#learning the rules when they're no longer applicable

[anendtopursuit]

i'm terrible at social cues but i'm Really Fucking Good at doing things and then realising immediately afterwards that it was a mistake lmao

[ducksido]

Can I please request the Housewardens (and Sebek because underated) with a Reader who has crystal hair (similar to Idia's fire hair) and can control crystals? They can control what type of crystal they're using (emerald, diamond, ruby, amythist, ECT) and have to eat a lot so they can use their crystal magic.

(SEBEK 💗💗💗💗)

-Riddle Rosehearts

Rules first, awe second. At first, he tries to lecture you about proper table manners when you pile food onto your plate.

But the moment he sees you summon a rose quartz lance midair and shatter it into a glittering mist with a snap, he shuts up.

“I see… your magic is more demanding than I realized. I apologize for assuming.”

He's both fascinated and a little intimidated by your hair. Crystals constantly shifting, humming with magic—he studies it like a rare potion.

Once he learns the logic behind your magic, he’ll nag you to eat before you faint.

“Here. I prepared a snack box for you—high protein and sugar. Do not skip meals again.”

-Leona Kingscholar

“Tch. So that’s why you eat like a beast.”

He teases, but he watches closely when you form a sapphire wall to block an incoming attack in a training match.

He’s very interested in your defensive capabilities—thinks it could be useful in battle.

Leona’s laidback, but if he catches you pushing yourself too far without eating, he gets snappy.

“Oi. Dumb herbivore. Eat something before you pass out and make me carry you.”

Secretly fascinated by your hair—when sunlight hits it, it scatters light like a prism, and he stares longer than he means to.

-Azul Ashengrotto

Business brain immediately turns on.

“Your unique magic could have tremendous commercial potential—enchanting jewelry? Defense applications? Custom gemstone architecture?”

He’s polite and respectful, but you can tell he’s calculating. That is, until you casually eat three full entrees in one sitting.

“...I may have underestimated your maintenance costs.”

If you let him, he’ll work with you to develop a magical nutrition plan that helps recharge your magic efficiently.

Thinks your crystal hair is elegant and rare—he stares a bit too long, then coughs and adjusts his glasses.

-Kalim Al-Asim

“WHOA! You’re like a walking treasure!”

Immediately obsessed. He thinks your hair is the coolest thing ever and constantly asks what type of crystal you’re using today.

He’s rich, so food? Never a problem. He’ll host full banquets just to make sure you’re well-fed.

“You need to eat? Say no more, friend! JAMIL!!”

You accidentally conjure a ruby chandelier once during a magic accident. He insists on keeping it.

Thinks your magic is beautiful, sparkly, and amazing—and his genuine admiration makes your heart flutter.

-Vil Schoenheit

He notices your hair before anything else. “Your look is… ethereal. Artificial beauty made natural.”

You thought he’d think your ever-shifting crystal hair was gaudy, but he loves the way it refracts light—wants to photograph you in golden hour lighting.

He’s critical of your eating habits if they're chaotic, but he understands the need to eat a lot.

“Fine. If you’re going to eat like that, at least eat right. I’ll have Rook prepare a crystal-magic-friendly diet plan.”

Surprisingly supportive of your magic—he views it as powerful and aesthetically stunning.

Secretly envious of your “natural accessories.”

-Idia Shroud

You both have weird hair. Instant bond.

He’s obsessed with your crystal magic—spends hours researching gemstone conductivity and magical resonance.

“W-wait, you can generate amethyst spikes? That’s so OP… Like, SR-level OP.”

You two have late-night snack binges in silence while gaming. He makes sure you don’t forget to eat during long sessions.

One time, you used diamond to shield his tablet when it fell. He’s been lowkey in love with you ever since.

“You sparkle like a Final Boss with a rare drop rate…”

-Malleus Draconia

Sees your magic as something ancient and sacred—he compares you to the old crystal dragons of fae folklore.

“You wield gemstones as if they were extensions of your will. Curious.”

Watches with open admiration as you grow an emerald forest around Ramshackle just to protect a friend.

Offers you glowing fruit from Briar Valley known to restore mana, trying to help with your magical upkeep.

Loves watching your hair shift colors depending on your crystal focus—it reminds him of the aurora.

He’s not threatened by your power—in fact, he wants to see it at its peak.

-Sebek Zigvolt

SHOOKETH. Loudly.

“YOU HAVE SUCH A STRONG AND SHINING MAGIC! AS EXPECTED OF ONE WHO STANDS BESIDE THE YOUNG MASTER!!”

Thinks your huge appetite is evidence of great magical prowess and respects it. Loudly. Again.

He considers your control over crystals as noble and warrior-like. He’s honored to train beside you.

Compliments your hair awkwardly. “IT—IT SHINES AS GLORIOUSLY AS MALLEUS-SAMA’S MAGNIFICENCE!!”

He’s a bit extra, but his admiration is genuine—and he will defend you to the ends of the Devildom.

[jingerpi]

There's this white washing of universities in the wake of popular LLM usage that I've been noticing, where people who would typically speak out against ableism and classism in university, or at the very least complain about horrible professors and unhelpful assignments, unfair course loads, etc, will retroactively change their position on these things in university as a way to justify their a priori belief (feeling) of superiority over those who have used AI models in any capacity. It's not some well thought out argument born from a consistent worldview, it isn't a reason for their beliefs, it's a justification for what they already hold to be true. They want to feel superior to other people but they can't just come out and say it, so they have to use a proxy, they have to say that these people are inferior because they're cheaters- but even if AI is allowed it's still bad, because they're engaging in the ontological sin of "laziness", of using a tool that is simultaneously deemed both too powerful and completely useless by its detractors.

In doing so these people reinforce the sanctity of bourgeois institutions, of educational authority, and of capitalist labor relations. Getting around doing work is no longer a way to get the money you need without working yourself to the bone. Passing classes with horrible professors or assignments is not born out of any structural incentives, people who aren't applying themselves are doing so purely because their lack of drive and work ethic, because they're bad people, these workarounds people use to survive are then equated with neglect. If you cheat in school, you must as a consequence, flaunt safety regulations in engineering, or not treat your patients properly in the medical field. No mind is paid to the massive difference in environments, consequences, or the presence of absence of a real victim, this massive leap in logic is completely swept under the rug in an attempt to maintain a sense of superiority over others for their use of the evil and tainted technology.

There is of course, something to be said for putting in the work to be able to perform your job, especially one with social consequences, competently, but doing so is rarely so closely tied to performance in university. Far more of this work is done, in my experience, independently and at the behest of the individual, utilizing resources from their communities and/or the Internet. There's this kind of rhetorical switch happening where people pretend they're speaking against anti-intellectualism, but really they're speaking against organic intellectualism and performing a rehabilitation of an ableist and classist institutions designed for the purpose of enforcing class distinctions.

Here, let's look at an example.

They go on after this to say that there are no good uses of AI, and any utilization lines the pockets of the corporate overlords. this is wrong on multiple fronts (plenty of amazing and useful applications, local/open source models exist, deepseek also exists, etc) but let's go over the argument in the picture itself

See how they're against utilizing it as a tool even when it's for things that aren't impactful for you? See how they go on to say doing so proves the "bizzaro kings" right? and what do we do to resist these bizzaro kings? We follow the rules they established of course. Why did they establish these rules? Are they there to gatekeep class positions? To extort money out of young adults through predatory loans? No, those rules are there to make you learn! To develop you as a person ✨🌟✨ They're so sacred in fact, that even when the rules aren't there, you must self-enforce them and stop yourself from learning how to utilize and interact appropriately with a growing modern technology.

