose to be returning the attention that Konig was giving her, that it was the point of sixty-nineing, but she honestly didn't know if she could do much more than lean her head against his hip and moan.

He had followed her please so wonderfully, stuffing one and then another tentacle into her. The stretch was so good, maybe almost painful, but it was the way that his tentacles filled her that was making her wetter. It was like they were taking all the space inside of her so they had no choice but to press and rub against every spot that lit up her nervous system like fireworks.

A third one started to push it's way in, fighting to take what little space was left and she was sure she was going to loose her mind. At least he had been consistent on her clit. She didn't know if she would have survived with her sanity if he chose to explore it with the same voracity.

In an attempted to try to be a good partner, a good mate, she ran her hand along his hip, using the feel of his skin to tell when she had found his vent. It was a little rougher to the touch, ribbed in a way that would make her curious about later. She could feel the growl Konig made in his chest as she rubbed her hand along the slit, surprised to feel it also be wet.

She brought her fingertips to her lips quickly, stealing a taste before Konig could distract her with a particularly cruel flick. Just like everything else she had tasted from him, it was something she found pleasant, something she'd want to try to have more of...but later.

Konig seemed to get the idea of alternated thrusting of his tentacles because it rocked her for a moment, making her whimper and dig her nails into his inner thighs to stay grounded. She refused to be distracted.

Gulping for breath she went back to what she had been exploring earlier, rubbing her fingers along the seam of his vent. She treated it like she would her own cunt, trying different pressures of her fingertips to see what would make him wetter, what would part him for her.

A purring sound started to fill the next as Konig allowed himself to enjoy her touch and ministrations. He could feel himself relaxing, tentacles becoming a little lazy as his vent started to open, readying for his phalluses to make their appearance.

He must have been feeling good because his grip on her thighs relaxed and it allowed her a little leeway to pull herself up further to actually come face to face with his vent. She wouldn't say it was the prettiest cunt she had ever seen, but it was probably the prettiest alien non cunt. She couldn't see Konig's phalluses yet, instead the inside of his vent being filled with these bud like nubs. It was almost like seeing dozen's of little pale blue clits.

And she knew what to do with clits, regardless of color.

Gathering saliva in her mouth she leaned down quick to drag her tongue along his vent from top to bottom in one long, slow pull.

Konig had not been ready for the pleasure that exploded behind his eyes. With a roar he grabbed her hips and pulled her back, simply wanting to stop the immediate onslaught of overstimulation. Only he also pulled her back onto his tentacles. Hard.

The orgasm that caught her was quick and blinding. She hadn't been prepared to suddenly be so full of his tentacles, or for them to suddenly writher inside of her like they were all independently trying to press as hard as they could into every pleasure spot. And maybe she could have resisted that, but the tentacle that had been rubbing her clit had suddenly wrapped around it and squeezed? It was over for her.

It was so much. It was practically dizzying the way his phalluses sprung from his vent, both spilling copious amounts of lubricant. Konig was still reeling from the pleasure, but then to hear her shout as she did, and to suddenly rain her slick down on him? To have it fill his beak and slide down his throat? Overwhelming wouldn't begin to explain it.

It was as if something switched within him. Something that told him that he needed to breed this human as many times as it took. To fill her over and over again. To fuck her until they both lost sense of who they were.

If the orgasm was dizzying, having Konig pull out and start flipping her around until she was under him? It left her spinning. She couldn't help the whimper that escaped at suddenly being so empty, cunt still pulsing in pleasure. She was practically teary eyed as she looked up at her alien, who loomed over her, eyes like a predator ready to devour her.

"I am sorry little star, but I do not think I can withstand more foreplay. I need to mate with you, to breed you until you are so full of my clutches there's no way they won't take."

He came in closer with every word he uttered, hands already grabbing her knees and pulling her down to where the head of his phalluses glided against her cunt.

Unable to speak she nodded desperately, reaching up to wrap her arms under his and cling to his back.

The only thing he needed to apologize was the fact he wasn't fucking her that moment.

With a nearly sub level growl Konig thrusted as deeply into her as he could, both of them groaning at the feeling of his cocks pushing past her walls to make room for him.

It was deep, and hard, and intense.

Konig fucked her like he was trying to carve the shape of himself into her, make a permanent space for him so she'd never be able to forget the way she was claimed.

She felt like she couldn't breath. She couldn't see what was happening below but she could feel it. Konig's buds had unfurred to reveal dozen of little suckers that attached to her sex and thighs, instantly starting a hard suction that left her shaking. Together he was just thicker than his tentacles before, but softer at the tip. It didn't hurt when one head would crash against her cervix, instead it let her feel how the firmer head forced her to feel every push and rub against her G-spot.

Even as her next orgasm crashed through her Konig didn't stop. Instead he just loomed closer, tentacles exploring her mouth, her throat, her chest. Konig was making sure that the only thing she would be able to see, feel or think about was him.

She had no idea how long it kept like that, just that every time she came he showed no sign in stopping. She had lost her sanity by the time she found her words, pleading and begging because she only had one thing on her mind.

"Breed me breed me breed me breed me please please please please need it need it need it."

Oh what a sweet mate Konig had. Begging for his clutch like that. Of course he'd give it to her. He'd give it as many times as he could. It was like his body was at her command, his insemination phallus molded itself to her cervix as his cum started to pour out; hot and thick, forcing its way deep into her womb.

She moaned, deep in her chest as she felt him start to fill her. It was so much deeper than anyone had ever reached before. Her body was practically too weak to cum again, but it still gave a valiant effort to pulse around him like it was trying to encourage every drop.

She would have gotten it one way or another, and by the time he was done she felt a fullness so deep in her she didn't know if she could ever live without the sensation again.

But it wasn't over.

Just as she was starting to relax she felt something bulge against the rim of her poor abused cunt. She tried to run away from it, she did. There was no way she could survive more. But Konig wouldn't let her. With an iron grip around her hips he pulled her back onto his cocks, just as the first few eggs were passing through his oviphallus to settle into her cunt.

