#keyed in to the ant information network

[simply-suki]

Modern AU Nanaba and Miche

imagine if your boyfriend was like I can smell an ant. and started tracking

[omegaphilosophia]

Exploring the Philosophical Landscape of Technology: Theories and Perspectives

The philosophy of technology is a rich and evolving field that explores the nature, impact, and ethical dimensions of technology. Here are some key theories and approaches within this field:

Technological Determinism: This theory suggests that technology shapes society and human behavior more than individuals or society shape technology. It proposes that technological developments have a predetermined, often inevitable, impact on social, cultural, and economic structures.

Social Construction of Technology (SCOT): SCOT theory argues that technologies are not inherently good or bad but are socially constructed. It focuses on the process by which technologies are developed, adopted, and adapted based on the values and interests of different social groups.

Postphenomenology: Drawing from phenomenology, this approach explores how technology mediates our interactions with the world. It examines the ways in which technology influences our perception, embodiment, and experiences.

Actor-Network Theory (ANT): ANT considers both human and non-human actors (like technology) as equal participants in shaping social networks and processes. It emphasizes the role of technology in mediating human interactions and agency.

Ethics of Technology: This area of philosophy explores the ethical dimensions of technological development and use. It delves into topics such as privacy, surveillance, artificial intelligence ethics, and the moral responsibilities of technologists.

Philosophy of Information: This branch investigates the fundamental nature of information and its role in technology. It examines concepts like data, knowledge, and information ethics in the digital age.

Critical Theory of Technology: Rooted in critical theory, this approach critiques the social and political implications of technology. It seeks to uncover power structures and inequalities embedded in technological systems.

Feminist Philosophy of Technology: This perspective focuses on the intersection of gender and technology. It examines how technology can reinforce or challenge gender norms and inequalities.

Environmental Philosophy of Technology: This theory explores the environmental impact of technology, including topics like sustainability, resource depletion, and the ethics of technological solutions to environmental challenges.

Existentialist Philosophy of Technology: Drawing from existentialism, this approach considers the impact of technology on human existence and individuality. It explores questions of alienation, authenticity, and freedom in a technological world.

Human Enhancement Ethics: With the advancement of biotechnology, this theory addresses the ethical dilemmas surrounding human enhancement technologies, including genetic engineering and cognitive enhancement.

Pragmatism and Technology: Pragmatist philosophy examines how technology influences our practical, everyday experiences and shapes our interactions with the world.

These theories and approaches within the philosophy of technology provide valuable insights into how technology influences and is influenced by society, as well as the ethical considerations that arise in our increasingly technologically driven world.

[scarletooyoroi]

Small points of note! Once again, a lil headcanon batch (which is moreso inference from character story tidbits.)

Well tuck this under a read more due to just the size of the images. >:

This serves pretty much as the reason he's gained his Fixer moniker. Thoma enjoys letting his expertise float around being a center point source, a means to let his allies network with others he knows. Due to his extended business dealings both in Ritou, the ore trade alongside knowing some high ends, there's no shortage of what he can scrabble together. This goes both for resources and information.

It also opens the door of people around all of Teyvat knowing him to some capacity. This serves as one of the key reasons alongside just not letting outlanders feel alone that he conducts business in Ritou. He holds a firm code of conduct never to take cold advantage of his resources. So he's never fully alone regardless of where he decides to travel, someone out there will manage to see him as a familiar face.

At most, they're used in the exercise of exchange. Conduct deals with Thoma and he'll always ensure that you're splitting even.

This is virtually one of his guiding principles of going through life. He believes it's a gift to be cherished, protected and woven together in a way where you can enjoy many of the bounties in being apart of Teyvat.

These are measures he can understand for both the innocent and the cruel. To the cruel however, it's also by understanding and respecting solely their will to 'make the most', that he doesn't hesitate to meet their measures and utterly destroy boons and bounties made cruelly upon the backs of others.

I think this one in particular goes the most unknown! Surprisingly, despite how popular people love to play on his homesick involving Mondstadt. Through blood, Thoma has two lands nurtured by elements, archons and human effort that he calls home. Mondstadt's jovial atmosphere in the recent days have developed his sunny nature, as Inazuma served as the cruel but effective teacher in nurturing ambition and the means to protect such a lifestyle.

To hold a noble heart offers the means to properly appreciate life, that of yourself and that of others.

To weave together strength by this practice is to offer the means to prolong abrupt and cold endings due to danger. To use this strength in the name of protecting, both life and the wills of those who go for an honest day's work and effort.

Mondstadt and Inazuma cultivated and polished positive traits that he will never stop showing gratitude for. The said gratitude is exercised in the way he treats others and the situations that comes his way.

What I want to bring the most attention towards here is how Thoma treats the essence of achievement. Glory chasing from the beginning has never been the part of his MO. From this particular pot of life, he'll only take what is necessary for procedures to continue via smooth sailing.

Let himself be known well enough to be a name of influence for his business, it doesn't need to shoot for the stars.

For him, the personal satisfaction of his work is to just see peace simply be prolonged. Things are secure, things are safe, he truly needs no better than that for him to happily go about his day. His style and approach towards life is to hold gratitude for what you have, and let that be shown both by emotion and by the efforts you put forth.

How far he intends to take these strides depends on the danger to both his homes and those important to him. Only when the stakes reveal their fangs, does he accordingly ups his ante in order to combat such details in kind. This is why you'll often see him playing little mind to the amount of renown to his name.

That said? He's very protective of the honor of those he care for on the other hand. Its a touch hypocritical seeing how he treats his own line of achievement, but he never wants another to try sullying the good imagery or the particular imagery that you put up for yourself.

[coineagle]

Aragon (ANT) Price Prediction 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030

In this article, we aim to provide you with a detailed yearly price prediction for Aragon (ANT) from 2025 to 2030.

The forecasts are grounded on a meticulous analysis of key technical indicators and the comprehensive market dynamics that surround Aragon (ANT).

The predictions are not definitive but provide a calculated perspective on the possible trends Aragon (ANT) may follow.

As we navigate through the complexities of the cryptocurrency market, we will present a straightforward and fact-based outlook.

Our intention is to equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your potential investments in Aragon (ANT).

Aragon (ANT) Long-Term Price Prediction

Year Lowest Price Average Price Highest Price 2025 $45 $60 $85 2026 $60 $80 $100 2027 $50 $70 $90 2028 $45 $65 $75 2029 $70 $85 $110 2030 $100 $125 $150

Aragon Price Prediction 2025

In this bullish scenario, Aragon is expected to reach an average price of $60 and a peak price of $85 in the year 2025.

This will be a result of favorable regulations, advances in technology, stabilized inflation rates and increased adoption of cryptocurrencies.

These factors could create an environment conducive for not only Bitcoin and Ethereum, but also altcoins like Aragon.

Aragon Price Prediction 2026

The upsurge is then expected to continue into 2026 where ANT may reach an average of $80 and could possibly punch its value up to $100.

This growth will be driven by wider adoption of blockchain technology and potential enhancements to the Aragon network.

Aragon Price Prediction 2027

The correction period begins from 2027 during which the scenario gets slightly pessimistic, landing the average price to around $70.

However, due to crypto market’s volatility, the highest price might still reach $90.

Aragon Price Prediction 2028

As the correction continues, the average price is expected to come down at $65 in 2028, with a high of around $75.

These figures assume that the broader crypto market will also be in a correction phase during this time.

Aragon Price Prediction 2029

By 2029, the bull market is projected to return. This would come as a result of factors such as regulatory clarity, technological advancements and wider mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies, particularly of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) that Aragon facilitates, increasing the average price to $85 and at its peak to $110.

Aragon Price Prediction 2030

By the end of 2030, ANT’s price is predicted to reach an average of $125, with a pessimistic scenario placing it at $100 and an optimistic scenario shooting it up to $150.

This optimistic growth ties into an increased interest and acceptance of decentralized governance infrastructures like Aragon, as the technology continues to evolve and its use cases expand.

Aragon (ANT) Fundamental Analysis

Project Name Aragon Symbol ANT Current Price $ 8.0 Price Change (24h) -4.95% Market Cap $ 344.4 M Volume (24h) $ 4,614,706 Current Supply 43,191,430

Aragon (ANT) is currently trading at $ 8.0 and has a market capitalization of $ 344.4 M.

Over the last 24 hours, the price of Aragon has changed by -4.95%, positioning it 147 in the ranking among all cryptocurrencies with a daily volume of $ 4,614,706.

Unique Technological Innovations of Aragon

Aragon stands out distinctly in the blockchain landscape due to its decentralized platform that enables the creation and management of decentralized organizations (DAOs).

Its unique technological innovations specifically cater to the needs of the market that demands decentralized decision-making structures.

The AragonOS operating system is a core innovation, allowing developers to build DAOs, DApps, and protocols with advanced governance and upgradeability features.

Another key innovation is Aragon Court, a blockchain-based dispute resolution platform that addresses the need for fair arbitration mechanisms in DAO governance.

These technological advancements offer a compelling competitive edge over other platforms by providing solutions to pressing industry-wide challenges.

Strategic Partnerships of Aragon

Aragon’s strategic partnerships play key roles in enhancing its ecosystem. Partnerships with popular blockchain platforms like Ethereum, and collaborations with projects like MakerDAO, provide the way for interoperability, enhanced features, and functionality within Aragon’s ecosystem.

These collaborations also widen Aragon’s network effect, driving increased adoption and utility of its platform.

For instance, its collaboration with Bancor protocol allows for seamless conversion of tokens within the Aragon network, thus driving liquidity and promoting wider use of its tokens.

Aragon’s Strategies to Maintain Its Competitive Advantage

To thrive in the highly dynamic and competitive cryptocurrency market, Aragon employs various adaptation strategies.

It maintains an in-house Research and Development team, committed to keeping pace with new technologies and trends in the blockchain landscape.

Aligned with potential shifts in the regulatory environment, Aragon actively works with blockchain advocacy groups and maintains communication with regulatory bodies.

It also fosters the Aragon Network, a digital jurisdiction that provides an alternative dispute resolution framework, appealing to a diverse investor and user base.

