#neda talks

[call-me-copycat]

Because of one of my recent posts, I feel the need to ask:

If you have not read it (or at least haven't read it all), would you guys be interested if I were to share some panels every now and then?

I've noticed every time someone online posts a strip without context, everyone finds it hilarious and wants to know where it's from - I don't see many people that know about SMASH? So I thought I'd ask

I own all 5 books, it's terrible but in a good way in my opinion (⁠๑⁠¯⁠◡⁠¯⁠๑⁠) - I will admit some of it is a little too crude for me though..（´・ω・｀）

SMASH is where a lot of popular artwork came from! (Most of it was from Horikoshi responding to Neda's work but still)

He drew the cast as children for a chapter, and little Aizawa caught a lot of attention:

Then Horikoshi drew this for Neda after that chapter:

There was another with a genderbend artwork from Horikoshi after Neda (I believe it was from the same novel too) made a genderbend strip:

Anddd here are some random panels for those unfamiliar! (´∇｀)

Bonus warning from Horikoshi:

[balkanballad]

completely normal about these lyrics atm (lying)

[jinglejanglemornings]

LMAOOOO NEDA is union busting and replacing the hotline workers with AI. hell world but this is so funny to me sorry i’ve been a NEDA hater for years

[ideasarestuckinmyhead]

Hey umm could you do a story with al and Seth where sugarbo has an eating disorder and they try and help them through it. (And if you don’t feel comfortable doing that, that’s totally fine)

Eating disorder comfort.

TW: Eating disorder as asked.

If you have a eating disorder please try and talk to someone about it!

You can contact the National Eating Disorders Helpline at (800) 931-2237 or text “NEDA” to 741741 for immediate support.

It was Seth who noticed first, how Boo started passing on snacks he would give them. Seeing how they also started eating a bit less at dinner. But, he brushed it off because what if their on a diet? They were talking about losing some weight....

Alphonse noticed when they passed on seconds for their favorite meal. Usually Boo eats two plates before saying their full. That's when he started thinking back, whens the last time they had a full plate for dinner? He hasn't seen them eating lunch in a while either.

Everyone in the trio had different schedules so they ate breakfast at different times. Boo and Seth usually woke up first, but Seth noticed Boo wouldn't eat. He assumed they did after he left for work, but then Alphonse asked him if he saw Boo eat anything in the morning.

It was a Saturday morning when the boys decided to talk to Boo about it. Maybe they were just paranoid, but communication is key in a relationship. Both were in the living room waiting for Boo to wake up.

They did around twelve in the afternoon, Boo slowly came out and saw the two sitting. Getting a gentle smile from the both of them, Alphonse spoke first.

"Boo, can you sit down real quick? I wanna ask something." Whispering gently, not wanting Boo to feel like they were calling them out. Boo on the other hand saw how Seth was playing with his hands.

"Um...okay..." Mumbling they sat across from their two boys. Wondering what the fuck this was about, then it struck them. 'Fuck did they...' before they could speak Alphonse spoke.

"Boo, me and Seth have saw that...you haven't been eating a lot recently. Babe, please...if there is something tell us what's going on..." Whispering Alphonse leaned his hands to theirs. Boo had wide eyes looking at them but tried to shrug it off.

"What? No I've be-" Stuttering a bit they were interrupted by their silent partner.

"Sugar. Please, don't lie to us. You rejected snacks we give you. You always ate snacks during the day, and you started having less on your plate at dinner." Seth felt bad interrupting them but they were trying to deflect. Alphonse put a hand on Seth's thigh for him to calm down. This was a sensitive topic, if everyone gets mad something will be said at the wrong time.

"As Seth is trying to say. We're worried, baby and we just wanna help. Can you tell us why you started slowly not eating?" Alphonse was racking through his head on WHY Boo could be doing this. Boo on the other hand was sitting there, feeling like their head was underwater.

Then the tears began falling down, trying to speak only caused them to cry. The boys say this and jumped up to them, both taking a side as Boo sobbed into their hands.

"One...one of the older ladies made a comment on my weight...I didn't think much at first. Then I started looking in the mirror too much." Sniffing, Boo hiccups as they tried to explain what made them start eating less. Anger slowly filled the boys listening to this.

"She...she even made a comment on how you both would leave me becau-" trying to continue the boys interrupted them.

"Yo what the fuck?-"

"We would never leave you sug!-"

Both turned to their third and hugged them tightly. Clutching their backs Boo sobbed more into them, the boys just stayed there. Hopping their presence would calm them down, both were too angry to say anything.

After a while Boo finally calmed down, letting go as they wiped their face. Alphonse was looking on the ground trying to figure out what to say. God he wanted to punch the old bitch now, but that wouldn't help them.

"Sugar, if something like this happens again. Please tell us, we'll deal with whoever made you feel like this. How fuckin' dare that lady tell you that!" Huffing Seth was trying to control his anger. Alphonse just nodded along as he held Boo to him, 'God what didn't he noticed sooner?'

"We love you the way you are. No need to listen to others on how we feel. If we feel some type of way we tell you. We're in this relationship, not that old bitch. Shouldn't even be butting into our relationship, fuckin' swear ima grab her-" Mumbling threats under his breath Alphonse leaned his head on Boo's shoulder. The third in the relationship smiled at their partner's.

Then thought a bit more, why did the comment affected them so much? But still there was a nagging feeling they had. They did deal with a eating disorder when younger, that comment probably triggered it.

"I...I wanna eat a cupcake." Whispering with determination. Boo decided they needed to start small, and slowly fix their bad eating habits.

"On it!" Seth jumped off the couch, paused then turned and kissed Boo. Rushing away he snatched his keys and went to the grocery store.

"Boo?" Softly speaking, Alphonse lifted his head. Showing his tears as he held their hand. "I'm so sorry we didn't noticed sooner. I swear we promise nothing like this will happen again. I love you. WE love you."

"I know...and thank you, both of you. You guys are always there for me when I need you." Whispering slight tears showed up in Boo's eyes as they leaned and hugged Alphonse. Getting a giggle from him as he entrapped them into a bar hug.

After a while, Seth came back with a cupcake box. Sitting down he opened them for Boo, who gently took one. Looking nervous they took the wrapper off and ate it. Swallowing it they smiled as they enjoyed the sweet treat.

"That was nice! Thank you, Seth for getting these." Feeling tears again they hushed their cowboy. After finishing the small tray of mini cupcakes the three began talking.

