#having an autism event. level 7. run while you still can

[realityrewind]

naruto sucks sooo sooo soooooo SOOOO much and I love it i LOVE IT I love it so soo much it keeps me up at night I think about little naruto being so full of brightness and compassion even though the world is so cruel to him and and and SASUKE ohhh I love sasuke he's so soooo good his character arc is so good (fuck you end of naruto) if you don't love sasuke I'm gonna. explode. SOUSA KANASHIMI WO YASASHISA NI

[philcon-programming]

Philcon 2018 Gaming Suite Programming

Gaming - Suite 923

In addition to open gaming, tournaments and demos in the Promenade area just outside of the Dealer's Room, you can enjoy relaxing and gaming with others in the Philcon Gaming Suite, 923. Assorted board and card game banks are available. Play our games or bring your own favorites and find someone to play along. Hang out, have a snack, play and chat with other gamers. Learn a game, teach a game, share a game. We also have a new space for panels and gaming in The Gallery this year. See your program guide for more information.

General Schedule for 2018:

Friday, 6 pm to 2 am - Open Gaming Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm - Panels, Workshops and Open All Ages Gaming Saturday, 3 pm to 2 am - Open Gaming Sunday, 9 am to 3 pm - Open Gaming * Things are in full swing in planning for Philcon. Here are some of the fun games and events. We are always open to new ideas and your input and involvement is appreciated!

Gaming Suite Meet and Greet Get together with fellow gamers and fans to kick off the weekend. Friday 9 p.m.

Scheduled Games: One Night Ultimate Werewolf+ No moderator, no elimination, ten-minute games. One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a fast game for 3-10 players in which everyone gets a role: One of the dastardly Werewolves, the tricky Troublemaker, the helpful Seer, or one of a dozen different characters, each with a special ability. In the course of a single morning, your village will decide who is a werewolf...because all it takes is killing one werewolf to win! Because One Night Ultimate Werewolf is so fast, fun, and engaging, you'll want to play it again and again, and no two games are ever the same. GM: Tal Alailima Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m.

Cards Against Humanity [18+] Cards Against Humanity is a party game for horrible people. Each round, one player asks a question from a Black Card, and everyone else answers with their funniest White Card. GM: Ginny Swann Friday and Saturday at 11 p.m.

* SCHEDULED RPGs: (Sign up in the Gaming Suite)

D&D 5th edition RPG The Dragon Turtle Back Zoo (3357)It's the first day of your unpaid internship at the Dragon Turtle Back Zoo, where the curious from every nation come to see the most exotic and dangerous monsters in the world. You hope to parlay this valuable learning experience into a long and distinguished career in cryptozoology (or least some college credit), but first you have to survive your new boss. Adventure for 1st level D&D 5E characters, pre-generated character sheets will be provided.Number of players: 5 (pre-generated characters) DM Aaron Feldman Gaming Suite, Friday 8 p.m.

Golden Templars RPG This is an epic story. You are members of the Golden Templars, a sect within the Knight Templars who receive communion from the Holy Grail which grants them abilities beyond normal men and women. You are tasked with keeping the peace in Jerusalem and protecting the pilgrims who visit it. The feel of the campaign is mainly comic book with some secret history. Check out the Obsidian Portal:

https://golden-templars.obsidianportal.com/

for more information.  Number of players: 6 (pre-generated characters) GM John Swann Gaming Suite, Saturday 8 p.m.

Pathfinder RPG Introductory Session for Pathfinder 1st Edition Learn how to play the exciting Pathfinder 1st edition RPG. Chris Bell, Pathfinder Venture Agent, will run a scenario suited for beginning Pathfinder players. Pre-generated characters will be provided. This introduction to Pathfinder Society organized play will include Pathfinder Society scenario credit for participation. All experience levels welcome, including those new to the Pathfinder Society as well as PFS veterans! Maps, minis, and dice will be provided. Number of players: 2-7 (pre-generated characters)

http://paizo.com/pathfinder/rpg GM Chris Bell The Gallery (first floor), Saturday 8 p.m.

X-Wing Minis GM John Skylar The Gallery (first floor), Saturday 8 P.M.

Post-Apocalyptic Blues: Escapee Blues RPG Fifty years after World War III, pockets of civilization try to flourish in the ruins of the old world. You lived a quiet life in a small farming settlement...until slavers raided your community and took you captive. Separated from your friends and family, you found yourself on a slave transport going to a place called Hopewell in Louisiana. And were it not for the...thing...that attached the transport, you would still be destined for slavery. But now, you and your fellow escapees must transverse the Louisiana swamps and marshes to find civilization, while avoiding the remaining slavers that want to recapture you and that...thing...that is still out there. How long can you last with on just your wits and the limited supplies you can scavenge? Players will be given pre-generated character sheets and will take on the role of an escapee from a slave transport. Uses variant d20 Modern/OGL rules. Players should bring their own dice.Number of players: Up to 8 (pre-generated characters) GM Julie Ann Dawson Gaming Suite, Sunday 11a.m. - 3 p.m. *

PANELS / WORKSHOPS / PLAY AND LEARN SESSIONS:

Video Games and Disability From ADHD and autism to wheelchairs and walkers, video games across platforms offer a unique way to connect people who otherwise would not have an avenue or outlet to reach out to people. How else does the world of digital storytelling open avenues for disabled content creators and consumers?

Workshop: All-Ages Game Design A hands-on, family-friendly workshop. Learn how to put together a game of your own design with your family or friends! A group of people putting together a (simple) game in an hour or two.  

Saturday All Ages Gaming Time (2 Hour - PLAY SESSION) The Gaming Suite is always open to all ages. We do like to offer a time when parents might like to bring the kids in for game time. Are there games you love to play with your kids? Table top gaming is a family experience. Raising a young geek means sharing with them, but as most parents know, finding games that are fun to play together can be challenging. When looking for a family-friendly game, try shorter games that don’t require too much reading, and games that reinforce math and spacial skills. There are also games that can be played by all ages with some modifications to the rules. Games will be available for you to try out with your family: Blokus, Get Bit!, Tsuro, Quick Cups, Roll for it, Panda Head, Face Chase, Flipping Flags, Set Junior, Apples to Apples, Spot it. Want to try an RPG with you kids? We have one called "No Thank You, Evil". Have one you don't see here? Bring it to share.

Tabletop DMing 101 Are you an experienced D&D Player but want to run a campaign for the first time? Not sure where to start in running a Tabletop RPG? Join us for the tips and tricks to help you get started.

SF and Video Games How has Science Fiction been altered and explored in the realm of player-interactive content? What impact did Metroid have on fandom and SF storytelling? What about Mass Effect?

[nuttystrawberrysalad]

Are Blankets the New Going-Out Accessory?

From Sarah Jessica Parker’s monogrammed Burberry poncho to Norma Kamali’s Sleeping Bag Coat, fashion has long embraced blanket-inspired styles. During a time when most socializing takes place outdoors, would you wear one outside the house?

A weighted blanket is exactly what it sounds like - it’s a blanket with extra weight in it. Weighted blankets are unique as instead of being filled with cotton or down, it contains materials like glass beads to make them heavier. This weight is evenly distributed across the body for a feeling of being gently hugged. The deep touch pressure offered by the weighted blanket is supposed to make you feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable.

Blankets, a symbol of coziness and warmth usually relegated to the indoors, can also be a great piece to layer for fall and winter outfits. Though temperatures are just starting to drop in New York City, WSJ. staffers have spotted a few in the wild—mostly while outdoor dining, which New York City recently extended permanently. (It was originally set to expire ahead of the winter months, on October 31.) For the first time in recent history, the preferred environment for socializing has become “anywhere outside.” And during a pandemic and period of worldwide unrest, most people are seeking comfort more than ever. As a replacement for the timeworn going-out top—obviously better suited to the indoors—the going-out blanket suddenly makes sense.

Over the years, blankets have inspired fashion, from the upscale double layers blanket poncho that Sarah Jessica Parker wore in 2014, personalized with her initials, to Norma Kamali’s famous blanket-adjacent Sleeping Bag Coat, which she first designed in 1973. In 2012, Lenny Kravitz went viral after being photographed by paparazzi while ensconced in an enormous scarf on his way to buy groceries. Six years later, he defended the accessory on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “But Lenny,” Fallon said, “this is not a scarf. This is a blanket.”

After my sister gave me a weighted blanket for Christmas, it became the gift that I didn't know I needed. It's one of the best things ever to happen to me.

As someone with anxiety, I've struggled with restful sleep: Falling asleep can take up to two hours, or I wake up at least twice during the night.

The first night I started sleeping underneath a 15-pound flannel blanket, I slept straight through the night for the first time in months and felt more rested during the day. After a few days of good sleep, I learned that my sister had done her gift research — she had read that people with anxiety tended to feel more grounded when using the blankets.