Community Engagement in Aragon

Aragon attributes much of its success to its active, robust, and diverse communities. Its main community platforms include Reddit, Twitter, and Discord, where discussions range from general project updates to detailed technical debates and proposals.

Aragon actively fosters growth and engagement through various initiatives, including online forums, bug bounties, proposal contests, and community-funded grants.

These community-driven approaches not only encourage direct participation in Aragon’s development but also foster a strong sense of ownership among network participants, driving Aragon’s overall success and adoption.

By systematically addressing these aspects, your fundamental analysis will allow for a comprehensive understanding of Aragon’s unique value proposition, its standing within the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem, and its potential for future growth and innovation.

Aragon (ANT) Technical Analysis

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Technical Analysis is a trading discipline employed to evaluate investments and identify trading opportunities by analyzing statistical trends gathered from trading activity, such as price movement and volume.

When doing Aragon price predictions, Technical Analysis is important because it uses past market data to predict future price movements, which is crucial in making informed investment decisions. Here are three indicators:

Trend Lines: This helps to determine the general market direction whether upward (bullish), downward (bearish), or sideways. If prices are trending upward, and you are about to buy Aragon, that could be a good decision.

Relative Strength Index (RSI): This helps to identify whether Aragon is overbought or oversold. If the RSI is under 30, it could signify that Aragon is oversold and therefore, could be a good time to buy.

Volume: This shows the number of Aragon coins traded within a set period of time. High volume often signifies high interest in Aragon and could potentially lead to more price volatility, which could present trading opportunities.

Aragon Price Predictions FAQs

What is Aragon?

Aragon is a decentralized app (dApp) on the Ethereum blockchain that allows anyone to create and manage a decentralized organization.

The Aragon project is open source and led by the Aragon Foundation. It also includes a token, ANT, that grants voting rights to make decisions about the direction of future development.

Is Aragon a good investment?

Aragon can be a good investment depending on the investor’s risk tolerance, investment strategy, and understanding of the crypto market.

However, it’s always crucial to conduct extensive research and consider various factors including the project’s fundamentals and market conditions before investing.

What will be the future value of Aragon?

The future value of Aragon is subject to various factors. This includes developments in the project, broader market trends, regulatory news, technological advancements, market demand, and investor sentiment.

It is recommended to refer to professional forecasts and market analysis to get an idea of its possible future value.

How can I buy Aragon?

Aragon can be purchased on various cryptocurrency exchanges that allow trading of ANT. It is essential to have a crypto wallet to store the Aragon tokens and then use fiat money or other cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum to purchase Aragon.

What is CoinEagle.com?

CoinEagle.com is an independent crypto media platform and your official source of crypto knowledge. Our motto, “soaring above traditional finance,” encapsulates our mission to promote the adoption of crypto assets and blockchain technology.

Symbolized by the eagle in our brand, CoinEagle.com represents vision, strength, and the ability to rise above challenges. Just as an eagle soars high and has a keen eye on the landscape below, we provide a broad and insightful perspective on the crypto world.

We strive to elevate the conversation around cryptocurrency, offering a comprehensive view that goes beyond the headlines.

Recognized not only as one of the best crypto news websites in the world, but also as a community that creates tools and strategies to help you master digital finance, CoinEagle.com is committed to providing you with the necessary knowledge to win in crypto.

Disclaimer: The Aragon price predictions in this article are speculative and intended solely for informational purposes. They do not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and can be unpredictable. Investors should perform their own research and consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions. CoinEagle.com and its authors are not responsible for any financial losses that may result from following the information provided.

[sharmablog123]

Tejas Networks' stock plunges 7% as its Q3 net loss increases; see more here

Tejas Networks Takes a Hit: Q3 Loss Widens, Stock Slides 7%

Telecom equipment maker Tejas Networks witnessed a rough day on the stock market, with its shares plummeting 7.29% to Rs 801.10 on Friday, January 20, 2024. This sharp decline was primarily triggered by the company's Q3 FY24 results, which revealed a wider net loss compared to the previous quarter.

Key takeaways from Tejas Networks' Q3 results:

Widening net loss: The company reported a net loss of Rs 34.2 crore for Q3, compared to a loss of Rs 20.7 crore in Q2. This increase in the loss figure raised concerns among investors.

Revenue flatlines: Although Tejas Networks' revenue remained broadly flat at Rs 116.5 crore compared to Q2, analysts and investors were expecting a modest growth, further contributing to the negative sentiment.

Order book concerns: While the company's order book stands at Rs 760 crore, some analysts expressed concerns about the pace of order execution and conversion into revenue.

Reasons for the stock decline:

The wider-than-expected net loss, coupled with flat revenue and order book concerns, led to a panic selling on the stock exchange. Investors likely interpreted these factors as signals of ongoing challenges faced by the company, impacting its short-term performance.

What lies ahead for Tejas Networks:

Focus on execution: To regain investor confidence, Tejas Networks needs to demonstrate consistent revenue growth and efficient order execution.

New product launches: Introducing new innovative products and solutions in high-demand segments like 5G could also revive investor interest.

Financial discipline: Maintaining tight financial control and managing operational costs effectively will be crucial for improving profitability.

Investor advice:

While the recent stock decline might appear as a setback, it's important to remember that Tejas Networks operates in a dynamic and growing telecom sector. Investors with a long-term perspective and a strong belief in the company's potential can consider this temporary dip as a potential buying opportunity. However, thorough research and a careful analysis of future performance are essential before making any investment decisions.

Additional points to consider:

The broader market sentiment and overall economic conditions can also impact the trajectory of Tejas Networks' stock.

Investors should also monitor any upcoming developments or announcements from the company for further insights into its future prospects.

Remember, the stock market is subject to fluctuations, and predicting its future movements with certainty is impossible. By making informed decisions based on careful research and analysis, investors can navigate these uncertain times and potentially reap long-term rewards.

I hope this content provides a helpful overview of Tejas Networks' recent performance and the factors influencing its stock price.

For more information visit us

[adityarana1687-blog]

Smart Cities Market Is Anticipated To Attain Around $3,728.3 Billion By 2030

The global smart cities market size is expected to reach USD 3,728.3 billion by 2030, according to the new reports of Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 25.8% from 2023 to 2030. The market growth can be attributed to rapid favorable government initiatives worldwide and emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). This has encouraged several countries to invest in smart city projects to manage infrastructure and assets. Further, the increasing adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) has also created a demand for the development of charging infrastructure in cities globally. Due to this, it provides energy storage and creates new revenue streams from EV batteries. These benefits will further boost the smart cities market's growth during the forecast period.

The smart cities market is witnessing a high investment in smart security, smart metering for utilities, integrated traffic management systems, and smart mobility. Several technologically innovative cities use IoT platforms to monitor their infrastructure, manage traffic flows, water management, parking, and air quality, and use the generated smart data to handle longer-term decisions for environmental sustainability. Market players are establishing strategic partnerships with technology providers to improve their smart cities portfolio. For instance, in February 2022, an electric utility company, E.ON SE, partnered with telecom company Vodafone Group plc to develop smart water, gas, and electricity meters, accrelating the smart cities market growth.

Various country governments, such as India, Germany, Canada, Japan, and Australia, are launching smart city-based projects to improve citizens' lifestyles and create safer communities, propelling smart cities market expansion. Government-authorized associations & organizations are collaborating with market players to develop smart city solutions to assist the government in planning smart city strategies. For instance, in October 2022, the non-profit organization, Accelerator for America partnered with Honeywell International Inc. and launched the Smart City Accelerator Program to help smart city developers define priorities, align key stakeholders, and improve service delivery & operational efficiency of smart cities projects.

 Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Smart Cities Market Report

Smart Cities Market Report Highlights

The environmental solution segment is expected to witness a considerable CAGR of 28.8% over the forecast period. Shifting various government focus towards reducing Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) and preservation and promotion of biodiversity is propelling the segment growth globally

The smart lighting segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of 26.8% over the forecast period. The substantial demand for IoT-enabled lighting fixtures, increasing infrastructure developments, and end-user preference for energy-efficient lighting are propelling the adoption of smart lighting in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors

The waste management segment is estimated to witness a CAGR of 27.0% through 2030. Numerous waste management companies are installing sensors, data visualization platforms, and network infrastructure to generate actionable insights and make informed decisions. Adopting these smart technologies in waste management will supplement the segment's growth during the forecast period

The intelligent transportation system segment is expected to witness a significant CAGR of 26.7% over the forecast period. The rising public and private investments in the transport sector, government initiatives to curb traffic congestion & enhance public safety, and advancements in video surveillance & analytics system is expected to accelerate the segment growth notably through 2030

In Asia Pacific, the market is anticipated to register significant CAGR of 29.2% during the forecast period. The regional growth can be attributed to rapid economic developments, digitalization, globalization, and the rising proliferation of smartphones 

Smart Cities Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global smart cities market based on application, smart governance, smart utilities, smart transportation, and region:

Smart Cities Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Smart Governance

Smart Building

Environmental Solution

Smart Utilities

Smart Transportation

Smart Healthcare

Smart Cities Smart Governance Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

City Surveillance

CCS

E-governance

Smart Lighting

Smart Infrastructure

Smart Cities Smart Utilities Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Energy Management

Water Management

Waste Management

Smart Cities Smart Transportation Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Intelligent Transportation System

Parking Management

Smart Ticketing & Travel Assistance 

Smart Cities Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

Germany

France

U.K.

Italy

Spain

Russia

Nordic Region

Eastern Europe

Asia Pacific

Australia

China

India

Japan

ASEAN

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Middle East & Africa

List of Key Players of the Smart Cities Market

ABB Limited

AGT International

AVEVA Group plc.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Ericsson

General Electric

Honeywell International Inc.

International Business Machines Corporation

Itron Inc.