Deciding on slowly giving Boo food during the day. So they can get use to eating more than a few things. The baker smiled as they watched Seth and Alphonse look up snacks to get Boo use to eating more.

They were really lucky having then as partners.

[crimes-against-hair]

The Announcer ID Pack 🎙️

ID pack for the Announcer from Shovelware's Brain Game including names (mostly masculine), pronouns and genders.

Themes : the Announcer, Shovelware's Brain Game, tv games, (disembodied) voices

I actually played the game to make this and I liked it. A lot. :P

NAMES !! 🎙️

Character and famous radio/game/tv hosts** : Announcer, Howard, Glenn, Joe, Robin, Michael, Conan, Stephen, Joan, Jack, Jimmy, Anne, Steve, Jim, Bill, Ellen

Voice (and related) : Vox, Calliope, Areli*, Neda, Xenophon, Echo, Alealani*, Batkol, Bharati*, Sauti, Sori, Vani, Zhènshēng

*religious meaning (please correct any mistake)

**please be kind, I am getting my info from Google, my French speaking ass doesn't listen to/watch English games

PRONOUNS !! 🍌

mic/mic/mics/mics/micself

game/game/games/games/gameself

host/host/hosts/hosts/hostself

radio/radio/radios/radios/radioself

TV/TV/TVs/TVs/TVself

prize/prize/prizes/prizes/prizeself

win/win/wins/wins/winself

voice/voice/voices/voices/voiceself

vox/vox/vocis/vocis/vociself

speak(er)/speak(er)/speak(er)s/speak(er)s/speark(er)self

rant/rant/rants/rants/rantself

talk/talk/talks/talks/talkself

hoard/hoard/hoards/hoards/hoardself

collect(or)/collect(or)/collect(or)s/collect(or)s/collect(or)self

GENDERS !! 🎙️

(please note that I had to create some (most xD) of these. that's why there aren't many links.)

announcercharic - related to the Announcer from Shovelware's Brain Game

shovelwaregameic - related to Shovelware's Brain Game

shovelwarestudiosgender - related to Shovelware Studios

shovelwarecoric - related to Shovelware's Brain Game aesthetic

voxgender - related to voices, speaking, etc.

speakergender - related to speakers, using speakers and speaker voices

gamehostgender - related to being a game host

TVhostgender - related to being a TV host

disembodiedvoicix - related to disembodied voices

echogender - related to echoes and echoing voices

thevoicetropic - a gender connected to the media trope "the voice"

micgender - related to microphones, speaking in a mic etc.

[evan4ever]

can i request you to evan peters any character(or himself doesnt matter)x female has eating disorder he’s helping her like you know

I’m Here

Warnings: please please read with caution!!! This may be very triggering. ED (anorexia). Please reach out if you need help, there are resources and I promise you’re not alone 🤍

a/n: I contemplated writing this for awhile because it’s a deep and hard topic, but I’m hoping I wrote this in a way for anyone who struggles with this to know that there is help and people care. I’m linking an ED hotline, called NEDA. You can always message me if you need someone to talk to. Please don’t go through this alone 🙏🏻

I’m having this take place after you and Kit are released from Briarcliff

—

It’s been weeks. Weeks since you touched your favorite food. Weeks since you’ve ate more than a single bite of any meal before you. Weeks since you haven’t felt sick.

When you and Kit had finally been let out of Briarcliff, things were finally good. Having formed a relationship with Kit all that time together in that place, it wasn’t a surprise that he had asked you to come home with him, to be with him forever. Neither of you could imagine being apart after surviving for your lives together. So, of course you happily accepted.

You moved into his home, you spent months fixing it up, he went back to his job as a mechanic and you got yourself a job at a local diner. You were happy, Kit was happy. It was a picture perfect story and you swore nothing would make you feel anything like you did in Briarcliff. How could it? That place was hell and now you were free and living peacefully with the love of your life.

But with all the happiness you felt came an increase in your weight. Kit’s too, but that never bothered you. You loved it, in fact. He looked healthy and you fed him good, which he loved. But your own weight gain was a problem for you.

It didn’t matter that you were gaining because you were in a healthy and happy relationship. All you could focus on was that the number was increasing. It didn’t help that being nearly starved in the asylum had obviously made you drop an unhealthy amount of weight. You looked sick then, but standing that day in front of the mirror and observing your new curves, your stomach pouch and larger arms — something snapped in you. You hated the way you looked and you wanted nothing more than to look like you had the day you left Briarcliff.

So, you stopped eating.

Of course you didn’t want Kit to notice your lack of food intake, so you managed to take a bite or two of supper when he’d come home from work and stir around the food on your plate managing to make it look emptier than when you or Kit made it. And anytime he happened to question anything, you told him you had ate quite a bit at breakfast or lunch and you weren’t very hungry. You always reassured him. And he always bought it.

Your interest in food slowly dissipated. You had no desire to eat anything at all. Though the nausea from an empty stomach hurt quite a bit, your own mind didn’t let it win the battle. At some point, it became painful to eat a bite at all, like you had finally trained your stomach to hate food as much as your mind did. It was a sick and painful battle, but the way your body started slimming out and the number on the scale began dropping faster and faster was exhilarating.

Your goal was to hit the weight you had been when you left Briarcliff, but once you hit that number — you still weren’t satisfied. You wanted to lose more. So instead of allowing yourself to begin eating more, a healthier amount, you didn’t. You continued not eating and the number continued dropping.

You were sure Kit had no idea. He never commented on your weight, when you were larger and even now at a smaller size. You truly expected him to notice and to love it. Boys loved skinny girls. So why wasn’t he complimenting your weight loss? By this point, it was more than noticeable. Even your coworkers were impressed and had told you that you looked amazing. But never Kit. He always complicated other things about you, how your hair looked, your sparkling eyes, the way you looked nice, but never the size of your body.

Little did you know, though, that Kit had taken notice. It began on one of his days off where he realized you hadn’t stem anything all day, and by supper time you gave him the same comment you always had — that you ate too much throughout the day, you just weren’t that hungry. He quickly caught on to what was happening, how your body wasn’t only slimming out but wearing away. When he’s hold you at night, it was nothing for his arm to wrap around you twice if it could. Your ribs and your hip bones were poking out so far that it was worrisome. Your skin began paling and your hair brittling. He noticed all of it.

Your energy was gone at this point. It took everything for you to do your daily tasks, it pained you to get out of bed. If you could lay forever, you would.

