#if you have a different perspective- don't hesitate to explain your opinion!

[geekynightowl1997]

I find it very interesting what episodes you figure out where Eliot, Parker, and Hardison learned to trust each other vs. them believing in each other.

For Hardison The Nigerian Job is where he first started to trust Eliot. But I'd say that The Second David Job is where Hardison believed in Eliot. There's no distinct episode where I think Hardison started trusting Parker, but I do believe that The Stork Job is where Hardison believed in Parker.

For Parker she started to trust Hardison in The Stork Job, and believed in him in The Queen's Gambit job. She trusted Eliot in The Snow Job, and believed in him in The Big Bang Job.

For Eliot he trusted Hardison in The Second David Job, and believed in him The Iceman Job. Eliot trusted in Parker in The Two Horse Job, and believed in her in The Runway Job.

I hope that all makes sense. 😬

[barelyahumanbeing]

Hi, welcome to my sideblog for original stories of fantasy, love and creatures! 🥀

I'm Debs and I've been on Tumblr for a while. During this time my content has been 100% dedicated to fanfiction, but this is my new space for non fanfic writing. I wanted to go back to this type of content for a long time and finally I did! I'm very excited about this project and I hope you have a great experience here as well 🖤

Important info about me, the content I'll be posting here and guides below the cut 🥀

About me

Name Deborah, but I'd rather be called Debs, as my irl friends call me like this

Pronouns she/her

Age 30

Country Brazil

What I do for a living I'm a History student and work at a part time job. Though I have accounts in other social media, Tumblr is the only one I "consistently" produce content to

Other info

I'm an INFP / my instinct stacking is SP/SX

Portuguese is my first language, but I've been writing and communicating in English for years and can read a bit of Spanish

I've always loved horror, fantasy, scifi and classic literature, and all these references has leaked into the content I've produced in different phases of my life. Recently, I've started writing content for anime fandoms, so this is probably the latest type of media to enter my list of inspirations. It'll certainly appear in this blog as well, yet I'll try not to write for specific fandoms, focusing on "fantasy" and "monster love" and original stuff instead of fanfiction

Links to my content

My main blog @cafeinthemoon93

My fanfiction sideblog @cafeinthemoon

My fanfiction lists @cafeinthemoon-lists

Find my personal posts and messages at #barely a human thought (soon)

Find my asks at #barely a human ask (soon)

Find my polls here at #barely a human poll

My ao3 account

My Quotev account

My Carrd

Rules, interacting with this blog, content and other important stuff

What I write I'll be writing "monster/creature x reader" stories. In some cases I might name the characters, but there'll be explainable reasons for this, otherwise I'll keep everyone "nameless" just like in most fairy tales. I plan to bring stories with elves, merfolk, mutants, aliens, forest creatures, mythological beings and others. I also want to write for non specified creatures. Though I don't write extreme/explicit content, the characters are always adult in my stories unless I specify them differently, so my content are primarily directed to adults

What I don't write Just like in my fanfiction content, I won't write noncon, underage, extremely dark content and explicit stuff. I also won't write for werewolves, vampires and zombies, specifically. I know they're very popular in fantasy and that writing for them might help to attract a greater number of people, but I just don't want to create content with them, and I'm not worried about gaining "fame". I just want to have fun. Also, that doesn't mean I won't write about creatures that resemble them 😉

Gender and pronouns I'll be writing all female reader x male or genderless creature. This is the only dynamics I'm able to write, for I work from my particular perspective. In the case of creatures with no specified gender, I'll be using "they/them", otherwise it'll always be "he/him". If you're not okay with this, don't send hate. Just seek for writers who create content that align with your preferences. There's space for everyone 😉

Warnings and triggers Just like in my fanfics, my stories are generally SFW, but I use to include steamy content and non explicit sex, as well as mentions of violence. I use warnings in all my stories, but in case you spot something that should appear in the warning content section, don't hesitate in telling me so. I'm not perfect and I might miss some things 🥴

About the word monsterf- and how I'll tag my stories I won't use this word to tag my content, but I'm totally okay if you want to classify my work as such. I'm new to this world and Idk if this is a sensitive topic among the community, but my personal opinion is that it sounds pejorative, and I see people laughing at its use. I don't approve laughing at this type of content, of course, but I'd rather use other terms like "monster love" and "monster romance", even though they don't have the same reach and impact

Asks and requests I'm accepting asks, including anon ones, and I'm open to new ideas for stories, but I won't be taking requests for headcanons for now due to my little time (besides irl responsibilities I have my fanfic content, so...). Maybe I'll take requests in the future, but for now I think it's too soon. Anyways if you have any doubts and want to discuss important points under the theme of this blog, I'll be happy 😊

What's not accepted I won't tolerate any forms of hate and prejudice, whether towards my content or other people. Spam and harassment won't be tolerated as well. The only possible responses for this type of thing are block and delete 🚫

If you've read until this point, tysm! I'm really happy to have you here and I hope you have great fun 🖤🥀

[grislyintentions]

@nekasu (x)

"And you are still not listening." Even after hearing everything she had to convey about her unease, he still clung onto the belief that he is justified for wearing away at her. That he had no part to play for her pain. To believe that it bears no validity just because he believed his intentions were not to hurt still does not justify nor diminish the fact that it does. What good is there to be achieved when he alone continues to shirk responsibility under the pretext of 'explaining his perspective'?

"You are doing exactly what you claim to not be doing. If you truly cared for my opinions or me even the slightest, you would acknowledge that you have caused me pain. Not prioritise explaining why you don't think you have or why I should see that you were not trying to." Was this how he treats her sister too? Or was it just because it is her that warrants such cruelty? "I do not need you to instill doubt in me. I alone am able to create such doubts, to analyse the situation and seek differing perspectives to close gaps in what I could not. If you believe that you have been fulfilling your role as an advisor, then you are sorely mistaken. All that you have done, all that you continue to do, is suffocate me. To poison me with so much distrust over my own capabilities that I hesitate and hesitate even further to conduct anything at all. That constant mistreatment is not something that would 'aid me in pushing past my doubts' or 'drive me towards improvements'. My ability to learn, to push past my doubts have all been hampered by your constant torment." Ridiculous. "I am not Makoto. I will never be her. I will never govern Inazuma the way she does. And I do not require you to make up whatever it is that you think I need. If you truly cared, you would ask what I needed and how best you could aid me. If you truly cared, you would accept that all your efforts to 'help' have only worsened things. If you truly cared, you would neither patronise me nor force me into mind games in order to ascertain what you meant. If you truly cared, you would trust me to do what is best for the people and plainly explained or guide me into areas where I am unable to relate to. Instead of speaking in vague expectation and then punishing me for not comprehending. You say your intentions were to aid, yet I only see your penchant for acting above all others and thinking you know better. And until you can reflect on where it is you have failed on your part to guide me, until you can reflect on how it is that you were cruel, I do not think we will be able to hold that conversation on equal terms. You are not hearing me. You are telling me how all you do was for my own good: And I am telling you now that it is not."

She may not be the perfect archon, nor is she one that her people deserved. But at the end of the day, Ei continues to persist in spite of never wishing to step into her sister's role in the first place. It is laughable for one who does not bear the weight of the entire nation on their shoulders to point, criticise, judge, preach and punish her for her efforts.

"What you have done is no different from what members of the Commission who colluded with the Fatui had done with the Shogun. Think about that."

[thewatcher727]

I've been an amateur writer & reviewer for about 10 years now and I wanted to share my reviewing tips based on personal experience.

1. Don't be afraid to speak your mind:

When providing feedback on a story, it is crucial to express your thoughts and opinions without hesitation. Your perspective is valuable and can contribute to the growth and improvement of the story. By sharing your genuine thoughts, you create a space for meaningful discussion and potential enhancements to the narrative. You can mention the importance of maintaining a respectful tone while expressing your opinions. It's essential to be mindful of the language you use and to avoid personal attacks or insults. Emphasize the significance of fostering a constructive and open environment for discussion.

2. Understand the difference between constructive feedback and just being mean:

Constructive feedback aims to provide helpful suggestions and insights that can assist the writer in improving their story. It focuses on specific aspects of the narrative, such as plot, characterization, dialogue, or pacing, and offers suggestions for enhancement. On the other hand, being mean or overly critical serves no productive purpose. It often involves belittling or attacking the writer without offering any substantial suggestions for improvement. It's important to understand this distinction and ensure that your feedback is constructive and supportive rather than hurtful or discouraging. Elaborate on the importance of maintaining a balance between providing honest feedback and being mindful of the writer's feelings. Encourage writers to focus on specific examples, provide actionable suggestions, and highlight both strengths and areas that need improvement.

3. Explain properly why you like or dislike something:

When expressing your opinions about a story, it's essential to provide clear explanations for your likes and dislikes. Simply stating that you enjoy or dislike something without offering reasoning doesn't provide much value to the writer. By explaining your preferences, you give the writer insights into what aspects of their story resonated with you or fell short of expectations. Encourage writers to delve deeper into their analysis by considering elements such as character development, plot progression, writing style, pacing, or emotional impact. Providing specific examples from the story to support your opinions will make your feedback more valuable and actionable.

4. Don't take offense if the reader doesn't decide to take your feedback on. It's up to them:

It's important to understand that writers have the final say in how they want to shape their stories. While your feedback may be well-intentioned and insightful, it's ultimately up to the writer to decide whether to implement the suggested changes or not. As a reviewer, it's crucial to respect their creative choices and not take offense if they decide not to incorporate your feedback. Highlight the collaborative nature of the feedback process, where reviewers offer their perspectives, and writers consider and evaluate those perspectives based on their vision for the story. Emphasize the importance of maintaining a supportive and understanding attitude even if your feedback isn't adopted.