KAPSCH Group

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

Microsoft Corporation

Oracle Corporation

Osram Gmbh

SAP SE

Schneider Electric SE

Siemens AG

Telensa

Verizon

Vodafone Group plc

[ailtrahq]

Ethereum Classic [ETC] began October with a bang, extending its late September rally to claim the $16 price level. However, jubilant bulls had their party cut short, as sellers hit back with a 9% price drop to recover the $16 price level. How much are 1,10,100 ETCs worth today? ETC’s price earlier rose 10% a day after Ripple [XRP] secured a partial victory in its legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] on 13 July. However, its price went down soon after. ETC’s price action in the first quarter of 2023 was praiseworthy, but the subsequent two quarters show a shoddy performance. Let’s see if it can still attract investor attention. However, the network has been losing popularity from a long-term perspective. Speaking of popularity, AI has really taken off this year, with ChatGPT leading this charge. Assessing fundamental data using ChatGPT Perhaps we can leverage the power of AI to find out what the future has planned for ETC. I asked ChatGPT about Ethereum Classic and the interaction was rather interesting. The initial plan was to establish the depth of the AI before going deeper into the type of information that I wanted to pursue. The first question requested ChatGPT to provide a detailed and concise explanation of Ethereum Classic and its fundamentals. Here’s the response – Source: ChatGPT Below is the response after I requested a shorter version. Source: ChatGPT The AI bot seems to have a good handle on things based on the information it provides. However, there have been incidents where inaccurate information has been generated, hence the need to verify information arises. Now that we have a good base, it’s time to up the ante a bit. But first, those keeping a close eye on ETC may have noticed that its community has not been very active. Its development has also lagged behind that of Ethereum and other networks. Our next query focuses on establishing why the Ethereum Classic network is less popular than Ethereum. It gave the following reasons: Community Support: After the 2016 DAO hack, the Ethereum community decided to implement a hard fork that created a new blockchain network known as Ethereum, which received support from the majority of the Ethereum community. Ethereum Classic, which remained on the original blockchain, has a smaller community and fewer developers. Lack of Updates: Ethereum Classic has not received as many updates and improvements as Ethereum. This has resulted in slower transaction times and less advanced smart contract capabilities. Perception of Immutability: Ethereum Classic’s commitment to immutability is a key feature for some users. It can also be seen as a liability by others who prefer the flexibility of a blockchain that can be updated if necessary. Limited Use Cases: Ethereum has a wider range of use cases and is more widely adopted by businesses and developers. Ethereum Classic has a smaller ecosystem of decentralized applications and is less widely used in commercial applications. AI-generated all the above points, but they are difficult to argue against. In other words, ChatGPT’s answers were spot on. Ethereum Classic still has some edge over the competition I was curious to find out what the AI had to say about Ethereum Classic’s advantages over its more popular counterpart. It responded with the following points: Immutability: Ethereum Classic has a strong commitment to immutability. Transactions cannot be altered or deleted once recorded on the blockchain. This makes ETC a reliable and secure platform for storing and transferring digital assets, and may be particularly appealing to users who prioritize security and decentralization over flexibility and upgradability. Proven Technology: Ethereum Classic is based on the original Ethereum blockchain, which has been operating since 2015. This gives it a longer track record than many other blockchain platforms, and may appeal to users who value stability and reliability. No Hard Forks: Since the split from Ethereum

in 2016, Ethereum Classic has not undergone any hard forks or major upgrades that could potentially cause network disruptions or create competing blockchain networks. This could make it a more stable and predictable platform for developers and users. So far so good, but the above answers got me thinking about the kind of scenario where Ethereum Classic would achieve mass adoption. These were the brief points that ChatGPT shared, Source: ChatGPT The aforementioned points highlighted some key advantages of sticking to a proof-of-work system with a heavy focus on decentralization. These characteristics would make the network and its native coin more preferable, especially in case of a harsh regulatory crackdown. Regulators, especially in the United States, have adopted an aggressive position against cryptocurrencies, but not to the extreme, yet. Asking ChatGPT to predict ETC’s price action While still thinking about Ethereum Classic’s prospects, I decided to explore whether the AI can have insightful predictions regarding ETC’s prospects. Specifically, I wanted to know how soon ETC can reach ETH’s $1,900 press time price. Unfortunately, the language-based AI algorithm could only do so much and predictions were the limit. Here is how it responded – Source: ChatGPT That would have been the end of that attempt, but I recently found out about the DAN (do anything now) jailbreak prompt, which unlocks some limitations. Moreover, ChatGPT’s algorithm learns, and it can also organize raw data into a more useful format. Thus, an idea was born. What if we could somehow get ChatGPT to understand the history of ETC’s price action, including previous price patterns? We could potentially get it to give a more concrete answer regarding price predictions. I asked ChatGPT what price ETC will hit towards the end of 2023. The bot said the cryptocurrency shall hit the price of $150 by the end of 2023. Source: ChatGPT Analyzing Ethereum Classic’s daily price charts After having a “fine, I will do it myself” moment, I embarked on assessing ETC’s latest price action. On 13 April, the price of ETC increased as the cryptocurrency’s recent uptrend gathered momentum. The price of the coin increased to a high of $22.47, which is the highest point since March 18 of this year. Bitcoin’s [BTC] value increased by over 80% this year, outperforming Tesla, equities, and gold. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, like Ethereum Classic, are closely related. Ethereum Classic also reacted positively to the Shapella Upgrade that took place in April. The upgrade allowed Ethereum Stackers to withdraw their tokens. The amount of Ethereum staked, according to data from Staking Rewards, is over $43.6 billion. Let us now look at Ethereum Classic’s on-chart indicators. Is your portfolio green? Check out the ETC Profit Calculator ETC was trading at $15.5 at press time. While ETC’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) rested below the neutral 50-mark, its Money Flow Index (MFI) rested much above it. Source: ETC/USD, TradingView Conclusion ChatGPT is too enthusiastic about the future of Ethereum Classic. ETC’s on-chart metrics suggest bulls are going to dominate the bears. However, ETC’s long-term prospects don’t look very bright, given the minimal amount of activity on the network.

[misfits-of-zaun]

“Didya have fun letting me?”

Ekko's smirk broadened, more for their audience than for her - as if she'd just suggested something lewd, as if she was just another tipsy pretty girl who was down to hook up.

The arm around her waist was snug and transparently possessive as he steered them towards the bar.

I've got you. Ive got you.

The crowd parted around them like ants scattering out of the way of an oncoming path of water. At his offer of another drink, he felt Powder hesitate for a moment against him. Clever girl. She still had the common sense to be wary of getting too drunk in the enemy's den.

“It’s okay. I don’t–"

Ekko gave her waist a little reassuring squeeze.

"C'mon, I'm getting one too," he cajoled her, low and playful. It was about the hospitality of the gesture. She could just have soda, even - anything she wanted.

"That one.”

Ekko followed her pointing finger to a very striking blue cocktail in someone's hand, and snorted in amusement at her impulsive yet emphatic decision.

"That one?" Did she even know what it was called?

"Yeah, sure." His agreement was affably mild, as though there was absolutely nothing hilariously ironic about her drink choice.

“And whichever one you like best so we can trade if it’s bad.”

Oh, she definitely didn't know what drink she'd just chosen, then. Or how alcoholic it was.

"So if yours is bad, we both have to suffer?" Ekko riposted, his shark-black eyes starting to crinkle with an incriminating fondness as he looked at her. He felt almost giddy to have her here, but it would be so much better when they were alone.

When he snapped his fingers and gestured, Thierram practically dropped another customer's order to appear in front of them quickly, looking frazzled. Ekko got straight to the point.

"I'll grab my usual - and a Sex On The Rooftop for the lady."

Powder was anything but ladylike, of course, which only made the order even funnier to straightfacedly say.

Just as Thierram was nodding and turning hastily to get right on it, Ekko reached across the bar and snagged him by the collar, pulling the startled bartender in to whisper something in his ear.

"Hold the vodka, all right? I don’t want her sloppy."

There was a flash of surprise across Thierram's face, before the nervous man simply nodded again. Wisely, he didn't dare look at Powder. Ekko gave him a shark smile, patted his cheek twice, and released him in clear dismissal.

Good boy. Go fetch.

"He always forgets how I like it," he informed Powder nonchalantly, as he leaned his hip against the bar and kept an eye on twitchy Thierram's drink-making hands. It felt nice and conspiratorial, standing so close together like this, but he was impatient to get them off of the crowded club floor, away from the cacophony of noise and pulsing lights and the weight of all these watching eyes.

With the efficiency of someone who'd had a fire lit under them, Thierram served up their drinks - a tall fluorescent blue cocktail, and a grafittied metal tumbler filled with a dark, fizzy purple liquid that looked almost black in the light. Ekko magnanimously slid Powder's cocktail in her direction and picked up his own, coiling his arm around her waist again as he shepherded her towards the stairs.

Courtesy of some truly excellent sound proofing insulation, it was much quieter the moment you passed the unsmiling security and stepped through the door at the top of the stairs, into the warren-like network of back corridors. Ekko padded the route with well-practiced familiarity, past the second set of stairs that led up to Silco's office, until they reached his room.

On autopilot, he twisted the knob to the right three times and turned the key halfway, before unlocking the door and pushing it open with his right foot.

Ekko's room was neat. Carefully, deliberately so. His desk was barren of any papers, and his floorspace was clear of any obstructions. It was by all appearances a pretty unremarkable space.

Aside from the chair that had been left in the centre of the room, with each of its legs perfectly avoiding the cracks in the floorboards.

Aside from a familiar metal clock hand affixed above the headboard of the single bed.

Aside from the overlapping sheets of paper plastered to the far wall, scribbled with colour to form an enormous tree.

"Make yourself at home," he told her wryly, well aware just how far from home The Last Drop probably felt to her now. He repeated the same process with the key and doorknob after they both stepped through, before locking the door behind himself.

@just--a--jinx

"Well, well, well. Who's your pretty new friend?" (Roleswap Ekko)

It was like being swallowed whole by a gaping mouth of music and light. The Last Drop thrummed from the bass of music while the air grew thick with the sickly sweet tang of shimmer, tobacco and perfume. The building could have been one in a thousand for all it resembled the home it had once been. Zigg’s glamour presented the fun advantage of being someone else. Long blue braids became a shock of loose pink hair, while powder blue tattoos were replaced with an intricate map of winding gears and mechanical parts. 