It was getting bad. You had lost control and you didn’t even mean to. Of course you weren’t intending to become sick and frail, but your mind took over and would not allow you to become healthy again. Eventually, you believed Kit just didn’t care. There was no way he couldn’t see that you were sick, yet he never said anything. It spines you further that the man you love couldn’t see that you made yourself skinny so that you’d be more attractive, so much so that your life was slipping from you slowly.

Today was Kit’s day off. You stayed in bed when he got up, pulling the comforter up under your chin and wrapping yourself in it because you were so cold. You heard Kit moving around in the living room and kitchen but didn’t care enough to even wonder what it was that he was doing. All you wanted to do was disappear into thin air.

“Baby?” You heard his voice as he entered the room, looking over the thick blanket at him. You gave him a smile as he walked to your side and sat next to you.

“Good morning babe” you hummed quietly, trying to seem okay even though you knew you weren’t. He gazed down at you and you realized it was a look of concern that was on his face. He wore a small smile, but his eyebrows were pushed together and his eyes looked sad. “What’s wrong?”

He blinked a few times before looking down at his hands, you eyes flickering down to them too and noticing the muffin he held in them. You sucked in a sharp breath before looking back up to him confused. He let out a sigh, his eyes still on the muffin.

“Will you eat this for me? It’s blueberry.. your favorite.” He spoke quietly, almost scared to have asked. You clenched your jaw and pushed your own eyebrows together as a silent battle went on in your head. He was right, blueberry was your favorite. An blueberry muffins were expensive, so you guys didn’t buy them often. And now, here was Kit, holding one for you.

You wanted to accept his request, you wanted to shove the whole muffin in your mouth and melt into the sweetness of it. But your mind said absolutely not.

“Mm babe..” you hummed again, resting your head back on the pillow and closing your eyes and you shot him a smile, “I’m not hungry yet. I’ve only barely woken up. I will later?” Your eyes opened to meet his that held even more sadness. Your stomach turned when he seemed unhappy with your answers. He never pushed further when you declined food before, so why was he now?

You watched as he set the muffin on the nightstand next to you, his hands falling back in his lap as they clasped together and he stared down at them. You sat in silence wondering what was going on, fixated on his unreadable stance.

“I think we need to take you to the hospital.” He stated so quietly you questioned if you heard him correctly. Blinking a few times, you sat yourself up in the bed quick to pull the covers up to hide your bones that showed. You were nervous now at his sudden change in behavior today and the thought of going to the hospital made your pulse speed up.

“What?” You laughed nervously, shaking your head as if you didn’t understand. “Why would I need to go to the hospital?”

Kit still hasn’t met your eyes while yours were placed on him firmly. Your nerves grew with every passing second.

“You’re sick, y/n.” He said, sucking in a noticeably shaky breath. Your confusion and worry increased with his seemingly sadness.

“I’m not.” You disagreed, shaking your head. A deeper sigh left from his mouth and his shoulders slumped more than they were before, your eyes noticing the repeated clench and unclench of his jaw bone. “Kit..”

“We can get you help. There’s people out there that want to help you. I want to help you.” He spoke his last sentence in a whisper, a tear dropping onto his cheek. Seeing it pulled at your heart, realizing that he knew what was going on and was scared for you. “If we don’t get you help, your heart is going to give out. You can’t continue down this path and…” he sucked in another sharp, shaky breath, “and I can’t live without you.”

His eyes finally flickered at you, more tears dripping from his eyes to his beet red cheeks. His eyes begged you, pleaded with you to hear him out. You, at a loss for words, only stared at the broken man in front of you. You had for so long believed he didn’t notice and didn’t care when all along he had. You quickly thought back to all the times he’d offered you food, your favorite foods specifically. All the times he bought your favorite take out even though he could barely afford it, yet you denied eating more than a bite. All this time, that was his way of trying to help you. The only way he knew how that wasn’t taking you to the hospital. Now, he knew he had no choice if he wanted you to survive this.

“I’m okay Kit, really. I just haven’t been hungry—“

“You’re lying y/n.” His voice raised. It wasn’t a yell but it was a plead. “You’re not okay. You’re dying.”

The word dying made you flinch, because it was true. Your body was only weeks away from giving out on you and you knew that. You knew it and you didn’t want it to happen but you couldn’t fix it. Everything he was saying was true. But the thought of getting help and being forced to eat and regain weight was the worst feeling you’ve ever had.

“You can’t do this alone and I’m here for you. I want to help you get help, because I can’t give you the medical help you need. But I can stand by your side every step of the way. I am begging you.” He held your eyes in his, never looking away from them. He needed you to see how serious he was and how serious this situation was. If he could help you the way you needed, he would. He’d never force you to go to the hospital if it wasn’t your life depending on it. But he knew his love and guidance was not enough. He could fill your head with every compliment in the world, reassure you day in and day out that your beautiful no matter how you look, that you don’t have to kill yourself to be beautiful. He could tell you every day that you didn’t have to be skin and bones for him to want you, that he wanted you at your highest and healthiest weight just as much as he wants you now. But your health now wont allow you to be with him forever, and for that, he needs to help you get the correct help. “I’m begging you.”

Your eyes closed, no longer able to bare the brokenness he held. What you were doing may be killing you physically, but it was also killing him mentally. It wasn’t what you intended to do, of course not. You just needed him to open up to you for you to see it. And you knew everything he was saying was true and it was said out of love, from the very bottom of his heart. He was begging you to let him help you the only way he could.

It went silent again as you thought about his request over and over again. Your mind was telling you now but your entire being was begging you to let him. It was fucked up how strong the mind is. How much control it had over the person it belonged to. But you knew of you didn’t allow him to help you that you wouldn’t last much longer, and that was the amount of encouragement you needed to be able to accept his plea.

“okay.” You whispered, your eyes squeezing shut tighter. Suddenly, it felt like you could breathe. Like a weight was lifted off your entire body. Like everything you were fighting alone in was no longer holding you.

“Okay?” Kit whispered. You opened your eyes slowly and blinked through the tears that had formed allowing them to fall. Once your vision was clear and you were able to see Kit, you sniffled and nodded. He nodded along with you, a new small smile forming on his lips. “Okay.” He confirmed, standing from your shared bed and grabbing your hand gently to help you from it.

His eyes skimmed over your fragile body, the sight hurting him deeply. You noticed him doing so, but you didn��t shy away or become embarrassed. You were able to admit you needed help, and it was like your eyes opened wide and you could see the damage your mind was doing to you. And he could see it too.