This isn't pro intellectualism, this is anti-intellectualism. This is against critical use and understanding of modern technology, and it's in favor of enforcing class barriers.

All so they can hold on to feelings of superiority over their peers.

[mahvaladara]

THE BOLD THE FACTS tag

Wanted to do it for Fannar.

Rules: Bold the Facts

[ PERSONAL]

$ Financial: wealthy (Their parents are pretty wealthy and they know they can turn to them. They are a doctor and not overly spending so they have a moderate income and savings) / moderate () / poor / in poverty ✚ Medical: fit / moderate / sickly / disabled / disadvantaged / non applicable (By defualt Fannar is pretty healthy, but they health plummets when Arlo isn't well due to their shared heart, so he is prone to developing anemia is response to Arlo's own frailty). ✪ Class or Caste: upper / middle / working / unsure / other ✔ Education: qualified (Has a degree in general medicine and family health) / unqualified / studying / other ✖ Criminal Record: yes, for major crimes / yes, for minor crimes / no / has committed crimes, but not caught yet / yes, but charges were dismissed

[ FAMILY]

◒ Children: had a child or children / has no children / wants children ◑ Relationship with Family: close with sibling(s)/ not close with sibling(s) / has no siblings / sibling(s) is deceased ◔ Affiliation: orphaned / adopted / disowned / raised by birth parent / not applicable

[ TRAITS + TENDENCIES]

♦ extroverted / introverted / in between ♦ disorganized / organized / in between ♦ close minded / open-minded / in between ♦ calm (they do have PTSD but by defualt they're pretty calm) / anxious / in between ♦ disagreeable / agreeable / in between ♦ cautious / reckless / in between ♦ patient / impatient / in between ♦ outspoken / reserved (they're pretty quiet) / in between ♦ leader (they weren't always, but have developed a more leadership personality) / follower / in between ♦ empathetic / vicious bastard / in between ♦ optimistic / pessimistic / in between ♦traditional / modern / in between ♦ hard-working / lazy / in between ♦ cultured / uncultured / in between / unknown ♦ loyal / disloyal / unknown ♦ faithful / unfaithful / unknown

[ BELIEFS]

★ Faith: monotheist / polytheist / atheist / agnostic / none ☆ Belief in Ghosts or Spirits: yes / no / don’t know / don’t care ✮ Belief in an Afterlife: yes / no / don’t know / don’t care ✯ Belief in Reincarnation: yes / no / don’t know / don’t care ❃ Belief in Aliens: yes / no / don’t know / don’t care ✧ Religious: orthodox / liberal / in between / not religious ❀ Philosophical: yes / no

[ SEXUALITY & ROMANTIC INCLINATION ]

❤ Sexuality: heterosexual / homosexual / bisexual / asexual / pansexual ❥ Sex: sex repulsed / sex neutral / sex favorable / naive and clueless  ♥ Romance: romance repulsed / romance neutral / romance favorable /naive and clueless / romance suspicious ❣ Sexually: adventurous / experienced / naive / inexperienced (their only one has been Arlo and they have been learning from one another) / curious ⚧ Potential Sexual Partners: male/ female / agender / other(Arlo) / none / all ⚧ Potential Romantic Partners: male/female / agender / other(Arlo)/ none / all

[ ABILITIES ]

☠ Combat Skills: excellent / good (in my game, they're either painting or hitting the combat dummy, so they can hold themselves well in a fight currently) / moderate / poor / none ≡ Literacy Skills: excellent / good / moderate/ poor / none ✍ Artistic Skills: excellent / good (they're a great painter, but their calligraphy is shit) / moderate / poor / none ✂ Technical Skills: excellent (medicine, pharmacy and handiness) / good / moderate / poor / none

[ HABITS ]

☕ Drinking Alcohol: never / special occasions / sometimes (likes a glass of nectar) / frequently / Alcoholic ☁ Smoking: tried it / trying to quit / quit / never / rarely / sometimes / frequently / Chain-smoker ✿ Recreational Drugs: never / special occasions / sometimes / frequently / addict ✌ Medicinal Drugs: never / no longer needs medication / some medication needed (ansiolitics) / frequently / to excess 👀 Unhealthy Food: never / special occasions / sometimes (They're very mindful of what they eat, but do enjoy soul food every now and then) / frequently / binge eater $ Splurge Spending: never  / sometimes / frequently (they like buying gifts for Arlo, and binge buy a lot of writing and painting material) / shopaholic ♣ Gambling: never / rarely / sometimes / frequently / compulsive gambler

[cipherwrites]

Everyone has a superpower. Some people can fly, some people can control an elemental force itself. Me? I nullify things.

It wasn't too useful at first. All I could use it on was sound. As a kid, it was appreciated, at least. When you can quiet down a bunch of screaming kids by muting them, the teachers really start appreciating you. But as I got older, people liked me less and less. Because even if I could quiet people down, what use was that? That's not the kind of power that can actually help people. I spent my life chasing the high of approval I had back then...

One day, something strange happened. Someone's power had gone a bit haywire- they had the power to summon fireworks or something- and one of these fireworks was just running wild through the school and not exploding. In a panic, I focused my power around it when it came to me, and it just...stopped. The light grew darker, it dwindled away, before it stopped existing. My power...it could do more! I was so excited...but then, all that changed was people using me like a glorified garbage disposal. I had to get rid of my "friends'" constructs (as we called them) without them having to put in the effort.

When I graduated, nothing changed. I was still a laughing stock, the girl with the useless superpower. I tried to make up for it. I pulled up old books, from before the Mass Mutation. I taught myself how to fight, martial arts and more...but what good is martial arts when some people have the power to use them flawlessly?

I had had enough...so I began practicing. Training. I wanted to see the full extent of my power, to see what I was capable of, to prove them all wrong! And you know what? I found my answer.

First, I discovered I could nullify anything. Even pain. I could exercise for hours on end, and without feeling the pain, I could get stronger faster...granted, it also meant I slept for longer while my body got used to the stress, but I'm making it work.

Secondly, I can use my power on other people, other than muting them. I can't make them vanish or shrink or anything like that, I can temporarily nullify their minds. Prone to suggestion. It's kind of like hypnosis.

It was only when I discovered the third application of my power that I decided to take to the streets. I walked right into the bank and used my power on the clerk woman without a second thought. Under my suggestion, she led me right to the vault without resistance. I made her help me load some satchels up, and the cameras and silent alarms have gone off- just what I wanted.

No one uses guns in this world. No one carries weapons. Not unless they're directly linked to their power, and law enforcement mainly consists of people with pretty offensive weapons. The officers came forward. I saw some wielding fire, some posing in martial arts stances like a movie, and some did have guns of some kind- just with bullets of energy that they conjure up. I reveled in the fact that they were all helpless to me.

Because the third application of my power lets me nullify superpowers. With a wave of my hand, they were all normal people. And as the only one who bothered to learn something like martial arts, I destroyed anyone who stood to me and walked away. The nullification isn't permanent...

Not yet.

But the superpowered have ruled this world for too long. The rare folks born without powers are called "crippled" and treated as second-class citizens. People like my parents. It's time for a change. My change.

They all laughed at my useless power...

Well, who's laughing now?

You have a completely useless superpower in a world full of amazing superpowers. You have been a laughing-stock for years, until you started using your powers for evil… nobody is laughing now.