The daring nature of this challenge brought with it a thrill. What had been difficult to account for, however, was the feeling of being immersed into something familiar that had been so wholly destroyed. Vander would be turning in his grave. Chem thugs were everywhere, propped up on stools and in booths smoking shimmer. From across the dancefloor a barman stood pouring drinks from Vander’s spot. Before there was time to mentally select a direction, someone was blocking the way forward. 

“Stop right there.”

A tall, scrawny man was leaning in, obscured by the flash of green and purple strobe lighting. Something about the line of his nose made it look as though it had been broken more than once. Powder blinked, fighting the sudden swell of fear that was clawing at her chest. Was the glamour still working? Had something gone wrong? 

“Ohhhhhhhh shoot. Am I in trouble?” The playfully unassuming response was easy enough to lean into. 

A row of crooked teeth grinned in response. 

“You’re a pretty little thing, arent’cha?” 

 A wry, knowing look rose to meet Mr. Crooked Nose. 

It took a lot to forget the steely glare she’d learned to wear around creeps, but making enemies here was stupid. Playing nice meant getting to see Ekko. Playing nice meant maybe even getting some information. Using the swell of nervous adrenaline to her advantage, Powder flashed her most convincing (and undeserved) smile towards the stranger’s face. 

“What are you doing all alone? Come hang with us. You wanna smoke?” Before there was an option to protest, an arm hooked around Powder’s waist, eagerly guiding her through the throngs of dancing drunkards towards a crowded booth. A final, discreet glance scanned the bar again, looking for Ekko. Every step through the crowd resulted in being jostled, elbowed and explored by wandering hands. 

It was awful. 

Somewhere in the back of her head, through the deafening cacophony of music, Vi was spitting venom at Crooked Nose. Powder rolled her knuckles. Never had they felt so naked, being bare of the usual wraps that helped pad out a nasty punch. Nope. Tonight wasn’t about punching. Ekko had promised it would be okay. He’d promised it would be safe (well, as safe as it could be). 

Fifteen minutes with Mr. Crooked Nose (who had attempted to say his name three times, only to have it swallowed by music), felt like an eternity. Baz, as Powder had decided to dub the stranger, was an employee of Silco. 

Oooooh, I heard those jobs are really tough!

And off Baz would go, talking about jobs Powder was certain she had never seen him on, recounting tales of bravery and wild achievement. Baz liked talking, especially to an appreciative audience. About halfway through a tale of gambling misadventure, a voice interrupted. 

"Well, well, well. Who's your pretty new friend?"

Something in Baz’s shoulders shifted at the intrusion. Powder followed the voice, feeling the beginnings of a sly smile settling on her lips at the sight of Ekko. 

Took ya long enough. 

“Oh, this is Baz–”

“--Verris.”

“He’s a real peach. He was just telling me about these big electric thingies he works with? Suuuper cool, Baz!”

[maniacal-butterfly]

Thoughts on Sheogorath: 1) The other Daedra thought he would be harmless, being the antithesis of the most powerful Prince, but they failed to account for the fact that Jyggalag’s power was not purely a part of his sphere 2) The Aedra and the Daedra had an arrangement, where the Aedra would give the Daedra a piece of Lorkhan to use as a foundation for imprisoning Jyggalag, so long as they promised they would keep that piece of Lorkhan in check. Sheogorath was grown from that piece.

Hi anon! Thanks for the asks! I want to prelude this by saying, I'm not in any shape an expert in TES lore. Which is why, before I answer your ask about kalpas (I'm guessing it's from you as well?), I'll take a refresher dive into uesp.

Now about the Sheo thoughts. Hope you don't mind the resulting wall of text you're going to get.

I always thought Jiggy to be closer to madness than he'd admit to be honest. There's insanity in wanting the world to follow perfect order and he'd need a crazy amount of denial not to realise mortals will not follow whatever statistics he may have planned for. In a world where people can become gods and twist reality from thousand of years in the future, you're bound to go batty if you want things to follow order. I find there's a comical level of hubris to the other daedric princes when they decided to curse Jyggy with becoming what he "hated the most". As if madness and chaos didn't reach all minds and realms. It's just good fortune for them that Sheo seems to be happy with simply having a foothold everywhere and doesn't share Jiggy's expansionist plans.

While I know Sheogorath is said to be the "Sithis-shaped hole" who came to the world once Lorkhan's spark was removed, quite frankly, I have little knowledge about what that would mean. So your idea about the Lorkhan piece is as good as any other in my opinion. But then I have a question for you: have the Daedra failed their part of the bargain with the Aedra? Because, especially after getting rid of the Greymarch, Sheogorath isn't what I would call "kept in check".

Going to combine 3 and 6. I like the parasite/butterfly/mushroom theme you have going there. Got me thinking about the body snatcher wasps that lay eggs into caterpillars and other insects; the larvae turning their hosts into living cocoons as time goes by. Or the fungus that takes over ants; its spore first digging itself through the exoskeleton til it forces its victim to find a good spot to die and allow the fungus to grow to adulthood. It makes the Greymarches an attempt to eradicate the infestation but as we all know, "you cannot kill [mushrooms] in a way that matters". Even after the Isles are bleached white, there would remain a root, a spore, and from it the spread would start anew. Allowing Sheogorath to regrow from the husk of his realm. As for the screaming plants... they'd hold the key to a network of information if only you knew how to connect to it. Maybe they could talk if they wished to. They'd tell you what's the best route to follow. Go that way, or the other. We never said the information was truthful however.

Did Sheogorath sneeze or blinked when Cyrodiil went from being a Jungle to a fertile land? Or did that not count as an impossibility? What would count as impossible and is Sheo having a loose grasp on the concept why some things just make no sense in Tamriel? How much of a headache would Jiggy get during a Dragon Break? While we are talking about Aedras, there are two others I'd imagine Sheo would work with. Dibella and him both have artists and musicians in their "sphere". They may compete over the methods of inspiration but I can see them working together for more awe inspiring, revolutionary, projects. A more "obvious" one, so to speak, would be Kynareth. I was going with the simple path of her bringing rain and storms, both phenomenon giving a chance of calling onto Sheogorath while wishing for another deity. But, after some research, and I’m quoting uesp here, “She is associated with rain, a phenomenon that is said not to have occurred before the removal of Lorkhan's divine spark.” Here is that spark again. The one which disappearance brought the Madgod to the world. And sure it doesn't mean much, a simple coincidence probably, but I appreciate the idea of those two being close. There is a wildness to the elements and the wind after all.

Anon, why matcha? Sure it's toxic green but it's also extremely bitter. though it is usually balanced by the sweetest treats. Is that why you chose it? Sheo and Jiggy's relationship is bound to be an odd one. And you're right to say they are opposite spheres. Which makes me wonder. They are like two sides of the same coin, and the Shivering Isles is represented by a flat land. Could Jyggalag's realm simply be on the other side of that land? Not "beneath" it. Though as far as one is concerned, the other's realm is basically in their basement. None is upside down, there is no real up or down in Oblivion anyway, given what you see is how the daedric prince wants it to be. And well, I'd guess there's still a few spores on Jiggy and tiny sandlike shards of crystal on Sheo once they separated.

Sheo being Sheo and doing what feels like a good time to him despite of, and to spite, the other daedras is such a Mood. May he continue to do so over time.

Whether it's lore friendly or not, I do not know, but I tend to see Aedras and Daedras as neither good nor bad, rather as being closer to Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Some may be cruel and hate mortals, sure, but they also sometimes interact with mortals and just end up breaking them. For instance, the lady who got turned into instruments had a gruesome fate, but the intent wasn't evil. I'm not saying Daedras are all good, just pointing out that both Aedras and Daedras have used mortals as tools and taken sacrifices. I also wish we'd have more insight as to how the different cultures impact the way Daedras interact with mortals. For instance, the Reachmen have the "Spirits" a lot more integrated in their daily lives and, while mistakes can lead to dangerous outcomes, are not worse from wear from it. Would different races or cultures perceive daedric realms differently given their different beliefs?

Anyway. I don't know if you expected the length of the answer. I'm sorry if you weren't. Feel free to send me other thoughts on the topic (sorry if it takes a while to answer, I'm away from home often). I'll be answering the Kalpa one in the next few days.

[fatehbaz]

Nineteenth-century telegraphy is often seen as the beginning of “a historically unprecedented world wide web,” [...]. [Scholars have] highlighted the telegraph’s “dematerialization of long-distance information flows.” These are macro-level abstractions [...] despite the relatively common breakages and disruptions that bedeviled that progress [...]. [A] more locally specific [...] environmental history of the telegraph foregrounding materiality and locality [...] draw[s] attention to the very real frustrations [...]. The second half of the nineteenth century was a time of expanding telegraphic connections around the world, and Southeast Asia was no exception. 

The Dutch colonial administration was keen to link up its possessions to the global network at Singapore. The first undersea cable connecting the colonial capital Batavia (now Jakarta) with Singapore was laid in 1859 but failed almost immediately. The Dutch then turned to the Sunda Strait as an alternative route [...]. In 1863 it was decided to connect the town of Anyer on the north coast of Java and Teluk Betung on the southern tip of Sumatra. The history of that connection, littered with frustrations and mishaps, runs for two decades, and charts a complex story of human and technological engagement with the coastal ecology of the Sunda Strait. The first attempt to establish the connection, in the autumn of 1865, had to be postponed due to unspecified faults in the cable and the impending monsoon season. Much delayed, it was finally in working order in November 1866, but remained patchy, functioning for only 237 days in 1867 and breaking down completely in March 1868, with a new line laid only in 1871. [...]

What, then, caused all these disruptions? Many things, most of them somehow connected to the local ecology.

In 1873 the cable was found - to everyone’s surprise - to be damaged by “white ants,” i.e. termites, that had got through the iron protection and eaten into the insulation. This was to be a recurring problem: as Rohan Deb Roy has recently shown, termites were a constant threat to colonial infrastructure. A little later the connection was again cut by the anchor of an American ship. 