“We’re gonna get you help, baby. Everything will be okay soon I promise.” He spoke softly, hugging you to him once you were dressed. You wrapped your weak arms around him and rested you head on his chest. Every move you made made you dizzy, and you held him for support as he guided you to the car and helped you in, bucking you and closing your door before entering the drivers side and starting it. His hand reached for yours as he began driving, taking the small thing in his tightly like he was holding it for dear life.

Your mind raced nervously the closer you got to the hospital, wondering what their point of action would be. You were scared they’d take you away or that you’d become a clinical experiment. Kit must’ve been able to tell you were scared, giving your hand a reassuring squeeze.

“It’ll be okay baby. You’re gonna be okay.”

—

Tags: @evanpetersmood @witchsbitchestime @demxnicprxncess @yes-divine-ruler @shjjpm @evanpsrealwife @iruzias @jangsuzchap @quicksilversg1rl @submissiveforahsmen @angelmenace @lovelizzie-blog1 @justa19 @daylas-life @simp4petermaximoff @totta69

[deckerroosevelt]

Chapter 2, part 4

   “My name is Loki. I woke up here today. (I don’t even know what day it is.) I have met a strange man named Decker Roosevelt. This house is his, I think. With me, here lives a girl with a blindfold (I forgot her name), Treacher, Ambeth and Neda. 

   Treacher seemed nice and normal, though he has a mask, so I don’t really know how he looks yet. He has darker skin and has purple strokes in his hair. Neda is a porcelain doll. She speaks, but I think she has a microphone in her mouth or something. Dolls do not talk or move.   This house is making my brain burn. The hallways make no sense at all, but when I stormed away from Neda, I found my way here without thinking. Did I even go down the stairs? I can’t remember. 

   The only regular looking people I have seen are the cook that brought us breakfast and Ambeth. Ambeth looks like a 12-year-old child as she’s supposed to. A bit homeless though, but we all are ‘rescues’ here. Why have the others been rescued? I can’t remember why I was rescued.

   I remember that my family loved but forgot me. That sounds unrealistic. But I feel like I forgot myself at one point too. But everyone remembers me here. Why is it so important to me? Of Course they would remember me. Why do I keep thinking about forgetting? I should write everyday like this.”

 I wrote everything so fast that my handwriting was horrible. But I understood it and it’s not like my handwriting would be good anyways. Good enough. I took the notebook and put it under my pillow. 

   I looked outside and saw the sun setting. This day has been so confusing, but now I feel unexpectedly cozy. The stillness and silence was intense, now that I stopped writing. It was so beautiful and peaceful. I could just stay here for the rest of my life. Sitting on my bed looking at the sunset. But the sunset is not there forever, like I am. I am not here forever, though. Right?

[whenyoulosesmallmind]

I fratelli Karamazov 1969 [EP1] - Ivan & Smerdjakov + at Katja's, the beginning of the three thousand rubles affair

As a farewell to 2023 and to a happy new year, I bring you... some more Karamazovian dramatics!

part one | part two | part three (you are here!)

Some sparse notes before the translated transcripts start under the cut: 1. usual disclaimer that I'm not a professional, just an amateur, and am doing this out of pure insanity -- if you want to discuss translation related things or have some corrections, my inbox is open and your thoughts are welcomed <3; 2. mild trigger warnings for (time appropriate): strongly implied slut shaming and more vague possibly mysoginistic remarks made by Smerdjakov about Grušen’ka -- i feel like Smerdjakov himself is sometimes made to fit into the evil gay "advisor" stereotype and that might not be everyone's cup of tea -- while I don't think these bits take anything away from the writing and actually contribute to paint a more vivid picture of the society and the time the work is set in, we must keep in mind that this is a 1969 adaptation of a 1860s novel and that there are things about it that might squick some nowdays; 3. I'm actually really sorry that this took me so long to finish, I've had the dialogues written down and a rough sketch of the translation sitting around for months and polishing it turned out to be an harder task that what I thought it would be. There's still some sentences I'm not 100% sure about, but done in this case is better than perfect, and it doesn't matter how much I mourn the formal you in english, I gotta learn to work without it; 4. that said, this time I relied in a couple of scene on a lot more stage directions than last time, I felt that some more prominent acting/staging choices, especially in the Ivan & Smerdjakov bit, were important enough to warrant a description -- Katja and Dmitrij's interaction I feel instead it relies on more subtle choices for its effect, that are harder to describe, especially on Katja's side, so left it more barebones to give the dialogue more space (so you should watch it to get the full effect, wink wink nudge nudge); 5. enjoy the insanity <33

Interpreters: Umberto Orsini as Ivan Karamazov, Antonio Salines as Smerdjakov, Neda Naldi as M. Chochlakova, Maria Grazia Antonini as Lisa Chochlakova, Carla Gravina as Katerina Ivanovna and Corrado Pani as Dmitrij Karamazov.

Original script by Diego Fabbri, directed by Sandro Bolchi.

You can follow watch the drama here on YT or here on RaiPlay -- I suggest the latter, it's free and it's the original source, but youtube's still there if you prefer.

[INT. – AT THE KARAMAZOV’S/IVAN’S ROOM] min. 14:19

(Ivan snaps his fingers from behind a screen – Smerdjakov enters: he’s here to help Ivan get dressed)

Smerdjakov: (with a servile tone – to keep in mind for all his dialogues: he never drops it) I’m not allowed to say certain things, as I’m just a servant who should only thank his master’s benevolence, but if I may risk a word it’s only because I’m devoted to you, Ivan Fëdorovič…

Ivan: (with a harsh tone – emphasis on devoted; he keeps up the commanding/angry tone until stated otherwise) I sincerely don’t understand why you should be devoted to me! – As you put it.

Smerdjakov: I like to hear you talk, Ivan Fëdorovič… when you’re arguing, downstairs, with your father–

Ivan: That’s rare!

Smerdjakov: (cont. – must note: as Smerdjakov is helping Ivan button the back of his waistcoat, they are talking in front of a mirror and the last piece of this line is spoken while they’re both looking at their reflection) Well, those times I… I never miss a word. Sometimes I even hide, I must confess, to not lose the flow of the conversation… and I can say that you don’t converse: you reason.

Ivan: Is the frac ready? – Did you iron the frac?!

Smerdjakov: Ironed, Ivan Fëdorovič: I overlooked the ironing myself because I don’t trust that muddler, Marfa, nor that hick Grigorj.

Ivan: (amused/sardonic – he’s putting on the cuntiest little round glasses) What is it – what would you have told me if you were allowed to speak freely?