[blocktrendz]

How AI Is Supercharging Web3: The Next Phase of Decentralized Innovation!!!

In a world where digital ecosystems evolve faster than policies, the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and Web3 has emerged as a monumental force. What was once considered a futuristic ideal, a decentralized internet powered by peer-to-peer interactions, is now becoming more intelligent, predictive, and efficient. Welcome to the next frontier: AI-powered Web3.

This transformative shift isn’t just a buzzword. It’s reshaping protocols, redefining user experiences, and opening doors to previously unimaginable use cases. And at the core of this revolution stands BlockchainAppsDeveloper, a leading Web3 Development Company pushing boundaries with AI-infused innovations across decentralized platforms.

Understanding the Web3 Landscape in 2025

The third generation of the internet, widely referred to as Web3, is based on the principles of decentralization, trustless interactions, and digital ownership. Powered by blockchain technology, smart contracts, and cryptographic systems, Web3 eliminates intermediaries and enables users to regain ownership.

However, as Web3 scales, it faces several challenges, including complex user interfaces, data overload, and fragmented ecosystems. That’s where AI comes in, bringing intelligence, automation, and context-awareness to decentralized protocols.

Now, the fusion of these two technologies is revolutionizing everything from DeFi and NFTs to decentralized identity, gaming, and beyond.

AI x Web3: A Match Made for the Future

AI algorithms thrive on data. Web3 generates data in abundance from on-chain transactions to behavioral interactions. When combined, these technologies become exponentially more powerful. Here's how:

1. Smart Contracts That Learn

Traditionally, smart contracts are rule-based and static. With AI, they become dynamic, adaptive, and capable of analyzing real-time data to evolve. This is transforming the architecture of Web3 Dapp Development Companies, enabling smarter, self-updating decentralized applications.

Imagine a DApp that adjusts gas fees based on network congestion patterns or modifies governance parameters based on voting behavior. The possibilities are limitless and intelligent.

2. AI-Powered Wallets and Security

Security has been a persistent challenge in the Web3 space. AI helps proactively detect anomalies, flag suspicious activities, and prevent phishing attempts. For any top-tier Web3 Wallet Development Company, integrating machine learning models into digital wallets enhances safety without sacrificing decentralization.

Biometric-based AI authentication systems, real-time fraud detection, and predictive analysis are no longer optional; they’re becoming the standard. 

3. Enhanced User Experiences

AI improves the UI/UX of decentralized platforms, making them more intuitive and accessible. This is particularly significant for a Web3 Development Company focused on onboarding mass users who may not be technically inclined.

AI chatbots, predictive text, adaptive interfaces, and recommendation engines provide Web2-level personalization in a decentralized setting, bridging a critical usability gap.

Game On: AI in Web3 Gaming

The gaming industry is perhaps the most exciting frontier for AI-Web3 synergy. In 2025, decentralized games are not just entertainment; they're digital economies. With in-game assets tradable on the blockchain, AI brings in dynamic storytelling, intelligent NPCs, and predictive in-game economies.

Leading Web3 Game Development Company BlockchainAppsDeveloper is building entire multiverses where gameplay adjusts to player behavior, and AI-driven analytics optimize tokenomics and reward distribution.

Imagine a game that evolves based on a player’s skill, preferences, and interaction history, where each gameplay is uniquely crafted by AI. This is no longer hypothetical; it’s already being developed.

How BlockchainAppsDeveloper Leads the Way

Among the most innovative companies driving AI-powered Web3 transformation is BlockchainAppsDeveloper, a global Web3 Game Development Company specializing in building decentralized ecosystems infused with cutting-edge AI tools.

By engineering intelligent smart contracts, AI-secured wallets, and scalable dApps, BlockchainAppsDeveloper has positioned itself at the intersection of innovation and execution.

AI Integration in DApps

Whether it's a decentralized finance platform or a blockchain-based supply chain solution, BlockchainAppsDeveloper incorporates AI to analyze user behavior, streamline performance, and deliver personalized results.

Projects built here are future-proof, scalable, adaptable, and secure thanks to AI’s predictive and diagnostic capabilities.

Custom Web3 Wallets

Wallet development isn’t just about sending and receiving tokens anymore. BlockchainAppsDeveloper integrates AI for real-time risk detection, transaction optimization, and automated wallet management.

This enables users with smarter, safer interactions in a permissionless world.

Intelligent NFT Marketplaces

From rarity scoring to fraud detection, AI reshapes how NFTs are valued, discovered, and protected. BlockchainAppsDeveloper has crafted intelligent NFT platforms that use deep learning for content classification, fake detection, and recommendation systems that enhance the creator-buyer journey.

Decentralized AI: The Future of Data Sovereignty

One of the paradoxes of centralized AI is data dependency. Web3 offers a solution: decentralized data marketplaces. With the power of AI, individuals and organizations can tokenize data, offer it in a decentralized exchange, and monetize it directly, without losing ownership.

Federated learning, an AI technique that trains algorithms across decentralized data, is perfectly suited for Web3 environments. This is helping industries like healthcare, finance, and education adopt AI models without compromising data privacy or compliance.

BlockchainAppsDeveloper is actively contributing to decentralized AI ecosystems by building infrastructure that supports federated learning and encrypted computation over decentralized networks. 

DeFi 2.0: Smart Finance Gets Smarter

DeFi was the first successful large-scale application of Web3. Now with AI, it's entering its next evolution. Portfolio managers powered by AI, real-time arbitrage bots, risk analyzers, and lending protocols that adjust interest rates dynamically. DeFi is becoming more intelligent, autonomous, and user-centric.

A Web3 Dapp Development Company that understands both DeFi protocols and AI's potential is uniquely positioned to redefine the next generation of decentralized finance.

BlockchainAppsDeveloper has been instrumental in launching DeFi platforms where AI models monitor user activity, assess lending risk, detect market manipulation, and even create personalized investment strategies.

DAO Governance Gets an AI Upgrade

Governance in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) is often hindered by low participation and complex decision-making. AI brings value here through:

Sentiment analysis of proposals

Predictive voting models

Auto-curation of discussions

Recommendation systems for voters

These upgrades simplify the governance process and lead to more informed, efficient community-led decisions. BlockchainAppsDeveloper has developed governance modules powered by AI that improve participation rates and increase proposal quality within DAOs.

Web3 + AI Use Cases in 2025 and Beyond

1. AI Avatars in the Metaverse

Digital twins powered by AI interact autonomously in the metaverse, attending meetings, executing trades, or playing games. These avatars can represent users across multiple Web3 platforms, creating a seamless multichain experience.

2. AI in Supply Chain DApps

Supply chain platforms on Web3 now use AI for demand forecasting, anomaly detection, and logistics optimization. BlockchainAppsDeveloper has built decentralized logistics DApps where AI ensures end-to-end transparency and performance.

3. AI-Powered Reputation Systems

Decentralized identity and reputation systems are being enhanced by AI. By analyzing behavioral patterns, social interactions, and transaction history, Web3 platforms now offer dynamic, trust-based reputation scores.

Challenges in AI-Web3 Convergence

Despite its promise, AI-Web3 fusion has hurdles:

Data availability: Quality decentralized data is still scarce.

Scalability: Training AI models in decentralized settings is resource-intensive.

Bias & ethics: AI’s decision-making can perpetuate biases unless audited and adjusted.

Yet, these are not insurmountable. BlockchainAppsDeveloper is addressing these with scalable infrastructure, ethical AI practices, and optimized decentralized data pipelines.