Fascinated, I asked experts on mental health and sleep to explain why these heavy blankets — which are filled with plastic, glass or metal particles and layered with extra fabric — have eased the, ahem, weight of some people's anxiety-related sleep struggles.

Weighted blankets, which range from 5 to 30 pounds (2.27 to 13.6 kilograms), have been used by special needs educators and occupational therapists since the late 1990s, but have become mainstream in the last few years. Regular blankets can weigh around 3 to 5 pounds.

The dominant theory is that weighted blankets provide deep pressure stimulation, a feeling that resembles a "firm, but gentle, squeeze or holding sensation and ... triggers these feelings of relaxation and of being calm," said pulmonary and sleep specialist Dr. Raj Dasgupta, an assistant professor of clinical medicine at Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Feeling relaxed is what decreases cortisol, a stress hormone that typically runs high in people with chronic anxiety, stress and other disorders, he added.

There is evidence suggesting that deep pressure stimulation reduces sympathetic nervous system arousal — that's our fight-or-flight response — and increases parasympathetic activity, which may cause the calming effect, said Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, the director of sleep medicine at Millennium Physician Group in Florida.

Pressure to stimulate the sensation of touch to muscles and joints is the same proposed mechanism behind massage and acupressure, added Abbasi-Feinberg, who is also a neurologist on the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's board of directors. "This calming (effect) can promote better quality sleep."

If you're interested in using a weighted blanket to aid sleep problems related to mental or sensory disorders, here's what you should know about their effectiveness, any caveats and how to choose one.

Weighted blankets have been growing in popularity, but there isn't actually much research on their effectiveness. That may be due to the newness of weighted blankets, their relative harmlessness and that other health issues are more urgent for researchers to study, Dasgupta said.

Some people with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or insomnia have reported improved quality of sleep and feeling more restful during the day, a few recent, small studies have found. Many study participants experienced a decrease of 50% or more in their Insomnia Severity Index scores after using a weighted blanket for four weeks, in comparison to 5.4% of the control group, according to a small study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine last September.

In the follow-up phase of the study, which lasted one year, people who used fleece blanket continued to benefit. People who switched from lightweight control blankets to weighted blankets experienced similar effects. And those who used weighted blankets also reported better sleep maintenance, a higher daytime activity level, remission from insomnia symptoms and alleviated symptoms of anxiety, depression and fatigue.

Researchers who studied the effects of weighted blankets on children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or autism have found either some positive associations or no associations with better sleep or reduced symptoms.

"A 'grounded feeling' due to the use of weighted blankets may be attributed to the psychoanalytic 'holding environment' theory, which states that touch is a basic need that provides calming and comfort," Abbasi-Feinberg said via email. "Weighted blankets are designed to work similar to the way tight swaddling helps newborns feel snug and secure."

Many, if not all, of the available studies on weighted blankets used participants who had a psychiatric, developmental or sleep disorder such as anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD or insomnia. That's likely because of "the fact that these segments of the population are the ones who could benefit most from touch- or sensory-related therapies," Abbasi-Feinberg said.

However, given how weighted blankets might work to reduce cortisol levels, they could help to reduce general stress, too, Dasgupta said.

People have shared their fondness for weighted blankets in studies and online, but people with the same psychiatric disorders may not have the same relaxing experiences with weighted blankets. One person in the follow-up phase of the 2020 study discontinued their participation due to feelings of anxiety when using the blanket. People who are claustrophobic may also not fare well. More studies on factors that make individuals more or less helped by weighted blankets are needed, Dasgupta added.

A weighted blanket's calming abilities may help to regulate breathing, but some health professionals are hesitant to recommend weighted blankets to people with obstructive sleep apnea, asthma or other respiratory conditions. "You'd have to be pretty brittle and pretty sick if a blanket's going to stop your breathing," Dasgupta said. But if you're not sure, he added, be careful and talk to your pulmonologist first.

Children should be assessed by occupational therapists or pediatricians before they try sherpa blanket, as many weighted blankets haven't been tested for the effectiveness and safety for children.

"Weighted blankets shouldn't be used for toddlers under 2 years old, as it may increase the risk of suffocation," Abbasi-Feinberg said. "It's important for parents to always consult their pediatrician before trying a weighted blanket."

Dogs sometimes benefit from pressure-applying garments during storms or other anxiety-inducing events, but weighted blankets can be dangerous for pets, said Dr. Douglas Kratt, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

If you're looking for a weighted blanket, there are multiple options in terms of weight, materials and size. A blanket that weighs 7% to 12% of your body weight is typically the range to choose from, but that may depend on personal preference. "Some individuals might want a heavier weight to feel a sense of 'hugging' and calmness, while others might want something lighter," Abbasi-Feinberg said.

And there are weighted blankets for year-round use, she added — some are made with a higher proportion of fabric layers made from cotton, which is lighter than other materials and allows air to pass through its fibers, therefore better managing your body temperature.

Dasgupta thinks of sleep as a puzzle, and sometimes people with insomnia or mental disorders are missing some of the pieces needed for great sleep, but "no one really knows what puzzle pieces are missing."

Weighted blankets could help, but they're not a cure-all — a healthy sleep routine is still necessary for getting enough of both sleep time and the deeper stages that leave you refreshed. If you think that a weighted blanket could be your missing puzzle piece, "it's worth a try," Dasgupta said. The downside is that these blankets can be pricey.

During the pandemic, "sleep really took a hit" when it comes to insomnia, altered circadian rhythm and nightmares, Dasgupta said. "A weighted blanket is something that might have a role during this pandemic. ... That sense of the basic need to be touched and hugged could actually provide some comfort and security. Maybe that's why some people benefit from a weighted blanket."

[kanguin]

My Take on Me (A-ha ha)

Puns aside, I’m gonna do something that makes no sense because when I do these really long, drawn out posts analytically thinking about things, it doesn’t garner much attention or response, but at the same time, I’m doing this for me and my own sake so that really doesn’t matter?  If you’re at all interested to come along for this ride, I’m going to break down who I am, what I feel, and why.  I’m surely not going to hit every note, because there’s just so much to say I guess, but I’m going to cover everything that’s on my mind right now, and that which has been ruminating, trying to find words to describe itself for a while now.  It’s a ramble rant, but it’s under the cut if you want to read it.

If you asked anyone who knew me if I was inattentive, 99.9% of them would probably laugh and say a hearty yes.  And I really can’t argue with that.  There’s a lot going on in the world, and I really just don’t tend to pick up on that.  Partially because there are social things that I can’t read, and partially because my attention span really doesn’t stretch out that long to notice all of the little details that I’m supposed to notice.  My memory isn’t particularly great, but one event that I half remember from 5+ years ago really helps me visualize what is so different in terms of my attention.

What happened was I was on a college campus for a thing (as I have often been in the past decade of my life), and we went to this building that I think worked in psychology or data analysis, and they had a little thing that tracked your eye movements as you watched an ad, and they allowed us to test this out.  You’d watch the video, and then when it was over, it’d play it back with a trace of where your eyes were looking all over the screen.  Being naturally curious, I eagerly wished to try it out after others had their chance, and the results were amusing, to say the least.

I still clearly remember this to this day, which is impressive for me.  When I sat down, the ad was for the second Dispicable Me movie, and it was fascinating to watch, since this trailer had just come out recently, and I hadn’t seen it.  After the video was over, and my eye movements played back, everyone was confused.  Even the people running the test.  My eyes... didn’t go where they should have.  A car in center focus went by and I stared at the houses behind it.  Gru would talk, but I would only stare at his nose, then a lamp, then a balloon and never at his mouth like was expected.  Almost every time something was in center focus... my eyes were somewhere else.

And I know exactly why this is.  Aside from the simple explanations of “ADHD” and “Autism”, I know exactly why I was looking where I was looking, even though it was reflex movements.  The reason is that I just take in a lot of information.  A lot.  And that may seem to contradict the previous point affirming my obliviousness, but just hold on and it’ll clear up.  What sets me apart from what was expected is that I am uninterested in the mundane.  In the easily processed.  I delegate to the back of my mind, to the rear lobes of my thinking blob, what most people put in center focus.  So while the lower levels of my mind process what is being said, who’s talking, and who’s doing what, I’m taking in the background details to paint a bigger picture of what’s going on.  And the thing is, this isn’t some skill or talent.  My mind is like this 24/7.  And when too much is going on... I get overwhelmed.  Because there’s suddenly so much information that my poor wrinkly cognito sponge gets overloaded with more information than it can process at once.