Smerdjakov: Well, now maybe… I wouldn’t dare…

Ivan: You’re allowed! And don’t make me beg you…(grabs Smerdjakov by his hair and pulls him close) you’re cunning.

Smerdjakov: But maybe you already know, Ivan Fëdorovič–

Ivan: What should I know? (he releases Smerdjakov)

Smerdjakov: Dmitrij’s new sudden infatuation for Agrafena Aleksandrovna… they’re talking about it, in town, because Agrafena Aleksandrovna – Grušen’ka, you understand? – she has her own history, and those who have their own history are on everyone’s lips.

Ivan: It’ll be my brother Dmitrij’s usual whim.

Smerdjakov: Well… It may be something more. Certainly something different.

Ivan: Dmitrij has a fiancée.

Smerdjakov: The noble miss Katerina Ivanovna.

Ivan: (with a softer tone, almost dreamily, clearly he’s thinking about Katja) …and there is not a girl more fine nor fascinating – (back to the harsh tone; note that after this rise he softens a bit) so?!

Smerdjakov: And who might say the contrary… but this Grušen’ka, as those who know her say, looks like she might have other… other requirements. I’ve told you she has a history and, for a man as intelligent as you are, it’s all said.

Ivan: (laughs) The shoes – get the bone shoe horn, the long one.

Smerdjakov: (kneeling to put the shoes on Ivan, who is sitting on the bed) And then there’s more that’s riling Dmitrij up, there’s almost a challenge.

Ivan: The gossiper that you are…

Smerdjakov: (laughs) If it were gossip, I wouldn’t speak, Ivan Fëdorovič, but I can always stop here, if you prefer.

Ivan: And speak, then, say what you want to say.

Smerdjakov: For… this Grušen’ka has, how can I say it – given his age, fallen in love is a kind term, is it? – the master fell for her, too.

Ivan: What master?

Smerdjakov: (Smerdjakov looks up to Ivan) Ours – (he looks at the shoe he’s putting on Ivan) mine. Fëdor Pavlovič, you father, sir. (laughs) He’s fallen madly in love!

Ivan: (as he kicks Smerdjakov away, sending him sprawling on the ground) You’re a reptile!

Smerdjakov: I swear on everything I believe that this is the truth!

Ivan: And since you don’t believe in anything, you perjure!

Smerdjakov: (as he gets up to his feet) I guarantee you, Ivan Fëdorovič – the master confided in me, and I already had to run some tasks for him at that lady’s… I don’t badmouth: I confide in you, if you allow me, of course… Fëdor Pavlovič, despite his age, is gone for her to the point he even wishes to marry her – (reaching for Ivan) to this, we’ve come!

Ivan: (he gets up, puts distance between him and Smerdjakov again) Do the two know?

Smerdjakov: The two? – you mean, the father and the son? (as he gets Ivan’s frac and helps him wear it) I believe so, and this is, I think, the true reason for the hatred: no more the heritage. And it’s not yet said that the older one won’t have it his way, Dmitrij’s impetus notwithstanding – and I find him a handsome young man, a young man who should be liked, on the contrary: who is liked, undoubtedly; but this time, in this challenge, eh!, who knows? Because it looks like this Grušen’ka lights, how can I say, lights the amorous fantasy in more mature… elderly men; it’s one of her particularities, they say.

Ivan: (angry) Stop it! – (then, distraught) I have no more need for you, I’m ready.

Smerdjakov: The coat is downstairs, in the wardrobe. I’m sorry I upset you, Ivan Fëdorovič.

Ivan: (still distraught, upset) I’m only thinking about poor Katerina Ivanovna; ignorant, I suppose… (he scratches at the door frame with his fingernails) that upsets me.

*

[INT. – AT KATERINA IVANOVNA’S/BALLROOM] min. 19:52

(the scene opens with the camera following a waiter carrying a teacups tray through a moderately crowded ballroom; he stops by M. Chochlakova and Lisa)

Waiter: Please, madame.

M. Chochlakova: (takes one of the offered teacups) Thank you.

Waiter: Some tea, miss?

(Lisa shakes her head; the camera returns to following the movement of the waiter amongst Katja’s guests, until he passes by Katerina herself and Ivan and focuses on them – note: Ivan isn’t wearing his cunty glasses anymore, but he’s cuntily holding a cigarette)

Ivan: Yes, I am… I am worried for Dmitrij, the argument with my father over that damned heritage is exasperating him: he withdraws, he hides; we can’t find him for days and days. Do you see him?

Katja: I was hoping to have him with us today, I had a note delivered to his domicile but… who knows if he’ll show up. However, you don’t have to worry so, Ivan Fëdorovič: I know Dmitrij, I know what is troubling him at this moment. We need to let his agitation placate naturally. Why did he target his father so intensely – because now he needs money and he doesn’t have any, and he’s so proud he won’t borrow from anyone: and so he gets exasperated.

Ivan: So you think, Katerina Ivanovna, that money might pacify him.

Katja: No, it’s not the money that gives him peace. Dmitrij is the most generous man I have ever known, money obsesses him only because it lets him act fully free.

Ivan: (smiles) Mh, I admire your intelligence and your… extraordinary lucidity; I did not think that a woman in love could see with such clarity the man she loves.

Katja: I believe it is love that makes me see so clearly, for Mitja’s sake. I know the situation I find myself in.

Ivan: Do you know about… the news, too?

Katja: I know the news, too. (she spots Dmitrij, who just entered) There he is! (she turns back to Ivan, their faces are very close) He came.

(the camera cuts to Dmitrij, standing very still; at Katja’s aunt’s call he comes towards her and kisses her hand) 

Katja’s aunt: Dmitrij Fëdorovič, don’t pretend to be a statue, come closer!

Lisa: I hoped you would bring along your brother Alëša…

Dmitrij: Don’t you know he walks a different path than us? And he’s serious about it, my little brother – he’s not like us, he doesn’t mistake the devil for holy water (he spots Ivan and Katja sitting together) Anyway, I see another member of the Karamazov family already preceded me, and is already here.

(to Katja’s aunt) You really want us all, eh?

Katja’s aunt: We would really like to have you all – because you’re pleasant, you Karamazovs.

Katja: (she stands up and walks towards her aunt) Aunt, I’ll let you have him all for yourself later, but may I speak to him for a moment first?

Katja’s aunt: Youths and feelings’ rights, I’ve always respected.