He cooed at the way she cried a little, gentle tentacles wiping away the tears.

"There there little Nebula...we have to make sure we give you as many clutches as you can take. Be a good mate it for me."

She was practically in a daze by the time Konig seemed to take mercy on her. Seemed because he simply slowly fucked himself out of her. Each thrust would jostle a soft, jelly like egg that would press against her walls and cause a strike of pleasure to hit her.

She whimpered, a sad little sound of over stimulation and he again was there to reassure her.

"Just creating a plug little star. Can't have our precious clutch come spilling out now."

And true to his word by the time he pulled out of her cunt he'd made the perfect plug with his lubricant, secure enough that not a single drop of his cum or egg would escape.

Once he was sure their clutch was safe he gathered his Nebula in his arms, letting her curl into his side. She looked so cute already so full her stomach already rounding a little. He was so very pleased by she had decided he was the best suitable sire.

Edit

I...I don't know what I wrote. I blacked out and I'm just coming too.

[salvatwh0re]

Void Challenge Pt.2

Hi, everyone!

Welcome to my long await void state challenge!! WOOO!

Part one and two are just informational, the rest will come soon :)

I'm gonna start with some more basic information to not only simplify the void, but make it make more sense! A lot of people are confused on how the void works and what it is, which is usually the problem and why they complicate it so much.

So, what is the void state?

The void state is a mind awake, body asleep state of pure consciousness and being. You're completely unaware of your 3D/physical surroundings so it is very recognizable. You are pure consciousness in this state and are connected to the purest form of thoughtlessness and limitlessness. You're completely free of negative, limiting thoughts and blockages. You have the ability to manifest anything your heart desires within seconds because of that pure connection to your subconscious.

Now, what is a subconscious?

Your subconscious mind and every form of consciousness, both primary and secondary are held in the pineal gland which is located in the center of the brain.

What is the purpose of a pineal gland, you may ask?

Well, as perviously stated it holds your consciousness, spirit, soul or whatever you may call it. It is the holding place of our absolute consciousness. It controls our sleep cycles by releasing melatonin. It contains our inner monologue and inner thoughts (that little voice inside of your head). The pineal gland, as discovered by scientific researchers, is very and completely activate in our earliest years of life, but as time goes on and we are conditioned, domesticated and borderline brainwashed, we lose our freedom of thought and our true personality/consciousness. The pineal gland starts to calcify and become less and less active as we get older.

But why is this important for the void state?

Our pineal glands may be calcifying and it may seem extreme, but it can be decalcified/unlocked. We can decalcify our pineal gland with a certain energy/wavelength that is acquired through sleep and meditation. It is known as cosmic energy and it is best acquired through meditation. During meditation we are connecting with our inner selves, our true thoughts, our higher consciousness and are also becoming one with the universe (which is technically ourselves but we'll get into that later). That state of relaxation and pure being we are in allows cosmic energy to flow through your body and straight to your pineal gland, slowly decalcifying it. The best way to get cosmic energy flowing through you in meditation is with you spine straight. Not only is the spine the center of your body, it connects straight to your brain making it a perfect place to siphon energy through, which it why it is recommended to sit with your back straight or lay down flat on your back through meditation.

This is exactly the reason why I always always always recommend meditation, I know a lot of you don't like it, but the more you meditate, the more cosmic energy you acquire, the more you pineal gland unlocks!

The pineal gland is the gateway to your manifestations. Your desires/manifestations and thoughts have to get through your pineal gland/ subconscious in order to manifest into your physical reality, which is why affirming and using subliminals works so well for people who actually persist in their beliefs.

So, keep persisting in you affirmations, meditate on you affirmations, MEDITATE EVERY DAY PLEASE I BEG YOU. Even if it's not for the void state, you definitely still need to meditate.

The next void state challenge post will be the steps you should take to reprogram your mind and essentially restart your journey! Guided meditations will be included :)

[42ap]

In the amicable breakup 30s AU, Stan is definitely seeing other people. Spending his days a bit bored in the forest, Stan often drives into the city on weekends for dates. With not much else to do lately, he’s been really wanting to find someone to fall in love with. That’s why, in the first part of this AU, the three of them are chatting about exes.

Every time Stan laments how hard it is to find a good person, Stanford always glances at him briefly, but Stan stubbornly ignores it. What exactly happened on the breakup night has never been explicitly said because I haven’t figured it out yet, but suffice to say it was catastrophic, earth-shattering, absurdly cruel, and utterly over the top—not just some argument that ended with Stan being kicked out by their father.

By comparison, the semi-consensual, semi-coerced straight-guy-experiment-gone-wrong “gay sex scientific research conference” during their final days of high school in the Evil Twin AU looks like child’s play. Whatever happened on that breakup night was so extreme, it defied common sense, which is why it’s so hard to imagine the specifics of it.

That’s why, in this AU, Stanley occasionally takes on the job of cooking but makes sure to over-salt Stanford’s portions every time. And then, while Stanford eats without a single change in expression, Stanley just glares at him with pure resentment.

Fiddleford, completely oblivious, always tries really hard to get the brothers to reconcile. Fiddleford is such a genuinely kind person that Stanley doesn’t know how to refuse him, so he just endures the experience of watching Stanford smugly enjoy Fiddleford's long-winded talks about the importance of family harmony.

When Fiddleford unknowingly eats one of the overly salted meals meant for Stanford, he spends two minutes gagging and says, “Damn it, Stanley, your pranks are way too much!”

But after learning the truth, Fiddleford just nods while watching Stanford calmly eat his salty food. “Bro, good on you—eat it, you know you deserve it.”

Reflecting on that disastrous New Year’s dinner after their devastating breakup at 19, you can’t help but marvel at how, even after breaking up, this bone-crushing pair still manages to go home together for family meals. Of course, the first thing they do after arriving is get into a fight about where to sit in the living room, then argue over who has to sleep in the guest room. When their mom forces them into the kitchen to help cook, they bicker the entire time and even manage to fight while she’s turned away grabbing seasoning.

