#largest importer of human hai

[seair]

The Growing Demand for Human Hair Imports in India: A Booming Market

India, renowned for its rich supply of temple hair, has seen a surge in the demand for imported human hair. With the global market for wigs, extensions, and medical hair products expanding rapidly, the beauty industry in India is also witnessing a notable shift. This article delves into the rising trend of human hair imports, the key factors driving this demand, and the future of this dynamic sector in India.

Why Human Hair is in High Demand

The global human hair trade has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry, primarily driven by the beauty and fashion sectors. Wigs, hair extensions, and hairpieces have become popular accessories, offering people the chance to experiment with different looks while maintaining a natural appearance. Human hair, unlike synthetic alternatives, provides a realistic texture, shine, and durability that is hard to replicate.

In addition to cosmetic uses, human hair has an important role in the medical field. Individuals dealing with hair loss due to conditions like alopecia or undergoing cancer treatments often seek out human hair wigs to regain their confidence and sense of normalcy. The superior quality of human hair for medical use has further fueled its demand worldwide.

The Shift Toward Human Hair Imports in India

India is famous for its naturally black, lustrous hair, which has been exported globally for decades. However, as consumer preferences evolve, there has been a growing demand for hair with varied textures, colors, and characteristics that are not as easily sourced domestically. As a result, India has begun to import human hair from countries like China, Myanmar, and Vietnam, where lighter-colored and straight hair is more common.

This shift reflects a change in the beauty standards of Indian consumers, who now seek more diverse options in terms of hair texture and style. The rise in demand for different hair types has opened up a lucrative market for imported human hair.

Key Countries Supplying Human Hair to India

The global human hair trade includes several countries that are major suppliers to India. China is one of the leading exporters of human hair, along with Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia. These countries offer hair that suits the growing demand for unique textures and styles that cater to a wider range of fashion trends and personal preferences in India.

Human hair from these regions is highly sought after for its quality, durability, and aesthetic appeal, making it a preferred choice for Indian buyers looking for high-end wigs, hairpieces, and extensions.

Top Human Hair Buyers in India

The expanding market for human hair in India has attracted several businesses specializing in importing and distributing hair products. Some of the leading human hair buyers in India include:

Devansh Enterprises

Lush International LLP

Rbl Hair Export

Manisha Impex

Fancon

Vipin Hair Extension

1 Hair

Danish's Scrap Hub

Elite Hair Studio Pvt Ltd.

Esskay Beauty Resources P Ltd.

These companies are key players in the industry, meeting the growing demand for human hair products in India’s bustling beauty and fashion markets.

The Impact of Human Hair Imports on the Indian Market

As the demand for diverse hair textures and colors rises, human hair imports have become essential in meeting the needs of the Indian market. According to recent human hair import data, India saw a significant increase in human hair imports in 2023-2024, with a substantial volume of hair being sourced from various countries.

The popularity of hair extensions and wigs, particularly in urban areas, has significantly boosted the demand for imported hair. Indian consumers are increasingly opting for hair products that offer a wider variety of styles and textures not commonly available locally. This trend is expected to continue, driving further growth in the human hair import sector.

Global Leaders in Human Hair Imports

While India is a major player in the human hair export industry, several other countries dominate the global market for human hair imports. The top three countries leading human hair imports globally are:

The United States: The largest importer of human hair worldwide, with over 103,000 shipments.

China: A close second, importing approximately 99,000 shipments of human hair.

Myanmar: Holds the third spot, importing around 13,500 shipments.

These countries play a pivotal role in the global human hair trade, both as suppliers and buyers, and contribute to the steady rise in the market’s value.

The Future of Human Hair Imports in India

Looking ahead, the future of human hair imports in India seems promising. As beauty standards continue to evolve and consumers seek more options, the demand for high-quality human hair is expected to rise further. The Indian beauty industry, particularly in urban regions, has embraced hair extensions and wigs as fashion essentials, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down.

With the growing popularity of unique hair textures, lengths, and colors, Indian businesses are increasingly exploring international markets to meet local demand. This surge in interest is not only a reflection of changing beauty trends but also the expanding purchasing power of Indian consumers.

As technology in hair processing and care continues to advance, the human hair import market in India is set to remain a dynamic and profitable sector. The beauty-conscious population is expected to continue driving demand for imported hair that offers greater variety and quality than domestic supplies.

How to Find Human Hair Buyers and Suppliers

For businesses looking to enter the human hair trade or expand their reach, there are several platforms available to help identify buyers and suppliers. One such platform is Seair Exim Solutions, which provides detailed market insights, global trade data, and HS codes related to human hair. This platform offers access to data from over 120 countries, including key markets like the UAE, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Turkey, and the USA.

Businesses can use these tools to stay ahead of market trends, identify potential partners, and make informed decisions in the highly competitive human hair market.

Final Thoughts

The demand for human hair imports in India is rising steadily, fueled by the country's growing beauty and fashion industries. As consumers continue to seek high-quality, diverse hair products for wigs, extensions, and medical purposes, the market for imported human hair is poised for continued growth. For businesses involved in the human hair trade, staying informed about global trends and market data is crucial to capitalizing on this evolving industry.

Whether you're a buyer, supplier, or investor, the future of human hair imports in India presents exciting opportunities for growth and innovation in a rapidly expanding market.

[random-tail]

These 2 harpies were ispire by @missterious-figure dca au Wine and Feathers au.

A small drabble underneath featuring these 2 with in the au.

Its early morning as you walk leisurely through the Safari Zone to your section that you manage. The peacock section. As the handler of the 3 biggest attractions to the Birds of Paradise casino, you had to make sure everything and everyone was ready for the day. Yet as you sip your coffee, you can’t help but take your time just to enjoy a small bit of solitude before you are suffocated by the attention of 3 very clingy peacock harpies.

As you walk however, something gets your attention. Or more specifically someone. You recognize the much smaller harpy as a white browed tit warbler, a newer addition, added for their more diluted colors as a type of cool down from the more vibrant birds. They waved at you from out under a tree, and after doing a quick glance around and seeing no one else. You knew they were asking for you. You even point to yourself to make sure and they nod.

Glancing at your watch, you have enough time to see what they needed, even though they really should consult their own handler. But you shrug it off and start to approach. Yet as you grew closer, something was off as you could catch something on their flight feathers. Is that.. blood?

You kick up into high gear as you drop your coffee and full out run to the small injured harpy. Your lack of caffeine was not as important then getting the poor thing to the medical wing. Though your sudden walk to run must of startled them as they jolt and step back. Your too concerned however to catch them glancing to their side.

Once you get to them, you quickly and calmly offer your hand to them. “What happened? Are you alright? Where does it hurt?” you fire off one question after another as the harpy seams to stammer, perhaps their in shock? You gently cradle the wing/arm that seems to have the most blood on it. “Come on. Lets get you to the medical wing. I’ll stay with you till we can get ahold of your handler and-“

“My, my, what a sweet little mouse you are. No wonder those pompous peacocks are so smitten with you.”

You jolt and spin around to see the other side of the tree just in time for a clawed hand to grab you by your jaw. Lifting it up so you were on your toes and couldn’t open your mouth. “Such an ugly thing too. At least some humans have the decency to wear makeup.”

You immediately glare at the new person holding you up. Only for the glare to drop when you realize it’s not a person put another harpy. A sectary bird harpy. And he was BIG. He looked as if he could butt heads with Eclipse which was a feat in itself. Specially considering Eclipse is the largest of the harpies in the casino.

He regards you with dark, sharp, eyes like a falcon would a field mouse. Just before it strikes. But you recompose yourself as your attention is drawn to his free claw, which was caked in dried blood, as he tucks a stray hair behind your ear.

“No matter, you don’t need looks for what I need you for.” He smiles at you with a tilt of his head.

You smack his hands away and off you before pointing an accusatory finger at his chest. “Did you do this to them?” You use your other hand to motion to the smaller harpies wing. His grin grows sharp. “Hmm I don’t know? Did I do that little Crest?” You turn to who you assume is Crest, just in time to see them lower their head, terrified, and shake their head no. You frown.

He chuckles “See, not me. But enough of that. I’m Lance and I have a little message for you little pea-" you cut him off as you turn to Crest. “Hay, Crest was it? lets get you to the medical wing now ok?” you ignore the pompous bird as you cup Crests injured wing and begin to move them to the right direction.

In your time being Suns, Moons, and Eclipses handler. You’ve learned the best punishment for those who demand attention, is to ignore them out right. So you start to lead a very shocked, if not concerned, Crest away from Lance. Only to receive a very rough and a very sudden reminder of just how dangerous harpies can be.

Lance rips you away from Crest who lets out a sharp shriek as he slams you up against the tree and pinches you jaw hard. His grin was gone as he stares you down with wild angary eyes. “You little rodent. I was gonna have you deliver a verbal message for me but perhaps a more.. physical,” you feel his claws dipping into the flesh of your cheeks. “message will be more necessar- CAW!!” he drops you as Crest rips out one of his tail feathers. Scrambling to your feet, you get away enough to duck under his talons when he try’s to snatch you again. You then tackle Crest to the ground feeling you needed to protect the already hurt and scared harpy.

Yet as you brace yourself to feel Lance’s talons, you and Crest are yanked back behind a wall of Gold, Silver, and Bronze feathers. You breathe a sigh of relief as you look up to find Sun and Moon holding both you and Crest away safely while Eclipse with his plumage fully fluffed. Size up the sectary harpy.

Eclipse and Lance were practically equal in hight as the 2 stared each other down. You could see Eclipse readying his talons while Lance’s was on full display. Yet he then suddenly relents. “Well, looks like I won’t need you to give my message after all, little mouse.” Eclipse blocks his view of you. “Back off! What kind of idiot goes after a handler unprovoked?!” Lance makes a gasping motion. “unprovoked? Mwa? I was merely trying to get a message to you 3 and my talons just..” he glances over Eclipses wall of feathers towards you with a sharp grin. “slipped.”

Wasn't quite sure how to continue it after that so anyone's free to interpret what would happen next.

[mint-moon25]

ITZY "Not Shy (English Ver.)" M/V in ZEPETO @ITZY

JANUARY 2024

TOKYO - JAPAN

DEAR IMPERIAL HIGHNESS OF JAPAN,

FROM THE DESK OF KITTY WHITE

WHITE FAMILY

KNOWN - AFFECTIONATELY AS - HELLO KITTY

UNICEF - AMBASSADOR - FOR - CHILDREN

JAPAN'S - AMBASSADOR - OF - TOURIM

YOUR - HIGHNESS - LIKE - BRITISH - ROYAL

FAMILY - ARE - THEY - AND - YOU - STILL JP

IMIORTANT - 2 - THE - PEOPLE - OF CITIES

YOU - LIVE - IN - TOKYO - AND LONDON UK

I'M - BRITISH - I - WAS- TOLD - ME - AND

MY - YOUNGER - IDENTICAL - TWIN SISTER

MIMMY - WERE - BORN - IN - ENGLAND UK

I - FEEL - BLESSED - BECAUSE - EVEN

MR HARROD's - WHO - BROUGHT THE

WORLD's - LARGEST - DEPARTMENT

STORE - 2 - LONDON - COULDN'T GET

UK - CITIZENSHIP - BUT - WHY WOULD

HE - WANT - 2 - BRILLIANT - ABOUT

PROVIDING - OWN - ELECTRICITY

WHY - WOULD - HE - BE - PART OF

WHO - HAD - HER - COUSIN - QUEEN

MARY - OF - SCOTS - SCOTLAND YES

BY - MEN - BROUGHT - DOWN - 2 BE

BEHEADED - WHY - WOULD - ANYONE

WANT - 2 B - UNITED - 2 - SUCH - YES

CRUELTY - TOWER - OF - LONDON AS

KING - HENRY VIII - HAD - 2 - OF - HIS

WIVES - BEHEADED - COUNTLESS

MURDERS - ROBBERIES - AND HAI

TODAY - THEIR - BAYONET - ON TOP

OF - THEIR - MACHINE - GUNS - YES

SUCH - BARBARIC - WEAPONS THAT

EVEN - WOMEN - CARRY - EQUALITY

INDEED - WHEN - GENTLER WOMEN

ARE - MADE - OF - A - GENTLE

CONSTITUTION - LIKE - BIBLE

SAID - 2 - WORSHIP - GOD - ON

THE - SABBATH - LAST - DAY OF

THE - WEEK - SUNDAY - THE 1ST

YET - CHURCH - OF - ENGLAND - AND

CHRISTIANS - LIKE - ADOLPH HITLER

WORSHIPPED - GOD - ON - SUNDAYS

GOD - SAID - WORSHIP HIM - ON THE

SABBATH - NO - ONE - HAS - DARED

OBEY - THE - HOLY BIBLE

IMPERIAL - HIGHNESS - OF - JAPAN

GLAD - I - WAS - BORN - SOMEWHERE

BUT - AS - AMBASSADORS - HELLO

KITTY - AND - MIMMY - ARE - NOT

EVEN - SCIENTIFIC - MINDED AND

WHAT - HAVE - THEY - REALLY - YES

CONTRIBUTED - IN TERMS - OF HAI

INTELLIGENCE - AND - SPORTS

HAS - HELLO - KITTY - INVENTED

ANYTHING - 4 - KIDS

HAS - HELLO - KITTY - EVER WON

ANY - OLYMPIC - EVENT

HOLY BIBLE - LEVITICUS 19 - ALWAYS

GOING - 2 - SUNDAY - SCHOOLS - AS

SCOTLAND - YARD - UNARMED - YES

WOMEN - FR - MIDWIVES - THEY HAVE

SCANDALOUSLY - HARMED - MANY BY

TELEPHONE - READY - 2 - HIT - KIDS

AND - OLD - PEOPLE - WITH - THEIR

WOOD - BATTON - NO - ONE - HAS

STOPPED - THEM - MEN - GIVING

THEM - FREE - REIGN - WITH - CRUEL

ACTS - AS - THE - POOR - OF SOCIETY

IMPERIAL - HIGHNESS - OF - JAPAN

SCOTLAND YARD - MEN - WOMEN

ARE - MEMBERS - OF - THE CHURCH

OF - ENGLAND - BUT - THEY VOLATE

LOVE - WHAT - NEVER - FAILS

LEVITICUS 19 - SAID - 'YOU - MUST

TREAT - THE - FOREIGNER - LIVING

LIVING - AS - THE - NATIVE - THEY

DON'T - DO - THAT - IN - USA - ALSO

REVISED - LOVE - HIM AS THYSELF

JEWS - WERE - STRANGERS - IN

THE - LAND - OF - EGYPT - THEN

BECAME - THEIR - SLAVES WHO

IS - THE - SPEAKER - THE - LORD

OUR - GOD - THE - INVISIBLE GOD

OF - ISRAEL' - HEBREWS 13 - SAYS

'DO - NOT - NEGLECT - 2 - SHOW

HOSPITALITY - 2 - STRANGERS'