Katja: Dmitrij Fëdorovič, if you’ll follow me. (she exits with Dmitrij following)

(the scene cuts off with a shot of Ivan pensively about to take a drag of his cigarette, he seems to be following Katja and Dmitrij with his gaze)

[INT. – AT KATERINA IVANOVNA’S/KATJA’S ROOM] min. 23:07

Katja: Come, Mitja, come.

Dmitrij: Will it be a long talk? Maybe an explanation?

Katja: (rummaging through a vanity) No. No, I just have a favour to ask you Mitja; you should send this parcel to Moscow for me, to my sister Agaf’ja Ivanovna. It’s not urgent but… you really must be the one doing it, Mitja, because no-one in the house should know.

Dmitrij: Would it be a secret, then?

Katja: There are three thousand rubles inside, my sister needs them, or her husband does, I didn’t understand very well. In any case, I’m sending them personally; there (she hands him the parcel) I told you you can do it at your leisure, then you’ll give me the receipt, but… it has to remain between us, understood?

Dmitrij: I’ll do it right now, I’ll bring you the receipt immediately – (he makes for a side door) can I leave from here? I’d rather not pass through the ballroom.

Katja: But why, Mitja, what are they going to say about this sudden escape?

Dmitrij: They’ll say… they’ll say you asked me to tend to an urgent and delicate matter. Isn’t it the truth, Katja? And then, you won’t be alone: someone from the family will keep you in good company – actually, I’m wondering, why didn’t you ask Ivan for this favour? He would’ve been happy to make himself useful.

Katja: What you’re saying isn’t worthy of you, Mitja. Maybe you don’t even really think it, but… you want to hurt me, I feel it.Dmitrij: Is there anything I’m not worthy of? What is it that’s not worthy of me? Come on, Katja, you know very well how low I can go. I’ll do what you asked me to, and without anyone knowing. (he leaves)

[call-me-copycat]

Whenever the time for questions for Horikoshi was still open on the MHA World Poll, I remember sending one asking about Neda, the author of SMASH.

I wonder how Neda's doing now, he's a very interesting person to me ʕ⁠·⁠ᴥ⁠·⁠ʔ

[girlactionfigure]

It was an “emotionally wrenching and heart felt” performance.

“Surrounded by burning candles, performing on a grand piano and accompanied by a small orchestra of violins,” his rendition of this famous song “spoke to many of us who were suffering from the terrible tragedies in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.”

It was just days after 9/11, when Neil Young performed the iconic song, according to a site dedicated to Neil Young News.

Although the song was banned from radio in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, “because envisioning a world where we all got along was at odds with the public demand for bloody justice,” according to Consequence, Young believed it was the right song to sing.

Pulse Magazine wrote that Young's performance of "Imagine" on the Benefit telecast was "one of those moments you never forget."

“When disaster strikes, musicians respond the way they know best: with song,” wrote Katy Waldman of Slate. “As composer Leonard Bernstein said three days after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, ‘This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.’”

“In times of trouble and grief, there is one song that millions of people turn to for inspiration and solace: John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s ‘Imagine’,�� according to writer Martin Chilton.

The “Imagine” album was released on September 9, 1971, touching “the world with its hopeful message about the need for global understanding,” wrote Sari Rosenberg.

This is a new story on the Peace Page.

~~~~~

“For nearly 50 years, credit for this song - "Imagine" - has gone to one writer - John Lennon,” according to NPR.

That changed in 2017, after Lennon himself admitted his wife Yoko Ono should receive co-credit. Lennon explained in 1980 “a lot of the lyric and the concept came from Yoko.”

“Ono's 1964 book of conceptual poetry, ‘Grapefruit,’ contained verses like, imagine clouds dripping and imagine goldfish swimming across the sky. She also contributed to the song's theme of a world without borders or religion pulling people apart,” according to NPR’s Neda Ulaby.

In an interview with David Sheff, shortly before his death in December 1980, Lennon also shared that Dick Gregory had given him and Ono a Christian Prayer-book which had inspired him to write the track. “The concept of positive prayer…If you can imagine a world at peace, with no denominations of religion – not without religion but without this my God-is-bigger-than-your-God thing – then it can be true.”

“When ‘Imagine’ was released, John Lennon said that the world was too focused on trivialities and ‘the thing we should be talking about is the violence that goes on in this society.’ It reached No. 1 following Lennon’s murder in December 1980 and entered the UK charts again in 2012 after Emeli Sandé recorded a cover for the 2012 London Olympics,” according to writer Martin Chilton.

“Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ is arguably the most loved song of all time,” according to writer Joe Taysom. “The track captures Lennon crying out for a fairer world . . . As the decades go on, ‘Imagine’ has morphed into a tragically appropriate tonic to whatever travesty is currently tearing the world apart.”

“It’s not surprising that musicians turn to this particular work in the aftershocks of tragedy,” according to Waldman. “For one thing, ‘Imagine’ is a song that musicians continually turn to, period: The Broadcast Media Inc. found it to be one of the most covered songs of the 20th century. Its simple, versatile structure has seduced and inspired hundreds of artists, among them Lady Gaga, Emeli Sande, Etta James, Davie Bowie, Pink, Eva Cassidy, and The Persuasions.”

More than 200 artists have performed or covered the song, including Joan Baez, Elton John, Diana Ross, Peter Gabriel, Melissa Etheridge, Dave Matthews, Dolly Parton, Seal, , India.Arie, John Legend, and Julian Lennon.

“The ritual arguably began on Dec. 9, 1980, when Queen covered the song at the Wembley Arena, one day after Lennon died. Stevie Wonder played it during the closing ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics to honor lives lost in the Centennial Olympic Park bombing. . . . In 2004, Madonna joined the ranks of “Imagine”-eers when she reinterpreted Lennon’s ballad at an aid concert for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.”

“Though the song was banned from radio in the immediate aftermath of 9/11,“Neil Young recognized its potency, singing it at a memorial concert, ‘America: Tribute To Heroes’”, according to Chilton. “Coldplay performed a version after the terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015. Following discord around North Korea in 2018, ‘Imagine’ was the natural choice for a group of Korean musicians to perform at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.”

“It’s now become the go-to song when it comes to grief or mourning,” wrote Taysom. “This is down to the tangible sense of hope that rings out from ‘Imagine’ and an overriding feeling that everything will eventually be okay.”

~~~~~

“It returns to us most bittersweetly when something bad happens, when we are casting about for answers and consolation,” wrote Waldman. “The writer John Blaney called ‘Imagine’ a ‘humanistic paean for the people,’ a kind of secular prayer. Rolling Stone described it as ‘22 lines of graceful, plain-spoken faith in the power of a world, united in purpose, to repair and change itself.’”