5. Remember, at the end of the day, it is just your opinion. You might not always be factually right:

When providing feedback on a story, it's vital to recognize that your opinions are subjective and may not always align with everyone else's or even the author's intention. Different readers have different tastes and preferences, and what might not resonate with you might appeal to others. Acknowledge that storytelling is an art form, and interpretations can vary. While you have the right to express your opinions, it's important to remain open to the possibility that your perspective might not be factually correct or all-encompassing. This mindset allows for diverse viewpoints and fosters a more inclusive and respectful feedback environment. Encourage writers to engage in open-minded discussions with the writer and other readers, welcoming alternative interpretations and appreciating the multifaceted nature of storytelling.

[what-if-nct]

hey mate. people has been harassing my friend michael over an altercation between them that happened due to him trying to explain to someone about their tone in text. they were arguing about people putting recovery tags in fanfictions, but when someone came with a different opinion to them (even if they agreed), they would just insult and harass them with their interests before silencing them by deleting their comment or reblog.

despite my friend literally agreeing with them but speaking in perspectives such as explaining that this person may be new to tumblr and may not know that they didn’t need to maximise their tags, this was enough to rile them up to the point where he was getting harassed in dms and he came to us fed up with this app.

i really feel for the guy and i hope he’s doing well. those people are immature af. i find it embarrassing that this was someone in their 20s and me, a 17 year old, is much more mature than them. probably because they’re so chronically online that they basically have no life outside of the internet. i’m even in belief that i know people who are my age and has ptsd and yet they’re much more mature than that particular person.

this is why i don’t like talking to people like that. this was even the reason why i was very hesitant to talk to you because i thought you could be one of those people, but no. you’re quite open minded and i need to be around more people like that so i could always have faith in humanity once more. you can suggest some blogs to follow too so i could find more people like you! it would make me so happy that i would know who to follow so i don’t have to worry about going through this myself.

uhhhh my friend michael has been harassed by a stranger in this app and now he's really angry. i feel so bad for him, but i don't know what to do.

I'm sure you're two completely different people but I'll respond to both since its the same situation.

It's terrible that they're being treated like that and there is no reason for the person harassing your friend to be acting like that. It is not hard to just see something you don't like and just ignore it. There is no reason for an adult to act like that. And really the best thing to do is block them, you can block anonymous asks if they're anonymous. It's just one mean person who has nothing else better to do and maybe if it's really bad have a friend filter things and manage the blog till it dies down so he doesn't have deal with it first hand.

And I have friends here who I talk to even outside of Tumblr, I actually made one of my bestest friends on Tumblr like five years ago and we're all on the same wavelength and are chill. But I'm not sure if they want their urls shared. But if anyone is open and nice and wanting to make new friends just reply to this ask so you can make friends without fear of judgement.

[nishablog786]

Get a Medical Second Opinion: Your Right to a Second Chance

Understanding the Importance of a Second Opinion

In today's fast-paced world of medical advancements, seeking a second opinion has become increasingly common and essential. It's a powerful tool that empowers patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Whether you're grappling with a complex diagnosis, uncertain about a recommended treatment plan, or simply seeking reassurance, a second opinion can provide invaluable insights and peace of mind.

What is a Medical Second Opinion?

A medical second opinion involves consulting another healthcare professional to review your medical history, diagnosis, and treatment plan. This independent expert can offer a fresh perspective, confirm or challenge an initial diagnosis, and provide alternative treatment options.

When to Consider a Second Opinion

While seeking a second opinion is always your right, certain situations may warrant it more strongly. Consider getting a second opinion if:

Complex Diagnosis: You've been diagnosed with a rare or complex condition.

Controversial Treatment: The recommended treatment is controversial or carries significant risks.

Disagreement with Doctor: You have concerns or doubts about your doctor's diagnosis or treatment plan.

High-Stakes Decision: The decision involves a major surgery, chemotherapy, or other life-altering treatments.

Second Opinion: You simply want to feel more confident about your treatment plan.

The Benefits of a Second Opinion

Seeking a second opinion offers numerous advantages:

Confirms or Challenges Diagnosis: A second opinion can validate your initial diagnosis or uncover a different condition.

Provides Alternative Treatment Options: You may discover additional treatment options that better suit your needs and preferences.

Reduces Anxiety: Gaining a fresh perspective can alleviate anxiety and uncertainty.

Empowers You: Knowledge is power. A second opinion helps you become an active participant in your healthcare.

Increases Treatment Success: In some cases, a second opinion can lead to more effective treatment and better outcomes.

Finding the Right Second Opinion Doctor

Choosing the right doctor for a second opinion is crucial. Consider the following factors:

Expertise: Look for a specialist with experience in your specific condition.

Board Certification: Ensure the doctor is board-certified in their field.

Reputation: Research the doctor's reputation and patient reviews.

Accessibility: Consider the doctor's location and availability for appointments.

Insurance Coverage: Check if your insurance covers second opinions.

The Second Opinion Process

The second opinion process typically involves the following steps:

Gather Medical Records: Compile your medical records, including test results, imaging studies, and treatment plans.

Schedule an Appointment: Contact the second opinion doctor's office to schedule a consultation.

Review Your Case: The doctor will review your medical history and discuss your condition and treatment options.

Get a Written Report: Request a written summary of the second opinion for your records.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

The cost of a second opinion varies depending on the complexity of your case and the doctor's fees. Some insurance plans cover the cost of a second opinion, while others may require out-of-pocket payment. It's essential to check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Second Opinion

To maximize the benefits of a second opinion, follow these tips:

Be Prepared: Bring all relevant medical records and a list of questions to your appointment.

Communicate Clearly: Clearly explain your concerns and expectations to the doctor.

Ask Questions: Don't hesitate to ask questions about the diagnosis, treatment options, and potential risks.

Consider a Second Opinion: If you're still unsure after the second opinion, consider seeking a third opinion.

Conclusion

Seeking a medical second opinion is a proactive step towards taking control of your healthcare. It empowers you to make informed decisions and increase your chances of successful treatment. Remember, you have the right to a second opinion, and it's an invaluable tool for protecting your health and well-being. If you're considering a second opinion, don't hesitate to get in touch with a qualified healthcare provider today.

[shobhit18]

Consult Second Opinion Doctor Online India: Your Guide to Expert Medical Advice

Understanding the Importance of a Second Opinion

In the realm of healthcare, seeking a second opinion is a prudent decision that can significantly impact your treatment plan. With advancements in technology, consulting a doctor online has become increasingly accessible and convenient. India boasts a plethora of skilled medical professionals offering online consultations, making it easier than ever to get expert advice from the comfort of your home.

What is a Second Opinion?

A second opinion involves seeking medical advice from a different healthcare provider to corroborate or challenge a diagnosis or treatment plan. This process is particularly beneficial in complex or critical medical conditions.

Why Consider a Second Opinion?

Several reasons might prompt you to seek a second opinion:

Uncertainty about diagnosis or treatment: If you feel unsure about your medical condition or the recommended treatment, a second opinion can provide clarity.

Complex or rare condition: For intricate or uncommon diseases, a fresh perspective from another expert can be invaluable.

Disagreement with treatment plan: If you have concerns about the proposed treatment, a second opinion can help you make an informed decision.

Peace of mind: Seeking a second opinion can offer reassurance and alleviate anxiety about your health.

Benefits of Consulting a Second Opinion Doctor Online

Opting for an online second opinion offers numerous advantages:

Convenience: You can consult with doctors from anywhere, saving time and effort.

Accessibility: Online consultations break down geographical barriers, allowing access to specialists worldwide.

Speed: Get expert opinions quickly without waiting for appointments.

Affordability: Online consultations often come at a lower cost compared to in-person visits.

Privacy: Discuss your medical concerns confidentially from the comfort of your home.

How to Choose a Second Opinion Doctor Online

When selecting a doctor for a second opinion, consider the following factors:

Expertise: Ensure the doctor specializes in your specific condition.

Qualifications: Verify the doctor's credentials and experience.

Online reputation: Read reviews and testimonials to gauge the doctor's credibility.

Communication skills: Effective communication is crucial for a successful consultation.

Platform reliability: Choose a reputable online platform for your consultation.

The Process of an Online Second Opinion

Typically, an online second opinion involves the following steps:

Gather medical records: Compile your medical history, test results, and imaging reports.

Choose a doctor: Select a qualified doctor specializing in your condition.

Schedule a consultation: Book an appointment through the online platform.

Discuss your case: Explain your symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment plan during the consultation.

Receive a second opinion: The doctor will provide their assessment and recommendations.

Tips for a Successful Online Consultation

To make the most of your online second opinion, follow these tips:

Be prepared: Gather all relevant medical information before the consultation.

Communicate clearly: Explain your concerns and questions concisely.

Ask questions: Don't hesitate to seek clarification or additional information.

Take notes: Record important points discussed during the consultation.

Follow up: If necessary, schedule a follow-up consultation to discuss treatment options.

Conclusion

Seeking a consult second opinion doctor online india. With the convenience and accessibility of online consultations, it's easier than ever to get expert medical advice from renowned doctors across India. By carefully selecting a qualified physician and following the tips outlined above, you can make informed decisions about your health and well-being.