Why Web3 Needs AI And Vice Versa

Web3 democratizes ownership and control. AI personalizes and optimizes experiences. Together, they create ecosystems that are both equitable and intelligent. While Web3 ensures transparency and trust, AI offers speed, intuition, and predictive power.

The result is a smarter, fairer internet, one that adapts to user needs while preserving digital autonomy.

Conclusion: The Decentralized Future Is Intelligent

Web3 and AI are no longer separate buzzwords; they are converging forces that define the next phase of internet evolution. From intelligent contracts and adaptive governance to AI-powered gaming and secure wallets, the fusion of these technologies is unstoppable.

And steering this transformation is BlockchainAppsDeveloper, a visionary Web3 Development Company creating industries to build decentralized, AI-enhanced platforms that scale. By unlocking the potential of both worlds, BlockchainAppsDeveloper ensures that the decentralized future is not only open and secure but also intelligent.

As the boundaries between data, ownership, intelligence, and code dissolve, a new digital renaissance is taking form, one that’s decentralized, AI-driven, and built for what’s next.

Why Choose BlockchainAppsDeveloper?When it comes to building AI-enhanced Web3 platforms that are scalable, secure, and future-ready, BlockchainAppsDeveloper stands out as a strategic choice. As a seasoned Blockchain Development Company, the team blends deep blockchain expertise with cutting-edge AI integrations to deliver decentralized solutions that outperform traditional systems. From dynamic smart contracts to intelligent DApps and secure AI-powered wallets, every solution is engineered with precision, innovation, and industry foresight. BlockchainAppsDeveloper doesn’t just build platforms; it builds intelligent ecosystems that adapt, scale, and thrive in the rapidly evolving decentralized landscape.

[patilshubh1119]

AI and Cybersecurity: The New Frontier of Digital Defense

As digital technology advances at breakneck speed, two transformative forces are redefining how we protect our systems and information: AI and cybersecurity. Once treated as separate domains, artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity are now merging to form a powerful alliance against a growing wave of sophisticated digital threats. In today's landscape, traditional firewalls and antivirus software are no longer enough. Cyberattacks are more frequent, complex, and automated - many even powered by AI. To combat these advanced threats, cybersecurity must evolve with equal or greater intelligence. That's where AI steps in. https://theknowledgereviewmagazine.com/The Role of AI in Cybersecurity AI and cybersecurity together are reshaping digital defense by shifting from a reactive model to a proactive, intelligent system. AI brings speed, adaptability, and predictive power to the table - enabling security systems to not only detect threats but also anticipate and neutralize them in real-time. Here's how AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity:

Predictive Threat Intelligence AI analyzes enormous volumes of data - past and present - to forecast potential threats before they occur. By identifying trends and anomalies, AI systems can flag high-risk behaviors and vulnerabilities, allowing organizations to close security gaps before they're exploited. This predictive capability significantly reduces response times and helps prioritize risks based on real-time analysis, not just historical patterns.

Anomaly Detection with Precision AI systems learn the "normal" patterns of user and system behavior over time. When deviations occur - such as a login from an unusual location or abnormal data access patterns - the system flags them as potential threats. This real-time detection is vital in identifying novel attack methods that traditional rule-based systems might miss.

Automated Incident Response Speed is critical during a cyberattack. AI-driven systems can automate key actions, such as isolating infected devices, disabling compromised accounts, and alerting human analysts. This automation reduces the time between detection and response, minimizing damage and downtime.

Enhanced User Authentication through Behavioral Biometrics AI goes beyond passwords by analyzing behavioral traits like typing speed, mouse movements, and navigation habits. These biometric markers add an extra layer of identity verification, making it harder for attackers to impersonate legitimate users. Real-World Applications of AI in Cybersecurity Across sectors, organizations are integrating AI and cybersecurity to strengthen their defenses: Financial Services: Banks use AI to detect fraudulent transactions in real-time, reducing financial losses and improving customer trust. Healthcare: Hospitals leverage AI to secure sensitive patient data and prevent breaches in connected medical devices. Government & Defense: National security agencies employ AI to detect and thwart cyber-espionage and state-sponsored attacks. Corporate IT: Email systems now use AI to identify phishing attempts by analyzing the tone, content, and context of messages - not just their attachments or links.

The Double-Edged Sword: AI as an Attack Tool While AI strengthens defenses, it can also be weaponized. Cybercriminals use AI to automate attacks, bypass traditional defenses, and generate convincing deepfakes or synthetic phishing messages. This makes the threat landscape more unpredictable. The rise of AI-generated malware, botnets, and deceptive social engineering tactics means defenders must constantly innovate to stay ahead. Additionally, over-reliance on AI poses its own risks - biased training data, opaque algorithms, and false positives can create new vulnerabilities. https://theknowledgereviewmagazine.com/ai-and-cybersecurity-the-new-frontier-of-digital-defense/ Ethical and Regulatory Considerations As AI becomes more embedded in cybersecurity, ethical concerns and governance frameworks must evolve in parallel. Questions around data privacy, surveillance, algorithmic bias, and transparency are central to the responsible use of AI in digital defense. Organizations must prioritize: Transparent AI decision-making Compliance with international data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) Ethical sourcing and use of training data Clear accountability structures for AI-driven decisions

The Future of AI and Cybersecurity The road ahead for AI and cybersecurity is filled with innovation - and necessity. As threats evolve, AI will play an even greater role in shaping intelligent, adaptive, and resilient security systems. Emerging trends include:

Self-Healing Systems AI-enabled platforms will soon identify and fix vulnerabilities autonomously, reducing the need for human intervention.

Federated Learning This approach allows AI models to be trained across decentralized data sources without moving sensitive information, preserving privacy while improving model accuracy.

Zero Trust Architecture AI will be critical in enforcing Zero Trust frameworks - verifying every user, device, and access request continuously, with no assumptions of safety. These technologies will shift cybersecurity from being reactive to fully proactive, embedding risk management into the fabric of digital infrastructure. Best Practices for Implementing AI in Cybersecurity To effectively adopt AI in cybersecurity, organizations should follow these best practices: Define Clear Objectives  Be specific about what you want AI to accomplish - whether it's detecting anomalies, managing compliance, or automating response. Use High-Quality, Diverse Data  AI is only as good as the data it learns from. Ensure your datasets are clean, labeled, and represent the full scope of system behaviors. Combine AI with Human Intelligence  AI should augment, not replace, cybersecurity professionals. Human oversight is essential to interpret AI insights and make judgment calls. Audit and Monitor Regularly  AI models must be reviewed periodically to check for bias, outdated data, or performance degradation. Train Your Team  Security teams need continuous training to effectively manage and understand AI-driven tools and systems.

Conclusion: A Digital Defense Built for the Future The convergence of AI and cybersecurity marks a new frontier in digital defense. AI brings unmatched speed, scalability, and intelligence. Cybersecurity brings the discipline, strategy, and resilience needed to safeguard our digital lives. Together, they create an integrated defense system capable of protecting everything from personal devices to national infrastructure. In an era where cyber threats are inevitable, the question is no longer whether we should use AI in cybersecurity - but how responsibly and strategically we can do it. As the digital world grows, organizations must not only embrace AI and cybersecurity - they must build them into the core of their digital DNA.

[justtaponblr]

Introduction

The Age of Intelligent Banking

A quiet revolution is brewing worldwide. It's no longer only about quicker payments or digital pockets. We are now arriving in the Age of Intelligent Banking, where machines and algorithms are changing the game in how we interact with finances.