HOSTILE - ILLEGAL - HAITI MALE

BLK - MIAMI - POLICE - ARE YES

CRUEL - LIKE - UNARMED - POLICE

SCOTLAND YARD - FEMALES - AND

NOW - ARMED - POLICE - MALES

ONLY - THEY - HARMED - FORMER

SERENE - PRINCESS - AMERICAN

MEGAN - RICHER - THAN - HARRY

FORMER - AMERICAN - ACTRESS

HUMANITARIAN - ACTIVIST - OF

HUMANITY - NOW - HEARD - GB

GREAT - BRITAIN - HAS - BLOCKED

HER - YET - SERENE - HIGHNESS

CATHERINE - ELIZABETH - NOT

WEARING - BLUE - (DIANA - LONG

AGO - DONE - ALREADY)

LONGEST - HAT - GOING - UP - AS

2 - SAY - 'LOOK - AT - WHO - CAN

WALK - IN - FRONT' - SINCE WAS

JUST - HARRY - FORMER SERENE

HIGHNESS - MEGAN - AMERICAN

RICHER - THAN - PRINCE WILLIAM

WALKS - WAY - BEHIND

SERENE - PRINCESS - CATHARINE

ROYAL - ONLY - BY - MARRIAGE

DIVORCED - WILL - B - LIKE DIANA

FORMER - PRINCESS - ALSO - HER

FORMER - PRINCESS - OF WALES

ENGLISH - ARISTOCRACY

WHO - WOULD - HAVE - BEEN

QUEEN - ONLY - ROYAL - OF HER

SERENE - PRINCESS - CATHERINE

IS - THE - ROYAL - HOSPITAL - OF

HER - BIRTH - NOT - ROYAL - BY

BIRTH - HER - CHILDREN - ARE

MORE - IMPORTANT - 4 - HER

SERENE - PRINCESS - CATHERINE

ELIZABETH - AND - PRINCE - OF

THE - THRONE - THINKS - THEY

GREATED - PRINCE - GEORGE

THE - ROYAL - 3 - CHILDREN

WHEN - THE - MOST - HIGH

CREATED - THEM - AND WENT

INSIDE - BY - SPIRIT - AND YES

BROUGHT - 2 - LIFE - THE NEW

HOUSING - CREATED - 4 THEM

IMPERIAL - HIGHNESS - OF - JAPAN

AS - PEOPLE - WE - CAN'T - CREATE

PEOPLE - THE - MOST - HIGH - OUR

ONLY - CREATOR - OF - EACH - OF

US - THEN - WE - WAIT - UNTIL WE

GO - INSIDE - OUR - MOTHER's

WAITING - AREA - 2 - BECOME

LARGER - 4 - DELIVERY - 2 THIS

PLANET - EARTH

IMPERIAL - HIGHNESS - OF - JAPAN

I - BROUGHT - UP - THE - SUBJECT

OF - BEING - BRITISH - BY - BIRTH

THAT - I - NO - LONGER - WANT 2

REMAIN - BRITISH - MY - FAMILY

WANTS - 2 - GO - 2 - OUR ROOTS

TOKYO - JAPAN - AND - MY FRIEND

AND - HIS - FAMILY - WANTS - 2 YES

JOIN - US - FOR - OUR - WRITERS

HAS - ME - WITH - ETERNAL TRUE

PARTNER - BUT - LIKE - MICKEY

MOUSE - AFTER - 50 YEARS YES

FINALLY - MARRIED - MINNIE MOUSE

WHY - CAN'T - SHE - MARRY - DANIEL

DEAR - IMPERIAL - HIGHNESS - OF JAPAN

I - WOULD - LIKE - 2 - SEPARATE - FROM

ENGLAND - AND - UNITED KINGDOM AS

OUR - FAMILY - WANTS - 2 B - GRANTED

JAPANESE - CITIZENSHIP

JAPANESE - PASSPORTS

ME - AND - DANIEL - WANT - 2 - MARRY

AND - PRODUCE - KIDS - BORN IN - YES

TOKYO - JAPAN - CHOOSING - MANY

LANGUAGES - 2 - SPEAK - BUT - OUR

OWN - IN - PARTICULAR

KOREA - ITZY - WOULD - LIKE - 2 MAKE

PARTNERSHIP - WITH - WHITE - FAMILY

BRING - ME - AND - TWIN - MIMMY - TO

LEARN - MORE - AND - BECOME MORE

AND - START - MORE - EDUCATION

BEFITTING - ROOTS - ARE - TOKYO JP

JAPAN - WE - WOULD - LIKE - 2 B YES

JUNIOR - SCIENTISTS - RESEARCHERS

ANOTHER - THING - MISSING - IN - YES

LONDON - THE - SUN - DURING WINTER

AND - BARBIE - OF - MATTEL, INC. - YES

MY - ROLE - MODEL - IS - AMERICA's

BARBIE - BUT - WHAT - WE - HAVE IS

NOT - SUFFICIENT - IN - ENGLAND UK

I - LOVE - BARBIE - AND - I - KNOW - I

CAN - FIND - HER - MORE - IN TOKYO

THAN - LONDON - ENGLAND - I WOULD

LIKE - BIRDS - 2 - WARMER - WEATHER

WOULD - LIKE - 2 - MIGRATE - 2 - YES

WARMER - SNOW - MORE - SUNLIGHT

PINK - SAKURA - TREES - TOKYO - AND

MOUNT FUJI - THE - BEAUTIFUL

ISLAND - NATION - JAPAN

MORE - THAN - 25 MILLION - YEARS

ITZY - KOREAN - GIRLS - CAN - TAKE

HELLO - KITTY - AND - MY - TWIN JP

MIMMY - 2 - HIGHER - HEIGHTS

INTRODUCE - US - 2 - THEM AS YES

KOREAN - DOLLS - AND - LIKE - ME

WE - ALL - LOVE - BARBIE - OUR

ROLE - MODELS

BARBIE

SCIENTIST

SURFER - CHAMPION

OLYMPIC - GOLD - MEDALISTS

BALLERINA - PRIMA

SPORTS - GOLD - MEDALS

ATHLETE

HUMANITARIAN - FIGHTS FOR

MALIBU - PROTECTS ANIMALS

AND - MORE

I - FEEL - I - CAN - DO - MORE - WITH

MY - NEW - FRIENDS - ITZY - KOREA

GRANT - ME - AND - MY - FAMILY

WORK - VISAS

CITIZENSHIP - WITH - JAPAN

JAPANESE - PASSPORT

GRANT - SAME - 4 - DANIEL - AND

HIS - FAMILY

ALWAYS - 4 - BABIES - CITIZENSHIP

BUT - HOW - ABOUT - WHEN - WE R

OLDER - HOW - ABOUT - US - POOR

NOT - RICH - UNEMPLOYED - AND

NOT - QUITE - HEALTHY - I'M NOT

RICH - WITH - AMBASSADORSHP

BUT - I - WANT - 2 B - WORTHY OF

WITH - WEALTH - FROM - WORK 2

GRANT - US - CITIZENSHIP - AND

JAPAN's - PASSPORT

THIS - I - HUMBLY - REQUEST

2 - THE - JAPAN - THAT - HAS

BEEN - OUR - FAMILY's ROOTS

4 - MILLIONS - OF - YEARS - I

SAY - JESUS CHRIST IS LORD

THANK-YOU VERY MUCH

'EAST - MET - WEST'

HELLO KITTY

KITTY WHITE

LONDON UK

2:51P EST

PS HAPPY NEW YEAR - IMPERIAL - FAMILY

('MONDAY - MONDAY' - 08 JAN 2024)

[industrynewsupdates]

Future of Cleanroom Technology In Healthcare Market: Insights from Industry Experts

The global cleanroom technology in healthcare market size is expected to reach USD 5.6 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.58% from 2023 to 2030. Growing compliance with stringent regulatory standards for new product approvals, technological advancements by key players to provide customized services to manufacturing companies, and an increase in awareness about contamination-free products coupled with growing demand in biopharmaceutical and pharma companies to develop high-quality products are some of the key factors driving the market growth.

Cleanroom is essential in several industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and electronics manufacturing. The advancement of cleanroom technology is a result of the growing demand for contamination-free production and the stringent regulations set by regulatory bodies. In recent years, the market for cleanroom technology in healthcare has witnessed significant growth, and it is expected to continue in the coming years.

With the integration of robotics, cleanrooms can operate with minimal human intervention, reducing the risk of contamination. The use of automation and robotics in cleanrooms also leads to increased efficiency and productivity, resulting in higher-quality products. In addition, the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in cleanroom technology is also gaining momentum, as it enables real-time monitoring and control of the cleanroom environment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on market. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of maintaining a clean and sterile environment in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices industries, where contamination is a major concern. The pandemic has also increased the demand for cleanroom technology in the production of medical equipment, such as ventilators, masks, and personal protective equipment (PPE). These factors have positively impacted the market growth.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Cleanroom Technology In Healthcare Market

Cleanroom Technology In Healthcare Market Report Highlights

• The market is projected to witness significant growth by 2030, owing to the rapidly increasing incidence of healthcare-acquired Infections (HAIs)

• In terms of product, the consumables segment dominated the market in 2022 owing to growing advancements in pharmaceutical cleanroom technology, both in terms of technicality and regulations

• In terms of end use, the pharmaceutical industry segment dominated the market in 2022. The growth is due to stringent regulations regarding the approval of pharmaceutical products, which has increased demand for cleanroom technology

• North America dominated the market for cleanroom technology and accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022. This can be attributed to the proper healthcare infrastructure in the region and the local presence of key pharmaceutical players

Cleanroom Technology In Healthcare Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the cleanroom technology in healthcare market based on product, end use, and region

Cleanroom Technology In Healthcare Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Equipment

o Heating Ventilation And Air Conditioning System (HVAC)

o Cleanroom Air Filters

o Air Shower And Diffuser

o Laminar Air Flow Unit

o Others

• Consumables

o Gloves

o Wipes

o Disinfectants

o Apparels

o Cleaning Products

Cleanroom Technology In Healthcare End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Pharmaceutical Industry

• Medical Device Industry

• Biotechnology Industry

• Hospitals And Diagnostic Centers

Cleanroom Technology In Healthcare Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• North America

o U.S.

o Canada

• Europe

o U.K.

o Germany

o France

o Italy

o Spain

o Sweden

o Norway

o Denmark

• Asia Pacific

o Japan

o China

o India

o Australia

o Thailand

o South Korea

• Latin America

o Brazil

o Mexico

o Argentina

• MEA

o South Africa

o Saudi Arabia

o UAE

o Kuwait

Order a free sample PDF of the Cleanroom Technology In Healthcare Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[greatartcollections]

Explore Famous Artists Paintings at Great Art Collections

Art has been an integral part of human culture for centuries, allowing individuals to express emotions, explore new ideas, and capture the essence of their surroundings. Throughout history, many artists have left behind masterpieces that continue to inspire and shape the world of art today. Museums and art galleries around the world house these extraordinary collections, giving visitors a chance to engage with some of the most iconic paintings ever created. In this article, we will take you on a journey to explore the paintings of famous artists that can be found in renowned Great Art Collections across the globe.

Introduction: The Importance of Great Art Collections

Great Art Collections serve as a cultural heritage, preserving the creative expressions of various societies over time. These collections, found in museums and galleries, allow us to explore the rich history of art and gain insight into the lives of famous artists. They also offer a unique opportunity to witness the evolution of artistic movements, from the Renaissance to modern abstract art. Whether it's the emotional depth of Vincent van Gogh's brushstrokes or the innovative techniques of Pablo Picasso, each artwork tells a story, and each collection offers a window into the mind of the artist.

Top Museums and Galleries with Famous Great Art Collections

1. The Louvre Museum - Paris, France

Located in the heart of Paris, the Louvre Museum is home to one of the largest and most comprehensive art collections in the world. With over 35,000 works of art, the Louvre showcases paintings from some of the most iconic artists in history, including Leonardo da Vinci, Eugène Delacroix, and Georges Seurat. The museum's most famous piece, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, draws millions of visitors every year, while other masterpieces like Liberty Leading the People by Delacroix and The Wedding at Cana by Paolo Veronese offer glimpses into different artistic styles and historical periods.

Notable Artists in the Louvre:

Leonardo da Vinci – Mona Lisa, Saint John the Baptist

Eugène Delacroix – Liberty Leading the People

Jacques-Louis David – The Coronation of Napoleon

2. The British Museum - London, UK

The British Museum is one of the most celebrated institutions in the world, and it boasts an impressive collection of over 8 million works. While the museum is best known for its ancient artifacts, its extensive collection of European paintings is also of great significance. The Greek and Roman antiquities complement the magnificent works of art from the Renaissance and Neoclassical periods. Visitors can explore masterpieces by Rembrandt, Turner, and John Constable, as well as more contemporary works.

Notable Artists in the British Museum:

Rembrandt van Rijn – Self-Portrait with Two Circles

J.M.W. Turner – The Fighting Temeraire

John Constable – The Hay Wain

3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York, USA

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) is an iconic institution located in the heart of New York City. Known for its vast and diverse collection of art, The Met houses works from every corner of the globe. The museum's European paintings collection is particularly notable, featuring works from artists such as Vermeer, Botticelli, and Rembrandt. The Met’s galleries offer a broad spectrum of styles, from the Classical period to modernist masterpieces.

Notable Artists in The Met:

Johannes Vermeer – The Milkmaid

Sandro Botticelli – The Birth of Venus

Rembrandt van Rijn – Aristotle with a Bust of Homer

4. The Uffizi Gallery - Florence, Italy

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in Italy and holds some of the most important works of the Italian Renaissance. Situated in Florence, the gallery is home to paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Raphael. Visitors can marvel at Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, as well as stunning works by Caravaggio and Titian. The Uffizi offers a deep dive into the brilliance of Renaissance art and its enduring influence on Western culture.