[ersaputriii]

Expert analysis of the 51st selected work of Denny Ja: Muslim Poetry on Christmas

Hello! Welcome to the article that will discuss the 51st Denny Ja selected work, entitled "Poetry of Muslim Boy on Christmas". In this article, we will conduct an in -depth analysis of this work. Let's start! First, it is important to note that Denny JA is a famous writer in Indonesia. His work has been well received by the wider community, and he is known for his unique creativity and style of writing. The title of this work "Poetry of Muslim Bocah on Christmas" immediately attracted the attention of the reader. The combination of the words of "Muslim Boy" and "Christmas Day" may seem unusual at first, but that is what makes this work interesting. In his poetry, Denny Ja described the experience of a Muslim girl on Christmas. This shows the author's sensitivity to the various cultures and religions in Indonesia. By combining a typical Christmas moment with observations about a Muslim boy, Denny JA gives a fresh and unusual perspective. Denny JA's writing style in this poem is also interesting. He uses beautiful and descriptive language to describe the atmosphere of Christmas, as well as the feelings and thoughts of the Muslim boy. Through the use of the right words, he managed to liven up the atmosphere and build the imagination of the reader. The main theme that emerged in this poem was tolerance and unity. Denny Ja conveyed his message through a child's perspective. He shows that in the midst of religious and cultural differences, we can still live side by side with peace and mutual respect. In addition, Denny JA also pays attention to the small details that strengthen the story in his poetry. He explained carefully about the feelings of Muslim children when they saw Christmas decorations, hearing Christmas songs, and observing the celebration. This shows the author's attention to the details and abilities in creating a living atmosphere. During reading this poem, the reader can feel happiness, joy, and desire to understand each other between religions. This poem inspires us to respect differences and celebrate the diversity that exists in Indonesia. In addition, "Muslim Muslim Poetry on Christmas" also gives a picture of Denny Ja's sensitivity to the world of children. He explores the perspective of a child in a very authentic way. This is the extraordinary author of the writer, because it is able to dive into the mind and feelings of a child so well. This work also shows that literature can be a means to convey social messages. Denny Ja carefully packs his message about unity and tolerance in his literary work. This poem teaches us to open our minds and hearts to people with different backgrounds. In closing, Denny Ja's selected work, "Muslim poetry on Christmas," is a work that reflects the author's sensitivity to the diversity of religions and culture in Indonesia. With a beautiful writing style and the right choice of words, Denny JA managed to turn on the story and inspire the reader's feelings. This poem teaches us about the importance of tolerance and unity in the midst of differences. Hopefully the other Denny JA work will continue to inspire us all. Thank you for reading this article! If you have a question or want to share your opinion about this work, don't hesitate to submit it.

Check more: Expert analysis of the 51st selected work of Denny JA: Poetry of Muslim Boy on Christmas Day

[orthotx]

Choosing THE Right Shoulder Specialist: Tips FOR Patients

When it comes to shoulder injuries and pain, finding the right specialist can make all the difference in your road to recovery. Whether you're dealing with a sports-related injury, a degenerative condition, or any other shoulder ailment, selecting the right shoulder doctor is crucial. Here are some essential tips to help you make an informed choice:

Seek a Shoulder Orthopedics Specialist: Shoulder injuries and conditions are complex and often require specialized care. Look for a physician who specializes in shoulder orthopedics. These experts have extensive training and experience in diagnosing and treating shoulder issues, ensuring that you receive the best possible care.

Verify Credentials: It's essential to verify the credentials and qualifications of the shoulder doctor you're considering. Check for board certification in orthopedic surgery and shoulder specialization. This indicates that the doctor has met rigorous standards of training and competence.

Experience Matters: Experience matters significantly in shoulder injury recovery. Ask about the doctor's experience in treating patients with similar conditions. Physicians with a substantial track record are more likely to have encountered a wide range of cases and can offer you a more comprehensive treatment plan.

Patient Reviews and Recommendations: Online patient reviews and recommendations can provide valuable insights into a doctor's reputation and patient satisfaction. Read reviews and consider seeking recommendations from friends, family, or other healthcare professionals.

Access to Cutting-Edge Technology: Shoulder treatments have evolved over the years, with advancements in surgical techniques and technology. Ensure that the specialist you choose has access to state-of-the-art equipment and stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in shoulder care.

Communication and Rapport: Effective communication with your shoulder doctor is crucial for your recovery. Choose a specialist who takes the time to listen to your concerns, explains your condition and treatment options clearly, and encourages questions. A good rapport with your doctor can make your treatment journey more comfortable and productive.

Consider Location and Accessibility: Convenience matters, especially if you require ongoing treatment or physical therapy. Choose a shoulder specialist whose clinic is easily accessible to you, reducing travel time and hassle during your recovery.

Insurance and Financial Considerations: Verify that the specialist you choose accepts your health insurance plan. Understanding the financial aspect of your treatment is essential to avoid unexpected expenses.

Second Opinions: Don't hesitate to seek a second opinion, especially for significant shoulder issues that may require surgery. A second opinion can provide you with a broader perspective on your condition and treatment options.

OrthoTexas and Shoulder Injuries:

For those seeking comprehensive shoulder care, OrthoTexas is a leading provider of orthopedic services. Their website, OrthoTexas - Shoulder Injuries, offers a wealth of information on various shoulder conditions, treatment options, and the expertise of their shoulder specialists. This resource can be a valuable starting point for individuals researching their shoulder injury and recovery options.

In conclusion, selecting the right shoulder specialist is a critical step towards a successful shoulder injury recovery journey. By following these tips and conducting thorough research, you can make an informed choice and take the first step towards regaining your shoulder health and mobility.

[totalautorepair1]

Choosing the right mechanic: Tips for finding reliable auto repair services

In today's fast-paced world, owning a vehicle has become a necessity for many. Whether it's for commuting to work, running errands, or embarking on road trips, cars play an integral role in our lives. However, like any complex machinery, cars are prone to wear and tear, requiring regular maintenance and occasional repairs. When faced with a malfunctioning vehicle, finding the right mechanic becomes crucial to ensure your car is in capable hands. If you are looking for a mechanic near me, here are some valuable tips for locating reliable auto repair services that will keep your vehicle running smoothly.

Ask for recommendations

One of the most effective ways to find a trustworthy mechanic is through word-of-mouth recommendations. Friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors who own cars can provide valuable insights into their experiences with local auto repair shops. Inquiring about their satisfaction level, the quality of service, and the overall professionalism of the mechanics can give you a good starting point.

2. Read online reviews

In today's digital age, online reviews are a goldmine of information. Platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook allow customers to share their experiences openly. By reading these reviews, you can gain insights into a repair shop's reputation, customer service, pricing, and the expertise of their mechanics. Look for patterns in reviews and take both positive and negative feedback into account.

3. Check for certifications and credentials

Reliable auto repair shops often have certifications and credentials that demonstrate their expertise. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification is a widely recognized standard for automotive professionals. Mechanics with ASE certifications have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in various areas of vehicle repair and maintenance. This gives you added assurance of the mechanic's proficiency.

4. Visit the shop

Before committing to any repairs, visit the auto repair shop in person. Take note of the cleanliness and organization of the facility, as these factors can reflect the shop's attention to detail. A well-maintained shop often indicates that the mechanics take pride in their work and are likely to handle your vehicle with care.

5. Request estimates

When seeking auto repair services, it's essential to understand the cost implications upfront. Reputable mechanics are usually willing to provide detailed estimates that outline the scope of work, parts needed, and associated costs. Be wary of overly vague estimates or shops that hesitate to give you an estimate in writing. Clear and transparent pricing is a sign of an honest repair shop.

6. Inquire about warranties

Reliable auto repair shops stand behind their work with warranties. A warranty demonstrates the shop's confidence in the quality of their repairs. Before agreeing to any repairs, inquire about the warranty policy. Understand the duration and coverage of the warranty, and ensure that it's provided in writing.

7.Evaluate communication

Effective communication is essential when dealing with auto repairs. A trustworthy mechanic will take the time to explain the issues with your vehicle, the recommended repairs, and the associated costs. They should be willing to answer your questions in a way that you can understand, without resorting to technical jargon.

8.Consider specialization

Different auto repair shops may specialize in certain types of vehicles or specific repairs. If you own a specific make or model, consider seeking out a mechanic who has experience working with that brand. Specialized expertise can often lead to more accurate diagnoses and efficient repairs.

9. Get a second opinion

If a repair shop suggests a significant repair or replacement, don't hesitate to get a second opinion. Some issues might not be as urgent as they initially seem, and another mechanic's perspective can provide valuable insights. It's also an excellent way to cross-check pricing and ensure you're not being overcharged.

10. Trust your instincts

Finally, trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right about a repair shop or a mechanic's assessment, it's okay to seek services elsewhere. Your peace of mind and confidence in the repair process are essential for a satisfactory experience.

Total Auto Repair (Montana Ave) - Euro Automotive Repair: Audi, BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes, Mini, Porsche, Volkswagen

10023 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX, 79925

(915) 229-7099

[fluideli123]

Would you mind giving me a crash course on writing plurality? It interested me the moment I read your analysis on Raph being plural, even more so when I went after the links in the post.

I'm going to be completely honest and upfront first. Writing Plurality can be hard when you know nothing about the community or only know how the media presents DID. Plurality is a diverse experience, so it's going to challenge your choice of perspective in your story, word choice, and self-awareness when you're falling into demonization about the experience. Especially when characters can be stereotypical and fall into demonization "easily." 

Writing a system is like writing a disabled character, a neurodiverse character, a cluster b character, a POC character, and so on. It takes a lot of understanding and discovering things you will have no idea how to explain because you've never experienced them or just don't know how to comprehend them. But the most important rule to writing any character(s) that go through things you don't is to remember that as long as you try your best, admit your mistakes, fix your errors, and never stop learning. You'll be able to achieve what story you want to tell with these characters. 

Like any community, you have a lot of different opinions, and the views from the community you're trying to write about are something you've got to at least have a basic awareness of. Because understanding what may be seen as problematic or what might cause someone to come bursting into your comment section on a fic or so on will help you decide whether you're going to change what this person takes issue with or keep it despite their beliefs on it. 