The Evolution of Banking: From Ledgers to Algorithms

Gone are the days when banks used to rely on cumbersome account ledgers and waiting lines in meters. These days, everything revolves around predictive analysis, and tailored experiences. Writers to technology fuelled by Artificial Intelligence, the area is accelerating with a rocket's speed.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Banking: A Paradigm Shift

The first role of artificial intelligence in banking sector has become no longer a speculation. AI can be utilized to increase efficiency, providing better customer experience and uncovering insights that human minds might miss. Banks which are utilizing AI are rewriting the rules of engagement in the financial sector.

AI-Powered Customer Service: The Rise of Smart Chatbots

No longer are boring hold music and delayed responses necessary. AI-powered chatbots can deliver immediate solutions to problems, along with responding to questions 24/7. They're the new frontline ambassadors--productive, indefatigable, and continually learning.

Personalization at Scale: Tailoring Financial Services Using AI

AI enables extremely personalized banking experience. From investment recommendations carefully selected to personalized loan offers AI processes vast amounts of information to anticipate and comprehend customer needs like a personal financial advisor.

Fraud Detection and Prevention: AI as the Digital Sentinel

Fraud is a significant issue in contemporary banking. Step forward AI--the Digital Sentinel. Machine learning algorithms scan transactions in real time and identify any irregularities that may suggest fraudulent activity, and preventing the fraud in its tracks.

Risk Assessment and Credit Scoring: The AI Advantage

Credit scoring relied on a formula. AI introduces a new element to the formula. It processes other sources of data like social signals and payment histories to determine the creditworthiness of a loan, rendering it more comprehensive and accurate.

Automated Loan Approvals: Speed Meets Accuracy

Are you waiting weeks for a reply to your loan application? No need to wait. AI does the whole process, crunching numbers and assessing risk in a matter of minutes. Accuracy is matched with speed, leading to faster approvals and happier customers.

AI in Investment Advisory: The Age of Robo-Advisors

Democratizing Investment with Robo-Advisors

Robo-advisors are making investment more accessible. Utilizing AI algorithmic models, they provide personalized financial guidance, manage portfolios, and respond to changes - bringing financial management within reach for more individuals.

Predictive Analytics: Forecasting Market Trends and Customer Actions

Imagine having the ability to know what your customer is in need of, even before they know it themselves. AI predictive analytics come to life through the analysis of patterns and patterns to recommend services or products proactively.

AI-Powered Compliance: Understanding the Regulatory Maze

Compliance is a tough riddle. AI makes it easy by tracking transactions, alerting potential suspicious activity, and ensuring regulations are complied with stringent attention--preventing potential costly fines.

Voice Banking: Talking to Your Money

"Hey Siri, what is my account balance?" Voice-powered AI can make banking easier to discuss. From querying balances to sending funds Voice commands make communication hassle-free and hands-free.

Powering Cybersecurity in Banking with AI

Cyber-attacks are changing day by day. AI's ability to learn and improve constantly makes cybersecurity defence even stronger, finding vulnerabilities before they are exploited and safeguarding the most confidential financial data.

The Intersection of Blockchain and AI: Revolutionizing Trust and Transparency

Blockchain and AI are strong allies. While blockchain makes transactions irreversible and transparent, AI optimizes data analysis and decision-making--collectively, they create trust and efficiency in banking systems.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Blockchain App for Banking

This is the step-by-step guide to developing a blockchain app.

Step 1: Defining Use Case and Objectives

The first step is to identify the issue that your blockchain app can address. If it's cross-border payment as well as KYC confirmation, a clear understanding establishes the basis.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Blockchain Platform

Private, public or a consortium? Pick a platform such as Ethereum, Hyperledger, or Corda in accordance with security, scalability and the consensus mechanisms.

Step 3: Designing the Architecture

Identify how your blockchain application works. Develop nodes, permissions consensus protocols, and data flows to develop a strong framework.

Fantastic Top Tech Gadgets Transforming Banking.

Biometric ATMs, NFC payments rings and AI-driven financial plan apps are just a few of the awesome top tech gadgets and making it more efficient. These innovations are transforming the use of money daily.

Conclusion: AI - The Architect of Next-Gen Banking

Artificial Intelligence is not only transforming banking but also redefining its very fabric. From fighting fraud to delivering customized services, the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Banking is revolutionary--leading us to a world where banking is smarter, quicker, and more secure.

[d0llqueen]

Unprompted personal rant,

I hate rote memorization as a learning method

I'm 28 with a full time job but I still remember when in school I got to the point where I could no longer take the time to understand material because there was too much to stay caught up

If I understood a math formula and what it DID or the movements leading up to a historical event or how the parts of an orgainism worked together I didn't need to memorize much because I could always logic out the answer

Then I started falling behind because of how little time we had to get through a lot of material and it got to the point where cramming what I needed to pass what test came up in each class then move on & prep for the next one was the only way to survive.

Some kids had been doing this for years and I had to scramble to get into the habit but it kinda felt like giving up a bit

Anyway at my job now over a decade later I'm constantly called by my boss & peers to fix problems because I can come to solutions much faster.

Our computer system sucks and I probably have like 50 little rules now to know to make everything work.

When a new problem comes I'm usually the one to solve it because I read the prompts and interpret them with what I already know.

When a customer has a problem I understand the laws, our system, & our limits, so I usually find if not a solution an actionable task to move things along.

I'm CONSTANTLY explaining my actions & logic to my boss and peers. They are smart people! My bosses have done WAY more school than me & I'm not nearly qualified to do their job!

But sometimes I get frustrated because if they READ WHAT THE COMPUTER SCREEN IS SAYING AND COMPREHENDED IT THEY SHOULDN'T NEED ME TO DROP WHAT I'M DOING TO FIX IT

I'm pretty sure they're too stressed to listen when I walk them through it AGAIN or embarassed. I don't think they're not listening per se, but I suspect the only thing they try to retain is one of the special little rules and not the logic of "this says X, go to Y, then apply Z". Like, they half remember "apply Z". When it happens again all they remember is that they apply something but they have a bank of a dozen similar things and they can't recall what.

Like, asking for help is better than screwing someone over BUT COME ON

I remember one time that sticks out in college where we were going over a simple algebra problem & I was walking through it for someone who didn't get it.

Instead of listening to my explanation my classmate was trying to find what SHE did wrong. This isn't nessecarily a bad method if it leads to understanding. It did not. It got to the point where I was about to explain how division worked because she just kept saying she didn't get it. I know she isn't dumb. I also know me continuing to explain & simplify wasn't going to get us anywhere.

I'm feeling a lot of the same frustration now. It's not enough for me to memorize the answer. Knowing the answer to me means understanding at least to some degree how we got there.

On a similar note when talking to customers, I hate using terms I KNOW a layperson wouldn't fully know. Understanding the concept & explaing it properly when speaking is part of professionalism imo. So often though my coworkers will say "just do X". Customer will respond "I already did Y". And coworker will just repeat "No, just do X" instead of attempting to actually communicate.

AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHH

This does not save time! You save so much time by being concise! You can only MAKE your phrasing concise IF YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT BOTH PARTIES ARE TRYING TO COMMUNICATE

WHICH REQUIRES CRITICAL THINKING AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE

[duckprintspress]

Hi! I’m preparing a sample of my writing for the application and am REALLY excited. How exact are your limits on word count? I’ve been workshopping a piece of writing and have it down to 1580 words, but can get it down further if need be.