Notable Artists in the Uffizi:

Sandro Botticelli – The Birth of Venus, Primavera

Leonardo da Vinci – Annunciation, The Adoration of the Magi

Michelangelo – Doni Tondo

5. The Vatican Museums - Vatican City

The Vatican Museums are an exceptional treasure trove of art and history, featuring an impressive collection of works from the Renaissance and beyond. The Sistine Chapel, designed by Michelangelo, is one of the most visited artistic sites in the world. The Vatican also houses a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and frescoes by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Leonardo da Vinci, showcasing the mastery and grandeur of the Renaissance period.

Notable Artists in the Vatican Museums:

Michelangelo – The Creation of Adam, The Last Judgment

Raphael – The Transfiguration, The School of Athens

Caravaggio – The Supper at Emmaus, Saint Jerome Writing

6. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) - New York, USA

For those who are interested in modern art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York is an unmissable destination. MoMA’s collection spans from the late 19th century to the present day and includes groundbreaking works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Andy Warhol, and Frida Kahlo. The museum is known for its extensive collection of abstract expressionism, cubism, and pop art, offering a deeper understanding of the movements that shaped the modern art landscape.

Notable Artists in MoMA:

Pablo Picasso – Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Guernica

Vincent van Gogh – The Starry Night

Andy Warhol – Campbell's Soup Cans, Marilyn Diptych

Famous Artists and Their Iconic Paintings

1. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Da Vinci is often hailed as one of the greatest minds in human history. His contributions to art, science, and invention are unmatched, and his masterpieces are revered worldwide. The Mona Lisa remains one of the most famous paintings ever created, admired for its mysterious smile and masterful technique. Da Vinci’s The Last Supper and Vitruvian Man also highlight his ability to blend art with scientific inquiry, making him a central figure in both art and intellectual history.

2. Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)

Known for his vivid colors and emotional depth, Vincent van Gogh captured the complexity of the human experience through his work. Paintings like The Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Irises reflect his unique style and personal turmoil. His use of brushstrokes and color revolutionized the post-impressionist movement and left an indelible mark on art history.

3. Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)

Pablo Picasso was a visionary artist who co-founded the Cubist movement and explored a wide range of artistic styles throughout his career. His works such as Guernica, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, and The Weeping Woman pushed the boundaries of traditional art. Picasso’s constant reinvention made him one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

4. Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)

Frida Kahlo is celebrated for her deeply personal, symbolic, and colorful self-portraits. Her works, such as The Two Fridas and Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, express her struggles with physical pain, identity, and cultural heritage. Kahlo’s unique blend of realism, surrealism, and Mexican folk art made her an iconic figure in both art and feminism.

5. Claude Monet (1840-1926)

As a pioneer of Impressionism, Claude Monet revolutionized the way we view light and color in art. His series of paintings, such as Water Lilies, Impression, Sunrise, and Woman with a Parasol, focus on fleeting moments in nature and the interplay of light and reflection. Monet’s innovative use of color and brushwork paved the way for modern artistic movements.

Conclusion: The Legacy of Famous Artists in Art Collections

Exploring the paintings of famous artists is a journey through history, culture, and human emotion. From the Renaissance to modern art, these works continue to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide. Whether you're standing in front of the Mona Lisa at the Louvre or admiring The Starry Night at MoMA, the impact of these masterpieces is undeniable.

Great Art Collections in museums and galleries provide a unique opportunity to connect with these iconic works and deepen your appreciation for the artists who created them. As you explore the rich history of art, you'll find that the legacy of these famous artists continues to shape the world of art and culture for generations to come.

So, whether you’re an art enthusiast, a casual observer, or someone looking to immerse yourself in the world of creativity, visiting these renowned Great Art Collections will provide an unforgettable experience that highlights the brilliance of famous artists and their timeless contributions to the world of painting.

[desaletushki]

Cleanroom Technology Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report, 2030

The global cleanroom technology market size is expected to reach USD 5.6 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.58% from 2023 to 2030. Growing compliance with stringent regulatory standards for new product approvals, technological advancements by key players to provide customized services to manufacturing companies, and an increase in awareness about contamination-free products coupled with growing demand in biopharmaceutical and pharma companies to develop high-quality products are some of the key factors driving the market growth.

Request Sample Report: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/cleanroom-technology-market

Cleanroom is an essential element in several industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and electronics manufacturing. The advancement of cleanroom technology is a result of the growing demand for contamination-free production and the stringent regulations set by regulatory bodies. In recent years, the cleanroom technology industry has witnessed significant growth, and it is expected to continue in the coming years.

With the integration of robotics, cleanrooms can operate with minimal human intervention, reducing the risk of contamination. The use of automation and robotics in cleanrooms also leads to increased efficiency and productivity, resulting in higher-quality products. In addition, the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in cleanroom technology is also gaining momentum, as it enables real-time monitoring and control of the cleanroom environment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the market. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of maintaining a clean and sterile environment in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices industries, where contamination is a major concern. The pandemic has also increased the demand for cleanroom technology in the production of medical equipment, such as ventilators, masks, and personal protective equipment (PPE). These factors have positively impacted the market growth.

Cleanroom Technology Market Report Highlights

The market is projected to witness significant growth by 2030, owing to the rapidly increasing incidence of healthcare-acquired Infections (HAIs)

In terms of product, the consumables segment dominated the market in 2022 owing to growing advancements in pharmaceutical cleanroom technology, both in terms of technicality and regulations

In terms of end use, the pharmaceutical industry segment dominated the market in 2022. The growth is owing to stringent regulations regarding the approval of pharmaceutical products, which has led to an increase in demand for cleanroom technology

North America dominated the market for cleanroom technology and accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022. This can be attributed to the proper healthcare infrastructure in the region and the local presence of key pharmaceutical players

Cleanroom Technology Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global cleanroom technology market based on product, end-use, and region:

Cleanroom Technology Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Equipment

Heating Ventilation And Air Conditioning System (HVAC)

Cleanroom Air Filters

Air Shower And Diffuser

Laminar Air Flow Unit

Others

Consumables

Gloves

Wipes

Disinfectants

Apparels

Cleaning Products

Cleanroom Technology End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Pharmaceutical Industry

Medical Device Industry

Biotechnology Industry

Hospitals And Diagnostic Centers

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market with a share of 34.5% in 2022. Major factors contributing to the growth of this region include developed healthcare infrastructure, the presence of the local key medical device and pharmaceutical companies, and a significant increase in awareness about nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Moreover, stringent regulations regarding the authorization of healthcare products, such as the U.S., have resulted to significant demand for cleanroom technology.

Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. The cleanroom technology industry is driven by the increased regulatory issues regarding packaging, manufacturing, and distribution of quality goods. Technological advancements and product portfolio expansion by many of the key players are expected to boost the market in Asia Pacific.

Europe market is majorly driven by the expansion of the healthcare & pharmaceutical industries, the increase in the geriatric population, the rise in the prevalence of chronic conditions, and high healthcare expenditure. Favorable government initiatives and rising disposable income in Europe are also among the factors responsible for the increase in demand for pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals. A rise in awareness about pure & quality products and an increase in access to cleanroom technology equipment & consumables are positively impacting the market growth.

List of Key Players in the Cleanroom Technology Market

Clean Air Products

Kimberley-Clark Corporation

DuPont

Terra Universal, Inc.

Labconco

Clean Room Depot

ICLEAN Technologies

Abtech

Exyte GmbH

Buy Full Report: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/checkout/select-license/cleanroom-technology-market

[mariacallous]

Ten writers appearing at the Lviv BookForum, run this year in partnership with the Hay festival, discuss why we need books more than ever

Tetyana Ogarkova: ‘We write and read to understand reality’

Ukrainian literary scholar and journalist

War takes away the ability to speak from many. Many writers say that they cannot write. A number of readers claim that they cannot read. The reality of war is something that can deprive you of the most important things – your life, your time and your capacity to think. It is difficult to write, to think and to dream when a missile hits the very heart of your reality.

But literature is still important. We write and read to understand reality. We write and read to invent a reality. When there is a war, you desperately need both.

When there is a war and you lose something valuable, if not everything valuable, you might think that everything is meaningless. In a way, war and violence are the pure absence of meaning.

That’s why there is no excuse for someone who starts an aggressive war. But those who defend themselves have to search for the meaning of their resistance every single day.

They say that wars are won by those who stand on the battlefield under heavy artillery fire and do not retreat. But no one can bear this if he does not understand the meaning of his resistance. Before being invincible on the battlefield, you have to find the words to justify your future victory.

Literature, among other things, provides us with an opportunity to find these words.

Yuval Noah Harari: ‘Peace begins in the mind of a poet’

Israeli professor of history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the author of books including the global bestseller Sapiens

Wars are usually fought over stories. People think that like wolves and chimpanzees, we fight over territory. But that is rarely true. Wolf packs and chimpanzee bands fight over hunting grounds and fruit trees, without which they would starve to death. Humans fight over the fantasies that they attach to certain places. Israelis and Palestinians don’t really need Jerusalem in order to eat. Hitler didn’t invade Poland because Germans ran out of space to build houses. If people really fought over territory, then Russia – the largest country in the world – should also have been the most peaceful. What do Russians need more territory for?

Most wars originate in the mind of some poet. The generals come much later, and while they think they obey the laws of realpolitik, they actually follow the dreams of a mythmaker. What drove Putin to invade Ukraine are fairytales about imaginary threats, and fantasies about power and glory. The war can ultimately be traced to the stories Putin loved as a child in the 1950s, and to the stories Russian children still learn at school today.

But peace too begins in the mind of some poet, able to see a better world through the smoke of war. When the cannons roar, the muses must speak louder than ever, and be extra careful about what they say. In the midst of carnage, we are tempted to sow the seeds of future hatred. But it’s our responsibility to sow the seeds of future concord.

Alim Aliev: ‘The written word is an island of freedom in the storm of repression’

Ukrainian deputy director general of the Ukrainian Institute and co-founder of CrimeaSOS

Last week, the Russian occupation court of Crimea sentenced my friend Nariman Dzhelal to 17 years in prison. Dzhelal was falsely accused of blowing up the gas pipeline on the peninsula, but the real reason he was sentenced, I believe, is that he was the most powerful and courageous voice of Crimean Tatars – the indigenous people of Ukraine..

Dzhelal has been behind bars for a year, and during this time he has become an author of prose and poetry. There are more than 140 Crimean political prisoners like him, and some of them write texts in Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar languages, which my colleagues and I have published in the anthology Crimean Fig. The written word has become an island of freedom in the storm of repression.

Crimean Tatar literature has gone underground, with authors writing under pseudonyms and using Aesopian language to write about life under occupation, as well as historical topics. Some writers get together and hold meetings in private apartments where they read poetry and prose for a limited circle of “their people”. This helps preserve the Crimean Tatar language, which today is endangered, according to Unesco, and is a cornerstone of the identity that Russian colonial policy is trying to destroy.

Philippe Sands: ‘Literature allows us to imagine across time and place’

British and French lawyer and author of books including the recently released The Last Colony

A month after the war against Ukraine began, a friend wrote to say that the Russian language translator of my book East West Street, on the origins of genocide and crimes against humanity in Lviv, in Ukraine, had been arrested. A lifelong defender of human rights, she was detained on the edge of Moscow’s Pushkinskaya Square, heading for the spot associated with acts of solitary, peaceful protest. She wanted to read a poem, written out on a large piece of paper.

The police spotted the rolled-up paper poking from her backpack. They stopped her and asked to see the paper. They read lines drawn from a poem, Listening to the Horrors of War. They were written in 1855, by renowned poet Nikolay Nekrasov, owner and editor of Sovremennik, a literary magazine, who had been inspired by stories submitted to him by Leo Tolstoy, recently returned from the war in Crimea. Nekrasov published them as the Sevastopol Sketches.

The translator was duly arrested. She was charged with “discrediting the current special operation by reading the text that Nekrasov wrote at the tail-end of the Crimean war, having been influenced by Tolstoy’s Sevastopol Sketches.”

Literature allows us to think and imagine, across time and place. It helps us to understand, as Tolstoy hoped with his Sketches, that the horrors and futility of war allow only one hero: truth.

Rachel Clarke: ‘Bearing witness in a time of war is profoundly necessary’

British palliative care doctor and author of Dear Life

Even in a chaotic, overwhelmed NHS hospital, I am struck anew every day at work by the medicinal force of storytelling. There is morphine for pain, silk for lacerations, electricity to jolt broken hearts back to life – but so often a doctor’s most transformative act is the one in which they stop and listen to a patient’s story. In turn, a doctor’s words can encourage, console, instil hope, assuage fear. Titrated carefully, dosed just right, words can even take a dying patient from the depths of despair to a place of hope or serenity. I’m not sure any drug has more power.

War, in this respect, is surely like illness. Amid the fracturing of normal life, the losses and upheavals, the new uneasy state of uncertainty and fear, telling one’s own story has immense therapeutic potential. Bearing witness in a time of war may be perilous, courageous, reckless or defiant. It is also profoundly necessary.

Samar Yazbek: ‘Writing truth offers justice to the oppressed’

Syrian author of novels including The Crossing and Planet of Clay

When facing destruction, our weapons are our words and our freedom to use them. Literature exposes the ugliness of war and its impact on human destiny, always looking to the future. It will not stop the war, but it will confront its ugliness with its aesthetics and imaginative vision. Literature strips the face of war and delves into the horrors of its brutal machine and its impact on the tragic fate of man.

For me, when the popular uprising began in Syria and then the war followed, I did not hesitate for a moment in my full commitment to the act of writing – about war and against war – through my novels, my documentaries and my journalism, not only because writing against war and violence is part of inventing a better future, but because writing against war and about war is an attempt to make our words part of an act of justice and a movement for change. No matter how slight, writing truth offers justice to the oppressed. ***

Volodymyr Yermolenko: ‘Literature during the war is both a blasphemy and a duty’

Ukrainian philosopher, journalist, and presenter of the podcast Explaining Ukraine

Literature during the war is a blasphemy because the reality of the war cannot be expressed in words. The war makes you speechless, silent. You can never express the pain of loss of your beloved ones. Or the horror of the mass graves and burnt cars with people inside. Or the abyss of mothers who lost their children. Any attempt to break this silence of mourning seems to be blasphemous.