“The song also derives considerable power from its historical context. Lennon, shot down before his time, reminds us that the universe can run ramshod over idealistic people. That knowledge makes ‘Imagine’’s plea for peace and brotherhood all the more poignant. On the other hand, the fact that the song persists, even though Lennon is gone, speaks to the enduring strength of his fantasy. If ‘Imagine’ captures the fragility of our hope after a violent or destructive event, it also reveals its tenacity.”

The legacy of the song was most perfectly summarized by President Jimmy Carter, who noted: “In many countries around the world — my wife and I have visited about 125 countries — you hear John Lennon’s song ‘Imagine’ used almost equally with national anthems.”

After Neil Young completed his rendition of “Imagine” after 9/11, reports were he “appeared to be on the verge of tears.”

Chilton says, “Decades after its original release, this popular music masterpiece, a model of simplicity, continues to inspire people of all races and creeds, offering the listener a momentary respite of hope in a troubled world, especially in the beautiful lines:

‘You may say I’m a dreamer

But I’m not the only one

I hope some day you’ll join us

And the world will be as one.’”

~ jsr

[Image, courtesy of Noam Galai]

The Jon S. Randal Peace Page

[klapollo]

(Content warning for discussions of eating disorders and suicide)

The National Eating Disorders Association, the largest ED nonprofit, has fired the staff of its decades-old helpline, which includes over 200 volunteers, and is intending to replace them with a chatbot.

The bot has seemingly been trained only on talking to women, and reactions and testing from the EDAnonymous support board on Reddit indicate the bot is even more unhelpful than it seems at face value. The reporter of the above article details being essentially ignored when imitating a user in crisis.

NEDA claims this venture was a long time coming, but suspicions are abound given that this was announced less than a week after the helpline staff unionized in hopes of improving working conditions.

[beardedmrbean]

This weekend (July 6-7) probably the biggest pop culture event in Bulgaria took place. Over 25,000 fans of cosplay, manga, anime, gaming, comics, cinema and graffiti gathered to have fun in the company of popular actors, artists and talents from around the world. Two days, 4 halls and thousands of emotions! The diverse program allowed everyone to immerse themselves in their world and be themselves among like-minded people. Dozens of zones with games and surprises, panels with movie stars, gaming tournaments, meetings with celebrities from the small screen, workshops, contests and a show program are just a part of everything that Aniventure Comic Con will leave a mark on the hearts of the audience. After the fantastic end of this year's edition, the organizers have also announced the dates for next year, namely July 5 and 6, 2025!

As part of Aniventure Comic Con 2024, fans had the opportunity to meet live with actors Ross Marquand, Dan Fogler, Anna Shaffer, Vincent Regan and Maria Bakalova, who with a smile and a very warm attitude welcomed their fans for photos and autographs. In addition to these close encounters, the actors talked about themselves and shared interesting moments from their lives and careers during special interviews from the stage of Hall 1.

They were joined by Julian Kostov and Josh Wichard, who took us to another dimension and explained what it's like to be a video game actor. The topic excited dozens of guests who crowded the gaming area of ​​A1 and Lenovo, where tournaments and challenges were held on the most popular and current games such as Brawl Stars, Clash Royale, League of Legends Challenge, FC24, FORTNITE with 4a1a.

Visitors had the opportunity to meet live the artists of comics such as "Tony Pateto", Neda Malcheva, Christian Duce, as well as the author of the series of books from the universe of "Dune", "Star Wars" and "The X-Files" - Kevin J. Anderson, who revealed more details and little-known facts about his work on the super hits.

One of the hot spots during the event was the Meet&Greet area, which met us with the most popular influencers and YouTubers such as Slavi from The Clashers, Aide BG, The World of Vankata, Mirela Ilieva and Teodora Mudeva from "Games of Will", Hyperkong and Elizabeth Kravets, Philip Bukov, Krisia, Atanas Mishev-Nasi Svej, Maggie Tomova, Ekaterina Todorova, Valeria Dakova. For the first time, all the "Bachelors" of Bulgaria gathered in one place - Viktor Stoyanov, Evgeni Genchev, Alek Mladenov.

Of course, we can't help but mention the extremely exciting cosplay, manga and anime contests, which peppered the event with incredible images and favorite characters that came to life on the main stage. There were also numerous workshops, panels, lectures and screenings dedicated to Asian culture, which filled Hall 2 with fans.

These and many more emotions captured Inter Expo Center, and what awaits us next year, we have to find out on July 5 and 6, 2025. Tickets at a promotional price are now on sale in the Eventim network!

[mariacallous]

Stories and photographs of LGBTQ refugees from Africa, the Middle East and Central America, taken by refugees themselves, are on show in at a EuroPride 2024 exhibition in the Greek city of Thessaloniki.

A selection of 27 portraits and stories from LGBTQ refugees went on display at the Toss Gallery in Thessaloniki on Monday evening to coincide with EuroPride 2024, the European Pride celebration, which is being held this week in the Greek city.

The exhibition is part of a project called '1000 Dreams', which involves people with a refugee background telling the stories of refugees.

“People like me, Western journalists, have been covering refugees for years and have told many different stories… so we realised that the best way to do this project was to do none of the storytelling,” William Lounsbury, project director at US NGO Witness Change, which is organising the exhibition, told BIRN.

Witness Change organised eight workshops in Europe and two in the US, training 90 refugees in how to take a portrait using a camera and flash. They were also given cameras and trained in how to do interviews.

“When two people with refugee experience are speaking to each other, they’re going to be telling a different story than would be told to me,” Lounsbury explained.

Quinn Gapp, 32, a queer photographer and artist from Azerbaijan, now a refugee in Germany, participated in one of the Witness Change workshops.

“You meet these people and you try to connect and you say I know, I am also going through this. We started opening up to each other. I told them my story and then they told me their story and we connected,” Gapp recalled.

“What I realised was that we are all sharing the same thoughts and experiences in different ways. We are different people, having different backgrounds, different countries of origin, but we went through the same process of being refugees in Germany,” he added.

The refugee exhibition is supported by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, a German NGO.

“In Heinrich Böll we talk a lot about refugees but we too barely get to hear the stories of refugees as told by refugees, so for us this is a very dear project because there is part of trying to counterbalance the narratives and encounter the bias we have,” said Neda Noraie-Kia, head of migration policy in Europe at the Heinrich Böll Stiftung.

The exhibition will remain open until the end of the Thessaloniki EuroPride 2024 eventson June 30.