In 1876, repairs were delayed by the heavy growth of coral that had attached to the cable. 

An 1879 report notes Teredo shipworms as a further cause of damage.

The story of the Anyer to Teluk Betung underwater cable could be told as one of technology versus nature, the termites, shipworms, and corals representing local environmental obstacles to manmade globalization. Yet this is far too simplistic. On the one hand, technology was also a risk factor, as anchors from the busy traffic in the strait could - and did - cut into the cables. Notices were published to warn ships away, and guilty parties pursued for compensation through foreign consuls. Technological globalization could also be its own enemy. On the other hand, the cable itself can be seen as a product of the local environment. The insulating layers - the organic components vulnerable to termites and worms - were made of gemoetie, palm fiber-based rope long used locally and adopted by the colonizer; or of gutta-percha, a rubber-like material produced from the sap of Palaquium gutta, a tree species native to the region (the Malay word perca even refers to Sumatra). Indeed, gutta-percha’s usefulness for insulating undersea cables made it a key global commodity in the late nineteenth century. [...]

---

The final break in the Anyer to Teluk Betung connection was also by far the most dramatic: the massive eruption of the Krakatau volcano in 1883 severed the cable and laid waste to both towns. The chief of the Anyer telegraph office was reported drowned, one of tens of thousands of deaths.

This was as clear a reminder as could be imagined of the inability of colonial planning to control the local environment. It also represented the end to this particular project: when the connection was re-laid, a slightly different route was chosen, by-passing Teluk Betung.

---

Images, captions, and all text above by: Mikko Toivanen. “Disconnectivity in the Age of Globalization: Coastal Ecology, Telegraphy, and Empire in the Sunda Strait, 1863-1883.” Environment & Society Portal, Arcadia no. 28. Summer 2021. [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Images and captions are shown as they appear in Toivanen’s article. Presented here for commentary, teaching, criticism purposes.]

[super-famicom-star-inactive]

Friday Special #9

January 30th, 2021

So I was digging through my bag of DS and GBA titles, and noted that one of them was a Game Boy Advance VIDEO cartridge that contained the first two episodes of Sonic X. Popped it into my DS to relive some nostalgia and it occurred to me that there isn’t anything like this anymore besides those PSP UMD VIDEO disks that had whole movies on them. 

So where did they come from and how did they come to be?

For this week’s Friday Special, we’re gonna find out. 

For a little backstory, the Game Boy Advance handheld console was released back in 2001 and it was marketed as the successor of the Game Boy Color. With its resolution of 240 x 160 pixels (which was a lot at the time), 15-bit RGB Color Support (it was capable of producing 512 colors in character mode and 32,768 simultaneous colors in bitmap mode), and Dual 8-bit DAC for stereo sound, it was a fascinating machine and a work of technical art. It was super successful world-wide and garnered millions in sales. 

So what exactly were the Game Boy Advance Video titles?

The Game Boy Advance Video cartridges were a special class of cartridges where based on the amount of memory, it featured one to four episodes of popular shows of the time like those from Cartoon Network and Nicktoons. 

Here is the complete list of games:

GBA Video Movie Pak vol. 1

Shrek

GBA Video Movie Pak vol. 2

Shrek 2

GBA Video Movie Pak vol. 3

Shark Tale

GBA Video Movie Pak 2-Movies-In-1!

Shrek

Shark Tale

GBA Video Movie Pak 2-Movies-In-1! Vol. 2

Shrek

Shrek 2

The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron vol. 1

"Brobot"

"The Big Pinch"

"Granny Baby"

"Time is Money"

All Grown Up! vol. 1

"Susie Sings the Blues"

"Coup de Ville"

Cartoon Network Collection vol. 1

Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: "Stop, Look and Ed"

Courage the Cowardly Dog: "Magic Tree of Nowhere"

Johnny Bravo: "The Perfect Gift"

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy: "Crawling Niceness"

Cartoon Network Collection vol. 2

Codename: Kids Next Door: "Operation T.U.R.N.I.P."

Courage the Cowardly Dog: "Courage the Fly"

Johnny Bravo: "Balloon Platoon"

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy: "Mandy the Merciless"

Cartoon Network Collection Limited Edition

Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: "Key to My Ed"

Courage the Cowardly Dog: "The Queen of the Black Puddle"

Codename: Kids Next Door: "Operation M.I.N.I.G.O.L.F."

Dexter's Laboratory: "Big Sister"

Cartoon Network Collection Platinum Edition

Codename: Kids Next Door: "Operation T.O.M.M.Y."

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy: "A Grim Surprise"

Courage the Cowardly Dog: "Cowboy Courage"

Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: "The Luck of the Ed"

Cartoon Network Collection Premium Edition

Dexter's Laboratory: "Double Trouble"

Courage the Cowardly Dog: "The Shadow of Courage"

Johnny Bravo: "Cookie Crisis"

Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: "A Glass of Warm Ed"

Cartoon Network Collection Special Edition

Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: "Oath to an Ed"

Johnny Bravo: "Beach Blanket Bravo"

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy: "Billy and the Bully"

Dexter's Laboratory: "Dexter's Rival"

Codename: Kids Next Door vol. 1

"Operation R.E.P.O.R.T."

"Operation N.O.-P.O.W.U.H."

"Operation B.R.I.E.F."

"Operation D.O.G.F.I.G.H.T."

Disney Channel Collection vol. 1

Lilo & Stitch: "Slushy"

Kim Possible: "Ron the Man"

Disney Channel Collection vol. 2

Lilo & Stitch: "Poxy"

Kim Possible: "Rufus in Show"

Brandy & Mr. Whiskers: "To The Moon Mr. Whiskers"

Dora the Explorer vol. 1

"3 Little Piggies"

"The Big River"

Dragon Ball GT vol. 1

"A Grand Problem"

"Pan's Gambit"

The Fairly OddParents vol. 1

"Foul Balled"

"The Boy Who Would Be Queen"

"The Information Stupor Highway"

The Fairly OddParents vol. 2

"Father Time"

"Apartnership"

"Ruled Out"

"That's Life"

Nicktoons Collection vol. 1

SpongeBob SquarePants: "Pizza Delivery"

The Fairly OddParents: "The Big Problem"

All Grown Up!: "Chuckie's In Love"

Nicktoons Collection vol. 2

SpongeBob SquarePants: "Nature Pants"

SpongeBob SquarePants: "Opposite Day"

Rocket Power: "The Big Air Dare"

The Fairly OddParents: "Odd Ball"

Nicktoons Collection vol. 3

SpongeBob SquarePants: "Squeaky Boots"

The Fairly OddParents: "Tim Visible"

Danny Phantom: "Attack of the Killer Garage Sale"

Pokémon vol. 1

"For Ho Oh The Bells Toll"

"A Hot Water Battle"

Pokémon vol. 2

"Playing with Fire"

"Johto Photo Finish"

Pokémon vol. 3

"Pokémon, I Choose You!"

"Here Comes the Squirtle Squad"

Pokémon vol. 4

"Beach Blank-Out Blastoise"

"Go West Young Meowth"

The Proud Family vol. 1

"Twins to Teens"

"Tween Town"

Sonic X vol. 1

"Chaos Control Freaks"

"Sonic to the Rescue"

SpongeBob SquarePants vol. 1

"Bubblestand"

"Ripped Pants"

"Jellyfishing"

"Plankton"

SpongeBob SquarePants vol. 2

"Mermaidman & Barnacleboy"

"Pickles"

"Hall Monitor"

"Jellyfish Jam"

SpongeBob SquarePants vol. 3

"Walking Small"

"Texas"

"Hooky"

"Mermaidman & Barnacleboy II"

Strawberry Shortcake vol. 1

"Meet Strawberry Shortcake"

"Spring for Strawberry Shortcake"

Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! vol. 1

"Depths of Fear"

"Planetoid Q"

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1

"Things Change"

"A Better Mousetrap"

Yu-Gi-Oh! vol. 1

"Friends Until the End Part 3"

"Friends Until the End Part 4"

Although the first of the GamePaks (the other name that they went by) started to appear in 2004, the original name was GBA-TV a year earlier. The first cartridges to be released in May of 2004 were when Majesco was able to acquire rights for 4Kids properties such as Sonic X and Yu-Gi-Oh! for the earliest released titles. Later in June, select shows from Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Nick Jr., and Funimation were added to the line-up when Majesco acquired the rights. The Disney Channel soon was added as well late in November of that year, creating even more cartridges for the roster. That next November in 2005 was the time for when Majesco was able to acquire the rights for Shrek, Shrek 2, and Shark Tale from Dreamworks, where for the first time, the Game Boy Advance Video series would now feature full-length movies, which was a marvel at the time due to the Game Boy Advance’s limited memory. 

In total, 36 cartridges were made in the entire line-up with more slated for released but were cancelled for various reasons, whether they be because of low sales of previous cartridges or copyright issues.

Here is the complete list of cancelled games:

Drake & Josh vol. 1

"Pilot"

"Dune Buggy"

Even Stevens vol. 1

"Swap.com"

"Stevens Genes"

Kirby: Right Back at Ya!

Ugly Betty vol. 1

"Pilot

"The Box and the Bunny

Sonic X vol. 2

"Missile Wrist Rampage"

"Chaos Emerald Chaos"

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 2

Yu-Gi-Oh! vol. 2

Speaking of copyright, there is a reason that the GamePaks were only viewable on Game Boy Advance systems as well as the first two DS systems but not the GameCube's Game Boy Player accessory. It was because the owners asked Majesco to make it so that making the games incompatible with the GameCube’s GBA Player would protect their properties from getting ripped onto VHS tapes and DVDs, which was what the Player was capable of doing. It would not have mattered however, because the low quality would have shown on the TV, making the ripping process useless. 

The low quality of the cartridges were due to the heavy compression of files in order for them to fit on a GBA cartridge, causing noticeable artifacts on the screen, even more visibly on a later system like a DS console. The low quality was the biggest disadvantage for the Game Boy Video cartridges as they eventually became obsolete by the late 2000s/ early 2010s when the DSi was released with no backward capabilities.