That doesn't mean you get to brush actual problematic things off, though. It's just a fine balance, especially if you're singlet. 

But with that out of the way! I will try my best to give a basic crash course on how to write Plurality. Now, I'm a very understanding, patient, detail-orientated person, so if you or anyone else needs to ask questions or need me to "dumb" things down, please don't hesitate to do so! This is a safe space; I enjoy teaching people and bringing more acceptance to issues and experiences many people don't understand, so it's okay to make mistakes here with the intent of fixing them! 

It All Starts With You

The first step to writing Plurality is to start with you. Now you might think, "What do I have to do about writing a system? Why does it matter that I've gotta start with myself first? :/" Well, I'll give a simple answer: 

Everything you write reflects who you are as a person and what work you're willing to do for your writing.

Now, I don't mean reflecting yourself as in, "Oh no! You write about murders, so you must be a murderer!" No, I mean how you perceive yourself, the world, and others affect your writing. 

An example of this is one of my favorite books, Life of Pi by Yann Martel. The author enjoys learning and believes in the ability to participate in multiple religions, so the character Pi in his story holds that characteristic, affecting how the story is written. I suffer from intrusive thoughts, so I write Mikey from ROTTMNT with pure O OCD (someone whose OCD doesn't showcase/have outward compulsions), which affects how I write his interactions with the environment and his internal dialogue. 

Why this is important is because if you believe there is such a thing as an "evil alter," that only disordered systems are true systems, and/or that there's no such thing as Plurality and people are just faking it, it'll show in your work whether you want it to or not. So, it's important to tackle your stance on Plurality. How who you are and what you believe and participate in affect how you write a system. 

I'll use myself as a perfect example! I'm very open-minded, but I'm very afraid of ghosts and demons. So when I learned that Possestive Systems were a thing, it scared me because the idea of being possessed makes me scared. I'm still afraid of demons and ghosts, but it no longer affects my interpretation and understanding of possessive systems. 

I'm not religious, but I love learning about religion and how people interpret it so learning about Spirigenic Systems was super cool! I believe endo systems deserve respect and exist. I also think that persecutors do not deserve to be treated unfairly, negatively, and purposefully hurt by their systems or those outside the system. They also deserve respect and understanding. 

This shows in my writing because I write Raphael as a diversian median system with a mixed origin with truamagenic and endogenic origins. I've made a few posts about Leonardo being a non-truamagenic system with non-religious spiritual connections to his ancestors (here, here, and here). I have even blatantly had Leonardo state in my Figuring It Out series the same perspective I have about Plurality: 

In summary, Leo's brother is a part of a system, and if anyone were to ever make Raph, or Mind and Red for that matter, feel awful about that in any way, he and his brothers and sister would fight them without hesitation. There was nothing wrong with being a part of a system, and anyone who disagreed could eat a dirty, used pizza box for all they cared. Red and mind are a part of their family, and no idiot could ever change that. 

Becoming aware of how Plurality makes you feel, think, and do is important, so while learning about Plurality, it's good to take time to assess why things make you feel this way or that way. Why you don't want to even try and write that experience but feel drawn to write about that one. 

And, by the way, it's okay not to write some experiences! I don't write much about DID systems, but a friend of mine does! A part of writing systems is writing what is most interesting/relatable/understandable to you! There will always be some system that resonates with a characteristic you've written about, and it's okay if you can't write some system experiences perfectly or at all!

This leads to the other half of what I said, that who you are will affect the amount of work you'll put into writing about Plurality, and I shall use myself as another example to help you understand what I mean. 

I am extremely passionate about learning about Plurality, so I am heavily involved in the community. I follow a lot of Plural blogs, have Plural friends, am a part of Plural discord servers, in activism, spend my time teaching others about Plurality, and have spent hours reading through Plural systems experiences over genuine, literal years. Because of this, I am very knowledgeable and deeply understand Plurality that not many singlets and even some systems have an understanding of. (This doesn't mean I am an expert and all-knowing, however. Please remember this. I am not a professional). I am willing to put years of research and interactions with the community into a piece of writing. 

You may be the same way, or you may just want to only know enough to get the basics down to a T, which in my opinion, is valid if done correctly! Understanding how willing you are to dedicate yourself to learning about Plurality to write it is just as crucial as understanding how you feel about it and tackling any Pluralphobia or hatred you have towards the community/experience. 

TL;DR: You have to figure out how you feel about Plurality and make sure you fix any issues you have towards or about Plurality. You have to understand how far you're willing to go to write Plurality, whether it's dedicating years to it or just wanting to know the basics. 

Where to Learn About Plurality 

Since I've spent years dedicating a portion of my life to learning and helping the plural community, I know a couple of ways that you can learn about Plurality for yourself and for your writing (because it is crucial you research before writing something). If you enjoy a laidback way of doing it, I recommend following blogs! If you want to read a lot, I recommend the dictionary! If you talk to the community directly, I recommend certain blogs, discord servers, and spaces where learning is the main idea!

Never just barge into any system/plural safe space with questions and concerns unless you know for certain they want to teach you. It isn't anyone's job to teach you or spend their day explaining what you want to know. They are beings with lives of their own, and they do not owe you anything. Respect is important; if you don't respect a system's time, boundaries, and wishes, you are in the wrong period. It is always important to ensure that you're asking questions and talking to systems that want to answer your questions with respect and patience. 

Here are the blogs and sites I recommend interacting with if you're not sure where to start (I will take any mentions off if those I've mentioned would rather I not @ them): 

@mixed-origin-system-culture-is

@funnier-as-a-system

@positively-plural

@dear-systems

@persecutorlifeandsupport

@endo-memes

@non-traumagenicsupport

Pluralpedia

Power to the Plurals

I am available to ask questions or get to know Plurality better, but as I said before, I am not an expert; I am not all-knowing; I am simply one opinion/experience in a sea of many, many others. Do not take my word as law and an end-all. 

I recommend following and interacting with open communities specifically for the kind(s) of Plurality you want to write. This will help you in writing system experiences/struggles/achievements/interactions relating to those experiences you choose to write about.

TL;DR: To write Plurality correctly and to the best of your abilities, you have to learn about Plurality in the best way that suits your learning needs. Also, systems don't owe you anything. Respect them. 

What to Avoid and How to Avoid it

Now, because there are a lot of stigmas, demonizations, misinformation, and discourse about systems, I am only going to talk about the main things you should always or at least try to avoid.

1) Gatekeeping Plurality 

Whether you're a system or a singlet, this is extremely important to remember. It is not your place to dictate who, when, or what is deemed "Plural enough," especially system experiences you/you& do not experience yourself/yourselves. 

You should avoid gatekeeping since it excludes systems from communities, help, and safe spaces. It's awful, and it hurts systems a fuck-ton. It's something that gets on my nerves because exclusion is literally the absolute worst. Excluding beings/groups/communities/experiences literally does nothing but hurt those just trying to exist. And it's never okay to hurt others on purpose. 

As someone who's super open-minded in the way that I am, it's honestly difficult for me to gatekeep, but here's what I have heard that might help keep you from gatekeeping: 

Not everything is about you. You may not get/need it, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist/someone needs it. 

The existence of something/someone doesn't mean less for someone else who isn't a part of that group.

If it isn't hurting anyone, it's not a problem. (There may be struggles or a change that needs to be made, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily hurting someone/a group.)

Everyone is capable of change, and that's okay.

Everyone makes mistakes, and that's okay. 

Everyone is allowed their own opinions, and that's okay.

There are no rules for how being exist. 

2) The So-Called Evil Alter(s) 

We've all seen those characters in media that have that one side/alter who is slapped with the label of being evil. A perfect example is the Goblin from Spider-Man, the Beast from Glass, and literally any media you consume that has DID villainized. When writing Plurality, it is your job to avoid hurtful and harmful stereotypes such as the "Evil Alter." 

The reason it's important to avoid falling into the stereotype is simple: It's overused, demonizes, stigmatizes, villainizes, and continues to push forth the idea that systems are to be feared. Systems are real and valid, and creating fear around their experiences and existence causes real-life problems. If you're choosing to write about marginalized groups (just like drawing, it should be something you practice/incorporate often), you must always keep this in mind. What you write affects real beings. Write responsibly. 

The best way to flick a middle finger to the evil stereotype is by ensuring that a headmate is well-rounded, an actual individual instead of a plot device or just a flat character. It is okay to have characters who may fall into stereotypes, be a persecutor, or do bad things because they're a being; they're capable of such things. But you have to make sure to get across to the audience that they are not evil. You can do this by not having a headmate be the antagonist in the story or filling the common roles a villain does in most stories. 

If you're incapable or aren't sure you can write a character like that, avoid writing headmates who can fall into being a villain in your story. If you're sharing your work publically, it's best not to incorporate it at all, but I highly recommend practicing privately on how to write demonized headmates in a stigma-free light in your own time and pace. You're going to fail at first; what matters is that you're trying. 

3) Writing Only "Evil" or Antagonists as Pural 

Similar to what I said above, even if you don't follow the "Evil Alter" villainization of a headmate, it's important to always pay attention if all or most of your system characters are villains/antagonists in your story. While having a diverse set of characters with various roles in a story is fine, it's important to ensure that you're not accidentally falling into the thin line of villainizing characters. 

The best way to avoid this is to make sure you have an equal balance of plural characters spanning from "good" to "many shades of grey" to "bad." And to not use demonizing characteristics with "bad" characters but instead in good or a certain grey area. This will challenge you to break norms and think outside the box, depending on your character. But in the end, if you don't feel capable, practice! Learn! As long as you're trying, that's what matters!

4) Final Fusion

Many singlets don't know this, so I won't just link what Final Fusion is but define it. In the simplest explanation I can give, Final Fusion is when a system becomes a singlet. 