Also, you say that the writing sample can be part of a larger project. Part of my sample has references to the larger work it’s part of. Can I add a small explanation of what’s going on in the larger story?

Hi anon! Yay, we're excited too, we love hearing that people are considering applying!

To answer your questions:

For a small peek behind the curtain...in the past, when people have been up to 25 words over our limit, we've let it go (so, up to 1,525). Basically, we allow about a sentence of wiggle. Once it's more than that, it adds enough that we feel it's unfair to other applicants (like, 80 words over is 5% more length than all the other applicants get...that's a lot!). When this happens, the person who does our anonymization ( @ramblingandpie ) deletes every word over 1,500. We have absolutely read submissions that ended mid-sentence. We've even accepted applicants whose stories ended mid-sentence! Still, I'd definitely recommend that you try to get it down more if you think those 80 words over 1500 are important.

We'd rather you not include a small explanation; it's in our rules that the piece has to function as understandable outside of other context (such as fandom-specific knowledge or knowledge of a specific 'verse), and we're more interested in seeing how you write than learning about the (surely super cool!!!) longer story that you wrote. If your sample won't be understandable with that additional explanation, it's probably not a great choice to send to us. If you're not sure if it'll be okay, I'd recommend asking a fellow writer you're friendly with who is unfamiliar with the original work to read it. If they understand without the additional explanation, you're good to go! If they don't...you might have an issue.

I hope that all helps! I feel like they're kinda downer answers, I'm sorry. *sweat drop*

-unforth

[beautifulterriblequeen]

Trickster: an Ethari theory

I've had yea many Ethari headcanons, and I hope I live to have yea many more. Most of them are probably wrong, or incomplete at best. But boy are they fun.

I love to wonder what Ethari will really be like in canon when we get to know him for more than 3 minutes, but whoever he really is on his own, he will have an effect on Runaan , Rayla, and everyone who loves him, because they love him.

The first headcanon I can remember having for "Tinker" was that he could be like Leonardo da Vinci: a genius, creative, surrounded by beautiful ideas given shape by his hands, but also capable of creating deadly weapons, enchantments, and devices with equal beauty, and perhaps not really seeing where the line between them was. It was fun, but Ethari has ended up far softer than my headcanon, and I love and support him in his softness!

After a nice string of Ethari headcanons, this year I've started poking at the Trickster archetype and seeing if it applies to him. And I think it absolutely does!

Tricksters often seem like Chaos. But they're not. They're just Difference. "Chaos" is subjective. Like the "divergent" in "neurodivergent." Who says? Divergent from what, exactly? Perspective matters, and Tricksters have a very broad take on things which allows them to think outside any box people might try to invite them into.

My enjoyment of Loki has brought all kinds of ideas to my dash with the arrival of the Loki show. I've got a copy of the Edda, and I highlighted the hell out of it a couple of years ago as I searched for the roots of Loki's origin story. (It's truly fascinating reading and the symbolic language hidden inside their poetry is dazzlingly amazing and I'm super using it sometime just so you know)

Loki is a Trickster, and he's far from alone in myth and legend. Anansi, Coyote, and Sun Wukong are some you may have heard of. Aaravos is another, of course. Tricksters can be called upon to lend aid and wisdom when the rules don't have an answer for some extraordinary circumstance which the Trickster's people find themselves in. But that's not because they are truly outside the rule of order. They are actually a part of it. They are the catch-all for when the everyday ordinary rules fail people, and something "unthinkable"--in the literal sense--might just hold the answer.

This post crossed my dash today, and something finally clicked in my head, and all of this coalesced from what felt like separate places. But they're not separate, not anymore! Serotonin, baby. It's basically upped my headcanon to a full-blown theory.

What caught my eye was an answer to why Ethari's clothing is so determinedly asymmetrical, compared to Runaan's specifically, but Moonshadows in general. It's because of this:

Long protective sleeves below patterns on shoulders. A high collar paired with a bright and noticeable swoop around the neck. Fine detailing and graceful taste. Asymmetrical tunic point on the left, below broad strappy leather. Knee high boots with stylish protective gaiters.

And let's not forget the curling horns! In some comics, Loki has a broken horn. So does Ethari.

Yes, there is a lot of similarity here, but I'm not focused so much on the visuals as the reason they were chosen. Feel free to consider other aspects of Ethari's personality and how they might be similar to certain parts of Loki's. I did! But I wouldn't be me if I didn't go deeper than that.

My favorite book in the universe (so far) is Lois McMaster Bujold's The Curse of Chalion, and one of the many reasons why is because of her pantheon. It holds five gods, represented by a hand: Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, and Bastard. The first four all have their roles and places. The Bastard--the thumb--inherits everything else. He is the god of all things that do not belong to any other gods, and that includes self-sacrificing vengeance and queerness. He is a Trickster, and his influence on Cazaril's life is far deeper than at first glance. Chaos has its place. It belongs, and so do the Tricksters who engender it. God, I love this book. Please read it if you haven't. Bujold's work is amazing.

If you've seen or read any version of MDZS/Untamed, you know that Wei WuXian is a trickster. Competent and badass in battle, but playful and teasing to the point where sometimes even he isn't sure what he truly wants, he can bring a massive amount of power and focus when he wants to. It's always a matter of "but is it important to me?"

I love WWX so much. The Trickster vibe is very apparent in his character, and in a way you just don't get in Western media. We see him on his own, and we see him with family and loved ones. And he's always feeling something so intensely! He's driven by his emotions, for good or ill. He vibes with chaos, and he will create it if it doesn't exist yet. But he will also create family from nothing, and that's something you don't see enough of! WWX is a Trickster with an emotional preference for joy.

In TDP, Ethari doesn't have a lot of lore yet. It's being Moonshadowed because spoilers for future seasons, and I respect that. The longer the wait for S4, the more ideas I will just amuse myself with in the meantime--and yeah, this is one of them, so what? :))) But we do know a little about him.

He loves music. He loves to read. He leaves his mark on things in swirly form. He works very hard, even through headaches, because what he's doing is that important to him, even though he would much rather be making jewelry. He loves taking the time to polish rough stones into brilliant jewels, and he adores big pretty flowers and had them at his wedding.

Ethari has a temper, but he also loves puns. The weapons he crafts are exquisite: "light, elegant, strong, and clever." And he knew darn well that Runaan was trying to flirt with him, but why return a sentiment he may or may not feel yet when he can play with the overly earnest assassin just a little bit first?

Okay, just... A "simple craftsman" deciding that it's going to be fun to toy for a bit with a broody assassin's feelings? Would you risk that? Ethari got balls the size of the moon, and a brain to match. When he has to make weaponry, he does not half-ass it. Ethari's stabby creations nearly have a life of their own. His creations are literally called "trick weapons." This elf is a lot, okay. And it's possible that he doesn't even know how "a lot" he is. Yet.

We're meeting Ethari after he's found something that is, in fact, genuinely important to him: Runaan, and Rayla, and Laindrin too. Ethari has found a relatively stable place to settle and find a role to adopt. I say adopt, though, because making weaponry for his loved ones is not what he grew up wanting to do. It's what he had to do to keep them safe, once he found a place to bestow his heart.