The endless insults, the attempts to prove in conversation that they’re the one who’s doing better in life—it’s all just deliciously angry young man energy 🤤. Though, based on previous settings, 19-year-old Stanford would absolutely have been avoiding Stanley at all costs, because Stanley might really show up silently with brass knuckles and stand by the bed: “Hey, bro, are you awake? I can’t sleep because every time I think about what you said during the breakup, I get pissed all over again.”

[kryptonbabe]

🚀 This is a Jetfire (aka Skyfire) appreciation post based on his first appearance in the Transformers 1st season

The Transformers | 1x13 - Fire in the Sky

Gentle giant characters just win me over, but there's something else about Jetfire. He's a scientist, his best friend used to be Starscream (the vicious little Deception freak), his introduction to the show brings us to a time where there was no war in Cybertron (and it is revealed the Cybertronians already knew about Earth and its energetic potential); he changes sides from Decepticon to Autobot, his first appearance is also his death... I mean, there's a lot going on to make Jetfire remarkable from his debut Also:

Jetfire is known for being gentle despite his huge size - he is big enough to carry his fellow Autobots inside him - and his main drive, scientific research, is as important as his sense of justice and kindness (which is nicely reflected in the voice acting - his voice on the show is firm, but docile). He is defined by apparent diverging qualities: giant yet gentle, extremely rational and yet lovable. He manages to represent these ideas and reflect upon them, which we know by his internal monologuing:

Instantly Jetfire has more going on for him than most of the Cybertronians in the show and I was instantly captivated by him – only for him to get killed by the end of the episode, a true martyr, a being too good for this world.

Thankfully he comes back a few episodes later to become basically a means of locomotion for the Autobots, but a lovely one nevertheless.

[fumifooms]

Laios Touden and autism; admiring the non-human

Do you think people exaggerate when they scream about Laios being autistic? Do you feel like it’s weird that so many people including autistics are so set on Laios, the problematic (but incredible and kind) king TM, being the most autistic that has ever autisticed? Why do we cheer on autistic people wanting to be monsters?? Isn’t that weird?

Well, of course it depends on the way it’s done, it can be done quite offensively, but long story short Kui blew it out of the park. The thing is, autistic people really do like monsters and animals and robots. Nonhuman does not mean subhuman, it just means Other. Feeling a connection with them has been shown to be an extremely common autistic experience for that very reason.

Because some people don’t understand why we autistic Tumblr Laios stans cheer “autism! Autism!” whenever he talks about monsters and feeling alienated to humans so! Here’s a post about how yes even research papers are analyzing the special connection we form with animals. I’m not even joking but Laios Touden & the mass cries of relatability with autistic people he gets and all the love for him could be used as study material and evidence for future papers because the link is that strong. Oh also I think it’s notable that being autistic and undiagnosed vs diagnosed makes a huge difference. In my experience as someone who was undiagnosed up until 18, it’s even more alienating to not know that there’s a reason why you’re different, being gaslit that you’re ‘normal’ and you just need to try harder and get with the program, etc. Personally when getting diagnosed I went through the 5 stages of grief because the thought of having been fundamentally different all your life (a difference which you will never be able to change) and mistreated for it when you weren’t “wrong” all along makes you unload all the anger and sadness and loneliness and sheer trauma you’ve built up over time. Like it’s world shattering.

So! Back to seeing dogs as family. Also I implore you to value experiential evidence when it comes to autism and other neurodivergences because brains are complicated and neurotypicals not being able to understand us well even with scientific research is like, a whole thing even though we’re right there speaking about how we feel and being right every time because the topic is literally us and how we experience the world. 

Disclaimer for this whole post that, of course, no group is a monolith and everyone has different experiences or can diverge from the norm of the group, and that doesn’t diminish the validity of either side! Like, I know autistic people who have trauma with dogs and hate them. But, trends do happen, and in this case... Autism is very “My experiences with humans make me feel dehumanized in a bad and lonely way so instead I’ll dehumanize myself in a good and inspiring way”.

“I was treated like a failed human my entire life and you’re surprised that my response was to become a dog.” -Patricia Taxxon

It’s literally well recorded that autistic people relate to animals more than humans globally. With this post, besides spreading autistic Laios truthism and explaining why the portrayal hits so deep for so many,  I want to show in what way this is a very specific experience and not looking at his character through an autistic lense really misses a lot of why he’s everything that he is. (Tacking allegedly onto here for legal reasons, different interpretations are valid etc etc /gen). This honestly isn’t super long though.

To define an important term, anthropomorphism in the studies and in this post means to attribute human traits to the nonhuman, which not only includes anthro furry designs but also animals irl, inanimate objects, and animated media as opposed to live action, to humanize them and empathize with them.

Paper: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2019.0027 

“Dogs taught me how to hunt and socialize and work in groups”, Laios having internalized body language... So real so real. I, too, make a great dog impression. And I want to emphase the part that it helps greatly develop a sense of emotions and relationships! For Laios, he didn’t get along with kids his age, it was him, Falin and the dogs against the world. Since it’s a group of dogs too, it taught him group dynamics and social hierarchies (like with Falin being considered as being below the dogs in authority according to the dogs rip), and the importance of group coordination when hunting.

For me, I cannot like, concisely explain just how much animals were important to me developmentally. I also grew up with dogs, but like I vividly remember encounters with like hamsters as well just radically shaping my understanding of boundaries, the importance of giving something space and the way you interact with them and respect their side of it. Unlike humans they don’t really mask how they feel, it’s direct cause-effect reaction and data gathering. There are no words involved, so the focus on having a perfect phrasing and tone is gone, leaving just pure interactions. 

There’s also no reason to mask how you feel either, and you don’t have to feel silly over wanting to form a connection and it showing, what, is the dog gonna laugh at you because you obviously want to make friends with it? Toshiro or Kabru might, but dogs and cats will just tell you to fuck off and leave it there worst case scenario. I often say that I think one reason Marcille is special to Laios and he feels comfortable around her is because she emotes INTENSELY, she gestures, she puts her whole body into it, her facial expressions are pretty exaggerated and her ears even emote too- like with a dog’s ears!