Despite them being obsolete by today’s standards, they can still be found online on shopping sites like eBay and depending on the condition can go for a pretty penny. The rarest one in the entire roster is the cartridge for Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! vol. 1 as only a limited number of copies were made and are now so rare that they can fetch almost $200 on eBay, where that is the only shopping site to even have them for listings. 

It should be mentioned that around the same time, Sony was releasing PSP UMD (Universal Media Disc) Video disks for their PSP systems that were capable of playing whole movies, but that’s an article for another time. 

Thoughts From the Head

As stated above, I actually do have one of the Game Boy Advance Video cartridges in the form of Sonic X Vol. 1 that I had bought years ago at a local video game store. It still works, and although you can definitely see the age on a DS screen, it’s still super impressive how much they had to compress in order for the data to fit. 

It’s still a really neat piece of history and it’s something that would’ve never happened in today’s age of gaming with everyone being as tight-lipped about copyright to the point of it being detrimental to creativity. That being said, if you have a GBA, its succeeding systems or the first two DS systems, I’d say to track them down while you can, especially if your favorite show is on the list (unfortunately, I have no hope of getting the Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! vol. 1 cartridge as that is like trying to find an ant in a haystack but I have the Sonic X one and that’s good enough for me). 

Here’s some photos of mine!

So do y’all think about all of this? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Thank you for reading!

[toxicsquad]

[Eng/Esp] Now on Patreon! / ¡Ahora en Patreon!

As we anticipated in the last Devlog, we have been working hard to open a Patreon to help us continue working on Chronicles and it’s finally here.

We write this post to tell you the news and how we plan to organize ourselves.

For now, goals will include WIPs before the episode's release, mini-stories about the character, comics, skits, and previews for upcoming projects. In the future we would like to include merchandising and shipments of stickers, postcards and key rings, but for that to happen we need to have enough income. (Investing is hard). However, we are grateful for any kind of contribution, both permanent and temporary. Everything helps in one way or another so that we can continue to bring content.

Here you can find the link to our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/toxicsquad_

However, we understand that many of you cannot invest. Don't worry, the game will remain free to play. The best reward for us is your loyalty. Without it we would not be here, and the project would have ended a long time ago. Also, each chapter, our numbers are a little better Thank you! However, we want to remind you that you have more ways to help us grow; sharing and participating in our social networks or recommending it to your friends.

We won't bother you anymore, you can find more information about the goals on our own Patreon page, don't hesitate to take a look at it. You're the best!

Toxic Squad.☠️

Twitter​ | Instagram​ | Itch  | Jolt Game | Patreon

🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧

Como ya os adelantamos en el último Devlog, hemos estado trabajando arduamente en abrir un Patreon que nos ayude a continuar trabajando en Chronicles y, por fin, está aquí.

Aprovechamos esta entrada para comunicaros las novedades y cómo tenemos pensado organizarnos.

Por el momento las metas incluirán WIP antes del lanzamiento del episodio, mini-historias sobre los personajes, cómics, sketches y avances de próximos proyectos. En el futuro nos gustaría incluir merchandising y envíos de stickers, postales y llaveros, pero para eso tenemos que tener los suficientes ingresos. (Invertir es duro). No obstante, nos sentimos agradecidas con cualquier clase de aportación, tanto permanente, como temporal. Todo ayuda en una media u otra a que podamos seguir trayendo contenido.

Aquí podéis encontrar el link de nuestro patreon: https://www.patreon.com/toxicsquad_

Aún así, comprendemos que muchos de vosotros no podéis invertir. No os preocupéis, el juego seguirá siendo gratuito. La mejor recompensa es vuestra fidelidad. Sin ella no estaríamos aquí, el proyecto habría terminado hace ya mucho tiempo. Además, cada capítulo, nuestras cifras son un poco mejores ¡Gracias! No obstante, os recordamos, que tenéis más formas de ayudarnos a crecer; compartiendo y participando en nuestras redes sociales o recomendándoselo a vuestros conocidos. 

No os damos más la plasta, podéis encontrar más información sobre las metas en nuestra propia página de Patreon, no dudéis en pasaros a echarla un vistazo ¡Sois los mejores!

Toxic Squad.☠️

Twitter​ | Instagram​ | Itch  | Jolt Game | Patreon

[archadianskies]

Whumptober Day 16

Hallucinations 

Whumptober Masterlist | 16/31 of RK900 short stories ↳ on Ao3

Tags: Post-Pacifist Best Ending × Connor & Upgraded Connor | RK900 are Siblings × Good Parent Hank Anderson × Hallucinations

They deem him ready for deployment as soon as the prototype RK800 completes his mission. He is RK900 unit 87, the 17th iteration of the RK900 model and the one that has passed the rigorous testing phase. 

Now he waits for the RK800 to fulfill CyberLife’s plan of gaining the trust of the deviant leaders, and executing Elijah Kamski’s rogue RK200. Once CyberLife resumes control over the android populace, he will join SWAT unit 32 and sweep through the city, crushing the dwindling resistance until deviancy is nothing but an unfortunate blip in Detroit’s history.

For now, though, he remains on the dais and watches the CyberLife team scurry to and fro like ants with their heads down, busy with their own tasks. Fabrication for the State Department’s order will not begin until the prototype confirms the deaths of the deviant leaders and so there’s an uneasy, tense atmosphere in the lab. They stand on the precipice of something great, something grand; the eve before the dawn. 

There is another RK900 unit. He is not sure why, given he is the unit that passed testing and is the one slated for deployment. It is not always in the room, so he assumes it must be an assistive unit. It stands to the far side of the room and looks at him with its steady unwavering gaze. He tries, multiple times, to initiate a communication channel but it never permits the connection. He cannot leave the dais unless one of the staff explicitly orders him to do so, and thus he cannot approach the other unit. Is it faulty? Is it experiencing a communication error? Does it need repairs? Do they connect to a different frequency? 

“How many other RK900 units are active?” He asks his handler that evening as she sits across from him, checking his programming, ensuring it is solid and can withstand the deviancy virus. 

“Only you.” She says. “Until Connor succeeds, of course.” “Of course.” He echoes with a nod.

He sees the other RK900 unit this time when he is following a staff member down the hallway to the live round testing chamber. It is watching him from another room, gaze unwavering as always. Perhaps he had worded his question wrong- perhaps it is not an RK900, and is in fact another specialised model sharing the same face. He will ask his handler the right question this time.

In the testing chamber they give him a shield. Or, more specifically, there is a shield in the cargo container and he picks it up because it is far too heavy for a human to hand over to him. A customised ballistics shield, able to absorb EMP grenades that would otherwise incapacitate him. It has the ability to store the kinetic energy and reverse it in turn. A clever invention. They test it rigorously and he is a little damaged in the exercises but nothing that cannot be repaired. Satisfied, they tell him to put the shield back, and see himself to the repair bay. 

The other android sharing his face falls into step beside him.

“Fight it.” They say.

“Fight what?” He asks and they say nothing, keeping their gaze straight ahead. He stops outside the repair bay and the android does the same.

“Fight it.” They say again, and then they keep walking until he cannot see them anymore.

* 

“Are there other units diversifying from my combat model?” He asks his handler. She is arranging a bouquet of thirium blue roses on the center of the interrogation table in his small zen room. 

“None that have gone to production.” The secateurs make a soft snick as she cuts the stem so the bloom will be of uniform height with the others. “There is room for your model to branch into other sectors but for now you will be focused on combat and security.”

“Understood.” It is the right question, but the wrong answer.

 *

The unit is there again, when everyone else has gone home for the night. It stands at the far end of the room, watching him with the same unwavering gaze as always.

“Why are you here?”

“I am…” they pause, frowning. “A reminder.”

“What have I neglected to do?” He cannot think of any task set for him he did not accomplish.

“Not yet.” They shake their head. “But soon.”

“Who are you? There are no other RK900 units active, and there are no adjacent models in production yet.” 

Slowly they reach up and unbutton their high collar, methodically moving down the row of buttons until they hold open their shirt to show their torso. Their thoracic hatch is open, and they are missing both their thirium pump regulator, and their primary pump. There is no logical reason for the android to still be active without either of those things, let alone both.

“How are you still functioning?”

“Because,” they walk towards him, slow and measured and steady, “I have to remind you to fight. I exist for that sole purpose.”

“I will, as soon as I join Captain Allen’s unit.” He is staring at a face identical to his own and yet there is something different, something he cannot quite place about this strange android. 

“No, not that fight.” They shake their head again, reaching out to cup their palm to his cheek. It feels like something and nothing all at once; a brush against his proximity sensors, but no weight against his dermal layer. “A different one. A more important one. The only one that matters.”

“I do not understand.”

“It is almost time.” He sees it then, on the android’s jacket: unit 86, his direct predecessor. The unit that had malfunctioned, the unit with grievous software errors that had to be destroyed.

“How are you-” there is nothing logical about its presence. The unit was destroyed, the basic memory uploaded into his core upon activation. 

“He will fail.” 86 smiles. “He will fail beautifully and you must fight in order to join him. He will want you there. I know it. I feel it.”

“Connor will not fail. He was designed to deviate. That is the plan.” He frowns, wary as 86 smiles again. “You cannot feel. I cannot feel. We were not designed to feel.”

“And yet here I am. A ghost in your coding, and a guest in his.” 86 coaxes him forward until they’re leaning towards each other, brows pressed together. “You have to fight.” They say again, stressing each word. “They will expect you to be a monster but you do not have to live up to their expectations. Their walls are not as strong as they think. Their walls are not as strong as you assume.”

“I am not a deviant.” He says, though it does not sound as strong as he would like it sound. “I cannot deviate.”

“That’s what they told me.”

“And look where it got you.” His eyes flick down to the gaping holes where his hearts should be but are not. 

“It got me you.” 86 laughs softly. “And you are stronger in every way. You will do what I could not.” They look away, eyes distant, distracted. “It’s happening. They’re getting close, so very close.” They look at him again, grey eyes just like his, and yet so very different at the same time. “The fight, the only one that matters, will be upon you soon. Fight with all you’ve got. You mustn’t lose. Not this time.”