So this takes me back to that point about my obliviousness.  In a way, I am oblivious to things going on around me.  Things that happen that by all means I should have noticed, I simply don’t.  Instead I pick up on the weird, random things that are going on, and usually others don’t notice.  There’s something wrong with the prioritization in my brain, but hey, it’s part of what makes me, me.  Gotta accept that which I literally, philosophically cannot fight.  But more than that... it’s also fair to say that I’m just not paying attention.  Because my focus isn’t out here, where other people are, and things are happening, and life is moving forward.

Instead, my mind is internal.  I’m always processing SOMETHING.  I can’t let things go un-thought-about.  So when I’m confused, lost, or unsettled, I’ll always turn to ask why.  And though I can’t always get the answer in the moment, that doesn’t mean it’s not a question I should think on.  So, after I sort out the in-the-moment issue, I continue to think on why I had the behavioral or cognitive hiccup that I did.  So that in the future, I won’t have that problem.  I’m never really “in the moment”.  It’s a problem, but not one I think I can realistically fix without upending the entirety of how my mind is structured.  Believe me, I’ve tried.

So, people tend to underestimate me.  When they meet me and get to know me on a surface level, my lack of awareness of what is going on in the moment is immediately apparent.  I must seem like a walking contradiction to half of my peers, because they consider me intellectual in the same breaths that they express befuddlement at my utter obliviousness to the world around me.  But I don’t know if they know I know that.  Like I said, I can’t exactly read how others feel.  I just notice patterns.  It’s part of why it’s hard for me to get truly close to others.  I can’t know someone until I predict their patterns with relatively high accuracy over time.  And when I sit down and explain this to people, it’s met with confusion.  Which is fair, granted I’m just as lost about what most people think and do as they are with me.

And like, this constant retrospective, constant thought of repairing to prevent further incidents, but being incapable of preventing them in the moment without a proper, previously established protocol, it permeates through my entire being.  It affects how I think about things, how I think about others, and how I approach relationships with other people.  I just established how it effects making friends, but I should also point out that it has pretty much put me in a place where I’ve only ever been in two romantic relationships.  One that lasted a month before my trust was betrayed, and one that has gone on for over 2 years now.  I’m quite satisfied with the one I have, more than satisfied even.  Because it’s exactly what I need, and mostly what I want.  But that’s the thing.  What I want in life frustrates me.

I’ve sat down with myself, and I’ve realized I almost always seem to imagine romantic interests, both dreaming up for myself and for characters that I see myself in, as proactive, perceptive, adventurous, and really relaxed; traits that are exactly counter me.  Because if someone like that was in a relationship with someone like me, then my flaws would almost seem like they didn’t exist.  And that’s a wonderful, idealized, euphoric thought.  One that dictates much of the romantic relationships I think up and love to focus on.  But it’s not realistic.

Love requires understanding.  But the thing is, someone like what I described is not someone I could understand the thoughts, behaviors, and actions of, inherently because those traits I ascribe to them are exactly counter of what I am.  I am demotivated, unobservant, reserved, and somewhat high strung.  I could not possibly understand and truly love someone that I could not understand, despite how much I want to feel that normalization.  But a relationship like that puts all of the importance on what they would do to normalize me, and places me as a passive, static object within it that contributes nothing.  And that’s just not a good relationship, in any way.

Yet as much as I rationalize it, it’s still something I instinctively crave, and probably can only ever get from fiction, because it’s not realistic and doesn’t make any sense.  It’s almost funny then, that the person I chose would be so much like me, that I would almost have to personally personify my own fantasy to get anything to move forward at times.  But I digress.  Fear of new things is something I’m too familiar with to complain or judge.  Speaking of which, fear.  That’s another thing that I think about, for another time though.

The differences inherent to my being are fascinating.  No matter what’s going on, I almost always, without fail, seem to feel like an outsider looking in on a world that makes no sense, but on the flipside, I’m aware enough to notice that 9 times out of 10 the missing information lies within my metaphorical blind-spot, and socially reconciling this discrepancy is hard, to say the least.  People unlike me aren’t going to get me, but they’re used to getting everyone on the first try, so for literally everyone I meet that I don’t immediately click with, it is I who has to make the steps to bridge the gap between my world and theirs.  Not because they are lazy, but because they simply cannot see what is wrong, because for them, socializing is so natural that it confuses them that it can ever go wrong even when no traditional miscommunication occurs.  That is to say, their use of body language, implication, tone, pace, and so on, suddenly go from useful conversational tools to active roadblocks in conversation.  I can’t blame them for not comprehending it.  I can imagine it’d be like watering a plant, but in the process causing it to wilt, when the same water reinvigorated the others.

But all the same, it’s frustrating.  I’m honestly kind of tired of having to come up with a million analogies just to explain to my own family why I’m not comfortable in rooms packed with people and loud noises.  Traditionally I’d hear people telling me “remember maintaining relationships with parents isn’t necessary if they don’t get you”, and like.  I kind of want to take that phrase from teenagers and say they can’t use it.  Because yeah, they “don’t get you”.  Sure.  Let’s take away your social skills sensory filtering and see how much your parents don’t get you.  Let’s see if the mass’s inability to properly communicate with their parents during teenage years and early adulthood mean their parents “don’t get them” as much as allistic parents don’t get their autistic kids, and vice versa.  You wanna talk disconnection and alienation?  I THINK THAT RANKS PRETTY HIGH ON THE “DON’T GET YOU” METER.

Again, I digress.  This really has just.  Turned into a dump of my thoughts and feelings.  My point I was trying to make is that I preemptively resent the thought of venting issues I have with my mother to people, because they don’t get it just as much as my mom doesn’t get it.  It’s not a problem with her, or with me.  It’s a problem with the fact that we function and think so radically and unrecognizably differently that trying to communicate is like speaking two separate languages that are SIMILAR but then 10% (or more) of the time they diverge and nobody knows what’s going on.  So that means issues I have with my mother are literally the same issues I’d have with any allistic folk.  I don’t get you, you don’t get me.  It’s just that I live with her and my brother that makes issues more frequent.

So yeah.  That was a lot of stuff.  I could probably dump more out, but this is already so long, and I’m dead certain nobody will read through this.  If you do, please say so.  I’ll be impressed, and you’ll have seen a glimpse inside my mind.

[cromulentbookreview]

Externally Screaming

Every now and again I come across a book I like so much I can't really express how I feel about it with words, just unintelligible fangirl squealing.

Aurora Rising is one of those books.

Seriously, the whole time with this book I was just

Sometimes, I will start reading a book and find I literally cannot stop. Other times I will force myself not to - to pace myself, rather than binge-read because I know that as soon as I’m done reading it, it’ll be well over a year until the next book. I am in general a slow reader, and for the most part it’s unintentional - I’m easily distracted, my attention span is shot, I work full time, have other shit to do, etc. - so when I tell myself “no, only a few chapters today, otherwise it’ll all be gone and then you’ll have nothing. NOTHING!” It’s kind of a big deal.

(Sorry, can’t not use a Ron Burgundy gif there).

I should preface my fangirling by mentioning that I am a massive fan of Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff’s last trilogy, The Illuminae Files, which if you haven’t read it, stop everything, go read it, I will wait right here.

Oh my God those books are so good, right? I mean, nothing makes my librarian brain happier than stories that are told entirely through documents. Aurora Rising is a more traditional narrative told from multiple POVs, but we do get the occasional “fun fact” in-between chapters. 

Behold! The jacket copy:

The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch…

A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm

A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates

A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder

An alien warrior with anger management issues

A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering

And Ty’s squad isn’t even his biggest problem—that’d be Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he’s just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler’s squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy. They're not the heroes we deserve. They're just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.

If you think “that sounds awesome” you’d be right. It is awesome. Poor Tyler Jones - he is indeed a golden boy of the Aurora Academy, but the night before the draft - the event where leader-types like him get to pick who will be in their squad with the Aurora Legion - Tyler, unable to sleep, decides to log some time in the Fold. Now, the Fold is, of course, the folds in space-time that allow for super-fun-and-quick space travel. So... a wormhole. Anyway, whilst cruising around the Fold, Tyler picks up a distress signal from a ship that famously disappeared two hundred years prior. On the ship he discovers a bunch of people dead in their cryopods. Only one is still alive: a girl with a white stripe in her hair. Tyler barely manages to rescue the girl and get back to his ship before a Foldstorm hits. 

One problem, though: while he was being Heroic McHeroface, Tyler missed the draft. He, the Academy’s #1 Golden boy didn’t get to pick the cream of the crop. Nope, he’s stuck with the population of the Island of Misfit Toys. 

His twin sister Scarlett sticks with him, though. So does his childhood best friend and expert pilot, Cat. The rest of the crew...well... There’s Zila, who is brilliant but not good with people.

She’s now the squad’s Brain - the Science Division type who also serves as the ship’s doctor. Yikes.

There’s Finian, a snarktastic tech genius Betraskan (a humanoid alien spices with super pale skin) who relies on an exosuit in order to move around. He’s the squad’s Gearhead.