Yet literature during the war is also a duty. We have a duty to speak, to witness, to confess, to make testimonies. Evil which is buried in silence is an evil that will return. Ukrainians know this all too well. The attempt of genocide we are facing now from the Russian invaders is horrible not only because it is an embodiment of cruelty, but also because it is an embodiment of the repeated cruelty. Previous crimes in this region were kept in silence for too long, and people who attempted to tell its stories were sent to jails or killed en masse. Therefore, we should break this vicious circle of silence. This makes literature an act of revolt against evil.

Victoria Amelina: ‘There are wounds only stories can heal’

Ukrainian novelist, essayist and human rights activist

War erases stories: war criminals kill, then hide the evidence in hopes that the world will never learn even their victims’ names. After liberating each town, Ukrainians work hard to recover the names of the dead, bury them with dignity, and tell the world their stories. Often we succeed, but not always. As I write this, on my way to Izyum to document war crimes, the occupiers may well be destroying the evidence of genocide in Mariupol. Despite all our efforts, too many stories will never be known. As a human rights activist, I document war crimes and advocate for justice. Yet, as a writer, I know there are wounds only stories can heal.

Oleksandr Mykhed: ‘Without the ability to write, I wouldn’t be here’

Ukrainian literary scholar, curator of art projects, and author of I Will Mix Your Blood with Coal

With a full-scale invasion, it’s difficult for me to focus on reading and listen to the undertones of moralising in great literature. A full-scale war shows everything with crystal clarity and adds fragility to the usual way of life and the people themselves.

A library of several thousand books is a burden that you cannot take with you while being evacuated. Only the memories of the books read can fit into an emergency bag. And with frequent relocations of a displaced person, these memories get lost.

However, the fear of Russian invaders of our books and culture restores my faith in the power of literature. Every time, the first thing they do in the occupied territories is rename the settlements in the Russian manner, bring back Soviet symbols, and purge libraries. The occupiers seek out “harmful” books as if they were as dangerous as flesh-and-blood “subversives”.

Literature does not fight, but writers have gone to war and are defending the country. At the same time, defenders who have not tried their hand at writing previously are trying to articulate their experience through books.

I still find it difficult to read. But without the ability to write and record the horrors of a full-scale invasion, I wouldn’t be here.

Margaret Macmillan: ‘Books can help us understand war’

Canadian history lecturer at the University of Oxford and author of The War that Ended Peace

Do we need to ask? War makes us confront our own mortality as well as the best and the worst in human nature. Books can help us understand. In the first world war ordinary French soldiers ordered copies of Tolstoy’s War and Peace to try to make sense of their grinding war in the trenches. Or we can escape, at least in our imaginations, our own wars. In the second world war two of the most popular books in English were Richard Llewellyn’s How Green Was My Valley, about lives and sorrows in a declining Welsh mining town and Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls, about that earlier great war. You may love or hate Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s fable The Little Prince, published in the dark days of 1943 and one of the world’s best-sellers of all time. While it ends in the death of the wandering prince it also promises that wisdom can be found and love may, in the end, triumph. Hope matters too.

[antoine-roquentin]

i’ve noticed that my shorthand critique of the “south park caused anti-semitism” theory of media has been getting some attention, and it’s funny cause it dovetails with another round of “the youtube algorithm is responsible for turning everybody into nazis” rhetoric as well, sparked by a recent new york times article. this sort of navelgazing is pretty popular because it works nicely with beliefs that both elites and liberals in general have, namely, that public opinion needs to be managed by an enlightened few, that some people are too stupid to participate in civic life and that’s why right wing populists get elected, and that if people are educated correctly, they will simply accept that liberalism is the best model for society. in short, it’s behaviorism, namely, the hypodermic needle model of media.

the liberal elite in interwar america believed themselves to be creating a better society through management of public opinion. figures like walter lippman were committed to benevolent elite rule through the manipulation of opinion, the “manufacturing of consent”. many of them came out of the milieu of manipulating popular opinion through propaganda work in the first world war, successfully convincing americans to join and support the british side in that war. edward bernays, for instance, worked for the committee on public information, the “largest propaganda machine the world had ever seen“, before becoming the intellectual forebear of the public relations industry in america. he and other similar figures, like lippman, carl byoir, and charles merriam (who combined behaviouralism with political science), were the leading lights of the “Progressive” movement of the time. they relied on the notion that media was passively consumed by people, who simply accepted the claims made without hesitation and then acted accordingly. the psychological theories behind this found form as a body of work known as behavioralism. human beings had a set of limited or “latent” responses to stimuli. by providing the correct stimuli, human beings could be made to behave accordingly. one day, society would be governed by the truly intelligent who would suss out the correct stimuli through trial and error and then apply them to the masses, a society of pavlov’s dogs. this top-down model not coincidentally empowered liberal elites to do what they will without any input from the masses.

this was termed the “hypodermic needle” or “magic bullet” model of media. both of these are medical terms, the latter referring to a drug that treats only the disease without any side effects, and that’s quite telling. american progressives have traditionally exalted medicine as a neutral, rational way to develop a better society. many were advocates of eugenics as a form of medicine, “cleaning” the human race of its “unfit” members. recently, there’s been a strong resurgence of interest in eugenics, behavioralism, and the use of medical terminology to describe media (viral video, using the metaphor of contagion).

proponents of the model in the 1930s referred to the success of the nazis in their use of mass media (ironically, using the same propaganda techniques they’d developed. joseph goebbels was known to be a reader of bernays’ books) as well as the payne fund studies, a series of works done on the responses of children to movies with poor methodology and funded by oil magnates hoping to drive moral panics (the hays code was strongly influenced by them), and the panicked reaction to the 1938 orson welles radio production of war of the worlds in support. of course, all three of these shared very specific material conditions of the people involved that drove them to react in the manner they did apart from the media involved in persuasion. for the decade after the first world war, while germany muddled along without growth but also without significant collapse, the nazis failed to attract more than a few percentage points of electoral support, despite consistently using similar tactics. it was only after the economic collapse of germany, when the economy had shrunk by about a quarter, that the nazis gained traction. even then, this was by using the failures of a liberal constitution to turn their electoral base, only one third of voters who were largely based in rural areas and included almost nobody in the major cities, into a workable governing coalition, particularly by playing on the fact that german liberals feared communism much more than nazism. likewise, the panic over war of the worlds was largely a myth created by newspapers which feared they were losing their audience to a new, more dynamic form of media and wanted to stoke a moral panic (see a parallel with the nyt story?). those who were convinced that an invasion was occurring, according to a study done afterwards (in part by theodor adorno), for the most part had only heard a bit and were concerned about a german invasion, given the heightened geopolitical tensions at the time, or were from the town of concrete, washington, which suffered a blackout midway through the performance.

you can see the same sort of threads in the nyt story, while the important parts go ignored by twitterati eager to engage on the most superficial level. “young men discover far-right videos by accident“ thanks to “YouTube and its recommendation algorithm“, “the most frequent cause of members’ “red-pilling”“ according to a study done by the NED(ie western intelligence)-funded bellingcat, after which they fall “ down the alt-right rabbit hole” as passive subjects reacting to stimuli. clearly, these videos spread like a contagion, and it’s our job to ban them in favour of much more legitimate content that supports major western foreign policy objectives. oh wait, hold up, mr cain was a “college dropout struggling to find his place in the world“, at a time of wage stagnation and a tough job market for newer entries that’s especially pronounced as you go further down the education ladder? he “grew up in postindustrial Appalachia”, an area destroyed by rapacious neoliberalism that has increasingly seen its industries move offshore in search of lower wages, its most dynamic members leave for major cities due to a lack of jobs, and those that remain become increasingly socially isolated, prompting them to either resort to social media or kill themselves through drugs and guns in what famed economist angus deaton calls “deaths of despair” (not to mention the limiting of public spaces to those who can pay, another aspect of neoliberalism, which particularly drives teens like mr cain into "online games with his friends”)? in a world where capitalism justifies itself by telling those it fails over and over that it’s their own fault, that they need to improve themselves and that there is no such thing as structural problems because, in the words of margaret thatcher, “there is no such thing [as society]! only individual men and women”, mr cain was drawn to propaganda masquerading as a self-help grift with an emphasis on supposedly knowing more than the brainwashed masses (”To Mr. Cain, all of this felt like forbidden knowledge“)?

most of all though is the fact that most of the people cain watched are either funded directly or take most of their talking points from a network of right wing intellectuals cultivated by major dark money backers for decades. david rubin takes money from dennis prager, who in turn is funded by fracking billionaires and evangelical christians the wilks brothers, and the bradley foundation, who have funded literally every major right wing cause of note. lauren southern is only famous because she worked for rebel media, funded by much of the oil industry including the kochs as well as the bradley foundation. paul joseph watson is associated with ukip and its funder arron banks. gad saad is funded by molson coors, whose corporate heads not only once praised hitler but founded the most famous republican think tank in the country, the heritage foundation. two of the major members of the “intellectual dark web”, charles murray and christina hoff sommers, work directly for the heritage foundation. and other youtube luminaries of note, like alex jones, thunderf00t, and stefan molyneux, make their money solely by doing interviews with these people and by citing material produced from these think tanks. in a world where inequality is increasingly dividing the rich and the working class, the former spend more and more on maintaining the division, while the latter are driven into a state of fear in which absurd theories about the collapse of western civilization and their replacement with latin american and muslim people seems much more reasonable. There’s also the social isolation that makes youtube celebs and discord chat buddies seem less like distant weirdos and more like the only friends one has. 

the solution, of course, is to modify youtube’s algorithm. just a bit of top-down tweaking to educate the masses on their correct course. surely, nobody would be stupid enough to think that the material conditions created by the neoliberal elite in the past few decades has driven a complete collapse in trust in american society, to the point where only a third of americans "trust their government “to do what is right”“, compared to over 80% of chinese people. surely this breakdown in trust is due to youtube and not the complete economic decimation of the country by its elites, to the point where many rural counties have not even recovered the jobs they lost a decade ago. a redistribution of wealth should not even be on the table, because material conditions play no part in how people react to media. just accept your daily helping of bullshit from the bourgeoisie and never question them when they say certain people need to be censored, because the powers you let them have will never be abused or turned against you in any way. and hey, don’t listen to any critiques of behaviorism, because it’s not like anarchists blew that shit out of the water in the 1950s.

[perfectirishgifts]

8 Leading Women In The Field Of AI

New Post has been published on https://perfectirishgifts.com/8-leading-women-in-the-field-of-ai/

8 Leading Women In The Field Of AI

These eight women are at the forefront of the field of artificial intelligence today. They hail from … [] academia, startups, large technology companies, venture capital and beyond.

It is a simple truth: the field of artificial intelligence is far too male-dominated. According to a 2018 study from Wired and Element AI, just 12% of AI researchers globally are female.

Artificial intelligence will reshape every corner of our lives in the coming years—from healthcare to finance, from education to government. It is therefore troubling that those building this technology do not fully represent the society they are poised to transform.

Yet there are many brilliant women at the forefront of AI today. As entrepreneurs, academic researchers, industry executives, venture capitalists and more, these women are shaping the future of artificial intelligence. They also serve as role models for the next generation of AI leaders, reflecting what a more inclusive AI community can and should look like.

Featured below are eight of the leading women in the field of artificial intelligence today.

Joy Buolamwini: Founder, Algorithmic Justice League

Joy Buolamwini has aptly been described as “the conscience of the A.I. revolution.”

Her pioneering work on algorithmic bias as a graduate student at MIT opened the world’s eyes to the racial and gender prejudices embedded in facial recognition systems. Amazon, Microsoft and IBM each suspended their facial recognition offerings this year as a result of Buolamwini’s research, acknowledging that the technology was not yet fit for public use. Buolamwini’s work is powerfully profiled in the new documentary Coded Bias.

Buolamwini stands at the forefront of a burgeoning movement to identify and address the social consequences of artificial intelligence technology, a movement she advances through her nonprofit Algorithmic Justice League.

Buolamwini on the battle against algorithmic bias: “When I started talking about this, in 2016, it was such a foreign concept. Today, I can’t go online without seeing some news article or story about a biased AI system. People are just now waking up to the fact that there is a problem. Awareness is good—and then that awareness needs to lead to action. That is the phase that we’re in.”

Claire Delaunay: VP Engineering, NVIDIA

From SRI to Google to Uber to NVIDIA, Claire Delaunay has held technical leadership roles at many of Silicon Valley’s most iconic organizations. She was also co-founder and engineering head at Otto, the pedigreed but ill-fated autonomous trucking startup helmed by Anthony Levandowski.

In her current role at NVIDIA, Delaunay is focused on building tools and platforms to enable the deployment of autonomous machines at scale.

Delaunay on the tradeoffs between working at a big company and a startup: “Some kinds of breakthroughs can only be accomplished at a big company, and other kinds of breakthroughs can only be accomplished at a startup. Startups are very good at deconstructing things and generating discontinuous big leaps forward. Big companies are very good at consolidating breakthroughs and building out robust technology foundations that enable future innovation.”

Rana el Kaliouby: CEO & Co-Founder, Affectiva

Rana el Kaliouby has dedicated her career to making AI more emotionally intelligent.

Kaliouby is credited with pioneering the field of Emotion AI. In 2009, she co-founded the startup Affectiva as a spinout from MIT to develop machine learning systems capable of understanding human emotions. Today, the company’s technology is used by 25% of the Fortune 500, including for media analytics, consumer behavioral research and automotive use cases.

Kaliouby on her big-picture vision: “My life’s work is about humanizing technology before it dehumanizes us.”

Daphne Koller: CEO & Founder, insitro

Daphne Koller’s wide-ranging career illustrates the symbiosis between academia and industry that is a defining characteristic of the field of artificial intelligence.

Koller has been a professor at Stanford since 1995, focused on machine learning. In 2012 she co-founded education technology startup Coursera with fellow Stanford professor and AI leader Andrew Ng. Coursera is today a $2.6 billion ed tech juggernaut.

Koller’s most recent undertaking may be her most ambitious yet. She is the founding CEO at insitro, a startup applying machine learning to transform pharmaceutical drug discovery and development. Insitro has raised roughly $250 million from Andreessen Horowitz and others and recently announced a major commercial partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb.

Koller on advice for those just starting out in the field of AI: “Pick an application of AI that really matters, that is really societally worthwhile—not all AI applications are—and then put in the hard work to truly understand that domain. I am able to build insitro today only because I spent 20 years learning biology. An area I might suggest to young people today is energy and the environment.”