I would avoid this in writing at all costs. The point of writing Systems isn't to make them singlet, and it's like learning how to write black characters to make them white. You just don't do that. You write systems to write about system experiences/have a genuinely diverse cast of characters, not to make their existence in stories an end goal to become one single being in a body. 

If you're singlet, don't ever write about Final Fusion. In my opinion, it isn't your place to write about that; leave that to systems as it is a touchy subject and not one singlets should handle. 

TL;DR: When writing about Plurality, avoid gatekeeping Plural experiences/groups, falling into evil stereotypes, making all your plural characters antagonists, and writing anything on Final Fusion.

General Writing Rules

How you write systems depends on what system you decide to write about, the headmates within that system, and any other characteristics you choose to add to the body or the headmates themselves will influence how you actually write things out. An example is how I write my Shard System (fic here). 

First, my Shard System has polyconsciousness and can communicate internally, though it changes depending on who's talking and fronting. This leaves me having to find a format for the audience to know what is internal and external and who is specifically talking. I wrote that lil fic I shared while sleep-deprived, so it isn't the prettiest-looking format, but it's a format nonetheless, and that helps readers! I recommend having a key or using consistent formatting so readers understand what is happening. 

Secondly, my Shard System dissociates when switching and co-fronting, so I describe the experience as I would an emotion or when a character is using their powers. When you have systems that have characteristics that affect the body and their perception when fronting or in the inner world, it's good to describe it like you would anything else! And if there's something significant about it or it changes depending on what perspective you're writing from, that's just as important as writing feelings or background characteristics! 

Thirdly, systems have characteristics where they have a quirk where they'll write/type/speak in that quirk. For example, my Shard System has a few quirks where Red types in bold (hence why I wrote his dialogue in bold) and has a Spanish accent and a deep voice when fronting and in the inner world. Savage speaks in broken English, so it'll be very prominent when he communicates. Considering the little details about your headmates when writing them in your stories is never bad! Especially when it's a common quirk in systems to have! 

Finishing Thoughts

There is nothing wrong with wanting to learn how to write Plurality or any other marginalized and demonized experience. You're going to make mistakes, and you're going to be a fool the first time you write Plural characters, and hey, it's all a part of the learning process! What matters is that you try and remember to check in to ensure you're not excluding or creating real-life problems in your writing. 

This long-ass answer to your ask or anyone wanting to write about Plurality isn't meant to scare you off or overwhelm you; it's to simply inform you how you can write Plurality to the best of your ability. And like learning to do anything, it takes time and patience. Not everything will make sense right away, and it's expected that your first emotions learning about something you don't understand are fear, anger, and denial. But to grow as a person and as a writer is to tackle those feelings and remember why you're writing these experiences. 

I write about plural characters and experiences because I love Plurality. I love it so much that I just want to express my love through my favorite characters and spend my time learning and consuming content on it. I write plural characters because I care so deeply for the plural community. I am passionate about giving them media and content they can enjoy, where they feel safe, heard, and understood. I write plural characters to destroy the idea that Plurality is something to fear and hide away when systems should take pride and be able to be wholeheartedly themselves. I write plural characters because I choose to. Because I want to. 

Having a reason, no matter how "dumb" or "profound," for wanting to write Plurality is valid and good as long as it doesn't hurt real-life beings. And I am more than ecstatic to hear that you and others may want to write plural characters, even if you're singlet or not! 

It isn't that hard to write once you get the hang of it and the moment you get the basic understanding of the system experiences you're trying to write. But, I want you to know that no matter how hard it gets, how challenging and maybe even overwhelming it may be, your best is enough, and your trying is enough. That doesn't mean you need to stop learning because you're always going to keep learning things until you die, but just know that your best is enough and will always be enough. 

Thank you so much for reaching out, and I hope this long-ass post helped you or you&! I tried my best to cover everything, but if anyone else has anything more to add, feel free! 

Thank you so much for the ask! <3

[nameless-shrimp]

𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 — MONSTER TRIO

↳ PAIRING: Monkey D. Luffy + Roronoa Zoro + Vinsmoke Sanji x GN! Reader

↳ TYPE: headcanons

↳ WARNINGS: grammar errors, reader wears makeup, and that's it lol

↳ AUTHOR’S NOTES: i don't even wear a ton of makeup but i thought this was cute

— 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐃. 𝐋𝐔𝐅𝐅𝐘

He’s so confused, but he doesn’t hesitate and thinks it’s a fun way to do art on your face.

Don’t bother educating him on how blush and contour works, he’ll just nod and then keep a beaming grin on your face although he’s trying to listen.

Keep your expensive products away from him; Luffy’s not one to really care, and he well, he does in some ways, especially if the products mean a lot to you. But that doesn’t mean that he won’t accidentally drop or damage them in any way.

He’ll mess with the brushes that make no sense whatsoever, like a big fluffy blush brush specifically for your eyes—but he’s having fun with it. Luffy also compliments how soft they are.

You show him different styles and how to blend eyeshadows, but he only nods and then immediately asks to try. First, he tries it on with his own eyes, until he asks for your opinion—and you try to be nice, though even if you roast him on it, Luffy just smiles or either pouts at you.

Luffy asks what the point is for you to wear makeup all the time, only because he finds you beautiful without it. Though when you explain it’s a hobby and an art you really are immersed in, he doesn’t question it any further so long as you’re happy—and that he’d get to have his play dates of makeovers with you in the future.

He’s distracted by the soft beauty blender—it’s a squishy sponge, and he finds himself patting random liquids on his face even though it’s different from his original skin color. Also dabs a bit of red blush on his cheeks that looks obviously not blended.

Luffy attempts to wing your eyeliner, although you’ll end up with smudged eyes and you have to close them so nothing pokes your eye. He tries it on himself, but he clearly fails—to your eyes, at least. He looks like a masterpiece in his own perspective.

Clearly shows off his final work of you and him to everyone. Nobody is very amused—and some found it very amusing, especially Robin—while Sanji is throwing a fit at Luffy for messing with your products and trashing them like that.

Find him doodling in a notebook more, and then he asks you if you two could recreate his drawing—and of course, how could you say no?

— 𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐀 𝐙𝐎𝐑𝐎

You’re going to have to convince him to do it because he’ll say no at first, but then he gives in at some point when you keep asking him.

He questions the purpose of you wearing it, only because he finds you beautiful with no makeup—and he could care less of how your face looked in the morning without it. But hearing how passionate you are about it and how it makes you feel more confident, he doesn’t question it further, and Zoro tries to pay more attention without having the urge to close his eyes.

You laugh at his strong fingers touching your face, and he urges you to stop moving when he attempts to dab something on your cheeks, whether it is foundation or concealer, Zoro tries his best.

Teaching him to understand contour was rocket science for him—kind of, but he tries to follow your movement of the brush and then tags along with it, making the product blend nicely.

Zoro listens to you talk about your products and the purpose of makeup, like how it’s a form of art and so on—and he only smiles, enjoying you talk about the things that make you happy, much like how you do with him as he actively trains and dreams of his future as the greatest swordsman.

He’s not a pro at blending eyeshadow, actually, he finds it pretty confusing. Although he tries, give him bonus points for that.

He places the wand of the mascara in his mouth, causing you to scream at him and hide from him so he doesn’t poke you in the eyes.

Zoro messes up the winged eyeliner pretty badly, where one eye looks more demented than the other, but at least on the side that’s pretty good, the wing was sharp. Much like his blades—and he only blames you for laughing at him because you couldn’t bear with his serious face all the time.

Purposefully pats bright blush on your cheeks so you look funny, and he jokes about how you should go out with him like that more often. You’ll have to whack him for that—but he really finds it funny.

Claims he did a decent job at it, even for his first time. And since it got you talking more about your interests and love for makeup, then he thinks about asking to give you another one in the future—especially with both eyes having sharper wings, this time.

— 𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐌𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐈

This man is ready for this moment; clearly, he researches and then tries to understand different techniques on how to apply the products correctly in order to impress you.

Sanji twirls and then delights you with his words, stating that whatever you do with your makeup is always beautiful and exquisite to his eyes. Eventually, he charms up fast and then gets excited to pick up his first brush.

Claims that handling the kitchen with his hands gives him good experience at putting on makeup—especially for his love, and then studies any of the techniques he learned on his own as you explain the easier ways to apply the products on.

Speaking of products, he handles them with his own care—like he picked up the most expensive ingredients in the market. He’s like this all the time with you, but knowing how expensive makeup is, he doesn’t dare to try to damage them—unlike some idiot captain and a dumbass mosshead.

He asks you questions about the products, like where this brand came from, and gives his insight on how this shade and this color would match well together with your skin tone—though always encouraging that you’ll look absolutely stunning to him no matter what.

Sanji definitely talks about you giving him a makeover sometime. He states that he doesn’t mind being your canvas if you wanted to experiment with a new eyeshadow palette on him and have fun blending the colors together. “It would be an honor, my dearest,” he says.

He definitely strokes the eyeliner brush on his hand first to test his skills. Being able to handle himself in the kitchen, his hands are very steady and needless to say, his wings on your eyes turned out beautiful.

Sanji’s questioning you if he’s ever curious about something. Like the difference of wands in mascaras and what their purpose is—and he also fantasizes about different styles you both could play on with each other. Maybe even having two makeup looks that are similar to one another—couple matching!

He has to stop his nose from bleeding or look away all flustered when you talk about how cute he looks so concentrated on your face—but he has to be! Sanji’s doing a makeover on you!

Very much loves to show off his masterpiece to the others and then kicks an annoyed Marimo in the process. Sanji loves to showcase his own masterpiece and would clearly ask you to have him do your makeup over and over again.