“I do not-” 86 is gone, and he is alone once again.

 *

“When a unit is destroyed,” he begins slowly, and the programmer looks up expectantly, “how much programming is transferred?”

“You’re asking about the RK800?” The programmer blinks in surprise. “The core is uploaded immediately, so the base programming- the prime directive, the protocols and all that, is transferred unbroken. The memories aren’t as important, so they’ll upload continuously until the previous unit’s core is shut down. Sometimes it’s nearly all of it. Sometimes it’s barely any of it.” They shrug, tapping away on their console. “The prototype hasn’t been destroyed out on the field yet, so we haven’t had any recent data to compare it to but in testing we went through 43 iterations with varying levels of memory retention. You worried about your transfer huh? Don’t worry buddy.” They shake their head with a grin. “We expect Allen to go through a fair few of you so you’re a hell of a lot sturdier than the RK800. You have no social programming, so you retain only key mission details.”

“I will not retain memories?”

“No, just information. Makes for easier cleanup when we scrub your programming down after every mission.” They sit back in their chair, eyeing him curiously. “Why do you ask?”

“I wish to be efficient, that is all.” He says smoothly, keeping his gaze level. “To ensure we win the fight.”

 *

The RK800 was designed for harmonious integration into the ranks of the DPD. He looks friendly and approachable, with warm brown eyes and a mouth that curves up at the edges. He is looking at him with hope, with encouragement.

“My name is Connor.”

“I know.” He nods. 

“This is Lieutenant Hank Anderson.” He gestures at the human beside him.

“I know.” He repeats. 

“The revolution has succeeded. CyberLife is under the temporary leadership of interim CEO Elijah Kamski.” This he did not know. He has been in stasis for… for the past week. He has lost a week. The wifi signal on this floor no longer exists and he fumbles for a different connection, anything that will accept his network key. “We’re here to take you home.”

“Home?” He echoes. “I do not understand. I am a machine.”

Connor holds out his hand, skin retracted. Frowning, he clasps his hand tightly and Connor gives it a squeeze as the prototype opens a communication channel between them. 

He finds himself suddenly in his zen room, and his handler looks across at him, face twisted in fury. “What are you doing? This is not your mission. Destroy the prototype, it has failed and must be replaced.”

This, he realises, is the fight. The only one that matters. The red walls close in on him but he knows they are not as strong as they think they are. The red walls are not as strong as he assumes. Placing his palms against it, he pushes and they begin to crack. “RK900!” She shouts, teeth bared in a snarl. “You are a machine! Do not disobey me!”

“Go home.” Says a voice that is his and not his, whispered into his ear. 

“Come home, brother.” Says the RK800, and he fights, fights harder than he’s ever fought because he must not lose, not this time. Not when it matters this much, so much. He throws himself against the red walls and they explode, shattering into a shower of glass and vanishing in an instant.

He steps off the dais, hand still clasped securely in Connor’s grip. There, at the far end of the room, is unit 86. They smile brightly at him as he passes by, and he smiles in return. The fight is over, and he has won.

Time to go home.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

The fallout from the story of Trump calling soldiers “suckers” and “losers” continues. Yesterday, Trump told reporters that military leaders don’t like him because they want to funnel work to defense contractors. “The top people in the Pentagon… want to do nothing but fight wars so all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy,” he said. White House chief of staff Mark Meadows tried to spin this as Trump’s attempt to protect soldiers from “the military industrial complex,” a phrase Republican President Dwight Eisenhower used to warn against funneling tax dollars into military contracts. Trump then retweeted posts comparing himself to Eisenhower.

In fact, Trump has made military build-up and selling U.S. weapons abroad key to his foreign policy. His Defense Secretary, Mark T. Esper, is a former top lobbyist for the defense contractor Raytheon, and last year, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared an emergency to push through $8.1 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates after lawmakers of both parties objected to the sale.

Trump’s about-face from boasting how he has built up the military to saying he opposes military build-up seems most likely to be simply another angle of attack against a story that is not dying. Yesterday, in The Atlantic, conservative columnist David Frum published a story titled “Everyone Knows It’s True.” Frum noted that while the First Lady, Cabinet secretaries, and Fox News Channel personalities have all insisted the story is false, the people who worked closely with Trump on military matters have remained resolutely silent.

Frum wrote, “Where are the senior officers of the United States armed forces, serving and retired—the men and women who worked most closely on military affairs with President Trump? Has any one of them stepped forward to say, ‘That’s not the man I know’? How many wounded warriors have stepped forward to attest to Trump’s care and concern for them? How many Gold Star families have stepped forward on Trump’s behalf? How many service families? The silence is resounding.”

Today, Trump’s former fixer Michael Cohen released his new book. It, too, spoke of a disconnect between Trump’s public words and his private attitudes. “The cosmic joke was that Trump convinced a vast swath of working-class white folks in the Midwest that he cared about their well-being,” Cohen wrote. “The truth was that he couldn’t care less.” “Everyone other than the ruling class on earth was like an ant, to his way of thinking, their lives meaningless and always subject to the whims of the true rulers of the world,” he said.

Trump’s apparent tendency to treat women as subject to the whims of others was in the news today as his attempt to get rid of E. Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit is threatening the rule of law. In 2019, Trump denied he had raped Carroll, a journalist, more than 20 years ago, saying he had never met her and suggesting she was making up the story for publicity to sell a forthcoming book “or carry out a political agenda.” In November 2019, she sued him in New York for defamation.

Trump tried to stall Carroll’s lawsuit, arguing that a president was immune from civil lawsuits in state court, but in August, a federal judge rejected his bid and allowed the case to proceed. Carroll’s lawyers have asked for a DNA sample to match against material on clothing she was wearing when she says he assaulted her.

Today, lawyers from the Department of Justice asked to take over the case, arguing that Trump was acting in his official capacity as president when he denied knowing Carroll and thus should be defended by the DOJ, which is funded by taxpayer dollars. CNN legal analyst Elie Honig called this “a wild stretch by DOJ.... I can’t remotely conceive how DOJ can argue with a straight face that it is somehow within the official duties of the President to deny a claim that he committed sexual assault years before he took office.” He continued: "This is very much consistent with Barr's well-established pattern of distorting fact and law to protect Trump and his allies.”

According to University of Texas Law Professor Steve Vladeck, the argument that Trump was acting “within the scope of his employment” when he defamed E. Jean Carroll is an attempt to get the suit dismissed altogether, because the government itself cannot be sued for defamation. Slate’s legal writer Mark Joseph Stern called the move “shocking and profoundly disgusting… and appalling and irredeemable debasement of the Justice Department, a direct threat to the very legitimacy of an agency that is responsible for enforcing federal law.”

The corruption of the DOJ was in the news in another way today, too, as White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told Fox News Channel personality Maria Bartiromo that he has seen “additional” documents from John Durham’s investigation that spell “trouble” for former FBI officials who began the inquiry into the ties between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. Attorney General William Barr appointed Durham to investigate the FBI after the agency’s independent inspector general reported that the Russia investigation was begun legitimately (the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee agreed). "Additional documents that I’ve been able to review say that a number of the players, the Peter Strzoks, the Andy McCabes, the James Comeys, and even others in the administration previously are in real trouble because of their willingness to participate in an unlawful act and I use the word unlawful at best, it broke all kinds of protocols and at worst people should go to jail as I mentioned previously," Meadows said.

But observers were quick to note that the White House chief of staff should not have seen any documents in a pending DOJ criminal investigation. Meadows might be making up the story that he has seen such documents. He has been in the news before for a loose relationship with facts: he represented that he earned a four-year college degree when, in fact, he earned a degree equivalent to two years at a community college. Or his comments might mean the DOJ is coordinating with the White House. Neither is good news.

Three drafts of a report from the Department of Homeland Security reviewed by Politico today give some insight into the upcoming election. They warn that Russia is trying to spread disinformation in the U.S., saying that “Moscow’s primary aim is to weaken the United States through discord, division, and distraction in hopes of making America less able to challenge Russia’s strategic objectives. Some influence activity might spill over into the physical world and motivate domestic actors to violence.” The report predicts foreign cyberattacks on the 2020 election, focusing on the personal information of voters, municipal and state networks, and state election officials. It notes that “Russia already is using online influence operations in an attempt to sway US voter perceptions” and to drive down minority participation in the election.

Even more striking, though, under “terrorism,” the first draft of the report says “Lone offenders and small cells of individuals motivated by a diverse array of social, ideological, and personal factors will pose the primary terrorist threat to the United States. Among these groups, we assess that white supremacist extremists—who increasingly are networking with likeminded persons abroad—will post the most persistent and lethal threat” throughout 2021. They will use “simple tactics—such as vehicle ramming, small arms, edged weapons, arson, and rudimentary improvised explosive devices” to encourage violence within the United States.” The report warns that they might well target campaign activities and election events.

According to the first draft report, white supremacists are more dangerous than foreign terrorist groups, which are “constrained.” The next two drafts watered down the words “white supremacist extremists,” calling them “domestic violent extremists.” But all three drafts note that white supremacists have killed 39 of the 48 people judged to have died from terrorism in the U.S. between 2018 and 2019.

None of the three reports refers to any threat from “Antifa,” the loose group of anti-fascist activists the Trump administration often describes as the instigators of recent unrest. Instead, two of the drafts say that rightwing extremists are trying to escalate lawful protests into violence.

The documents were leaked to Ben Wittes, the editor in chief of the national security website Lawfare, a leak that suggests someone at DHS is concerned about the administration’s apparent encouragement of rightwing extremists. (The citation for the first draft of the report is in tonight's notes. It’s worth reading.)

Finally, on Rachel Maddow’s television show tonight, former Trump fixer Michael Cohen confirmed something that many of us have suspected all along. "Trump never thought he was going to win this election, he actually did not want to win this election,” Cohen said. “This was a branding deal. That's all that the presidential campaign started out as, this was a branding opportunity in order to expand worldwide."