Fei-Fei Li: Professor of Computer Science, Stanford University

Few individuals have left more of a mark on the world of AI in the twenty-first century than Fei-Fei Li.

As a young Princeton professor in 2007, Li conceived of and spearheaded the ImageNet project, a database of millions of labeled images that has changed the entire trajectory of AI. The prescient insight behind ImageNet was that massive datasets—more than particular algorithms—would be the key to unleashing AI’s potential. When Geoff Hinton and team debuted their neural network-based model trained on ImageNet at the 2012 ImageNet competition, the modern era of deep learning was born.

Li has since become a tenured professor at Stanford, served as Chief Scientist of AI/ML at Google Cloud, headed Stanford’s AI lab, joined the Board of Directors at Twitter, cofounded the prominent nonprofit AI4ALL, and launched Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute (HAI). Across her many leadership positions, Li has tirelessly advocated for a more inclusive, equitable and human approach to AI.

Li on why diversity in AI is so important: “Our technology is not independent of human values. It represents the values of the humans that are behind the design, development and application of the technology. So, if we’re worried about killer robots, we should really be worried about the creators of the technology. We want the creators of this technology to represent our values and represent our shared humanity.”

Anna Patterson: Founder & Managing Partner, Gradient Ventures

Anna Patterson has led a distinguished career developing and deploying AI products, both at large technology companies and at startups.

A long-time executive at Google, which she first joined in 2004, Patterson led artificial intelligence efforts for years as the company’s VP of Engineering. In 2017 she launched Google’s AI venture capital fund Gradient Ventures, where today she invests in early-stage AI startups.

Patterson serves on the board of a number of promising AI startups including Algorithmia, Labelbox and test.ai. She is also a board director at publicly-traded Square.

Patterson on one question she asks herself before investing in any AI startup: “Do I find myself constantly thinking about their vision and mission?”

Daniela Rus: Director, MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL)

Daniela Rus is one of the world’s leading roboticists.

She is an MIT professor and the first female head of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL), one of the largest and most prestigious AI research labs in the world. This makes her part of a storied lineage: previous directors of CSAIL (and its predecessor labs) over the decades have included AI legends Marvin Minsky, J.C.R. Licklider and Rodney Brooks.

Rus’ groundbreaking research has advanced the state of the art in networked collaborative robots (robots that can work together and communicate with one another), self-reconfigurable robots (robots that can autonomously change their structure to adapt to their environment), and soft robots (robots without rigid bodies).

Rus on a common misconception about AI: “It is important for people to understand that AI is nothing more than a tool. Like any other tool, it is neither intrinsically good nor bad. It is solely what we choose to do with it. I believe that we can do extraordinarily positive things with AI—but it is not a given that that will happen.”

Shivon Zilis: Board Member, OpenAI; Project Director, Neuralink

Shivon Zilis has spent time on the leadership teams of several companies at AI’s bleeding edge: OpenAI, Neuralink, Tesla, Bloomberg Beta.

She is the youngest board member at OpenAI, the influential research lab behind breakthroughs like GPT-3. At Neuralink—Elon Musk’s mind-bending effort to meld the human brain with digital machines—Zilis works on high-priority strategic initiatives in the office of the CEO.

Zilis on her attitude toward new technology development: “I’m astounded by how often the concept of ‘building moats’ comes up. If you think the technology you’re building is good for the world, why not laser focus on expanding your tech tree as quickly as possible versus slowing down and dividing resources to impede the progress of others?”

From AI in Perfectirishgifts

[lunarsimona]

Helpful Tips on Training Your Dog

Dogs have been used to help humans in their day-to-day lives, starting with the use of dogs as pack animals. They helped hunt wild animals and assist man on farms. Farmers needed dogs to herd heaps of hay, pull sleds, carry grain and feed their cattle, and even help hunt down and catch prey.

Dogs also became members of the armed forces, particularly the Army. They served as service dogs for those with disabilities or who were unable to serve. As much as we have taken dogs seriously as pets today, they also served in history as warriors and aides. Their assistance may have even saved countless lives.

Today, dogs are trained for various tasks. They are used for search and rescue operations, as guard animals, bomb dogs, therapy dogs, agility dogs, service or hunting dogs, and a whole host of other purposes. Because of their intelligence and strong work ethic, dogs are in great demand in many fields. One of America's largest employers, the U.S. military, has dogs assigned as members of its canine unit, as well as hundreds of other occupations.

Because of their strength, dogs are also prized in dog shows. They are judged by agility, obedience, health, and intelligence and perform at the highest levels. The American Kennel Club, or AKC, has a number of different tests to determine a dog's temperament and character and awards them dog breeds based on those characteristics. Some of these breeds are show favorites, while others are less popular or bred for specific jobs, such as guide dogs for the blind.

Humans, too, have learned much about how to train a dog through centuries of experience. In fact, dog training has often been referred to as man's best friend. There are many clubs and groups throughout the United States devoted to the training of dogs. One such club is the Great Danes Club, which is based in Vermont. The club holds training sessions that are open to the public, where the public can attend in the hopes of becoming a Great Dane themselves.

Training your dog should become an important part of his or her daily life. You should teach them to behave properly around people, to obey their master, and to respect their boundaries. Without proper training, dogs may grow to be aggressive toward their owners, other dogs, and even other people. If you are thinking about getting a dog, make sure that you research them thoroughly beforehand, so that you know just what type of pet you want and how much they cost.

It is usually a good idea to have a little bit of discipline when it comes to training your dog. Most dogs are rather stubborn when it comes to training, but this should be understood. Dogs have the ability to be stubborn, just like people. It is up to you to try to overcome their stubbornness and make training a positive experience for both of you. Try to give rewards, praise, and encouragement when your dog performs the correct action.

You should begin your dog training program about a month before you bring him or her home. Make sure that you understand the basic commands and tricks that you want your dog to learn. You can purchase dog training books at your local book store or online. Some books provide clear instructions, while others are more difficult to understand.

Once you have started training your dog, be patient and be consistent. Praise your dog when he performs the right action. Do not overwhelm him with too many lessons at once. Take one lesson at a time and you will both be happier in the end.

[wisdomrays]

TAFAKKUR: Part 247

RUMINANTS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR LIFE

AND SURELY IN THE CATTLE (FEEDING ON THE PASTURES OF THE REVIVED EARTH) THERE IS A LESSON FOR YOU: WE GIVE YOU FROM THAT WHICH IS WITHIN THEIR BODIES, (MARVELOUSLY DISTINGUISHED FROM) BETWEEN THE WASTE AND BLOOD, MILK THAT IS PURE AND PALATABLE TO THOSE WHO DRINK. (NAHL 16:66)

Ruminants, probably the most abundant of the herbivores such as cattle, sheep and goats, are foregut fermenters with a four-chambered stomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum) and are an essential component of utilizing marginal land in the world in a sustainable way.

In the verse above from the Qur’an, the Creator and the Sustainer of the universe draws our attention to many of the benefits we get from domestic animals. While the main message of the verse is easily understandable to the general reader, it also contains some concise hints, even descriptions about the physiological details of milk production in ruminants that would be fully understood and explained by science only centuries after the Qur’an was revealed. The purpose of this article is to explain this process in a general sense and milk production in some detail.

Mammals are generally categorized according to the dietary habits into three classes-flesh-eating (carnivore), plant-eating (herbivore) and both flesh and plant-eating (omnivore). In a sense, humans (omnivores) and carnivores depend on herbivores for their nutrition. Generally speaking, all humans and animals in the world have directly or indirectly benefited from the plants. The ability of herbivores to utilize plants as their main energy source is dependent on symbiotic microorganisms which live at various sites within their gastrointestinal tract. The animal provides the microorganisms with food and habitat for growth and the microorganisms provide the animal with fermentation acids and microbial protein.

Herbivores are divided into two types, those with post-gastric (hindgut) fermentation and those with pre-gastric (foregut) fermentation. Fermentation is a chemical process during which microorganisms obtain energy from organic products. Ruminants, probably the most abundant of the herbivores such as cattle, sheep and goats, are foregut fermenters with a four-chambered stomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum) and are an essential component of utilizing marginal land in the world in a sustainable way. Rumen and reticulum contain millions of microorganisms, which form about 3 to 10 percent of rumen fluid.

A major reason why human beings keep ruminants is their ability to convert food which humans find inedible-or at least unpalatable-to food (meat, milk) which humans can eat. They play an important role in the livelihood of farmers throughout the world, providing sustenance such as milk and meat, manure for crop production, cash income from sales of their products and a safety net of capital assets to face risks and misfortune in harsh environments. Currently, humans obtain about fifty percent of the meat and most of the milk they consume from ruminants. Scientists who have conducted studied on ruminants have developed cow breeds, which have higher milk and meat production than traditional cow breeds, and thus supplied an important development to meet the nutritional requirements of humans.

Pre-gastric fermentation provides three important nutritional advantages to the host animal.

First, cellulose and other plant polysaccharides are brought into solution and become available as energy sources. Cellulose is the most abundant natural carbohydrate polymer in nature, but mammals do not produce enzymes that can degrade it. Ruminant animals utilize cellulose via a symbiotic relationship with ruminal cellulolytic microorganisms. During ruminal fermentation, microorganisms ferment the carbohydrates to produce energy, gases (methane and carbon dioxide), heat, and volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the rumen. Effective digestion of plants requires a means of dealing with cellulose, the most important structural material of plants, which is extremely insoluble and remarkably resistant to a chemical attack. Cellulose digesting enzymes that are called cellulases and produced by microorganisms are also present in the intestinal tract of several invertebrates that feed on wood and similar plant products. Rumen harbors the different functional groups of the microbial population, which is responsible for about seventy percent of total digestion in ruminants, and the ability to digest cellulose has been ascribed to a large number of bacterial, fungal and protozoal species isolated from the rumen.

The energy content of plants is low, and the herbivore must consume a large quantity in order to satisfy its energy requirements. Therefore, herbivores spend a lot of time eating; eight or more hours per day may be spent eating.

Secondly, the rumen microorganisms can utilize non-protein nitrogen for growth, converting it into microbial protein which becomes available to the host. Proteins provide the amino acids needed for maintenance of vital functions, reproduction, growth and lactation. Non-ruminant animals need pre-formed amino acids in their diets, but ruminants can utilize many other nitrogen sources because of their rare ability to synthesize amino acids and protein from non-protein nitrogen sources via a symbiotic relationship with ruminal microflora.

Ruminants possess a rumeno-hepatic nitrogen circulation mechanism, which does not exist in non-ruminant animals, in order to save nitrogen. By this mechanism, ruminants can be fed non-protein nitrogen sources such as urea and nitrate when nutrients are in short supply to obtain high quality milk protein. Feed proteins are degraded by microorganisms in the rumen via amino acids into ammonia. Ammonia is used by bacteria to build their proteins and any excess of it is absorbed through the rumen wall into the blood and then converted to urea in the liver. When a diet is low in nitrogen, large amounts of urea (which is normally excreted in the urine) return to the rumen where it can be used by the microbes. In non-ruminants, urea is always entirely lost in the urine. If ammonia levels in the rumen are too low there will be a nitrogen shortage for bacteria and feed digestibility will be reduced. Too much ammonia in the rumen leads to wastage, ammonia toxicity, and in extreme cases, death of the animal.

Thirdly, vitamin synthesis by the microbial population makes the ruminant animal virtually independent of dietary sources of all vitamins, except for vitamins A and D.

However, rumen fermentation also brings some disadvantages. First of all, rumen metabolism causes environmental pollution. Methane is produced as a natural consequence of the anaerobic fermentation; it is a potent greenhouse gas. Dairy farming is the largest agricultural source of methane, one of the greenhouse gases. Furthermore, the major environmental concern associated with the animal industry is ammonia volatilization, which increases atmospheric acid deposition because of the impact of nitrogen-rich excreta on the environment. Therefore, worldwide, scientific research projects have been carried out to find sustainable strategies for reducing emissions of the greenhouse gas methane and ammonia volatilization from domestic ruminants to the environment.

In conclusion, the symbiotic relationship between ruminants and ruminal microorganisms plays an important role in the recycling of nutrients between humans and plants. This relationship also contributes to human life by converting low quality nutrients (grass and hay) to high quality food (meat and milk). Humans will benefit more from ruminants as scientific knowledge about relationships between ruminants and rumen microorganisms advances.

[raendown]

First chapter of a commission for @officerjennie!

Pairing: MadaraTobirama Word count: 4938 Rated: T+ Summary: When his brother disappears coming home from town Madara goes looking for him only for both to end up taken prisoner in a castle hidden by magic generations ago. The candelabras talk, the furniture sleeps, and a great white beast hides himself away in the eastern wing. As he uncovers the story behind this place and gets to know the last small group of 'survivors' Madara gradually makes a new home here in the least likely of places.

Follow the link or read it under the cut!

KO-FI and commission info in the header! 

Chapter 1

Waking his little brother after a particularly rough night was never a pleasant task. Madara sat on the edge of Izuna’s mattress and dabbed at the young man’s sweaty forehead with a damp cloth, praying to whatever gods might listen to take this sickness once and for all. If they were nobility then maybe they could have afforded a better doctor than the witch healer one town over, maybe they could have figured out what was really wrong and found a cure, but they weren’t nobility. Of all the injustices in the world Madara hated most the ones that laid his brothers low.

Once their house had been a bustling and lively place full of love and family. Now there were three graves in the back field and his parents’ room stood waiting even now several years after the occupants had promised to return quickly from seeking new fortune. Madara could remember clearly the day he finally accepting that it was the two of them against the world, the day he had knelt in the shrine behind their home and cursed the gods for uncaring bastards, vowing to hold on to the last of his family with the same boneheaded stubbornness with which this illness clung to Izuna’s chest.

Running one hand through long dark hair, Madara hummed the same soft tune he had rocked his brother to sleep with as a babe.

“The sun is up,” he chided the younger man gently. “I already did your chores for you, you lazy lay about.”

“Gggggrrrmmmph.”

“An excellent argument. You still have to get up.”

Very slowly Izuna’s eyes opened and Madara was relieved to see there was no shine of fever in them. The night had been rough but it looked like the day may not be as bad as he’d thought, excellent luck for the journey his brother had ahead of him.