And there’s Kal, a Syldrathi - another humanoid alien, only these look like elves from Lord of the Rings. Lots of Legolas references thrown around. Kal comes from a specific warrior cabal and has a reputation for getting into fights for funsies. He’s the Tank - the squad muscle / enforcer / bodyguard-type person. 

And of course, at first sight they all can’t stand each other. But they’re stuck together as Squad 312, so essentially, they have no choice. Hurray?

And if you’re wondering “but what about the girl with the white stripe in her hair?” - don’t worry, I’m getting there. Her name is Aurora Jae-Lin O’Malley, aka Auri. 200 years ago, she was living on a dying Earth, preparing to make the journey into space to the colony-planet of Octavia. She goes into cryosleep and promptly wakes up two hundred years too late, with the Aurora Academy, and no one has ever heard of Octavia. Plus, there’s something wrong with Auri - two hundred years in the Fold will mess with your brain a bit, but it doesn’t explain why she’s got one white eye, why she can move objects with her mind, and why she starts seeing visions of the future. At first, it looks like the Aurora Academy is going to send Auri back to Earth, but instead she ends up stowing away...with Squad 312, our favorite ragtag bunch of misfits.

Only it very quickly becomes evident that the powers at be want Auri, and they’re willing to kill anyone she comes into contact with. So Auri and Squad 312 end up on the run, and they’re all forced to work together in order to solve the mystery behind Auri’s strange powers. It all seems to have something to do with Octavia: why did the colony get wiped off the map? What happened to the people there? What happened to Auri in the Fold? 

Aurora Rising is the first in a planned trilogy, so, of course, we don’t get all the answers right away. There are enough answers to keep us from getting too pissed off, but enough unanswered questions to keep us on our toes waiting for the next book. And holy crap, I cannot wait for the next book. Aurora Rising starts out exciting and just continues to be exciting until the very last page (OK, maybe not the literal last page, those tend to be blank or just have information about the publisher on them, but you get my point). My one big complaint is that the one character I really wanted to get to know - Zila - gets the least amount of time in the limelight. Chapters narrated by her are mostly only a few sentences long - I know this is supposed to illustrate her blunt manner, but I was really looking forward to learning everything about what made her so peculiar. She does get a longer chapter later in the book, but we don’t learn all her secrets. And, I mean, come on, I wanted to know more about Zila, damn it! The rest of the characters are cool, though Tyler is a bit too much the bland leader-type and I had a hard time believing that Scarlett could be 18 and have over fifty ex-boyfriends (maybe they were just hookups and she just refers to them as boyfriends?). Finian’s chapters are fantastic because he is the group’s deadpan snarker - whenever things get intense, Fin’s ready to throw in some much-needed comic relief. Auri’s POV is by far the most compelling, though that may just be my own personal bias talking, because the Fish Out of Temporal Water is one of my favorite tropes ever...but it’s from Auri’s POV that we get all the Legolas references directed at Kal, and it’s just delightful. 

gard...gard...gard...gard...

In essence: I needed books 2 and 3 of the Aurora Cycle sometime yesterday, please. I need full chapters dedicated entirely to Zila and her history - she’s the one member of Squad 312 we know the least about by the end of Aurora Rising, and I want to know more! Maybe because she strikes me as a fellow girl on the spectrum and I desperately want to see more accurate depictions of autism in girls, something that doesn’t just depict us as straight-up psychopaths. We’re not, we’re really not. Our brains just work differently, OK? Stop judging Zila you guys, gah!

Anyway. I fricking loved this book, from beginning to end. Am I biased because I loved The Illuminae Files and think Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff are both fantastic writers? Yeah, probably. But, once again, I must direct you to the title of this stupid little tumblr blog. I promise cromulent reviews, not good or unbiased ones. Still - if any of what I described above sounds appealing to you, then you’re going to want to read Aurora Rising. And even if you’re still on the fence, read it anyway because some rando on a dying social media platform told you to. 

RECOMMENDED FOR: fans of YA sci-fi, fans of fiction featuring a ragtag bunch of misfits, anyone looking for an exciting YA cross between Guardians of the Galaxy and The Expanse.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR: Anyone not a fan of YA, sci-fi, misfits, fun, excitement, joy...

RELEASE DATE: May 7, 2019 (Illuminae fans: check out Jay Kristoff’s website for details on how to get a free printed Illuminae novella with a pre-order of Aurora Rising!)

RATING: 5/5

TOTALLY UNBIASED FANGIRL RATING: 5,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000/5.

ANTICIPATION LEVEL FOR SEQUELS: Olympus Mons

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY RATING:

MY FACE WHEN I REALIZED I’LL HAVE TO WAIT A GOOD LONG WHILE FOR THE NEXT BOOK:

[moonlight-fox]

Power Rangers was... Much better than I was expecting based on the marketing. I’m going to start with that, and say that I’d probably give it a 7 or 8 out of 10 if pressed. (In fact if it wasn’t for the black autistic character and ambiguously queer Asian character stuff (Sadly not explicit in the thing but, we’ll see going forward)? Likely wouldn’t have bothered seeing it at all because the marketing reaked of grimdark reboot of cheesy kids’ show from your youth’ - and while it’s darker and less cheesy, it’s not hitting the grimdark levels the trailers implied it would so... Yay. Spoilers below the cut, if I’ve done this right.

Spoiler free tl;dr of the rest - A fairly strong start to what will hopefully be a spinoff franchise running in parrallel to whatever the show is doing these days. Promising for the future, especially with all five protagonists feeling like real people rather than even if there were some aspects that imo were missteps. There are strong flashing lights in the film, since I’m pretty sure that impacts some of my follower’s ability to watch films.

There’s also an attempt at either a realistic alpha or to just modernize the design without making it any less cheesy. If the latter, it worked, if the former... I honestly think we’ll be looking at it in 10 years as a ‘remember when they updated Alpha’s design and made him even more ridiculous looking than the original design?’ So weird to see that thing and that voice in serious scenes. Zordon’s realistic design is better.

One subtle aspect that I’m really appreciating is how coherent this is as a world, compared to the Make Shit Up As We Go Along stuff of the ‘original’ (Dear lord this franchis eis complicated. The end credits are hilarious because the film credits itself as based on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers... Which it then has to credit as being based on Super Sentai since the original did that weird new human footage around the original footage mostly for fight scenes). Like, even if we didn’t know that a sequel would introduce The Green Ranger because... Obviously they’ll do that in the first sequel, that was the biggest event of S1 of the show, and they hadn’t have introduced the Rita was the Green Ranger on Zordon’s team character building stuff, hence why she has the Green power coin, they showed in the very first scene of the film that Rita had the Green power coin, at least then, setting it up as an element that could be brought in for a sequel.

Also Zeo crystal both as a callback for the... Third? Second? season of Mighty Morphin and as an explanation of why the heck every villain in the franchise going forward, when not connected to Rita, is going to be attacking Angel Grove (Which now has a defined economy - As I said, they’ve actually payed attention to world building with this)

Offed Rita in a way that leaves room for her to come back in a sequel but also room for Zed to come in now - I hope Zed doesn’t come in just yet, though, I’d rather they kept Rita as creating the evil Green Ranger... She survived being burried underwater for 65 million years (upping from her time in the Dumpster of Evil in the original), she can survive a few months or a couple of years or whatever in space, drifting towards the moon (Again, lovely little subtle callback to the original there with that shot of her drifting in space towards the moon)

One interesting part of the thing was that they managed to keep the Wear Clothing That’s Colour Coded to Their Ranger Clothes from the original but in a subtle way rather than the... Garish way... of the original. Granted, that might just be 90s fashion vs 2010s fashion talking...

Billy here is... Hugely important, and incredibly irritating, all at once. PoC autistic characters are even rarer than female autistic characters, . In some areas he’s written a bit overly stereotypically autistic for my tastes - too surface level, could have done without the borderline savant stuff - but at the same time... They created a black autistic character in a mainstream work. That’s hugely valuable. (and basically never done). So, while the portrayal is like looking back into 90s portrayals of autism, I still think it’s a net positive, but... I may be cutting it too much slack. (And, yes, canon autistic, rather than just geeky and awkward with autistic people being able to read ourselves onto him)

Could have gone for a bit less dark realism and a bit more cheese, the moments where the film embraces the cheese of the franchise work really well, though in part as contrast to the darker stuff, but the five protagonists feel like real teenages in this, which is nice. (As is the moment the film also pokes fun at how ridiculously impractical five people piloting one vehicle is before getting on with the climactic fight scene, which somehow doesn’t undercut the film’s climax at all), but overall I’m a lot happier with the direction they went with this than I expected to from the trailers, and at the same time I appreciate Rita as a legitimate threat. Also I kind of wish the training stuff didn’t go on for quite so long? We’re here for giant robots in martial arts fights with monsters, with maybe some martial arts fights outside of the giant robots too... Though that’s an issue most Super Hero origin films have.