[lesbiancarat]

Hey!! I’m a really really new carat and I just found your blog and resources which are super helpful but I’ve been seeing some things that might be negative and I don’t know what to believe. Do you have tips on how to maybe navigate it all? I’m just kind of hesitant now and it’s weird I guess.

Hi! since you didn't specify I can only give you general advice, which is to just find out as much as you can from different sources and make your own judgement. unfortunately due to the nature of kpop fandom, whenever there's controversy, there's also a lot of misinformation. stans tend to paint their idols in a positive light, and non-fans tend to believe the worst. read about the situation from both perspectives and be aware of the potential biases of each. try to find similarities in stories from both sides, and try to separate when people are sharing facts about what happened and what their own opinion on the situation is. also be wary of opinions that have no nuance to them. even in situations where the idol is clearly in the wrong, there's usually some level of complexity to the situation

it's also important to read perspectives from both Korean fans and international fans. there are some global issues that Korean netizens on the whole tend to minimize, such as cultural appropriation, and there are other issues international fans blow up thinking it's offensive in Korean culture when it's really not

if you feel comfortable, you can always message me to ask about a specific SVT incident you're worried about and i can share everything i know about the situation as objectively as I can. of course, it's impossible to eliminate bias entirely, but I've always believed that everyone should be free to unstan a group for any reason even if they make you the slightest bit uncomfortable, and i highly value truth so I'd do my best to explain the situation

also as a general note bc i see a lot of kpop fans struggling with this, i think it's important to determine where your own moral lines for supporting an artist are, because you can't expect perfection from anyone, kpop idol or not. any idol that hasn't had any controversy is probably a rookie and it's only a matter of time. it doesn't mean all idols are 'problematic' or bad people, it's just that no one in the world can be informed about everything all the time. we're all raised in flawed societies with their own biases, and no matter how good a person we are or how hard we try, it is a lifelong journey to try and unlearn those biases. it also doesn't mean people shouldn't be held accountable, just that it's impossible to expect perfection

and that line might have to include hypotheticals. a lot of controversies are never clarified. so you have to consider in some situations whether you'd be uncomfortable if there's even a possibility of a rumor being true, or if it would only be a dealbreaker if it were confirmed

so you have to create some line for yourself, bc if you expect perfection you'll be disappointed with any idol or artist you try to stan eventually. and that line is different for everyone, there's no right answer

for me personally, i believe from everything I've seen in the ~5 years I've stanned seventeen that they have good intentions and that they put a lot more good into the world than bad. and don't get me wrong, there are a couple things i wish seventeen and/or their management handled better and a few things i still wish we'd gotten apologies for, but overall i think seventeen have tried hard and in a lot of ways succeeded in creating a welcoming and supportive community. but again, that's personally, not everyone will have the same line and not everyone will come to the same conclusions

I'd also like to leave you with this clip (7:28-8:14) from minghao. i know you've only been with us a short time, but i hope you find some comfort in it <3

[astroninaaa]

Hot take a talk about technoblade:

Okay look I've been part of this fandom since August(thank god cuz i watched it all live and it woukd be a nightmare to caatch up) I bring this up cuz i want to discuss my problem with technos character. I have watched every single techno livestream that he made on dream smp and believe it or not i used to be a techno sympathiser that is until doomsday. (By techno apologist standards i am qualified to talk about his character hooray..)

Now techno like every character is flawed if he wasn't he would be boring fandom. One of his biggest flaws is being a hypocrite. That is not something you realise until you compare what he says all the time so you need to look a little deeper to realise it and i don't blame people for not seeing it.

This wouldn't be that much of a problem because that is a character flaw among with many others but the problem that his character has faced is that he doesn't develop much.

Now i hear techno apologist jump at me every single time noooo he isn't a stagnant character he has developed a lot. I am not saying that he hasn't developed at all the problem is that he has developed very little especially when you consider everything.

His goals his ideas his perception of the world what he believes him everything that makes his character him hasn't changed much and that is not a good thing from a writing perspective. Now why do i bring this up. Firstly I'm not saying this to say techno is a bad writer far from it he can be very good when he puts his mind to it. The problem with keeping a character in this state is that it's very harmful for said character first and to the story and other characters second. Look even at yourselves i can guarantee that you aren't the exact same person you were like five years ago for example because during that time you made mistakes learned from them and you grew. Just like in real life you also can't stay stagnant in fiction.

Okay so that's the main problem with technos character that he is stagnant as a character. Now this wouldn't be as big of a problem if he didn't have the role that he has.

You see techno both c! and cc! are very good at the game basically. Now why do i bring this up. The reason why i bring this up is bc of where this places techno whuch is at the very top of the chain don't try and seny it. This means that he is one of the most powerful people on the server if you are going to try and go against this point just look at lmanberg guys that's living proof of how powerful and how terrifying he actually is. I know a lot of you are gonna say but every can get stacked or play the game but you guys forget that even if you are stacked you just don't have the skill and cc! Techno of the best people when it comes to that which bleeds into his character. Saying that is like looking at the upper class than looking at the lower class saying just get rich like it doesn't work like that.

Because of his role techno is literally the 1% by rl standards which means he can a lit of things free of consequences bc no one can give him said consequences. The butcher army was ig an attempt at that but they failed miserably let's be real here.

Because he is in the 1% is incredibly skilled at pvp and can do anything bc no one can challenge him this places him on a pedestal and creates a power imbalance a very big one at that.

And that leads to his biggest problem he has practically everything as said by Techno himself and is never challenged, but that's not an interesting character. An audience gets tired for a character that always wins or loses. Because if it happens repeatedly it just takes all the suspense oh he will win immediately. He will go and slaughter them problem solved. That's it every time. Something that techno himself confirmed is then when he has a problem he just stabs it (both of these were said during the egg stream).

And if you are going to bring the things he went through to say he's changed don't cuz as long as he doesn't act on it it means nothing. Like examples Red festival killed tubbo an ally. Traumatic experience right? This is a good moment to develop his character and give us more insight. What happens? Techno tries to dismiss it and shows us his anxiety and gives us insight on his character Great! Character development? Starting to question himself just a bit or any sign of that event having an effect on him? Nope! Why? Cuz he doesn't act on it instead he tries to hide the fact that ever happened and changes to a different topic bc there is no justification there and he knows it. Nov 16th c!technos pov he just got betrayed caused some damage wished death upon his former allies and left. Quite a dramatic scene. He feels betrayed time for some good old character development. Him thinking about himself and his actions. Reflecting on them. Great moment! Problem: literally everything that shows this is done off camera and now suddenly he's retired... Okay you know what fine it's alright he would probably expand upon and did a timeskip to explain the ling time he didn't stream. I see where it's comming from. The butcher army ge gets hunted down bc actions have consequences techno and you can't just run away like that not after doing that. Great point from the butcher army. Go give him some consequences his character needs it. And then he gets executed alright a bit too far but i guess that's how it goes in this server. Techno gets his life back immediately.. well that was a bit pointless but alright a cool scene for the animatic fair. Then he kills quackity.. the butcher army lost.. this.. what? But this was the moment of consequences... and quackity didn't get it back like techno the butcer aemy lost more than techno what? Moving along he teams up with tommy aannnd the 50 withers are up and ready of course you didn't fully retire what was i expecting. And now team up with tommy perfect way to learn about dream and give more insight on lmanberg and how dream is a tyrant and everything techno is supposed to stand against. The green festival tommy chooses tubbo over techno techno feels betrayed understandable.... and then he teams up with dream lmanberg is destroyed and the underdogs are beaten to the ground loose everything they ever worked for and are taught to be scared of the anarchists?!?!?!?!

Okay now hold up a sec I'll have to stop you right there. What. did. you. just. do. Cuz there is a limit to the amount of stuff you can let a character get away with. The line was crossed months ago this is not good at all.

Also what are yoi guys talking about consequences. Lives? All 3 home? Right there pets? The ones that died were the ones he brought expecting to not live he brought them there on purpose so they don't count. He is one of the most wealthy peoole on the server (no one beats ranboo lol) what did he exactly loose? Friendships? Was that all the hardships you guys have?

Lmanberg lost their home their lives their wealth their pets their friend everything they loved and lived for everything they stood for they lost a part of themselves in the end.

Look at the last 2 paragraphs and how imbalanced that is. How are you guys blind to this How?! And why did doomsday happen? Because the butcher army failed. And if anything techno proved them that they should have punished him harder with this.

So what was the lesson of doomsday?

That you shoukd obey the people on top and never go against them or you will loose everything you love.

Great lesson guys this is exactly the lesson the rich class and every single tyrant tried to teach society and this lesson is being told by the anarchist great job....

Do you see the problem now. This is the reason techno needs a consequence bc if he keeps going like this he will become a Mary Sue. And that is a horrible direction for a character that has a lot of potential. That potential is why i liked his character that much in the beginning but now it's almost non existent. Anyway I'll end this now cuz this went on for too long. That's basically my opinion on it feel free to share your thoughts.

okay. okay. i read this like three times bc. because look

i agree in some very specific points, but i disagree in very broad manners.