I think there’s def also things to be said about how he gravitated towards Izutsumi at first, all excited, was eager to sleep in the same bed as her, but in the Izutsumi sleep rating chart we see they really just casual and chill so it’s not a Laios talking to Shuro deep into the night situation just a “I like sleeping besides animals” situation and that is enough to hype him up. I love how he pet her in the extra about why Chil let her sleep with him too. He’s just so transparently eager to befriend her, even if in the end they weren’t all that compatible and he accepted that.

There are honestly so many examples I could give for this. Like Grandin the famous cow lady.

More about autism & empathy:

https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/double-empathy-explained/ (Also mentions a study in which groups of autistic, allistic then a mixed group played a game of telephone and both singular groups had similar levels of information retention, but the mixed group was significantly worse. As an autistic person yeah duh, obviously autistic people are different from one another and can have plenty of interpersonal issues, but communicating with other neurodivergent people feels pretty intuitive and straightforward and comfortable. One of the reasons why neurodivergent people tend to naturally gravitate towards each other I suppose.) 

^ Paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5932358/  For good, extensive summary of why we relate to animals so much you can go to the “anthromorphizing and asd” section of the paper. This paper extends to our widespread liking of cartoons and robots as well. Ok so this is a whole thing I won’t get into here but this is a big reason why a lot of autistic people are agender leaning as well. Genders and queerness in general is a lot about social constructs, and being queer is being marginal to these, not fitting into boxes or challenging those social norms and conventions. Queerplatonic relationships are a great example of this, where the framework of the relationship is platonic but the intangible nature of what it is exactly is the point, not familial not anything but everything at once too, just adoration, I like to say having pets is a bit like it as well, bc obvi it’s not romantic and often not fully familial, very platonic but also sooo much cuddling and adoration and kissing and whatnot that you wouldn’t typically do with a friend or family member. I’ll talk about qpr and labels another day though.

I got carried away but queerness in Dunmeshi is something I 100% want to make a big post on one day. Experiencing the world with different guidelines and not registering things to have the same boxes, sigh. Personally I also relate to Laios on a gender level, “cis by default because I don’t care all that much but if I were to dig deeper I’m probably otherkin and I want to be socially associated with traits of monsters and animalistic rather than man/woman” sighh hard to be a cryptid in this day and age. I wish we had a term like furry but for monsters, I want to be in the fantasy or folk tale genre ty, like changelings. Goshh changelings... You know, the irl myth where people said their neurodivergent kids were fairies’ children instead of human. Diminished physical sense of self means I see myself as some unknowable black  void aesthetic wise, but like in a way that simultaneously makes me feel seen. Like becoming a monster, losing your sense of self but also somehow just being simplified and seen for what you are, it’s weird to try and explain. This post is more about relating to the nonhuman than about seeing yourself as such, but like connect the dots right, that IS an important point of Laios’ character. It’s because our brains literally work different than allistics which makes us feel as other, but also because of social ostracization and functioning in a different way than society at large, living in the margin of society, being weird and non-conforming.

Meanwhile, animals and social norms... Like ok, showing your neck and rolling on the ground to show that you’re friendly and harmless and play biting might not be proper. But have you considered that it’s also fun and feels very intuitive. Play with a dog in the dog’s way I promise it is so nice and freeing. Play tug of war and growl back when they growl. Hiss at your cat to tell them they do something wrong, engage with them on their level.

Autism made social life hard, but it made animals easy. Do you have anyyy idea how good it feels to mask all day every day and feel constantly misunderstood or like you’re doing a performance but then you can just, drop all of that in the company of animals and they understand you. They understand you. You form an understanding and rapport so easily.

And this whole thing with Laios is so explicit too, with the Winged Lion saying “You’re sick and tired of the human world”. Notice the choice of words. Sick and tired of the human world. Exhausted from the constraints, sick of the mind games. It really isn’t as much about loving monsters as it is about loving the nonhuman. Relating to them because you feel that you can actually understand how they work and think, and feeling like they could understand you back as well. Animals are safe.

Like I could go on about how Laios admiring even just demi-humans like orcs is because they’re socially seen as non-humans more than any true physical thing, that they’re not bound by human society and its rules and live with their own lifestyle. But it would deal myself 1000 points of psychic damage and I am not ready to cry today. It’s idealization 100%, and like, Laios DOES want to be treated as human, to be valued, but it feels like an unreachable thing meanwhile becoming a monster is instant gratification and freedom and a sense that now no one will be able to hurt you in a way that reaches you, never again shall you be defenseless, and then if people dehumanize you then that only strengthens your sense of identity as a monster and UGHH ugh ugh.

And like. This post is a mess at this point but if you want to kinda delve into the more “why” then I recommend this Patricia Taxxon video essay. It starts out on a very different topic, but it’s all about autism and finding comfort in the inhuman. Long story short is othering made us like this also animals are just simpler to intuitively get along with.

So when I post this

I mean it. I really mean it when I say he’s me. I have never felt so seen. So many conflicting emotions all wrapped so concisely yet so intangibly woven into the whole storyline so subtly. 

Not being depicted as a monster of an human being for feeling/having felt that way?? The manga understands you. The world can understand you. Other humans can understand you. You can bond with them. You can. And I think that’s a big part of Dungeon Meshi too- Laios opening up to others about how he really is and his interests, and all the bumps on the way but how it was the only way to truly get to know each other and bond. With the climax being Laios confronting head on his complex with monsters and humans, and his monster-loving side and animalistic side being exactly what saves the whole world, what saves humanity. Because Laios does value his friends, does think humanity has beautiful sides to it, he wants to help it thrive and eat and become more accepting, carving out a kingdom for misfits and demi-humans. At the end of it, transforming into a monster and being free is a daydream fantasy, and the reality of it is that Laios does belong in the world as he is, and does receive and give out love.