I definitely agree with the decision to cut the Jason/Kimberly romantic relationship for the sake of Kimberly’s character arc, but there are places where it’s obvious something’s been left on the cutting room floor - A couple of specific shots that would never have been in the film if it wasn’t originally written and filmed with that romantic subplot there, or at least, not that way, - Jason and Kimberly looking from their cockpits at each other, holding their hands out towards each other, as their Zords fall into a pit of fire, sort of thing. Know clue how that shot is going to read to those who don’t know about the cut romance plot.

For those of you into Humans Are Weird style sci-fi - Neither Zordon nor Alpha are quite able to grasp the concept of teenagers, though Alpha has apparently had more time to study the database. (”It’s this stage between infancy and adulthood”) - this makes sense, since very few creatures, at least on this planet, have an adolescence (Though it’s hypothesized that this two stage maturation process is what allows humans to be so intelligent as a species, so how much it makes sense for a space faring species to lack it... Not sure on), more entertainingly, though - when our five leads are sharing glances of when unsure about doing something the alien robot has asked them to do? Alpha comments on how fascinating it is that they’re looking at each other and wonders outloud if this is a human thing.

[mandelsmusic]

Genesis Be: An Artist and Activist (Interview)

Birthday: Dec 5th Zodiac: Sagittarius Favorite Food: Sea Scallops and Cajun cuisine Based: I split my time between Brooklyn, Atlanta, and Mississippi. Nicknames: G.Be NYU Majors: Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music / CAS Political Science

How and when did you start making music? I started writing poetry when I was 7 years old. When I was 12 I saw Tupac’s “Brenda’s Got A Baby” music video and I was dumbstruck. I remember thinking it was so fascinating that this man was writing about the ills in his community, bringing attention to problematic institutions… I knew that this was my calling. I began to collect instrumental beats and covert my poetry to raps. After winning a local talent show at 14, my father took me to the studio for the first time. I would go on to complete 3 original albums by the age of 18.

Who are some of your musical influences? Vincent Guiraldi. Tupac Shakur. Miles Davis. Alicia Keys. The Alchemist. Black Milk. 9th Wonder. Ebonie Smith.

What was the first record or CD you bought? When I was a pre-teen I bought Outkast’s “Players Ball” because it had the instrumental version on it. I used that instrumental to write many of my first rhymes.

What genre would you define your music? I’ve published over 7 original albums, they are all different. Right now I see-saw between political trap music and sensual ambient melodic rap.

What have you been inspired by? My Grandfather Rev. Clyde Briggs is my biggest inspiration. He was a civil rights activist during segregation in Mississippi in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He was an education reformist. He and his friends made transportation convoys to transport black voters to and from voter registration sites so that they were not killed or harassed by the KKK. His house was shot up by KKK and local law enforcement while my father, my pregnant Grandmother and seven of her children slept inside. This was the atmosphere in which he operated. He risked his life to uplift his community. After being accused of providing guns to black citizens to arm themselves against the KKK incessant killings and harassment, he mysteriously died at the young age of 42. Many in my family believe he was murdered as it was not uncommon for popular leaders to be taken out silently during those times. Your readers can read more about him HERE. Ultimately I am an activist, music is just many vehicles with which I make my impact in my community.  

Could you please discuss the process of creating your newest album Poli Trap: The Escape Tape and the process that went behind the creation of it? Poli Trap (political trap music) was just a release for me. My previous project “Gulf Coast Queen” was very fun, celebratory and sexy. Just like Van Gogh, I have my seasons. I just wanted to create something that spoke about the institutions that angered me the most. The mass incarceration, lack of media literacy, the financial backing of oppressive regimes and Nations… I just wanted to get it out. Music is just therapy, keeps me from being violent. It allows me to research problems I see in society and come up with pragmatic ways to approach it. My real work is my activism, the work I do on the ground level with my community in Mississippi. Music is just my soundtrack as I do the work, well.. Poli Trap was at least.

Are there any personal experiences that have inspired you to incorporate activism into your music? Jessie Williams was tortured and murdered by law enforcement while incarcerated in a local jail in my hometown. Although the incident was caught on camera, there was no indictment. I remember the emotion of the community and amongst my friends, was anger and disbelief. My friends and I took to the streets and with the help of local black-owned radio and business, we made enough of a fuss that an indictment was issued. Right then I knew that we had power, if only we could be brave enough to use it. That was the first in a long list of protests, demonstrations, boycotts that I would be part of, or that I would initiate.  We are only on this Earth for so long, I’d like to spend my time here empowering those who are not aware of their power… by using my platform to voice grievances of those who do not have the privilege to voice their dissent.

How has your heritage shaped you as a human? My family legacy has left me void of the fear of death. This void gives me an ultimate artistic freedom. I say how I feel, at any time, in front of anybody. I have no fear of poverty or doing without, I’ve been there and I know I’ll be fine. I don’t compromise my artistic integrity for anything and anybody. This is because I know the strength and resilience of my ancestors. The only thing I fear is no longer being free to create art how I want.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? In ten years I’ll probably be a politician or leading a campaign for a politician… involved in politics somehow. I don’t want to be 40 years old and still rapping. I will probably be ghostwriting for younger artists but my true calling is in political reform.

How does your role of an activist leader play into your music?  Do you use it to get it as a platform to get your message across? I keep my activism and my music separate usually. I explore my sensuality and sexuality in much of my music. It’s not all social or political. I am a human who has errors, who likes substances from time to time, who loves to dance and celebrate and who has deep insecurities. I explore all my vulnerability in my music because it is my therapy. I don’t really create music for anyone else but myself, but my activism serves my community and my constituency.

Who would you want to open for and why? I don’t really have a want to open for anybody musically. Lately, I’ve been getting into public speaking. In that realm, I’d like to open for Van Jones, Michael Dyson, Ava Duvernay or Michelle Obama.

Anything else you want to add? No, I think that is it. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts. I’m curating an event Dec 7th, 2017 at NYU that will focus on removing the Confederate Emblem from my MS State Flag. I have a new Hip Hop play that is currently running that explores the challenges of children with autism, called “Wonderland”. My new album “People Not Things” will be released Spring of 2018. Your readers can follow my breadcrumbs at GenesisBe.com. Much love.

[sherristockman]