(this entire......... essay is all /rp and /nm!!!!)

anyways. send me hot takes!!!

i like c!techno. i personally think he's one of the most fun characters to watch because i enjoy the mess, the crazyness, the chaos of it all. watching doomsday through c!tommy's eyes was painful. watching doomsday through c!techno's eyes was just so fucking hilarious and exciting and fun. he's just a fun character to watch. he's just Funny. i am a fan. however

for starters: ctechno is, 100%, out of the park, an stagnant character. he has little to no development throughout the story. we see no changes in how he acts. that's not necessarily a bad thing, but considering the type of character he is, watching him develop (be it to an actually full-fledged villain or towards a redemption arc) would be ideal to keep him a character people can actually support.

i wouldn't say he's a hypocrite. c!techno has a very strict moral code and he follows it with no hesitation, with no doubts. the point is that his moral code is flawed and skewed. that doesn't make him a hypocrite, that makes him someone with bad morals.

calling c!techno "the 1%" is a stretch. for one- c!ranboo has as much resources, if not more, as c!techno does. he has dozens of totems, thousands of emeralds, and probably has one of the higher counts of diamond and netherite on the server. why is that never brought up? because it doesnt matter. c!foolish has so much gold and diamonds and netherite and just everything, really, and it's also never brought up/a reason for people to be afraid of him. the dream smp isn't a capitalist universe, there's no "1%". specially bc there's, like, i don't know, 20 players? that makes c!techno 1/20 OR 3/20 if we count c!ranboo and c!foolish. but that's not the point at all: the point is that ctechno is feared bc he's skilled and has a relevant personality, not bc he has resources. c!wilbur has no shit and he's still terrifying, there's no character willing to oppose him. not because of resources, but because of who he is. when c!techno first fled from l'manburg into "retirement" he had no shit either, it took him a while to be rich again. no one attacked him either way.

why, you ask? bc he fought against c!quackity with a fucking pickaxe and won. that's why. c!techno doesn't need resources to be feared. the power imbalance doesn't come from his resources, it comes from others’s fear. and they have a reason for that fear, bc c!techno hasn't been defeated yet. that has nothing to do with "upper class" and "lower class". because, one, not a capitalist system and class disparity isn't as simple as that, and two, even without his "riches" he still wins, bc he's got the skill. if you take out the skill, him being rich means nothing and he wouldve been easily killed by the butcher army or c!tommy or whoever decided to kill him. a good example is, once again, c!ranboo: if he wasn't friends with everyone and someone decided to actually fight him like was done with c!techno, he would've died. easily. being rich in the smp is relative.

c!techno will be challenged when we have a character strong enough to challenge him in a way that matters. it's important to be smart about it. that's why i'd love to see, out of everyone, c!philza turn against him, but that's a how other discussion (WHICH I'M WILLING TO TALK ABOUT.......... everytime i make these and i add little point i dont elaborate on and then say i'm willing to talk about them and no one ever asks me to <//3 PAIN /nm /lh).

i do think he's a character that just Always Win in narrative ways and that's very frustrating. he does need to get pulled a few notches down. again, that will only happen when we have a character that can step up to him and challenge him in a way that matters (woooo c!philza you want to hold c!techno accountable for his bullshit so bad woooo........)

now, onto c!techno's trauma. he doesn't need to show it. he- he doesn't. that's........ not how trauma works, and that's one of the points that make his trauma so forgettable for the viewers. c!techno is, from inside out, a character that hardly shows his emotions, but that doesn't mean he doesn't display symptons of trauma. he does, they're just a lot more subtle than other characters's. that doesn't mean he doesn't have any or that he isn't affect by it. c!techno is, in a lot of ways, a lot like c!tubbo: both of them don't mention the shit they've gone through and don't react to it and bc of that some of the viewers don't see how important some traumatic events were in their characterisation. that's why you analyse those characters's trauma through behavior, not through easily seen displays of trauma.

i do think it's taken a little too far with c!techno. the way he reacted to c!tommy's death was...... disappointing, to say the least. c!techno is an underwhelming character in many ways. as said before, it's because he's stagnant. that definitely needs to be worked on.

about the syndicate? yeah, no. theyre not teaching others to fear them. others just Do That bc of their history on the server, but they have literally talked about how they want to better their reputation, bc they don't want to be seen as murderers or oppressors in any way. are they flawed? yes, very much. they have no indicators of what is or isn't a government and they show no regard around the importance of a difference between an oppressive and a democratic government.

they had no right to show up at c!tubbo's door and interrogate him, because they can't appoint themselves as government police. for starters, that's not how anarchy works (they should've had everyone's permission for that. they obviously don't), but also it's just... stupid. it makes it seem that they're trying to boss everyone around so that they live like the syndicate wants them to, which goes directly against the syndicate's own ideals. however, c!techno thinks he has that right. he thinks this is what he's supposed to do. he's just following his moral code - his moral code is just deeply, deeply flawed. what he says and what he does contradict each other but not for him, not to his interpretation. to his interpretation, he's following his strict moral code.

what happened at doomsday was horrible and c!techno has to be held accountable for it, yes, but, again, no character knows how to work around c!techno enough to hold him accountable for it. that's not c!techno's fault.

l'manburg just deserved better, honestly, but to be fair c!techno has been taken advantage of time and time again (sometimes purposefully, sometimes not) and he's fucked up in the head, god bless LMAOOOOOOO

i agree that things need to change otherwise he's just gonna keep being a stagnant character who can get away with everything. i do think he has more to him than meets the eye, tho. meh idk that's still just analysis!!! we have no way of knowing the intent behind c!techno's characterisation, at least not for now. i hope for the best tho cc!techno don't let me down <3

[morphedphaseblog]

The starless sea by Erin Morgenstern

Goodreads version

The introduction

This is just to warn everyone that I'm not a literature student, an English major nor a native English speaker, so I'm sorry in advance if this is a jumbled mess. I tend to ramble a lot but I've really tried to keep this as short as possible. (Short meaning a little bit over two thousand words for one review, I've never written a review this long.) I wrote this for self indulgence and for my lovely book club @readerbookclub

The first impression

This book pleasantly surprised me, it was like a very long dream that you don't want to wake up from. The moment I finished it I wished that I hadn't because I couldn't part from it just yet. It would feel almost like cheating, I wanted the intertwined stories to continue and for me to remain in its trance, lost in the beautiful writing and bizarre world.

I will be the first to admit that when someone says the story is written almost poem-like, in prose, and similar, I will immediately think of meaningless quotes that are there just to look pretty. Characters saying things just to sound deep, frilly writing that leads nowhere, and dragged on descriptions that had no place being that long and boring. Those are the first things I think of when I'm confronted with someone explaining those kinds of books to me, and that's completely my fault. This book was none of that, it was captivating from the first page to the last.

"There is a pirate in the basement. (The pirate is a metaphor but also still a person.) "

I can tell you, when I first read this, on the first goddamn page, I was hooked. This book has a strong bizzare sort of setting, one that almost reminds me of Neil Gaiman, distinctively Neverwhere with its underground society and twisted perceptions of reality, and yet this book stands out on its own as an individual. It's definitely a unique book, one that I'm still hesitant to part from.

The writing

This book has a very unique writing style, one that is extremely consistent throughout the book. There's nothing I hate more than an inconsistent writing style that changes without a reason. The author plays around with words and describes things simply yet poetically. There were only maybe two instances where I thought the writing was a bit pretentious, but ultimately the good outweighs the bad.

I don't know what exactly it is, but I will try and explain through the next few quotes:

"The book is mis-shelved in the fiction section, even though the majority of it is true and the rest is true enough"

(This really gives you the sense of vague foreshadowing in the book, where even though the description tells you sweet sorrows is mostly true you don't realise how true it actually is. I never saw the fact that the characters in that book would be actual people that interact with our main characters. Plus the writing is really pretty)

"It's binding has been cracked a handful of times, once a professor even perused the first few pages and intended to come back to it but forgot about it instead."

(Is it just me but these small detailed descriptions really give you a sense of real world happenings and that the story is really set in the real world. You can imagine people passing their fingers over the spine of the book before glancing around and getting distracted with something else. The professor taking it into his hands and skimming it but ultimately forgetting all about it later, and finally Zachary reading the whole book from top to bottom.)

"His dark hair is grading at the temples, framing a face that would be called handsome if the word rugged or unconventionally were attached to it."

(Now I'm in love with this kind of mental visual, it's fun and it almost plays with your expectations. I just really like small things like these, they immediately make my reading extremely entertaining.)

"Someone in the corner is dressed as a highly recognizable author or, Zachary thinks as he gets a closer look, it might be that highly recognizable author."

(Again as before, this is the kind of writing I like. It plays with your imaginary visuals of what's happening and making them ten times more fun, especially when we confirm a bit later that that had indeed been that highly recognizable author.)

"He walks over bones he mistakes for dust and nothingness he mistakes for bones."

(Yet another example of those fun visuals, I didn't even realise how many of these I had marked until I had to go through them for this review. I just adore this writing style.)

I have so many more of these so here are just a few more to really make this review even longer:

"A portrait of a young man in a coat with a great many buttons but the buttons are all tiny clocks, from the collar to the cuffs, each reading different times."

"His face is so much more than hair and eye colour, she wonders why books do not describe the curves of noses or the length of the eyelashes. She studies the shape of his lips. Perhaps a face is too complicated to capture in words."

"There are dozens of giant statues. Some figures have animal heads and others have list their heads entirely. They are listed throughout the space in a way that looks so organic that Zachary would not be surprised if they moved, or perhaps they are moving, very, very slowly."

"The figure in the chair is carved from snow and ice. As her gown cascades down around the chair the ripples in the fabric become waves, and within waves there are ships and sailors and sea monsters and then the sea within her gown is lost in the drifting snow."

"Allegra watches him with studied interest from the other end of the table, the way one watches a tiger in a zoo or possibly the way the tiger watches the tourists."

"It sounds strange and empty now, in her head. Rhyme can hear the hum of the past stories though they are low and quiet, the stories always calm once they have been written down whether they are past stories or present stories or future stories.

It is the absence of the high-pitched stories of the future that is the most strange. There is the thrum of what will pass in the next few minutes buzzing in her ears- so faint compared to the tales layered upon tales that she once heard- and then nothing. Then this place will have no more tales to tell." .

(Probably one of my favourites, it really highlights everything I like about this style of writing.)