If you enjoyed this you’ll probably like some of my other Laios analysis!  Here’s an analysis of his succubus and what it says about his relationships with other humans. And here’s an analysis about his relationship with Shuro from his perspective.

[androgynealienfemme]

At the direction of the Trump administration, the federal Department of Health and Human Services and its agencies are purging its websites of information and data on a broad array of topics — from adolescent health to LGBTQ+ rights to HIV.

Several webpages from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with references to LGBTQ+ health were no longer available. A page from the HHS Office for Civil Rights outlining the rights of LGBTQ+ people in health care settings was also gone as of Friday. The website of the National Institutes of Health’s Office for Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office disappeared. (Most of these pages could still be viewed through the Internet Archive.)

The changes at the CDC and NIH are examples of a broad push by the Trump administration on gender issues under an executive order titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." That order directs agencies throughout the government to stop offering "gender identity" as a choice on government forms and to end funding of “gender ideology.”

Another order, signed by Trump, takes aim at “diversity, equity, and inclusion” across the federal government.

On Friday, however, many pages that did not seem related to “gender” or “diversity” had also been taken down, such as AtlasPlus, an interactive tool from CDC with surveillance data on HIV, viral hepatitis, STDs and TB. Also gone missing: a page with basic information about HIV testing. The CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index, a tool that assesses community resilience in the event of natural disaster was also taken down.

“The removal of HIV- and LGBTQ-related resources from the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health agencies is deeply concerning and creates a dangerous gap in scientific information and data to monitor and respond to disease outbreaks," the Infectious Disease Society of America said in a statement. "Access to this information is crucial for infectious diseases and HIV health care professionals who care for people with HIV and members of the LGBTQ community and is critical to efforts to end the HIV epidemic. This is especially important as diseases such as HIV, mpox, sexually transmitted infections and other illnesses threaten public health and impact the entire population."


What the fuck is going on.

[astriiformes]

Hi, i just learned about the scientific revolution in europe at school. Can you tell me why you dont think scientific revolutions exist? im curious!

So I feel like I have to lead with the fact that I'm kind of arguing two different points when I say scientific revolutions aren't really a thing

One is that I'm objecting to a specific, extremely foundational theory of scientific revolutions that was put forth by the philosopher Thomas Kuhn, which I think really misrepresents how science is actually practiced in the name of fitting things to a nice model. The other is that I think the fundamental problem with the idea is that it's too vague to effectively describe an actual process that happens.

It's certainly true that there are important advances in science that get referred to as "revolutions" that fundamentally changed their fields -- the shift from the Ptolemaic model of the Solar System to the Copernican one, Darwin's theory of evolution, etc. But there are historians of science (who I tend to agree with) that feel that terming these advances "revolutions" ignores the fact that science is an continuous, accretional process, and somewhat sensationalizes the process of scientific change in the name of celebrating particular scientists or theories over others.

Kuhn's model that he put forth in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (which is one of those books that itself stirred a great deal of activity in a number of fields) suggests science evolves via what he called "paradigm shifts," where new ideas become fundamentally incompatible with the old model or way of doing things, causing a total overturn in the way scientists see the world, and establishing a new paradigm -- which will eventually cave to another when it, too, ceases to function effectively as a model. This theory became extraordinarily popular when it was published, but it's somewhat telling who it's remained popular with. Economists, political scientists, and literary theorists still use Kuhn, but historians of science, in my experience at least, see his work as historically significant but incompatible with how history is actually studied.

Kuhn posits that between paradigm shifts there are periods of "normal science" where paradigms are unquestioned and anomalies in the current model are largely ignored, until they reach a critical mass and cause a scientific revolution. In reality though, there is often real discussion of those anomalies, and I think the scientific process is not nearly so content to ignore them as Kuhn thinks. Throughout history, we see people expressing a real discontent with unsolved mysteries the current scientific model fails to explain, and glossing over those simply because the individuals in question didn't manage to formulate breakthrough theories to "solve" those problems props up the somewhat infamous "great men" model of history of science, where we focus only on the most famous people in the field as significant instead of acknowledging that science is a social enterprise and no research happens in a vacuum!

Beyond disagreeing with Kuhn specifically though, I think the idea of scientific revolutions vastly simplifies how science evolves and changes, and is ultimately a really ahistorical way of thinking about shifts in thinking. Take the example of the shift from Ptolemaic, geocentric thought to the heliocentric Copernican model of the solar system. When does this supposed "revolution" in thought actually start, and when does it "end" by becoming firmly established? You could argue that the publication of Copernicus' De revolutionibus orbium coelestium in 1543 was the beginning of the shift in thinking -- but of course, then you have the problem of asking where Copernicus' ideas came from in the first place.

The "great men" model of history would suggest Copernicus was a uniquely talented individual who managed to suggest something no one else had ever put forth, but realistically, he was influenced by the scientists who came before him, just like anyone else. There were real objections to the Ptolemaic model during the medieval era! One of the most famous problems in medieval astronomy was the fact that assuming a geocentric model makes the behavior of the planets seem really weird to an observer on Earth, referred to as retrograde motion, which had to be solved with a complicated system of epicycles that people knew wasn't quite working, even if they weren't able to put together exactly why. There were even ancient Greek astronomers who suggested that the sun was at the center of the solar system, going all the way back to Aristarchus of Samos who lived from around 310-230 BCE!

Putting an end point to the Copernican revolution poses similar challenges. Some people opt to suggest that what Copernicus started, either Galileo or Newton finished (which in and of itself means the "revolution" lasted around 100-150 years), but are we defining the shift in terms of new theories, or the consensus of the scientific community? The latter is much harder to pinpoint, and in my opinion as an aspiring historian of science, also much more important. Again, science doesn't happen in a vacuum. Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton may be more famous than their peers, but that doesn't mean the rest of the Renaissance scientific community didn't matter.