The Real Dangers of Electronic Devices and EMFs Dr. Mercola By Dr. Mercola I was recently interviewed by Dave Asprey when I visited his Bulletproof lab on Vancouver Island.1 In it, I review the real dangers of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by electronic devices. I will also do a more comprehensive lecture on this topic at Asprey's Bulletproof Conference October 13 through 15 at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California. Avoiding excessive EMF exposure is an important component of optimizing mitochondrial health. In fact, this is going to be the topic of my next book. Like my latest best-seller, "Fat for Fuel," which details my metabolic mitochondrial therapy program, I want the book on EMFs to be peer-reviewed by the leading scientists and researchers in the world who understand the truth and are free of industry corruption. The key is to translate the science into clear and understandable language, and offer practical recommendations on how to remediate the problem. After all, we are swimming in an invisible ocean of EMFs just about everywhere you go these days. It's near-impossible to avoid microwave exposure completely, but there are ways to reduced it, for sure. Your Cellphone Is a Major Source of EMF Exposure As noted by Asprey, his studio is hard-wired, and that's one simple way to reduce exposure from Wi-Fi. You can also shut your Wi-Fi down whenever you're not using it, and certainly at night when you're sleeping. When using your cellphone, use the speaker phone and hold the phone 3 feet away from you, using a selfie stick. I've measured the radiation and you decrease your exposure by about 90 percent this way. When not in use, make sure your cellphone is in airplane mode and/or keep it in a Faraday bag. These are just a few quick examples of how you can protect your health while still living in modern society. I have carefully measured the radiation coming from my phone and even when it is on and not calling someone the radiation doesn't come down to safe ranges until I am 25 feet away, which is why I keep my phone in airplane mode most of the time and only use it for emergencies or when I am traveling. It took me awhile to figure this out. I got rid of all the wireless devices and Wi-Fi in my house, yet the EMFs were still high. Then I finally realized that it was my phone (while on) that caused it. My levels dropped below 0.01 volts/meter once I put it in airplane mode. This is a key point. For nearly everyone reading this, the majority of the radiation you're exposed to is not coming from the outside into your home; it's coming from the items in your home. Nonthermal Damage Most of the radiation we're exposed to today is microwave radiation, which does include radiation from your microwave oven. If you still have one, I recommend replacing it with a steam convection oven, which will heat your food just as quickly but far more safely. When you turn that microwave oven on, it will expose you to very dangerous microwave radiation at levels that are far in excess of your cellphone. We're not talking about thermal (heat) damage here. We're talking about nonthermal damage. I recently interviewed Martin Pall, Ph.D., who has identified and published several papers describing the molecular mechanisms of how EMFs from cellphones and wireless technologies damage plants, animals and humans.2,3,4,5 Many studies have shown that when you're exposed to EMFs, intracellular calcium increases. Pall also discovered a number of studies showing that you can block or greatly reduce the effects of EMFs using calcium channel blockers — medication commonly prescribed to patients with heart disease. This turns out to be a crucial point, because it's the excess calcium in the cell and the increased calcium signaling that are responsible for a vast majority of the biological effects of EMFs. Pall has discovered no less than 26 papers showing that EMFs work by activating voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), which are located in the outer membrane of your cells. Once activated, they allow a tremendous influx of calcium into the cell — about 1 million calcium ions per second per VGCC. Importantly, the cellular membrane is 7 million times more sensitive to EMFs than the charged particles inside and outside of the cells, which are what safety standards are based on. In other words, the safety standards are off by a factor of 7 million! A Chain Reaction of Harm When there's excess calcium in the cell, it increases levels of both nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide. While NO has many beneficial health effects, massively excessive NO reacts with superoxide, forming peroxynitrite, which is an extremely potent oxidant stressor. Peroxynitrites, in turn, break down to form reactive free radicals, both reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydroxyl radicals, carbonate radicals and NO2 radicals — all three of which do damage. Peroxynitrites also do damage all on their own. So, EMFs are not "cooking" your cells. It's not a thermal influence. Rather, the radiation activates the VGCCs in the outer cell membrane, which triggers a chain reaction of devastating events that, ultimately, decimates your mitochondrial function and causes severe cellular damage and DNA breaks. It also decimates your cell membranes and cellular proteins. In a nutshell, it dramatically accelerates the aging process. Common EMF-Related Health Problems As noted by Asprey, he used to keep his cellphone in a pants pocket on his right leg. He now has 10 percent less bone density in his right femur, which he believes is related to carrying his cellphone there. Needless to say, he no longer carries his phone on his body. Now, since the biological damage is triggered by activation of your VGCCs, it stands to reason that tissues with the highest densities of VGCCs will be more prone to harm. So, which tissues have the highest concentration of VGCC's? Your brain, the pacemaker of your heart, your nervous system, retina and male testes. Indeed, studies dating back to the 1950s and '60s show the nervous system is the organ that is most sensitive to EMFs. Some of these studies show massive changes in the structure of neurons, including cell death and synaptic dysfunction. When the VGCCs are activated in the brain they release neurotransmitters and neuroendocrine hormones, and elevated VGCC activity in certain parts of the brain has been shown to produce a variety of neuropsychiatric effects. Among the most common consequences of chronic EMF exposure to the brain are: 6 Anxiety Depression Autism Alzheimer's Common heart problems linked to EMF exposure include: Cardiac arrhythmias (associated with sudden cardiac death) Atrial fibrillation / atrial flutter Premature atrial contractions (PACs) and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), also known as heart palpitations Tachycardia (fast heartbeat) and brachycardia (slow heartbeat) Many who suffer these conditions are on dangerous drugs. If you have any kind of heart or brain-related condition, you really need to take EMF exposure seriously, and take steps to remediate it. There's simply no question about it — EMF exposure can trigger these and many other conditions. The drug is not treating the cause of the problem, and if you truly want to get well, you need to address the causes. EMFs may not be the sole contributor, but it's a significant one that should not be overlooked. Reproductive Effects and Cancer EMF exposure may also increase a man's risk for infertility if he wears his cellphones near his groin and/or uses a laptop on his lap, and a woman's risk for breast cancer is higher if she tucks her cellphone in her bra. Studies have linked low-level electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure from cellphones to an 8 percent reduction in sperm motility and a 9 percent reduction in sperm viability.7,8 Wi-Fi equipped laptop computers have also been linked to decreased sperm motility and an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation after just four hours of use.9 In regard to breast cancer, the most common location for breast cancer is the upper, outer quadrant. When the cancer is located in the upper, inner quadrant, it's more likely to be related to cellphone radiation (if you've been carrying your phone in your bra). How to Lower Your Exposure The first step to lower your exposure would be to identify the most significant sources. Your cellphone is a major source of exposure, as are cordless phones, Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth headsets and other Bluetooth-equipped items, wireless mice, keyboards, smart thermostats, baby monitors, smart meters and the microwave in your kitchen. Ideally, address each source and determine how you can best limit their use. For example, remedial interventions could include: Swapping a wireless baby monitor for a hardwired one Carrying your cellphone in a bag instead of on your body, and keeping it in airplane mode and/or in a Faraday (shielded) bag or case when not on a call Turning off your Wi-Fi at night. Even better, don't use Wi-Fi and switch to wired Ethernet Using your laptop on a table rather than your lap Using your cellphone with a headset or on speaker phone, and keeping the phone as far away from your body as possible using a selfie stick. Ideally, use landlines whenever possible Hardwiring as many devices as possible to avoid Wi-Fi fields. This includes mice, keyboards and printers. Avoid Ethernet over power (EOP), however, as this strategy increases the variability in your power lines, causing dirty electricity. You can partially remediate this with capacitors or filters, but it's not an ideal solution. EOP is better than Wi-Fi, but not as good as running an Ethernet cable Installing a Faraday cage (copper- and/or silver-threaded fabric) around your bed. If you live in a high-rise and have neighbors beneath you, place the Faraday fabric on the floor beneath your bed as well. This may significantly improve your sleep quality, as EMFs are known to disrupt sleep If you have a smart meter, take steps to have it removed and replaced with an old analog meter. If your area is planning on installing them, be proactive in preventing its installation. For more information about this and guidance on how to go about preventing smart meter installation or getting it reversed, see "InPower: A Mass Action of Liability" To identify EMF sources you might not have considered, it would be a worthwhile investment to buy a microwave meter. The Cotnet ED88T10 is likely the best low cost meter out there, but their manual is terrible so you need to watch this video by Lloyd Burrell to learn how to use it. When I travel, I'll check the room in which I'm staying to determine the best side of the bed to sleep on. I've found there can be a tenfold difference between one side of the bed and the other. The Trifield meter is quite popular, but it's important to realize that Trifield meters only measure magnetic fields, not microwave radiation. Nutritional Intervention Nutritional intervention can also help reduce the harmful effects of EMFs. It's not a permanent solution you can use in lieu of remediation, but it can be helpful while you're implementing more permanent solutions. The first is magnesium, as magnesium is a natural calcium channel blocker. Many are deficient in magnesium to start with, and I believe many may benefit from as much as 1 to 2 grams of magnesium per day. Increasing Nrf2 is also helpful. NRf2 is a biological hormetic that upregulates superoxide dismutase, catalase and all the other beneficial intercellular antioxidants. It also: Lowers inflammation Improves mitochondrial function Stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis Helps detoxify the body from xenobiotics, carbon-containing toxicants and toxic metals Activates the transcription of over 500 genes in the human genome, most of which have cytoprotective functions. This includes the three genes that encode enzymes required for synthesis of reduced glutathione, which is one of the most important antioxidants produced in your body You can activate Nrf2 by: Consuming Nrf2-boosting food compounds such as sulforaphane from cruciferous vegetables, foods high in phenolic antioxidants, the long-chained omega-3 fats DHA and EPA, carotenoids (especially lycopene), sulfur compounds from allum vegetables, isothiocyanates from the cabbage group and terpenoid-rich foods High-intensity exercises that activate the NO signaling pathway, such as the NO dump exercise Calorie restriction (such as intermittent fasting) The Benefits of Molecular Hydrogen Another helpful supplement is molecular hydrogen. Tyler LeBaron's website, molecularhydrogenfoundation.org,11 lists several hundred studies relating to hydrogen. You can also find a number of his lectures on YouTube. In summary, molecular hydrogen consists of two atoms of hydrogen, the smallest molecule in the universe, which: Is a neutral molecule that can defuse across any cell membrane, instantly Has no polarity Is a potent, selective antioxidant Free radicals are actually important; they do serve health functions. The problem is excess free radicals, or the wrong ones. Molecular hydrogen has been shown to target free radicals produced in response to radiation, such as peroxynitrites. Studies have shown molecular hydrogen can mitigate about 80 percent of this damage. The take home message is it can be quite valuable when flying, for example, to counteract the damage caused by gamma rays encountered at 35,000 feet. Your body actually makes hydrogen gas, about 10 liters a day, which benefits your body. However, when you have a steady state of exposure, you don't get the other benefits, so you want to pulse it. That's where you get the benefit. I've taken molecular hydrogen tablets on my last few flights, and it worked great. There are a number of different ways to get it, but the most practical way is to take molecular hydrogen tablets. Once you're at about 5,000 to 10,000 feet, put the tablet in a small bottle of lukewarm water. Put the cap back on and leave it on while the tablet dissolves to prevent the gas from escaping. Once dissolved, drink it as quickly as possible. The hydrogen gas will continue working for about two hours, so if you're on a longer flight, you may want to do a second dose halfway through. More Information To learn more, I highly recommend listening to my interview with Pall, if you missed it. Also consider joining me at the Bulletproof Conference October 13 through 15 in Pasadena, California, where I will deliver a keynote lecture that will go into this topic at greater depth. During one of the breakout sessions I'll also share some of my favorite biohacks.