“I packed for you as well. And fed the horse. But you’ll need to feed yourself because I need to get to work, alright?” As he spoke his fingers continued moving, stroking the damp hair away from Izuna’s face. His brother shuffled around under the covers until his arms were free to reach up and hold Madara's hand in place. “Let go, you leech. I need to go and so do you.”

With a tremendous sigh Izuna let go and let both arms flop to the sides. “It’s a long journey.”

“Then you’d best get started. The sooner you set off the sooner you can be home again. If you get home fast enough I might be convinced to make you some rabbit stew for dinner, that usually makes you feel better.” With one more ruffle Madara stood up and rolled his shoulders to loosen them in preparation of a day’s work.

As he stepped out of the room and shut the door behind him he could hear Izuna beginning to cough and he winced, glad that today his brother would be getting at least some relief. Their tiny, nameless village being too small to warrant a physician of their own, Izuna travelled every two or three months to see the witch doctor in the closest actual town. Madara would prefer to seek the help of someone a little more reputable but even that hack healer’s services had slowly been chipping away at whatever savings he tried to gather, emptying his purse again and again with every visit. Still, he couldn’t exactly bring himself to regret the money spent. An empty purse was better than one more grave in the back field.

Dawn sunlight spread her fingers across the sky as he stepped outside to head for the largest building in their village, an inn which also doubled as the tavern where old men gathered to jaw the day away and young man came to cool their parched throats after long hours working their fields. For all that Madara was bred and built for farm work their family had no land of their own and so he earned his money caring for the stables at the inn every day from dawn until well after dusk.

His work wasn’t nearly as hard as many others in their small little corner of the world and Madara did try to give his best to every task, caring for the horses that came in however he could, hoping that they enjoyed the rest after their own hours of labor. The only problem he had lay in the fact that most of the other villagers looked down on the last surviving Uchiha boys. Stablehand they called him, never his name, and to Izuna they made signs of the cross to ward off whatever evil had given him his sickness. If their father had ever given them one good gift in life it was the gift of pride enough for Madara to hold his head high no matter how many times one of the local farmers came riding in to the tavern courtyard and ordered him around like a lord with a servant, demanding more than Madara had any way of giving.

Today wasn’t so bad, to his relief. Days when Izuna left for town were always days full of distraction, his thoughts constantly wandering away from him down the road, but the village folk weren’t always as forgiving. Madara knew it was because the rain had encouraged many of them to stay home rather than ride in to the village square for a few drinks and he was glad of the chance to let his mind stray after his brother as it so often did during these visits.

Of the people that did come to the tavern very few arrived during what would have been daylight hours if not for the pall of the autumn storms arriving much later in the season than usual. Madara greeted their mounts before the men and spoke softly under his breath as he removed saddles, offered hay, or toweled down wet coats until they were dry enough for a quick brush. Since he knew that none of them would be leaving very soon he made sure to house each mount in stables close to each other so they could lean over the stable doors and nose at each other as they tended to do. The horses here knew each other’s faces as well as their humans’.

When evening fell several more arrived but still not nearly as many as usually showed up in better weather. On some days in winter when there were less crops to tend to it was common for Madara to be kept running back and forth between this stable and the barn out where he usually brought the mounts when there were no more stables left unoccupied, frantic to see to everyone’s needs while also dealing with farmers who thought themselves more important than the mayor. Today he found quite a bit of time to lounge inside one of the stalls, napping quickly and knowing he was safe from crashing hooves, dreaming unhappily of all the terrible things that never happened but he still insisted on worrying about. Just because he knew that Izuna was smart enough to avoid the spots where bandits commonly waited did not mean there would never be a bandit clever enough to hide somewhere new.

At the end of the day Madara was fairly chomping at the bit to go home and soothe his overactive imagination with proof that his brother was just fine. He barely managed to wait until the boy who watched the stables at night arrived before bolting out the door and hurrying along the dusty roads out of the town square. Never did the walk feel so long as when he needed it to be shorter.

If he had been hoping for good news, however, he was left unsatisfied. Horror filled him instead as he approached their home to find their old mare standing outside the pasture that had always been just a little too small for her, saddle and bridle still in place and very clearly growing uncomfortable. Madara broke out in to a run. The mare snorted at him when he took the reins and pet her nose, lipping gratefully at his hand when he offered a carrot out of sheer habit.

“Where is Izuna?” he asked even though he knew it was ridiculous. A horse could not answer.

One glance at the saddle told him that his worst nightmares had been realized at last. Izuna’s bags were still there, no effort made to remove them or the tack, and that was all he needed to know. Even during the worst of his fits Izuna had always insisted on at least attempting to make the horse comfortable before he found his own rest.

“I know you’re tired,” Madara whispered, fear choking his words. “Please work just a little longer. We have to find him.”

Glad that he was already dressed for the evening chill, uncaring of the rain wetting his hair, he swung up in to the saddle and gently guided his mare around back the way it seemed she had come all on her own, following the roads home as she had a hundred times before even without a rider to show her the way.

Outside the village where no lanterns were lit and no fire burned brightly through curtained windows it was hard to see more than few feet in front of his own mount. Even the moon was barely a help once they entered the forest not too far past the last of his neighbor’s houses. Madara cursed softly under his breath and gently patted the mare’s neck, mumbling apologies and hoping that she didn’t stumble. A broken knee was the opposite of what he needed at the moment.

It was the darkness that began him on the journey that would change his life. Madara had lived in this village since he was born, had travelled these roads and scampered through the forests since he learned to walk on his own two legs. He knew every path like he knew the callouses on his own hands. It should have been impossible for him to take the wrong way but in the dark it was easy to mistake one copse of trees for another and so he turned where, if daylight were filtering through the leaves, he would have known he should not have been able to turn. He rode with his eyes squinted tightly as he tried to make shapes out of the shadows and continued on unaware of what awaited him.

Finally there came something he could not ignore or explain away as one tree that might look similar to another. A light in the distance that should not be there drew his attention until the mare came to an abrupt halt and tossed her head. Madara brought his eyes back to the path and found that he had arrived at a massive gate half again taller than himself. His eyes widened. With one hand he calmed the mare and with the other he held tighter to the reins, almost afraid to discover what lay beyond. No gate should have been here in this forest. Indeed, nothing but beasts should live in these woods besides the witch that was said to haunt one of the lakes to the east and yet even her he had never seen any signs of in all his years of exploration. Madara swallowed thickly, considered the light in the distance once more, and came to a decision. Now was not the time to explore such mysteries.

At least, that was his thought until he shifted his weight with the intention of turning the mare only to freeze as his eyes found a new surprise that captured him entirely. He would know that jacket anywhere. Faded blue ribbon sewn along the collar, patched a dozen times and more, he had made that jacket with his own two hands for Izuna’s fifteenth birthday using the last of the funds their parents had left for them when they disappeared to never return.

Now it lay bloody and torn on the ground just inside the gate, visible by a shaft of moonlight breaking through the clouds just as his eyes passed in that direction.

With panic suffusing his being Madara all but threw himself bodily off of his mount and lunged around the open gates to pick up his brother’s jacket, holding it like a precious sheet of glass. His horror only increased to see that the tears appeared to be caused by what looked like teeth. Just thinking about what that could mean was so distracting he very nearly didn’t notice the footprints but when he did Madara folded his knees to squint at the ground, jacket still clutched tightly to his chest. Both human and animal tracks danced across each other following a path towards that distant light.

And so he must follow, obviously. Izuna had never been quite as hardy as him even before the sickness began wasting his body and Madara had never once resented his self-imposed duty of shouldering as many of the other’s burdens as possible. Protecting the last of his family was something he would have done even if he hadn’t loved Izuna as his entire world.

The mare nickered softly when he swung around to her and pulled at the oilskin bags still tied to her back so he could rummage through the contents. Having packed them himself he knew exactly where to look and gave a low cry of triumph when his fingers closed around the handle of a small torch. In another small pocket he found flint and a knife, all of which he pulled out and hurried just far enough away from his mount that he could light the torch without causing her to panic and bolt away when he needed her most. She was silent when he swung back up in to the saddle, moving forward easily when he nudged her to do so with his light held high and hissing angrily in the rain.

Yellow light spilled ahead of them as they walked, illuminating the never-ending trail of footprints always moving steadily towards what looked to be another torch in the distance. Paw prints almost seemed to walk right over top of the human tracks like the animals were stalking the prey they had allowed to get away. Or perhaps they were chasing, though by the pattern Madara would have guessed only Izuna to be running.

He was so caught up in watching the ground that he almost failed entirely to notice the massive shapes looming out of the darkness until one moment he was alone on a trail and the next he understood that it was, in fact, a driveway as he lifted his head to find himself staring up at a looming castle. It was impossible that there should be anything even a quarter of this size anywhere near these woods and yet here it was. Massive blocks of stone carved in to gruesome shapes guarded the entrance of an honest to god palace, towers and turrets reaching up out of sight to the rainclouds above. Even craning his neck backwards to look up Madara could not see the rooftops but he could see hundreds of windows in patterns of stained glass, their subjects hidden by the darkness around him.

And of course it was as he took in the incredible sights before him that his torch finally gave in to nature, too wet at last to go on. Madara grunted in surprise when he was plunged in to darkness. Then he grunted again as he tossed the now-useless stick of wood aside and gently slipped out of the saddle, leading his mare around to where he had spotted a small alcove with water and hay ready for visitors.

“I know it’s been a long day for you already,” he murmured a he tied the lead to a misshaped gargoyle. “Please bear it just a little longer until I make sure he’s okay. I’m sure they’ll let us rest for the night too if they’ve already taken him in. Gods but I hope they took him in…”

With his heart clenched as tightly as his fists, no weapon to keep close now that he’d stupidly thrown away the torch he could have used as a club, Madara approached the doors of the castle and hoped that someone might still be awake to answer his call. The sound his fists made against wood reverberated around him like a drum yet still somehow managed to sound too small for the space. He cringed even as he tried again after a few minutes had gone by with no response. If he needed to bloody his knuckles banging on the door or wake the whole castle screaming he was not leaving this place until he was certain of Izuna’s fate here at the end of the footprints.

On the fourth round of knocking he heard a click and the door swung open a few inches as though unlocked from the inside. Madara blinked, freezing in place. No face popped in to view and the door was not pulled further open. It was possible he had rattled the latch open with his banging, in which case he knew that it would be the height of poor manners to enter without an invitation.

He didn’t care.

Inside the foyer it was warm and dry compared to the weather outdoors and yet the massive space carried the same pervasive chill characteristic of all large buildings made from stone. Madara shivered just looking around and thinking of how awful it would be to live in a place like this.

“Hello?” he called out, hoping at least for someone to come light a fire while he asked his questions.

When he received no answer Madara stepped a bit further in, squinting around as best he could. Though the moon seemed to be coming out of hiding from behind the clouds her rays could only barely penetrate the thick layer of dust and grime coating the inside of each windowpane. From what he could make out Madara thought he could see marble tile at his feet and a barren expanse of emptiness where he would have thought any noble rich enough to have a castle would have flaunted their wealth with opulent furniture. The lack of wood or carpet to fill the room made every shift and step echo twice as loudly as it should have.

“Is anyone here?” he tried again, reluctantly raising his voice. “My brother- he was lost on the road. I have reason to believe he took shelter here. He’s very sick, I just want to know he’s alright.”

No answer came still, though for a moment he thought he heard someone scurrying behind him. When he turned there was nothing but a candelabra with three candlesticks waiting on a table like a gift from the gods. Madara wondered how he hadn’t noticed it before even as he hurried over and began rifling through the drawers of the table it was on looking for a match or flint or anything. He rumbled with satisfaction to finally come up with a long match that he struck and used to light all three candles. New shadows danced along the walls when he turned and cast about the room with better vision.

The place looked even more cold and empty in the light – but that was not what caught his eye. In a tall chair by a cold fireplace on the far side of the room where he hadn’t been able to see through the darkness there sat a pair of boots that were all too familiar. Raising the candelabra Madara looked down. More footprints. He needed no more proof to know that his brother was here, though by the single trail of prints it looked like he had been alone when he made his way to the chair. Madara followed the prints and knelt down to brush his fingers against the leather, unsurprised to find them barely damp. They had been abandoned here some time ago.

Standing again, Madara looked around and harrumphed. The servants here must be poorly trained for absolutely no one to have answered his call. Even at this time of night there should always be someone awake to welcome callers; he wasn’t even a member of the gentry and he knew that.

“If no one will invite me then I’ll just have to invite myself,” he grumbled under his breath.

Armed with his borrowed candelabra Madara strode out for the grand staircase he knew would have caught his eye if he were Izuna. No more footsteps had marked the dust in any direction after they reached the chair, extremely suspicious but not impossible if the dust had since been disturbed and then allowed to settle again. It would be an outlandish coincidence that it only happened on one side of that chair by the fireplace and not the other but not completely impossible.

On the second floor Madara took the left path mostly by whim – until he realized he could hear distant voices in that direction. Finally having signs of human life to pull him onward, he hurried his steps and called out, unsurprised but a little annoyed to get no answer again. For as long as he followed the voices they strangely never seemed to get any louder. No matter if he walked slower or faster the voices seemed always several halls away, muffled as though by the walls between or by hands being held in front of their mouths. By the time Madara realized he was no longer walking through richly decorated hallways but had entered some sort of barren stone tower he had passed annoyed and moved on to angry.

“Whatever the game is here,” he said to himself, “I do not appreciate it.” There was really no point in lowering his volume considering how no one ever seemed close enough to hear him in a place like this. Which meant, obviously, that this was the time someone did hear him.

“Madara?” That voice was familiar, beloved, and much too small.

“Izuna! Where are you?”

Just inside the light of his candelabra he could see a pale arm jutting out in to the hallway and waving about as he heard, “I’m here! Can you see me?”

Madara very nearly dropped his only source of light in the scramble to reach his brother. Then he almost dropped it again with shock as he reached the spot where he’d seen that desperately waving arm and he realized why Izuna hadn’t just come out in to the hallway entirely. He was caged! The tower he had found his way in to was a dungeon of sorts with one poor sickly prisoner locked inside of a cold and empty room, not even a blanket to keep him off the floor.

“What happened?” Madara demanded as he fell to his knees and haphazardly placed the candles aside so he could take the freezing cold hands reaching for him. “How the hell did you end up here?”

“You have to go!”