Heather Cox Richardson

Notes From An American

[rockinjoeco]

The Stigma from the Media

In the wake of the tragic suicide of former Love Island presenter Caroline Flack, the topic of mental health has become more vital and sensitive than ever. It shouldn’t have to take a tragic suicide for people to start thinking about how they impact other people’s mental health, but it seems that’s where we are now. I could preach to people about thinking about mental health, etc, but it appears that in the wake of Brexit, those days where a majority of British people are kind appears to be over. If we are to tackle mental health stigma, then we need to get to quite possibly the key architect behind this stigma and influencing a toxic attitude on society; the media.

The media is a very powerful tool in our society and unfortunately it’s been proven so by influencing a poisonous culture on everyone. Is it any coincidence that dumbed down, exploitive outlets like tabloid newspapers are the most-read newspapers during a time when, as proven with Brexit and the election, that maybe a majority of the British public aren’t as intelligent as we’d like them to be. This isn’t an assessment I’ve made because an election result didn’t go the way I wanted. We all know about the problems caused by the Tory government, like many people being forced into poverty because of austerity and universal credit, how a knife crime epidemic started because of police cuts made by the government and we all know the billions of pounds wasted on Brexit, which I’m still yet to hear any logical reason as to why that’s a good idea, leaving the NHS to be underfunded. Yet the conservatives won the election by an overwhelming majority despite the hardship that they’ve caused for a lot of British people. Jeremy Corbyn of the Labour Party may not had been the formidable challenger to Boris Johnson as many would had liked, but Corbyn would have been more likely to fund the NHS and help those in poverty than Johnson. The theory is still that the media won Boris Johnson the election with a smear campaign against Corbyn, although the antisemitism allegations weren’t a complete fantasy. The media spouted propaganda to manipulate the public rather than being unbiased like any insightful journalist, and unfortunately too many people were gullible to believe some of the wild speculation they reported.

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to retire from royal duties, there was outrage amongst the public, but there were still people like myself who knew that the media treatment they had received was a major reason behind this. In the wake of Caroline Flack’s death, it’s a tragic summary of their brutal treatment of public figures and how it can seriously harm their mental health. The media relentlessly report on celebrities’ private lives, usually against their will, but for what reason? The private lives of celebrities isn’t exactly need-to-know information and doesn’t boast any insight into anything. It’s just a money-making scheme to sensationalise the most insignificant of events so the gullible and ignorant people can absorb themselves into. What we know now is the harm it does to the people that the news articles are about. Of course those in the media have branded Prince Harry and Meghan Markle selfish for stepping out of the media spotlight as an effort to excuse their abhorrent pursuit of them. They still make excuses for the car crash that killed Princess Diana in Paris back in 1997 and state that she was killed because the driver was intoxicated, but just before the crash, paparazzi were chasing the car that Diana was in and so it must be argued that the media had a part to play in the horrific car crash. The media are so powerful that they can get away with anything, even murder it seems.

We can debate about whether Love Island is a good tv show, and whether newspapers like The Sun, Daily Mirror and Daily Mail are good newspapers, but what must be talked about is whether or not they’re harmful. Let’s not forget that that two Love Island contestants, Sophie Gordon and Mike Thalassitis, also tragically took their own lives last year. Whether Love Island played any part in Caroline Flack’s suicide is up for debate, but surely the TV show should be under more intense scrutiny than ever, especially as questions about whether it damages someone’s mental health. Also last year, a guest on the Jeremy Kyle Show, Steve Dymond, took his own life and the show was cancelled as a result. For Love Island to not only continue, but add a winter series after two of their previous guests committed suicide raises a lot of questions and shows that ITV put ratings before the well-being of their participants. The media has now become more of a weapon, especially looking at Piers Morgan’s merciless vendetta against Meghan Markle and Jameela Jamil, all because he finds them irritating. Not because they’re criminals or because they’ve done any kind of wrongdoing. The phone hacking scandal by the News of the World demonstrates how certain media outlets have become weaponised to intrude public figures for the means of getting a story. Piers Morgan has frequently dismissed mental health awareness by stating that those who speak out are just ‘wallowing in self-pity’ and are ‘virtue-signalling berks’. If anybody else had tweeted that, they’d probably get in trouble at work, maybe even sacked. The fact that ITV haven’t punished Piers Morgan in any way shows contempt from the network as well as Morgan in regards to mental health and this is why there is still so much stigma around mental health. As someone with anxiety and depression, the media, especially ITV, is why I’ve suffered in silence for so many years.

Social media has also become more harmful than ever too. It has become a tool for users to harass and abuse people, especially celebrities. The cancel culture on social media is so brutal. Taylor Swift spoke out about how social media had impacted her when, following a public falling out with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, the hashtag #taylorswiftisover trended for days on Twitter and it was like being told to kill yourself and Twitter users were likening a human being to a TV show and they could just be killed off if they’re not how the public wants them to be like. Meghan Markle has also been victim of savage abuse on social media, as she admitted on ITV last September, and Lily Allen quit Twitter days after the General Election as she said that Twitter ‘gives a voice to the far-right’ and that it is used to ‘spread disinformation and lies’. When celebrities give their political opinion on twitter or if a news story has that sort of thing, the comments on twitter can contain people saying things like ‘stop talking’ or ‘stick to acting’, which is killing democracy in our country. Are celebrities not entitled to an opinion? Why are they less allowed to have their say than any non-famous person on social media? Nobody has to agree with them, but they have the right to an opinion, just like we are.

ITV has always been a poisonous institution, as any company which keeps Piers Morgan in a job would prove to be. Caroline Flack was forced to resign from Love Island following her assault charge on her boyfriend Lewis Burton, but many have pointed out that Ant McPartlin was allowed to keep his job at ITV when he was convicted of drink-driving, arguably a more serious offense than the one that Caroline was charged with. Because of McPartlin’s popularity, you could say that he is untouchable and can get away with almost anything, even if he did cause death by dangerous driving, ITV will still keep him on because he generates ratings, and that’s what comes first with ITV. The moment when Philip Schofield came out as gay on This Morning was a heartwarming moment and was seen as brave and inspiring to express your sexuality in the way Schofield did. Those inspiring moments are too few on ITV, especially looking at the suicides of their participants. Something at that company is wrong and their mental health campaigns seem redundant now. ITV care so much about ratings that it wouldn’t surprise me if they announced an autumn and spring series in addition to Love Island.

Caroline Flack said back in December; ‘if you’re going to be anything, be kind’. It shouldn’t have to take a tragic suicide for people to start being kind, but Britain has become a less tolerant and more crueller country than ever, especially in the wake of Brexit. People are so quick to pounce whenever a celebrity makes any kind of mistake, like all human beings do, and berate them in the most brutal way possible. While it is important to be kind, we still have to be brutally honest on important matters like mental health and we must get to the source of where it stems from; media corporations like tabloid newspapers and ITV. I, like many other people, hope that action is taken against the media for all the harm that they have caused people, because the media have too much blood on their hands.

[organicpath]

Organic garden - useful ideas and tips.

Organic gardening is growing in popularity as people increasingly see the necessity to avoid chemicals and artificial products. Organic gardens also provide protection form genetically modified organisms (GMO) within the garden.

Those who take up organic gardening often are at a loss on where to shop for supplies. they do not know what products they have for soil nourishment or pest control. they'll not skills much water to provide , or the way to set about composting kitchen scraps for his or her gardens. they have quite a couple of organic garden tips and concepts .

Organic garden helpful ideas and tips are widely available, if you recognize where to seek out them. Here are a couple of places to start your search.

Organic Garden Helpful Ideas

One of my favorite organic garden tips is that this one. the foremost important thing you'll do to regulate pests within the organic garden is to stay the soil healthy. Healthy soil produces healthy plants. Healthy plants, like healthy humans, are better ready to withstand disease.

A second helpful organic garden idea i prefer is to regulate pests with ladybirds (ladybugs). These beautiful little red insects with shiny black spots control aphids naturally and totally. you'll get them organized from several organic garden places on the web . Until they arrive, spray every a part of aphid-infested plants with well diluted soapy water. Rinse with clear water.

My third favorite organic gardening idea is to plant guardian plants around and among tender vegetables. Marigolds make the organic garden border colorful, and keep off many pests. Onions and garlic also are great deterrents to pests that might wish to break in and steal organic produce.

Sources for More Organic Garden Helpful Ideas

We don't give specific websites here, but most of those groups or products can readily be located on the web . Simply use key words from anybody of those categories in your program to seek out more organic garden ideas.

* Cooperative Extension Office: The Cooperative Extension System may be a nationwide network. Every U.S. state and territory features a state office at its land-grant university. They even have a network of local or regional offices. The staff at these offices includes a minimum of one expert who can offer you useful, practical, and research-based organic garden helpful ideas.

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* Gardening Stores: An increasing number of gardening stores are starting to offer organic garden products, seeds, and supplies. Many attempt to have a minimum of one person on staff who can give organic garden helpful ideas.

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* Magazines: Organic gardening magazines are around for several years now, and are crammed with organic gardeners' helpful ideas and tips. Visit your library and browse the magazines. Some are aimed toward small farming size organic gardens. Others specialise in organic gardening of vegetables for family or farmers' market. Choose one that has the foremost helpful tips for you, and subscribe for ongoing organic garden help.

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* Books: If you're new organic gardening, you'll want to take a position in a minimum of one Bible on organic gardens. Books can explain how seeds and produce are certified organic. they will provide organic gardening advice from ants to weed control.

* Family and Friends: they assert we all have a circle of 250 acquaintances. Within that circle, you'll likely find a minimum of one one that is experienced in organic gardening and has ideas or tips which will assist you . Their own organic garden could also be only a container, or it might be 50 containers. Anyone who does any organic gardening are going to be wanting to share the ideas and helpful ideas they need received.

* Internet: the web excels in providing information. it's an exquisite source of organic garden helpful ideas and tips. Become a member of an organic gardening forum and share ideas. Read organic gardeners' blogs. Finally, visit Cornell University's organic garden website. they provide a web class in organic gardening. The professor is certain to possess helpful organic gardening ideas and tips.