Ultimately it's a matter of simple models like Kuhn's (or other definitions of scientific revolutions) being insufficient to explain the complexity of history. Both because science is a complex endeavor, and because it isn't independent from the rest of history. Sure, it's genuinely amazing to consider that Copernicus' De revolutionibus orbium coelestium and the anatomist Andreas Vesalius' similarly influential De humani corporis fabrica were published the same year, and it says something about the intellectual climate of the time. But does it say something about science only, or is it also worth remembering that the introduction of typographic printing a century prior drastically changed how scientists communicated and whose ideas stuck and were remembered? On a similar note, we credit Darwin with suggesting the theory of evolution (and I could write a similarly long response just on the many, many influences in geology and biology both that went into his formulation of said theory), but what does it say that Alfred Russel Wallace independently came up with the theory of natural selection around the same time? Is it sheer coincidence, or does it have more to do with conversations that were already happening in the scientific community both men belonged to that predated the publication of the Origin?

I think that the concept of scientific revolutions is an important part of the history of the history of science, and has its place when talking about how we conceive of certain periods of history. But I'm a skeptic of it being a particularly accurate model, largely on the grounds of objecting to the "great men" model of history and the idea that shifts in thinking can be boiled down to a few important names and dates.

There's a famous Isaac Newton quote (which, fittingly, did not originate with Newton himself, but can be traced back even further to several medieval thinkers) in which he states "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants." I would argue that science, as an endeavor, is far more like standing on the shoulder of several hundred thousand other people in a trenchcoat. This social element of research is exactly why it's so hard to pull apart any one particular revolution, even when fairly revolutionary theories change the direction of the research that's happening. Ideas belong to a long evolutionary chain, and even if it occasionally goes through periods of punctuated equilibrium, dividing that history into periods of revolution and stagnancy ignores the rich scientific tradition of the "in-between" periods, and the contributions of scientists who never became famous for their work.

[potatosapien5]

Meet Lycognathus(otherwise known as the spiderdog)! This small carnivore wanders the plains that grow between forest colonies, preying on a wide variety of both small and large ‘animals’(aka mobile heterotrophic organisms). This creature may be small, but it packs a powerful venom in its two intimidating fangs, which it uses mainly to dispatch prey, though it won’t hesitate to bite in defense if it feels threatened. This species is mainly solitary, but will occasionally hunt in pairs or engage in mobbing behavior when scavenging. Lycognathidae is a large and diverse class, but most lycognathids are small and nocturnal. 

This took way too long to do, I really need to work out a style that both looks nice and doesn’t consume an extreme amount of my time. Hopefully once I figure that out I’ll be on track to making more finished pieces faster! 

Detailed lore below here: 

The genus Lycognathus was one of the first mobile organisms on the fluffbugs’ planet to be named scientifically by humans. Several small species were named before, but they quickly became invalid when the Interspecific Cultural Exchange Act was passed. Within this act were the negotiations conducted with delegates from the fluffbug planet, who agreed that no official human designations for any living organisms (and also some non-living artifacts) could be assigned unless the people who live in the same region of an organism approve its designation. 

The fluffbugs did have a reason for this. They made the case that humanity couldn’t know if their taxonomic conventions would apply at all to a completely different planet, and that many organisms already have names, just ones unpronounceable to humans, along with cultural and religious significance, and so therefore ignoring these facts is tantamount to a violation of a people’s right to cultural heritage. 

Despite a few reservations, human scientists agreed, though still stressing the importance of classification in scientific research. Therefore, when necessary, a human science organization could propose a designation for approval of the fluffbug cultures and their delegates. 

Most organisms are referred to with rough translations of their native names, which ends up in names such as earthrazer(aka ��the one who uproots the ground”). This system is flawed, but it has mostly succeeded in keeping relations between the two sophont species peaceful. 

Lycognathus was, as mentioned before, one of the first species to be approved. This isn’t to say the fluffbugs of the world(since lycognathids exist across all nearly all dry terrestrial regions of the planet) weren’t hesitant, but most didn’t have too much personal history with the clade. Several attempts were made to domesticate Lycognathus species specifically, and despite them having many tendencies that would make them prime candidates for hunting aids, all attempts failed, mainly due to the danger these species posed to anyone who wasn’t careful. It’s hard to want to keep around your new pet dog-spider after it kills your child in one bite.

Hopefully I can get into successful domestication cases soon, and talk about one of my favorite aspects of fluffbug culture. But for now, my wrists are hurting like crazy haha. 

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

hi brainrot! for the mini/regular hc prompt (your choice!), we all know nadia's scientifically minded self admires mc for their curiosity in canon. i was wondering how the m6 would react to an mc who's extremely curious and inquisitive by nature, always asking questions to bond with others and learn about the world around them, but is maybe a bit self-conscious of it because their curiosity has sometimes been treated as a nuisance in the past (definitely not projecting lol 😅). what would the m6 make of mc's inquisitive nature? what would they think of mc allowing themself to show their love by being curious, asking them questions about what they're doing or something completely random just because? how would they reassure mc about that insecurity? sorry this is so long LOL, thanks for reading and no pressure to write this request! thank you for sharing your writing and i hope your hand feels better soon! <3

The Arcana Mini-HCs: With a curious MC

Julian: a true scholar, he's as invested in soaking up the information around him as you are. also finds your detailed attention flattering

Asra: it was so difficult early on, because of the headaches. now they're in love with how well you two enable each other's curiosity

Nadia: adores this part of you and loves questions she can research and then come back to you with answers for. constantly praises it

Muriel: has a hard time with it at first because of how much talking it makes him do. highkey loves how you light up with wonder from it

Portia: is exactly like you and adores it. might well up with happy tears that someone's finally interested in her the way she is in them

Lucio: look, after three years of no friends, having someone pay this much attention to him and make him feel this important is awesome

[thestrangestthlng]

The 118 as Dog Breeds

inspired by this post with a little bit of razzle dazzle. This is all very scientific after very important peer research. My qualifications are that I like dogs and I like 911.

Bobby: Australian Shepherd

(Featuring Bobby being asked to donate blood.)