Another kind of writing style I noticed in the book was an abundance of making things literally feel alive, giving human emotions to objects, personification. I don't come across this too often in other books, and when it happens it isn't repeated as often in that same book,since it tends to get old, but as we have already learned Erin Morgenstern never makes this boring. She plays around with this and never seems to stop, adding another layer to her writing cake. I love how she gives these characteristics to even the smallest of crevices hidden in shadows, something just people wouldn't even think of.

"He takes his torch and explores the shadows, away from the doors and the tent, among jagged crystals and forgotten architecture. He carries the light into places long unfamiliar with illumination that accept it like a half-remembered dream."

"Outside the inn the wind howls, confused by this turn of events. (The wind does not like to be confused. Confusion ruins it's sense of direction and direction is everything to the wind.)"

"The wind howls after him as he leaves in fear of what is to come, but a mortal cannot understand the wishes of the wind no matter how loud it cries and so these final warnings go unheeded."

"If the sword could sigh with relief as it is taken from its scabbard it would, for it has been lost and found so many times before and it knows this time will be the last."

One more thing that caught my eye in the writing was also the composition, where we technically start with in medias Res. We find out by the end of the book that everything that has happened was one big ass story wrapped in stories and overlapped with other stories. So Zachary literally comes in not even in the middle of the story, but at the very end that has been overdue for quite some time. This makes for a very interesting storyline as all the other storylines intertwine into eachother, it makes for an even more interesting read as our MC comes in only when the plot is at its end, tipping over the very edge.

(I also got the feeling that the entire book is almost told through the perspective of the story, if that makes any sense whatsoever. It's almost like the story, that is bound together like the most complicated twister game, is alive and is smiling over our characters smugly waiting for everything to run its course. Like an omnipresent god, that's at least the vibe I got reading the book. )

The world building

Now in my opinion the world building goes hand in hand with the writing in this book. Every detail I mentioned before builds the atmosphere and the base of all the world building in this book. The way the plot is written is written also contributes to the world building, as all the stories overlap and meet at the very end. The looping plot line is actually my number one favourite thing in the entire book.

There isn't that much to say except 'what the hell is going on?' in the best way possible, to the world building, because as confusing as it can be it's amazing to read and I think that it's one of my favourite aspects of the book.

The Characters

Now is time for the weakest part of the book, its characters, who even though I think are amazing, are definitely flatter than everything else in the book.

In my opinion most characters personalities I just can't pinpoint, and even though this personally doesn't take away from my enjoyment too much, I know a lot of people love well defined character personalities.

For some characters I can understand the constant change in character, like Mirabel, whose multiple lifetimes make it so it makes sense why her personalities overlap and make little sense. She constantly felt a bit inconsistent to me, but again I personally didn't think it ruined the book.

The most well developed personalities I could feel were Kat and the keeper, and at times Dorian. Zachary is a weird gray area for me, because even though I loved his character, I can't really tell who he is besides the son of the fortuneteller. I think that most of the character building was sacrificed to make the plot and the world feel alive. As I said before, it feels like the omnipresent god and the world is more developed than any of the characters personalities.

I usually love marking all 'character moments' where I feel like I can understand what kind of person the character is, their sense of humour, friendship, socializing, thinking and so on. But I found myself marking basically nothing of that kind in this book, just the beautiful descriptions of the world. The story was just more alive than the characters in it.

I liked all the romances even though they all lacked some depth, but the fairytale style writing of the romance definitely made them extremely enjoyable. If it weren't for the fairytale vibe all the romance would have been just flat, and I  wouldn’t be invested at all.

The Conclusion

I wouldn't reccomend this book for everyone, as I think great many people wouldn't be fans of the writing, and so the lack of character depth wouldn't help either and there would be no good to outweigh the bad. I truly think this book is a perfect 4 starts but to me personally it is 5 stars. I am just such a big fan of the looping storyline, I still haven't gotten over that. To finish it all off here are a few extra quotes that I liked:

"No one takes responsibility. Everyone assumes someone else will do it, so no one does."

"It is critical to steep the tests in ignorance to result in uncorrupted responses."

"They all have similar elements, though. All stories do, no matter what form they take. Something was, and then something changed. Change is what a story is, after all."

[brightlotusmoon]

"It is a truism that there are people, particularly on social media, with whom one simply cannot reason. Hell, some of them aren’t even actual people, but rather bots whose very existence makes every other interaction suspect. And so we could certainly take worse counsel than to avoid wasting our precious little energies on those who make it clear that they do not share our core values, particularly online, and particularly when the values in question are equality, inclusion, respect, and the most basic, fundamental rights of every human being on the planet.

But I worry. I worry that our wholly understandable refusal to engage with one another will ensure that the bifurcation of us as a people, both as a purposeful political strategy by those in power domestically and as a means for external forces to "sow societal chaos and discord*” becomes permanent. And I worry about what it will do to our ability to evolve, both as individuals and as a society.

I look back on my life and I remember a lot of moments that I’d prefer to forget, and that I hesitate to share. I remember when I was fresh out of college and just starting out in business and one of the senior-most guys on my desk, a man I admired greatly, would make fun of the support staff by saying, “We hire the handicapped; they’re fun to watch.” I remember that I laughed. Not because I thought that I had to to keep my job, not because I felt pressured to do so, but because I thought it was funny.

I remember when the girls were tiny and we bought Katie a doll house, and it came with a family of dolls. I remember that I hadn’t noticed that I’d bought the one with the Black family until I’d brought it home and decided it was a happy mistake. But I also remember that when a guest saw it one day, they laughed and said, “Oh, look, the house came with help,” I chuckled, rolled my eyes, and carried on.

I remember when I screwed something up and thought it was funny to mockingly say, “I”m special. I ride the little bus and wear hockey equipment every day.”

I remember raising inordinate amounts of money, making speeches, pleading for pity, all in the name of finding a “cure” for autism, with no idea that the vast majority of the people for whom I was supposedly fighting desperately needed help and support, but had no desire to fundamentally change who they were.

That was ME. The me that you know, the one who fights like hell for equality and dignity and respect, started out as a person who mocked disability and allowed racial jokes to stand unchallenged in her own home. Who effectively silenced her daughter’s autistic peers. And who desperately needed interaction with people who were light years ahead of me to get me to where I am now. And it scares me, on so many levels, to think of how different my behavior might be had I not had those interactions.

Now I want to be as clear as humanly possible that I don’t mean to imply that we owe our time and energy to anyone, particularly those who deny others’ lived experience or excuse brutality or withhold justice or actively fight against equality. And I want to be even clearer that it is absolutely, positively not the job of the oppressed and marginalized to educate their oppressors and marginalizers. A thousand times no, no, and, just for good measure, hell no. No one is entitled to your labor.

But I do want to take a pause to consider what happens when the vast majority of us, particularly those of us with relative privilege who claim to be allies in the fight, simply stop talking to anyone who isn’t already standing shoulder to shoulder with us. What happens to the folks who might just have taken up the mantle of advocacy had they been exposed to a wider variety of people and perspectives? What happens to the ones who are never challenged to examine their own role in perpetuating the systems that keep us separated in the first place? My behavior changed because I had the opportunity to interact with people outside of the bubble in which casual bigotry and degradation and punching down for a laugh were perfectly acceptable. But what if I hadn’t?

Years ago, I became facebook friends with a particularly radical disabled activist who had taken me to task here on diary a number of times. At the time, a close friend asked what the hell I was thinking bringing them into my inner circle. They said something I’ll never forget: “Aren’t you going to be, like, so uncomfortable knowing that they’re seeing all your personal posts? You’re going to have to watch *everything* you say from now on.”

It wasn’t until I’d heard the thought that had been rattling around in my own head out loud that I’d realized just how important it was to be made uncomfortable. How vital it was to be "aware of everything I was saying.” How desperately so many of us needed - and still need - to widen our circles to let in precisely those about whose lives and opinions and reactions we should deeply care.

We can’t take up every fight, particularly not on social media. But I do hope that at least in our brick and mortar lives, we will keep finding avenues to connect, to talk, to learn, and to grow. Because the absence of connection has proven to be fertile ground for nothing but fear, hate, and further division — and we’ve had enough of those to last a lifetime.

* Full quote: "One of the ICA’s most important conclusions was that Russia’s aggressive interference efforts should be considered ‘the new normal.’ That warning has been borne out, as Russia and its imitators increasingly use information warfare to sow societal chaos and discord.” - Republican Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina, Chairman, Senate Intelligence Committee"

-

And now, me:

FYI, one of my mentors is the activist mentioned, Radical Neurodivergent K, who coined the term neurodivergence many years ago, who will indeed take you to task regardless of what your brain is. And it's only been since 2013 that I discovered I was autistic, but in that time I have experienced and listened to so many ways of thinking, I've put them all in a crucible, and I keep trying to explain that just because you know a thing it doesn't mean you have all the knowledge. You always have more to learn. Information changes, expands, updates, increases. It's really easy to be a hypocrite. You need to keep listening to yourself, and you can't just burst in to gatekeep no matter how you feel.

A good example might be: an "Aspie Supremacist" insisting I or other autistic fans can't make an autistic headcanon about a fictional character who displays autistic traits because, according to that gatekeeper, the character doesn't have all the "right" traits, meaning their own traits, because they still retain their Aspergers diagnosis. By itself this is deep internalized ableism, and now it's with the added insult of an outdated diagnosis connected to a eugenics program that makes me extremely uncomfortable. Because Aspergers Syndrome is autism full stop, and functioning labels don't work and are arbitrary. Nobody needs to be that haughty or condescending to another neurotribe member, especially when it comes to expressing very personalized imaginings. That's kind of what Headcanons are about.

Anyway.