But in the show, Ethari has lost his family, one by one. First Lain and Tiadrin, ghosted. Then Runaan, supposedly fallen on his mission. Then Rayla, ghosted for abandoning Runaan. He and Rayla have reconnected now, but the rest of his family is still out of his reach. If Rayla has indeed told him, by S4, what she learned at the Moonhenge in TTM, then Ethari may parallel Rayla's journey to seek answers. But even if he doesn't know yet, and gets pulled into some other story arc first, we will be seeing Ethari without his family.

Remember the ATLA episode "Zuko Alone"? Consider: "Ethari Alone."

Ethari has chosen, for love, to fit himself into a box that wasn't of his own making. And now that box has broken. His family doesn't need him to be their craftsman anymore. Perhaps others will need him to be other things to them. Or perhaps he will know that his family does need him, but to be far more than just a maker of pretty swords. A rescuer, perhaps. A healer, a guide? An avenger?

A trickster. Capable of taking many shapes, because he understands them all. Ethari works with form and function. If he needs to transform himself, he will.

That's what Tricksters do. It's delightfully queer and delightfully neurodivergent. Ancient peoples accepted and revered the different among them and actively sought their help with things they themselves struggled with.

Tricksters are Difference. Sometimes that manifests as chaos, sometimes as genius. But if you do not love and appreciate your chaos, it will absolutely turn on you. Wei Wuxian did. Loki certainly has, many times. Perhaps Aaravos is doing so as well.

I cannot wait to see what Ethari does with his difference. I have something very specific that I hope he goes and breaks.

All this from a picture of Tom Hiddleston in his Avengers 1 Loki costume? Yeah. Because Ethari was designed to wear asymmetrical clothing, in a Moonshadow culture that prides itself on balance. Sure, there are some other Moonshadows who wear this or that asymmetrical item, and I do love to see it. But Ethari has the most asymmetrical lines of them all. The meta glee I feel knowing that Moonshadow elves are designed to hold many layers of meaning in their appearances--that the writers, creators, and character designers just flexed with them--is truly a delight.

Ethari is asymmetrical. The full and practical application of that is a glass casket, and I hope it becomes a gift that keeps on giving, because boy do I want to keep receiving it. But right now, I'm genuinely seeing evidence of the Trickster archetype in him. And I really hope it gets to come out and play.

[taehoons-taekwondoblog]

Results

Boyfriend application quiz? Haha, you're fooled. Those are the questions asked randomly in a black belt test. Oral examination is graded by the grand master himself - Seong Hansoo. Students who possesses enough maturity to answer the questions can get their black belts. The youngest in my dojang is 13. 

I'm gonna pretend to be dad and grade your answers. 

Question 1: How is the spirit of martial arts applied to Taekwondo?

Anon: Moral compass and discipline are the spirit of martial arts. 

Comments: But what kind of moral compass? The good? The evil? What kind of discipline taught in Taekwondo? Strict or lenient? 5/10

Hobin: Discipline, mindfulness, perseverance, and muscles. Lifestyle and moral code. 

Comments: I like how you mentioned the Five Tenets. Yes, they're the best examples in Taekwondo. 7/10

Yeonwoo: The meaning behind the word Taekwondo, its origin was mentioned in addition to the Five Tenets. 

Comments: I like how you talked a bit about the history of Taekwondo, but I think you were being smug. I'd give you a 7 but dad would probably give you an 8. 8/10 

Question 2: How would you use Taekwondo when you achieved a black belt?

Anon: Self-defense and also self discipline. Learn more if becomes fond of Taekwondo. 

Comments: Dude, you must love Taekwondo enough to get a black belt. Reaching that point isn't easy. What do you mean “if"? 6/10

Hobin: Not sure how to use it. Wouldn't mind teaching others. 

Comments: What do you mean “not sure"? Come on man! At least you want to help me with the teaching. Good! 8/10

Yeonwoo: Learn more and more, until no longer can learn. Help others. 

Comments: Typical nerd answer. 8/10

Question 3: What are most important things to consider in Taekwondo sparring?

Anon: Wear protective gear.

Comments: Not even close. ITF Taekwondo's sparring doesn't need protective gears (sometimes). Disappointing. 0/10  

Hobin: Rules, capabilities, and just sparring mindset, not a street fight.

Comments: Talking like a true fighter. I like that. 10/10

Yeonwoo: Safety, respect and honour. 

Comments: Talking like a fucking nerd. I also like that. 10/10

Question 4: Stances, blocks, kicks, strikes and punches, which is/are the most essential for beginners to grasp?

Anon: Rear foot, front kick, side kick.

Comments: Clearly you didn't read my Taekwondo lessons. 0/10

Hobin: Stances.

Comments: You're right. Dad and I teach the kids stances first. But not enough. 6/10

Yeonwoo: All of them. 

Comments: I have to give it to you, dweeb. You must've taught students before, amirite? You used your advantages correctly. 10/10

Question 5: What do you think of this quote? Support the answer with your knowledge and experience.

Anon: Helping someone learn something and seeing them thrive is truly wonderful. 

Comments: Ok, I'll give you that. You have the spirit to become a Taekwondo instructor. 9/10 

Hobin: I don't think I can expect just "nothing" in return. I help because it benefits me. 

Comments: I like your answer but dad wouldn't like it. We share different values. But I'm the judge here, heh. 9/10

Yeonwoo: The notion of “self” is destructive.

Comments: Getting philosophical again, this dude. For a sec I thought you digressed. I don't want to think much about your answer, but I get your point. 7/10

Total score:

Anon: 20/50

Hobin: 40/50

Yeonwoo: 43/50

[sheblah]

OK I'm apparently not done talking about this. Here I'm going to expand on my meta that DT's motivation = survival and all else is just a byproduct.

Lots of people have commented that Double Trouble does what they do purely for drama, or chaos, or because they just love destroying lives. It's as valid an interpretation as any, I guess, but I don't agree with it. They are certainly manipulative, but I don't think this trait is incidental to their personality; it's very much intentional on DT's part. If put together with other clues, I think it reveals something very different about them.

What I propose is that ultimately, DT's goal in life isn't to cause drama or have fun at other people's expense (bear with me). Their goal is to survive - or more accurately, to maximize survival chances - and they have a very meticulous way of going about it.

First I want to take a broad look at the elements that shape DT's personality and motives. This might involve some speculation, since we don't know anything about their early life and very little about their internal thoughts, but I'll stick to onscreen evidence as much as I can. What we do know is that they first appear in the Crimson Waste. I choose to assume they live there and have done so for an indeterminate time before their first appearance. And in the Crimson Waste, the strong make the rules. Not everyone can be the "strongest in the Crimson Waste." Most people just have to be strong enough to survive on their own, or else join up with the strongest like Huntara's goons or Tung Lashor's lizard gang. Since DT isn't ostensibly allied to any group in the CW, they're probably the former. And their strength isn't muscle; it lies in deception, observation, and manipulation. As a shapeshifter, they're naturally predisposed to that sort of skillset. They probably started their career of deception by shifting to blend in and escape danger, and then expanded the applications of that ability into eavesdropping, information gathering, and eventually espionage. Their best strength is knowing more than everybody else, and knowing how to use that information.

Let's go back to S4E2 for a moment. This is the first time we see DT:

They're looking down at Adora, Bow, Huntara, and Perfuma. In retrospect I thought this was odd, since they then proceed to approach Catra, not the heroes. They don't interact with the heroes until Catra has them do their "audition." Why show DT watching them? I think, in this moment, DT is choosing which side to join. For at least a moment, they consider offering their services to the Rebellion instead. We also know this because they mention the possibility to Catra.