Aussies, especially working aussies, are active but pretty easy going. They love children. If left alone they can be destructive (or, in Bobby's case, self-destructive). They are highly intelligent and love to be of service, as many working breeds do. They are herding dogs, and while not generally aggressive, they are very protective of their family and territory. (I know it’s not an Aussie, but if Athena and a twelve year old can land a plane, we can suspend belief a bit😂)

Athena: Doberman Pinscher

(featuring Athena putting up with Buck's antics in season 1.)

Doberman's are people oriented dogs that are affectionate and sweet. They are highly intelligent, perceptive, and fearless. Given their intelligence, they thrive on solving complex problems. Which given Athen'a propensity to be in the middle of world ending problems, it's probably an important trait to have. They are high energy and if they don't get their wiggles out, they can become cranky. They are very protective of their people and historically have been the guards of the highest of nobility.

Maddie: Labrador Retriever

(featuring Maddie cloning herself to keep Buck from unaliving himself as a child.)

Labradors are the pinnacle of the family dog. They are famously friendly, outgoing, and affectionate. They are even-tempered, gentle, and trusting. Like Maddie raising Buck, they are very protective and have the natural instinct to protect their family. Their presense alone can provide a sense of security.

Buck: Golden Retriever (obvs)

(Featuring Buck at his exercise class.)

Honestly, this one doesn't need explanation. I could have used a gif of Buck and it would have been efficient. In fact, Buck is in the gif search for "golden retriever". Goldens are chaotic, loyal, and affectionate. They are highly intelligent, but sometimes you wonder if all that smarts are just in a single brain cell. They are calm and dependable, and with them you have a friend for life. Like Buck, they are unashamed of their feelings and they can be a bit naive, but they are full of optimism. Like Goldens, Buck's empathy and positivity has nowhere to go but into the hearts of everyone around him.

Chim: Jack Russell Terrier

(Featuring Wishbone Chim getting ready to read Jee a story.)

In addition to be well-read bibliophile's Jack Russell Terriers (are my favorite of the terrier breeds) are happy, energetic dogs that love to work. Like Chim, they are happiest when they have companionship and a task to complete. They are extremely intelligent but left to their own devices can be naughty and end up in the back of Athena's cruiser. They are vocal, stubborn, and fearless and the class clown.

Hen: German Shepherd

(Featuring Hen driving the ambulance. Use your imagination.)

German Shepherds are extremely intelligent, loyal, and energetic. Like Hen, they can be reserved and hesitant when meeting new people, but extremely friendly. They enjoy being with their family and tends to struggle with separation anxiety. As we've seen with Hen throughout the years, she struggles most when separated from her family. They are not naturally aggressive, but they are extremely protective of their own. Also like Hen, they tend to be calm and assertive, and make excellent leaders.

Eddie: Dalmation

(Featuring Eddie making HEART EYES. I'll see myself out.)

Okay, hear me out. I know this sounds too easy, but check it out. With their preferred humans they are affectionate, fun-loving companion. They are out-going and playful, highly intelligent dogs. They are also extremely sensitive dogs (even if they don't want to admit it) and need their family, and like Eddie, struggle the most when they are separated. They are protective in nature and it's one of the reasons why early firehouses adopted Dalmatians as firehouse dogs. He also be fighting his demons like Cruella De Vil.

Karen: Boxer

(Featuring Karen getting excited talking Costco memberships.)

Like Karen, Boxers are highly intelligent, incredibly patient and nurturing. As much as they love to snuggle with their people they are silly and has a mean case of the wiggle butts. They also tell a story with just their expressions. They delight in making their family happy. Also like Karen, they are incredibly vigilant and can easily tell the difference between friend and faux, an incredible judge of character.

Tommy: Pittie

(Featuring Lou's slightly dumb (affectionate) puppy smile.)

This one is self explanatory... HE'S JUST A BAYBEE. Pit bull terrier breeds can look intimidating due to their size and stature, but they are actually just bundles of love and affection. Go on ahead, slap a sweater on 'im and call him Jessica. They are silly and affectionate, protectors and lovers. They are strong willed and courageous (flying a chopper into a hurricane on a wild goose chase, anyone?). Gentle cuddle bugs who are happy just being with their beloved, once people get over their initial bias against them, they can't help but fall in love with the adorable lug.

and bonus...

Tim: a fucking cat

Agents of chaos and darkness (affectionate), they have no master. They run on spite and the tears of their enemies. They are clever and don't give a fuck about your feelings. If they feel like crashing a plane with Angela Bassett on it or knock over a glass while looking your in the eyes they will. They do what they want and they allow no man nor beast to tell them what to do. We all know who the true leader of the pack is and you will bow before his author-i-tayyyyy.

[fangdokja]

Yandere Psychology: A Comprehensive Taxonomy of Obsessive and Possessive Love

YANDERE RESEARCH: In-depth analysis + Classifications

This analysis offers a comprehensive exploration of the psychological archetypes and behavioral dynamics underlying the “yandere” character trope, a concept predominantly originating in fiction but reflective of extreme forms of obsessive and possessive behavior. It is important to emphasize that this work is not a professional psychological study nor grounded in empirical research; rather, it is a creative and analytical endeavor designed for entertainment, education, and to serve as a resource for writers, analysts, and enthusiasts.

The framework presented here draws on the intersection of narrative patterns, character psychology, and broader human behavioral studies, inspired by years of studying diverse fields such as criminology, psychology, and fictional narrative analysis. While the taxonomy and classifications are modeled after rigorous academic styles, they remain speculative and hypothetical, tailored for fictional application rather than real-world diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Readers are advised to approach this document as an interpretive guide rather than a scientific authority. The aim is to enrich creative storytelling and deepen understanding of the complex motives and expressions associated with obsessive character dynamics, providing nuanced insights for those crafting or studying fictional characters in media. This work also acknowledges the darker implications of these behaviors in real-world contexts, stressing the importance of ethical boundaries and responsible storytelling. As such, this analysis exists within a space of creative exploration, informed but not confined by academic methodologies, and seeks to foster discussion, engagement, and inspiration among its readers.