[wesonerdy]

ABC reveals their upcoming 2017 – 2018 primetime lineup, and we’ve got the details, including the announcement about Scandal‘s last season.

Upfronts 2017 continues! Yesterday, NBC and FOX announced their lineup from the upcoming season, and earlier today ABC held their showcase to do the same.

Channing Dungey, president of ABC Entertainment, unveiled the network’s new lineup this afternoon at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall in NYC, and there are some shake-ups.

What stands out most to me is the changes to Once Upon a Time. After news that the majority of the series’ regular cast is departing, ABC has still renewed the show for Season 7. There are lots of questions about the nature of the reset for the new season. Incidentally, I do think the Season 6 finale does a surprisingly good job of setting the stakes and creating some buy-in from long time Oncers. In any event, Once Upon a Time will be moved from Sunday evenings to Friday at 8:00pm ET|PT. This time spot is notorious for being a death sentence to TV shows, but there’s still reason to be optimistic (more on that later…).

Also, some changes are on the horizon for Shondaland and TGiT too. The Catch has been cancelled, and while Scandal has gotten a full season order, Shonda Rhimes (Scandal’s creator and executive producer) and ABC confirm that Season 7 will be the show’s last. According to Ms. Rhimes:

“Deciding how to end a show is easy. Deciding when to finish is quite simple when the end date is years away. But actually going through with it? Actually standing up to say: ‘This is it?’ Not so much. So, next year we are going all out. Leaving nothing on the table. Creating this world in celebration. We are going to handle the end the way we like to handle the important things in our ‘Scandal’ family: all together, white hats on, gladiators running full speed over a cliff.”

Gladiators right up until the end!

In addition to their returning series, ABC is also introducing one comedy (The Mayor) and four new dramas (The Good Doctor, The Gospel of Kevin, Marvel’s Inhumans, Ten Days In the Valley) in the Fall.

We can expect ABC to bring us TWO revivals, Roseanne, plus a revamped American Idol (moving to a new network after being cancelled at FOX in 2015). Rounding out the announcement is that we can expect two Live Musical Special Events The Wonderful World of Disney: The Little Mermaid Live! (debuting Tuesday, October 3) and Rolling Stone 50.

Take a look at the list of shows that have been renewed and canceled, followed by the trailers, synopses, and character images from the coming ABC debuts. Make sure to share your thoughts in comments too!

RENEWED

20/20 America’s Funniest Home Videos American Housewife The Bachelor The Bachelorette black-ish Dancing with the Stars Designated Survivor Fresh Off the Boat The Goldbergs Grey’s Anatomy How to Get Away with Murder Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The Middle Modern Family Once Upon a Time Quantico Scandal Shark Tank Speechless To Tell the Truth

CANCELED

The Real O’Neals Dr. Ken Imaginary Mary American Crime Secrets and Lies The Catch Last Man Standing Time After Time

NEW SHOWS

ALEX, INC.

Based on the podcast StartUp, Alex Schuman (Zach Braff, “Scrubs”) is a brilliant radio journalist, husband and father of two who is about to do something crazy – quit his job and start his own company. He quickly discovers it’s going to be a lot harder than he thought. Zach Braff stars, directs and is executive producer with Matt Tarses (“Scrubs”) and Davis Entertainment (“Dr. Ken,” “Blacklist”). Matt Tarses is writer and executive producer. Zach Braff is director and executive producer. John Davis and John Fox are executive producers of the series, from Davis Entertainment, as are Alex Blumberg, Chris Gilberti  and Matt Lieber (Gimlet Media) in association with Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios.

  AMERICAN IDOL

ABC is bringing back “American Idol.” The network, along with producers FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group, will revive television’s most successful and recognized music competition series for the 2017-2018 season, bringing back the fan-favorite and making more dreams come true. A host and judges will be announced at a later time. “American Idol”‘s profound effect on the music industry is far-reaching and continually growing, launching the careers of superstars Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Katharine McPhee, Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry, among many others.  “American Idol” contestants have sold more than 60 million albums, resulting in more than 80 Platinum records and 95 Gold records. Its participants have generated more than 450 Billboard No. 1 hits and sold more than 260 million digital downloads. “American Idol” is produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group. Executive producers include FremantleMedia North America’s Trish Kinane and Jennifer Mullin. FremantleMedia International distributes the series worldwide.

  THE BACHELOR WINTER GAMES

America’s favorite participants from past seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” from arch rivals to villains, will take competitive dating to a chilling new level.  In an ode to the Winter Olympic Games and slated to premiere in February 2018, “The Bachelor Winter Games” will reunite the all-stars at a luxurious winter resort, where they will go head-to-head in winter-themed athletic challenges, including the toughest sport of all – love. “The Bachelor Winter Games” is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Unscripted Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton to executive produce.

  THE CROSSING

Refugees from a war-torn country seek asylum in a small American fishing town, only the country these people are from is America – and the war they are fleeing hasn’t happened yet. As the government tries to uncover the truth behind this mysterious migration only one thing is certain: The lives of the people here — both the townspeople and these newcomers — will never be the same.  Writers Dan Dworkin & Jay Beattie executive produce with Jason Reed. “The Crossing” stars Steve Zahn as Jude Miller, Natalie Martinez as Reece, Sandrine Holt as Emma Ren, Rick Gomez as Nestor, Jay Karnes as Craig Lindauer, Marcuis Harris as Caleb, Simone Kessel as Rebecca, Kelley Missal as Hannah, Rob Campbell as Paul, Grant Harvey as Roy, Bailey Skodje as Leah, Jon D’Leo as Will, Luc Roderique as Bryce and Tommy Bastow as Marshall. The pilot is directed by Rob Bowman. The series is from ABC Studios.

  DANCING WITH THE STARS JUNIOR

A fresh new take on an established favorite, “Dancing with the Stars Junior” will pair celebrity kids and kids of celebrities with professional junior ballroom dancers to perform choreographed routines, which will be judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts, to be announced at a later date. Slated to debut in Spring 2018, “Dancing with the Stars Junior” is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions

  DECEPTION

When his career is ruined by scandal, superstar magician Cameron Black has only one place to turn to practice his art of deception, influence and illusion — the FBI. Using every trick in the book and inventing new ones, he will help the government catch the world’s most elusive criminals while staging the biggest illusions of his career.  The series is from writer/executive producer Chris Fedak (“Chuck”) and executive producers Greg Berlanti, Martin Gero and Sarah Schechter.  Illusionist David Kwong (“Now You See Me”) will co-produce. “Deception” stars Jack Cutmore-Scott as Cameron Black/Jonathan Black, Ilfenesh Hadera as Kay Daniels, Lenora Crichlow as Dina Clark, Amaury Nolasco as Mike Alvarez, Justin Chon as Jordan Kwon, Laila Robins as Special Agent Deakins and Vinnie Jones as Gunter Gustafsen The series is from Berlanti Productions and Quinn’s House in association with Warner Bros. Television. “Deception” is directed by David Nutter, who is also executive producer.

  FOR THE PEOPLE

Set in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, aka “The Mother Court,” this new Shondaland drama follows brand-new lawyers working for both the defense and the prosecution handling the most high-profile and high-stakes federal cases in the country – all as their lives intersect in and out of the courtroom. The series is created by Shondaland’s Paul William Davies and is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers. The series, from ABC Studios, stars Ben Rappaport as Seth Oliver, Susannah Flood as Kate Littlejohn, Wesam Keesh as Jay Simmons, Regé-Jean Page as Leonard Knox, Ben Shenkman as Roger Gunn, Hope Davis as Jill Carlan, Vondie Curtis-Hall as Judge Nicholas Byrne and Anna Deavere Smith as Tina Krissman.