“Are you insane, Otouto? I’m not going anywhere without you! Where are the guards? I’m sure I can reason with them; or scream them down if I have to.”

“No you can’t! Please just go. You don’t understand, if you stay then he’ll find you!”

Madara snorted, reaching farther in to pull more of that shaking body towards the warmth he had to offer. “Don’t be daft. Whatever dumbass noble was stupid enough to lock you up – for what? Trespassing after you were clearly attacked by wolves? – I’m sure I could take him. One fist in the nose and he’ll be begging me to let him unlock this door.”

Pride, he’d been told a time or two in his life, was the reason he’d experienced so many troubles already so early in life. It had ever been his biggest downfall. Watching the horror fill his brother’s face as Izuna’s eyes slid away from his own and rose up, up, up with stark terror writ plainly in their depths, Madara wondered who his pride had led him to insult this time. He refused to show any sign of nerves as he twisted to look over his shoulder, braced, determined to stand his ground until this unlawful imprisonment was reversed.

He was met first with the sight of pale white fur, so much that he wondered if perhaps the wolves that attacked before had followed his brother here in to the castle. Then he noticed that the legs were much too long and bipedal. As he lifted his eyes he watched the fur fade away to white flesh, two arms hanging low with hands that were almost human but for the long claws sharp at the end of each finger. Burned across the creature’s clavicle was a symbol like a double ended pitchfork that almost called to something in the back of his memory where Madara could not spare a moment to reach for the connection. He tilted his head back and very carefully clamped his teeth down on the scream which rose up as terror filled him too.

Red eyes glowed even in the shadows they watched him from several feet above where his own height would reach if he were standing. The features were almost disturbingly human but twisted and hidden behind the unruly shag of a thick white mane, two horns as thick as his own wrists rising from the mess to twist back and then soar upwards again. Markings that had either been painted or burned or even scarred in to the skin drew lines across that terrifying face.

And then the mouth opened, lips parting to reveal sharp teeth, and a rumbling snarl spilled out so deep Madara felt it vibrating in his very bones.

“The prisoner remains,” the beast declared. “He was caught trespassing on my property much the same as you now do so yourself. If you do not wish to join him in the cell then I must insist you leave and forget that you were ever here.”

“How the hell could I forget you?” Madara demanded in his shock. Unsurprisingly, the beast bared even more teeth in response.

“You will forget. All who survive to leave this place forget.”

Since Madara had no idea what that meant he really had no idea of what to say. His mind was entirely empty of everything but the feral need to run as far and as fast as he could from this living nightmare that stood just waiting to consume him. And he remained that way, frozen and scared but too proud to scream, until a hand reached through the bars behind him to grasp his fingers and he remembered Izuna. Tired and ill Izuna who would die if he stayed here in a place like this, drafty and without access to his medicine.

“Let me take his place,” he bartered.

“Brother no!”

“Please,” he went on, ignoring his sibling’s outburst. “He is ill, he was only on the road to seek help for the sickness. If you have to punish anyone then let me stay and be your prisoner.”

At his back Izuna gave a sob that nearly shattered his heart in his chest but he held strong, lifting his chin and staring this beast in his glowing red eyes. For so many years he had tucked his brother in to bed and kissed him on the head with promises that he would always be ready to stand as a wall against whatever dangers befell them. Now was the time to be a man of his word. If giving himself over to whatever evil purpose this beast needed a human sacrifice for could save his brother he would do so more willingly than he drew his next breath.

Unfamiliar voices murmured in the shadows but Madara didn’t dare look away no matter how much he wanted to glare at the ones who had led him here to his fate.

“You swear that you will remain here and make no attempts to escape?” the beast growled. Madara swallowed against the lump in his throat and nodded.

“I swear.”

“So be it.” For one shining moment relief swept through his veins and he thought that he had won an easy victory. Then suddenly he found himself being lifted bodily from the ground with an almost casual swipe of one clawed hand, the door to Izuna’s cell torn open for him to be tossed inside like a rag doll. “Ancient magics hear your words, human. Now you are bound to this place and your brother to you. Enjoy your imprisonment.”

“What!?”

Madara let Izuna scramble to help him off the floor but the moment he had regained his feet he was rushing to the door that slammed shut in his face, fingers wrapping around the bars to watch his jailor storm down the hallway with ponderous steps.

“Please don’t,” Izuna tried but it was no use.

“You can’t do this! This is unlawful imprisonment! Why are you doing this you…you…-!”

Half faded in to shadows as he moved out of the light, the beast turned back to regard him with cold eyes and an expression that might almost be sad were it not for the inhumanity of his twisted body.

“Monster?” the thing finished for him in a low rumble and as he stared after the retreating form Madara couldn’t help but agree.

[lifeinspiredbynature]

Give the Hurt to the Dirt - Body, Mind & Soul

WRITTEN BY: Natalia Wilhelm

Hurt… It sounds a lot like heart, doesn’t it? I believe that we share a connection from our heart to our environment.

I believe that Earth is our great healer. This is what I mean by giving the ¨hurt¨ to the ¨dirt¨. I once heard my friends share a story of a time they buried themselves for several days in the Earth as an experiment and as a documentary.

My friend told me that after a day or so, he began to feel the Earth pulse underneath him. He rationalized that this was simply his heartbeat which was echoing back to him but then he began to count his heart beat and realized that it felt as though the Earth had a heart beat as well.

The heart produces the largest rhythmic electromagnetic field of the body. Emotions can encode and change the electromagnetic field radiated by the heart which can impact the environment which surrounds it. I believe that there is a synergistic cohesion between the Earth and us.  

My path has been one of learning a ¨sentient¨ or empathic communication between my nervous system and nature. It has been about learning how to effectively clear dis-ease from the body by connecting to Earth for physical, emotional and psychological healing.

We all know what it means to feel hurt.

At some point or another, we all experience heartbreak and disappointment. It’s inevitably a part of the human experience.

The question is, how do we effectively transform our trauma into power?

My path has been one of transmutation. Transmutation is the process of alchemy where-in lead turned into gold. An Incan shaman once taught me of the “hoocha,” which translates to “that which returns to the earth, like liquid gold.” It is the process of honouring our density (heavy emotions+ sensations) and allowing the energy to be given like a gift to the earth. In physical reality, the earth transforms our dense matter into nutrients. This happens with the process of our physical bodily excrements.

In society, we’ve been taught to shame our natural bodily functions. We eliminate fecal matter into bowls filled with water rather than working with our manure as humanure to feed our gardens.

And we both glorify and shame sex. We are taught that a woman’s menstrual cycle is unacceptable to be shown. When we come to learn nature, we realize that all of our natural density not our manufactured pollution … can be transformed into nutrients.

The irony is that we are entrained to perceive that wasteful consumerism is acceptable while our innate wilderness is not. We’re taught that nudity is sexualized and used as a commodity of self-worth.

We are sold swimwear that leaks dyes and micro-pollutants into our waters as “sanitary” and yet fears our naked bodies. When density is left unprocessed, it accumulates and becomes more difficult to transform over time. The same goes for our emotions.

We store our “hurt” in our bodies.

How? Well, whenever the autonomic nervous becomes shocked into the sympathetic ( let’s call that shock/ trauma), the cognitive memory stores itself in the myofascial tissue.

It is in the sudden contraction of the muscle that imprints the memory into our bodies. Over time this dis-ease begins to manifest into our physical bodies as illnesses and sickness.

Many of you might have heard of Louise Hay and her book, “Heal Your Body.” She is a prime example of a woman who healed her body through the power of her mind.

To many, this sounds ridiculous and esoteric, but much of what feeds disease is stress and stress corresponds to our autonomic nervous system, which directly interacts with the reticular activator and amygdala of the brain.

Our perceptions interpret experience in a myriad of ways. Our identification to our experience evokes sensations within our body.

This directly impacts our organs as our bodies respond to stress. Many of us attempt to escape stress by denying the density that we hold. We attempt to numb or distract ourselves from it.

I’ve learned that the key is to become at peace with it: to accept it, to shine the power of unconditional love onto it like a bright flashlight of painful illumination. It is in the illumination that we are granted the opportunity for transmutation, where the “hurt” is given to the “dirt.”

On a scientific level, natural running water (such as waterfalls or ocean) emit a negative ionic charge which balances our positive ionic charge. It appears that nature is designed to be in synergy with us.

So the question remains:

How to give the hurt to the dirt?

Exercise:

1) Go to nature.

2) Rest and observe the mind

3) Enter a state of silence, solitude and sensation.

4) Tune in to your nervous system

5) Wherever there is tension or density, breath into it.

6) Imagine it moving out of your feet and into the earth.

7) Sometimes it helps to add some movement such as yoga, chi gong or to connect to a body of water in ceremony.

8) Change your diet to becoming healthier. This helps alleviate stress as 95% of the serotonin in our bodies created in the found in our bowels.

9) If there is a heavy topic in an interpersonal dynamic, consider holding a “clearing” or a tribal council so that there may be mediation.

10) Express yourself creatively through art and speak to others who have gone through similar experiences. We bond through our common traumas. Ever feel like you are having a shii**y day, and then you meet someone else who is also having one, and suddenly you find yourself laughing? This is the power of bonding through density.

To clarify:

I believe that while cultivating a strong mind and awareness plays a huge part in the quality of our choices,

It takes a holistic approach (mind, body, spirit) on the path of a peaceful warrior.

By learning to make peace with our self-hatred, we can learn the importance of self-love and can come to learn true love.

When we honour our density as equal to our light, we can come to know equanimity.

May we…

Let go of the grip of control and learn a truer discipline.

Find peace within the solace of observation.

Learn to connect with our environment through our embodied interaction.

Give our hurt…to the dirt.

Share our article directly from our site: 

https://lifeinspiredbynature.com/give-the-hurt-to-the-dirt/

[amusewithaview]

Certain Doom (DA Soulmate AU)

A/N: I am not even remotely sorry.

“So have you chosen a canon Inquisitor yet?”

Yes!  My first elf girl who romanced Cullen.

canon quiz?

“Whichever character you use to build the world state for your next game is the canon,” Lisbeth explained.  “Mine is an elf, too, and I romanced Cullen, too.  I’ll fight you for him, Ashley!”

u guys and your jocks i swear i only have the one playthrough and i’m romancing solas for the lols so idk my canon is unwritten undefined so we’ll see i guess?

We can share him, Liz.

Thunder rolled, rattling the windows and making Lisbeth jump.  “Oof!  It’s storming here so I might cut out,” she said apologetically.  “If that happens I’ll just restart the stream, no worries.”

Storming here too!  Ashley replied in the chat.

yeah same  Hayden agreed.  weird

“It’s not that weird.  Storms happen.  Speaking of, how should I upgrade Bethany, you guys?  Do I make her an ice mage, or...?”

One second, storm is picking up and I need to check my windows.

ICE ICE BABY

Back!  Is Force mage unlocked yet?  Been forever since I played DA2...

ICE ICE BABY!!!

OMG fine do ice or Hay will never let it go.

Let it gooooo, let it gooooo, can’t hold it back anymooooooore!

“Okay, ice it is,” Lizbeth said, smiling at her friends’ antics.

FUCK THAT WAS CLOSE SHIT SH

you ok Ash???

“Ash?”

o fuck ME

“Hay?” Lisbeth called, frowning at the chat log.  She waited a few seconds before calling their names again.  The number count on her stream hadn’t changed, so their systems were still logged on and watching her playthrough.  But... they weren’t answering.  The hairs on Lisbeth’s arms and the back of her neck stood on end all at once.  She shivered, looking to the windows where the constant flicker of lightning kept illuminating the driving rain.

It looked like the lightning was getting closer, maybe she should-

Her world dissolved into brilliant white.

Too late.

It took three blinks for Ashley to realize something was wrong.  That wasn’t her ceiling, this wasn’t her bed - what the hell?  She sat up and looked around.  To her left was a person, curled up with their back to her.  To her right, another person, curled up with their back to her.  She made out red hair to her left and dark brown to her right.  Ashley was the only conscious one, and while that remained true, she intended to find out as much as she could.

She stood up and dusted herself off, frowning when she realized that her clothes had been changed.  She’d been in pajamas, but now she wore a green coat over a simple gray tunic and pants.  There was a soft gray cloth wrapped loosely around her neck and when she felt behind her head she found a hood.  Hayden ran her fingers over her hair - wrapped in a complicated braid and significantly longer than she remembered it being - and froze when her fingers encountered delicate fleshy points.

Pointed ears.  Elf ears.  What?

“Oh.  Ow.”

Hayden turned and saw that the brunette was sitting up, one hand to her head.  Now that her hair had shifted, she could see that this person also had pointed ears.  “Hey...” Ashley said, awkwardly waving.

The brunette looked up, squinting and revealing large, luminous hazel eyes set in a delicately featured face that screamed Disney Princess™.  “Ashley?” she said, looking confused.  “You look...elfy.”

“Hayden?!”  Ashley dropped to her knees and immediately grabbed the smaller elf into a bear hug.  “Hate to break it to you, but you are also elfier than normal.  Wait, is there a normal amount of elfiness we should be shooting for?”

Hayden laughed and hugged her back.  “No clue.  Think that’s Lisbeth?”

They broke apart and turned to the last person, still unconscious on the ground.  “By process of elimination, probably?  But where are we, why are we elves, and what the hell happened?”

“Search me.”

There was a low groan from the third person, and then vicious grumbling in what Ashley recognized as German.  The body on the ground flopped over, revealing a thunderous expression made even more ominous by the thick brows overshadowing dark eyes that looked-

“Lisbeth?”

“Ja?  I mean, yes,” the redhead said, sitting up.  “What-?”

“It’s me, Ashley, and that’s Hayden.  I think...well, I think we might be in Dragon Age?  Somehow?”  She sat back on her heels and clenched her hands into fists on her thighs, trying not to freak out while she sorted her thoughts verbally.  “We’re all elves now?  And you look like that picture of your Inquisitor you showed me screenshots of, and Hayden looks like the Inquisitor she’s been streaming, so I-”

“You’re blonde, and very tall, and look sort of like a cat,” Lisbeth said bluntly.  “Actually, the eyes are kind of creepy in this light...”

“I think they look cool,” Hayden said, giving her an appraising look.

“Not important right now, guys!  We might be in Dragon Age!  Dragon Age!”

“Yes, but where?” Lisbeth asked.

“And when?” Hayden chimed in.