Now my opinion is biased towards a morally gray interpretation of the character, but to me this is a pretty big hole in the popular rhetoric that DT is evil for the lulz. Why even think about joining the "good guys" if all you want is chaos and destruction? The Rebellion is about stopping all that noise. And why consider them first? We don't see DT watching Catra and sizing her up.

But before we get to that, we have to ask: why get involved in the war at all? What would drive them to leave the Crimson Waste and seek employment in the wider wartorn world of Etheria? I posit that it's because the Waste is no longer survivable.

In that episode, we see that the Valley of the Lost is crawling with Horde soldiers.

They're terrorizing the denizens of the desert. Now these are mostly hardened criminals who aren't easily terrorized, but the Horde has armor and weapons and numbers on their side. As Huntara puts it, "It wasn't always like this. It used to be a great place, where an honest criminal could carve out a life." When she says this, it's news to her; from what we can tell, she's been living in Bright Moon for awhile. But everyone else there has just been living with this new state of affairs however long the Horde has been in their valley - and it's probably been awhile since they have a whole warehouse set up. It's reasonable to assume DT has been suffering from the Horde's presence as much as anyone else who lives there. How can you make a living gathering intel when there are soldiers around every corner interrogating everyone?

It's simple, actually: if you can't beat them, join them. Or maybe join their enemies.

I think they don't have great choices at this point - either keep working and hope that business picks up while ALSO avoiding the aggressive soldiers, or get involved in a war that you and your home have avoided thus far. The choice that gives them the best chance to keep making money - and, you know, living - is to get involved with the war one way or another.

So then, why pick the Horde way? Also simple.

From where DT is standing, the Horde is winning. They have sophisticated technology, abundant resources, and enough soldiers that they can afford to station a few dozen in a remote desert town. Who does the Rebellion send to steal the ship back? Three kids and a former gang leader. And oh sure, one of them is She-Ra, but what's one superpowered princess against an army? Any way you look at it, the Horde's forces are more impressive.

So they offer their services to the Horde first, with the rebels as a backup in case the Horde says no.

So, let's summarize up to this point. Pretend you're DT. You make your living as a spy, but suddenly a powerful presence takes your town by storm and completely disrupts everyone's daily lives. Finding clients becomes difficult, and actually doing the work is next to impossible when the streets are clogged with armed aggressors. Your income starts drying up. You can't avoid the war anymore - the war has come to you. So you decide to join it. You spot a handful of outsiders trying to avoid attention and figure this must be the Rebellion's forces. It's four people versus dozens of armored soldiers with enormous resources. You pick the stronger side. But now you've gone from working with petty thugs to working with literal warlords, and that's a hell of a dangerous position to be in. If you piss off your employer, you just might die. So. How do you cover your ass?

By getting the dirt.

Because that's your strength. That's how you survive. By manipulating the people who could hurt you. By gathering information that could hurt them so bad they couldn't even retaliate. And, hey, you don't necessarily gather this information with the intent to use it - but if the crap hits the fan and you do something that'll get you on a tyrannical world leader's naughty list, well, you need something to defend yourself with. For you, information is the best weapon.

That explains why they're so determined to get in Catra's skin. They want to know what makes her tick, her strengths, her weaknesses, her obsessions. It's not just for the love of acting. These are all bullets that they can use to bring her down if need be. And when they decide to switch to the other side? Need be.

Giving Catra that devastating speech has multiple effects. I think a part of them really does care about Catra and wants to be honest with her. But my theory is that they're mainly trying to get one important message across:

Don't try to retaliate for this betrayal. I know enough to destroy you without throwing a single punch.

As an ending note, I want to examine that line above. "The best way to survive is always choose the winning side." As amusing as the "would sell you to satan for one corn chip" memes are, that's not actually the sort of attitude they have about betraying Catra. They're not talking about getting a reward here. No mention of superior pay is made. They're not saying they destroyed everything she's worked for on a lark (although they may have had a lark in the process). They're talking about literal survival. The basic gift of continuing to stay alive. That's what they betrayed Catra for. They do the math in that cell in Bright Moon, figure they're on the losing side of the war, and decide what they're getting from the Horde isn't worth getting killed over. Anything else they get out of it is incidental.

Mind you, none of this is meant to imply that they don't enjoy messing with people's heads. There's abundant evidence that they do. Rather, my point is that they probably learned how to manipulate people not as a hobby, but as a vital survival skill... and probably long before they learned to enjoy it.

[christianedundal-blog]

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The major source from difference between the vehicles originates from the travel learn. Insurance companies desire you to strongly believe that handling auto incident insurance claims is a simple concern that performs certainly not call for the support of an accident legal representative that provides services for car mishaps. Possess an experienced check out your vehicle's vehicle electric solution and view the improvement in its own functionality instantly. A longtime automobile enthusiast, Davis Speight started his automotive profession marketing Porsches. While our team have possessed spick-and-span cars and truck inner parts due to the fact that we started evaluating battery powered portable cleaning services, Black & Decker still recommends that there is actually loads of lifestyle left behind in committed car vacs. This isn't creating music in itself, however you may get out of bed an excellent scalp from steam while imagining your own self as a futuristic combo from digital performer, DJ and also combine wizard. Failing is actually not a choice, so it's good to listen to automobile manufacturers are actually planning to match back-up systems. Our team are actually still not ONE HUNDRED% availabled on the occupation framework, which feels like a grind over longer sessions, and that is actually telling that, with the PC version, our team've typically adhered to singular race occasions. Undoubtedly, car manufacturers will should get over substantial challenges making the dream of a really smart vehicle a fact. It has actually integrated in unit optimization, which is actually fairly really good (which is actually basically the same as any sort of Personal Computer cleaner software application). The Tesla cars are actually the most ideal from big tech's goal from the future; this is currently feasible to place photovoltaic panels on your rooftop as well as operate your electricity vehicle for free in a nearly carbon-neutral way (as soon as the automobiles and also boards are developed). A water energy auto would commence righting the wrongs from the current price levels from energy. Producers are working with Thatcham - an investigation organisation funded through insurance companies - to discover a remedy, with BMW giving clients a software application upgrade to stop such burglaries. Graphically the cars and trucks appear excellent (on the surface), inside they look really good as well nothing good yet remarkable. On a good time, as well as perhaps other day other than his bro's wedding, the travel from the airport in Warwick to his brother's lean-to had ten moments. Sadly you have to presume that many automobile salespeople perform certainly not comprehend the 10 rules of selling. There are actually a lot of means to get internet vehicle car loans and also you can obtain your own for the lorry you want today. The long standing custom of making cars and trucks is something that is a substantial understanding curve, as well as with a company that's as sophisticated as Apple - and Google - that procedure still takes a while," he revealed. While this struggles with stubborn filth and also pet dog hair this is actually otherwise a well designed vac with good add-ons for maintaining your electric motor appearing its finest. Now that you possess an understanding from why you would be actually wise to permit the vehicle transport business manage vehicle transit for you, this is actually time for you to decide if this is actually just how you will obtain your auto removaled. Automobile suppliers, suppliers and suppliers hire over 1.5 million people and also directly help in the production from an additional 5.7 m jobs, baseding upon the CAR. In fact, the much-touted improved earnings from many cars and truck companies is actually not based upon earnings coming from making or even marketing the motor vehicles yet coming from asking for rate of interest to those buying all of them. Guide does a really good job describing the grow older from formula implementation that has actually spawned by means of the modern technology boom.