  THE GOOD DOCTOR

Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore, “Bates Motel”), a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, relocates from a quiet country life to join a prestigious hospital’s surgical unit. Alone in the world and unable to personally connect with those around him, Shaun uses his extraordinary medical gifts to save lives and challenge the skepticism of his colleagues. The series is from David Shore (“House”), and “Lost” and “Hawaii Five-O” star Daniel Dae Kim. The series stars Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy, Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Brown, Nicholas Gonzalez as Dr. Neal Melendez, Chuku Modu as Dr. Jared Kalu, Beau Garrett as Jessica Preston, Hill Harper as Dr. Marcus Andrews and Richard Schiff as Dr. Aaron Glassman. The series is from Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios. David Shore is writer and executive producer. Daniel Dae Kim, David Kim and Sebastian Lee are also executive producers. Seth Gordon directed the pilot and is also an executive producer.

  THE GOSPEL OF KEVIN

Kevin Finn (Jason Ritter, “Parenthood”), a cluelessly self-serving person, is on a dangerous path to despair. In a downward spiral, Kevin returns home to stay with his widowed twin sister (JoAnna Garcia Swisher, “Once Upon a Time”) and niece.  On his first night there, an unlikely celestial being named Yvette appears to him and presents him with a mission – to save the world.  A light drama from executive producers Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters (“Marvel’s Agent Carter,” “Resurrection,” “Reaper”). “The Gospel of Kevin” stars Jason Ritter as Kevin Finn, JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Amy, J. August Richards as Nate, Chloe East as Reese, Dustin Ybarra as Tyler and India de Beaufort as Kristin. The pilot is directed by Paul McGuigan. The series is from ABC Studios.

  MARVEL’S INHUMANS

Courtesy of ABC/Marvel

Courtesy of ABC/Michael Muller

“Marvel’s Inhumans” explores the never-before-told epic adventure of the royal family including Black Bolt, the enigmatic, commanding King of the Inhumans, with a voice so powerful that the slightest whisper can destroy a city. After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where their surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them may prove to not only save them, but Earth itself. The legendary comic book series will be brought to life in a way that has never been done before, as a version of the first two episodes will be shown globally in IMAX theaters for a two-week period beginning September 1, 2017. ABC will then air the entirety of the series on the network, with additional exclusive content that can only been seen on ABC. “Marvel’s Inhumans” stars Anson Mount as Black Bolt, Iwan Rheon as Maximus, Serinda Swan as Medusa, Eme Ikwuakor as Gorgon, Isabelle Cornish as Crystal, Ken Leung as Karnak, Ellen Woglom as an undisclosed character, Sonya Balmores as Auran and Mike Moh as Triton. The series is executive produced by Scott Buck, along with Marvel’s Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory with Buck serving as showrunner.  Roel Reiné will direct the first two episodes. This series is a Marvel and IMAX project and is co-produced by Marvel Television and ABC Studios.

  THE MAYOR

Young rapper Courtney Rose (Brandon Micheal Hall) needs his big break. For years he’s toiled away in a small inner-city apartment, making music in his junk-filled bedroom closet. Tired of waiting for opportunity, Courtney cooks up the publicity stunt of the century – running for mayor of his hometown in California to generate buzz for his music career. Unfortunately for Courtney, his master plan goes wildly awry, ending in the most terrifying of outcomes: an election victory. With the help of his mother (Yvette Nicole Brown, “Community”) and friends, including Valentina (“Glee’s” Lea Michele), Courtney will have to overcome his hubris if he wants to transform the struggling city he loves. The series stars Brandon Micheal Hall as Courtney Rose, Lea Michele as Valentina, Bernard David Jones as Jermaine Hardaway, Marcel Spears as TK and Yvette Nicole Brown as Dina. From executive producer Daveed Diggs (Tony winner for Broadway’s “Hamilton”), writer/executive producer Jeremy Bronson (“Speechless,” “The Mindy Project,” “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”) and executive producer Jamie Tarses (“Happy Endings”), the series is from ABC Studios. The pilot is directed by executive producer James Griffiths (“black-ish”).

  ROSEANNE

Iconic comedy series “Roseanne” will return to The ABC Television Network, Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment, announced today. The eight-episode reboot, featuring the original cast – Roseanne Barr (Roseanne), John Goodman (Dan), Sara Gilbert (Darlene), Laurie Metcalf (Jackie), Michael Fishman (D.J.) and Lecy Goranson (Becky) – will air in 2018. Sarah Chalke, who played the character Becky in later seasons, will also appear in another role. Roseanne Barr will executive produce, along with Sara Gilbert, Tom Werner, Bruce Helford, Whitney Cummings and Tony Hernandez. The series is from Carsey-Werner Television.

  ROLLING STONE 50

For half a century, Rolling Stone has remained an iconic and important voice in American music, culture and politics. Now, the people who have told their stories through the Rolling Stone lens are coming together to reflect on the last 50 years. “Rolling Stone 50” will pay homage to the brand’s influence and impact through a curated journey of its most seminal moments. Live from New York City, the three-hour special television event, set to debut Wednesday, February 7, 2018, will showcase live performances, short films, iconic on-stage moments, never-before-seen musical pairings, and celebrities that have shaped pop culture, music and politics. The special is a production of Done + Dusted and Wenner Media. Jann Wenner and Gus Wenner of Wenner Media and Ian Stewart, David Jammy and Katy Mullan of Done + Dusted serve as executive producers.

  SPLITTING UP TOGETHER

Based on the Danish series, “Splitting Up Together” is the story of a couple (Jenna Fischer, “The Office,” Oliver Hudson, “Scream Queens”) whose marriage is reignited by their divorce. Emily Kapnek (“Suburgatory”) writes and serves as executive producer of this new comedy, along with Ellen DeGeneres. The series stars Jenna Fischer as Lena, Oliver Hudson as Martin, Bobby Lee as Arthur, Diane Farr as Maya, Lindsay Price as Camille, Olivia Keville as Mae, Van Crosby as Mason and Sander Thomas as Milo. Jeff Kleeman, Mette Heeno, Mie Andreasen and Hella Joof are also executive producers of “Splitting Up Together,” which is based on the original series created by Heeno. It is produced by A Very Good Production and Piece of Pie Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Dean Holland directed the pilot.

  TEN DAYS IN THE VALLEY

“Ten Days in the Valley” stars Kyra Sedgwick as Jane Sadler, an overworked television producer and single mother in the middle of a separation whose life is turned upside down when her young daughter goes missing in the middle of the night. Just like her controversial police TV show, everything is a mystery, everyone has a secret and no one can be trusted. “Ten Days in the Valley” stars Kyra Sedgwick as Jane Sadler, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as John Bird, Kick Gurry as Pete Greene, Erika Christensen as Ali Petrovich, Felix Solis as David Gomez, Josh Randall as Tom Petrovich, Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Matt Abigail Pniowsky as Lake and Francois Battiste as Gus. “Ten Days in the Valley” is from Skydance Television. It is created and written by Tassie Cameron. Executive producers are Tassie Cameron, Kyra Sedgwick, Jill Littman, Dana Goldberg, David Ellison and Marcy Ross.

  THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY: THE LITTLE MERMAID LIVE!

In a two-hour special event, ABC will take the iconic “The Little Mermaid” animated feature film and intertwine it with show stopping LIVE musical performances via cutting-edge technology for an explosive evening honoring one of Walt Disney’s most celebrated classics. Fans of “The Little Mermaid” and Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s Oscar-winning songs will enjoy this never-before-seen live action/animation hybrid television experience featuring a soon-to-be announced roster of some of their favorite celebrity artists, whose performances will weave seamlessly throughout the original animated film. “The Wonderful World of Disney: The Little Mermaid Live!” is set to premiere on Tuesday, October 3. The special is produced by Done + Dusted with Hamish Hamilton, Ian Stewart, David Jammy, Katy Mullan, and Richard Kraft, of Kraft-Engel Productions, serving as executive producers.

  ABC FALL 2017 SCHEDULE (All Times ET|PT)

MONDAY 8:00pm—Dancing with the Stars 10:00—The Good Doctor

TUESDAY 8:00pm—The Middle 8:30pm—Fresh Off the Boat (new time period) 9:00pm—black-ish (new day and time period) 9:30pm—The Mayor 10:00pm—The Gospel of Kevin

WEDNESDAY 8:00pm—The Goldbergs 8:30pm—Speechless 9:00pm—Modern Family 9:30pm—American Housewife (new day and time period) 10:00pm—Designated Survivor

THURSDAY 8:00pm—Grey’s Anatomy 9:00pm—Scandal 10:00pm—How to Get Away with Murder

FRIDAY 8:00pm—Once Upon a Time (new day and time period) 9:00pm—Marvel’s Inhumans 10:00pm—20/20

SATURDAY 8:00pm—Saturday Night Football

SUNDAY 7:00pm—America’s Funniest Home Videos 8:00pm—To Tell the Truth (new day and time period) 9:00pm—Shark Tank (new day and time period) 10:00pm—Ten Days in the Valley

ABC Unveils 2017 – 2018 Primetime Schedule ABC reveals their upcoming 2017 – 2018 primetime lineup, and we’ve got the details, including the announcement about…