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Find the full version here: Yandere Psychology: A Comprehensive Taxonomy of Obsessive and Possessive Love

[glagglepilled]

If you are questioning whether you have DID or OSDD. DO NOT USE TUMBLR FOR INFORMATION.

Complex dissociative disorders are just that, complex; and nearly no one in this community is qualified to educate you on these things. If you seek information in this community you will find misinformation, and you will find people supporting unhealthy practices. Without the necessary knowledge on the disorder you wont be able to discern fact from false, and being misinformed on this disorder could be detrimental to you considering its severity and complexity. This could lead to worsening of symptoms due to unhealthy practices being picked up. Or you could end up aiding in the spread of misinformation, even unintentionally. Do not risk it. Community shouldn't be where you go for vital information. If you can in any way, it is STRONGLY advised you get in touch with specialists or doctors. If you cannot, Please seek information from sources made by qualified and educated professionals. As well as tumblr do not turn to discord, tiktok, reddit, or any social medias for your information. Also avoid carrds or ANY informational source not from a professional. Some alternative resources: CTAD Clinic - Youtube channel with informative videos, run by specialists. Dissociative Identity Disorder(DID) Shepphard Pratt - Great overview of DID, its causes, and it's treatment. ISSTD website - Has a lot of information on dissociative disorders, avoid their information on RAMCOA, they have a negative history with that. Their treatment guidelines are especially useful for people wanting to know what is good or bad practice in terms of treatment & healing. (Adult Guidelines, Child/Adolecent Guidelines) The ISSTD also produces the Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, which contains peer-viewed scientific articles. Very helpful to find research! The DSM-V, - Book listing mental disorders, often used by professionals in the USA. Can be used for finding general information on disorders, also contains differential diagnoses which I recommend also researching if you suspect a CDD. The ICD-11, - List of diseases and disorders, used globally and has information on mental disorders. Can also be used for finding general information on disorders. May have different diagnoses & information than the DSM-V The Haunted Self - A great informational source about structural dissociation. Very long, but worth reading if you think you have a trauma-related disorder. Scientific studies/articles - Extremely important, It may seem daunting at first to read through these as they arent as disgestable as other sources, but they are usually full of good solid research. (Please inform me of any other useful resources! Also tell me if anything listed here may be unhelpful, thank you.) When finding & reading your own sources BE CRITICAL When you find a source or receive information consider these factors:

Is this made by a professional or someone qualified?

If its an experiment/study, is it valid? Has there been any controversy with this study? Who worked on it? Is it outdated? Are there any limitations that this experiment/study may have?

Is it relevant to the thing you want to know?

Does it contain references to other sources?

Final note: If you are questioning, DO NOT JUST RESEARCH CDDs. Research common alternative diagnoses, research other possible causes for your symptoms. Do not become fixated on solely DID or OSDD.

[reasonsforhope]

"[There is] fantastic news for species conservation after new populations of the gorgeous ‘Skywalker’ gibbon, known to science for only 6 years, were recently found living in the politically chaotic nation of Myanmar.

Also called the hoolock gibbon, this dainty vocalist was first described in 2017 living in the extreme south of China on a mountain in Yunnan. Classified as Endangered by the IUCN, the population was estimated to number a paltry 150 individuals, but others were believed to live in Myanmar.

Even before the recent military junta usurped the president and plunged the country into civil war, Myanmar [was a difficult place to conduct field studies, especially extensive or ongoing ones, due to ongoing conflict.]

[Although they are] now in open revolt against the military junta, [the Myanmar states of Shan and Kachin] were nevertheless destinations for an intrepid team of scientists from the Nature Conservation Society Myanmar, Fauna & Flora International–Myanmar Programme, the IUCN’s ape specialist group, and field researchers from universities in England, China, and the US.

Together, they conducted acoustic surveys, collected non-invasive DNA sampling, and took photographs for morphological identification at six sites in Kachin State and three sites in Shan State. With the help of the Myanmar conservationists, the team also interviewed locals dwelling in rural forested areas, small conservation programs, and timber companies about the frequency of sightings and the hunting pressure.

Population estimates of unknown quality and scientific rigor conducted in 2013 suggested there might be 65,000 hoolock gibbons in Myanmar, but the matter became much more complicated after the classification of the Skywalker gibbon as a separate species from the eastern hoolock gibbon—where before they were confused as the same.

“We were able to genetically identify 44 new groups of Skywalker gibbons in Myanmar,” said senior author Tierra Smiley Evans, research faculty at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and contributing author. “This is a huge resource and success story for Myanmar.”

These gibbons sing to each other at dawn for around 22 minutes, and consume 36 different plant species; choosing fruit first, and flowers later. They seldom sleep in the same tree two nights in a row to avoid predation, and can’t swim so are often confined to territories by river systems.

The team that discovered them in China in 2017 loved Star Wars, and called them tianxing which is Chinese pinyin for “heaven movement;” a nod not only to their favorite sci-fi franchise, but also to China’s ancient history. In the famous Book of Change [aka the I Ching] of the Zhou Dynasty [1046 BCE to 265 BCE], a divination poem refers to gibbons specifically, and uses tianxing as a verb to describe their movements.

The interviews were a source of great data for the scientists. For starters, nearly all individuals in both the Kachin and Shan states could identify a Skywalker gibbon by sight and by playback of its singing, lending the exercise a good degree of reliability...

“Biologists did not believe Skywalker gibbons could live in the small remaining patches in Southern Shan State before we started this project,” Pyae Phyo Aung, executive director of Nature Conservation Society Myanmar, told the UC Davis press.

“I am delighted with our field team members who have done an excellent job, within a short period of time, building community trust for further conservation actions. This area is degraded forest. It is really important for Myanmar and China to consider extending conservation approaches for the Skywalker gibbon to this new geographic area.”

Nearly 32,000 square kilometers, or around 8 million acres of forestland in Eastern Myanmar are suitable gibbon habitat, and while existing forest reserves like Paung Taung and Mae Nei Laung are quite large, they remain unprotected. For this reason, the survey team recommended they remain considered ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List until habitat protections improve."

-via Good News Network, February 21, 2024