“Persevere – Progress – Prosper” is the slogan of EuroPride 2024, which includes a street parade in Thessaloniki on Saturday as well as films, exhibitions and a two-day human rights conference on Wednesday and Thursday.

[pep-the-artemis]

Jimi - Hey, Yeva, don't you think your gf has been running around a lot lately.

Yeva - Назовите нас снова влюбленными, и я покажу вам, где омары проводят зиму… но да, это очень странно.

Mick - ... moving on, why don't you just ask her?

Jimi - she scares me.

???? - hey what you guys talking about?

Jimi - AAAGH!

Yeva - ¬_¬

Mick - you actually, why are you running around doing so many errands?

???? - Well, you know how my name's dog toffee... well I asked politely and came to an agreement with the humans that if I did all there chores, they would change my name on the system!

Jimi - *calming down* cool... what did you choose?

???? - Nori :D

Yeva - Нори?

Nori - yep!

Yeva - мужлан

Jimi - weeb

מַפְסִידָן - Jerad

Luna - zoppo

Miku - 美味しい

Nori - at least Miku appreciates me!

Yeva - Нет. Она просто разговаривает во сне. наблюдать. котенок.

Miku - ああ、可愛い！

Nori - Well... What about Neda?! He isn't Japanese yet has a Japanese name.

Neda - …ты действительно встречаешься с этой девушкой, Йевой?

Yeva - МЫ НЕ ВСТРЕЧАЕМСЯ!

[anxiousocdturtle93]

Day 5 Morning: Is it really true?

Trigger warning. OCD, Anxiety, PTSD, ED, Depression Venting

I didn’t decide to do this blog until late last night and even then I guess I’ve been feeling alone with grief and anger. It only was confirmed Friday morning though there were talks Thursday night. So I guess I could say 4, but I was made aware of this before hand. I have a horrible urge to redo everything, scrub away germs, panic, keep work going, and try and calm the anxiety, depression, PTSD, and OCD.

Now it’s in the stage of “What’s our next step?” “Are you going to be okay if I let you go home?” “Please try this.” “We are going to meet to see what to do.” “You’re homework is to research this.” “Call your insurance to see if these places will let you do outpatient treatment.”

Did you guess what it is?

For me, the new diagnosis is Anorexia Nervosa—restrictive calories and purge workouts.

My team behind me started the process. A new system for my therapist had me redoing some questionnaires, which then had ED. Dietitian got involved and the endocrinologist did the testing to see where my numbers were. Well shit. TS3 was high but that was because of the birth control. Most all numbers were good. A1C was going up slowly, BUN was the lowest it’s been from where it usually is.

I never thought of it—I thought it was normal to not be hungry sometimes. You know, be turned off by food sometimes. Plus, with my OCD, well there’s the compulsive side hoping the food is safe and not contaminated. And that could be eating at a new place or bring food from home an hour away in a bag that is safe but it’s still not enough. At the time I can have it, it’s not fresh. It’s wrong. That’s where OCD can be hand in hand with this. Lucky me, right?

Woah. Rewind. How did you not know this was happening? And where is the purge workouts coming in?

When the pandemic hit, I picked up running. I started at a mile and then hit the runners high. I could do 5K a year later without stopping and soon was doing 10K. I lost so much weight and was so proud. 220 down to 190. I wasn’t stuck in a car driving back and forth.

Don’t get me wrong, I love teaching my piano and flute students. What I don’t like is the drive. Times like that, I wish I can just teleport.

Fast forward to today. I realize I’m finding ways around the “you can do this for only so long.” Well then I will bike for 2 miles. I’ll walk for 2 miles. And keep going with using a push lawn mower and lifting things. We’re good with that, right? And that was this summer. I figure if I don’t workout during the time I’m teaching restricting the calories is smart.

Oh and don’t forget the food portion. Eating between 300-500 calories (usually 300-350). And that’s unintentional I think mostly. Why? Because when I drive. I take a granola bar, a ginger ale in case I get sick, and a pack of saltines. I don’t usually drink the ginger ale, and have half a pack of saltines. I always have mints with me. And if I don’t miss Panera, then it’s just the 100 calories soup, mostly.

So, yes. I have an ED and will start out patient treatment soon since I still have to make a living and can’t take time off. Got to love the cost of living. I have an ED as a person who weighs 235lbs. And then I get angry at those who can lose weight and I can’t. I did the diets too. I have the right food. But I don’t cook for me anymore. I don’t want too.

Why start a blog? Because I need to vent. I need a place to just….come to terms with it. And see the progress. Loads of things come to my mind that I didn’t know or that I could have. Finally, to share a story I suppose. Even if you don’t read it.

You’re not alone. Even though that voice makes you feel like you are. You aren’t. Get the help you need. Reach out.

If you are in a crisis and need help immediately, call 988 or continue to contact Crisis Text Line by texting “NEDA” to 741741 to be connected with a trained volunteer at Crisis Text Line. Crisis Text Line is a separate organization staffed by volunteers who provide free, 24/7 support via text message to individuals who are struggling with mental health, including eating disorders, and are experiencing crisis situations.

And here’s the website if you need more resources. Good luck.

[head-post]

136 Iranian MPs oppose social media access amid flaws in filter system

136 members of parliament publicly opposed moves to ease the country’s strict social media filtering system, sparking tensions over internet restrictions in Iran.

The filtering system led to widespread VPN services among the population, creating what critics called a parallel internet economy, Iranian media reported. Telegram remains the most popular social network (45 per cent) among Iranians despite the restrictions, according to the Iranian economic newspaper Donyaye Eghtesad.

The survey also revealed that Instagram was the second most preferred platform with 20 per cent, whereas WhatsApp and YouTube were tied at 9 per cent each. Google Play took 7 per cent, and 10 per cent of respondents indicated no preference.

The sharp letter to the Supreme Council for Cyberspace called for the council to investigate the “behind-the-scenes of filter-breaking sales.” Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi admitted at Elcomp exhibition in Tehran on Monday that “everyone, regardless of their perspective, believes that the filtering situation is not desirable.”

In November, Majid Farahani, the president’s executive deputy and head of the central council of the reformist Neda-ye Iranian (Voice of Iranians) Party, said Iran would gradually lift restrictions on internet access in three stages by March 2025.

Internet filtering will be removed in three stages before the New Year.

Earlier in September, Iran’s Kish Free Zone Organisation claimed it was in talks to launch high-speed unfiltered internet access in a “controlled manner.”

Read more HERE