“Hell if I know, but we need to find out, fast.”

It took mere minutes for them to sort out what they could, because it wasn’t much.  They confirmed that yes, all of them had been morphed into their canon Inquisitors (only Inquisitor, in Hayden’s case), but with a few small changes.  Hayden’s hair was significantly darker, almost black in the dim light of the tunnel they’d found themselves in.  Lisbeth’s eyes were purple, which made her mutter about Mary Sues and bad fanfiction.  Ashley’s eyes had been green in her Inquisitor’s canon, but the switch to amber-gold didn’t bother her, since it added to the, as Lisbeth put it, ‘creepy cat’ aesthetic.

None of them had the vallaslin they remembered choosing.

They were all wearing what looked like a facsimile of the Inquisitor’s gear in the game’s opening, minus most of the armor.  Each of them identically outfited in green, gray, and brown.  They had no weapons, and only thirty copper coins between them.

“We’re fucked,” Lisbeth said.

“Don’t be so negative,” Hayden chided.

“We’re fucked!” Lisbeth repeated, this time in a faux-happy chirp.

“We’re Schroedinger’s Fucked,” Ashley said.  “Our state of fuckery is yet to be determined because we still don’t know where or when we are.  Lets follow the tunnel and see where it leads.”  She looked down the tunnel.  She could only make out another fifteen feet before it took a sharp turn out of sight.

“You going anytime soon?” Hayden asked.

She shifted on her feet.  “Yes, just-”

“Let’s go!”

Lisbeth and Ashley exchanged grim looks before following Hayden down the tunnel.  It took another ten minutes of walking before they saw signs of habitation.  There was an offshoot to their tunnel that led to a door.  Since the door had three obvious traps and probably at least twice as many ones they couldn’t see, they kept going.

Eventually, after several more nerve-wracking minutes, they emerged into a larger area, lit with torches.  There were a few people waiting outside of what looked like a house, built up against a curve in the cavern’s wall.  There was a sign by the door of the house, and the sight of it made Lisbeth grab both of her companions and yank them to a halt.

“We’re in Kirkwall!”

“Fuck,” Hayden sighed.  “I haven’t played this one yet.”

“Yeah, well, it’s been several years since I played this one,” Ashley muttered.

They both turned and raised their eyebrows at Lisbeth.

“I haven’t played it in two years!  I was in the prologue!”

“Do you remember what you chose?  Odds are, we’re in your worldstate...” Ashley pointed out.

“Um... I was playing a Rogue Hawke, male because-” she paused and smirked at Ashley.

“Shut up,” Ashley hissed.  She could feel her ears twitching as she glared.  She swept her hands up and clamped them down over the pointed ends.  “Shit, this is going to take some getting used to.”

“You’re one to talk,” Lisbeth muttered.  “At least your ears are normal sized.”  She reached up and poked at one of her own ears, easily the largest of the three of them.  They’d all gone for wildly different looks when designing their Inquisitors.  Aside from being elves, they couldn’t have looked more different from each other if they’d tried.

“Guys!  Focus!” Hayden said, scowling at them.

“Okay, so we’re in Kirkwall.  Great, not ideal but it could probably be worse.  Now, when are we?” Ashley said.

“Well, if the clinic is there, then Anders will be there,” Lisbeth pointed out.

“Great!  Let’s go, then,” Hayden said, turning on her heel and heading for the building.  The other two scrambled after her, reluctant to enter but utterly unwilling to be left behind.

The clinic was large, and appeared to be in the process of expanding.

“Act Two!” Lisbeth murmured.  “Must be!”

“Maybe not,” Ashley replied.  “Look, there’s-”

“Can I help you?”

The voice had all three of them turning to face the speaker.  There was a tall human male with reddish hair pulled back into a half-tail striding towards them.  He had a thick coating of stubble lining his jaw and looked tired.

“Oh!” Hayden cried out, curling over and falling sideways into Ashley.

“Is your friend ill?” Anders asked, speeding up.

Lisbeth raised her hands as if to ward him off: “She’s fine, thank you, we’ll just go now, we don’t want to be any-”

Ashley bodily picked up the smallest elf, backing away from the mage.

Too late, a wash of cool blue magic swept over the trio as Anders’ eyes lit from within.  “Wait, you-” he froze in place, eyes raking over each elf in turn.  “What have you-” he shook his head and swayed in place, eyes screwing tightly shut.  Suddenly, little wisps of light started to emanate from behind his closed eyelids.

Lisbeth shoved Ashley towards the door, “Now would be a good time to-”

“Run?”

“Yes!”

They booked it, ignoring the strange echoing cry that called for them to halt.

“What was that?” Ashley asked, poking Hayden in the forehead.

They’d sprinted till they’d found sunlight and what was probably the docks, based on the water, boats, and people bustling around.  They were seated on some barrels in an out of the way corner, catching their breath.

“Ouch!  Don’t Itachi me, you weirdo.”

“Well, stop Sasuke-style brooding, then.”

Hayden scowled, rubbing her hand over her heart.  “I don’t know, I felt...something.  Like a pull?  I don’t know how to describe it.  It got worse when I saw him, though.”

“That was Anders,” Lisbeth said, sounding shellshocked.  “Anders.”

“We’re in Kirkwall, yes, Anders is here,” Ashley said.

“We have to stay away from Anders,” Lisbeth said firmly.

Hayden grimaced, but didn’t say anything.

“Hey, Liz - have you always had that tattoo?”

Ashley’s words had her frowning: “Tattoo?  I don’t have-”

“Your hand, look at it.”

Lisbeth looked down at her hands, ignoring the way they’d gotten longer and skinnier since her transmigration into an elvhen body.  There was nothing on the backs of her hands, but on the palm of her right hand she found three symbols that looked like a cross between hieroglyphs and cuneiform.  The symbols were a vivid and sparkly pink.

“What the fuck?” she breathed.  “What the fuck!  What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fucking FUCK.”

“Shit, I think you broke Liz.”

“I didn’t mean to!” Ashley cried.

“What is this shit?” Lisbeth exclaimed before switching to German and going into a tirade neither of the other two could understand.  She paced back and forth in front of them, kicking out at the barrels and walls as she passed them.  Finally she stopped, fisted her hands at her sides, and yelled at the sky.

One of the barrels abruptly caught on fire.

“Hey, Liz?” Hayden called.

“WHAT.”

“I know this isn’t the best time, but I think you might be a mage, too.”

“FUUUUUUUUU-”

[oakleylara-blog]

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[rosey-writes]

Eliot- Violin, Marimba, Fiyero- Bagpipes, Jason- Harp, Jonathan- Oud, Sparks- Recorder, Matthias- Organ, Axel- Harpsichord, to the mod- Marimba, Hai Lin- Trumpet, sorry for such a long one, you don’t have to do them all!

mSorry I took for literal ever, I wanted to make sure they were all good, hopefully I succeeded! I’ll try to be faster next time Eliot

Bravon’s going to call me an ‘emo bitch’ for this, but- I don’t get sad all too often. Never have. Usually it comes out as me being pissed, which I personally find much more useful. Even at things that do make me sad instead of the much more useful anger, I do everything in my power to turn it into anger- to find a problem and solution and do it. I don’t believe in lying down and accepting whatever happened. You move on and you break whatever did it to you, or you die trying.

As for my ‘defining trait’? I have no fucking clue- let me go ask Bravon and Axel.

(Ten. Minutes Later)

Well Bravon said it was that I’m bottom, and Axel said it’s that I can make great hot chocolate so they’re useless. 

I guess if not those, I don’t fucking know- I guess I’m resilient? If that’s the word? I don’t like inaction, not doing anything to me is worse than self destruction. Humans weren’t meant to take being pushed down, you keep going even if it hurts you more. 

Fiyero:

How sweet of you for asking ❤️

My heritage is my lifeblood. Why wouldn’t it be? Not everyone is lucky enough o be a Deamorte, why wouldn’t I show it as much as I could~ We’ve been celebrities since Venice, what’s there not to be proud of! ❤️ 💖

As for country wise, while I admit I’m not the largest fan of my hair, I love my Irish background from my father’s side, they’re such a fiery people, how could I not? And my mother’s Roman ancestry is the reason I have the gifts I do- the bedrock of civilization and all that. And nothing in this world could compre with the marble streets of Italy.

Of course, I would love to add some more Irish to the family line, right, @liliesinwrittendreams ?

Jason:

Bagpipes? Really? You pick the most lame-ass instrument there is? Whatever- least I got a better ask than Johnny. Good luck to that creep explaining his shitty parents. 

Anyway- pride? In my heritage? I mean, gotta say, I’m white as fuck. We’re Mayflower bitches. Some of the first police officers in the state, went back since for literal ever. Pretty proud I guess, police, generals, pretty badass. But I don’t really like relating to my old man unless I have to.

Fuckin’ dick.

I drink a lot of beer? That count as ‘showing my heritage’? Fuck it, sure, love German beer. We’ll call it that.

Jonathan:

I don’t know why Jason would think I wouldn’t want to answer this, I love my family, all of them, even the...problem child, Jason grew up to be.

Well, not ‘grew up’. He was always like this. Throwing my dolls in the river and all that.

It’s a hard call, honestly, between Jason and my ma, but, I’m sure you’ve all heard enough about Jason to last a lifetime.

[”Jonathan you creepy fuck stop trying to write me ou-]

Ignore him. He got his attention seeking from father.

Besides that, I’d say my ma’s the one who taught me. She fell sick when I was younger, so I was the one who took over the farm work, especially when Jason left to move to the city with father. Seeing her so weak, helpless, the woman who gave life, who held me when I was crying as a child, protected me from my father’s rampages, would jump in front of his fist in the name of protecting her child, I learned just how important it was to protect the weak.

That’s why I know it’s my callin’ in life, protecting what can’t protect themselves. Animals, children, weaker adults. Even if my mother is no longer in this world-bless her heart- I’m still around to keep her legacy around. 

And, if I can say anything about it, I’m goin’ to make a world safe for people like her.

Sparks:

Oh, gosh, I-I, I don’t remember much of when I was a kid. I spent a lot of time inside, we were traveling all the time, s-so I didn’t get much of a chance to make friends. I had a lot of siblings, though, who were always with me, I loved a lot! I don’t keep in much contact with them anymore, my older sister, Mai, tries to call me sometimes but, u-usually it’s to try and get me to join It Works...

Oh! I remember it. It’s like a really really specific thing but...

When I was a kid, really young, I got picked on a lot. I was kinda weird, had- have- a gaptooth, didn’t really get other kids. A couple kids started messing with me, pushing me to the ground and I hurt my arm really bad on the school steps.

I guess...I just remember really clearly how I felt in that moment. Well, that, that I didn’t feel. I’d seen in every movie, seen other kids in that moment, they’d cry, they’d feel bad and...

I didn’t.

I wanted to. I tried to talk mean to myself while they did it. I repeated the names they called me, I called myself ugly and stupid and a freak, but, I couldn’t make myself sad. It was weird. I wanted to know what sad felt like, if nothing else than curiosity. 

That was when I realized why I was different, I think. I didn’t know why mom was taking me to doctors before that, I didn’t understand. I do now though. It’s been hard but, I’ve worked through it. I just needed an ù̶̟͋p̶͇͈̑d̷̦͊a̴̠̳͗̔̇t̶͇̬͆́e̷͇̜̋͑̿.

Matthias: 

LOL, thought you said Organ. Like, ya know. A dick. Is a dick an organ? BRB, gotta google that.

Well I’ll be danged.

Anywhoswhatevers. Blowy thing. Duuude, we watched the Ring, it was sick. Dad and I have horror movie Mondays, which, yeah, tehcnically god doesn’t like or whatever, but, dad says as long as we get permission from the pastor ahead of time, we’re good. 

And, when ya’ got the pastor’s nudes, anything is good by him.

It’s so funny, that movie scares the poop out of anyone, so watchin’ dad watch it was so freaking funny. Wish I had a vid. He started crying once, unplugged the phone, it was great. 10/10, would recommend. V good.

Axel: 

I got one! ;LDKFDSAKJ That is so cool!!!!

This whole thing is cool, I haven’t heard a harpsichord, what’s that? It’s like a super big piano right, with ploppy keys? I should learn to play one- it’d be so cool I could play that cool song from Rainbow Rocks with the siren peopl-

Eli says I need to get back on point because he has homework 

Oh...when I was told I was ‘weird’? It’s not super happy I guess but, I get called that a lot at school. There’s a group of girls who like making fun of me a lot, say my clothes are all raggy trash and stuff, and throw stuff at me, say I’m weird...but it’s okay! I don’t mind really, if they think I’m weird- they can think I’m weird, since it makes them feel better!

If I’m weird, it means they’re not, and not feeling weird is nice, so, it’s got to make them feel good to throw things at me right? That’s what matters? Right?

Right?

Hai Lin:

Blog. You people. Started. A blog.

I’d say I’m surprised, but honestly- this is not the dumbest thing you people’ve done. Not that it says much.

Alright, though, I’ll bite. Sue’ll be happy about it.

Honestly? I’d say I’m almost there. I’ve clawed my way from poverty to queen of the underworld, there’s not a soul who wouldn’t refuse to kneel before me...well, one who’d live to say anything about it. 

I guess, if there’s one thing I do still wish for though, is a life for my little sister. I know she doesn’t like this life, even if she knows little about it, but, I don’t want her forced into the same world I was. I want to give her a good, safe, life. 

I know sometimes she gets swept up in the romantic idea of the thief, she thinks she’s the kind to swing from masts and find a Romeo and Juliet love story, with her as the criminal and them as the good boy, but, I just can’t see her as anything other than my little bird. Maybe that’s on me, but, that’s the last milestone I have before I’m where I feel I can really rest.

Rosie! (Me)

Fun fact, when I first signed up for band, I tried to get the Marimba. I cried trying to hold two mallets because I have really sensitive skin thanks to childhood eczema. Then tried Timpani, couldn’t figure it out, freaked out, quit, and refuse to go to the half of the school where the band room is to this day. 

I know. I’m a wreck. 

My defining trait, I’d say, is probably my...for lack of a better term, ‘fuck it’ mentality. I’m the kid who, and this is true, rolls around school in Heelies with a yeet or be yeeten shirt. I was voted Most Unforgettable for Senior Superlatives. Generally, in life, I try to assume that nothing matters so I may as well have fun with whatever I’m doing :)